Rappler Newscast | May 9, 2014

Today on Rappler.

• Ping Lacson says he will submit his list of lawmakers in the pork barrel scam to the justice department. 
• Chinese fishermen arrested off Palawan face charges of environmental crime.
• Prominent personalities and brands boycott the sultan of Brunei’s hotel group for implementing Sharia law.

 

LACSON TO SUBMIT NAPOLES LIST TO DOJ

Rehabilitation secretary Ping Lacson says he will submit to the Justice Department his copy of the list of lawmakers who allegedly transacted with pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Napoles.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she wants to meet Lacson to cross-check the names in their separate versions of the Napoles list.
On April 21st, Napoles gave De Lima the list along with an affidavit of her knowledge in the scam, where lawmakers allegedly diverted public funds for kickbacks.
The list is the subject of speculation among legislators and political observers.
Lacson says he will call out the administration if De Lima excludes its allies from the list.
Despite calls to release the list, De Lima says it’s reckless to disclose the names without vetting the information.
She says the validation process involves making sure there is documentary evidence to back up Napoles’ claims.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman TG Guingona also announces the Senate will finally meet…
to discuss the Napoles list.
The committee is also set to begin the hearing on the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam, where Napoles is also allegedly involved.

CHINESE FISHERS FACE CHARGES FOR CRIME IN PH

The eleven Chinese fishermen arrested off the coast of Palawan Tuesday face charges for allegedly violating Philippine environmental laws.
These include the Philippine Wildlife Act and the Philippine Fisheries Code.
The fishermen were found with about 500 turtles in their boat when Philippine maritime police intercepted them
on Hasa-Hasa Shoal or Half Moon Shoal, 60 nautical miles from Palawan.
Under the Wildlife Act, the Chinese fishermen may face up to 12 years in
prison, or a fine of P1 million each or 22,600 dollars.
The planned filing of charges is expected to draw protests from China, which
called the arrest a “premeditated provocative act”
deliberately done to create more tension in the disputed West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.
But Philippine officials say the maritime police patrolling the area were just doing their jobs.

 

AQUINO ALLY QUITS PCSO

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chair Margarita Juico resigns.
Malacañang says President Benigno Aquino accepted the resignation of the longtime ally and friend of the Aquino family.
Juico was also the social secretary of the late President Corazon Aquino.
Malacañang does not disclose the reason behind her resignation, but sources say
a key Liberal Party official who was defeated in the 2013 polls was reportedly promised the PCSO post.
In a TV interview, Juico says she stepped down because she wants to spend more time with her family.
She denies resigning because of a supposed rift with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

 

PH, US START SOUTH CHINA SEA DRILLS

The marine drills for the Balikatan war games between Philippine and US troops begin Friday.
About 5,500 troops take part in the annual war games over a two-week period.
The troops trade mock assaults on a beach by the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.
The drills aim to hone the allies’ combat skills.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario says this year’s Balikatan is designed to help
Philippine troops boost maritime capability to address challenges in the South China Sea.
While the US says it takes no position in the territorial dispute President Barack Obama vowed “ironclad” commitment to defend the Philippines.

SOLDIER DIES 2 DAYS AFTER FORT BONIFACIO FIRE

A soldier dies because of serious injuries from the fire that broke out at the Philippine Army headquarters Wednesday.
30-year-old Corporal Bernabe Mota died at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City Friday morning.
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
The fire from the Army’s Explosives and Ordnance Disposal injured 25 people, including soldiers and first responders.
Officials say pressure on the explosives may have triggered the fire, but they are still investigating further.

 

#PALARO2014: NCR BOYS SCORE FINALS SLOTS IN BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL

National Capital Region or NCR continues to dominate.
Its secondary boys basketball and football teams advance to the finals in separate wins over Central Visayas.
NCR defeats defending champion Central Visayas in basketball, at 90 to 80.
NCR will face host region Calabarzon in the finals.
In football, NCR’s goalkeeper comes up with two crucial saves as they defeat Central Visayas in penalty shootout, 4 to 3.
NCR will take the pitch against defending champions MIMAROPA.

 

HERNANDO, TINAMISAN: SWIMMING WITH NO LIMBS

Missing arms and legs, these Calabarzon swimmers prove there is no excuse not to take the plunge.
Jane Bracher reports.

Jonalyn Hernando does not look like everybody else.
But she can feed herself.
She can draw and cut shapes.
She’s also a very good swimmer.
Born without half her arms and legs, Jonalyn can do what everyone else does.
And like everyone else, she dreams.

JONALYN HERNANDO, CALABARZON SWIMMER: Maging swimmer po. Mababait po kaklase ko, tinutulungan po nila ko sa pagkuha ng gamit. Hindi naman po ako tinutukso ng iba.

(I want to be a swimmer. My classmates are nice, they help me pick up my stuff. They don’t tease me.)

The youngest of 7 siblings, Jonalyn wants to finish school and give back to her parents. She says any prize money she gets will go straight to her mother.

NENITA HERNANDO, JONALYN’S MOM: Sa bawat minutong tinitignan ko yung anak ko, talagang natulo yung luha ko dahil naiisip ko anong magiging kapalaran ng aking anak? Bakit siya nagkaganito? Hindi ko na sinisisi ang Panginoon Diyos bakit niya ako binigyan ng ganito. Basta ito ang binigay niya.

(Every time I look at my daughter I shed a tear because I think about what future she might have. Why is she like this? I don’t blame the Lord for giving me my daughter. She is what he gave.)

Palarong Pambansa is the 10-year old’s first shot at testing how far she can go.
And she succeeded.
Jonalyn won the gold in her category with the crowd cheering her on.

JONALYN HERNANDO, CALABARZON SWIMMER: Ngayon lang po ako napasali sa ganitong laro. Masaya po.

(This is my first time joining a competition like this. It’s fun.)

Also competing at Palaro is 15-year old Marco Tinamisan.
He was born missing both his legs and a left arm.
He learned to swim by playing dead in the water.
He likes to play basketball and hanging out with regular kids.

MARCO TINAMISAN, CALABARZON SWIMMER: Nagiging kaibigan ko po sila. Hindi ko na po iniisip yun.

(They’re all my friends. I don’t think about being different.)

Marco came in last in his competition.
But he still emerged smiling and proud.

RACHEL DERILO, CALABARZON SWIM COACH: Sabi ko nga talaga nothing is impossible. May kapansanan ka man o wala, basta yung willingness mo na matuto, kakayanin.

(I really believe nothing is impossible. Whether or not you have a handicap, as long as you’re willing to learn, you can do anything.)

The 6,000 young athletes at the Palarong Pambansa are all here for different reasons.
For Jonalyn and Marco, Palarong is not about winning.
It is about finishing the race.
For others, Palaro is about making it past every hurdle.
It means overcoming physical limitations..
Or playing to change perceptions.
A lot of them simply want a better life.

JANE BRACHER, REPORTING: No matter the reason, these athletes are all fighting for something bigger. For some, Palaro may be a stepping stone to a higher goal. For others, this is the best it can get. Even so, one thing is certain: these young athletes will remember Palaro for the rest of their lives.
Jane Bracher, Rappler, Laguna

 

THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ

wRap #1: MYANMAR HOSTS ASEAN SUMMIT FOR 1ST TIME

Myanmar is hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN summit for the first time.
The country hopes to use the weekend summit as its coming-out celebration, after it emerged from decades of military rule.
The meeting comes in the middle of high-seas tensions between China and other ASEAN member countries that will test the region’s ability to stand together against a mighty economic partner.
Myanmar is expected to steer a cautious route through disputes with China, a longtime ally.

wRap #8: 748 MILLION PEOPLE STILL HAVE POOR ACCESS TO WATER

The United Nations says more people now have access to safer drinking water, but the poor remain sidelined.
In a report, the World Health Organization and UNICEF say 89% of the globe’s population had access to improved water supplies at the end of 2012.
At least 748 million people – roughly half of them in Sub-Saharan Africa and most of the rest in Asia – still use unsafe water sources.

wRap #9: FARMERS MAKE FORTUNES FROM CHINA TO WALL STREET

Chinese farmers are swapping tractors for luxury cars after making fortunes through the Alibaba Group.
The Internet giant filed a multi-billion-dollar IPO on Wall Street.
An investor frenzy could drive its value as high as 200 billion dollars when it goes public in the US later this year.
One of Alibaba’s main assets is e-commerce site Taobao or “search for treasure.”
It allows Chinese businessmen to offer their locally made products to millions of potential Chinese customers.

For the full top 10 visit Rappler.com’s ‘the wRap.’

STORY 9: SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE DAY

When the Sultan of Brunei imposed the Sharia law in his homeland, he fired up social media.
The Sharia law in part allows the stoning of adulterers and homosexuals.
American TV host and gay rights advocate Ellen de Generes boycotts hotels owned by the Sultan.
So did many others, like British comedian Stephen Fry, businessman Richard Branson, and even high fashion brand Yves Saint Laurent.

– 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
	Marga Deona
MASTER EDITOR / PLAYBACK	Exxon Ruebe
	Emerald Hidalgo
	Jaene Zaplan
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / CAMERAMAN	Charlie Salazar
	Adrian Portugal
	Francis Lopez
	Naoki Mengua
GRAPHICS	Jessica Lazaro
	Raffy de Guzman