#ThewRap: Things you need to know, August 10, 2016

Hello Rappler readers,

President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, after she said Duterte shouldn’t have named judges allegedly linked to drugs. Duterte’s response, in a nutshell: Would you prefer martial law instead?

Speaking of martial law, members of the Duterte Cabinet who were activists during the Marcos regime are being urged to speak up against the late dictator’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Below are those big stories and other major developments we think you shouldn’t miss.

Duterte: Want martial law?

Oh no he didn’t. President Rodrigo Duterte just issued a warning to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, saying, “Would you rather I declare martial law?” Duterte’s strong remarks came after Sereno expressed concern over what she called the President’s “premature public announcement” of officials linked to drugs.

Duterte Cabinet members told to speak up vs Marcos burial

Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr said members of the Duterte Cabinet who were martial law victims should oppose the planned hero’s burial for Ferdinand Marcos. Activists and victims’ families are also urging the President to change his mind.

US to PH: Why did Duterte call Goldberg gay?

The US, as expected, is not pleased with President Duterte’s “inappropriate comments” about US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg. In Washington, the US State Department summoned diplomat Patrick Chuasoto to explain why Duterte called Goldberg “bakla” (gay). 

China building hangars in West PH Sea

China is apparently at it again. Photos show Beijing is building hangars in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), and an analyst told Rappler these would “give China the option to base or rotate military aircraft on the islands.”

PhilWeb shutting down e-Games operations

Listed gaming firm PhilWeb is closing all its 286 e-Games outlets on Wednesday, August 10, after PAGCOR decided not to renew its contract. Last week, tycoon Roberto Ongpin and his daughter had resigned from PhilWeb in an attempt to avert its shutdown.

Olympics: Phelps makes it 21 golds

Is he even human? American swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, won his 20th and 21st Olympic gold medals on Tuesday, August 9. Wow!