Binay suspension, Alan Cayetano on MILF, UFC stars for Pacquiao | The wRap

Today on Rappler:

• The Ombudsman suspends Makati Mayor Junjun Binay.
• Senator Alan Cayetano asks the MILF to submit to the judicial process.
• UFC fighters say Manny Pacquiao can floor Floyd Mayweather.

 

OMBUDSMAN SUSPENDS MAKATI MAYOR JUNJUN BINAY

The Office of the Ombudsman suspends Makati Mayor Junjun Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati City building.
Binay and other Makati officials will be suspended for 6 months while a preliminary investigation is ongoing.
A defiant Binay says the suspension did not follow due process.

JUNJUN BINAY, MAKATI MAYOR: Wala itong pinagkaiba sa ginagawa nila sa Senado. Hindi nila kami binigyan ng pagkakataon man lang maipaliwanag at sagutin ang mga alegasyon laban sa amin.
(This is no different from what those at the Senate did. They did not give us a chance to explain and answer the allegations against us.)

The complaint alleges Makati failed to conduct a public bidding when it awarded the P11.9-million contract to architectural firm MANA.
An ombudsman investigation team also found that some documents used by construction firm Hillmarc’s were falsified.
A check by Rappler also shows construction firm Hilmarc’s was awarded at least P2 billion or $44.67 million in government contracts for infrastructure projects in Makati City from 1999 to 2004.
The period covered the mayoral terms of Vice President Jejomar Binay and his wife Elenita, who was Makati mayor from 2001 to 2004.

CAYETANO: WE DON’T WANT TO NEGOTIATE OUT OF FEAR
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano delivers a privilege speech on the peace process and the Mamasapano tragedy.
Cayetano asks the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF to start proving they want peace by submitting to the judicial process… and says he is all for peace.

ALAN PETER CAYETANO, PHILIPPINE SENATOR: To the MILF, we need to see the pictures of change. Mag-papa-interview na lang kayo peace talks na yun eh may apat, limang nasa likod niyo na may baril eh. Alam naman namin na may baril kayo. Let us hold off on the BBL, kayo nangaliwa MILF, kaya kayo muna magpatunay na gusto niyo ng peace. Surrender the criminal elements and terrorists like Usman, Umra Kato and all other terrorists in your area. Submit to the judicial process.

(To the MILF, these are the pictures we see when we talk about the MILF. We need to see pictures of change. During interviews on peace talks you even have guards with guns. We know you are armed. Let’s hold off on the BBL and allow the MILF to prove itself. Prove you want peace. Surrender the criminal elements and terrorists like Usman, Umra Kato and all other terrorists in your area. Submit to the judicial process.)

Hindi pwedeng BBL muna tapos surrender ang baril. Surrender muna natin ang baril ng iba ibang grupo tugisin natin ang ayaw mag surrender ng baril tapos ibigay natin ang gobyernong makakatulong sa kapatid nating Muslim.

(Surrender all arms first, before we proceed with the BBL. Let’s take down those who do not surrender their guns, and let’s give our Muslim brothers the government that can help them.)

Cayetano claims the MILF is taking advantage of the peace process to build up arms.

ALAN PETER CAYETANO, PHILIPPINE SENATOR: Ang buong katotohanan po is that there is an ongoing arms build up and arms race in Mindanao. At hindi lamang ang MILF ang nagpaparami ng armas.

(The truth is there is an ongoing arms build up and arms race in Mindanao and it is not just MILF gathering arms.)

AKBAYAN REP RESIGNS OVER AQUINO’S MAMASAPANO ‘COVER-UP’
Akbayan Representative Walden Bello resigns from congress Wednesday.
Bello says he quit because of “irreconcilable differences” with the Akbayan party, including its continued support of the Aquino administration.
Bello remains an Akbayan member.
Bello hits President Benigno Aquino for saying he had a limited role in the counterterrorism operation that claimed the lives of 44 policemen.
He says, “I can no longer support a president engaged in brazen cover-up of his role in the Mamasapano tragedy.”
Akbayan formed a coalition with Aquino’s Liberal Party when he ran for president in 2010.
In a privilege speech Bello will deliver Monday, a copy of which was given to the media, he says, “When I asked President Aquino to fire PNP Chief Alan Purisima [and other officials] on the grounds that they are ruining the administration’s credibility as a force for reform, he got angry and said I should run for president.”
A document obtained by Rappler shows then suspended PNP chief Purisima, was briefed on ‘Oplan Exodus’ on January 5, ahead of the President.

 

EL NIÑO SETS IN; PAGASA WARNS OF ‘ERRATIC’ TYPHOON SEASON
Brace for drier weather in the next few months – the El Niño phenomenon is starting to rev up.
State weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday says El Niño will likely affect rainfall pattern in different parts of the country in the coming months.
PAGASA warns El Nino may cause tropical cyclones to shift northward and become stronger.
The last El Niño occurred between June 2009 and May 2010.
El Niño occurs every two to 7 years with countries like India, Indonesia and Australia drier
and eastern Pacific and South American nations experiencing heavier downpour.

 

PACQUIAO MAY WIN OVER MAYWEATHER, SAY UFC STARS
Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC superstars reveal who they’re rooting for in upcoming Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather boxing match.
Mixed martial artist Frankie Edgar believes Pacquiao could floor Mayweather.

FRANKIE EDGAR, MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST: If it’s a slow-paced fight, it will go Floyd’s way by decision. But if he goes out there to throw some leather, I think Manny will find an opening and possibly put him on the floor.

Fighter Urijah Faber says Pacquiao’s qualities as a fighter could pull off the upset against the American.

URIJAH FABER, MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST: I’m rooting for Pacquiao. I’m a big fan of Pacquiao. I like him as a person. I think if he goes out and goes for broke that’s his best chance.

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