July 1, 2014 Edition

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, July 1, declared parts of the administration’s Disbursement Allocation Program partially unconstitutional. Voting 13-0-1, the justices specified the following to be unconstitutional: the withdrawal of unobligated allotments from implementing agencies; cross-border transfers of savings from the executive department to offices beyond the executive department; and the funding of projects, activities, and programs not covered by appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Critics of the program however criticized the SC decision which, it said, falls short of holding the administration officials behind DAP accountable for implementing an illegal program.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Turning back on its earlier declaration it would remain neutral, the ruling Democratic Party announced it was throwing its support behind presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. The party said Prabowo and his running mate Hatta Rajasa had a “vision and mission” that were “in line with the Democratic Party.” This is considered a blow to frontunner Joko Widodo who leads with just 4 percentage points based on the latest opinion survey made public on Monday, June 30.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The US Supreme Court on Monday, June 30, voted 5-4 in a ruling seen as a victory for religious freedom. The High Court said family-owned companies can deny birth control coverage in employee health care plans, as the Christian owners of Hobby Lobby, an Oklahoma-based chain of arts and craft stores, refused to implement the contraception part of President Barack Obama’s health care reforms. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Supreme Court decision “jeopardizes the health of the women who are employed by these companies.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

Suspend Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr and Jinggoy Estrada while their trial for plunder is ongoing. This was the pleading filed by Ombudsman prosecutors on Monday, July 30, before the anti-graft court. They said it is mandatory for the court to immediately issue a suspension order after determining the validity of the charge sheet against them. Republic Act 7080 or the Plunder Law says, “Any public officer against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid information under this Act in whatever stage of execution and mode of participation, is pending in court, shall be suspended from office.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

Concerned over China’s growing influence over the city, more than half a million protesters are expected to participate in a pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 1. Organizers said it could be the largest mobilization since Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” agreement. The protest comes after an informal survey on democratic reform drew a high turnout of 800,000 votes, which Beijing branded as “illegal and invalid.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

Veteran Journalist Jessica Soho retired from her post as GMA-7’s first vice president for news, the network announced on Tuesday, July 1. GMA however did not announce who will take her place. In April, journalist Howie Severino also stepped down as vice president for multimedia journalism and editor in chief of GMA News Online. He was appointed as vice president for professional development. The movements came as the network announced that businessman Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation was acquiring 30% of the company in his personal capacity. Soho will continue hosting her shows on the network.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Read the story on Ang’s entry to GMA-7 also on Rappler.

Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, perceived to be among the frontrunners for a vacated post in the Supreme Court, was eliminated from the shortlist of nominees submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to Malacañang. Only 4 remain on the list of the JBC which is chaired by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno: Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas Jr, CA Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr, Commission on Audit chair Grace Pulido-Tan, and Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Reynaldo Daway.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Antarctica’s emperor penguins should be listed as endangered species and their habitats should be better protected, scientists said, as global warming can force them to decline in 2100. The birds need sea ice for breeding and raising their young; it also protects their prey by maintaining the food chain. In a paper published in the journal Nature Climate Change, scientists said “at least 75% of the emperor penguin colonies are at least vulnerable to future sea ice change, and 20% will probably be quasi-extinct by 2100.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez apologized Monday, June 30, to Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini for biting him. “I deeply regret what occurred,” Suarez said. On his Twitter account, he also said, “I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family.” Banned for 4 months and expelled from the World Cup, Suarez said he vows “there will never be another incident like it.” Chiellini tweeted in reply, “It’s all forgotten. I hope FIFA wil reduce your suspension.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

Beyoncé Knowles rules Forbes’ Celebrity 100, climbing to the top spot after 95 shows, raking in an average of US$2.4 million per stop. Forbes reported that her single “Drunk in Love” has gone platinum, with its sale of over a million copies. Between June 1, 2013 and June 1, 2014, Forbes estimated the celebrity earned $115 million from her small business empire that includes fragrances and a clothing company, on top of her lucrative endorsements.

Read the full story on Forbes.