May 23, 2012 Edition

After walking out on his own impeachment trial yesterday, May 22, Chief Justice Renato Corona checked-in to Medical City hospital in Pasig complaining of “shortness of breath, cold sweats and light headedness”. Shortly past midnight, he was transferred to the ICU due to a possible heart attack. Today, May 23, his doctors want him confined for 48 more hours in order for them to closely monitor him for a possible heart attack. Corona was scheduled to return to the Senate today to be cross-examined by the prosecution.

Read up on this developing story at Rappler

Chief Justice Renato Corona walked out of the impeachment trial yesterday, May 22, immediately after delivering his statement before the court. While Corona had asked to be excused, he stepped out of the session hall before the court could act on his request. Corona was scheduled to be cross-examined by the prosecution panel after his statement. Corona’s actions angered presiding judge Juan Ponce Enrile, saying, “If you are going to disrespect this court, this court will do a decision on this case right now.” The prosecution panel believes the walkout was premeditated in order to avoid cross-examination.

Full story on Rappler

Walkout Premeditated?

The competition phase of American Idol is over, and it’s now all in the voters’ hands. Tomorrow, May 24, a new Idol will be crowned. But who did better during the one-hour finale, held Tuesday evening in the US (Wednesday morning in Philippine time)? If the judges’ comments are to be considered, the race ended in a dead heat with Jessica Sanchez taking round one, Phillip Phillips taking round three and the two tied on Round 2.

Post Finale Review

Live Blog with Performance Highlights

Egypt’s presidential elections are today. These elections are historic for the nation, which has spent decades under military rule. The Guardian is calling this the first elections ever that the voters didn’t know in advance who the winner would be. Egypt was under the 30-year military rule of Hosni Mubarack, who was ousted from office in February of last year after 18-day Egyptian Revolution. Turnout is expected to be high, with 50-million people registered to vote for a new leader who will lead the transition from a military to civilian government.

Read full story on The Guardian

A defiant North Korea has said it will “continue to legitimately” push for its right “to launch satellite.” Amid condemnation and warnings from world leaders last week that further tests would bring tougher sanctions, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson has warned that the country will continue to strengthen its nuclear program and that it would resort to counter measures if necessary. Satellite imagery by the US-Korea Institute at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies show that North Korea is upgrading its launch site to handle larger rockets like intercontinental missiles.

Read the full story on BBC

Satellite imagery on Time

When Chief Justice Renato Corona took the witness stand on Tuesday, May 22, he selectively covered issues about his wealth. He briefly touched on the Why’s and How’s but not the How Much’s. He said the decision to invest bulk of his and his family’s wealth in bank products is in line with the need to be cash-ready given his diabetes, his mom’s cancer, and his brother’s illness. Of the bank products, dollars dominated his portfolio since he said the devaluation of the peso provided good returns. He also said real estate, a typical asset among Filipinos, was not a priority since his wife’s property-related family squabbles was enough warning for him. After his 3-hour speech and dramatic “walk-out,” he still didn’t divulge how much he’s worth.  

Read more about making financial sense of his wealth and how illnesses in the family influenced his choice.

In a stunning development that could benefit people who have survived heart attacks, scientists have been able to create heart cells from the skin cells of patients. While laboratory tests have only been conducted on rats, the procedure addresses a problem where transplants are rejected by the immune system of the receiving party. Creating heart cells from the same patient’s own tissues avoids the problem entirely. The new tissue was said to be the same stage as that of a newborn baby, beating in synchrony with existing heart cells.

Real the full story on The Guardian

Mitt Romney continued on with his winning streak in winning Republican presidential primaries in Kentucky and Arkansas held Tuesday, May 22. This gives him 1055 delegates, just 89 delegates short in securing the GOP nomination. It is expected that he will secure those number of delegates during the Texas vote on May 29. The GOP nominee-in-waiting has focused efforts on the general elections, spending most of his time on President Barack Obama and on fundraising efforts. Romney is said to have raised $15-M during a 3-day fundraiser in New York this week.

Read full story on Time

The standoff over the Scarborough Shoal between the Philippines and China continues. But according to a recent report by the Department of Foreign Affairs, China has a total of 92 vessels in the area versus only two from the Philippines. This number has gone up significantly in the last few days. Last week, there were no Chinese utility boats in the Scarborough Shoal. Also, last Monday, May 21, the Philippine government monitored 5 Chinese government vessels in the area. The DFA has since sent the Chinese Embassy a note verbale on the incident saying it was “regrettable” that this comes at a time when China has been “articulating for a de-escalation of tensions.”

Full story on Rappler

Chief Justice Renato Corona’s walkout Tuesday, May 22, eclipsed his testimony. In his opening statement that lasted 3 hours, the impeached Chief Justice accused the government of a conspiracy against him and described a report on his dollar accounts a “malicious lie.” But Corona’s statement was riddled with inconsistencies, particularly when he talked about the Basa-Guidote Enterprices Inc, the disputed family corporation of his wife Cristina.

Find out what they are