#ThewRap: Videos you need to watch this week, May 1-7, 2017

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#ThewRap: Videos you need to watch this week, May 1-7, 2017

LeAnne Jazul

Must-watch videos from the past week

Dear Rappler reader,

“I believe I can fly!” DENR Secretary Gina Lopez’s clarion call rang loudest this week, a bitter-sweet reminder of the heights she reached in her crusade against mining interests, shutting the mines down at the pinnacle of her power. Then there’s the flight of macho arrogance exhibited by Senator Tito Sotto, who called solo-parent Judy Taguiwalo “knocked-up.” But the most triumphant flight belongs to this former janitor and first-time bar taker, who said his story proves that “education is the key to ending the cycles of poverty.”

Below are the big stories we think you shouldn’t miss.

Quiapo twin blasts not a terror attack?

“There are no indications that this is a terrorist attack.” NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said the explosive was intended for a “specific person.” Two people were killed and 6 others injured in the twin explosions in Quiapo, Manila, last Saturday, May 6. Watch this CCTV footage of the blast.

UN expert in PH: Punitive measures don’t work

“Be it community-based, national or global, the war on drugs does not work.”  While on an academic visit to the Philippines, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard reiterated that adopting a “punitive” approach to the problem only fosters a regime of impunity and invigorates the rule of violence. Watch the highlights of the forum she attended here. 

 

North Korea missile tests ‘disturbing’ for PH – expert

The “biggest concern” for the Philippines “would be North Korean missile tests.”  Political science professor Robert Kelly of the Pusan National University in South Korea had this to say about the Philippines’ role in the North Korea crisis. US President Donald Trump’s recent phone call to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte supposedly “was all about North Korea.” Watch Kelly’s interview here.

Why Justice Carpio wants China to read his e-book

“This e-book is intended to convince the Chinese people that the 9-dash line has no legal or historical basis.” Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said among the reasons he published an e-book was to reach out to a critical audience: the Chinese people themselves. On Thursday, he launched the book, The South China Sea Dispute: Philippine Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. Watch Rappler reporter Paterno Esmaquel’s vlog.

Gina Lopez: Business interests have run the day

“It is very sad that, in the Commission on Appointments, clearly business interests have run the day.” Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, Gina Lopez lambasted her rejection during a press conference Wednesday. Eight CA members voted for her appointment while 16 voted to reject her appointment. Watch excerpts from her press conference here. True to form, she ended the press conference with the song “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly’s.

Duterte on Gina Lopez: ‘Lobby money talks’

‘It’s too bad about Gina. I really like her passion. But you know how it is. This is a democracy, and lobby money talks.” In a speech, Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte lamented losing DENR secretary Gina Lopez as a Cabinet member. Lopez, one of the most popular Cabinet officials, angered the mining industry for controversials policies that included the closures of 23 mining operations that raised global nickel prices by 22%. Watch excerpts of his speech here. During confirmation hearings, stuanch Duterte ally Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said, “We want to confirm you Ma’am, but we want to make sure we will not have an arbitrary DENR.”

Sotto insults single mother DSWD chief Taguiwalo

“In the street language, when you have children and you are single, ang tawag do’n ay na-ano lang (we call that you just got knocked up),” Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said, prompting soft laughter from the audience during the hearing. Sotto, a TV celebrity used to making similar remarks on his noontime show, made this remark as he grilled Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, a solo parent, during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Watch Sotto’s derogatory comments here.

Former Comelec janitor to lawyer – dreams come true

“Truth be told, I didn’t even buy clothes so I could pay for my tuition.” Ramil Comendador, 35, remembered the hardships of putting himself through law school. He worked as a janitor at the Comelec and has since been promoted to elections assistant. Watch Comendador talk about ending the cycles of poverty here. Bar topnotcher Karen Mae Calam has a similar message: dare to dream. Watch Karen talk about her journey here. 

Pasig City to fight fire with unmanned firefighting machine

“It’s the right time for us to have an unmanned vehicle like this so that it’s easy to enter narrow streets and quench fires.” Pasig City Mayor Robert “Bobby” Eusebio said the city acquired the P19-million Unmanned Firefighting Machine because there was a gap in the city’s ability to fight large factory fires and enter narrow spaces. Watch the video on the little red fire truck.

Bb Pilipinas 2017 swimsuit competition

The ladies of Binibining Pilipinas 2017 lit up the Smart Araneta Coliseum stage on Sunday, April 30, for the pageant’s swimsuit competition. The pageant’s coronation night was hosted by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj, and actor Xian Lim. Watch Kylie Verzosa’s final speech as Miss International PH 2016.  – Rappler.com

 

 

 

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