September 30, 2014 Edition

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Monday, September 29, praised Filipino peacekeepers, saying that in the “face of grave danger…(they) have bravely helped to safeguard world peace.” Speaking before the United Nations (UN), he also said they served “with honor, distinction and professionalism in implementing peacekeeping mandates.” Previously, the head of peacekeeping operations in the UN contradicted the claim of Filipino peacekeepers that their Indian commander Iqbal Singh Singha ordered them to surrender their weapons in exchange for the release of Fijian peacekeepers during a standoff in August. Del Rosario asked the UN to review the rules of engagement in peacekeeping and address the safety of peacekeepers.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima and his wife have a net worth of P6.56 million ($145,520). Accused of corruption and facing 3 plunder complaints over properties and an alleged anomalous deal at the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office, he has yet to address the allegations against him. He has a basic pay of between P79,000 and P85,000 a month. While the President has been quick to defend him, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas (who oversees the PNP) has kept a distance.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Vice President Jejomar Binay is still ahead of the pack of possible presidential aspirants in 2016 although he suffered a significant 10-percentage point drop in the latest poll of Pulse Asia. Conducted from September 8-15, the survey showed 31% of respondents saying they will vote for Binay. This is lower than the 41% he got in the June 2014 survey – surmised to be caused by recent allegations of corruption. While Binay lost supporters across all classes – the highest (13 points) among classes ABC – he remains a far first ahead of the presumptive administration bet, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas who got 13%.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario alluded to China when he said that instead of “peacefully resolving the maritime disputes within the framework of [international law], said State embarked on a series of dangerous, reckless and forceful activities in an attempt to impose unilateral change in the maritime status quo of the South China Sea.” While Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for the use of “fair and just rules” in resolving disputes, China has pursued its expansionist claims in violation of international law, Del Rosario pointed out.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Beijing on Monday, September 29, sought to wipe social media coverage of mass protests in Hong Kong by blocking photo-sharing service Instagram. Chinese state media were critical of the pro-democracy supporters who called on Beijing to honor its promise of full universal suffrage. Wanting a free choice of candidates in Hong Kong’s 2017 leadership elections, protesters who numbered about 10,000, according to estimates, flooded Hong Kong’s Central District as netizens tweeted and posted photos of chaos. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, ruled that candidates will be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee, and that only 2-3 approved nominees will be allowed. By Monday night, protesters had turned parts of Hong Kong into a massive street party, with protesters calling their mass action the “umbrella revolution.”

Read the full story on Rappler and the street festivity also on Rappler.

Muslim pilgrims have started to head to Mecca for their annual hajj pilgrimage that starts on Thursday, October 2. They made their way to Mecca’s Grand Mosque where people are encircling the cube-shaped Kaaba or “house of God.” It was believed to have been built 4,000 years ago by Abraham. The hajj this year comes as two deadly viruses, Ebola, hit Africa, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, hit Saudi Arabia, where Islam’s holiest sties are. Pilgrims from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, countries hardest-hit by the Ebola virus, were not granted permission to send pilgrims.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan ordered the temporary seizure of 8 expensive paintings in the possession of the heirs of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The court issued what is called a writ of preliminary attachment, which allows it to take judicial custody of the property and dispose of it – if necessary – to secure payment in case the Marcoses are declared guilt of amassing illegal wealth. Once seized by officers of the Sandiganbayan’s sheriff’s office, the paintings will be put in the vaults of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Asia’s fast economic growth may be jeopardized by poor governance, the Asian Development Bank warned in a recent study. “Government effectiveness, rule of law, regulatory quality, and control of corruption facilitate the achievement of economic, social and environmental outcomes,” the ADB said. Addressing governance issues would mean a lot to the region as it could improve human development, gender equality, infrastucture quality and water security, the report said.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan upheld the graft charges filed by the Ombudsman against the children of businesswoman Janet Napoles. Five justices voted in favor of indicting Jo Christine and James Christopher Napoles after finding probable cause against them. Previously, a division of 5 was convened after a split in the 3rd Division of the Sandiganbayan. The siblings face 15 counts of graft while their mother – accused of being the mastermind in the illegal diversion of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund – faces plunder charges, along with 42 counts of graft.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The stunning bride of Hollywood actor George Clooney lit up Venice in her short-sleeved cream pant suit, wide-brimmed hat, and diamond-studded ring. Lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who shares a passion for human rights with her new husband, made her union with him official and legal under law. The newly-wed couple swept up the Grand Canal in a vintage water taxi as onlookers cheered on the banks. They got engaged in April after meeting in Rome at the end of 2013.

Read the full story on Rappler.