August 14, 2014 Edition

In a turnaround, President Benigno Aquino III said he’s considering amending the Constitution. In an exclusive interview with News5 aired on August 13, Aquino, whose term ends in 2016, also confirmed that he is open to amending the Constitution to allow a president to run for a second 6-year term. Currently, the Constitution prohibits a president from re-election. Asked about why he thought the 1987 Constitution needed amendments, Aquino said the Supreme Court has too much power under the present set-up.

Read the full story on Rappler.

At least 38 passengers of the Metro Rail Transit-3 were hurt August 13 in the worst train accident in Metro Manila in recent years, prompting a government probe into what caused it. A defective train lost its power after it left the Magallanes station southbound past 4 pm. When it reached the Taft station in Manila, it got derailed and overshot the tracks, causing panic. Passengers of the defective train were not allowed to disembark because they were stalled between stations. The investigation will determine if the accident was caused by technical glitches or human error.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Read the full story on the probe on Rappler.

A local court on August 13 ordered the detention of retired Major General Jovito Palparan at the Bulacan provincial jail, but the government said this raised some concerns. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the government would have to “absolutely ensure” his security. Palparan has long been the target of the communist New People’s Army for the alleged human rights abuses he committed while still in service. On the run for nearly 3 years, he was nabbed on August 12 and detained at the National Bureau of Investigation. “Even if we want to comply with the commitment order right away, there might be constraints at this point,” De Lima said.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The resumption of hostilities shattered nearly 3 days of calm over the skies of Gaza and southern Israel, raising fears that a new ceasefire announced in the Egyptian capital could quickly unravel. On early August 14, Israeli jets bombed targets across Gaza retaliating to Palestinian rocket attacks. The Palestinian interior ministry reported 4 air strikes over open ground about 30 minutes into the extension of a new truce. Israel said it was targeting “terror sites across the Gaza Strip” in response to rocket fire. The agreement clinched by Egypt had appeared to secure the longest period of calm in the five-week conflict and allow more time for talks on the thorniest issues that separate the two sides.

Read the full story on Rappler.

While the Vatican vocally disapproved of the US-led campaign in Iraq in 2003 and the 2013 plan for air strikes on Syria – fearing both might make the situations worse for Christians on the ground – fears of ethnic cleansing by Islamists has forced a policy change. Fearing a genocide of Christians, the Vatican has given its approval to US military air strikes in Iraq – a rare exception to its policy of peaceful conflict resolution. “Military action might be necessary,” said the Holy See’s ambassador to the United Nations Silvano Tomasi over the weekend. The appeal follows warnings from Church leaders in Iraq that the persecution is becoming a genocide, with urgent help needed to protect Christians and Yazidis in the north of the country.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Japan’s economy contracted 1.7% in the 3 months to June as household and corporate spending slumped after Tokyo raised sales taxes. Tokyo hiked the consumption tax to 8% from 5% – the first levy hike in 17 years. Millions of shoppers launched a last-minute buying binge on everything from cars and washing machines to televisions and alcohol, before the increase on April 1. Demand fell sharply after prices went up. The GDP figures underscore the challenges that Tokyo faces in pressing on with a bid to kickstart an economy long plagued by deflation and laggard growth.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Pope Francis arrives in Seoul on August 14 for a 5-day visit, looking to fuel a new era of Catholic growth in Asia – a mission fraught with complex political challenges but huge potential rewards. His visit is recognition for one of Asia’s fastest-growing, most devoted and most influential Roman Catholic communities, and will feature a special “reconciliation” mass with a message for isolated North Korea. The Pope will bring a message about the “future of Asia” and will use his trip to “speak to all the countries on the continent,” said the Vatican’s number two, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The last papal visit to Asia was by John Paul II to India in 1999.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Jollibee has taken a hit: aside from its loyal customers taking their disappointment to social media, Jollibee  Foods Corporation is losing after a major IT system change it undertook was to blame for the lack of the popular “Chickenjoy” and other bestsellers in some of its stores. According to reports, revenue loss is at P180 million ($4.09 million) daily. This is on top of the P500 million ($11.37 million) that the company supposedly shelled out for its new IT system. Despite this, the country’s largest food service company said its net income for the first half of the year grew 17.2% to P2.46 billion ($55.96 million), from P2.1 billion ($47.78 million) in the same period last year.

Read about the costly IT problems on Rappler.

Read about Jollibee’s 1st half profits on Rappler.

As her husband struggles with cancer, Celine Dion indefinitely halted all her concerts, show business activity and upcoming Asia tour, which had been scheduled to take place later this year. She’s supposed to head to Manila on November 29 to perform at the Mall of Asia Arena. But in an August 13 statement on her Facebook page, Dion said: “I want to devote every ounce of my strength and energy to my husband’s healing, and to do so it’s important for me to dedicate this time to him and to our children.” Rene, Dion’s husband, had a cancerous tumor removed last December.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The second round of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament opens on Saturday, August 16, when the De La Salle University Green Archers face the UP Fighting Maroons at 2 pm, followed by a game between Season 75 finalists UST Growling Tigers and Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4 pm. Both matches will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. On Sunday, Adamson will aim to get their first win of the season when they take on the NU Bulldogs at 2 pm, followed by The Battle of the East, as the UE Red Warriors go head to head with FEU.

Check the complete schedule on Rappler.