SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Hello Rappler readers,
The past 48 hours have been a busy one. The weekend started off with the opening of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the much-awaited release of Pokémon Go in more countries, including the Philippines. Word also got out about the scheduled burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Then, in another midnight press conference, President Rodrigo Duterte finally released a much-awaited list of judges, government officials, and policemen linked to the drug problem.
Catch up on the latest stories over the weekend in this Sunday’s wRap.
The government’s war on drugs continues on overdrive. Days after President Rodrigo Duterte said he will name names of top officials linked to drugs, he does so in a late-night press conference in Davao City. Among the top names included are Cebu City ex-mayor Mike Rama and retired police Gen. Vicente Loot.
This comes after the surrender of several local officials allegedly linked to the drug trade.
In an interview with the Philippine Star, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr revealed that his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos is set to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on September 18. In response, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines circulated a pamphlet that pointed out reasons why Marcos should not be buried there. However, President Duterte said that the late dictator, by law, is eligible to be buried in the heroes’ cemetery, since he was a former soldier and president.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) faces a hefty fine over the Bangladesh Bank heist scandal. How hefty? P1 billion, says the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – the largest ever fine imposed on a bank by the BSP.
RCBC was the focus of the controversial money laundering scandal, in which $81 million from the Bangladeshi central bank made its way from the US to the Philippines. The amount was allegedly laundered by the bank’s employees, and eventually ended in Philippine casinos.
The world took a sigh of relief as Brazil, currently mired in a multitude of economic and political problems, pulled off a grand spectacle to open the world’s biggest assembly of athletes: the 2016 Olympic Games. Fireworks, samba, and supermodel Gisele headlined the made-for-TV extravaganza, before acting President Michel Temer – amid boos – formally opened the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, the first ever in South America.
While the opening was a success, Team Philippines’ campaign faltered at the start, with opening round losses in boxing, swimming, and table tennis. Charly Suarez, Jessie Lacuna, and Ian Lariba all lost in their initial foray in Rio, lessening the country’s chances of ending the current 20-year medal drought.
Thais vote on a junta-crafted constitution on Sunday, August 7, in a referendum where independent campaigning and open debate has been banned, as opponents warn the document will perpetuate military power.
The military says their new constitution will curb endemic political corruption and bring stability after the dizzying merry-go-round of recent years. But critics say it aims to neuter civilian politicians and reinforce the royalist elite’s hold over democracy.
Pokémon fans in the Philippines, woke up Saturday morning, August 6, to a much-awaited news: Pokémon Go is finally available for download! Niantic, Pokémon Go’s developer and publisher, finally let people from 15 countries, mostly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Island states, to download and play the augmented reality app. The release sent Filipinos on a social media frenzy – and also sent people outside their homes in their quest to catch ’em all.
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.