Rappler Newscast | April 29, 2014

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

President Obama says the US will defend the Philippines against attacks. Poverty incidence in the Philippines is on a downward trend. If an election were held today, a survey shows Vice President Binay will be the runaway winner

Today on Rappler.

  • President Barack Obama says the US will defend the Philippines against “external armed attacks,” on day 2 of his visit to the Philippines.
  • The country’s economic development agency says poverty in the Philippines is on a  “downward trend.”
  • If an election were held today, a Pulse Asia survey shows Vice President Binay will emerge the runaway winner.

 

STORY 1: US AFFIRMS ‘IRONCLAD’ COMMITMENT TO DEFEND PH

US President Barack Obama says the defense deal marks a “new chapter” in the alliance between the Philippines and the US.  
When asked about defending the Philippines against external threats on day 1, he was noncommittal.
But the President, known for his social media savvy, fine tunes his message on day 2.
He now says “friends never stand alone.”
Carmela Fonbuena reports.

BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: Hello everybody! Please have a seat.

Kumusta kayo?
(How are you?)

A day after the signing of a new military deal with the Philippines, US President Barack Obama gathers Filipino and American troops – literally shoulder to shoulder.
It’s a long history of cooperation dating as far back as the World War 2.

BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: To our Filipino armed forces — thank you for being such an outstanding ally. Together, you are helping to secure the prosperity and peace of both our nations.

Obama says joint operations in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda captures the strength of the US-Philippines alliance.

BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: I want to leave you with an incredible story that captures the strength of our alliance.

What few people realize is that it started all with a single aircraft carrying a handful of Filipino and American troops and civilians.
The storm hit land that Friday.
The very next morning, the first aircraft took off — a Philippine C-130 carrying Captain Roy Trinidad, a Philippine Navy SEAL; Colonel Mike Wylie, United States Marines; and Major George Apalisok, U.S. Air Force.
They worked together — Filipinos and Americans — setting up a medical station, clearing debris from the runway, reopening that airport.
Our troops worked together to help local residents aboard so that they could be evacuated to safety.  
And over and over, those grateful Filipinos responded with a simple word — salamat.
I want them to stand again and accept our thanks.
We are proud of their outstanding service.

ROY TRINIDAD, PHILIPPINE NAVY CAPTAIN: It surprised us. To be mentioned. It was not part of the gameplan but you know for us it’s just another day in the office. Just another job to do.

People recognize you? Maraming salamat po.
(People recognize you? Thank you very much.)

Kung wala, walang hinanakit trabaho lang ito.
(If they don’t, there are no hard feelings. This is just work.)


CARMELA FONBUENA, REPORTING: The Philippines used to host large American bases. There were tens of thousands of American troops here until the Senate in 1991 voted to evict them. Still, the ties between the Philippines and US militaries did not end. The new enhanced defense cooperation brings that relationship to a new level.

The new threat is China and this is why the Philippines wants increased US presence.
On Day 1, Obama evades the question of how far will the US go to defend the Philippines.
But in front of the troops, Obama sends out a stronger message upholding US commitment.

BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: This treaty means our two nations pledge — and I’m quoting — our “common determination to defend themselves against external armed attacks, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone. In other words, our commitment to defend the Philippines is ironclad and the United States will keep that commitment, because allies never stand alone.

Critics are expected to bring the deal to the Supreme Court to question its constitutionality.
But the government is confident it will hurdle legal challenges.
Carmela Fonbuena, Rappler, Taguig.


STORY 2: OBAMANIA HITS MANILA

The man who made American history as the first African-American president leaves the Philippines after an overnight visit.
Natashya Gutierrez reports, the US president’s brand of no-drama-Obama diplomacy hits home with Filipinos.

Obama Mania hit Manila as soon as the door of Air Force One opens.
US President Barack Obama steps out and captures the heart of Filipinos with a wave and a big smile.
It’s the first time in 11 years since a US president visited the country.
Not only is the Philippines honored by the two-day state visit…
Filipinos are excited about the man himself.
He ran on a platform of change and the cool message… ‘No Drama Obama’…
Transforming America’s first black president into a rock star.
Manila isn’t spared from his charm.
On Twitter, netizens express their fascination with the President.
He shakes the hands of government employees and chats with Filipino war veterans.

But it is at the state dinner that Obama shines.
After a day of formalities, he is in his element.

BARACK OBAMA,US PRESIDENT: To all the gentlemen here this evening, you look very good, but I think you’ll agree that the women outshine you [laughter, applause] in the vibrant colors of the Philippines.

He uses Filipino words, and connects with his audience.

BARACK OBAMA,US PRESIDENT: And finally, we feel our spirit, our “kalooban” in a friendship between our peoples that expresses itself in so many ways. There is our mutual obsession with basketball. There is our mutual admiration for Manny Pacquiao — even if sometimes his fight against Americans doesn’t turn out the way we’d like.
There is our shared pride in the millions of Filipino-Americans
who contribute to our nation every single day.

Not all are happy with his visit.
Anti-American protesters who say the Philippines is too dependent on the superpower burn an Obama effigy.
But they are a minority.
A recent Pew study found Filipinos love the US even more than Americans do.
Even cabinet secretaries let it go and sing to the guest of honor.
Obama appreciates the love.

BARACK OBAMA,US PRESIDENT: I’ve only been here one day but the kindness that you’ve shown me and the extraordinary hospitality that has been extended to us leaves us with very warm feelings and reflects, i think, the legendary spirit of the Filipino people.

The visit aims to reaffirm the friendship between the two countries…
at a time when China grows aggressive by the day and budget cuts slash America’s army to pre World War 2 levels.
His critics in the US say, the Obama magic is gone, but not here.
Not today.
Natashya Gutierrez, Rappler. Manila.

 

STORY 3: AFTER ‘RUSHING’ DEAL, PH GOT NOTHING FROM OBAMA – JOKER 

Former Senator Joker Arroyo says, “Bottom line – what did the Philippines get out of the Obama visit? Zero.”
Arroyo joins Senator Miriam Santiago and former senators Teofisto Guingona Jr, Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada…
in questioning the deal signed without the approval of the Senate.
He says, “We rushed to sign the EDCA as a gift to President Obama…. No one was consulted about its constitutionality or participated in its preparation. It was exclusively Malacañang directed.”


STORY 4: PH POVERTY INCIDENCE ON DOWNWARD TREND – NEDA 

The National Economic and Development Authority or NEDA says poverty in the Philippines is on a “downward trend.”
NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan says lower poverty incidence in the first half of 2013 proves the government’s inclusive growth strategy works.

The Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA releases a report saying 24.9% of Filipinos were considered poor in the first semester of 2013 down from 27.9% in 2012.
The PSA also says poverty incidence among Filipino families declined to 19.1% in the first semester of 2013 from 22.3% in 2012.
Balisacan adds, subsistence incidence, or the rate of Filipinos who cannot afford to meet basic food requirements, drops to 7.7% among Filipino families.
Balisacan says it’s the first time subsistence incidence dropped to single-digits.


STORY 5: BINAY RUNAWAY WINNER IN LATEST PRESIDENTIAL POLL 

If the 2016 presidential elections were held today, Vice President Jejomar Binay would be the runaway winner.
A Pulse Asia poll shows 40% of Filipinos surveyed chose Binay over Interior Secretary Mar Roxas who is being eyed as the standard-bearer of the ruling Liberal Party.
Following Binay is Senator Grace Poe at second place with 15%, followed by Senator Miriam Santiago with 10%, and Senator Chiz Escudero with 9%.
Roxas ranks number 5 with 6% choosing him as president.
Senator Bongbong Marcos comes in at sixth place with 5%.
Tied at number 7 are Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and presidential sister Kris Aquino with 4%.
Senator Bong Revilla gets a 3% rating and ranks number 8 while rehabilitation secretary Ping Lacson is at 9th place with 2%.

 

STORY 6: NEW TORNADOES TEAR THROUGH US SOUTH 

New storms hit Mississippi and the US Southeast Monday, threatening millions of people after tornadoes killed 29 people in six states.
CNN reports Mississippi and Alabama will face the worst of the storms.
Some 75 million people are under threat of severe weather.
Around 1.4 million people live in high-risk areas.
In the hardest-hit parts of Arkansas, emergency crews intensify their search for survivors.
14 people were killed in the state.
Forecasters warn some of the new tornadoes could be “intense,” with “very large hail and damaging straight line winds”.

 

STORY 7: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ 

At number 5, South Korea’s coast guard releases a video showing captain Lee Joon-seok escaping from the ferry that sank two weeks ago.
The video shows the open decks of the ship nearly empty, after the crew repeatedly told passengers to stay in their cabins until it became impossible to evacuate.
Lee’s video attract scathing comments online, focusing on his rush to escape from the ship without his pants.
All 15 of the surviving crew face charges for negligence and abandoning passengers.
Nearly 200 people died from the tragedy.
Most of the missing and dead were high school students.

At number 8, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin says waterboarding should be considered the United States’ way of “baptizing” terrorists.
Waterboarding is an interrogation practice where victims’ faces are covered with cloth, while water is poured over the head to simulate drowning.
In a speech in front of the National Rifle Association, Palin says she’d bring back waterboarding if she were in charge.
US President Barack Obama banned the practice, calling it a form of torture.
Former president George W. Bush defended the practice after the Sept 11 attacks in 2001.

At number 9, scientists say they used cloning technology to make embryonic stem cells producing insulin and could potentially treat diabetes.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation says its team transplanted a nuclei of cells taken from a diabetic woman to create stem cells.
This is the first time cells are sourced from a diseased adult person to produce therapy-specific cells.
The creation of embryonic stem cells is controversial, because until recently, stem cells could only be obtained from human embryos.

For the full top 10 visit Rappler.com’s ‘the wRap.’

 

STORY 8: CLIPPERS OWNER UNDER FIRE OVER RACIST REMARKS

Los Angeles Clippers team owner Donald Sterling is under fire after gossip site TMZ posts an audio recording of Sterling allegedly making racist remarks.
The team’s players stage a silent protest ahead of their playoff game against the Golden State Warriors.
The players gathered at center court, removed their team warm-up shirts and left them on the floor.
The were left wearing shirts that were inside out… hiding team name and logo.
Reigning NBA MVP LeBron James comments on the Clippers owner.
He says, “No room for Donald Sterling in our league.
It’s a damn shame but a sad reality that we have people like that in this world.”
Lakers star Kobe Bryant also didn’t hold back.
He tweets, “No. He should not continue owning the Clippers.”

STORY 9: SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE DAY

While playing against football club Villareal Sunday…
FC Barcelona football player Dani Alves finds himself at the receiving end of a racist gesture.
A fan throws a banana at the Brazilian-born defender, but Alves picks it up and eats it.
Not long after, the internet rallies behind Alves through selfies with the hashtag #weareallmonkeys
– his teammates, ex-football players, celebrities, Barça fans, and even cats.

 

– Rappler.com

Newscast Production Staff

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / WRITER Lilibeth Frondoso
DIRECTOR Rupert Ambil
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER / PUBLISHER Rodneil Quiteles
  Dindin Reyes
HEAD WRITER / PROMPTER Katerina Francisco
  Marga Deona
MASTER EDITOR / PLAYBACK Exxon Ruebe
  Emerald Hidalgo
  Jaene Zaplan
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / CAMERAMAN Charlie Salazar
  Adrian Portugal
  Francis Lopez
  Naoki Mengua
GRAPHICS Jessica Lazaro
  Raffy de Guzman

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!