#ThewRap: Things you need to know, March 22, 2018

Good day, Rappler readers!

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has spoken up on the Cambridge Analytica scandal that hit the social media platform this week.

Philippines and China on Wednesday, March 21, said they will cautiously proceed with discussions on joint oil and gas explorations in the South China Sea. 

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) announced it is preparing a complaint against a parent who had threatened a professor for giving his child a low grade. 

Here are today’s top stories.

After Facebook data scandal, Zuckerberg vows to ‘step up’

“We have a responsibility to protect your data, and if we can’t then we don’t deserve to serve you,” Zuckerberg said, in his first public comments on the harvesting of Facebook user data by a British firm linked to President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Philippines, China agree ‘prudent’ cooperation on joint sea exploration

The two states have long been embroiled in a bitter dispute over the South China Sea – with China claiming nearly the entire sea – but Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has in recent years softened his predecessors’ policy of opposing Beijing’s claims.

Ateneo de Davao to file complaint vs parent who threatened professor

In a strongly-worded statement on Thursday, March 22, ADDU president Father Joel Tabora SJ called the incident “reprehensible,” more so because the concerned parent is a “public official and a lawyer.”

Mistahs of PMA ’85 battle for AFP chief post

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana named the top commanders in Mindanao – Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal and Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez – as the “strongest candidates” to succeed AFP chief General Rey Guerrero.

Aguirre: Existing Sandiganbayan charges vs Napoles have ‘defects’

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II explained that alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles is qualified to be a government witness because as a private person, she is not the most guilty.

Duterte lists down demands for OFW protection in Kuwait

The Philippine leader wants Kuwait to ensure that overseas Filipino workers get 7 hours of sleep, enjoy holidays, and won’t have their passports confiscated by their employers. 

U.S. lawmakers clinch spending deal to avert gov’t shutdown

House Speaker Paul Ryan hailed the $1.3 trillion spending bill as marking “the beginning of a new era for the United States military,” while minority leader Chuck Schumer said it will fulfill Democratic priorities.