Rappler Newscast | October 30, 2014

Today on Rappler.

• Businessman Antonio Tiu submits proof of “Hacienda Binay” ownership.
• Former Senator Juan Flavier dies.
• Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes is fired.

‘HACIENDA BINAY’ TITLES IN VP’S FRIENDS NAME
Businessman Antonio Tiu on Thursday submits what he calls proof that he owns the controversial “Hacienda Binay” in Rosario, Batangas.
But the senators criticize Tiu for presenting a document that was not notarized.
Tiu’s lawyer insists the agreement is still legally binding…
but Senator Alan Cayetano insists a document needs to be notarized for it to be binding to third parties.
The controversial property may not be under Vice President Jejomar Binay’s name but records from the Rosario municipal office show at least 15 parcels of land are under the names of people close to Binay.
“Hacienda Binay” was once owned by Agrifortuna Inc, a company founded by Binay, his wife Elenita, Laureano Gregorio, and two others.
The property has since been sold to Tiu.

CAUGHT ON INSTAGRAM? VP DAUGHTER’S ‘HACIENDA BINAY’ PHOTOS
Senator Alan Cayetano shows the Senate that Binay’s youngest daughter Joanna Marie posted a photo with the caption “our place in Batangas.”
These posts question Binay’s claims that he doesn’t own the controversial Batangas estate.
But the photos were taken in December 2013 – a month before the property was supposedly sold to businessman Antonio Tiu.

BINAY SUITS AQUINO’S CRITERIA FOR SUCCESSOR – SPOKESMAN
Vice President Binay’s camp says he fulfills the criteria President Aquino set for his successor.
This comes after Aquino on Tuesday appealed to the public to vote for someone who can be trusted to deliver on promises.
Binay’s spokesperson Jonvic Remulla says Binay’s “solid record of actual performance” is a testament to his ability to “deliver what he promises.”
Binay earlier admitted he wants Aquino’s endorsement.

FINALLY, AQUINO APPROVES YOLANDA REHABILITATION PLAN
Nearly a year after Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, hit the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino approved the rehabilitation plan for hard-hit areas.
This is the country’s biggest rehabilitation effort since the end of World War II.
Rehabilitation Secretary Ping Lacson says the public can “expect an accelerated pace” when it comes to Haiyan-related programs, plans, and activities.
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma says the “Yolanda corridor” consists of “171 affected cities and municipalities in 14 provinces and 6 regions.”

HOUSE APPROVES P2.6T BUDGET FOR 2015
The House of Representatives approves the P2.6-trillion budget for 2015 on its 3rd and final reading.. at 197 to 27.
The budget bill allows Malacañang to declare “savings” in any agency at any given time of the year.
It also represents the largest budget to be approved in the lead-up to a national election.
Party-list lawmakers wanted their colleagues to return the budget to the plenary after the Budget Department submitted an errata… but this was rejected.

DRILON, CABINET SECS FACE RAPS OVER ‘OVERPRICED’ ILOILO BUILDING
Senate President Franklin Drilon faces charges over the allegedly overpriced $15.20-million Iloilo Convention Center.
Private individual Manuel Mejorada says Drilon is criminally liable for plunder and other offenses.
The Iloilo Convention Center was partially funded under the Disbursement Acceleration Program where some provisions are declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

FORMER SENATOR JUAN FLAVIER DIES
Former senator Juan Flavier dies from complications from pneumonia Thursday.
He was 79.
Flavier is best known for his work as health secretary during the Ramos administration.
The health department battlecry “Let’s DOH It!” started with Flavier, WHO spearheaded programs such as anti-polio drive Oplan Alis Disease, Kontra Kolera, and the country’s first HIV prevention program.
When he became senator in 1995 he authored laws like the Anti-Poverty Law, the E-Commerce Law, and the Indigenous People’s Rights Act.
He served two terms before retiring in 2007.

NEW EBOLA CASES SLOWING IN LIBERIA, BUT TOO SOON TO CELEBRATE – WHO
The rate of new Ebola infections appears to be slowing in Liberia but the World Health Organization warns the crisis is far from over.
The WHO’s cautious optimism comes a day after US president Barack Obama offered hope on progress against the killer virus.
The latest Ebola death toll is at 4,922.

SINGAPORE TO DEPLOY MASSIVE SURVEILLANCE BALLOON
Singapore will deploy a huge tethered surveillance balloon to boost its maritime and air security.
Its defense ministry says the helium-filled “aerostat” will be equipped with radar equipment that can spot threats from as far as 200 kilometers.
The US-made, 55-meter blimp will be operated by 8 ground crew and can run at a height of up to 600 meters.

THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ

UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLES CAUSING TB-DIABETES EPIDEMIC
A report from health agencies warns of an epidemic caused by tuberculosis and diabetes.
The report says a growing link has been observed between diabetes and TB.
The report says having diabetes triples a person’s risk of contracting TB, which killed about 1.5 million people last year.

DEBRIS CAME FROM AMELIA EARHART’S PLANE?
The disappearance of pilot Amelia Earhart remains one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
But researchers on her trail say they are increasingly convinced aluminum debris found on a South Pacific beach came from her lost airplane.
Earhart was attempting to circumnavigate the world in 1937 when she vanished without a trace.

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CHOT REYES IS OUT AS NATIONAL TEAM COACH AS GILAS IS REEVALUATED BY SBP
Chot Reyes is fired as head coach of the Philippine national basketball team.
The Gilas Pilipinas program will also be overhauled.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Manny Pangilinan will form a selection committee to find a new head coach and a new team lineup.
Reyes took on head coaching duties in 2012.
The team bagged the gold in that year’s Jones Cup.
He also led the team in its runner-up finish in the 2013 FIBA Asia championship, qualifying it for the 2014 World Cup. 

– Rappler.com

Newscast Production Staff