#ThewRap: Things you need to know, February 17, 2017

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#ThewRap: Things you need to know, February 17, 2017
Hello! Here's a roundup of news you need to know this Friday.

Hello Rappler readers,

Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista might not have enough reason to smile these days after he confirmed that a computer with voters’ data in Lanao del Sur has gone missing after a theft in January. The poll body will be the subject of investigation.

Late Thursday night, President Rodrigo Duterte declared he would resign immediately if his challenger Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is able to produce evidence in court he had amassed P2 billion and stashed this in his bank accounts.

Outside the country, the heir of South Korean giant Samsung was arrested on Friday, February 17, over charges he paid US$40 million in bribes to an aide of impeached president Park Geun-Hye. 

And the US president holds his first solo news conference where he spent an hour attacking the “dishonest” media and insisting that his government runs like a “fine-tuned machine.”

Be up to speed with the news. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss.

 

Duterte to Trillanes: Prove it and I’ll resign

In a video message sent to media late Thursday night, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would resign immediately if Senator Antonio Trillanes IV can prove in court his accusations about billions in Duterte’s supposed bank accounts. Duterte’s common-law wife Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, reportedly had millions in bank transactions from July 2004 to March 2016. Duterte’s daughter Sara also challenged Trillanes to show where her alleged P121 million is and how it became illegal.

 

Trillanes: Campaign donor gave P118M to Honeylet, 3 Duterte kids

Davao-based businessman Samuel Uy allegedly deposited in the bank accounts of President Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife and 3 adult children P118.176 million from October 11, 2011 to April 10, 2013. This is according to documents provided by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The bank transactions reportedly involved Uy, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, and the President’s 3 children with ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Vice Mayor Paolo, and Sebastian. Trillanes challenged Duterte anew to explain his bank accounts that supposedly amounted to over P2 billion when he was still Davao City mayor.

 

The Trump monologue: ‘Zero chaos’ in White House

In a meandering first solo news conference on Thursday, US President Donald Trump insisted there was “zero chaos” in his crisis-buffeted White House and railed against enemies in the media, politics and the courts. The 70-year-old US president vented frustrations, insisted he is “not a bad person” and wondered out loud about a “nuclear holocaust.”

 

Stolen PC with voters’ data prompts probe of Comelec

After a computer in the election office of Wao, Lanao del Sur was stolen sometime in January, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is facing a probe for another possible data breach. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista confirmed this on February 16. A source knowledgeable about the information told Rappler the stolen PC contains the sensitive personal information, including the biometrics, of 55 million voters.

  

Samsung heir arrested over bribery allegations

 

The heir of South Korean giant Samsung was arrested Friday, as part of a probe into corruption and influence-peddling that caused President Park Geun-Hye to be impeached. Lee Jae-Yong, Samsung Electronics vice chairman, is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to Park’s secret confidante to secure policy favors.

 

Malaysia vows to return Kim Jong-Nam body

After an autopsy, back to North Korea the body of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will go. This was the assurance made by Malaysia on February 16 as police investigating the airport assassination of poisoned Kim Jong-Nam arrested a second woman. Prior to that a 28-year-old woman with a Vietnamese passport was arrested. Two female assassins sprayed toxins on the face of Kim as he was preparing to board a flight at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

 

Michael Phelps as salesman?

The most decorated Olympian of all time will take part in the 2020 Games in Tokyo as an entrepreneur, selling his own-brand swimwear. Michael Phelps, who has captured a record 28 Olympic medals, retired after the 2016 Rio Games and is now setting his sights as a businessman selling his swimwear in a cut-throat commercial environment.

 

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