Rappler Newscast | November 22, 2013

Story 1: PH PREPARES TO REBUILD AFTER HAIYAN
It is now two weeks after typhoon Yolanda, international name Haiyan, hit the Philippines, and destroyed whole cities in Eastern Visayas.
The death toll breaches the 5,000 mark.
At least 5,209 people are dead.
For survivors, the next steps are rehabilitation and rebuilding.
How much will it cost and how long will it take for the people of the Visayas to get their lives back?
Paterno Esmaquel reports.

Billions in crops and buildings destroyed.
Billions more needed for the biggest reconstruction effort since World War II.
Interior Secretary Mar Roxas says the President formed a special team to oversee rebuilding.
He says it’s too early to tell the amount they need.

MAR ROXAS, INTERIOR SECRETARY: I expect it is going to be very large, and it’s going to take very long, because the damage, the destruction, is extensive, and the people will need to be sustained with their food and shelter while they are rebuilding their lives and beginning to plant.

The government faces a massive challenge.
Yolanda damaged at least 12.65 billion pesos in crops and infrastructure and affected over 10 million people, including 536,000 left homeless
This problem comes as the government faces public outrage.
Critics protest the pork barrel, discretionary funds that became a source of corruption.

MAR ROXAS, INTERIOR SECRETARY: We know that the monies are available. We don’t know how or what or from which departments, but the money is there. If there is in fact a need for a supplementary budget, they will make the proper appropriate filing.

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman says international groups can also help in funding.

DINKY SOLIMAN, SOCIAL WELFARE SECRETARY: In addition to what the government can actually provide, there are many other people, other organizations, especially bilateral, who are very interested.

From counting thousands of bodies, they now have to come up with the money to rebuild.
They also need to put together the right blueprint so a region can rise again.
Paterno Esmaquel II, Rappler, Tacloban City

Story 2: PHILIPPINE WARSHIP SAILS TO LEYTE
For its maiden voyage, the Philippine Navy’s 40-year-old refurbished warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz sails to Leyte Gulf to help in rehabilitation efforts in typhoon-hit areas.
The Hamilton-class cutter was originally acquired from the US to monitor the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea in the middle of tensions between Manila and Beijing.

JOSE LUIS ALANO, NAVY CHIEF VICE ADMIRAL: By having two of the most capable ships that we will be having, this will provide us more areas to be able to cover simultaneously. As you have witnessed just a while ago, as we have commissioned her we immediately send her for first maiden voyage and with it is the action of helping and assisting the affected victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Alcaraz is transporting 200 tons of relief goods, petroleum, water purification systems, and navy personnel who will help rebuild devastated communities.
The twin ship of Alcaraz, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, is already in Leyte working with the warships of foreign militaries.

Story 3: PALACE TURNS OVER RELIEF OPS TO LGUs
Malacanang turns over management of relief operations in storm-hit areas to local government units or LGUs.
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma says the national government will now focus on rehabilitation.
The typhoon crippled the response of LGUs in hard-hit areas like Leyte and Eastern Samar.
The President declared a state of national calamity as the national government took over relief operations.
In the aftermath of the storm, the government drew flak over delays in the delivery of relief goods.
Some said politics among local factions got in the way.
Asked who is calling the shots, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said there is no ground commander for overall relief operations.
Roxas is the de facto vice chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC, while Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin serves as the chair.
On Friday, Roxas says the worst is over.

MAR ROXAS, INTERIOR SECRETARY: Nalagpasan na natin ang pinakamahirap na bahagi ng relief at recovery, immediate and early recovery. Nung nakaraang linggo masasabi natin na nasa emergency mode tayo, madalian, inaagapan natin, naghihingalo pasyente, ginagawa nating lahat para manatiling buhay ang pasyente, itong nakaraang linggo. Itong linggo naman, pangalawang linggo, masasabi natin na nasa ICU tayo. Maselan pa rin, malubha pa rin ang kalagayan, pero stabilized na tayo. (We have overcome the difficult stage of relief and recovery. Last week we were in emergency mode. We hurried to help survivors and keep them alive. But this week, the second week, we can say we are in the ICU stage. The situation is still severe, but it has stabilized.)

The NDRRMC is mandated to be in charge of operations during calamities.
But Coloma admits there was a lack of coordination between national and local officials.

Story 4: HAIYAN SURVIVORS: AFTER RELIEF, LIVELIHOOD
Aid is pouring in for victims of typhoon Yolanda.
But to get people back on their feet, survivors say what they need is livelihood.
Voltaire Tupaz reports.

Jobless, homeless, and hungry, 25-year-old Rachel Asopre leaves Tacloban City with her 3 children.
A wall of water destroyed their house in a coastal village during the typhoon.

RACHEL ASOPRE, TYPHOON YOLANDA SURVIVOR: We will temporarily leave Tacloban because my children had nothing to eat there. There’s no more water.

Rachel breathes a sigh of relief as soon as the barge docks at the Matnog port.
But beyond the port, she doesn’t know what awaits her.

RACHEL ASOPRE, TYPHOON YOLANDA SURVIVOR: Any work that I will find.

Before the typhoon, she sold fried chicken to earn a living. That is now over.
The International Labor Organization reports at least 5.2 million workers lost their livelihood.
International humanitarian groups are encouraging survivors to stay in their towns, for help is on the way.

MARCO BOASSO, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION CHIEF OF MISSION: We need to inform these people that help is coming and that there are plans and that there is a lot that is getting in to the affected area and that they should not be that desperate in the sense that they are moving around without a direction and landing in Villamor or landing elsewhere in Metro Manila or Cebu is not gonna be that helpful.

Job creation ushers in recovery in affected areas.
The ILO and the Department of Labor say emergency employment should be prioritized in disaster response, but they admit they lack funds.
The exodus of people from Tacloban continues even if international support is pouring in.
Relief goods will not be enough.
Experts say victims will continue to feel helpless and hopeless, if they do not find a livelihood soon.
Voltaire Tupaz, Rappler, Manila.

Story 5: PALACE: NO CULTURE OF IMPUNITY UNDER AQUINO
On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, Malacanang calls statements tagging President Aquino as the “impunity king” excessive and baseless.
Media and human rights groups criticize the Aquino administration’s record of media killings, and supposed inaction in the Maguindanao massacre, where 58 people were killed in the worst case of election-related violence in the country, allegedly masterminded by the Ampatuan clan.
Responding to a pooled editorial of journalists and human rights advocates, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma says the culture of impunity no longer exists.
The editorial notes no perpetrator in the case has been convicted.
Three crucial witnesses were killed.
Only 104 out of 195 accused have been read charges, while 88 suspects remain at large.
Analysts say the trial could last 24 years.
Coloma says the administration is working on improving investigation and prosecution.
He adds, “We don’t deny the process is slow. But let us take into account that it involves an unprecedented number of witnesses and motions.”

Story 6: US TO MARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF JFK ASSASSINATION
The United States will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Friday – a dark turning point in the country’s history.
On November 22, 1963, the charismatic president was shot down as he was driven through Dallas, Texas in an open-top limousine.
He was the fourth US president to be killed in office, but the first whose death was caught on film.
The crime stunned the world and traumatized the nation.
Lee Harvey Oswald was tagged as the gunman, but conspiracy theories continue to captivate doubters.
President Barack Obama hailed Kennedy’s legacy at a ceremony for recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Obama says, “Fifty years later, John F. Kennedy stands for posterity as he did in life – young, bold and daring. He stays with us in our imagination, not because he left us so soon, but because he embodied the character of the people he led.”

Story 7: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 7, a newly disclosed memorandum from whistleblower Edward Snowden reveals the US National Security Agency is authorized to spy on British citizens.
The New York Times reports the classified NSA document dated January 2005 states that under specific circumstances, the NSA may spy on Britons without their consent or knowledge.
In recent months, allegations of NSA spying on allies Germany and France triggered international anger.
The NSA did not answer questions on whether the memo became official policy, and whether spying on Britain without its consent ever took place.
The memo says the two countries “reserved the right” to spy on each other “when it is in the best interest of each nation.”

At number 8, A Malaysian woman, an Irish woman, and a British woman are rescued from a house in south London.
The BBC reports the victims were held as slaves for about 30 years.
Group Freedom Charity contacted police after it received a call from a woman saying she had been held against her will for decades.
Police arrested two people in connection with the case but they were released on bail.

And at number 10, More than 375,000 people sign an online petition urging South Africa to ban American Melissa Bachman into the country.
Bachman is a hunter and host of her own TV show “Winchester Deadly Passion.”
Animal lovers are outraged by her safari exploits, in particular one photo that shows her rifle in hand, kneeling and smiling behind a lion she shot and killed.
But a conservation group defends her on social media, saying it will not apologize for facilitating her lion shoot in South Africa’s North West Province.

Story 8: APPLE AWARDED $290-M IN SAMSUNG PATENT CASE
A US federal jury orders Samsung to pay $290 million in damages to Apple in a partial retrial of a patent case involving the two smartphone manufacturers.
The award revises the $450 million in damages originally granted in the landmark suit, but thrown out by a judge.
This is in addition to nearly $600 million in patent infringement damages upheld from the trial in 2012.
Apple says, –quote– “This case has always been more than about patents and money.”
“It has been about innovation and the hard work that goes into inventing products that people love.”
Apple accuses Samsung of massive and willful copying of its designs and technology for smartphones and tablets.
The South Korean company won the landmark case in August 2012.
But the case has been on hold pending multiple appeals.

Story 9: RIOS’ TRAINER SAYS PACQUIAO HAS SLOWED DOWN
Two days before the Clash in Cotai in Macau on Sunday, Brandon Rios’ trainer Robert Garcia says Manny Pacquiao is no longer as dangerous as he used to be.
Natashya Gutierrez reports.

It’s the calm before the storm.
Brandon Rios trains for the last time, 3 days before fight night.
His opponent, Filipino Manny Pacquiao attends his Christian fellowship.
Nothing intense for these two fighters as they rest for their face off Sunday, November 24.
How will the two fare in the ring?
This weekend’s bout promises to be a slugfest.
Both Rios and Pacquiao are known aggressors in the ring.
They are relentless attackers who don’t run away from their opponents.
Rios, the underdog, is bigger than Pacquiao. He loves throwing punches.
He hits his opponent from close range.
Known for his strong chin, Rios can take punches.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, isn’t worried.

FREDDIE ROACH, PACQUIAO’S TRAINER: Body shots are key. Rios has never fought anyone like him, it’s his 1st time at 147. This won’t be a hard fight.

Pacquiao is known for his speed and power-packed punches.
Because he’s fast, he hits his opponents from an angle, catching them off guard.
Trainer Robert Garcia says Rios is ready for Pacquiao’s legendary speed.

ROBERT GARCIA, RIOS’ TRAINER: Pacquiao has power. But he hasn’t stopped anyone since 2009.

He also says Pacquiao’s is past his prime.

ROBERT GARCIA, RIOS’ TRAINER: Manny is not the same fighter as he was 3 years ago. Much has changed… Pacquiao was knocked out by Marquez, and before that he dropped him in an earlier round. He’s not the same man.

Roach disagrees. He insists his fighter is in his best form ever, predicting a knockout within 6 rounds.

FREDDIE ROACH, PACQUIAO’S TRAINER: If Manny showed any slippage in training camp I’d be the first to tell him that. But it’s not time yet. Manny will destroy this guy.

Both are looking for a comeback.
Pacquiao lost his last two fights, while Rios tasted defeat last March.

NATASHYA GUTIERREZ, REPORTING: Two relentless fighters, two reputations on the line… expect war on fight night. After months of training, it all comes down to this — who will throw the punch that will cut short their opponent’s dreams? Natashya Gutierrez, Rappler, Macau.

Story 10: JESSICA SANCHEZ EXCITED TO SING THE PH NAT’L ANTHEM
American Idol Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez is excited to sing the Philippine National anthem at Manny Pacquiao’s fight vs Brandon Rios.
Natashya Gutierrez returns with this video blog.

As weeks of training end for fighters, who retreat to some rest and silence before the big night, the rest of Macau comes alive. Fans, media and celebrities from the world over start to arrive at Asia’s gambling mecca.
There’s only two days left until fight night and the electricity in the air is palpable.
Among the celebrities in the house? Singer Jessica Sanchez, who was asked by Manny Pacquiao on Twitter to sing the Philippine national anthem for the fight.
Sanchez arrives from Los Angeles, excited to be here for the first time. She picks Pacquiao to win the fight.

JESSICA SANCHEZ, SINGER: He’s gonna win. Manny’s gonna win. I’m just telling you right now.

She says she plans to visit the Philippines next week and hopes to do some charity work for Super Typhoon Haiyan’s victims.

JESSICA SANCHEZ: I hope all of you guys are safe, I hope you guys are all taking care of yourselves. I’ll be coming there.

Football star David Beckham is also in Macau and plans to watch the fight. He, too, roots for Pacquiao.
In the Philippines, the local government of hard-hit Tacloban City will broadcast Pacquiao’s fight for typhoon victims for free.
Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys will also be in Cotai this weekend for a concert, adding to fight week’s thrilling atmosphere, while other boxers like Miguel Cotto are in town to witness to bout. One thing is for certain: when boxing promoter Bob Arum said this fight night would be just like past ones in Las Vegas, he wasn’t lying.