Rappler Newscast | July 1, 2013

Story 1: SAUDI DEADLINE LOOMS FOR ILLEGAL WORKERS
Illegal foreign workers in Saudi Arabia rush to take advantage of an amnesty program ending Wednesday.
The amnesty allows illegal workers to stay or to return to their home countries without prosecution.
In April, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah announced the amnesty, granting foreign workers three months to either regularize their residency or to leave the oil-rich Gulf monarchy to avoid being blacklisted or jailed and fined.
More than 1.5 million illegal foreign workers took advantage of the amnesty during the first 2 months.
There are an estimated 2 million illegal foreign workers living in the kingdom.
Of these, 180,000 have left.
200,000 unregistered workers were also expelled at the start of the year under new regulations to stamp out illegal immigration.
Many workers are still lining up outside their embassies to obtain documents to either leave Saudi Arabia or legalize their status before Wednesday.
The new labor ministry regulations aim to reduce the number of foreign workers to create jobs for millions of unemployed Saudi Arabians.

Story 2: PH CROSSES FINGERS ON SAUDI DEADLINE
Facing penalties if they stay longer in Saudi Arabia, 25 Filipinos will return to the Philippines on Tuesday, bringing to 800 the number of Filipinos sent home from Saudi.
Saudi Arabia set Wednesday as the deadline for undocumented workers to legalize their status.
Violators face up to two years in prison and fines of at least 100,000 riyal or $27,000.
In a press conference, Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez says the government is asking Saudi to extend its July 3 deadline to allow it to repatriate more Filipinos.
Hernandez says as of June 27, up to 304 Filipinos remain at the camp near the Philippine consulate in Jeddah.
Migrant workers’ group Migrante criticizes the government for supposedly failing to repatriate stranded overseas Filipino workers.

Story 3: PH ACCUSES CHINA OF MILITARY BUILDUP AT SEA
The Philippines accuses China Sunday of a “massive” military buildup in the disputed South China Sea.
In a statement at a regional security forum in Brunei, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario says there is a –quote– “massive presence of Chinese military and paramilitary ships” at the disputed Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.
Del Rosario says the Chinese presence at the islets are –quote– “threats to efforts to maintain maritime peace and stability in the region”.
Del Rosario adds, the Chinese actions violate a 2002 pact where rival claimants to the sea pledged not to take actions that may increase tensions.
China’s claim to nearly all of the sea is contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
Tensions build up in recent years over China’s increasingly assertive military and diplomatic tactics to stake its claims.
On Saturday, the Chinese state-owned People’s Daily published a commentary warning the Philippines its defiance could lead to aggressive Chinese action.
It says, “If the Philippines continues to provoke China… a counterstrike will be hard to avoid.”
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has been urging China to agree on a legally binding code of conduct on the South China Sea.

Story 4: TAKEWAKA: PH TIES PART OF JAPAN’S GROWTH STRATEGY
Consul general of Japan Keizo Takewaka talks about Philippine-Japan relations as the two countries forge closer ties.
Last week, the Philippines says it’s planning to allow Japan greater access to its military bases.
This comes in the middle of increasing tensions with China over the South China Sea.
Takewaka says Japan wants a peaceful resolution of the issue.

KEIZO TAKEWAKA, CONSUL GENERAL OF JAPAN: We support the approach of the Philippines to submit a case for the sake of the rule of law. It is fair and just.

Japan also announced it’s relaxing visa rules for some Southeast Asian countries in a bid to boost tourism.
Takewaka says the relaxed visa rules are part of Japan’s growth strategy.

KEIZO TAKEWAKA, CONSUL GENERAL OF JAPAN: The growth strategy includes three components, three plans. One is revitalizing the Japanese industry, and second, creating new industries like health care or insurance, because we are aging society. And third relevant topic, is tapping global market. Tapping into global market, here we would like to have more tourists visiting Japan.

Takewaka was also involved in the peace process in Mindanao as an observer.
But although talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front deadlock over disagreements on wealth and power sharing, Takewaka says he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the negotiations.

KEIZO TAKEWAKA, CONSUL GENERAL OF JAPAN: After the signing of the framework agreement, they have already passed the point of no return. I don’t think that they can simply wipe off the framework agreement, the progress.

Story 5: NEW MANILA MAYOR ERAP PROMISES TO FIGHT CORRUPTION
Former President Joseph Estrada moves to a new seat of power: the country’s capital, Manila.
The man convicted of plunder now promises to fight corruption.
Ayee Macaraig reports.

JOSEPH ESTRADA, FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamag-anak o anak na maaring magsamantala ngayon. Huwag ninyo akong subukan. (There are no friends, no brothers, no relatives and no children who will be able to take advantage. Don’t try me.)

He made history as one of the most popular presidents to enter Malacañang, and the first to be detained and convicted.
Now, former President Joseph Estrada defies political death to become mayor of the country’s capital.
The popular movie star-turned-politician acknowledges his new date with history as he takes his oath as Manila’s chief executive.

JOSEPH ESTRADA, MAYOR OF MANILA: For the first time, Manila will have an ex-convict as your city mayor. I feel that I am in good company with Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar and our own Sen Ninoy Aquino who was convicted by a military court. We were all convicted. That is why we are now all men of conviction.

After winning a bruising race against ally-turned-rival Alfredo Lim, Estrada says he will bring back the glory of a decaying Manila.
In his first 100 days, Estrada sets his sights on cleaning up the police force.
The man convicted for allegedly receiving illegal gambling payoffs is now the one running after cops on the take.

JOSEPH ESTRADA, MAYOR OF MANILA: Tapos na ang maliligayang araw ninyo sa Maynila! Tapos na, tapos na, tapos na. (Your happy days are over in Manila! They’re over, they’re over, they’re over.) I promise you, the fight against corruption will be the centerpiece of my administration! We will ensure full transparency on all revenue collections, disbursements and expenditures of the city. This is the commitment and conviction of your ex-convict mayor.

Estrada focuses on peace and order, urging businessmen to install CCTVs to help fight crime.
In a city notorious for garbage and floods, he marks his first day on the job with a clean-up drive.
Estrada earns the support of Manilans like tour guide Carlos Celdran, his new tourism consultant.
But he has his share of critics.
Protesters greet him on his first day at work, criticizing him for saying vendors cause traffic and flooding.
He proposes a night market to keep them out of the streets.
Estrada knows his new job puts his popularity and political will to the test.

JOSEPH ESTRADA, MAYOR OF MANILA: Nag-ikot ako pagkatapos ng eleksyon, parang ayoko nang umupo. Ang daming problema tapos nakita ko pa ang lahat yun sa esteros. Mahirap toh. Erap para sa mahirap. Pag tinanggal ko lahat iyon, inaapi ni Erap ang mahihirap. (I did rounds after election, and I felt like I wanted to back out. There were so many problems and everyone can see it in the state of the sewers. This is hard. Erap for the poor. If I remove all the people who live near the sewers, it’ll be like Erap is abusing the poor.)

With only 3 years to transform a city called the gates of hell, Estrada calls on both supporters and critics to give him and Manila another chance.

AYEE MACARAIG, REPORTING: From president to mayor.
Estrada vows to fight an evil he himself was accused of: corruption.
In his political rebirth, he also promises to give new life to the country’s capital.
But great expectations and limited time are the challenges Asiong Salonga faces in his new role.
Ayee Macaraig, Rappler.

Story 6: FOI BILL’S 16TH CONGRESS BATTLE BEGINS
Citizens’ group Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition files their own version of the Freedom of Information bill on the 1st day of the 16th Congress.
On Monday, the group files the bill through an indirect initiative — a mechanism under the law that allows recognized citizens’ groups to file their own bills in Congress.
Under the proposed bill, Filipinos will have access to information under the control of a government agency.
The coalition’s version does not contain a right-of-reply provision, which requires media to provide space for government officials affected by documents accessed through the bill.
The coalition says it decided to file its own version of the bill, after it only managed to pass the committee level in the last Congress.

Story 7: SC JUSTICES’ SALNS OUT; DEL CASTILLO STILL RICHEST
The Supreme Court releases the latest statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) for 2012 of its 15 magistrates.
Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo remains the richest since the court first released the justices’ SALN last year.
He declared a net worth of P110 million for 2012, an increase of more than P838,000 from his net worth of P109 million for 2011.
Latest appointee Marvic Leonen has the lowest declared net worth, with P1.6 million.
The Supreme Court justices released their SALNs to the public in 2011 after former Chief Justice Renato Corona was removed from his post for failing to disclose P183 million in peso and dollar bank deposits.

Story 8: COURT REJECTS MOVE TO REINSTATE BAN ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
The US Supreme Court rejects an emergency bid to reinstate California’s ban on same-sex marriage.
In a Sunday Los Angeles Times report, a lawyer for the gay couples who sought to lift the ban, says he received word the justice handling the petition denied the bid.
On Friday, California’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals lifts the ban, imposed under the Proposition 8 ballot measure.
Days earlier, the US Supreme Court repealed Proposition 8, paving the way for same-sex marriage in California to resume.
But supporters of Proposition 8 vow to have the ban reinforced.
ProtectMarriage.com, which backed legal efforts to uphold it, says the Ninth Circuit court should have waited at least 25 days after the Supreme Court ruling.
Gay rights groups and same-sex marriage supporters though praise the Supreme Court ruling.
On Friday, Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin says, “Thousands upon thousands of lives are about to change for the better, for good.”

Story 9: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 2, millions flood the streets of Cairo Saturday demanding the resignation of President Mohamed Morsi on the anniversary of his turbulent first year in power.
Anti-Morsi protests are also held in the coastal city of Alexandria, the canal cities of Suez and Port Said and in Zagazig, the president’s hometown.
Morsi’s government insists dialogue is the only way out of the crisis.
Morsi is Egypt’s first freely elected president, catapulted to power by the 2011 uprising.
His election ended three decades of authoritarian Mubarak rule.
His opponents accuse him of betraying the revolution by concentrating power in Islamist hands and of sending the economy into free fall.

At number 5, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations urges Indonesia to ratify a treaty to prevent forest fires, which regularly inflict smog on neighboring countries.
Indonesia is the only ASEAN member which has not ratified the treaty.
Thick smoke from the fires on Sumatra Island sends air pollution to record levels in Singapore and Malaysia last month.
On Sunday, the two countries raised the problem at an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Brunei.

And at number 7, the European Union, Paris and Berlin demand answers from the United States over allegations Washington bugged EU offices.
It’s the latest spying claim leaked by fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The report, published in German weekly Der Spiegel, is likely to strain relations between the US and Europe, shortly after they started negotiations to create what would be the world’s biggest free trade area.
EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding warns the long-awaited negotiations could be affected if the bugging allegations prove to be true.
The US says it will respond to the EU via diplomatic channels.

Story 10: #SMDAY 2013 GOOGLE HANGOUT
To celebrate Social Media day started by technology and trends news site Mashable 4 years ago, Rappler holds a Google+ Hangout with Filipinos who observed, studied, and have made a name for themselves in Social Media.
How far are we in this digital revolution and where is it headed? These are just some of the questions answered.
Actress G Tongi, who majored in New Media in UCLA, says we should be aware of what we post online.

G TONGI, ACTRESS, NEW MEDIA MAJOR: Once you post something in the Internet, it’s there. I know people who are looking to get hired into the workforce, 5 or 10 years from now. Their employers will be able to type their name in and see the partying that you used to do. Your online persona is already becoming your identity.

TV host, model, and writer Victoria Herrera agrees with G Tongi.

VICTORIA HERRERA, TV HOST, MODEL AND WRITER: It’s personal decision I made to censor myself early on. I know what I can put online and I know what I can put on my journal.

TV and radio personality KC Montero, who’s behind online endorsement company Adinfluent.com, thinks social media is moving away from text and leaning towards pictures.

KC MONTERO, TV AND RADIO PERSONALITY: I just think that it’s so much easier for someone to look at a picture than it is for them to sit down and type something. For them to actually read. There’s a level of concentration that you have to have to be able to type something. When you write an essay, that’s kind of associated with pain right? When you watch a movie, that’s pleasure.

But actress and online sensation Saab Magalona thinks text should not be taken for granted.

SAAB MAGALONA, ACTRESS AND ONLINE SENSATION: I’m scared and I’m excited kasi, what like KC said, with videos and pictures and no more words. I’m scared like, is it gonna make us dumber? I want people to keep reading.

There were so much more discussed during the Hangout.
You can watch it in full on Rappler.com.

Newscast production staff