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Dear Rappler reader,
It’s a Duterte-filled news day, most notable among them his assurance to foreign investors that “there’s nothing to fear” and that he will honor all business deals. He also lashed back at detractors telling them to go put their money where their mouth is: go adopt an addict. He also fired 92 employees from two notoriously corrupt agencies – the LTO and the LTFRB. Facebook, for it’s part says Duterte and the Philippine elections were among the top five most talked-about events in 2016 worldwide.
Below are the big stories we think you shouldn’t miss.
President Rodrigo Duterte assured the business process outsourcing industry that it has nothing to fear from his administration. “Forget your fears. This is a democracy we follow free enterprise.” Anxiety among American companies, including in the BPO sector, came about after Duterte’s slew of anti-American statements including the intent to pursue an economic and military split from the United States. He blasted the Aquino administration for not honoring some contracts with the private sector, something he promises will not happen under his presidency.
The Philippine National Police will stop taping the muzzle of government-issued guns during the Christmas and New Year season. PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa gave the order so that the police force can show that it ‘is a disciplined and trusted organization’ whose members will not engage in indiscriminate firing.
President Rodrigo Duterte told critics of his deadly campaign against illegal drugs: join his proposed “adopt-an-addict” program. “If you want, you with bleeding hearts, if you really want to stop the violence and all, just adopt.” He added, “Share a love between your fellow man.” The President was reacting to critics accusing him of not recognizing the importance of rehabilitating drug addicts.
The Senate committee on Ethics and Privileges said it will act on a complaint lodged by leaders of the House of Representatives against one of it’s own, Senator Leila de Lima. Senator Tito Sotto said the 3rd complaint, which alleges that de Lima adviced her former boyfriend to skip House hearings, was committed during her term as senator. Senator Ping Lacson said De Lima violated laws and rules when she ‘advised’ Dayan to ignore the fact-finding body. He said, “It is clear that there was an infraction.” Under Senate rules, the chamber may censure, suspend, or expel a member with a two-thirds vote of all senators. House leaders, meantime, filed a disobedience to summons complaint before the Department of Justice against de Lima, Tuesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte said he fired 92 employees of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to crack down on corruption. “I just fired 92 of those from the LTFRB and also the LTO – they’ve been wiped out.” The President previously identified the LTFRB and LTO as among the most corruption-ridden agencies in government.
Proving the level of reach and engagement that Facebook has in the Philippines, the country’s presidential race and the eventual winner, Rodrigo Duterte, made it to the social network’s list of top moments for 2016. The May polls and Duterte ranked 5th, just behind the US presidential election, Brazilian politics, Pokémon Go, and the Black Lives Matter campaign. The Philippine elections ranked higher than other world events like the Olympics, Brexit, Super Bowl 50, the death of David Bowie and Muhammad Ali.
Leading US senators supported a congressional investigation into US intelligence assessments that Russia interfered in the election, among them top Republicans. President-elect Donald Trump dismissed the intelligence reports as “ridiculous.” US media has reported for days on secret CIA findings that Moscow sought to bolster Trump’s election bid.
Watch last week’s top headline – VP Leni Robredo’s resignation from the cabinet.
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