Chancellor Mike Tee: Venture in research to improve lives of Filipinos

Manila, Philippines – June 12, 2024 – Capstone-Intel CEO Atty. Nicasio Conti has called on Philippine law enforcement agencies to adopt advanced legal strategies used internationally for the forfeiture of properties involved in crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, money laundering, illegal POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations), and other cybercrimes and heinous offenses. Atty. Conti highlighted the effectiveness of civil asset forfeiture proceedings, which target property rather than individuals. He cited successful cases from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to underscore the potential benefits of these strategies for the Philippines. “In the United States, for instance, civil asset forfeiture has been a critical tool. A notable case, United States v. One 1987 Jeep Wrangler, involved the forfeiture of a vehicle used for transporting illegal drugs. The absence of a legitimate claimant allowed the government to take possession of the vehicle seamlessly,” Atty. Conti explained. He also mentioned the case of United States v. $124,700 in U.S. Currency, where the court ruled in favor of the government after the claimant failed to prove a legitimate source for the seized cash. Atty. Conti pointed to the United Kingdom’s Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which enabled the National Crime Agency to forfeit a mansion purchased with drug trafficking proceeds. “This case exemplifies how civil recovery orders can be utilized to dismantle criminal enterprises by targeting their assets,” he noted. Additionally, Atty. Conti referenced Canadian practices, such as the forfeiture of luxury vehicles linked to drug trafficking in Ontario. “These cases demonstrate that civil forfeiture is not only effective but also adaptable across different legal systems,” he said. Atty. Conti emphasized that adopting these strategies could significantly enhance the capacity of Philippine law enforcement agencies to disrupt and deter criminal activities. “By focusing on the forfeiture of assets used in or derived from criminal conduct, we can hit criminals where it hurts the most – their finances. This approach not only removes the tools of the trade from offenders but also deprives them of the profits of their illicit activities,” he asserted. He further stressed the importance of targeting illegal POGO operations and other cybercrimes. “The rise of illegal POGO operations and cybercrimes presents new challenges for law enforcement. Implementing advanced forfeiture strategies can be a powerful deterrent against these modern threats,” Atty. Conti added. ****   About Capstone-Intel Corporation Capstone-Intel is a high-impact research company that uses innovative research technologies, tools, and methods to convert data and information into breakthrough insights and actionable intelligence outputs. It is committed to helping its clients solve problems, find solutions, grow markets and constituencies, build reputations, navigate risks, manage crises, and be the country’s leading private research and intelligence agency.

In collaboration with St. Scholastica’s College Manila, under the remarkable coordination of Sr. Agnella Capili, OSB, the SSC School of Music, and the Sr. Baptista Battig Music Foundation Inc., the Embassy of Italy organized a memorable event at St. Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila. This special occasion took place on June 9, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. gathering music enthusiasts and the faithful for a moving Eucharistic Celebration featuring Giacomo Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria.” As noted by Ambassador Clemente in his opening address, this event not only represents a landmark performance in modern Philippine history since Puccini’s era but also holds potential distinction as a pioneering event in Asia and beyond. Particularly notable is its faithful adherence to the tradition of incorporating the Holy Mass, reminiscent of the esteemed composer’s historic era. Conductor Maria Lourdes Hermo led the performance, showcasing the talents of the St. Scholastica’s College Community Orchestra and choirs: Battig Chamber Singers and Kammerchor Manila. Renowned soloists Tenor Ervin Lumauag and baritone Raymond Leslie Diaz added to the evening’s splendor. In commemorating Giacomo Puccini’s centennial death anniversary, the event highlighted Italy’s cultural legacy through music. Amidst Manila’s historic ambiance, the celebration honored Italy’s National Day, bridging cultures through the universal language of music. Furthermore, the event’s resounding success was evident in the packed church, providing a fitting conclusion to the ‘Italian Republic Day 2024 Celebrations’.

On June 8th, 2024, in the context of the “Italian Republic Day 2024 Celebrations”, a memorable event took place in collaboration with the Servants of Charity in Quezon City. This special gathering was organized to express and celebrate gratitude, acknowledging the enduring friendship and generous support provided by the Embassy of Italy for this magnificent community that for decades has been assisting and welcoming children and young adults with disabilities, fostering their creativity and abilities. Additionally, the event served as farewell to the esteemed Ambassador Clemente as he begins his retirement journey and to highlight the value of friendship, which binds the Embassy to the Quezon community, which will endure even across distances. This festive event, called “Friends are Forever”, unfolded in Pinkian Road, Pasong Tamo, Tandang Sora, 1107, Quezon City. Starting at 9 A.M., the children of this splendid and vibrant community firstly showcased their abilities through a talent show, in which they sang and danced, delighting all those who attended the celebration. The event also featured a band performing music, a shared lunch, and then a gift exchanges, fostering a sense of camaraderie and appreciation among attendees.

On Saturday, June 1 2024, the picturesque SPA Multi-Purpose Court of San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo was the stage for the grand finale of the Festival “The Embassy of Italy meets the Youth of Tondo”. The event, organized by the Embassy of Italy together with the Canossa-Tondo Children’s Foundation and supported by numerous generous sponsors (Megaworld, VFS Global, L’Opera, Magsaysay, Philippine Italian Association, Rustan’s, SMEG, Velocita’ Motors Inc., Xanadu, Caruso, Cibo, Da Gianni, Focus Global, Italfood Inc. and Tavolo), celebrated the 78th Republic Day of Italy, traditionally celebrated on June 2 in Italy, with an Italian Talent Show. The program of the event was an engaging storytelling, portraying the journey of eight children of Tondo and their experience first inside the Nave Morosini, which led them to the other events organized by the Embassy (Children Christmas Party, Cooking workshop, Italian Sport Fest among others) and ultimately inspired them to travel in Italy. The program kicked off with a video presentation, expressing gratitude to all sponsors, followed by the Doxology and the National Anthems of the Philippines and Italy. Then, messages from distinguished personalities including Hon. Honey Lacuna-Pangan (Manila Mayor), Ms. Tess F. Carmelo (CTCFI Managing Directress), Fr. Giovanni Gentilin, FdCC (CTCFI Founder and Vice President), Archbishop Nuncio Charles Brown, and Ambassador Marco Clemente were conveyed. The highlight of the evening was the series of 15 performances during which famous personalities of Italian culture were introduced to the audience (Dante, Leornardo da Vinci, Maria Montessori…) and traditional songs and dances were performed by the students beneficiaries of the Canossa-Tondo Children’s Foundation Inc. These performances displayed the incredible talent of the Youth of Tondo who delighted the audience with their skill in singing, dancing and playing musical instruments. All the spectators were in awe, uplifted after such an amazing night, which brought joy and fun as it celebrated the significance of Italian Republic Day and concluded on a high note the series of events part of “The Embassy of Italy meets the Youth of Tondo”.