Surviving MRT3: Worst train fails in 2017

December 27, 2017, 2:00 pm

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≪ Previous: Duterte 'from one sorrow to another' as 2017 comes to a close

MANILA, Philippines – Riding the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), especially during rush hour, has become an everyday battle among Filipinos.

Apart from the "MRT experience" of waiting in line and squeezing in like sardines in a can, operations were somehow "regularly" disrupted, forcing passengers to get off the train or walk along the tracks.

According to MRT3's service status page, the railway system suffered 517 glitches from January 1 to December 26 this year – an average of 10 breakdowns a week. (READ: MRT woes: How often do they happen?)

It was built to provide a speedy, comfortable ride to the riding public but has since become a source of exhaustion and frustration of many metro commuters. (READ: The MRT Survival Guide)

Are you a regular MRT3 rider? Rappler looked back on some of the worst incidents that happened on the train system in 2017:

31 breakdowns in a week

September 11 to 16 was the worst week to ride the MRT3.

The line suffered a record 31 breakdowns within the week. The same month also has the most incidents in 2017 at 61 – of which 57 incidents are due to "technical problems", according to the MRT3 website. (READ: #AnimatED: Tragic rides, drastic steps for the MRT)

Seat caught fire

On September 18, following the worst week to ride the MRT3, a passenger seat inside the train caught fire around 6 am at Santolan Station.

According to authorities, the regulator board under the seat inside coach 66 caught fire. The driver of the train put out the fire with an extinguisher.

There were passengers on the train car but no one was injured.

Operations halted due to a diaper

HALTED. MRT3 operations were disrupted due to a diaper. Photo from DOTr

On October 23, a used adult diaper caught in one of MRT3's power lines along Ayala Station stalled rush hour operations.

Then Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said they had no idea how the diaper landed on the power line.

The incident halted operations from Taft Avenue to Boni Stations around 6:16 am, affecting thousands of commuters that day. Normal operations resumed more than an hour after, around 7:43 am.

A woman lost her arm

Perhaps the most shocking MRT3 incident in 2017 was when a passenger's right arm was severed in an accident at the Ayala Station on November 14.

The victim felt lightheaded as she alighted from the train and then got caught in between the first and second train cars of the MRT3. Her arm got severed in the process.

A day later, on November 15, doctors were able to successfully reattach the passenger's arm, thanks to another MRT passenger, a medical intern, who helped secure the victim's right arm. (READ: 'Do not panic in accidents,' says medical intern who helped MRT victim)

Train car got detached

DETACHED. Commuters walked to MRT3 Buendia station from Ayala station as a train coach got detached from its body on Thursday, November 16. Photo by Gio Manlangit

Commuters were forced to walk along the MRT3 tracks several times this year due to technical problems but the November 16 incident was quite different.

Around 9 am, about 140 passengers walked from Ayala Station to Buendia Station as their train car got detached from the main train body. (READ: Commuters share most horrible MRT experiences)

MRT3 management claimed possible sabotage, as the detachment is only possible through human intervention. This claim was supported by National Bureau of Investigation after a technical inspection on November 29.

Better services in 2018?

Commuters have long demanded better MRT3 services.

After being involved in a year-long squabble with previous maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Incorporated, DOTr ended the contract with BURI and filed a graft case against former transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and the company.

As glitches got worse throughout the year, lawmakers urged Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to resign over MRT woes but he refused and said "not all problems can be addressed with resignation."

Days after Tugade was asked to resign, Chavez submitted his resignation letter out of "delicadeza (sense of priopriety)." At the time, Chavez was transportation undersecretary for railways. (READ: Senators laud Railways Usec Chavez after resignation)

Transportation officials also shunned calls for a temporary suspension of MRT3 operations until all glitches could be fixed, as this would only cause great inconvenience to commuters. Instead, operating hours were reduced to add more time for maintenance checks.

MRT3 Director for Operations Mike Capati assured the public that the MRT3 is safe amid the glitches.

On the part of the DOTr, the agency announced that Sumitomo Corporation, the original maintenance provider of MRT3, was being closely considered as the new train maintenance provider. (READ: When the MRT was awesome)

Malacañang promised a better MRT3, saying that President Rodrigo Duterte will "apply the same political will" he showed in the campaign against illegal drugs to address the railway system's problems.

Will Metro Manila finally experience an improved MRT3 in 2018?– Rappler.com

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Newsmakers who died in 2017

December 28, 2017, 5:30 pm

≫ Next: Rappler's top stories of every week of 2017

≪ Previous: Surviving MRT3: Worst train fails in 2017

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – In 2017, we bid goodbye to many personalities who had made headlines in their respective fields, whether good or bad.

A lot of them are icons and stalwarts in politics, business, sports, and showbiz.

Some in this list were victims of merciless killings, while two of them were leaders of the Marawi siege.

In the gallery below, surnames or screen names are arranged in alphabetical order. Click on a photo to read more. In the pop-up window that appears, click the arrow to the left or right of the photo to navigate through the gallery, or click on a specific name to read the article about a newsmaker.

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<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/CEB4DBFD9E5B42A4BBB90240F5E36204/resize-20171008_CEB4DBFD9E5B42A4BBB90240F5E36204.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 8, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/184651-batanes-representative-dina-abad-death' target='_blank'>Henedina Abad, 62</a></strong><br />
<i>Representative, Lone District of Batanes</i><br />
She was in her 3rd term as congresswoman of Batanes. She was also the founding dean of the Ateneo School of Government. Ex-budget secretary Florencio 'Butch' Abad is her husband. Photo from Abad's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/CEB4DBFD9E5B42A4BBB90240F5E36204/resize-20171008_CEB4DBFD9E5B42A4BBB90240F5E36204.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Abad</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/26C581628FC6485B8D5C517C14D98AD5/bobby-aboitiz-20170414-1_26C581628FC6485B8D5C517C14D98AD5.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Apr 13, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/business/166866-roberto-bobby-aboitiz-dies' target='_blank'>Roberto Eduardo 'Bobby' Aboitiz, 67</a></strong><br />
<i>Businessman</i><br />
Bobby Aboitiz served as the president of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) since 1986 and co-chaired the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board. Photo from Aboitiz group">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/26C581628FC6485B8D5C517C14D98AD5/bobby-aboitiz-20170414-1_26C581628FC6485B8D5C517C14D98AD5.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Aboitiz</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/4D8161A4B3324763BD7223B162A26007/img/C075953E983346A79BD02D5B845159DE/chinggoyalonsofbphoto_C075953E983346A79BD02D5B845159DE.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 15, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/185523-chinggoy-alonso-dies-theatre-movies' target='_blank'>Ramon 'Chinggoy' Alonso, 67</a></strong><br />
<i>Actor</i><br />
The veteran movie and theater actor died due to colon cancer. Photo from Alonso's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/4D8161A4B3324763BD7223B162A26007/img/C075953E983346A79BD02D5B845159DE/chinggoyalonsofbphoto_C075953E983346A79BD02D5B845159DE.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Alonso</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/168F3368EA6B48479F01879048845DDB/carl-angelo-arnaiz-fb-sept-4-2017-01_168F3368EA6B48479F01879048845DDB.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Aug 18, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/181160-carl-arnaiz-profile' target='_blank'>Carl Angelo Arnaiz, 19</a></strong><br />
<i>Student</i><br />
Arnaiz was killed by Caloocan City cops in a 'shootout' after he reportedly hijacked a taxi. It was found later that the incident was staged, and Arnaiz was shot while kneeling and in handcuffs. Photo from Arnaiz's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/168F3368EA6B48479F01879048845DDB/carl-angelo-arnaiz-fb-sept-4-2017-01_168F3368EA6B48479F01879048845DDB.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Arnaiz</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/8F9357F9416D4843AE314694B3EA62AA/caloocan-city-mayor-february-06-2017_8F9357F9416D4843AE314694B3EA62AA.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Feb 6, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/160600-former-caloocan-city-mayor-boy-asistio-passes-away' target='_blank'>Macario 'Boy' Asistio Jr, 80</a></strong><br />
<i>Former mayor, Caloocan City</i><br />
Boy Asistio served as Caloocan City mayor from 1980 to 1986, and from 1988 to 1995. Photo from Instagram/officialnadiam">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/8F9357F9416D4843AE314694B3EA62AA/caloocan-city-mayor-february-06-2017_8F9357F9416D4843AE314694B3EA62AA.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Asistio</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/3D37A31511FC48F983066A9B4D595881/21566078218_fb69c22ed6_o_3D37A31511FC48F983066A9B4D595881.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Sept 26, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/183643-senate-mourns-death-dominador-aytona' target='_blank'>Dominador Aytona, 99</a></strong><br />
<i>Former senator</i><br />
Serving from 1965 to 1971, Senator Aytona was instrumental in the passage of landmark legislation such as the Act Creating the Students Loan Fund Authority and the Act Providing for the Fixing of the Maximum Selling Prices of Essential Articles or Commodities. Photo from Presidential Museum and Library">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/3D37A31511FC48F983066A9B4D595881/21566078218_fb69c22ed6_o_3D37A31511FC48F983066A9B4D595881.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Aytona</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/2BF018B3172B4BB3A9D454E9F87FE083/img/8FDB58EDC91348AEA1138163D013147C/Rocky-Batolbatol-july-23-2017-001_8FDB58EDC91348AEA1138163D013147C.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jul 23, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/other-sports/176467-rocky-batolbatol-dies-one-championship' target='_blank'>Rocky Batolbatol, 32</a></strong><br />
<i>Mixed martial arts fighter</i><br />
'The Outlaw' died in a road accident in Cagayan de Oro City. He held a 5-3 professional MMA record. Photo from One Championship">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/2BF018B3172B4BB3A9D454E9F87FE083/img/8FDB58EDC91348AEA1138163D013147C/Rocky-Batolbatol-july-23-2017-001_8FDB58EDC91348AEA1138163D013147C.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Batolbatol</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/9D868CDD362946D49DC5EDFC0B5B8E55/chris-bolado-1_9D868CDD362946D49DC5EDFC0B5B8E55.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Sept 17, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/182517-cris-bolado-dies-accident' target='_blank'>Cristiano 'Cris' Bolado, 47</a></strong><br />
<i>Basketball player</i><br />
The 11-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion died in a motorcycle crash in Cambodia. Photo from Bolado's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/9D868CDD362946D49DC5EDFC0B5B8E55/chris-bolado-1_9D868CDD362946D49DC5EDFC0B5B8E55.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Bolado</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/63EEC393EAB146F7BD568913FDDAC421/img/FBDD166406B1404D917E11CCFC5089F6/maningborlaza_FBDD166406B1404D917E11CCFC5089F6.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 12, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/185048-emmanuel-maning-bolaza-death' target='_blank'>Emmanuel 'Maning' Borlaza, 81</a></strong><br />
<i>Movie and TV director</i><br />
Borlaza directed films such as <i>Dyesebel</i> and <i>Bituing Walang Ningning</i>. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/63EEC393EAB146F7BD568913FDDAC421/img/FBDD166406B1404D917E11CCFC5089F6/maningborlaza_FBDD166406B1404D917E11CCFC5089F6.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Borlaza</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/AEC752F4851E4A76B6F62E1F357A7722/tony-calvento-10-oct-2017_AEC752F4851E4A76B6F62E1F357A7722.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 9, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/184779-crime-reporter-tony-calvento-dies' target='_blank'>Antonio Alberto 'Tony' Calvento, 63</a></strong><br />
<i>Journalist</i><br />
Calvento was known for his sensational crime reporting in the 1990s. Sourced photo">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/AEC752F4851E4A76B6F62E1F357A7722/tony-calvento-10-oct-2017_AEC752F4851E4A76B6F62E1F357A7722.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Calvento</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C2E60AED77C54188BDF1E875F5A21CCA/carbonell-try.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Sept 23, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/183223-loreto-carbonell-hoops-dies' target='_blank'>Loreto Carbonell, 84</a></strong><br />
<i>Basketball player</i><br />
Carbonell was part of the 1956 Philippine basketball team that placed 7th in the Melbourne Olympics. Photo from Wikipedia">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/69905AAE4FAF4F5D8666752E08260CA0/carbonell-2.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Carbonell</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/DEADBF1085D741429F99F78A68A10E4B/img/E2C4A98AD8CF47C4B4A8C52C4E0E708B/horacio-castillo-iii_E2C4A98AD8CF47C4B4A8C52C4E0E708B.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Sept 17, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/182500-ust-law-student-fraternity-hazing-death' target='_blank'>Horacio Castillo III, 22</a></strong><br />
<i>Law student</i><br />
The freshman student from the University of Santo Tomas died from injuries he sustained in hazing initiation rites conducted by the Aegis Juris fraternity. Photo from Castillo's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/DEADBF1085D741429F99F78A68A10E4B/img/E2C4A98AD8CF47C4B4A8C52C4E0E708B/horacio-castillo-iii_E2C4A98AD8CF47C4B4A8C52C4E0E708B.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Castillo</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/4622356E577A4FF7AD22D4BF4FABF104/jeffrey-claro-20171022_4622356E577A4FF7AD22D4BF4FABF104.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 22, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/boxing-mma/186044-boxer-jeffrey-claro-dies' target='_blank'>Jeffrey Claro, 20</a></strong><br />
<i>Boxer</i><br />
Claro, with a professional record of 1-4, collapsed and fell into a coma during a sparring session in a Mandaluyong City gym. Photo from Claro's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/4622356E577A4FF7AD22D4BF4FABF104/jeffrey-claro-20171022_4622356E577A4FF7AD22D4BF4FABF104.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Claro</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/57C7F4BF9D954550A1A4B96F7493C65E/dm-consunji_57C7F4BF9D954550A1A4B96F7493C65E.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Sept 4, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/business/181139-dmci-founder-david-consunji-death' target='_blank'>David Consunji, 95</a></strong><br />
<i>Businessman</i><br />
Consunji founded DM Consunji Incorporated (DMCI) and grew it into one of the country's top conglomerates. Photo from DMCI's 2011 annual report">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/57C7F4BF9D954550A1A4B96F7493C65E/dm-consunji_57C7F4BF9D954550A1A4B96F7493C65E.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Consunji</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/C696801193BF4ED9AD6397B3BE222D59/img/2523C9065AF54AB599FB8E9CAB7B59DE/willy_2523C9065AF54AB599FB8E9CAB7B59DE.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Apr 17, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/167111-songwriter-willy-cruz-dies' target='_blank'>Wilfredo 'Willy' Cruz, 70</a></strong><br />
<i>Composer</i><br />
Cruz wrote many popular Filipino songs – including hits such as 'Bituing Walang Ningning', 'Kahit Na', and 'Sana'y Wala ng Wakas'. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/C696801193BF4ED9AD6397B3BE222D59/img/2523C9065AF54AB599FB8E9CAB7B59DE/willy_2523C9065AF54AB599FB8E9CAB7B59DE.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Cruz</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/354B0F7BFB4949A998793ABA49D35A1D/maximo-dalog-20170603_354B0F7BFB4949A998793ABA49D35A1D.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jun 3, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/171845-mountain-province-representative-maximo-dalog-dies' target='_blank'>Maximo Dalog, 70</a></strong><br />
<i>Representative, Lone District of Mt Province</i><br />
Dalog was on his 3rd term as congressman of Mountain Province. He had also served as its governor from 1992 to 1998 and from 2004 to 2010. Photo from OPAPP website">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/354B0F7BFB4949A998793ABA49D35A1D/maximo-dalog-20170603_354B0F7BFB4949A998793ABA49D35A1D.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Dalog</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F49DF6B84D45428683A2C9AC3A027B78/simeon-datumanong_F49DF6B84D45428683A2C9AC3A027B78.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Feb 28, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/162863-simeon-datumanong-passes-away' target='_blank'>Simeon Datumanong, 81</a></strong><br />
<i>Former representative, 2nd District of Maguindanao</i><br />
Datumanong served as congressman from 1992 to 2001, and from 2004 to 2013. He was also appointed public works secretary then justice secretary under then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Photo from House of Representatives website">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F49DF6B84D45428683A2C9AC3A027B78/simeon-datumanong_F49DF6B84D45428683A2C9AC3A027B78.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Datumanong</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/4C294E285CA54B23AE9500E9AFF4E505/img/CBD740BF6536465193763D35AFEA6F13/Reynaldo_de_Guzman_burial-Sept_13_2017-3.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Sept 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/181324-missing-teen-reynaldo-de-guzman-dead-nueva-ecija' target='_blank'>Reynaldo de Guzman, 14</a></strong><br />
<i>Student</i><br />
Grade 5 student De Guzman, who reportedly went missing along with friend Carl Angelo Arnaiz in mid-August, was found dead in Nueva Ecija with multiple stab wounds. Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Rappler">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/4C294E285CA54B23AE9500E9AFF4E505/img/CBD740BF6536465193763D35AFEA6F13/Reynaldo_de_Guzman_burial-Sept_13_2017-3.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">De Guzman</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/A3AD27EA1E64404EA3701B46C34A60D1/webp_A3AD27EA1E64404EA3701B46C34A60D1.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Aug 16, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/180781-nbi-complaint-kian-delos-santos-murder-planting-evidence' target='_blank'>Kian delos Santos, 17</a></strong><br />
<i>Student</i><br />
Delos Santos was killed by Caloocan City police in a supposed drug raid. The National Bureau of Investigation concluded on August 31 that it was a case of intentional killing. Photo from Delos Santos' Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/A3AD27EA1E64404EA3701B46C34A60D1/webp_A3AD27EA1E64404EA3701B46C34A60D1.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Delos Santos</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/14EE836E4ADB42F2A9562EA734708152/tobias-enverga-20171117-1_14EE836E4ADB42F2A9562EA734708152.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Nov 16, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/188756-filipino-canadian-senator-tobias-enverga-dies' target='_blank'>Tobias Enverga Jr, 61</a></strong><br />
<i>Senator of Ontario, Canada</i><br />
Born in Quezon province, the first Filipino-Canadian senator representing Ontario died during a parliamentary trip to Colombia. Photo from senatorenverga.com">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/14EE836E4ADB42F2A9562EA734708152/tobias-enverga-20171117-1_14EE836E4ADB42F2A9562EA734708152.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Enverga</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/E3E281D3770E4078965023872A85EB6E/rolly-espina_E3E281D3770E4078965023872A85EB6E.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Dec 28, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/192471-journalist-rolando-espina-dies' target='_blank'>Rolando 'Rolly' Espina, 84</a></strong><br />
<i>Journalist</i><br />
Espina was a journalist for more than 50 years, from the pre-Martial Law Manila Chronicle, to bureau chief of the Philippine News Agency, to correspondent of various wire agencies and foreign periodicals. Photo by Inday Espina-Varona">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/E3E281D3770E4078965023872A85EB6E/rolly-espina_E3E281D3770E4078965023872A85EB6E.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Espina</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/ABA88ABA9A244723ADB4EFBB6FD4C3F5/img/6B0AF62F1A47484B92719AE3403A7E65/eva-kalaw-20170525_6B0AF62F1A47484B92719AE3403A7E65.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="May 25, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/170974-philippines-former-senator-eva-estrada-kalaw-death' target='_blank'>Eva Estrada-Kalaw, 96</a></strong><br />
<i>Former senator</i><br />
Estrada-Kalaw served in the Senate from 1965 to 1972, and was the first woman reelected senator. Photo from malacanang.gov.ph">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/ABA88ABA9A244723ADB4EFBB6FD4C3F5/img/6B0AF62F1A47484B92719AE3403A7E65/eva-kalaw-20170525_6B0AF62F1A47484B92719AE3403A7E65.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Estrada-Kalaw</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/63EEC393EAB146F7BD568913FDDAC421/img/FE16F41D1E7C4907B0ECA560B8F598B2/isabelgranada2_FE16F41D1E7C4907B0ECA560B8F598B2.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Nov 5, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/186392-actress-isabel-granada-dies' target='_blank'>Isabel Granada, 41</a></strong><br />
<i>Actress</i><br />
The actress and licensed pilot, who suffered from aneurysm, collapsed after a meet and greet event in Qatar on October 25, and fell into a coma after suffering from cardiac arrest. Photo from Instagram/isabelgranada21">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/63EEC393EAB146F7BD568913FDDAC421/img/FE16F41D1E7C4907B0ECA560B8F598B2/isabelgranada2_FE16F41D1E7C4907B0ECA560B8F598B2.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Granada</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/8BAA7F58D2F64109BEA3F26B92B515EC/marawi-gunned-down-lanao-del-sur-locator-map-20151016_8BAA7F58D2F64109BEA3F26B92B515EC.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 16, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/185421-marawi-siege-leaders-isnilon-hapilon-omar-maute-dead' target='_blank'>Isnilon Hapilon & Omar Maute</a></strong><br />
<i>Terrorists</i><br />
Government forces killed the subleader of the Abu Sayyaf Group and the leader of the Maute Group, who pledged allegiance to ISIS and were behind the 5-month siege of Marawi City.">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/8BAA7F58D2F64109BEA3F26B92B515EC/marawi-gunned-down-lanao-del-sur-locator-map-20151016_8BAA7F58D2F64109BEA3F26B92B515EC.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Hapilon and Maute</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/63EEC393EAB146F7BD568913FDDAC421/img/A0AC4F1D303D442285254A352D36DDAE/francohernandez_A0AC4F1D303D442285254A352D36DDAE.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Nov 11, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/188133-hashtags-member-franco-hernandez-dies' target='_blank'>Franco Hernandez, 26</a></strong><br />
<i>Actor</i><br />
A member of the all-male group Hashtags, Hernandez died in a drowning incident in Davao Occidental. Photo from Instagram/hashtag_franco">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/63EEC393EAB146F7BD568913FDDAC421/img/A0AC4F1D303D442285254A352D36DDAE/francohernandez_A0AC4F1D303D442285254A352D36DDAE.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Hernandez</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/E89E42DBF5F945F7AA662188DF8BE641/christine-herrera_E89E42DBF5F945F7AA662188DF8BE641.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Nov 19, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/189579-journalist-christine-herrera-laid-to-rest' target='_blank'>Christine Herrera, 49</a></strong><br />
<i>Journalist</i><br />
Herrera worked for the <i>Philippine Daily Inquirer</i> then for the <i>Manila Standard</i>, where she was a House reporter until her death. Photo by Mara Cepeda/Rappler">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/E89E42DBF5F945F7AA662188DF8BE641/christine-herrera_E89E42DBF5F945F7AA662188DF8BE641.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Herrera</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/5ADB4D5F0742444BAE9CA827E999ECD9/img/47DC79544A184D6E831CBAB7E482CC4E/February_10_2017-pepsi-herrera-004_47DC79544A184D6E831CBAB7E482CC4E.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Feb 10, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/161062-fashion-designer-pepsi-herrera-dies' target='_blank'>Roger 'Pepsi' Herrera, 56</a></strong><br />
<i>Fashion designer</i><br />
Herrera dressed many celebrities over the course of his career. His designs were frequently worn at the annual ABS-CBN Star Magic Ball, among others. Photo from Instagram/pepsiherrera">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/5ADB4D5F0742444BAE9CA827E999ECD9/img/47DC79544A184D6E831CBAB7E482CC4E/February_10_2017-pepsi-herrera-004_47DC79544A184D6E831CBAB7E482CC4E.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Herrera</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/6E1D8DDADA0C46629C4D12F160897C75/romeo-intengan-20171010-1_6E1D8DDADA0C46629C4D12F160897C75.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 10, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/184794-fr-romeo-intengan-priest-exiled-marcos-years-dies-74' target='_blank'>Father Romeo Intengan, 74</a></strong><br />
<i>Priest</i><br />
The former head of the Philippine Jesuits, Father Intengan fought the Marcos dictatorship and was forced to go into exile in 1980. Photo from rvmonline.net">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/6E1D8DDADA0C46629C4D12F160897C75/romeo-intengan-20171010-1_6E1D8DDADA0C46629C4D12F160897C75.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Intengan</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/B154E1EA0FB74D8B91C6F67F257B259E/mark-jimenez-dead-april-25-2017_B154E1EA0FB74D8B91C6F67F257B259E.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Apr 25, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/167940-mark-jimenez-death' target='_blank'>Mark Jimenez, 70</a></strong><br />
<i>Businessman and former representative, Manila</i><br />
An erstwhile friend of ex-president Joseph Estrada, Jimenez served the 6th District of Manila from 2001 until his ouster in 2002. Photo from Jimenez's LinkedIn account">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/B154E1EA0FB74D8B91C6F67F257B259E/mark-jimenez-dead-april-25-2017_B154E1EA0FB74D8B91C6F67F257B259E.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Jimenez</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/FE97B08F1854435380C115435CCBBA52/img/722762B3A349495A8F70C26D220F3587/titaanggelee_722762B3A349495A8F70C26D220F3587.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Mar 2, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/124638-talent-manager-cornelia-angge-lee-dies' target='_blank'>Cornelia 'Angge' Lee, 70</a></strong><br />
<i>Talent manager</i><br />
Known as Tita Angge in the showbiz industry, she was a casting director and manager to many talents including Sylvia Sanchez and Smokey Manaloto. Photo from Lee's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/FE97B08F1854435380C115435CCBBA52/img/722762B3A349495A8F70C26D220F3587/titaanggelee_722762B3A349495A8F70C26D220F3587.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Lee</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/ED76267CD4E24DAEB936F4347229DEC4/mel-lopez-20170102-640_ED76267CD4E24DAEB936F4347229DEC4.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jan 1, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/157179-former-manila-mayor-mel-lopez-dies' target='_blank'>Gemiliano 'Mel' Lopez Jr, 81</a></strong><br />
<i>Former mayor, Manila</i><br />
Lopez was appointed Manila mayor by then President Corazon Aquino in 1986. He was later elected to the post and served as the city's chief executive until 1992. Photo from Mel Lopez Collection/Wikipedia">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/ED76267CD4E24DAEB936F4347229DEC4/mel-lopez-20170102-640_ED76267CD4E24DAEB936F4347229DEC4.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Lopez</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/7FA06FC3B490439DBF1B00E58A4F9218/20170801_-_Alfie_Lorenzo_carousel_-_3_7FA06FC3B490439DBF1B00E58A4F9218.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Aug 1, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/177328-talent-manager-alfie-lorenzo-dies' target='_blank'>Alfie Lorenzo, 78</a></strong><br />
<i>Talent manager</i><br />
Lorenzo has managed actress Judy Ann Santos and other top talents. Photo from Instagram/itsjeffcarpio">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/7FA06FC3B490439DBF1B00E58A4F9218/20170801_-_Alfie_Lorenzo_carousel_-_3_7FA06FC3B490439DBF1B00E58A4F9218.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Lorenzo</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/F5421B1030CD41808023803819A553BE/June_10_2017-malang-001_F5421B1030CD41808023803819A553BE.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jun 10, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/172553-mauro-malang-santos-dies' target='_blank'>Mauro 'Malang' Santos, 89</a></strong><br />
<i>Artist</i><br />
Malang was the creator of the comic strip <i>Kosme the Cop (Retired)</i>, and established the gallery Bughouse, which specialized in cartoons. Photo from Instagram/soler">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/F5421B1030CD41808023803819A553BE/June_10_2017-malang-001_F5421B1030CD41808023803819A553BE.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">'Malang'</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5AEB0A9F859B4AD2926CCD43B0F4B72B/father-noel.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Nov 26, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/189584-bohol-talibon-bishop-emeritus-christian-vicente-noel-death' target='_blank'>Bishop Emeritus Christian Vicente Noel, 80</a></strong><br />
<i>Bishop</i><br />
The Bohol bishop was an outspoken religious leader noted for his anti-gambling advocacies. Photo from Fr Raymund Estillore's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5AEB0A9F859B4AD2926CCD43B0F4B72B/father-noel.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Noel</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F7AD47E990DD4AE883165CEBAD76F0BD/orlina.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Dec 25, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/other-sports/192251-alma-orlina-high-jumper-dies' target='_blank'>Alma Orlina, 55</a></strong><br />
<i>Track and field athlete</i><br />
At the age of 18, the 5-foot-6 Orlina finished 3rd in the high jump and heptathlon at the 1981 National Open in Marikina City. The Negros Occidental high school student was then taken in the Gintong Alay athletics program, where she stayed until 1983.">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F7AD47E990DD4AE883165CEBAD76F0BD/orlina.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Orlina</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C88B46F55A584BFC81603880CE326754/paez.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Dec 4, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/191044-slain-nueva-ecija-priest-tito-paez-laid-to-rest' target='_blank'>Father Marcelino 'Tito' Paez, 72</a></strong><br />
<i>Priest</i><br />
Father Paez of Nueva Ecija was gunned down as he was driving home after facilitating the release of a political prisoner. Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Rappler">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C88B46F55A584BFC81603880CE326754/paez.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Paez</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/EC6AC2240F4040299BF2F59A022884B7/img/E94FF35DF568485BB3AD0D5A807DF9DE/ozamiz-parijonog-july-30-2017_E94FF35DF568485BB3AD0D5A807DF9DE.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jul 30, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/177147-ozamiz-mayor-parojinog-killed-police-raid' target='_blank'>Reynaldo Parojinog</a></strong><br />
<i>Mayor, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental</i><br />
Mayor Parojinog and 14 others, including 3 family members, were killed in a police raid at their residence. The Parojinogs are among those named by President Rodrigo Duterte in his list of local officials allegedly involved in the drug trade, which the family denies. Photo from Ozamiz City official website">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/EC6AC2240F4040299BF2F59A022884B7/img/E94FF35DF568485BB3AD0D5A807DF9DE/ozamiz-parijonog-july-30-2017_E94FF35DF568485BB3AD0D5A807DF9DE.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Parojinog</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5F8664E48C4C4B64A14D087E88EAE532/rosario-charito-planas-qc-public-affairs_5F8664E48C4C4B64A14D087E88EAE532.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Dec 7, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/190695-former-quezon-city-vice-mayor-charito-planas-dies' target='_blank'>Rosario 'Charito' Planas, 87</a></strong><br />
<i>Former vice mayor, Quezon City</i><br />
An esteemed lawyer who fought the Marcos dictatorship, Planas was vice mayor of Quezon City from 1992 to 1995. Photo from QC Public Affairs Department's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5F8664E48C4C4B64A14D087E88EAE532/rosario-charito-planas-qc-public-affairs_5F8664E48C4C4B64A14D087E88EAE532.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Planas</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/EED75B6E4AC64EC783CEAB626E4B5973/img/53553494439748C8B5024ECD426F3DDF/_ROB1460_53553494439748C8B5024ECD426F3DDF.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="May 24, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/170863-director-gil-portes-dies' target='_blank'>Gil Portes, 71</a></strong><br />
<i>Movie director</i><br />
Portes is known for his films like <i>Saranggola</i>, <i>Mga Munting Tinig</i>, and <i>Moonlight Over Baler<i>. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/EED75B6E4AC64EC783CEAB626E4B5973/img/53553494439748C8B5024ECD426F3DDF/_ROB1460_53553494439748C8B5024ECD426F3DDF.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Portes</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/23289BCFBB13463996F73B45F9586410/juan-de-dios-pueblos-20171021-1_23289BCFBB13463996F73B45F9586410.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 21, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/186005-butuan-bishop-juan-de-dios-pueblos-dead' target='_blank'>Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, 74</a></strong><br />
<i>Bishop</i><br />
Butuan Bishop Pueblos was a priest for nearly 5 decades. He was among the bishops involved in the luxury vehicles scandal during President Arroyo's term. Photo by PIA Caraga">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/23289BCFBB13463996F73B45F9586410/juan-de-dios-pueblos-20171021-1_23289BCFBB13463996F73B45F9586410.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Pueblos</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/19FAB1AB1EA84881A5DDE84361529D7B/mariano-que-april-14-2017-b_19FAB1AB1EA84881A5DDE84361529D7B.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Apr 14, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/business/167729-legend-mariano-que-mercury-drug' target='_blank'>Mariano Que, 96</a></strong><br />
<i>Businessman</i><br />
Que founded Mercury Drug, which opened its first store after World War II in 1945. Photo from Lhou Pesigan's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/19FAB1AB1EA84881A5DDE84361529D7B/mariano-que-april-14-2017-b_19FAB1AB1EA84881A5DDE84361529D7B.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Que</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/8C99AC8C756042098DD7D4770DA9E2FB/quisumbing_8C99AC8C756042098DD7D4770DA9E2FB.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 14, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/185391-former-education-secretary-lourdes-quisumbing-death' target='_blank'>Lourdes Quisumbing, 96</a></strong><br />
<i>Former education secretary</i><br />
She was at the helm of the Department of Education – the first woman to do so – from 1986 to 1989, under the administration of President Corazon Aquino. Photo from Miriam College">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/8C99AC8C756042098DD7D4770DA9E2FB/quisumbing_8C99AC8C756042098DD7D4770DA9E2FB.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Quisumbing</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/0C8E5BDD0FF449FE9B1254CF9ABAD4A8/img/170BAD6D322243EB8709E791A158E55A/leticia-ramos-shahani-001_170BAD6D322243EB8709E791A158E55A.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Mar 20, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/164671-leticia-ramos-shahani-obituary' target='_blank'>Leticia Ramos-Shahani, 87</a></strong><br />
<i>Former senator</i><br />
The former senator (1987-1998) and ambassador made a name for herself in diplomacy and politics as well as championed culture and women's rights. Former President Fidel Ramos is her brother. Photo from Lila Shahani">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/0C8E5BDD0FF449FE9B1254CF9ABAD4A8/img/170BAD6D322243EB8709E791A158E55A/leticia-ramos-shahani-001_170BAD6D322243EB8709E791A158E55A.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Ramos-Shahani</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/31EED71630554C478B51B58EE1714E47/norby-rivera-20171107_31EED71630554C478B51B58EE1714E47.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Nov 6, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/187645-norberto-norby-rivera-dies' target='_blank'>Norberto Rivera, 65</a></strong><br />
<i>Basketball player</i><br />
Rivera started his basketball career in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with the San Sebastian Stags before he entered the PBA to join the San Miguel Beermen from 1975 to 1981. Photo from Facebook">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/31EED71630554C478B51B58EE1714E47/norby-rivera-20171107_31EED71630554C478B51B58EE1714E47.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Rivera</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/FECFBE557560440E8129EEC5FBEE47A6/flerida-romero_FECFBE557560440E8129EEC5FBEE47A6.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Dec 8, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fast-facts/190826-fast-facts-former-sc-associate-justice-flerida-ruth-romero' target='_blank'>Flerida Ruth Romero, 88</a></strong><br />
<i>Former Supreme Court associate justice</i><br />
The 5th woman to ascend to the Supreme Court, Romero – who served from 1991 to 1999 – left a mark in the legal profession, particularly in labor and civil law circles. Photo from Senate Electoral Tribunal website">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/FECFBE557560440E8129EEC5FBEE47A6/flerida-romero_FECFBE557560440E8129EEC5FBEE47A6.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Romero</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/3A0F1DDB9C0949FAB6C86F2EB9D77DAE/sulaiman.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Dec 21, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/other-sports/191974-mona-sulaiman-obituary-track' target='_blank'>Mona Sulaiman, 75</a></strong><br />
<i>Track and field athlete</i><br />
Sulaiman was Asia's fastest woman in the first half of the 1960s and had starred for the Philippines at the 1962 Asian Games.">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/3A0F1DDB9C0949FAB6C86F2EB9D77DAE/sulaiman.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Sulaiman</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/28FC0D811C40434B9AD6F42E890B47F1/rip-washington-1_28FC0D811C40434B9AD6F42E890B47F1.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 7, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/business/184603-businessman-washington-sycip-dies' target='_blank'>Washington SyCip, 96</a></strong><br />
<i>Businessman</i><br />
SyCip co-founded local accounting firm SGV & Co. in 1946 when the Philippines was rebuilding after World War II. He helped groom it into one of the largest accounting firms in Asia.">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/28FC0D811C40434B9AD6F42E890B47F1/rip-washington-1_28FC0D811C40434B9AD6F42E890B47F1.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">SyCip</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/475129237B724EE783879E6B851BB153/joe-taruc_475129237B724EE783879E6B851BB153.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Sept 30, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/183873-joe-taruc-dzrh-dies' target='_blank'>Jose 'Joe' Taruc Jr, 70</a></strong><br />
<i>Journalist and broadcaster</i><br />
The veteran broadcaster anchored <i>Damdaming Bayan</i> and <i>Pangunahing Balita</i> on dzRH, where he was vice president. Photo from Taruc's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/475129237B724EE783879E6B851BB153/joe-taruc_475129237B724EE783879E6B851BB153.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Taruc</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/06D1E6F546BC47CFA39BCA5DE76C2057/1k5gj522_06D1E6F546BC47CFA39BCA5DE76C2057.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Mar 23, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/170234-alex-tizon-slave-story-atlantic-online-reaction' target='_blank'>Alex Tizon, 57</a></strong><br />
<i>Journalist and broadcaster</i><br />
The Filipino-American author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist's article for <i>The Atlantic</i> entitled, <i>My Family's Slave</i>– published after his death – sparked debates in the Philippines and abroad. Photo from Tizon's Twitter account">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/06D1E6F546BC47CFA39BCA5DE76C2057/1k5gj522_06D1E6F546BC47CFA39BCA5DE76C2057.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Tizon</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/70273CA32EDA4FF28AA3521CA0C2ED92/elias-tolentino_70273CA32EDA4FF28AA3521CA0C2ED92.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Nov 19, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/188982-elias-tolentino-dead' target='_blank'>Elias Tolentino, 75</a></strong><br />
<i>Basketball player</i><br />
Tolentino was a mainstay of the Philippine national team from 1963 to 1968, and participated in the 1968 Mexico Olympics. He was later elected councilor of Makati City.">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/70273CA32EDA4FF28AA3521CA0C2ED92/elias-tolentino_70273CA32EDA4FF28AA3521CA0C2ED92.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Tolentino</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/8A286B87FEFE4E5EB10FE3AC9ABBC418/img/91EE59ED82604DDFA6713239AFD1FAD1/20170721_-_Soxy_Topacio_FB_-_1_91EE59ED82604DDFA6713239AFD1FAD1.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jul 21, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/176331-director-soxie-topacio-dies' target='_blank'>Soxie Topacio, 65</a></strong><br />
<i>Movie, TV and theater director</i><br />
Topacio was a respected director, known for films such as <i>Ded na si Lolo</i> and <i>Impostora</i>. He was also a resident artist of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), and has won several awards for his work. Photo from Topacio's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/8A286B87FEFE4E5EB10FE3AC9ABBC418/img/91EE59ED82604DDFA6713239AFD1FAD1/20170721_-_Soxy_Topacio_FB_-_1_91EE59ED82604DDFA6713239AFD1FAD1.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Topacio</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/FC4CC58250DF4557AB1E0BF0FE6CC5AA/justo-torres-jr1_FC4CC58250DF4557AB1E0BF0FE6CC5AA.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Dec 26, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/nation/192322-retired-sc-justice-justo-torres-jr-dies' target='_blank'>Justo Torres, 90</a></strong><br />
<i>Former Supreme Court Associate Justice</i><br />
Torres, an appointee of then President Ramos, served the SC from March 11, 1996, to November 1, 1997. Photo from PUP College of Law Research Corps Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/FC4CC58250DF4557AB1E0BF0FE6CC5AA/justo-torres-jr1_FC4CC58250DF4557AB1E0BF0FE6CC5AA.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Torres</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/320E3A4F0BF4439E8C8BB318DE1C75B0/May_03_2017-romeo_vasquez-001_320E3A4F0BF4439E8C8BB318DE1C75B0.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="May 2, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/168693-romeo-vasquez-dies' target='_blank'>Romeo Vasquez, 78</a></strong><br />
<i>Actor</i><br />
Vasquez had starred opposite his wife Amalia Fuentes in many movies like <i>Lydia</i> (1956) and <i>Sapagkat Ikaw Ay Akin</i> (1965). He was also known for his work in <i>Maruja</i> (1967) and <i>Bakit Kailangan Kita</i> (1978). Photo from Instagram/alyannamartinez">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/320E3A4F0BF4439E8C8BB318DE1C75B0/May_03_2017-romeo_vasquez-001_320E3A4F0BF4439E8C8BB318DE1C75B0.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Vasquez</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/21978C6FF4E04ECEBFEE8E4086A4991A/cardinal-vidal-20171013_21978C6FF4E04ECEBFEE8E4086A4991A.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Oct 18, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/185643-fast-facts-cebu-archbishop-emeritus-ricardo-cardinal-vidal' target='_blank'>Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, 86</a></strong><br />
<i>Cardinal</i><br />
The Cebu Archbishop Emeritus played key roles in both the 1986 People Power Revolution and the EDSA II revolt in 2001. Photo from Cardinal Vidal's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/21978C6FF4E04ECEBFEE8E4086A4991A/cardinal-vidal-20171013_21978C6FF4E04ECEBFEE8E4086A4991A.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Vidal</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C32A21DBFC654FF1AF36833635C9ADB9/donnavilla_C32A21DBFC654FF1AF36833635C9ADB9.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jan 17, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/158662-movie-producer-donna-villa-dies-carlo-j-caparas' target='_blank'>Donna Villa, 57</a></strong><br />
<i>Movie producer</i><br />
Villa headed Golden Lion Films with husband and 'massacre films' director Carlo J Caparas. Photo from YouTube/Taumbahay EBC">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C32A21DBFC654FF1AF36833635C9ADB9/donnavilla_C32A21DBFC654FF1AF36833635C9ADB9.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Villa</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/1E623A792DC748C78F13E1F7E079B1F5/eugenevillaluzfacebookpage_1E623A792DC748C78F13E1F7E079B1F5.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Jun 10, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/172580-singer-eugene-villaluz-dies' target='_blank'>Eugene Villaluz, 70</a></strong><br />
<i>Singer</i><br />
Villaluz was a member of the singing group The New Minstrels in the '70s. He is also known for the song 'Gulong ng Palad', and his duet with singer Louie Reyes on the song 'Nothing I Want More'. Photo from Villaluz's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/1E623A792DC748C78F13E1F7E079B1F5/eugenevillaluzfacebookpage_1E623A792DC748C78F13E1F7E079B1F5.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Villaluz</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/7C42E72B600E4324BA672A98DE680FDA/yuchengco-2_7C42E72B600E4324BA672A98DE680FDA.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Apr 16, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/business/167084-ygc-rcbc-alfonso-yuchengco-death' target='_blank'>Alfonso Yuchengco, 94</a></strong><br />
<i>Businessman</i><br />
The Yuchengco family patriarch was the longtime chairman of Pan Malayan Management and Investment Corporation and honorary chairman of the board of MICO Equities, the holding companies of the Yuchengco Group of Companies.">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/7C42E72B600E4324BA672A98DE680FDA/yuchengco-2_7C42E72B600E4324BA672A98DE680FDA.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Yuchengco</span>
</div>

<div class="col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding">
<a class="example-image-link nolazy" href="https://assets.rappler.com/C696801193BF4ED9AD6397B3BE222D59/img/1AAD1FED22F04CABA1B14C8A5C4BD808/zenyzabalakontrabida__1AAD1FED22F04CABA1B14C8A5C4BD808.jpg" data-lightbox="example-set" data-title="Aug 8, 2017<br /><strong>
<a href='https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/178376-actress-zeny-zabala-dies' target='_blank'>Zeny Zabala, 80</a></strong><br />
<i>Actress</i><br />
Zabala was known for playing <i>kontrabida</i> (villainous) characters in Philippine cinema. Photo from Zabala's Facebook page">
<div class="flex-video square"><img src="https://assets.rappler.com/C696801193BF4ED9AD6397B3BE222D59/img/1AAD1FED22F04CABA1B14C8A5C4BD808/zenyzabalakontrabida__1AAD1FED22F04CABA1B14C8A5C4BD808.jpg" class="example-image wrapper nolazy" border="0" /></div></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Zabala</span>
</div>

</div>

{/source}

– Rappler.com

↧

Rappler's top stories of every week of 2017

December 30, 2017, 4:15 pm

≫ Next: Half-empty homes: The teenagers killed in 2017

≪ Previous: Newsmakers who died in 2017

MANILA, Philippines – From politics to beauty pageants, from viral videos to online debates, the year 2017 was full of stories that mattered to Rappler readers.

This year, President Rodrigo Duterte marked his 1st year in office, his "war on drugs" continued with mixed results, a 5-month war between government troops and terrorists unfolded in Marawi City, and martial law was declared (and extended) in Mindanao.

We also saw tropical storms, political storms, the proliferation of "fake news" and disinformation, sports and tech moments, showbiz weddings, controversial billboards and photoshoots, shocking statements, and insightful commentary. (WATCH: 20 stories in 2017: War, impunity, and disinformation)

These are the top stories of every week of 2017 on Rappler. The list below shows the articles that had the biggest total page views each week, as well as the stories that got the most votes via Rappler's Mood Meter in the same period.

The top stories are then "colored" according to the corresponding dominant mood or emotion, still based on validated Mood Meter votes.

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For a combined 17 weeks, Stephen Curry's layup in his face-off against LeBron James at Game 2 of the 2017 National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals topped the weekly charts in terms of page views.

The next top stories that garnered attention during that time include live updates on the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia (last two weeks of August), Joey de Leon's comment on depression that drew flak on social media (week of October 1), and a debate on whether Kalinga tattoo artist Whang-od was "exploited" during a trade fair event in Manila (week of October 22).

Three stories from Rappler Indonesia had #1 stories for 3 weeks, when Jakarta held its election for governor in February followed by the run-off election in April, and when popular Indonesian star Julia Perez died due to cervical cancer in June.

In terms of stories that got the most Mood Meter votes, readers were mostly Angry in 26 of them, and Happy in 16.

They reacted to many stories about Duterte, notably about his survey ratings, his alleged bank accounts, and his pronouncements on his state of health, on same-sex marriage, and on former president Benigno Aquino III's opinion about the war on drugs.

Readers were on standby for #WalangPasok news, with some of these stories on class and work suspensions getting the most views in 4 separate weeks, and garnering the most mood votes in two.

Palace Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson figured in 3 top stories with the most Mood Meter votes, and in one most-viewed story for the week.

Readers were mostly angry about Uson's appointment as assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in May, amused when she attempted in November to "reclassify" Rappler's status in covering Malacañang events, and didn't care when she performed at a Resorts World casino despite a government ban on its officials and employees to enter such establishments.

The decisions of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Grab also made the list, with most readers expressing anger about it on the Mood Meter.

Towards the final months of the year, the stories that got Rappler readers' thumbs busy were about Tropical Storm Vinta, the firestorm over a controversial dengue vaccine, presidential granddaughter Isabelle Duterte's pre-debut photoshoot in Malacañang, actress Ellen Adarna's pregnancy, and 17-year-old Ica Policarpio who went missing then was found in Laguna. – Rappler.com

↧

Half-empty homes: The teenagers killed in 2017

December 30, 2017, 10:09 pm

≫ Next: Alvarez on party-mate Pimentel: Senate must have 'active' leadership

≪ Previous: Rappler's top stories of every week of 2017

Almost every month in 2017, at least one teenager was killed by unidentified assailants or fatally shot in a police operation.

Based on media reports gathered by Rappler from January 1 to December 28, at least 28 teenagers were killed in 2017, more than 70% of whom are minors. The youngest was 13.

These teenagers are tagged either as criminals or “collateral damage” in the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

In the last weeks of the year, Rappler revisited the homes of some of the slain teens and reconnected with the people they left behind.

The clubfooted boy

MISSING RAYMART. Luzviminda and Isabelle sit in the living room of their home in Cavite. All photos by Eloisa Lopez/Rappler

It was supposed to be the happiest Christmas of Luzviminda Siapo.

The reunion had long been planned. Luzviminda and her two kids, Raymart and Isabelle, would finally leave their temporary home in the slums of Navotas. A new life would begin in Cavite, where a gated house awaite the family.

Luzviminda would finally enjoy the fruits of her labor in in Kuwait where she had toiled for two years. Raymart was promised a Yamaha Mio motor bike, for as long as it cost less than P25,000. Ten-year-old Isabelle would get a new outfits.

Yet on December 21, the day Luzviminda was originally scheduled to arrive in Manila, there was neither a grand homecoming, nor two kids to come home to, only Luzviminda and Isabelle in a silent home.

Luzviminda came home 9 months earlier than planned, after she got a Facebook message that shattered her world: “Raymart is dead.”

On March 29, a group of masked men abducted and killed Raymart, after a neighbor hastily tagged him as a drug peddler in the barangay, after a heated argument with the teen. Witnesses of the crime claimed Raymart was ordered to run, but he couldn’t since he had clubbed feet. The gunmen killed him on the spot.

Every day since then, Luzviminda would send photos of her dead son, bloodied and bruised, to the barangay official who tagged him as a criminal. “I’m not saying he killed him, but I want to peck on his conscience. This is your doing.”

Their new Cavite home is has yellow-painted walls and a life-size tarpaulin of greenery. Isabelle’s medals from school are proudly displayed near the entrance. “Mama, these are for Kuya,” she said one day, with half a dozen medals in tow.

SPECIAL SPOT. Raymart's favorite food are placed before his photo in the Siapo home

One corner is reserved for Raymart’s photo. His favorite snacks – a bottle of red iced tea, a pack of chocolate-filled marshmallows, and cheese-flavored chips are in front of the portrait. On Sundays, he gets roses. It’s the least Luzviminda could do, she said, as his grave is too far to visit every day. It’s a 3-hour ride away.

On Christmas day, she knew she had to visit her son. She said she had to celebrate Christmas with Raymart, as he had long-awaited his mother's holiday homecoming. She brought with him his favorite treats to the private cemetery in Malabon, where Raymart is buried.

“I know he’s waiting for me. Here I am, Raymart. I’m home.”

The student

ABANDONED BIKE. Kian's bike rests in an abandoned room in their home in Caloocan

Hundreds of people joined his funeral procession calling for justice. Justice for Kian Loyd delos Santos, justice for all, the crowd screamed.

It was a grand gesture. Critics believed it was the end of the government’s war on drugs. Priests, politicians, and strangers offered to help his case. The policemen who killed him were called to the Senate.

But life as usual resumed in Baesa, Caloocan, after Kian was laid to rest. No more candles were lit on the crime scene. The pigsty beside it remained a pigsty. The white ribbons pinned on almost every post in the village were now wind-torn.

And a few days later, the Delos Santos couple stopped coming home.

The Delos Santoses had not gone home since the day they met with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang, a few days after Kian was laid to rest.

No one knows where they lived, how they had been managing, or who they're with. Not even Randy, the brother of Kian’s father, Saldy. Not even Kian's grandparents, Antonio and Violeta.

It’s as if they’ve been imprisoned, Randy said. The first and last time they saw the family was on the 40th day of Kian’s funeral, when the couple visited Kian’s grave in La Loma Cemetery. But it was barely a reunion, Randy recalled, as the whole visit was timed by the men of the Department of Justice's Witness Protection Program.

It’s not certain what lies ahead for Kian’s case as the Senate hearings have yet been concluded. Randy is holding on to the President’s promise that he will not tolerate the policemen who killed his nephew. But until the verdict is announced, life must go on for the rest of the Delos Santos clan.

They were left with no choice. There were other members of the family to take care of, Randy said.

HEART OF THE STORE. Kian's photo hangs on a wall in the sari-sari store he used to tend

The sari-sari store which Kian used to tend to has been reopened. It has much less stuff to sell – no more candies and chips, only school supplies and toys. A framed photo of Kian sits on one of the candy canisters. Randy displayed it to keep the spirit of the boy alive; to keep the half-empty home, a home.

There was no question Kian was sorely missed. Every day, an old sampaguita vendor in the would leave flowers before his portrait. Neighbors claimed they had seen the shadow of the boy a couple of times, peering outside the window, crying. Kian’s young friends would often ask Randy to join them for drinks. And Randy would send pictures and messages to Kian’s Facebook account, to let him know he was missed.

Meanwhile, a sleek bike painted blue and silver rested in an abandoned room in the topmost floor of the Delos Santos home.

It’s the bike Kian was promised a day before he was killed. It’s the bike he had wanted for so long, and the same bike he never had a chance to ride. The bike had begun to rust.

The misunderstood

CARL'S STREET. The street of Carl Arnaiz's home

The death and disappearance of Carl Angelo Arnaiz remained a mystery to many, even his family.

In the narrative of the police, the 19-year old young man was caught after allegedly robbing a taxi driver in C3 road in Caloocan on August 18 – the same day his family reported him missing. He was killed on the spot, after allegedly attempting to fight back. It took his family 10 days to find him in a morgue in Caloocan – some 20 kilometers away from Anak Pawis II, Cainta, where he lived. He wore a black hoodie, denim shorts, a black cap, and plastic flip-flops – clothes he never owned, said his sister, Camille.

Carl's case was but part of a puzzle. Days after the teenager's wake, 13-year-old Reynaldo “Kulot” De Guzman was found dead in a creek in Nueva Ecija.

Neighbors had claimed that Carl and Reynaldo were last seen together before they both went missing. No one could prove that this was true, especially as neither of the two boys’ families believed they were friends. The taxi driver – the supposed witness to the crime – had changed his version of that fateful night. He had been tagged as one of the suspects in the death of Carl and Reynaldo.

But among the many speculations, there remained one truth in the narrative: that on August 18, two boys went missing in Anak Pawis II, and were killed.

SARI-SARI STORE. The sari-sari store in Carl Arnaiz’s home in Cainta taken in September 2017. The store is now closed.

The humble home where Carl lived is now empty. The sari-sari store he managed is now closed. The landlord said his family moved shortly after he was buried. “They had to,” she said, “to forget that painful incident.”

In November, Carl would have reached the twilight of his teenage years. He would have been 20 years old. He would have been battling his depression – spending two, 3 days in bed, and the next two days treating the kids in his street to french fries and candy. He wasn’t always happy, but every kid in the street where he lived said that when he was, it was contagious.

The lost boy

WAITING GAME. Eduardo de Guzman slumps on a table in a morgue in Nueva Ecija where he found the dead body of his son, Reynaldo 'Kulot' de Guzman

The shanty that was home to the De Guzmans for 6 years in Anak Pawis II, Cainta, was now occupied by a new family. The De Guzmans left after burying their son, Reynaldo.

Reynaldo or “Kulot” was found dead in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija on September 6 – 3 weeks after he went missing. His head was wrapped in cloth. His body had almost 30 stab wounds. His parents, Lina and Eddie, traveled over a hundred kilometers to a provincial morgue to identify his body. He had a wart on his knee, and a scar on his neck. It was unmistakable, they said.

But in the midst of the boy’s wake, cops claimed that they had the wrong boy.

For Lina and Eddie, it was not a question they needed an answer for. As far as they were concerned, they had found their son, and no one could take him away from them.

The boy believed to be Kulot was buried in an apartment-style tomb in Pasig City. His tomb stone read "Reynaldo de Guzman." The funeral was quick. The De Guzmans left without shedding a tear.

KULOT'S FRIENDS. The boys of Anak Pawis II believe their friend, Reynaldo de Guzman is just lost somewhere

Not long after, their shanty house was emptied. They moved to a bigger house with uninterrupted water and electricity, and unlimited supply of groceries. It should be a dream house for the De Guzmans but they couldn't set foot outside it. It’s a safe house, they were told, and they must remain indoors until the case of their dead son was resolved.

The young boys left in Anak Pawis II were certain that their good friend Kulot was still alive.

Maybe he would come home tomorrow. Maybe next year, or perhaps next Christmas. They weren’t sure when, but they were certain he would be back.

He’s just lost, they believed.

The only child

GRIEVING MOTHER. Liezel Du shares memories of her spunky daughter, Charlie Jean. Photos by Eloisa Lopez/Rappler

When the new neighbors of Liezel Du asked if she had a child, she said she did, except that she was away.

She pretended Charlie Jean Du was in the province or abroad, studying. She would think the teen was in the park with friends, skate-boarding. She kept her school uniform, clothes, printed photos, and favorite toys. She would even tell her of the new inside jokes she shared with the girl’s stepfather.

“Look, Charlie, your dad’s teasing me,” she would say, looking at the girl’s portrait hanging beside the photo of Jesus.

LOONEY. Liezel Du adopted this dog after her daughter's death

Every day, she would let herself believe that Charlie was alive.

She adopted a new dog, Looney, to take care of. She would cuddle him, put him to bed, take care of him like she did to Charlie as a mother. She believed she was still a mother, never mind that there was no child to tend to.

Despite her repeated self-denial, everytime her husband left for work, she would be reminded of the painful truth. She would hear the voice of Charlie, begging for help. She would feel the ache of every bullet that pierced through the 15-year-old girl's body. One on each arm, one on her buttocks, and another in her stomach, which killed the teenager's 4-month-old baby. She would remember how the police said Charlie was holding grenades, that’s why she was not spared.

Every day, Liezel would remember that her only child was killed. Since that tragic night, every inch of her body would tremble whenever she saw the police.

MEMORIES. Photos of Charlie Jean Du on arranged on a corkboard

– Rappler.com

↧

Alvarez on party-mate Pimentel: Senate must have 'active' leadership

January 2, 2018, 9:40 pm

≫ Next: Civil union for same-sex couples, ugly, rich people – Speaker Alvarez

≪ Previous: Half-empty homes: The teenagers killed in 2017

CONGRESS LEADERS. Senate President Koko Pimentel (left) and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez stand side by side during a joint session on December 13, 2017, to discuss President Duterte's request for a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao. File photo by Darren Langit/Rappler

It’s a new year but House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez hasn't dropped the old habit of throwing shade at this counterpart in the Senate, Senate President Aquillino Pimentel III.

“It’s up to the Senate leadership. The leadership should be a little more active so they’re faster in passing laws,” said Alvarez in an interview on ANC’s Headstart on Wednesday, January 3.

Alvarez had earlier pointed out that while the House passed over 6,911 bills since it convened in 2016, most of those got stuck in the Senate.

“That’s why only a few are signed into law. But we pass a lot of bills at the House of Representatives, during the first regular session and the second regular session,” he said.

The House is dominated by a “supermajority” led by Alvarez and the ruling PDP-Laban. This bloc is composed of PDP-Laban, allied parties, and even individuals and groups who have consistently voted against the House leadership's will.

This isn’t the first time for Alvarez to criticize the Senate, which he has called “mabagal na kapulungan (the slow chamber).” Congress is composed of the Senate, which is elected by the voting population at-large and the House, composed of district and party-list representatives.

Asked if this means Alvarez is not satisfied with Pimentel’s leadership, Alvarez turned vague.

“I don’t want to comment on that but I think he needs to be faster so that our President’s goals are given a direction,” said Alvarez, clarifying that he thinks it’s the institution itself that's lethargic.

Both Pimentel and Alvarez are top officials of the ruling PDP-Laban. Alvarez is secretary general while Pimentel is party president.

The Senate is composed of a majority and minority bloc. – Rappler.com

↧

Civil union for same-sex couples, ugly, rich people – Speaker Alvarez

January 3, 2018, 12:22 am

≫ Next: Detained De Lima wants to learn how to paint

≪ Previous: Alvarez on party-mate Pimentel: Senate must have 'active' leadership

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez defends the two laws he wants Congress to pass. File photo

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is not backing down on his push for legislation that would introduce civil unions in the Philippines. (READ: House prioritizes BBL, bills on same-sex civil unions, gov’t reorganization)

On Wednesday, January 3, Alvarez offered another advantage of his priority legislation: aside from offering protection for same-sex couples, it also benefits “ugly and rich” people who remain married only because of their money.

“Ngayon kasi kapag absolute community of property…karamihan ngayon, kung hindi babae or lalaki, kahit na medyo pangit, kapag maraming pera pakakasalan mo,” said Alvarez, who said an amendment to the Family Code would make complete separation of property the default, instead of the absolute community of property, in the absence of a marriage settlement.

(Right now, it’s absolute community of property. Many nowadays, male or female, even if the person is ugly, if he or she is rich, you’ll marry him or her.)

This would prevent “marriages of convenience,” Alvarez told journalist Karen Davila during ANC’s Headstart.

When asked if Congress should bother with people who choose to marry for convenience, Alvarez insisted they should.

“Kailangan proteksyonan yung citizens, hindi ba? Yung mamamayan kailangang proteksyunan mo, yun ang trabaho namin, bigyan sila ng batas to protect them,” he said.

(We need to protect the citizens, right? The ones who need protection, that’s our job, to make laws that would protect them.)

“Okay. So yung pangit, pero mayaman, kailangan mong protektahan (Okay. So the ugly and rich, you need to protect)?” asked Davila.

“Hindi ba? Ang daming ganoon, tapos maghihiwalay lang pala (Isn’t it? There are a lot of those cases and they just end up splitting anyway),” said the House’s top official.

Davila dropped the topic but not without telling Alvarez: “I’m going to forgive for this whole argument because it’s new year.”

Second ‘marriage’ for Alvarez?

The House Speaker also wants legislation that would introduce “dissolution of marriage” in a country where annulments take long and cost an arm and a leg.

Alvarez said that the current annulment process is expensive, takes too long, and is too “confrontational” because it requires former spouses to accuse one another of “psychological incapacity.” Instead, the process should be “administrative and not judicial,” said Alvarez.

When a marriage is “dissolved”, the two parties must negotiate the split in properties and how they would raise their children, if they have any.

Alvarez went on a long narration about the income of women and spousal support in explaining his side. One spouse’s financial obligations to another, he said, would depend on their agreement.

“Ito, ako masakit man aminin ito, pero karamihan ng mga spouses ngayon, yung mga babae mas maraming pera kaysa lalaki (It’s painful to admit but most spouses, it’s the woman who has more money than the man),” said Alvarez.

“Bakit masakit yun (Why is it painful)?” asked Davila.

“Masakit dahil yun nga, nakasanayan ng Pilipino na mas maraming pera yung lalaki kaysa babae (It’s painful because Filipinos are used to the man having more money than the woman),” answered Alvarez.

“That’s not the point, the point is women fight for support and they can’t get it from the husbands,” said Davila.

Alvarez replied in Filipino that, that kind of thinking seems to underestimate women as not being capable of working or finding livelihood, and that they need to be supported.

“But that’s the responsibility of the man, with the kids,” said Davila.

“Pero ngayon hindi na, may equality, hindi ba (But that’s not the case anymore because there’s equality, right)? Gender equality,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez clarified that fathers will still be required to provide financial support to their children – but not to merely support their former spouse’s lifestyles.

The Speaker also said the proposed law wasn’t necessarily to his advantage, since as a member of a “tribe in Mindanao,” he can enter into multiple marriages.

Alvarez is still married to his wife but has been estranged since 2016. He is currently in a relationship with girlfriend Jennifer Maliwanag, who plays an active role in PDP-Laban Cares, the humanitarian arm of the ruling party.

“I can do it. And I’m willing to do it,” said Alvarez, when asked if it means he is going to marry Maliwanag.

He said he intends to marry her even if based on civil law, he cannot. “It’s allowed under the law. It’s in the IPRA law,” he said. – Rappler.com

↧

Detained De Lima wants to learn how to paint

January 6, 2018, 7:22 pm

≫ Next: EXPLAINER: How the tax reform law affects Filipino consumers

≪ Previous: Civil union for same-sex couples, ugly, rich people – Speaker Alvarez

WORKING IN DETENTION. This file photos shows Senator Leila de Lima during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the Jack Lam bribery scandal at the Senate on January 23, 2017. File photo by Jasmin Dulay

Detained opposition Senator Leila De Lima said she wants to learn how to paint, a hobby she is encouraged to learn to be able to cope with her struggles inside detention. (READ: De Lima preparing for a more difficult 2018)

"With encouragements from loyal supporters who regularly visit her, De Lima has also been convinced to give painting lessons a shot, which she said she would start anytime this year," read a statement her office released to the media on Sunday, January 7.

De Lima was arrested in February 2017 over drug charges filed by the Department of Justice. She was a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, whom she investigated for human rights violations when she was chief of the Commission on Human Rights. (TIMELINE: Probing into the Davao Death Squad)

De Lima said she's already keeping herself busy drafting legislative measures that will promote the welfare and protect the rights of Filipinos. But she needs other hobbies so she won't get depressed.

Aside from reading books, De Lima said taking care of plants and petting stray cats are her new hobbies inside the detention facility.

“I don’t want to be depressed, and good thing I’ve never been. Yes, I’m sad at times but never depressed,” she shared.

De Lima was also inspired by her 35-year-old son Israel to learn painting. Israel, who is special, held an exhibit last year to showcase his output from his time at the Young Artists' Studio.

"He is my angel and my inspiration. He inspires me to do things, be it venturing into painting or continuing my fight for justice and the rule of law,” De Lima said.

Congress will return from its holiday break on January 15. De Lima said she is currently reviewing bills and resolutions her staff are slated to file soon.

“I keep myself busy while regularly working on filing bills and resolutions because I don’t want my mind to be idle and be lured into bitterness or depression,” De Lima said.

Despite her detention, De Lima filed 24 bills and 48 resolutions in the Senate last year.

"Since her illegal arrest and unjust detention at the Philippine National Police-Custodial Center, in Camp Crame, Quezon City, she has also issued 215 dispatches about her views about policy and political issues in the country," read her statement. – Rappler.com

↧

EXPLAINER: How the tax reform law affects Filipino consumers

January 8, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Review of 'Fire and Fury': The international implications

≪ Previous: Detained De Lima wants to learn how to paint

PRICE HIKES.The retail price of a one-liter bottle of Coca-Cola, for instance, is projected to increase to P43 from the current P31, due to the tax reform law. Photo by Chrisee Dela Paz/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Royd Agapito (not his real name), a 25-year-old market analyst for a research firm, got what he wanted: higher take-home pay. But what he did not expect is a higher monthly household bill that would offset the gains he would receive from the newly-implemented Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte started 2018 by implementing TRAIN, which reduced personal income taxes but increased those on cars, tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fuel.

Payroll managers have started adjusting their systems to reflect the new withholding tax rates. Supermarkets, oil retailers, convenience stores, and even sidewalk vendors have begun updating their price lists.

A visit to Puregold supermarket on Monday, January 8, showed that a pack of Marlboro Black 20s is more expensive now at P87.50, from last year's P68.

TOBACCO. A visit to Puregold supermarket on January 8, 2018 shows that a pack of Marlboro Black 20s is more expensive at P87.50, from last year's P68. Photo by Chrisee Dela Paz/Rappler

By mid-January, motorists will also have to brace for higher fuel prices, once existing petroleum stocks of retailers are used up. (READ: Filipinos to feel impact of higher fuel tax starting mid-January)

Higher fuel prices will also have a trickle-down effect on public transport service providers, which have started seeking fare hikes. (READ: Grab files petition for 5% fare hike and Fare hike? Uber to gauge impact of new taxes first)

Trickle-down effect

Agapito, who earns P30,000 monthly, will save P3,438 a month because of the new withholding tax rates. But he said he decided to stick to his old Toyota Vios instead of upgrading to a new car, given the hike in auto excise tax, which mainly hit mass market vehicles. (READ: Honda Philippines raises prices for most cars due to tax reform)

"I don't think TRAIN will provide significant impact to an average wage earner. It is like the government is just giving us a new perspective to look at our taxes. You have higher pay, but electricity, transport, grocery bills will also be higher," Agapito said in an interview.

He added that he would also need to cut down on soda to save money. (READ: Existing stocks of sweetened drinks exempt from new tax rates – DTI)

Starting mid-January, the retail price of a one-liter bottle of Coca-Cola, for instance, is projected to increase to P43 from the current P31, an increase of P12.

VENDORS FEEL THE BRUNT. Reyes, who sells sweetened drinks, snacks, and tobacco along Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig, said she has cut her supplies due to TRAIN. Photo by Chrisee Dela Paz/Rappler

This is because of the P12-per-liter tax on drinks using high fructose corn syrup. For drinks using sugar and artificial sweeteners, a P6-per-liter tax has been imposed. However, all kinds of milk, 3-in-1 coffee, natural fruit juices, vegetable juices, and medically-indicated beverages are exempt.

Additional burden

While power distributors, oil companies, fuel retailers, and tobacco manufacturers are directly affected by TRAIN, First Metro Investments Corporation vice president Cristina Ulang said they have one thing going for them.

"The additional burden is something they can pass on to consumers," Ulang explained.

This, however, does not hold true for small-time vendors in the Philippines, like 48-year-old Meanne Reyes, who has two kids.

Reyes, who sells sugar-sweetened drinks, snacks, and tobacco along Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig City, said she has fewer stocks due to TRAIN.

"Dati P5 per stick lang 'yung Marlboro. Ngayon binebenta ko na ng P7 isa. Dahil mas mahal na 'yung pakete, binawasan ko na lang 'yung pagbili ko ng supplies. Ang taas nang itinaas. Paano naman kaming walang suweldo at pagbebenta ang kabuhayan?" Reyes asked.

(Marlboro used to be P5 per stick. Now I'm selling it for P7 each. Since an entire pack is now more expensive, I was forced to buy fewer supplies. The price hike is significant. What will happen to people like me who have no fixed income and depend on sidewalk vending to earn a living?)

Protecting from impact

To protect the poor from higher prices of commodities, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is mandated to provide targeted cash transfers to the poorest 10 million households.

Each household would get P2,400 per year in 2018, as well as P3,600 per year in 2019 and 2020.

Dominguez said the cash transfer will be implemented in the 1st quarter of 2018.

"DSWD will identify beneficiaries based on the [list] – the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the social pension beneficiaries. The budget for the unconditional cash transfer is included in the 2018 budget, totaling P25.7 billion," the finance chief said in a Malacañang briefing.

Over the course of 5 years, Dominguez said the government will raise over P786 billion in revenues because of TRAIN.

"These revenues will fund the President's priorities: social and infrastructure programs. In package one, Congress passed two-thirds of the needed revenue for 2018 and this is expected to pass the balance in early 2018 to help us achieve our revenue deficit targets," he said.

The finance chief added that the 2nd package of the comprehensive tax reform program, which is set to be passed within the month, is seen to lower corporate income taxes and modernize physical incentives.

All in all, Dominguez said the government targets to raise about P2 trillion from the comprehensive tax reform program to help fund the country's massive P8-trillion infrastructure buildup, which is seen to improve people's lives from all ranks. – Rappler.com

↧

Review of 'Fire and Fury': The international implications

January 8, 2018, 11:13 pm

≫ Next: Roque says reduction in PCOO personnel, not tiff with Andanar, caused transcript delay

≪ Previous: EXPLAINER: How the tax reform law affects Filipino consumers

FIRE AND FURY. Michael Wolff's book on the Trump administration is unflattering and controversial. File photo by Nicholas Kamm/AFP

Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House confirms the worst characterizations of the US president and reports of chaos, with gory details supporting one senator’s observation that the White House had transformed into an adult day care center.

Journalist Michael Wolff ridicules desperate attempts by White House staff and cabinet members to normalize an inexperienced, insecure president. Republican Party leaders, fearing their shrinking base, viciously turn on one another.

Most alarming for the rest of the world is that a sizable number of Americans, about 30% of the electorate, expect that political bullying, manipulation, lying, with the ends justifying any means, might produce policies of benefit.

The book warns that foreign policy is Donald Trump’s weak point: “If the Trump White House was as unsettling as any in American history, the president’s views of foreign policy and the world at large were among its most random, uninformed, and seemingly capricious aspects. His advisers didn’t know whether he was an isolationist or a militarist, or whether he could distinguish between the two. He was enamored with generals and determined that people with military command experience take the lead in foreign policy, but he hated to be told what to do.”

For some leaders, Trump’s lack of experience opens the door to a “do-over” in relations with the United States.

Much of the book is gossipy with coarse language because its subjects are this way. Few White House staff will appreciate the portrayal. Despite the campaign’s populist anti-globalist messages, many staff members are described as crassly ambitious, coveting the chance to join “the ranks of former government officials profiting off the ever growing globalist corporate-financial-government policy and business networks.”

A few endure humiliation for a higher cause, not abandoning the country to even more fools, and Wolff suggests “this sense of duty and virtue involved a complicated calculation about your positive effect on the White House versus its negative effect on you.” Working at the White House centers on pleasing the president, and staff use tragedies like the April chemical weapons attack in Syria to make Trump seem more “presidential.”

Professionals like Dina Powell, deputy national security advisor, openly worry about being linked to Trump’s brand or, worse, becoming part of “historical calamity.”

Chaos

For Trump, when others win, he is losing.

Staff are on an unending quest via trial and error for unattainable balances of flattery and self-assurance, submission and sophistication, wealth or background of hard knocks that might convince him to listen and heed advice.

The Trump team might have regarded Wolff as a savior had the author settled for recording the administration’s first 100 days as originally planned. From the book’s start, Wolff proffers a likely possibility that the Trump team, despite attracting a swarm of people with questionable Russia connections, was too naïve for deliberately colluding with the Russians to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

The family’s election goal was to magnify the Trump brand, not win. But win they did, and chaos and panic ensued.

The book highlights former White House strategist Steve Bannon’s ongoing feud with the Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner. The couple, newcomers to Washington, were handed top advisor slots and a hefty portfolio including bringing peace to the Middle East.

The couple sought out experts, but Wolff describes the amateurs as “less interested in bending to advice and more interested in shopping for the advice they wanted.” Ivanka and Jared long for respectability while Bannon’s goal is revolution.

The two sides were irrevocably divided with the early rollout and failure of a travel ban for refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations. Other staff members, contending with the bitter factions, struggled to get policy drafts approved or decisions made.

Trump the appeaser

Trump appreciates praise, but the flattery works for only a short while.

He is capricious, at times toying with staff, playing them off one another, and at other times frustrated and bored, demanding a single easy answer. He is irresolute and avoids accountability as in summer of 2017 when he tried to get Secretary of Defense James Mattis to make the decision on increasing troop strength in Afghanistan. Mattis forced Trump to make the call. More ominously, it "was sport for the president to defy [Chief of Staff John] Kelly."

Few remain close to the president for long before other staff members, nervous about losing influence, target the latest favorite with criticism and subversive leaks.

Wolff relies most heavily on comments from Bannon who claims to have staunchly opposed firing FBI Director James Comey. Bannon also described a June meeting with Russians organized by Donald Trump Jr. as “treasonous,” but since Fire and Fury’s publication, Republican donors are said to be abandoning Bannon and he has revised the characterization.

Bannon tried to put up a firewall to stop the president from talking about the investigation, but in a fateful July interview with the New York Times, Trump suggested that Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian influence over the US election, would cross a red line and violate his authority by examining the family’s finances.

Bannon was outraged, pointing out that such advice put the investigators on a trail for money laundering. Bannon’s firing the following month likely ended Wolff’s access.

Bannon’s departure could impact Trump’s China policy. “To Bannon, if not to Trump, the linchpin of Trumpism was China,” Wolff explains. “The story of the next generation, he believed, had been written, and it was about war with China. Commercial war, trade war, cultural war, diplomatic war – it would be an all-encompassing war that few in the United States now understood needed to be fought, and that almost nobody was prepared to fight.”

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Securities and Exchange Commission and a US attorney general are investigating Kushner Cos. for its use of a federal investment-for-visa program. Wolff suggests that Trump is fundamentally an appeaser who does not want to cross the Russians, Chinese or other adversaries.

Art of conflict

Politics during the first year of the Trump administration employed the art of conflict, not compromise, for both domestic and international affairs. Foreign leaders and diplomats should heed this book as a warning: Expect little in the way of reliability, mutual loyalty or confidentiality from this White House.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair met with Kushner in February and, as recounted by Wolff, offered a rumor that the British may have had Trump campaign staff under surveillance. Blair denies the claim, and the CIA advised Kushner the information was incorrect.

Rich with intrigue and irony, the book will disappoint meticulous readers who want to discern which anecdotes were witnessed by Wolff and which came secondhand. He also admits that some tales have multiple versions.

Still, the reporting rings with truth, confirming patterns of behavior on full display since Trump hit the campaign trial. ““It took absolute discipline not to acknowledge what everyone could see,” notes Wolff. The political gossip is entertaining, a fast read, until we remind ourselves of the subject matter and the consequences.

Fire and Fury does not diminish the presidency. The occupants of the White House did this on their own with damage to their own reputations – “We look like buffoons,” was Bannon’s assessment.

Meanwhile, people around the world openly question the judgment of the Trump administration’s staff and the American people. Normally, most would not fear a small group of inept bumblers, but these are not normal times as Congress fails to perform its oversight duty.

Instead, there is everything to fear. – Rappler.com

Susan Froetschel is editor of YaleGlobal Online and the author of mystery novels set in Afghanistan, the most recent of which is Allure of Deceit, published by Seventh Street Books. The books explore the influence of globalization at the local level.

This review was first published on YaleGlobal Online, which explores the implications of the growing interconnectedness of the world by drawing on the rich intellectual resources of the Yale University community, scholars from other universities, and public- and private-sector experts from around the world.

↧

Roque says reduction in PCOO personnel, not tiff with Andanar, caused transcript delay

January 8, 2018, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: FAST FACTS: Who is Normandie Pizarro, the CA justice who freed Joel Reyes?

≪ Previous: Review of 'Fire and Fury': The international implications

ASSURANCES. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque assures reporters that PCOO will continue transcribing his press conferences. Screenshot from Rappler video

When the transcript of Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque's press conference on Monday, January 8 arrived late in Malacañang reporters' inboxes, there was talk that it was because of a growing rift between the spokesman and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

But the day after, on Tuesday, Roque laughed off this theory, saying reporters were just sowing intrigue.

The reason for the late transcript, he said, was the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) adjusting to its loss of personnel given the reduction of its budget this year.

At least, this was how it was explained to him by Assistant Secretary Queenie Rodulfo.

"Wala, absolutely no (fight with Andanar), lightning strike me. Kaya lang ang daming natanggal talaga kasi ang daming items dito sa PCOO na ASEAN-related," said Roque, in a tone meant to appease reporters who cornered him after the Tuesday press conference.

(None, absolutely no, lighting strike me. It's just that many were laid off because many budget items – job positions – in the PCOO were ASEAN-related.)

He was explaining how the PCOO did not renew the contracts of personnel who had been hired to help during the ASEAN summits which took place last year.

And because the ASEAN hosting duties of the Philippines are over, there is no need to retain the budget maintaining extra personnel.

A transcribing division and content department were among those which lost personnel.

"I lost 4 people in content and they lost a whole lot more in that office that used to be transcribing. I was told I will lose my PR (press release) writer so I'm back to writing my own PRs which is no problem," said Roque.

The transcript of his press conference with Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez was sent late likely because PCOO has not adjusted to the reduction in the number of transcribers.

"They are probably still adjusting," said Roque, who could not specify how many transcribers were dropped.

Roque's separate office

He said the personnel problem was compounded by the lack of a Malacañang issuance creating Roque's Office of the Presidential Spokesperson which would allow him to hire more people.

Back in November, he said he would be making changes to his staff after the 2017 Christmas and New Year holidays.

The expected issuance is also supposed to separate Roque's office from PCOO. At the moment, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson us under the PCOO. Former spokesman Ernesto Abella was a PCOO undersecretary while Roque was given the rank of secretary by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The complete January 8 Palace briefing transcript was received by reporters around 6 pm on Monday or 5 hours after the end of the press conference.

This is unusually late given that complete transcripts are typically received within an hour or two after the briefing.

On Tuesday, however, it seemed things were back to normal as the full transcript arrived within the usual timeframe. – Rappler.com

↧

FAST FACTS: Who is Normandie Pizarro, the CA justice who freed Joel Reyes?

January 11, 2018, 2:46 am

≫ Next: Excessive or not? Martin Andanar's 10 trips abroad

≪ Previous: Roque says reduction in PCOO personnel, not tiff with Andanar, caused transcript delay

CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS. Justice Normandie Pizarro has penned some of the Court of Appeals' controversial decisions as of late.

MANILA, Philippines – It is preposterous, premature, and it stinks.

These are some of the words used by the dissenting justices of the Court of Appeals (CA) and Solicitor General Jose Calida to describe the decision of Justice Normandie Pizarro to free former Palawan governor Joel Reyes who was accused of murder.

Pizarro’s ponencia stopped a Palawan court from proceeding to hear the case, ruling without trial that the evidence is insufficient.

Calida said they are ready to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court (SC).

Other decisions

Pizarro has been making controversial decisions lately.

He was the justice who penned the ruling which acquitted Janet Lim Napoles in her case of serious illegal detention. That was in May 2017.

A month before that, in July, he penned the ruling that nullified a Hawaii court decision that granted $2 billion worth of damages to victims of the Martial Law period.

In January this year, he affirmed that decision. Former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Etta Rosales, also a petitioner in the Hawaii case, said they will appeal at the Supreme Court.

In 2016, Pizarro inhibited himself from the case against businessman Roberto V. Ongpin who was accused of insider trading in the sale of Philex Mining Corporation shares back in 2009.

Pizarro said one of the Philex shareholders was his "relative by consanguinity.” In December 2017, CA cleared Ongpin.

A report by The Philippine Star said Pizarro will retire next month, ahead of his mandatory retirement in February 2019.

Justice Pizarro served as trial court judge of Vigan and Candon, Ilocos Sur before being appointed to the Court of Appeals. – Rappler.com

↧

Excessive or not? Martin Andanar's 10 trips abroad

January 7, 2018, 11:24 pm

≫ Next: Duterte’s birthday wish for Alvarez: 'I hope you're married for the last time’

≪ Previous: FAST FACTS: Who is Normandie Pizarro, the CA justice who freed Joel Reyes?

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has been firing officials left and right for supposedly traveling too much. But one top official, a Cabinet member no less, appears to have escaped his notice.

Rappler found that Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has made at least 10 trips abroad in 15 months, from 2016 to 2017.

Duterte fired Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) chairman Terry Ridon, for traveling less – 6 to 8 official trips in 13 months, or roughly the same timeframe.

Andanar, based on photos of his trips posted on his “Martin Andanar” and “Martin Marfori Andanar” Facebook accounts, government releases, and news reports, has gone on at least 10 overseas trips so far. This number excludes the trips he made as part of the President's official delegation.

He went to France twice, dropped by 3 states in the United States, flew to Dubai and the United Kingdom, and traveled all over Asia.

In many of these trips, Andanar met with the information ministries of the countries he visited, or else joined conferences related to transparency initiatives. He also frequently interacted with “Duterte Diehard Supporters” based in those countries.

It was during his United Kingdom visit, for instance, when he made the now controversial "iyot" remark in which he claimed European officials critical of Duterte just need more sex.

His US trip in January 2017 was primarily so he could attend the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, along with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. The President designated Philippine Charge d'Affaires to Washington Patrick Chuasoto to represent him at the inauguration.

But rather than limiting the trip to Washington DC, where the inauguration was held, Andanar also visited New York City and Los Angeles, California. In LA, he touched base with pro-Duterte blogger Maharlika who posted a video of their one-on-one interview.

TRIP TO USA. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar does an interview with pro-administration blogger Maharlika in California. Facebook screenshot

Andanar had said he and Esperon attended “side meetings,” aside from the inauguration.

Here’s a tally of Andanar’s trips, with the dates when the photos were posted, and some of his activities during the trips:

China, November 22, 2017 - China-ASEAN Member States Information Ministerial Meeting
Paris, France, October 24, 2017 - Interacted with Filipinos based in Paris
United Kingdom, October 23, 2017 - Met with Filipinos based in UK, attended seminar in University of Sussex
United Arab Emirates, October 22, 2017 - Spoke to Filipinos based in UAE at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai
Australia, August 31, 2017 - Attended event organized by Federation University Australia as distinguished alumnus
Hong Kong, June 14, 2017 - Attended APAC News Literacy Group event co-organized by University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA)
Australia, February 18, 2017 - Met with Global Chinese News Corp, interacted with Filipinos based in Melbourne, gave interviews to Australian media
United States, January 2017

New York City, January 25, 2017 - Had a meal with Adrian Chen, writer for The New Yorker
Los Angeles, California, January 23, 2017 - Was interviewed by pro-Duterte blogger Maharlika, interacted with Filipino-Americans
Washington DC, January 20-23, 2017 - Attended Trump inauguration, met with US-Philippines Society and Center for Strategic and International Studies

Paris, France, December 7, 2016 - Attended Open Government Summit with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Senator Grace Poe
Malaysia, August 15, 2016 - Accompanied Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza and other officials for negotiations between government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front

The frequency of Andanar's foreign trips is comparable to that of former PCUP chairman Terry Ridon.

Six of Ridon's trips were for him to attend international conferences related to urban poverty or development issues.

While Ridon's trips took place between October 2016 and November 2017, a period of 13 months, Andanar's trips took place from August 2017 to November 2017, or a period of 15 months.

Six of Ridon's trips are listed below:

Ecuador, October 2016 - UN Habitat III
India, December 2016 - Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development
Morocco, December 2016 - 22nd Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
China, August 2017 - study visit
New York, USA, September 2017 - High-level Meeting of UN General Assembly on the New Urban Agenda and UN-Habitat
Germany, November 2017 - 23rd Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Andanar, responding to Rappler, said he does not think any of the trips he made were unnecessary.

"The trips that we made in the PCOO, that I made in the PCOO, had the approval of the Executive Secretary....All of the trips that I’ve made in 2016 and 2017 are justified," he said on Thursday, January 11.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra, however, had previously cautioned officials against using Malacañang-signed travel authorities to defend their trips.

Andanar also said that at least two of the trips he made were shouldered by other entities, and not the Philippine government. These are the trips to United Kingdom, paid for by an NGO called Making All Voices Count, and to China paid for by the Chinese government.

Andanar said many of his foreign trips were to boost the PCOO's capability and know-how in fighting fake news, an online phenomenon that has endangered democracies all over the world.

"It was made for PCOO to get more info about fake news...to really update ourselves with what is happening on the news front. We know the issue here is fake news, so that was a very timely seminar," Andanar told Rappler.

His own agency, however, has been charged with spreading fake news or inaccurate information. (READ: State-sponsored hate: The rise of the pro-Duterte bloggers)

PCOO Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson has had to fend off criticism that she uses her Facebook account to spread fake news favorable to President Duterte.

Exceptions to ‘no junket’ rule?

Does Malacañang consider Andanar’s trips excessive and unnecessary?

So far, Malacañang has not called out Andanar or asked him to explain his travels – contrary to how Malacañang had asked 5 Energy Regulatory Commission executives to explain their alleged "extravagant" travels, when it got wind of this.

IN FRANCE. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno attend the Open Government Summit in France. Photo from Martin Andanar's Facebook page

A Palace source close to the President said Duterte is unaware of how many overseas trips Andanar has taken.

Andanar’s case will test Duterte’s “no junkets” policy. How is Andanar's case different from that of Ridon's, based on Malacañang's definition of an "extravagant" trip?

Past cases show that Duterte typically fires an official after receiving a complaint against them. So far, no such complaint has been formally made against Andanar.

Yet there have been instances when complaints have been made about a jetsetting official, with no action from Duterte or Malacañang.

One example is Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief operating officer Cesar Montano.

He was the subject of a complaint penned by TPB employees accusing him of using government funds to pay for “personal travels.” Another claim was that some of his trips were not sanctioned by travel authorization documents.

The Presidential Action Center in Malacañang received the complaint against Montano on March 1, 2017.

Yet Montano, a popular actor who helped Duterte’s presidential campaign, remains in his post. The complaint against him didn’t even warrant a public admonition from the President.

Compared to Duterte’s treatment of Ridon and Maritime Industry Authority administrator Marcial Amaro III, Montano seemed untouchable.

Is Duterte being selective on which globe-trotting official stays or goes?

An even higher-ranking official landed in controversy for supposedly promoting junketeering. Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo was accused of greenlighting an 8-day junket to Iceland and Norway that was to have taken place in July 2017.

After public condemnation, the trip was canceled. If the trip had pushed through, would Duterte have fired Teo or told her off?

Were Andanar's trips necessary?

Andanar himself condemned the practice of junketeering by some government officials during a radio interview on Friday, January 5.

Speaking to former senator and radio anchor Orly Mercado in an interview on DWFM, Andanar said the strategy of some officials is to attend a one-day or two-day conference abroad and then extend their trip by a few more days for sightseeing and relaxation, all at the expense of taxpayers’ money.

Andanar reminded public servants to be more circumspect about their travels.

“It has to be a trip that is worthwhile. And also a trip that will not waste the money of our fellow Filipinos, the taxpayers, because that trip is sure to help in the development and progress of their agency,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

IN AUSTRALIA. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar attends an event with Filipinos based in Australia in Melbourne. Photo from Martin Andanar Facebook

It’s a reminder that can apply to Andanar's own trips as well. If he was tasked to attend the Trump inauguration in Washington DC in January 2017, why the need to extend his trip to visit Los Angeles and New York City?

How relevant were his meetings there with the US-Philippines Society and Center for Strategic and International Studies to his mandate as PCOO Secretary?

In the spirit of frugality and wise spending, was it necessary for Andanar himself to participate in the Open Government Summit in Paris in December 2016 when his undersecretary Kris Ablan, who is in charge of the FOI program, was already in attendance?

To widen the scope of inquiry to include PCOO’s spending on its other officials’ foreign travels, was it necessary for Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York where neither Duterte nor Andanar were present.

The Philippines was instead represented by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano who had his own communications staff. Uson’s mandate is limited to presidential communications.

Andanar's explanation for this is that Cayetano himself "requested" for Uson to accompany him to the international summit.

Taxpayers will always applaud government policies that promote wiser spending of public funds, but such policies must apply to all and favor no one.

Malacañang seeks to implement guidelines on foreign trips taken by executive branch officials and employees but its new memorandum suffers from vague wording.

Part of the criteria for the approval of a trip is that the trip must provide "substantial" benefit and that expenses for it should not be "excessive." Without more concrete benchmarks, this criteria is again in danger of being abused. – Rappler.com

↧

Duterte’s birthday wish for Alvarez: 'I hope you're married for the last time’

January 12, 2018, 10:24 pm

≫ Next: ‘Do you wish Gigi Reyes to be freed?’ and other questions for Enrile

≪ Previous: Excessive or not? Martin Andanar's 10 trips abroad

ALLIES. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who turned 60 on January 10, 2018, welcomes President Rodrigo Duterte to his birthday celebration in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Photo from Malacañang

President Rodrigo Duterte poked fun at the relationship status of longtime friend and political ally Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday, January 12.

Duterte delivered a speech in honor of the Davao del Norte 1st District representative during his birthday celebration held in Tagum, Alvarez’s hometown.

The President first said he valued Alvarez’s hard work and commitment as a politician and thanked him for being his “friend and ally.” But he soon cracked a joke about the Speaker's first two marriages.

“I wish you the best in your future endeavors. Here is another fulfilling year of good health, happiness, and success. Mr Speaker, I hope that you are married for the last time,” said Duterte, causing laughter among the crowd filled with administration allies

Alvarez is currently in a relationship with Jennifer Maliwanag. He has long been separated from his second wife, Emelita, with whom he has 4 children. He has two more children from a first marriage.

Duterte and Alvarez, who were both part of the 11th Congress, are alike in many ways. Both are from Mindanao, stalwarts of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), and self-confessed ladies’ men.

The President had even defended Alvarez when he was criticized for admitting he had a girlfriend despite still being married. (READ: Alvarez defends affair: 'Sino ba'ng walang girlfriend?’)

A fight between the Speaker’s girlfriend and that of Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative Antonio Floirendo led to the bitter political feud of the former friends. (READ: Davao del Norte district budget cut is Alvarez's ‘political vendetta’ – Floirendo)

The President opened his usual rambling speech at Alvarez's birthday bash with a mini-tribute to the Speaker as among the people who had repeatedly convinced him to run for president. – Rappler.com

↧

‘Do you wish Gigi Reyes to be freed?’ and other questions for Enrile

January 12, 2018, 10:33 pm

≫ Next: Joint voting on Cha-Cha? Senate's problems, plans against it

≪ Previous: Duterte’s birthday wish for Alvarez: 'I hope you're married for the last time’

DUO. Marcos-time executives Juan Ponce Enrile and Estelito Mendoza attend a hearing at the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on January 12, 2018, where the former is facing plunder charges over the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam. Photo by Lian Buan/Rappler

Juan Ponce Enrile has not been in the public eye lately. To those wondering, the former senator who is turning 94 next month appears to be quite healthy and strong for his age, and still very sharp.

When Enrile was willing to be interviewed after his hearing at the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Friday, January 12, reporters took the chance to pick his brain on the most pressing issues of the country. After all, he remains to be one of the country’s brightest legal minds despite his involvement in scandals, topped by the pork barrel scam. (READ: Enrile's tale: Hypocrisy and contradictions)

Insights

Enrile favored President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao, even its re-extension for another year. Of course, one has to remember that Enrile, who was defense minister of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, was the architect and implementer of the nearly 10-year martial rule marked as one of the darkest era in Philippine history.

“The President was correct (in proclaiming martial law),” Enrile said. “Marawi was just a battle. The fact that the government has succeeded in controlling the situation in that battle has not solved the problem. The problem is still there. Don’t kid yourselves, if you do not have a system to control the situation it will explode again."

As the Duterte administration worked on the shift to federalism, Enrile refused to discuss the merits of postponing the elections, or extending Duterte’s term.

“I’m not prepared to say good or not good. You cannot violate the Constitution, you have to apply it for as long as it is not amended,” Enrile said, adding that when the Charter is amended, “anything is possible provided it’s approved by the people."

Enrile called the drafters of the 1987 Constitution “careless” as the Charter is silent on how Congress should vote if it is convened into a Constitutional Assembly (Con-Ass) to amend the Constitution.

Like other senators, Enrile believed the House of Representatives and the Senate must vote separately.

“They are two houses, they have two rules, they have two quorums, they have two presiding officers, they have to maintain their distinctness. Otherwise, you do not need the Senate to be in the Batasang Pambansa to be in the proceedings because it’s a question of numbers,” the former Senate president said.

Enrile and Mendoza

Enrile attended on Friday what was supposed to be the start of the pre-trial of his plunder charges at the Sandiganbayan but it was reset due to the unfinished marking of evidence. The Sandiganbayan's Third Division again scheduled the whole months of March and April to get this done.

Of the 3 senators charged of plunder in the pork barrel scam, Enrile's case was the only one at the pre-trial level, as he scored a significant Supreme Court victory that required the Sandiganbayan to provide him with specifics. The credit goes to his lawyer, veteran litigator and Marcos-time solicitor general Estelito Mendoza, who also got him out on bail despite his plunder case.

Responding to questions, Enrile said he didn't see the need to be hands-on with his case. "I do not want to be a lawyer of my case. I leave it to my lawyers, I have full confidence in the ability of my lawyers."

Gigi Reyes

His case, of course, includes his former chief of staff, lawyer Gigi Reyes, who whistleblower Ruby Tuason pointed to as the one she transacted with in the pork barrel scam.

Reyes, who has been detained for almost 4 years, was Enrile’s girlfriend, his wife Cristina herself confirmed in a television interview in 2014. Enrile's ex-wife said the long-time relationship with Reyes prompted her to seek a divorce.

We asked Enrile about Reyes, whose bail petition is set to be resolved by the Sandiganbayan's Third Division.

“I will not react to the case where I am involved. It’s improper for me to make a statement one way or the other,” Enrile said.

A reporter pressed him, "But do you personally wish she be freed soon?"

Enrile gave a general answer. “Given the fact that they’ve been detained for some time now, i think there’s no way for them to escape or avoid the charge, they should be given at least temporary liberty, by way of bail."

Enrile was referring to Reyes, former senator Bong Revilla, and other former Senate staff detained over the pork barrel scam.

On alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, who was also detained, Enrile said, “I do not know the extent of the responsibility of Napoles.”

‘I have no secret’

Finally, a reporter asked perhaps the number one question on everybody’s mind: How is his health?

“I’m still standing anyway. There is one sickness that all of us must go through, and that is aging. And whatever you may say, life is uncertain. You are alive today, tomorrow you can be dead,” Enrile said.

His secret to staying strong? Apparently nothing. “I have no secret. I eat anything. I’m very moderate in my habits,” he said.

Enrile said that he still reads a lot of books through the aid of a magnifying glass.

“My only problem is my hearing and my eyesight. I can see all of you but I have to use a magnifying glass to read. But I’m still reading books, studying the country, studying the world, studying the planet,” Enrile said. – Rappler.com

↧

Joint voting on Cha-Cha? Senate's problems, plans against it

January 13, 2018, 6:00 pm

≫ Next: Sereno, staff flew business while Marquez stayed in economy

≪ Previous: ‘Do you wish Gigi Reyes to be freed?’ and other questions for Enrile

JOINT VOTING. Senators oppose joint voting on Charter Change. File photo by Camille Elemia/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Senators are vehemently opposed to proposals for a joint voting on Charter Change in a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).

It’s a unifying issue among members of the majority and minority blocs. After all, the Senate’s voice would be practically drowned out by the nearly 300-member House of Representatives. (READ: The problem with Con-Ass? Distrust of Congress)

If the Senate’s vote is needed on ordinary bills such as the changing of schools’ names, why not on the crucial task of amending the Constitution?

The confusion lies in the very Charter they are seeking to change. Article 17, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution states that any amendment or revision may be proposed by Congress, upon a vote of 3/4 of all its members (Con-Ass). It is silent on the manner of voting.

This is sure to reach the Supreme Court (SC), the final arbiter of the law. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon earlier said the minority bloc is "open" to questioning it before the High Court.

But what exactly are the senators’ issues against joint voting on Charter Change?

Senate’s ‘death’

While both chambers of Congress are deemed equal, there are differences in how they are elected.

Senators are elected on a national level while representatives are elected locally. Amending a Constitution would affect the nation, including its national security, economy, foreign policy, and its type of government.

With only 23 sitting members, the Senate would be deemed useless in joint voting with the House. No senator would want to become irrelevant.

Initially, some senators like Drilon and Grace Poe wanted a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to amend the Charter. With President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement pushing for Con-Ass, some have already conceded but with the condition that there should be separate voting.

“Given the extent of the proposed changes in the Constitution, I maintain that having a Constitutional Convention is the best and most acceptable mode to take, even if it appears impractical to some… Any move for a literal interpretation that would obliterate the relevance of the entire Senate by the 300-member lower House in the voting must be rejected for being contrary to the spirit of the 1987 Constitution,” Poe said in a statement.

“Yes, if we vote jointly, we become irrelevant. That is an unfortunate interpretation… If the Senate’s vote is needed to change the name of a high school, I cannot imagine that the framers of the Constitution contemplated of the situation where the Senate’s vote is just equivalent to that of 290 or so congressmen in a joint voting. No senator will agree to this kind of interpretation,” Drilon said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson shared the same sentiment and said agreeing to it would be like a “death warrant” for the chamber.

No checks and balances

Should there be joint voting, Lacson argued that there would no longer be checks and balances between the two chambers.

The House, filled with Duterte allies, could easily decide on the amendments, with the Senate having practically no say on the matter. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has floated the idea of a "no-election" scenario in 2019, which senators opposed.

“Kung isang buong Constituent Assembly ang both Houses, Lower House at Upper House, wala nang checks and balances. Unang-una, kakainin kaming lahat ng boto ng mga kongresista. 'Yan ang puwede sabihin, ako siguro subjectively, dahil this early nakikita na natin sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga pahayag sa media kung ano ang kanilang real intentions,” Lacson said.

(If both Houses will be part of one Constituent Assembly, there will be no checks and balances. First, the senators' votes will be eaten by the votes of the congressmen. That's what I can say because this early, we can all see through their media statements what their real intentions are.)

Senator Francis Pangilinan also questioned the House's intentions and said it could not be trusted to amend the Charter.

“After witnessing the congressional hearings on extrajudicial killings, on Senator [Leila] de Lima's alleged connection with drug syndicates, on the P6.4-billion [Bureau of Customs] shabu smuggling scandal allegedly involving the Davao Group, the impeachment of Chief Justice [Maria Lourdes] Sereno, the approval of the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, the slashing of the [Commission on Human Rights] budget to P1,000 pesos, will you trust Congress with Charter Change? And if your answer is 'No,' are you just going to sit and watch should Congress proceed to amend the Constitution?” Pangilinan said.

It is also usually the House that is more likely to follow the wishes of the Duterte administration than the Senate. Senators are also more sensitive to public opinion and feedback, as there are only 23 of them.

“Ang problema, ang ibang congressman naman parang gigil na gigil magkaroon ng no-el... Kitang-kita mo ang parang intention nila, hidden agenda ng iba. Kaya sila boboto and I hope, and I am confident sa mga kasamahan ko sa Senate, hindi ganoon ang pananaw. Ako kumpiyansa ako roon kasi kabisado ko kasamahan ko na may delicadeza kasi bilang na bilang kami. Kitang-kita sila. Sa HOR 'di masyadong makikita... So papayag ba sila na ang tingin sa kanila 'di sila mapagkatiwalaan, mga balasubas sila? 'Di sila siguro papayag na ganoon,” Lacson said, referring to his reelectionist and graduating colleagues.

(The problem is that some congressmen are eager to have a no-elections scenario. You can see their intention, hidden agenda. That's why they're going to vote. I hope, and I am confident, that my colleagues in the Senate do not share the same sentiment. I am confident because I know them, they have delicadeza. We are just a few members here. The public would see them, unlike in the House, where they could vote and not get noticed. So will my colleagues allow that they go down in history as not trustworthy and as swindlers? They won't agree to that.)

SC, plans ahead

With all this, the Senate has anticipated several scenarios and plans, ultimately ending at the SC.

Drilon earlier said the minority could question the joint voting before the High Court.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III is set to file a resolution calling for a joint session with the House for a Con-Ass but with separate voting.

But for Lacson, this could pose a threat to the Senate. He explained that a case would likely be filed before the SC. If the SC decides for joint voting and the Senate is already in a joint session with the House, it would be like a death sentence to the upper chamber.

“Sinasabi ko para kaming nagpirma 'pag nag-affix kami ng signature namin sa resolution na 'yan na mag-joint session kami with the Lower House, parang death warrant namin 'yan, parang pinatay namin ang sariling institution namin which is the Senate,” said Lacson.

(I'm saying if we affix our signature to the resolution calling for a joint session with the House, it's like signing our death warrant. We're killing our own institution which is the Senate.)

Lacson is instead filing a resolution calling for the Senate to constitute itself as a Con-Ass. The ideal scenario is like in passing ordinary legislation: both chambers would constitute themselves as Con-Ass separately, propose their own amendments, and vote separately. A bicameral conference committee would then be convened to thresh out differences between the two versions.

To speed up the process, Lacson said the two chambers, in backchannel talks, could discuss disagreeing provisions and settle them.

"Ang logic dito, ang pilosopiya rito, kung ang simpleng legislation na mag-amend tayo ng batas nangangailangan tayo ng participation on equal footing, participation ng Senado at Kongreso, what more ang i-a-amend natin ang Saligang Batas mismo?" Lacson said.

(The logic here, the philosophy here is if there is equal participation and footing in amending laws, participation of both the Senate and the House, what more if we are amending the Constitution itself?)

Timeline

It’s highly likely that should there be Charter Change, it would be through a Con-Ass. Ultimately, it would be up to the SC, which is rocked by an impeachment complaint against its chief magistrate.

Another issue is time. Lawmakers have to discuss and decide on the impeachment complaint, which is expected to reach the Senate for trial. By October 2018, reelectionists are set to file their certificates of candidacy for the 2019 midterm elections. It’s as good as the campaign season, as politicians would start going around the country.

“Depende kung anong magiging process nang pag-propose ng amendments. Kung mai-stuck kasi sa voting jointly or separately, 'di kakayanin. 'Pag transmit ng impeachment, which in all likelihood ma-transmit, bawas 'yun [sa oras]. Lalong mahihirapan,” Lacson said.

(Depends on the kind of process in proposing amendments. If we get stuck in the issue of voting jointly or separately, we cannot do that by then. If the impeachment complaint is transmitted, which in all likelihood it will be, it would lessen the time for Cha-Cha. We will have difficulty.)

Whether or not a new Constitution could be presented to the public through a plebiscite in May 2019 remains unclear to date. After all, Congress has yet to hurdle the technical issue of voting before it could go to the more important discussions on the amendments. – Rappler.com

↧

Sereno, staff flew business while Marquez stayed in economy

January 15, 2018, 5:26 pm

≫ Next: What you need to know about Charter Change

≪ Previous: Joint voting on Cha-Cha? Senate's problems, plans against it

ECONOMY CLASS. Court Administrator Midas Marquez says he once flew economy while Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, her staff and security detail flew business class. Photo by Darren Langit/Rappler

One of the accusations against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is that she used court funds for lavish travels, including flying business class.

One story that has been circulating in court circles, as well as justice reporters, is that there was a time when Sereno flew business while other justices stayed back in economy.

On Monday, January 15, during the continuation of the House justice committee's hearing on the impeachment complaint against Sereno, Court Administrator Midas Marquez set the story straight.

It was he who flew economy in the same flight that Sereno, her staff and security detail flew business.

Marquez said that at least since the time of Chief Justice Reynato Puno, justices and the court administrator are entitled to fly business class, whether they're flying domestic or international.

Marquez claimed that when he became court administrator, he told the court personnel in charge of booking flights that if he's only flying domestic, he wouldn't mind flying economy.

"Yung request ko pong yun, umabot po hanggang sa panahon ni Justice Sereno kaya nung minsan nung pumunta po kami ng Cebu, pagbalik po sabay-sabay kaming bumalik sa Maynila kasama si Chief Justice, yung staff niya, at security, nandun po ako sa economy, yung staff nya at security, iba, nandun po sila sa business class," Marquez told a probing panel.

(That request of mine was continued through to Justice Sereno's time. So when we went to Cebu, and when we flew back to Manila, she stayed in business class with her staff and security, while I stayed in economy.)

Marquez, upon the pressing of committee chairman Reynaldo Umali, stressed however that only justices and the court administrator are entitled to a business class flight, not anyone else.

Asked who paid for their flights, Marquez said: "I would like to think, maaari pong (it could have been the) Supreme Court."

Egged to say how he feels having to fly economy, Marquez laughed it off and said, "It was just one hour anyway."

The Court Administrator has the same rank as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals.

So far in the hearings, Marquez revealed that in several of Sereno's contested actions, it was his authority that was sidelined.

On Monday, Marquez was joined by Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin, Diosdado Peralta, and Samuel Martires, who repeated their colleagues' earlier accusations against the Chief Justice, such as contributing to the delay of granting survivorship benefits, and the transfer of Maute cases.

The hearing lasted 12 hours. – Rappler.com

↧

What you need to know about Charter Change

January 15, 2018, 5:38 pm

≫ Next: Bong Go intervenes in P15.5-B project to acquire PH warships

≪ Previous: Sereno, staff flew business while Marquez stayed in economy

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has been pushing for a shift to federalism even before he was elected into office in 2016. Now, with the aid of his allies in Congress, the process of constitutional reform has begun.

The two houses of Congress are looking into convening into a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) but that would need a vote of three-fourths of all members. The Senate and the House of Representatives, however, differ on whether to vote jointly or separately as the 1987 Philippine Constitution is silent on the manner of voting.

This is just one of the many issues that need to be threshed out in the bid to amend the Constitution, a process that needs to be closely monitored, according to constitutional law experts Rappler talked to.

What are the other important questions that need to be raised?

What is Charter Change?

Also called constitutional reform, Charter Change (Cha-Cha) refers to amendments or revisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

What are the changes that can be implemented?

Bodies can either propose amendments or revisions to the 1987 Constitution.

Amendments refer to changes that do not affect the overall structure and basic principles of the Constitution. Revisions are changes that involve alterations in the structure.

For example, changing the provision on the term limit of the President is an amendment while an overhaul of the government structure to federalism is a revision.

How can the 1987 Philippine Constitution be changed?

The process of changing the Constitution, according to retired Supreme Court (SC) justice Vicente Mendoza, can be categorized into two stages – the proposal stage and the ratification stage.

In the first stage, changes are proposed by a Con-Ass or a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), or through a People’s Initiative.

Congress, through a vote of three-fourths of all members, can convene into a Con-Ass. This body can propose both amendments and revisions.

A Con-Con is made up of elected delegates and can propose both amendments and revisions. Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of its members, can call for an election of its members.

A People’s Initiative can only propose amendments through a petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters, according to Article XVII of the Constitution. The process is provided in Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act.

What’s a more ‘suitable’ method among the 3 ways to propose changes?

For retired SC justice Adolfo Azcuna, one of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, “all are suitable.”

“All are suitable, one is not considered as exclusive,” Azcuna told Rappler. “They can be resorted to as needed so hindi naman na dapat ganito lang (it's not necessarily just this way)….They're all equally good and effective means if pursued properly.”

The dominant move right now is for the Congress to convene into a Con-Ass because, according to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, it is “cheaper and faster.” In fact, on Monday, January 15, Senator Panfilo Lacson filed Senate Resolution 580 for the Senate to constitute itself into a component of the bicameral Con-Ass.

While there is no best way to amend the Constitution, UP law professor Dante Gatmaytan noted that Duterte allies dominate Congress.

“An assembly beholden to the President may not necessarily produce the best document,” he said. “Any project that involves drafting the fundamental law of the land will benefit from serious deliberation founded on contending views, not a mere collection of yes men.”

Mendoza, meanwhile, preferred a Con-Con even if the process is costlier, considering the envisioned end-product of the process – a shift to federalism.

“A change to a federal system is a real paradigm shift in our constitutional order requiring the calling of a Con-Con, and the expense of holding it in order to have a real representative assembly of the people to undertake such a momentous change should not deter us from holding one,” he told Rappler.

“If we can spend billions of pesos on infrastructure projects, we should be willing to spend a fortune on the infrastructure of government for the nation,” Mendoza added.

But there are two chambers in Congress. How will they vote in a Constituent Assembly?

Unfortunately, Article XVII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is silent on the manner of voting. It does not indicate whether the two chambers should vote jointly or separately during the process of changing the Constitution.

While there are proposals from the House to vote jointly, senators have expectedly opposed the move. It has become a “unifying issue” among members of the majority and minority bloc in the Senate. (READ: Joint voting on Cha-Cha? Senate's problems, plans against it)

Some senators have agreed to convene Congress into a Con-Ass on the condition that the two houses vote separately. With the nearly 300-member House against the 23-member Senate, the voice of the Senate would be deemed irrelevant in a joint vote.

“Voting jointly means that the House alone decides the issue because they outnumber the senators,” Gatmaytan said. “That is why the Senate wants ‘separately’ especially if the proposal is to make a unicameral Congress.”

He also said that the issue on voting will most likely reach the High Court.

Azcuna, for his part said, "We have still a system under this Constitution that an interpretation can be made by those implementing it and ultimately by the Supreme Court."

After the body approves the proposals, what happens now?

Once the proposals are “approved” in the first stage – regardless of whether done through a Con-Ass or Con-Con – these will be subject to a national plebiscite.

Amendments or revisions are only valid once ratified by a majority of votes, according to Article XVII of the Constitution.

The schedule of the national plebiscite, to be set by Congress, should be within 60 to 90 days after the body approves the proposal.

According to Mendoza, the period before the national plebiscite is ideally the time proposals are discussed with the public. This information dissemination would help the people decide on how to vote.

“There should be a public discussion in the newspapers, in the schools, wherever people gather,” he said. “The idea is for them to keep talking within that period, that's the study period and it’s the duty of the people, as citizens of an independent nation, to study the proposals very well.”

A national plebiscite is an exercise in the "power of the people" when it comes to the law.

"To change the Constitution, the power is with the people. Not even Congress – Congress can only propose changes but the change must be done by the people so it is what you call the constitution of sovereignty. Sovereignty is the highest power of the people to make or change the law.

What should the public watch out for?

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and will affect each individual in the country, including future generations. It is necessary then to keep a close watch over the Cha-Cha process.

According to Gatmaytan, the public should monitor “every aspect of the amendment process” and be wary of watered-down and abusive provisions such as those on accountability of public officials and term limits.

“We should maintain a strong system of checks and balances that prevents the abuse of political powers,” he explained.

Mendoza, meanwhile, encouraged the people to monitor the proceedings “from the very start,” particularly the proposal stage, to lead to a “success of constitutional government in this country.”

“How many times do we have to remind ourselves that eternal vigilance is the price we have to pay not only for our liberties but to have good government?" he said. “Bad government is what we get for public indifference to the most important task of writing the basic document of our nation.”

Mendoza said anyone who is against any proposal should speak up immediately and not wait until the last minute.

“The point is, if you are opposed to the proposal, doon pa lang sa umpisa ay kontrahin mo na (oppose it from the very start) by all means available to you,” he said. “Write about them, oppose them in public assemblies. Do not wait until ratification kasi late na iyan (because it would be too late.)”

For Azcuna, there is a need to monitor the transitory provisions.

“Every constitution would contain a transitory provision, meaning rules that will apply between the passage of the new constitution and the full implementation of the new constitution,” he said. “Iyon ang bantayan dahil baka maraming itatago diyan (That’s what should be monitored because a lot of provisions may be hidden there).” – With reports from Sofia Tomacruz/Rappler.com

↧

Bong Go intervenes in P15.5-B project to acquire PH warships

January 15, 2018, 8:31 am

≫ Next: LOOK BACK: Past Charter Change attempts and why they failed

≪ Previous: What you need to know about Charter Change

Part 1

POST-IT NOTE. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asks former Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Mercado to respond to issues raised by Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go about the P15.5-billion project to acquire Philippine warships. Screenshot of a sourced document

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte's right hand man, Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go, intervened in the multi-billion-peso project to acquire two brand new frigates or warships for the Philippine Navy (PN), documents obtained by Rappler show.

In January 2017, Go gave Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana a white paper endorsing a supplier that now stands to be selected to provide the critical Combat Management System (CMS) to be installed in the warships. The total project cost is P15.5 billion.

Go's office also asked a Navy officer involved in the implementation of the project – then Frigate Project Technical Working Group chairman Commodore Robert Empedrad – to a meeting in Malacañang to discuss the selection of the CMS. Empedrad would later submit a written report addressed to Duterte and Go.

Go issued a blanket denial when reached for comment, saying he never intervened in the project. He said he did not give Lorenzana any white paper related to the project nor asked Empedrad to brief him on the CMS selection.

Go said someone might be using his name.

"I have not intervened in the procurement of DND of its computer system for its ships. I have not participated nor intervened, directly or indirectly, in the transactions of DND," Go told Rappler reporter Pia Ranada.

Lorenzana also denied that Go intervened. But signed documents provided by sources privy to the project showed otherwise.

Big-ticket AFP modernization project

The frigates project is one of the big-ticket modernization projects initiated and practically completed during the administration of Benigno Aquino III, and finalized and signed in the early months of the Duterte administration. It is the Department of National Defense (DND) that conducts bidding for projects of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) won the bid to build two ships for the Philippine Navy. Under the contract, the South Korean company will also acquire several systems – based on the technical requirements of the Philippine Navy – from secondary suppliers to install in these ships.

The importance of the CMS, considered the heart of warships, cannot be understated. It integrates real-time data from all the ship's sensors and data from other parties or other nearby ships necessary for situational awareness at sea.

Former Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Mercado stood by another CMS supplier that technical working groups from the Navy selected as most suitable for the warships. (READ: PH Navy relieved after disagreement over P16-B warships)

Mercado's actions would cost him his post. Just before Christmas last year, he was unceremoniously relieved for alleged insubordination.

The officer that Go asked to meet in Malacañang – now Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad – was installed Navy officer-in-charge in a hastily organized change of command ceremony on December 19, 2017.

The DND has submitted to Malacañang names for Mercado's permanent successor. Empedrad is among them.

Go's white paper in January 2017

A year ago, in the first week January 2017, Go gave Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana a white paper expressing preference for Hanwha Thales, another South Korean company, to provide the CMS.

Lorenzana gave the white paper to Mercado. He wrote on an attached Post-it note:

1/12/17

To: Admiral Mercado

Ronald,

This was given to me by Bong Go.

Go over it and prepare a report/rebuttal

to be submitted to the Pres.

(Signature)

The white paper argued "there is no specific logic or justification on the preferred list of PN where seven (7) equipment of Thales are included." It was referring to the other supplier – Tacticos Thales of The Netherlands – that the Philippine Navy preferred.

It also trashed the Dutch company that supposedly caused many countries "suffering from their poor supports of logistics services and upgrade of their outdated CMS."

In contrast, the white paper gave a glowing endorsement of Hanwha Thales to counter arguments raised against it.

"Hanwha will provide the Philippine Navy the most economic and effective logistics and upgrade etc (almost free riding or on boarding) after delivery or brand new CMS with the logistics support based on large number of ships and continuous upgrade/modernization policy of Korean Navy with government funding supports," the white paper read.

Meeting in Malacañang

INVITATION. Philippine Navy's OIC chief Commodore Robert Empedrad was invited to Malacanang to discuss the frigates project. Sourced document

A week after Go gave Lorenzana the white paper, his office sent a letter to Empedrad inviting him to Malacañang on January 20, 2017, to discuss the CMS Selection.

The letter was signed by Undersecretary Christopher Lao of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. Rappler has no details about the meeting in Malacañang nor the people who attended it.

Go claimed he didn't know about it and that Lao had long left his office. (Lao is now Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board CEO and commissioner.)

But Empedrad sent a report to Malacañang 3 days later, dated January 23, 2017, addressed to the President and Go. He upheld that Tacticos Thales was the better supplier of CMS and debunked most of the arguments that favored Hanwha Thales.

Go told Rappler he also didn't know about this report.

Empedrad wrote, "The Frigate Acquisition Project PMT (Project Management Team) sustains its preference on Tacticos of Thales Nederlands as the CMS for the two PN Frigates."

The debate did not end there, however. For the rest of the year, the DND and the Navy continued to discuss which company should supply the CMS, delaying the project altogether.

In early December 2017, a supposed copy of Lorenzana's letter to Duterte circulated in the military. It was calling for the removal of Mercado over his insistence on Tacticos Thales.

When Rappler asked Lorenzana to confirm it, he said, "Look. I did not sign it." A week later, Malacañang ordered the relief of Mercado. – with reports from Pia Ranada/Rappler.com

Part 2 will compare the CMS of Tacticos Thales and Hanwha Thales

↧

LOOK BACK: Past Charter Change attempts and why they failed

January 16, 2018, 2:16 pm

≫ Next: Lacson praises 'elevated level of discourse' at Senate Cha-Cha hearing

≪ Previous: Bong Go intervenes in P15.5-B project to acquire PH warships

ATTEMPTS. Several administrations have tried to change the 1987 Constitution, which was created over 30 years ago. Photo by Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Since the adoption of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, past administrations have attempted to change the nation’s foremost document. Critics and defenders of the Constitution know that it is not flawless, yet all attempts at changing it – in part or in whole have failed. (READ: What you need to know about Charter Change)

According to Dante Gatmaytan of the University of the Philippines College of Law, much of the skepticism towards Charter Change (Cha-Cha) is founded on the Marcos era. The 1987 Constitution was crafted as the country was emerging from the decades-long Martial Law period under former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

“Our skepticism is rooted in the Marcos era where the dictator used constitutional change to duck term limits. Since that trust was betrayed, politicians have not earned our respect,” Gatmaytan said.

Retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Vicente Mendoza added, “The reason the many attempts of Congress or groups to change the 1987 Constitution failed is not by reason of intrinsic merit. It is because the attempts were viewed as nothing but veiled attempts to extend the term of office of the President. That is the simple reason.”

Still, the issue of Cha-Cha has been brought up by almost every administration since Martial Law. What did the attempts seek to achieve and why did they fail?

INITIATIVE. Charter Change under former President Fidel Ramos was done by way of People's Initiative. File photo by Rappler

Ramos Administration

What they wanted: In 1997, the People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action (PIRMA), sought a parliamentary system of government and the amendment of Article 7, Section 4, of the 1987 Constitution, which states the the president is not eligible for re-election. According to previous Newsbreak reports, PIRMA was the brainchild of Jose Almonte, then President Fidel Ramos’ national security adviser.

How they tried to achieve it: The attempt was done by way of People’s Initiative where a signature campaign, which claimed to have gathered 11.5 million signatures was submitted to the Supreme Court for decision.

Why it failed: According to retired SC Justice Adolfo Azcuna, when the proposal reached the Court, it ruled that the people’s initiative was inadequate as it was asking for revision to the Constitution, rather than an amendment.

“We decided that the people's initiative then that reached the court was for a revision rather than an amendment, and therefore beyond the competence of a initiative to effect,” he said.

Charter Change by way of people’s initiative can only propose amendments, not revisions to the Constitution.

SECOND ATTEMPT. Despite being a critic of Charter Change under the Ramos adminstration, Estrada himself attempted to amend the Constitution. File photo by Rappler

Estrada Administration

What they wanted: In 1999, a second attempt to amend the constitution was floated by the administration of President Joseph Estrada. Despite being a critic of Cha-Cha under Ramos, Estrada formed the Constitutional Correction for Development (Concord), which pushed for the lifting of restrictions on the foreign ownership of business.

In a final report from the Philippine Commission on Constitutional Reform formed by the president, it was recommended that foreign ownership on land, public utilities, schools, mass media, mining firms, and advertising agencies be removed.

How they tried to achieve it: Though it was never clearly stated how Cha-Cha would be pursued, some experts say the movement was towards a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).

From The 1987 Constitution: To change or not to change authored by lawyer Antonio La Viña and Joy Aceron, associate director for Social Policy of the Ateneo School of Government, “He (Estrada) affirmed that the lawmakers were themselves elected by the people, and thus they have the mandate to improve the Constitution. Hence, he hinted that he favored a Constituent Assembly.”

Why it failed: Estrada’s attempt received opposition from various sectors. According to previous reports, critics were wary of it as a move to extend term limits once more and introduce self serving provisions into the constitution.

“Every attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution was met with skepticism that they were mere ploys to eliminate term limits,” Gatmaytan said.

As cited in La Viña and Aceron’s book, Estrada, upon realizing Concord would not push through, said, “What I put forward in all good faith was shouted down in rallies and marches and condemned in pulpits.”

ALL WAYS. Under the Arroyo administration, Charter Change was attempted by all means: Constituent Assembly, Constitutional Convention, and People's Initiative. File photo by Rappler

Arroyo Administration

What they wanted: Several attempts to make changes in the Constitution occurred under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The consultative commission created by Arroyo and headed by Political Science and Public Administration expert Jose Abueva pushed for Federalism and liberalizing the economy among its major changes.

Despite this, Abueva, on his personal website later on said, “the president (Arroyo) decided to push for only one amendment: to change our presidential government with a bicameral congress to a parliamentary government that would be unicameral. She dropped our proposal to change our unitary republic into a federal republic and to liberalize the nationalistic provisions on foreign participation in our economy."

How they tried to achieve Charter Change: The administration attempted Charter Change by all three means available.

A people’s initiative, this time called Sigaw ng Bayan (The people’s cry), conducted a signature campaign to push for changes in the Constitution.

There were also moves for Congress to convene into a Con-Ass led by then-Speaker Jose de Venecia and later on, Prospero Nograles. Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr also drafted a resolution, which proposed that Congress convene into a Con-Ass.

In 2009, lawmakers also called for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).

Why it failed: Several factors contributed to the failure of the Arroyo administration’s push for Cha-Cha. First, the SC junked the people’s initiative of Sigaw ng Bayan citing it lacked merit.

Opposition on Cha-Cha also occurred with several congressmen at the time, including Luis Villafuerte and Monica Prieto-Teodoro, withdrawing support.

In addition to this, despite flipping from con-ass to con-con, Charter Change also lacked support from Senate. Various sectors such as the Catholic Church also strongly opposed the move.

FEDERALISM. President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for Charter Change to make way for a federal form of government. Malacañang photo

Duterte Administration

What it wants: The current attempt at Charter Change seeks to revise the entire 1987 Constitution to make way for Federalism. President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for a federal form of government as one of his campaign promises and with Congress behind him, the process for doing so is taking place.

Aside from this, hearings in the House of Representatives have given a glimpse at some of the proposed changes to the 1987 Constitution: limited protection for free speech and the possible abolition of the Office of the Vice President, Office of the Ombudsman, and Judicial and Bar Council. (READ: House Cha-Cha proposals: No more Ombudsman, JBC, OVP)

It also proposed that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) become a fiscally-autonomous constitutional commission. The CHR was criticized strongly by members of the House who during budget deliberations voted to reduce the CHR's 2018 budget to P1,000.

How they are trying to achieve Charter Change: Citing lower costs and quicker resolution, Congress is looking to convening as a Con-Ass, which would need a vote of three-fourths of all members. (READ: The problem with Con-Ass? Distrust of Congress)

Whether to sit and vote jointly or separately, however, is where Senate and the House differ. The 1987 Philippine Constitution is silent on the manner by which Congress should sit and vote.

While there is no best way to amend the Constitution, Gatmaytan noted that Duterte allies dominate Congress.

“An assembly beholden to the President may not necessarily produce the best document. Any project that involves drafting the fundamental law of the land will benefit from serious deliberation founded on contending views, not a mere collection of 'yes' men,” he said. –With reports from Jodesz Gavilan/Rappler.com

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Lacson praises 'elevated level of discourse' at Senate Cha-Cha hearing

January 16, 2018, 11:10 pm

≫ Next: From Marcos to Duterte: How media was attacked, threatened

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'ELEVATED DISCOURSE.' Senator Panfilo Lacson (second from left) praises his colleagues and resource persons as the Senate resumes deliberations on proposals for Charter Change. Photo by Alex Nueva España/Senate

Senator Panfilo Lacson threw not-so-subtle shade at his colleagues in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, January 17, as a Senate committee tackled proposals to revise the 1987 Constitution.

"With the elevated level of discourse happening in today’s Senate committee hearing on Charter change, I can’t help but say, I’m proud to be a member of this Senate," said the senator, a member of the majority, in a tweet.

"Thanks to our learned and experienced resource persons, especially [ex-Chief Justice Reynato] Puno," he added.

With the elevated level of discourse happening in today’s Senate committee hearing on Charter change, I can’t help but say, I’m proud to be a member of this Senate. Thanks to our learned and experienced resource persons, especially Ex CJ Rey Puno.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) January 17, 2018

Lacson has filed a resolution calling for the Senate to convene itself as a Constituent Assembly.

The Senate resumed deliberations on the proposed Charter Change, addressing basic questions such as if it was necessary to revise or amend the Constitution in the first place, and which method would be best if the plan pushed through.

During the hearing, several legal luminaries, including those who framed the 1987 Constitution, explained why they thought it was necessary or unecessary to amend the Constitution or shift to a federal form of government.

In contrast, the House of Representatives on January 16 approved a resolution calling for Congress to convene as a Constituent Assembly, one of the 3 methods to amend the Constitution. House opposition members criticized the supermajority-dominated lower chaber for supposedly "railroading" the process.

Lacson wasn't the only official to criticize the House of Representatives, composed more more than 290 district and sectoral representatives.

Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, insisted that there was no need to revise the charter. But said they if this pushed through, as if it was done via Constituent Assembly, voting should be separate.

This was the only way, he said, to prevent the "bullet train" in the House of Representatives. "I don't think with that composition in the lower House now, it would be an objective deliberation. We could even say that it's a done deal in the House," he said.

No less than House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has set a timeline that many consider impossible to stick to: he wants the Constituent Assembly to convene by January 2018 and a plebescite held months later in May the same year.

Alvarez has also criticized the Senate for supposedly being "slow" in doing its job. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Alvarez' party mate, defended the Senate, saying it was a "critical chamber."

The Constituent Assembly is composed of sitting members of the House and Senate, convening specifically to discuss possible amendments in the Constitution. Senators have already decided "unanimously" to reject proposals for joint voting, pointing out that this essentially renders the upper chamber powerless. – Rappler.com

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