Rappler Newscast | September 11, 2013

Today on Rappler.

• Following the #MillionPeopleMarch, citizens stage a prayer rally against the pork barrel.
• Vice President Binay removes the P200 million social services fund from his own budget.
• The MNLF Nur Misuari faction wants Islamic countries to mediate in the Zamboanga standoff.

 

Story 1: PRAYER VIGIL AT EDSA SHRINE TO PROTEST PDAF
Only a few hundred attended the gathering at the Edsa Shrine Wednesday, the follow-up activity to the hugely successful Luneta #MillionPeopleMarch.
Organizers say it’s not in the numbers.
Church leaders denounce the acceptance of corruption as part of the political culture.
Bea Cupin reports.

The President, the Senate, the Supreme Court, and even the Vice President have all made moves to soothe the public outcry.

BEA CUPIN, REPORTING: Apparently it’s not enough. Citizens hold another protest against all forms of pork barrel. This time, it’s a “prayer vigil” in the same place where Filipinos converged to topple presidents in the past — the EDSA Shrine.

Two weeks ago, Janet Lim-Napoles, the woman who allegedly siphoned billions in lawmaker funds surrenders to the President.
The Senate Blue Ribbon committee begins an investigation on the scam.
Two weeks after, the Supreme Court issues a temporary restraining order on PDAF and the Malampaya fund.
A few hours before EDSA Tayo begins, Vice President Jejomar Binay says he will remove “pork” from his own budget.
President Benigno Aquino III says within the week, cases will be filed against Napoles and legislators implicated in the scam.

DARAH ALBESA, ADAMSON UNIVERSITY STUDENT: Parang kung hindi sila mag-raraally iisipin ng gobyerno: wala lang yan sa tao. Parang yung rally yung way lang talaga na nangingi-alam yung tao. (If they don’t stage rallies, the government will think it’s not a big deal anymore. Rallies are a way for people to show that they care.)

But the “prayer vigil” isn’t as peaceful as organizers hoped it would be.
A little after “inter-faith prayers” begin, Anakbayan, Piston, Migrante, and Kilusang Mayo Uno marchers arrive with placards.
One police officer rips a protester’s placard apart.
An altercation ensues.

KEN SARMIENTO, PUP STUDENT: Syempre sa bawat storya naman ay merong mga kontrabida, may mga bida. Di natin maiwasan ang kaguluhan. (Of course, in every story there’s a villain and a hero. We can’t avoid the conflict.)

The event ends with prayers and music, and wraps up by 4pm.
Economist Winnie Monsod urges citizens to hit politicians where it hurts the most — during the elections.

WINNIE MONSOD, ECONOMIST: We can shout and scream, etc. But unless we act in a manner that is going to show them na talagang galit tayo, eh di tuloy pa rin ang ligaya nila (that we’re really mad, they will continue happily fooling us.)

While the venue and the characters are different from last month’s Million People March, the message is the same: citizens will not let it go until government fixes the pork barrel system.
Bea Cupin, Rappler, Manila.

Story 2: BINAY REMOVES ‘PORK’ FROM OWN BUDGET
Vice President Jejomar Binay foregoes the P200 million social services fund in his own budget, which some lawmakers describe as his pork barrel.
The removal of the P200 million brings the Office of the Vice President’s budget down to P217 million from 417 million.
During the House budget hearing of the OVP, some lawmakers said the fund is subject to the rules as the pork barrel and came from the PDAF of then Senator Benigno Aquino.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Francis Escudero calls the amount an “unusual fund.”
Binay’s chief of staff Benjamin Martinez says they are willing to sacrifice.

BENJAMIN MARTINEZ, CHIEF OF STAFF, VICE PRESIDENT BINAY: We believe hindi talaga ito PDAF, noh. Kasi locally funded ito. Inintegrate na ito. But, para na lang mawala ang mga spekulasyon… so, we took the cudgels, and sabi niya in support of the President’s call to abolish the pork. (Our belief is this is really not PDAF because it is locally funded but to remove speculations… we took the cudgels in support of the President’s call to abolish pork.) Sabi ni Vice President no, tama na Benjie. Kung ‘yan lang magiging problema let’s give it up. (The Vice President says that’s enough Benjie. If that will be a problem, let’s give it up.) 

Story 3: DAY 3: MISUARI FORCES INSIST ON 3RD PARTY
Gunshots continue to echo in Zamboanga City and nearby Basilan province on Wednesday, as the standoff between government forces and followers of Nur Misuari enters its third day.
The government sends emissaries to Misuari’s top aide Habier Malik and his men, but an official tells Rappler, Malik wants a third party — preferably an international organization representative– to mediate the crisis.
On Day 1 of the siege, Misuari’s spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said they want Indonesia to intervene in its capacity as the third-party facilitator of the tripartite review of the 1996 peace agreement.
Misuari’s followers also want the Indonesian government to activate the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s “ceasefire committee.”
As of Tuesday, at least 180 rebels are spread out in Barangay Sta Barbara, Sta Catalina, and Talon-Talon, holding 163 hostages.
At least 81,000 residents are trapped inside the military-police blockade set up to contain the 3 villages.
On Wednesday, firefights between the government and the MNLF continue in Barangay Canelar and San Roque.
But Armed Forces spokesperson Brig Gen Domingo Tutaan says the encounter in Canelar was not necessarily a spill over.

BRIG GEN DOMINGO TUTAAN, AFP SPOKESPERSON: This could be probably part of those who wanted to go in or to go out. We cannot categorically say this is a spill over. This could be because some groups want to enter. It could mean many things but without the confirmatory reports being sent here at our headquarters, we cannot speculate at what that incident is all about.

Story 4: 14,300 DISPLACED IN ZAMBOANGA SIEGE
The standoff between the MNLF and the government displaces 14,300 people in Zamboanga City, as thousands continue to leave villages occupied by the rebel group.
Five MNLF commanders led the attack on the city Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 21 others.
A government social worker says about 5,000 residents from 6 communities arrived overnight at the city’s grandstand which serves as an evacuation center.
A relief worker says the evacuees now face a different threat– heat and hunger.
In Barangay Santa Catalina, Philippine marines exchange fire with gunmen who were using 10 residents as human shields.
City communication officer Christian Olasiman says there are 15 evacuation centers in different barangays.

Story 5: BUDGET HEARING? DRILON GRILLS SC JUSTICES ON ‘PORK’ TRO
Senate President Franklin Drilon grills Supreme Court justices on their order stopping the release of the pork barrel for the rest of 2013.
During the budget hearing of the judiciary Wednesday, Drilon asked associate justices Diosdado Peralta and Marvic Leonen when the High Court will be able to issue a decision on the case.
Oral arguments are set for October 8.
Drilon says, “I am just pointing out that if you don’t decide by December 31, the budget item will expire…It is the role of the executive to release or not to release the budget.”
But Leonen and Peralta repeatedly refuse to answer Drilon’s questions, saying the hearing is not the proper venue, and they could not speak on behalf of the 14 justices handling the case.

Story 6: APPLE LAUNCHES IPHONE 5S AND 5C
Apple unveils its second new design for the iPhone 5, called the iPhone 5S, at its Cupertino headquarters Tuesday — Wednesday in the Philippines.
The iPhone 5S  is touted as a high-end upgrade to the iPhone 5.
It’s made of high-grade aluminum, and comes in silver, gold, and gray.
It also features an A7 chip that Apple says will bring 64-bit desktop-class architecture to a smartphone for the first time.
The iPhone 5S also features a fingerprint sensor known as TouchID for added security on the device.
The tech company also launches a cheaper model of its mobile phones, called the iPhone 5C, with casing made out of colorful plastic.
The 5C aims to compete with rival low-cost smartphones which use Google’s Android operating system.
In a Rappler Google+ Hangout, Philippine Macintosh User Group’s Elbert Cuenca and Chikka.com’s Roland Benzon say they didn’t think Apple would go the two-model route, but adds the move makes sense.

ELBERT CUENCA, PHILIPPINE MACINTOSH USER GROUP CHAIRMAN EMERITUS: Looking at it overall, I think apple didn’t disappoint in the sense, in terms of its product offerings they showed today…It kinda makes sense to differentiate and make one less serious for a more commercial, younger market and then make the other one feel a little more premium.

ROLAND BENZON, CHIKKA.COM: Ultimately it’s the market that validates Apple’s products. I think the color will sell because of the lower price point and the variety. At the end of the day…there’s an apple for everyone.

The new iPhones are expected to be out on September 20 in key Apple markets, while the rest of the world can expect the phones in December.
Apple also announces its new and redesigned operating system, iOS7, will be available for download on September 18.
But some analysts express disappointment at the launch, and Apple’s stocks fall 2.3% after the latest iPhone event.

Story 7: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 3, The United States urges Syria to destroy its chemical weapons as it schedules top-level talks with Russia to head off planned air strikes on Syria.
On Monday, Russia’s foreign minister suggests a plan to have Syria give up its chemical weapons to prevent a foreign military attack.
Many see the plan as an opportunity to avert a full-blown military intervention in Syria.

At number 5, US intelligence officials declassify documents that reveal the National Security Agency violated privacy rules for 3 years when it sifted through phone records of Americans with no suspected links to terrorists.
A judge ordered the disclosure of the documents after the Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a Freedom of Information lawsuit.
The documents reveal privacy violations from 2006 to 2009 are part of the agency’s effort to track potential terror plots.

And at number 9, Former Olympic gold medalist Thomas Bach is elected president of the International Olympic Committee.
It’s the first time the position is held by an Olympic champion.
The 59-year-old German also dismisses allegations his close ties with Kuwait influenced his victory over five others vying for the position.
Bach says he took care not to make promises to any IOC members during his campaign.

Story 8: RAPPLER PROFILE: CHERIE GIL
Few celebrities in Philippine cinema can match the range and versatility of Sonata lead actress and Rappler columnist Cherie Gil.
G Tongi tells us more.

G TONGI, REPORTING: I’m here at the home of actor turned producer Cherie Gil. She opens up not only her home but her journey as an artist.

Born from a family of actors, Evangeline Rose De Mesa Eigenmann or Cherie Gil carved her path as a compelling actress of our generation.
She is also the producer of the film Sonata directed by her favorite tandem Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes.

CHERIE GIL, ACTRESS / PRODUCER, SONATA: I’m so excited because I’m more inspired than ever. We got an A rating from the CEB and what a feeling!

Gil’s Role in Sonata as Regina Cadena hits close to home.
Sonata’s writer, Wango Gallaga and Gil collaborated closely on the films’ script, drawing from her real life experiences.
Gil had throat surgery in 2012.

CHERIE GIL, ACTRESS / PRODUCER, SONATA: So I played the role of an opera singer who lost her voice, the doctors messed up her throat and all she had to do was come back home as Wanggo says, the tagline “If all is lost in the world and there’s nowhere to go, one just has to find her way back home.

Gil also returns to ABS CBN for Muling Buksan Ang Puso as Marietta Beltran.
Gil reveals acting in a “teleserye” is an outlet for her real life emotions.
Her children live in New York, and she admits the distance is hard on her.

CHERIE GIL, ACTRESS / PRODUCER, SONATA: It’s not like I have to long and constantly miss them, I do but we’re in touch thanks to the technology. So I dedicate this role to my children…when they see my tears it’s all about them…but that’s the truth and it’s real.

In her 35 years in the entertainment industry, she continues to evolve by challenging her range as an artist.

CHERIE GIL, ACTRESS / PRODUCER, SONATA: They asked me, do you want to direct, I said never, it’s a headache, now I’m beginning to have this pang of wanting to direct and learning to direct.

She talks about the  secret to her longevity in show business.

CHERIE GIL, ACTRESS / PRODUCER, SONATA: Loving what you do. The secret to having a fruitful career in the entertainment world is just simply loving what you do and to be constantly hungry for stories to tell, for parts to play and for… just feeling alive. I feel alive when I do it. Without it, there’s no way I can thrive I think.

G Töngi, Rappler Manila.

– Rappler.com

Newscast production staff

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / WRITER	Lilibeth Frondoso
DIRECTOR	Rupert Ambil
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER / PUBLISHER	Rodneil Quiteles
	Dindin Reyes
HEAD WRITER / PROMPTER	Katerina Francisco
MASTER EDITOR / PLAYBACK	Vicente Roxas
	Exxon Ruebe
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / CAMERAMAN	Charlie Salazar
	Adrian Portugal
	Francis Lopez
	Naoki Mengua
GRAPHICS	Jessica Lazaro
	Matthew Hebrona