Rappler Newscast | October 30, 2013

 

Story 1: AQUINO DEFENDS DAP AND PRESIDENT’S SOCIAL FUND
President Benigno Aquino delivers an address to the nation to defend the Disbursement Acceleration Program or the DAP and the President’s Social Fund or the PSF.
Aquino says the DAP is legal and is used for programs that serve the public.
He addresses criticism the DAP is a fund within a fund, and is unconstitutional.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Linawin na rin po natin: Hindi pork barrel ang Disbursement Acceleration Program. Sa kabuuang DAP releases noong 2011 at 2012, siyam na porsyento po nito ang ginugol sa mga proyektong iminungkahi ng mambabatas. Hindi rin po pagnanakaw ang DAP. Ang pagnanakaw, ilegal; ang paggastos gamit ang DAP, malinaw na nakasaad sa Konstitusyon at sa iba pang mga batas. (Let me make it clear: The Disbursement Allocation Program is not pork barrel. Of the DAP releases in 2011 and 2012, only nine percent was disbursed for projects suggested by legislators. The DAP is not theft. Theft is illegal. Spending through DAP is clearly allowed by the Constitution and by other laws.)

Aquino says DAP funds came from the “proper spending of the budget.”
He says the savings were channeled to agencies that needed to implement their projects immediately.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Mas mabilis at napaaga ang pagdating ng benepisyo sa mamamayan, at mas masinop at epektibo nating nagugol ang perang taun-taong nakalaan sa ilalim ng Pambansang Budget. Kayo nga po ang magsabi: Mali ba ito? Kailan ba naging masama ang paghahanap ng konstitusyonal na paraan para makapaglingkod ng mas epektibo sa taumbayan? (The benefits of these projects reached our countrymen faster and earlier, and we were able to spend the money allocated yearly in our National Budget more prudently and efficiently. You can decide for yourselves: Is this wrong? When has it ever been wrong to look for a constitutional way to serve our countrymen more effectively?)

The president also defends his own discretionary fund — the PSF.
Aquino cites instances where the government needed funds that can be disbursed quickly to meet sudden needs.
He says the PSF funded relief operations after Typhoon Sendong and provided assistance to soldiers and police affected in the Zamboanga standoff.
Aquino says the real issue is the misuse of the pork barrel, which lawmakers allegedly channeled to fake NGOs in exchange for kickbacks.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Baka po may nakakalimot sa atin: Pagnanakaw ang tunay na ugat ng isyung ito. Iyan po ang usapang pilit nilang tinatabunan, matapos mabisto ang kanilang kalokohan…Sa hinaba-haba ng mga kontra-paratang na ibinabato sa atin, ni minsan, hindi ko narinig ang katagang at statement na “Hindi ako nagnakaw.” (Might I remind those who have forgotten: The real issue here is stealing. This is the topic they have constantly tried to avoid ever since their wrongdoing was exposed…In the midst of all their extended counter-accusations hurled against me, not once have I heard them say: “I did not steal.”)

The president also hits critics tagging him as the “pork barrel king.”

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Uulitin ko po: Pagnanakaw ang isyu dito. Hindi ako nagnakaw…Tayo ang ninakawan, tayo ang niloko, tapos tayo pa ngayon ang pinagpapaliwanag. Tayo ang patuloy na naghahanap ng katotohanan, tayo ang nagbawas nang nagbawas sa mga mekanismong maaaring gamitin para abusuhin ang kapangyarihan―tapos, tayo pa ngayon ang pinaparatangang “Pork Barrel King.” (I repeat: The issue here is theft. I did not steal…We were stolen from, we were deceived—and now we are the ones being asked to explain? I have pursued truth and justice, and have been dismantling the systems that breed the abuse of power—and yet I am the one now being called the “Pork Barrel King”?)

Petitions questioning the constitutionality of the DAP and the pork barrel are pending in the Supreme Court.
Aquino’s speech comes after the latest Pulse Asia survey shows a dip in public appreciation of the administration’s anti-corruption drive.

Story 2: PDAF OF ‘EXECUTIVE OFFICES’ DOUBLES – COA
The Commission on Audit or COA says certain “executive offices” got as much as 133.25% increase in Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF allocations.
In a report posted on its website in October 2013, COA says the amount these unidentified offices received rose from P324.48 million in 2011 to P756.39 million in 2012.
The increase for the unidentified executive offices is far from the PDAF adjustments obtained by other agencies.
The closest to it is the education department which got a 43.68% increase.
From 2011 to 2012, the public works department tops the list with more than P10 billion in PDAF allocations, followed by the budget department and the social welfare department.
The item “Other Executive Offices” ranks 4th in the list of government agencies that got the most PDAF in 2012.
Some agencies earlier identified as conduits of funds that went to fake NGOs suffer huge decreases in PDAF allocations.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao gets the highest drop in 2012 compared to 2011, followed by the finance department.

Story 3: KAPUNAN RESIGNS AS NAPOLES LAWYER
The woman defending alleged pork barrel queen Janet Napoles resigns.
Bea Cupin tells us more about the events leading up to the resignation of controversial lawyer Lorna Kapunan.

On the last day of Janet Lim Napoles’ bail hearing, lead counsel for the defense Lorna Kapunan is absent.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirms, the woman who has been the sole defender of Napoles, has resigned.  
Instead, collaborating counsel Alfredo Villamor takes the spotlight in the cross examination of Luy.
Villamor said even he did not know of Kapunan’s plan to withdraw as Napoles’ counsel.

ALFREDO VILLAMOR, NAPOLES COLLABORATING COUNSEL: No, no, I didn’t know… I do not know, I do not know my role yet but as far as I am concerned, I am limited to this serious illegal detention case.
Villamor is not part of Kapunan’s team.

He was also the lawyer of Napoles’ JLN Corp.
During Luy’s cross examination Tuesday, November 29, Villamor said he and Luy are friends.
But he says it didn’t affect his questions.

ALFREDO VILLAMOR, NAPOLES COLLABORATING COUNSEL: No, no of course not… on the merits lang.

Lawyers close to the case say Kapunan resigned out of differences in strategies with Villamor.

ALFREDO VILLAMOR, NAPOLES COLLABORATING COUNSEL: I dunno, may kanya-kanya strategy kasi ang lawyers and maybe to us, that’s what the case warrants. (I don’t know. Lawyers have their own strategies and maybe to us, that’s the strategy the case warrants.)

In an interview on radio, Kapunan insists pressure was not a factor in her decision to withdraw.
Kapunan explained that as a “matter of courtesy,” she went to court Wednesday morning to inform the judge and the prosecution that  Villamor “will take over the case.”
She just needs the written consent of her client before formally withdrawing as counsel.

DIOSFA VALENCIA, MAKATI RTC: Siguro parang intention, but I’m not aware. Sila lang kasi nag-usap ni judge…. parang may intention lang siguro but I do not know kung ano talaga pinag-usapan. (Maybe there’s an intention [to withdraw as counsel], but I’m not aware. Only Kapunan and [Judge Alameda] spoke to each other. There may be intention but I do not know what exactly they talked about.)

A week before, Kapunan lamented Napoles condition inside her detention center.
Napoles is detained at Fort Sto Domingo in Laguna while her brother is still at large.

LORNA KAPUNAN, NAPOLES LAWYER: We have been told by her doctors that she has been taking tranquilizers to calm her down… well she’s isolated, she’s alone by herslef at night and it is natural for a person who is alone at night to be talking to herself and imagining things.

In the past,  the lawyer has repeatedly said prosecution’s evidence is weak.

LORNA KAPUNAN, NAPOLES LAWYER: So far, I think I can confidently say without mentioning details that the prosecution has miserably failed to show that bail should be denied.

As the bail hearing ends, it will be up to presiding Judge Elmo Alameda whether to allow or deny Napoles’ bail plea — with or without Kapunan by her side.
Bea Cupin Rappler Manila.

Story 4: TROPICAL STORM VINTA INTENSIFIES
Tropical storm Vinta — international name Krosa — intensifies slightly as it moves towards northeast Luzon.
State weather bureau Pagasa says the center of the storm is estimated 610 kilometers east of Ilagan, Isabela.
Storm signal number 2 is up over Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of islands, Isabela, Kalinga and Apayao.
Signal number 1 is up over Ilocos Norte, Mt Province, Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Batanes.

Story 5: PH SEEKS REPRIEVE FOR ILLEGAL SAUDI ARABIA WORKERS
Citing the huge number of illegal Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, the Philippines asks for another extension to legalize the workers’ status.
In a letter Tuesday, Vice President Jejomar Binay requests the king of Saudi Arabia to extend the deadline set on November 3rd.
The original deadline was July 3rd.
Violators face up to two years in prison and fines of at least 100,000 riyal or $27,000.
4,302 undocumented Filipinos have been flown back to the Philippines as of Monday.
The Philippine foreign affairs department says over 1,500 workers are waiting for immigration clearances.

Story 6: US SPY CHIEF DEFENDS SPYING ON FOREIGN LEADERS
A senior US official says President Barack Obama is considering banning US spy agencies from eavesdropping on allied leaders.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says the step is under consideration, but no policy decisions are finalized as Obama waits for the results of reviews into surveillance practices.
This comes following outrage in Europe over the National Security Agency’s alleged spying operations in France, Spain, and Germany.
A CNN report citing Senate Intelligence Committee chair Dianne Feinstein says Obama was not aware of the collection of allied leaders’ communications.
On Tuesday, the head of US intelligence defends the surveillance programs, but stops short of confirming reports the US eavesdropped on German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
National intelligence director James Clapper says learning the aims of foreign heads of state is a –quote– “basic tenet” for US spy agencies.
He adds, “It’s invaluable to us to know where countries are coming from, what their policies are, how that would impact us across a whole range of issues.”

Story 7: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 6, Global financial information group Thomson Reuters says it will cut some 4,500 jobs in its finance operations by the end of 2014 after reporting a drop in profits.
The company, which also operates the Reuters news agency, is in the midst of a vast restructuring which is notably hitting its financial information division.

At number 9, Samsung extends its lead over Apple in the global smartphone market in the third quarter.
The IDC survey says the worldwide smartphone market saw record sales in the quarter, with growth of 38.8% from a year ago and 258.4 million units sold.
South Korean electronics giant Samsung widens its lead over Apple, shipping 81.2 million smartphones compared to Apple’s 33.8 million iPhones.

And at number 10, Turkey opens the world’s first sea tunnel connecting two continents — a three-billion-euro mega project.
The 13.6-kilometer long tunnel linking Istanbul’s European and Asian sides includes an immersed tube tunnel which officials say is the world’s deepest at 60 meters below the seabed.
The tunnel in the country’s main gateway city is part of a larger project that also includes an upgrade of existing suburban train lines.

Story 8: RESORTS WORLD RELIVES FAIRYTALE CINDERELLA ON STAGE
A classic fairytale plays out live on stage in the Resorts World musical Cinderella.
G Tongi tells us more about this theatrical production.

G TONGI, REPORTING: I’m here at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts world for Rogers and Hammersteins’ Cinderella, a classic musical fairytale for the entire family to enjoy.

Families flock to the theater to see the iconic fairytale we all grew up loving.
Cinderella, with the help of her Fairy Godmother gets her wish to go the ball.
There she meets her Prince Charming and leaves behind her glass slipper.
17 year old Theater Actress Julia Abueva alternates with Karylle as Cinderella.
Abueva says being able to portray her favorite Disney  Princess is a dream come true.
She says being part of this theatrical production has been life changing.

JULIA ABUEVA, CINDERELLA: I’m transitioning from I don’t know what it is teenager to woman to…there is a lot of strange emotions, you’re figuring it out , a lot of things about yourself, and being in Cinderella it just took me back to my childhood. It took me back to dreaming big and staying positive and looking for the good things in life instead of focusing on the negative.

Up and Coming Theater Actor Fredison Lo alternates with Christian Bautista as Prince Charming.
He claims he is no Prince Charming in real life.

FREDISON LO, PRINCE CHARMING: Some of the challenges that I faced in portraying the prince was basically to embody that dream guy that every little girl wants to see. As a person, I’m a little bit more dorky and kinda shy but now I really had to get out of myself and really think about what a prince would be like in a girl’s fantasy.

Theater Veteran Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo plays the magical Fairy Godmother.
She says Cinderella teaches a valuable lesson to children of all ages.

MENCHU LAUCHENCHO-YULO, FAIRY GODMOTHER: I think it’s very important for kids in particular, because this is pretty much a kids’ market to realize if they want something in life, they can’t just sit back and be an observer. So if you want to pursue a dream, you gotta be a go- getter, you gotta make that dream happen. the power is within you, which is what the fairy god mother says…          

Theater veteran Michael Williams transitions seamlessly from actor to director for Cinderella.

MICHAEL STUART WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR, CINDERELLA: An iconic story like this, it’s almost like the “to be or not to be” speech of shakespeare, everybody knows it! And because everyone does know it,  it’s a challenge to try to find that thing which is fresh about it.

It’s that enchantment and magical spectacle that you and your entire family should not miss in Resorts Worlds’ fairytale musical Cinderella, running till December 20. G Tongi, Rappler Manila.