January 10, 2013 Edition

An industry association led by the country’s biggest liquor makers filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) from a local court to stop the implementation of the landmark Sin Tax Law, a controversial measure which languished in Congress for 15 years before being signed into law last year.  The Distilled Spirits Association of the Philippines (DSAP) told the Manila Regional Trial Court the law can’t be implemented because of double taxation.

Read more on Rappler. 

It’s a word war with deep roots.  Now businessman Roberto Ongpin files charges against Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr.  Ongpin claims Espenilla violated Section3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 and caused him “undue injury” by freezing his bank accounts.  Espenilla signed an Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) resolution to freeze Ongpin’s accounts during investigations into P660-million alleged behest loan deals between Ongpin and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in 2009.  Ongpin’s company shares dropped by a total of P8 billion when the freeze order was publicized and extended for another 6 months.

Read more on Rappler 

President Aquino rejected calls for a total gun ban on Wednesday, January 9.  He said what’s needed is better enforcement of the law and higher penalties for irresponsible gun owners.  A known gun afficionado, he also defended his right to own a gun.  “Both Church and Law recognize my right to self-defense,” said Aquino.  He also stressed that the government is running after private armed groups, which he said are the biggest threats to peace and order.

Read more on Rappler

Rappler’s Natashya Gutierrez shows how easy it is to get a gun legally, with merchants offering to file fake papers needed for a license.  She takes a look at the government agencies who issue the licenses and the reforms needed to prevent recent outbreaks of violence.

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If Congress won’t push tougher gun control measures, the White House may just step in.  That’s what US Vice President Joe Biden told interest groups, including victims of recent shootings.  “The President is going to act,” he said as he carries out his task assigned by President Obama – to draw up proposals to respond to the elementary school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut.  Biden will also meet with the National Rifle Association, the nation’s most powerful gun lobby, and other gun-rights groups.  

Read more on The Wall Street Journal. 

Hugo Chavez has led Venezuela for so long, but now he is allegedly recovering from surgery related to his cancer in a hospital in Cuba. His enemies want government investigators to make sure he’s still alive.  The Supreme Court, dominated by Chavez allies, ruled he can govern in absentia.  All this is creating a surreal situation in Venezuela, where a quasi-presidential inauguration is scheduled on Thursday.  Since Chavez cannot attend, it leaves many asking, “who is leading Venezuela?”

Read more on the New York Times

Speaking your mind out online is considered a common occurrence, but in China, where censorship and spin sometimes go hand in hand, rare is the discussion behind censorship practices. A number of users at Chinese microblogging site Weibo have been railing at the service’s web managers. One web manager from Weibo seemed to have pushed it a bit further. He posted an explanation of the practices Weibo engages in to allow people to speak of displeasure freely without the service or its users catching the ire of the government. The post by @Genuine_Yu_Yang explains, “At its very early stages, we were under a lot of pressure. We tried to resist and let the messages spread. This is our accomplishment already,” he wrote. The post has since been deleted.


Read the full story on Rappler

It’s the top Filipino boxer’s third honor for 2012. Nonito Donaire has been named Yahoo! Sports’ 2012 Fighter of the Year, edging out some of the year’s standout fighters, such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Robert Guerrero. With a win-loss record of 4-0 in 2012, Donaire “showed the complete package, using speed, ower, accuracy, ring generalship, defense and courage to post decision wins over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Jeffrey Mathebula and stoppages over Toshiaki Nishioka and Jorge Arce,” said Yahoo! Sports. None of the other fighters could beat the “brilliance of a quiet, understated guy who consistently went out and performed at a high level,” it added. 

Read the full story on Rappler

It’s that time of the year again. Leading the first group of performers for the 55th annual Grammy Awards on February 10 are Taylor Swift, Black Keys and Rihanna. It’s a return for Rihanna, who made a live-wire performance at last year’s Grammys. Reports say LL Cool J will host the show, which will air on CBS. Mumford & Sons will also make a comeback after their 2011 Grammys performance.

Read more on MTV.com