July 2, 2014 Edition

Miriam Defensor-Santiago announced she has lung cancer. In a press briefing at the Senate on Wednesday, July 2, the constitutional law expert made the teary-eyed announcement but tried to keep with her usual colorful character and even joked about her condition. Santiago said she is seeking medical treatment for the cancer.

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Just days after receiving public criticism for not following its own rules on visiting hours at its Camp Crame Custodial Center, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced a change in the rules. Now, detained suspects can receive visitors Tuesday to Fridays from 1 pm to 5pm and on weekends from 8 am to 5 pm. This means longer visiting hours for the likes of detained Senators Bong Revilla Jr and Jinggoy Estrada. Previously, detainees had only two days for “regular visits” and one day for “special visits”. On Saturday, June 28, journalists staking out the custodial center were surprised to visitors going in and out of the center even past visitation hours. The PNP said it allowed a request by Senator Jinggoy Estrada to celebrate his wedding anniversary.

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President Benigno Aquino III vowed to continue modernizing the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in his remaining two years in office. Speaking at the 67th anniversary of the PAF on Tuesday, July 1, the President highlighted the aircraft acquired under his watch and said more were on the way. Aquino also stressed the importance of air defense in safeguarding Philippine territory. “When our own FA-50 lands in our own backyard, we will again be able to defend our territories in an effective way,” he said to the crowd.

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Indonesians expressed their satisfaction online at a landmark ruling that has found a former top judge in the country’s Constitutional Court guilty for accepting bribes. Akil Mochtar, 53,  was caught red-handed in October 2013 in a sting operation as he was about to accept around IDR3 billion ($250,000) in bribes from a businessman and lawmaker. A judge in Jakarta gave Mochtar a life sentence for damaging the integrity of the Court. Many Indonesians agreed with the judges ruling, taking to Twitter and Facebook to express their satisfaction.

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Surging discontent over Beijing’s control over the special administrative region lead thousands of protestors to gather in Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 1. The protestors are demanding greater autonomy to choose their own leader, something which Beijing opposes. The march comes after nearly 800,000 people voted in an informal referendum to push for direct nomination by voters of Hong Kong’s political head. Beijing has refused to recognize the referendum. The city’s Victoria Park was a sea of umbrellas and banners bearing slogans such as “We want real democracy” and “Civil nominations for all.” Some protestors sang the Cantonese version of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from the musical “Les Miserables.”

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Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been charged with corruption and influence peddling in a criminal investigation, French prosecutors said Wednesday, July 2. Sarkozy was questioned for 15 hours before the decision came.

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According to the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency from 2002 to 2004, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake with an epicenter in Metro Manila may potentially result in 34,000 deaths, 114,000 injuries, and an additional 18,000 fatalities resulting from 500 simultaneous fires that may likely erupt in 98,000 buildings throughout the metropolis.

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A hugely controversial Russian law banning curse words in films, theatre, the media and arts came into force on Tuesday July 1, as part of a Kremlin-backed drive to play up traditional values and root out swearing. The legislation, which was signed off by President Vladimir Putin in May, imposes hefty fines on offenders – up to 2,500 rubles ($72) for individuals and up to 50,000 rubles ($1,460) for businesses. The legislation does not spell out what constitutes profanity but the law is widely seen to be targeting Russia’s hugely potent lingua franca of obscenities known as “mat.”

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Extra time goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku sent Belgium into the World Cup quarter-finals for first time in 28 years with a 2-1 win over the United States on Tuesday, July 1. The States got back in the game two minutes into the second-half of extra time when substitute Julian Green volleyed home and only a fine save from Thibaut Courtois prevented Clint Dempsey from taking the game to penalties moments later.

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FIFA said Tuesday it will let Cameroon football authorities lead the hunt for “seven bad apples” in the national team who have been linked to match fixing at the World Cup. The Cameroon federation said it is determined to “employ all means necessary” to uncover any wrongdoing around Cameroon’s World Cup group game against Croatia. The Cameroon Football Federation said its ethics committee was looking into allegations, reported by Der Spiegel magazine, that a convicted match-fixer correctly forecast the 4-0 victory by Croatia and that a player would be sent off.

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