Today on Rappler.
- Janet Napoles faces the Senate on November 7.
- President Aquino will hold nationwide dialogues to explain the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program.
- Filipinos expelled from Saudi Arabia cry abuse following an immigration crackdown.
Story 1: NAPOLES HEARING PUSHES THROUGH
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman TG Guingona says the testimony of alleged pork barrel queen Janet Napoles will push through on November 7.
Guingona turns down the request of Sen Serge Osmena to postpone the testimony to November 18, the resumption of the Senate session.
Osmena says more than half of the members of the Senate will be out of town on November 7.
But some senators say there should be no more delays to Napoles’ testimony.
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano says, “I believe that justice should not be made to wait. The Senate should resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”
It took weeks before the Senate finally summoned Napoles.
Senate President Franklin Drilon initially opposed signing a subpoena for her, saying the testimony might compromise the investigation of the Ombudsman.
Napoles is accused of siphoning millions in pork barrel in connivance with lawmakers who allegedly received kickbacks.
The three senators implicated in the scam – Sen Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Bong Revilla – inhibited themselves from the blue ribbon investigation.
The three senators and 35 others face a plunder complaint over the scam.
Napoles’ former employees-turned-whistleblowers will also testify on the November 7 hearing.
But Estrada downplays Napoles’ testimony, saying she will invoke her right to remain silent.
Story 2: AQUINO TO EXPLAIN DAP IN DIALOGUES WITH CITIZENS
President Benigno Aquino plans to tour the nation to hold discussions on the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP.
Several groups question the constitutionality of the government’s spending program before the Supreme Court.
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma says the discussions will allow Filipinos to explain their concerns over government spending.
But he does not give details on how the dialogues will be conducted.
Aquino’s predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, conducted town hall meetings on controversial issues during her term.
Coloma denies the discussions were prompted by the controversies surrounding the DAP and lawmakers’ pork barrel.
He says the planned dialogues are part of the “continuing process” of the Aquino government to –quote– “reach out and inform our people of the issues that are confronting our nation.”
On Wednesday, Aquino delivers a primetime address defending the DAP, saying it helped drive the economy and fund significant projects.
But critics say Aquino avoided the real issue of DAP’s legality.
The Palace also says the timing of Aquino’s address was not meant to sway the Supreme Court’s deliberations on the DAP’s constitutionality.
Story 3: AQUINO HONORS SOLDIERS OF ZAMBOANGA SIEGE
President Aquino awards soldiers who fought against Moro National Liberation Front rebels during the attack in Zamboanga City.
In September, MNLF members stormed the city in a bid to declare their independence from government.
The standoff left at least 200 people dead.
In a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo, Aquino praises the soldiers for limiting the rebels’ hold on the area during the siege.
BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Kayo nga pong mga nasa harap ko ngayon ang mismong naroon sa bakbakan: ang nakipagpalitan ng putok, at nakahandang iharang ang katawan sa bala, para mabawi ang Lungsod ng Zamboanga sa mga rebelde. Tingnan nga po ninyo ang matinding pagkakaiba natin sa kalaban: Sa inyong hanay, ang batayang layunin ng pagprotekta sa ating mamamayan; at sa kabilang panig naman ay ang mga kalabang ginawang human shield ang mga hostage, pinaputukan ang mga bumbero’t kasapi ng Red Cross, at di-nag-atubiling idamay ang mga inosenteng sibilyan. (You were at the front lines during the attack: exchanging fire with the enemy and preparing to use your own bodies as shields against the enemies’ bullets to reclaim Zamboanga City from the rebels. Look at how you are different from the enemy: you aimed to protect our citizens. Meanwhile, our enemies used hostages as human shields and shot at firefighters and members of the Red Cross. They did not hesitate to involve innocent civilians.)
Aquino also promises to continue helping the city recover from the siege.
BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Ngayong malaya na muli ang Zamboanga city, tuloy pa rin ang ayuda natin para sa kanilang rehabilitasyon. Katuwang ang ating mga sundalo’t pulis, ibabangon natin ang Zamboanga mula sa nagdaang trahedya, at magkakasama nating itataguyod ang kapayapaan sa kalakhang bansa. (Now that Zamboanga City is free, the government continues to provide support for its rehabilitation. In cooperation with our soldiers and police, we will uplift Zamboanga from the tragedy, and together we will promote peace in the country.)
Story 4: GAZMIN: HABIER MALIK ‘OBVIOUSLY’ DEAD
Over a month since the siege in Zamboanga City, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says a top Moro National Liberation Front commander is –quote– “obviously dead.”
But Gazmin admits the government does not have evidence to prove Ustadz Habier Malik was killed during the standoff.
Malik is the top lieutenant of MNLF founder Nur Misuari, who is believed to be the mastermind of the attack in Zamboanga City.
Malik and his armed men sailed to the city on September 9 to hoist their flag and declare their independence from government.
Speaking to reporters, Gazmin says, “If the claims of [MNLF spokesman Emmanuel] Fontanilla were true that Malik is alive, they should have shown him to us.”
The government filed rebellion charges against Misuari, Malik and several other MNLF members before the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court.
Story 5: RESHUFFLE IN KEY AFP POSTS
A reshuffle in key posts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines or AFP is set to take effect this week.
Lt General Rustico Guerrero takes over as chief of the Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao Command or Wesmincom.
He is a former Marine commandant and chief of the Western Command in Palawan.
Wesmincom commands troops dealing with the breakaway Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Moro National Liberation Front.
Guerrero’s new appointment triggers a reshuffle in two other posts.
Air Force Lt General Roy Deveraturda will replace Guerrero at Wescom in Palawan.
Wescom oversees the Kalayaan Group of Islands or the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.
Six countries, including the Philippines and China, have overlapping claims over the territory.
Maj General John Bonafos takes over as chief of the Cebu-based Central Command.
Story 6: FILIPINOS ALLEGE ABUSE IN SAUDI IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN
Thirty Filipino workers expelled from Saudi Arabia say they were abused following a crackdown on illegal migrants there.
This comes after an amnesty for undocumented foreigners ended over the weekend.
One Filipina claims Saudi Arabian police rounded them up and placed them in a crowded cell for 4 days before being sent to the airport.
Saudi Arabian embassy officials did not comment on the allegations of abuse.
Last week, Vice President Jejomar Binay asked the Saudi Arabian government to extend its November 3 deadline.
Under Saudi Arabia’s policy, undocumented overseas workers should have their status legalized, or else, they would face repatriation.
Latest estimates show at least 4,371 Filipino workers are back in the Philippines, while around 9,000 have been issued proper travel documents.
1,500 are still waiting for immigration clearance.
The Philippine government allots P2 billion for Filipino workers affected by Saudi Arabia’s policy.
Story 7: ‘WILMA’ WEAKENS INTO LOW PRESSURE AREA
Tropical depression Wilma weakens into a low pressure area Monday.
State weather bureau Pagasa says the center of the LPA is estimated at 32 km southeast of Tagbilaran City.
Visayas and the regions of Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rain.
Cagayan Valley, MIMAROPA and the rest of Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers.
Story 8: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 3, officials say the gunman who allegedly killed a security officer at the Los Angeles airport in California carried a note saying he planned to murder “multiple” agents.
The gun rampage triggered chaos at the airport on November 1, disrupting over 1,500 flights.
The airport only fully reopened Saturday.
A prosecutor says Paul Ciancia allegedly opened fire at “point blank range” on Transportation Security Agent Gerardo Hernandez.
At number 5, a newspaper report says Israel will build a security fence on the border with Jordan, a move that angers Palestinians.
Israel has long stated it seeks to retain a long-term military presence along the Jordan Valley, which the Palestinians oppose.
In January 2012, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would “strengthen barriers along his country’s border with Jordan” to keep out illegal migrants.
The spokesman of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas denounces the plans.
And at number 10, New York City approves a $320-million project to build the world’s tallest ferris wheel.
The tourist attraction will offer incredible views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn and New York Harbor.
It’s expected to pull in 4 million visitors a year when it opens in 2016.
Inspired by the success of the London Eye on the Thames and the current record holder in Singapore, work on the wheel is set to begin next year.
Story 9: EMINEM TAKES TOP HONOR AT YOUTUBE MUSIC AWARDS
Rap artist Eminem takes the top honor during YouTube’s first-ever music awards, bagging the Artist of the Year award.
The Sunday webcast kicks off with a performance by indie rockers Arcade Fire, followed by a performance by Lady Gaga.
The 90-minute show though splits the Internet audience, with some viewers complaining the show was censored at several points.
Unlike established awards ceremonies, YouTube’s event organizers say the winners were determined based on “viewership, subscriber, and engagement metrics.”
While big names Miley Cyrus, Psy, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber were nominated for the best video award, it was K-Pop group Girls’ Generation who took home the prize.
Story 10: HINDUS IN PH MARK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Hindus around the world celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.
In the Philippines, up to 3,000 people gather to mark the victory of good over evil.
Paterno Esmaquel reports.
For the world’s one billion Hindus, it’s the season of change.
Hindus celebrate one of their biggest feasts – Diwali.
They call Diwali the festival of lights.
During this feast, Hindus remember the return of Lord Rama, who went in exile for 14 years.
It also marks the defeat of Rama’s enemy.
For them, it stands for the triumph of light over darkness.
In their homes, Hindus light candles to symbolize the power of goodness.
They do this, too, in the workplace to attract prosperity.
SHAKUNTALA VASWANI, PRESIDENT, INDIAN LADIES CLUB: It’s a festival of lights. It’s a festival during which we light up our homes. It is also to signify lighting up our lives. It is an opportunity for us to renew or cleanse our inner personalities, and bring light into our lives.
Hindus believe Diwali is also about friends and families.
In a mall in Pasay City, up to 3,000 people from Indian families gather on the eve of Diwali.
Organizers say it’s one of the biggest gatherings of Indians in the Philippines.
Over 8,900 Indians live in the Philippines. This excludes those who became Filipino citizens.
While now a Christian, 27-year-old Rajiv Lachmandas makes it a point to join the party.
RAJIV LACHMANDAS, YOUNG PROFESSIONAL: It’s a chance for everyone to get together once a year, see new faces, and see old faces as well.
An Indian embassy official says the Festival of Lights in the Philippines is unique.
N. RAM PRASAD, CHARGE D’ AFFAIRES, INDIAN EMBASSY: [Q: How different is the Filipino version of Diwali?] Much better, much better. There’s so much energy, there’s so much bonding among the people because of the mutual love, affection, and respect that Filipino and Indian people have for each other.
Paterno Esmaquel, Rappler, Manila.
Story 11: AMIT WINS WORLD 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Rubilen Amit narrowly beats Britain’s Kelly Fisher, 10-7, in the finals of the Yalin Women’s World 10 Ball championship 2013 at Resorts World Manila on Monday.
With the game tied at 7-7, Amit showed grace under pressure and bagged the final 3 racks to secure her second 10 ball crown in 5 years.
A teary-eyed Amit says –quote– “It feels wonderful. I’m so blessed. [The crowd helped me] big time.”
– Rappler.com
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| GRAPHICS | Jessica Lazaro |
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