Pemberton in court, Ona resignation, Anne Curtis on Twitter | The wRap

Today on Rappler

• US Marine Joseph Pemberton, accused of murdering a transgender Filipina, shows up in court.
• Philippine president Aquino accepts the resignation of Health Secretary Enrique Ona.
• Twitter says Anne Curtis is a social media influencer.

PEMBERTON APPEARS IN OLONGAPO COURT
In a much-awaited public appearance, the US serviceman suspected of murdering a transgender Filipino woman voluntarily surrenders Friday.
The arraignment of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton did not push through after his camp filed a motion to suspend proceedings before a local court in Olongapo.
Buena Bernal files this video blog.

BUENA BERNAL, REPORTING: It was a quick voluntary surrender here in Olongapo City for US visiting soldier Joseph Scott Pemberton, suspect in the murder of transgender Filipina Jennifer Laude. This is his first public appearance after the tragic death of the 26-year-old transgender Visayan native that shook the LGBT community and reignited calls to end US military drills on Philippine soil.

Witnesses said Pemberton arrived quietly through a cut-down portion of the metal fence here in the back exit of the justice hall at around 5 am. He left before 10 am, hidden from the glaring eyes of the media.

Buena Bernal, Rappler, Manila

INSTANT NOODLES RECALLED AS TAIWAN FOOD SCARE WIDENS
Taiwanese officials order a leading food company to recall products over fears of dye contamination – a banned substance linked to cancer in animals. Health officials say sauce packages from Wei Lih Food Industrial Company might be contaminated with a toxic dye called dimethyl yellow. Wei Lih says there are no traces of the banned dye but complies with the recall. Taiwan is reeling from a series of food scares this year when products with “gutter oil” surfaced and a food giant was accused of selling oil intended for animal food.

AQUINO ACCEPTS ONA’S RESIGNATION
President Benigno Aquino accepts the resignation of Health Secretary Enrique Ona effective Friday. Ona was informed a day after he submitted his resignation letter. He has been on leave to prepare his defense. The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into the Department of Health or DOH purchase of one million vaccines for children worth over P833 million. The DOH was criticized for the purchase, instead of a “more cost-effective” vaccine.

INDIA LAUNCHES BIGGEST EVER ROCKET INTO SPACE
India launches its biggest ever rocket in an attempt to boost its share in the $300-billion global space market. The rocket, designed to carry heavy communication and satellites into higher orbit, blasted off Thursday. It was carrying an unmanned capsule which splashed down in the Bay of Bengal, 20 minutes after liftoff. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the test mission as “yet another triumph of the brilliance and hard work” of Indian scientists.

ANNE CURTIS PART OF TWITTER’S BOOK OF INFLUENCERS
Microblogging platform Twitter recognizes the social media influence of Filipino celebrity Anne Curtis. The actress and host is included in the book “Tweets from the Top.” Last July, Curtis was included in TIME Magazine’s list of top 50 “Smartest Stars” on Twitter. Curtis has 7.56 million followers on Twitter and 2.3 million followers on Instagram.

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