Outgoing Philippine President Benigno Aquino III revealed that he considered declaring martial law in Sulu on the island of Mindanao within the past 3 weeks to fight the Abu Sayyaf Group, as the deadline for paying ransom drew nearer and the kidnap-for-ransom group threatened to behead a third foreign hostage. Aquino, however, was quick to point out that he did not push through with it, as martial law might do more harm than good. With the government operations against the terror group, Aquino said the Abu Sayyaf’s movements are now limited to two villages in the province of Basilan.

Read the full story on Rappler.

President Aquino called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize for the death of Robert Hall, the second Canadian hostage killed by the Abu Sayyaf in two months.

The members of the negotiating panels of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s administration and the National Democratic Front released a joint statement signed in Oslo, Norway, announcing the resumption of the formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the communists in the 3rd week of July.

Read on Rappler the recommendations made and the issues to be tackled
by the peace negotiators.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President-elect Leni Robredo will be sworn in separately, the Robredo camp announced. Boyet Dy, head of Robredo’s transition team, said they were told that the Duterte camp wants to hold a separate inauguration for the president-elect. To deflect criticisms, the Duterte camp later said the separate inauguration ceremonies – which go against tradition – would favor the Vice President-elect.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Find out what will be served during Duterte’s inauguration, given his
intention to keep the event ‘frugal.’

The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and several other officials of the Bureau of Plant Industry for their alleged involvement in the garlic cartel scam. Its Field Investigation Office said in its complaint that from January to July 2014, an “extraordinary and alarming spike in the prices of garlic as noted,” prompting the justice department to direct the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate possible “profiteering, hoarding and cartel-like activities.” In a January 2015 transmittal letter, the National Bureau of Investigation said it found a group of garlic traders and importers headed by Lilia Cruz, also known as Leah Cruz, monopolized the supply of garlic and dictated market prices. This was made possible by the participation of BPI officials who gave the group and its affiliates numerous importation permits despite the absence of required accreditation. The FIO also
said that, as agriculture secretary, Alcala had direct supervision over the functions of the BPI.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The governor of Tokyo resigned on June 15 over spending public money on lavish hotels and spa trips, the latest setback on the mega-city’s troubled road to hosting the 2020 Olympics. Unpopular Yoichi Masuzoe fell on his sword just hours before facing a no-confidence vote, making him the city’s second governor to quit since Tokyo was named host of the 2020 summer games. Masuzoe’s predecessor Naoki Inose – who led the capital’s successful Olympic bid – bowed out in late 2013 after also becoming embroiled in a personal finance scandal.

Read the full story on Rappler World.

President Francois Hollande on June 15 finalized ratification of the Paris climate accord reached in December 2015, making France the first industrialized country to do so. “Signing is good, ratifying is better,” Hollande quipped at the Elysee Palace ceremony. He noted that the deal will not come into force unless at least 55 countries responsible for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions ratify it. Hollande called on other European countries to follow France’s lead by the end of the year. The United States, the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after China, will ratify the accord soon, US Secretary of State John Kerry said during a visit to Oslo.

Read the full story on Rappler World.

Spain’s public debt rose above 100% in the first quarter of 2016 to its highest level in 20 years, the central bank said, as Madrid faces threat of European Union sanctions for public overspending. Debt as a proportion of economic output hit 100.5% in the first quarter, up from 99.2% at the end of 2015, the bank said in a statement. Spain’s public debt stood at 1.09 trillion euros ($1.23 trillion) at the end of March. The debt, as well as Spain’s public deficit, are contentious issues as general elections approach at the end of June, particularly after acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy promised tax cuts.

Read the full story on Rappler Business.

The desperate search of a family in the United States for their toddler son, who was snatched by an alligator off the shore of a lake at a Disney resort, ended on June 15, when divers found the two-year-old’s body in murky water. The nightmare at the Disney World complex is the latest horror to hit the central Florida vacation town of Orlando, reeling from the June 12 massacre at a gay nightclub in which 49 people were killed – the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Walt Disney World said it has shut down all of its Florida resort beaches and marinas out of precaution after the incident – the first such death in its 45-year history. The boy’s father tried frantically to save him after the attack on June 14 at a lakeside
beach at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, but could not pry the toddler from the gator’s grasp.

Read the full story on Rappler World.

Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant appeared in court on June 14, to deny accusations that they “lifted” the opening bars to iconic rock song “Stairway to Heaven.” The musicians arrived to a throng of reporters at the Los Angeles federal court, where a jury of 4 men and 4 women was played their anthemic hit. Spirit, a psychedelic LA band that enjoyed a niche following but never attained the superstardom of Zeppelin, claims the melancholic guitar that opens “Stairway” was taken from its instrumental track “Taurus.” Spirit’s guitarist Randy Wolfe – who went by the nickname Randy California – never took legal action and drowned in Hawaii in 1997, but a lawsuit was filed by his trustee and friend Michael Skidmore, who was in court. “This case can be summarized in 6 words: Give credit where credit is due,” said Francis Malofiy, Skidmore’s attorney.

Read the full story on Rappler Entertainment.

Rappler looks back on the presidency of Benigno Simeon Aquino III – its successes, its failures, and its legacy. Check out the series of features, in-depth reports, interviews, and videos in this special
page.