LONDON, United Kingdom – The deal between world powers and Iran has delayed Tehran's acquisition of nuclear weapons by 10 to 15 years, the head of a top defense think-tank told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday, February 9.

The agreement struck in Vienna in July between Iran and the permanent five members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5 plus one) sees sanctions progressively lifted in return for Tehran ensuring its nuclear program remains for civilian use.

"2015 was by and large a decent year for news on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," said John Chipman, the director-general and chief executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

"Principally because, of course, we did see in the last year the conclusion of the P5 plus one agreement on the Iranian nuclear file."

He was speaking after presenting the IISS's annual assessment of the global balance of military power.

"There are lots of sceptics as to how good an arrangement that is but there is some consensus that at least that it has delayed for some 10 years, and possibly 15 years, the acquisition by Iran of a nuclear weapon," he added.

"That's good proliferation news for the year 2015-2016." – Rappler.com

MANCHESTER, USA – New Hampshire voters headed to polls at the snowy break of day Tuesday, February 9, for the crucial first US presidential primary, with Donald Trump chasing victory and Hillary Clinton looking to narrow the gap on Bernie Sanders.

The northeastern state, home to just 1.3 million people, sets the tone for the primaries – and could shake out a crowded Republican field as the arch-conservative Senator Ted Cruz and establishment candidates led by Marco Rubio battle for second place behind the frontrunner Trump.

In the picturesque town of Canterbury, population 2,000-3,000, bitterly cold weather and a thick coat of snow on the ground greeted early rising voters who stopped by the polling station at the town hall before heading off to work. (READ: What to watch for in New Hampshire primary)

David Emerson, a wood worker set up outside with a Sanders poster, said he plans to stay all day.

"This is my main thing, to stand out here with the sign," he said. "He's the only one that's worth supporting. Hillary makes it clear it's the same old, same old. Bernie talks about all the things that need to be done. Hopefully he's really creating a movement."

A RealClearPolitics poll average shows Sanders -- who has called for nothing short of a "political revolution" – leading 53.3% to 40.5% for Clinton in New Hampshire.

But a week after the Iowa caucuses kicked off the White House nomination race, everything remains in play in New Hampshire due to a high number of registered independents, who can choose to vote in either party, along with up to 30% of voters still undecided in recent days.

Go out and vote

"Trump!" laughed Karen Carone, a care giver from the small town of Loudon, when asked who she voted for. "I believe he will make America great again."

"He seems to be speaking for the silent majority," agreed Chris Skora, an auto mechanic from Loudon, after casting his vote for the real estate magnate. "A lot of us feel that way and it seems like this day and age we can't say these things with the PC police all around."

The New York billionaire has energized broad swaths of blue-collar Americans, angry about economic difficulties and frustrated at what they see as their country losing its stature in the world. 

But Trump needs to turn his soaring lead in the polls into a convincing win in New Hampshire if he is to recover from the embarrassment of finishing second behind Cruz in Iowa.

Trump told MSNBC as voting began he had been urging the supporters packing his rallies in the state to get out and cast ballots.

"Look, you know, I like to win," Trump said. "I mean, that's what I do, I win. I didn't go in it to lose."

"That's why I told them last night, no matter how you're feeling you have to go out and vote."

The rest of the Republican pack has been fighting it out, aiming for a strong second or even solid third-place showing that could reinvigorate them for South Carolina and Nevada, the next stops on the long road to becoming the party's nominee.

The Florida Senator Rubio in particular will be hoping to match or better his strong third-place finish in Iowa, despite taking a drubbing in Saturday's debate when New Jersey Governor Christie eviscerated the first-term senator for regurgitating scripted talking points.

And a poor result will likely rupture the presidential dreams for 2016 for former and current governors Bush, Kasich and Chris Christie.

Run for her money

On the Democratic front, Clinton is looking to confound polls that predict a large victory for her insurgent challenger Sanders – a transplanted New Yorker who represents neighboring Vermont as a US senator and is big on erasing economic inequality and depicts himself as a democratic socialist.

Clinton and her daughter Chelsea greeted cheering, chanting and sign-waving campaign volunteers Tuesday morning at a school in Manchester.

Asked if she thought she would win, Clinton said: "You know, I just love the way New Hampshire does this. I like the way the people of New Hampshire take it so seriously. They focus in on the issues and they keep coming back."

Clinton won Iowa by a hair, and remains the overall favorite to win the Democratic nomination, but Sanders is keen to show that his campaign can give the former secretary of state a run for her money deep into election season. – Jennie Matthew, AFP/Rappler.com

Vice President Jejomar Binay formally launches his presidential bid with his party, the United Nationalist Alliance on February 9. 

He makes four promises to a crowd of 30,000 supporters in Welfareville compound, Mandaluyong City.

Mara Cepeda reports. 

Should he win, Vice President Jejomar Binay makes 4 promises for his first year as president.

During the United Nationalist Alliance's proclamation rally, Binay vows to scrap income tax for employees earning P30,000 and below.

JEJOMAR BINAY, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: To those who say this cannot be done as the government would incur significant losses my response is simple: billions are lost to smuggling. Billions are lost due to inefficient tax collection. Billions are wasted because of improper government spending. That must be addressed, instead of adding to the sufferings of the Filipino workers.

The former Makati mayor also says he will replicate what he did in Makati for the rest of the country. 

There will be free medicine for all poor Filipinos and books, school supplies, and uniforms to all students nationwide.

Binay says he will continue and improve on the Aquino administration's  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. 

JEJOMAR BINAY, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In the 4Ps, the allies and relatives of those against us in politics were included at the expense of the real beneficiaries. Would you believe that 60- to 64-year-olds are not included in the 4Ps? So I will continue and expand the 4Ps for the poor.

Although it's not his traditional bailiwick, Binay​ says his ​choice of Mandaluyong City to launch his campaign is consistent with his platform of pro-poor governance and inclusive growth.  

​Though ​recent survey numbers place him at second place, the​ 30,000 strong supporters here show Binay's simple message of benefits and no taxes for the poor hits home.

Mara Cepeda, Rappler, Mandaluyong City.

WASHINGTON, DC, USA – North Korea has restarted a plutonium reactor that could provide fuel for nuclear weapons, US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Tuesday, February 9.

"We further assess that North Korea has been operating the reactor long enough so that it could begin to recover plutonium from the reactor's spent fuel within a matter of weeks to months," he said.

North Korea mothballed the Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament accord, but began renovating it after its third nuclear test in 2013.

When fully operational, the reactor is capable of producing around six kilos (13 pounds) of plutonium a year – enough for one nuclear bomb, experts say. 

Last month, Washington-based think tank the Institute for Science and International Security said satellite images suggest the reactor is operating intermittently.

But Clapper said that, in the wake of North Korea's latest nuclear weapon and ballistic missile tests, the regime poses "a serious threat to US interests." – Rappler.com

Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero held the opening salvo of their campaign on Tuesday February 9, at Plaza Miranda in Manila.

It's the same place where supporters of her father, Fernando Poe, Jr, protested disqualification issues against him in 2003.

Camille Elemia reports. 

Thousands of people gather here at Plaza Miranda in Manila to support the campaign launch of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero and their senatorial slate.

But just a few kilometers down the road the gods of Padre Faura are also gathered to hear and eventually decide on Poe's disqualification case.

Nothing can stop the team and their supporters from the 90-day battle ahead, as people flock to the historic plaza, where Poe launched her senatorial campaign in 2013 and where supporters of her father the late action star Fernando Poe Jr protested at the height of disqualification issues against him in 2004.

Nine of the 12 senatorial bets are present. Ralph Recto and Migz Zubiri sent their representatives while Manzano was a no-show at Tuesday's event.

The opportunity came for Poe to hit critics calling her dramatic. 

Poe says while her life is indeed filled with drama, it is her real life. After all, her life resembles a movie — a foundling adopted by movie stars who eventually became a senator.

GRACE POE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Some people say my life is full of drama. And that may be true because like the rest of our fellow Filipinos, I've experienced hardships and pain. I've been oppressed and belittled but I rose up and fought the battle that the storms of life and fate brought me. Maybe this is what they call drama but this is reality and this is real life. It is the reality the many Filipinos experience each day.

Poe again brings up her father FPJ and relives his memorable movie lines in her campaign speech. 

GRACE POE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our tolerance for poverty, our tolerance for corruption, is at its end. We will beat it out of our system together. 

Poe's campaign is off to a good start, after having regained the lead in the recent Pulse Asia and Laylo surveys.

If there's one thing Poe made sure after this - it's that she's more than ready to stand against her more organized and experienced opponents. 

But this is just the beginning of her 90-day journey. More challenges await not just her but all candidates- in an elections gearing up to be anyone's ball game each day.

Camille Elemia, Rappler, Manila

Tondo is said to be the toughest neighborhood in Manila and it's where tough-talking Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte chose to launch his presidential campaign.

Duterte again repeated his stance on drugs and criminality and laid out his platform.

Pia Ranada reports. - Rappler.com

From these streets in Tondo, two men sound the call for true change in the country. 

The tandem of Rodrigo Duterte and Alan Peter Cayetano weave their speeches with this premise: the current system is not working.

ALAN PETER CAYETANO, VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Why are our lives so messy? From waking up to traffic, the news, insufficient earnings, high prices, the problem of crime. When we wake up in the morning, it's chaotic. Why has it come to this?

RODRIGO DUTERTE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This motherfucking government, it is not for the people.

Their offer to the Philippines? Radical change for the better.

Duterte lays down his priorities.

RODRIGO DUTERTE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My number one priority for the national budget is education, and then agriculture, and then health services.

Again, he leaves a warning for criminals and the corrupt.

RODRIGO DUTERTE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If you don't kill me now, 4 months from now, I will roast you like pigs, all you criminals.

The crowd cheers and laughs.

Supporters come in their campaign t-shirts ready to welcome the campaign season.

But do the speeches leave their a mark in their minds?

Government employee Robert Tuason is voting for Duterte. He says he'll likely vote for Cayetano too.

ROBERT TUASON, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE: What he said, he will do unlike other candidates who say the same but nothing happens. Robredo is in my heart but because I like Mayor Duterte, I will vote for Cayetano.

The 70 year old Duterte seems to appeal a lot to the young.

What do they think?

RHUSSELL FAMY, STUDENT: What struck me the most was his promise to stop crimes because, living in Tondo for 22 years, I've seen how dangerous it is to live here. Their tandem is good because Duterte provides the discipline while Cayetano has the brains for the country to progress.

Women listen too.

HONEYJANE PEPITO, DUTERTE SUPPORTER: I want him to be president. So that the corrupt and all the nonsense in this country go away.

Are Duterte and Cayetano the kind of leaders Filipinos go for? 

The latest survey from the Laylo group says Duterte is in third place.

How and at what cost will it take to spread their message of radical change?

Pia Ranada, Rappler, Tondo Manila

The road from Capiz to Iloilo was dotted with yellow, from tarpaulins to sticker ribbons to shirts and streamers. Administration standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, along with running mate Leni Robredo, kicked off the campaign season in the Roxas bailiwick and embarked on a motor caravan leading to the vote-rich province of Iloilo.

Bea Cupin files this video blog. – Rappler.com

SEOUL, South Korea (3RD UPDATE) – South Korea on Wednesday, February 10, announced the total shutdown of a jointly run industrial park in North Korea, saying Pyongyang had been using it to fund its nuclear weapons programs.

As well as depriving the cash-strapped North of a much-needed source of hard currency, the move was a powerful message of intent in response to the North's nuclear test last month and Sunday's long-range rocket launch.

During more than a decade of operations at the Kaesong estate, Seoul has never before shut it down – despite numerous provocations, ranging from nuclear tests to the shelling of a South Korean border island.

In a statement, the government said it had been left with no option but to take "extraordinary measures" to compel the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

The funds Seoul had poured into Kaesong over the years "have ultimately been wrongly harnessed in the service of upgrading North Korea's nuclear weapons and long-range missiles," the statement said.

As a result, the government "has decided to completely shut down" the factory complex.

Set up in 2004 as a symbol of inter-Korean reconciliation, Kaesong lies just 10 kilometers (six miles) across the border in North Korea.

Home to 124 South Korean companies, employing about 53,000 North Korean workers, its closure marks the demise of the sole remaining major cooperation project between the two Koreas.

Major cash source

The government statement said Kaesong had provided the North with 616 billion won ($560 million) in cash over the years -- including 132 billion won in 2015 alone.

Seoul's unilateral move comes as the UN Security Council is still struggling to agree on how far to go in punishing the North for its latest nuclear test and rocket launch.

The North's main diplomatic protector, China, has been resisting pressure from the US and its allies for severe economic penalties.

Tokyo – which feels particularly threatened by North Korea's bellicose moves – unveiled its own fresh sanctions Wednesday.

These included a ban on North Korean ships entering Japanese ports. "Third country" ships that have visited the country will also be barred.

North Korea insists its rocket launches are part of a peaceful space program, but most in the international community see them as disguised ballistic missile tests.

In the immediate aftermath of Sunday's launch, the US and South Korea announced plans to start formal talks on deploying an advanced missile defense system in the South.

That drew protests from Russia and China, who fear the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System could target their weapons.

Moscow on Wednesday warned the move could "provoke an arms race in Northeast Asia and complicate the resolution of the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula."

Kaesong – a vibrant complex that produces labor-intensive goods like clothing and kitchenware – had remained largely immune to turbulent inter-Korean relations.

Even in 2010, when the South accused the North of sinking one of its warships and imposed punitive sanctions, Kaesong stayed open. 

The only exception was in 2013 during a period of heightened cross-border tensions when Pyongyang effectively shut down the zone for 5 months by withdrawing its workers.

Hostage fears

Hong Yong-Pyo, Seoul's unification minister in charge of cross-border affairs, said the 184 South Korean managers currently working in Kaesong had been summoned home.

He demanded that Pyongyang ensure "the safe return of our citizens" – a nod to what analysts said were justifiable concerns of a possible hostage situation.

The North Koreans "may detain one or two South Korean nationals and try to use them as a bargaining chip for future negotiations," said Lee In-Bae, director of the Seoul-based Korea Peninsula Future Forum.

Hong Hyun-Ik of Seoul's Sejong Institute think-tank said Kaesong in the past "symbolized the clear line between political and military turbulence and civil and economic cooperation.

"But that line has now been crossed. 

"I'm afraid of the impact the decision will have on our sovereign ratings, our economy and our financial systems," he said.

The reaction from the owners of the South Korean firms in Kaesong was one of outrage.

While Minister Hong said the shutdown had been "unavoidable" the association representing the owners called it "utterly incomprehensible."

"The government gave us no time to help minimize our financial damage before announcing the decision," their statement complained. – Jung Ha-Won, AFP / Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – A government that truly puts the people first.

This was the campaign promise of Rodrigo Duterte and Alan Peter Cayetano during their proclamation rally on Tuesday, February 9.

To illustrate his point, Duterte shared his frustration with the Aquino administration’s seeming disregard for the public good.

With his usual forceful speech and rainfall of expletives, Duterte slammed how the current government hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November 2015.

The high-profile week, in which Manila hosted over a hundred world leaders, was disruptive – causing flight cancellations, road closures, and cancellation of classes and work. (READ: With Roxas Blvd closed for APEC, commuters forced to walk)

“Kanino ako galit? Galit ako para sa inyo! Hindi naman para sa akin. Nakita ko kasi, sarhan mo yung EDSA, sarhan mo yung boulevard, sarhan mo yung airport, limang araw walang eroplano at diyan sa EDSA nakita ko, nagbababaan kayong lahat, naglalakad sa init at yung nanganak diyan sa tabi kasi hindi makapunta ng ospital. Putang-ina! Anong klaseng gobyerno ito?” he said.

(Who am I angry at? I'm angry for you! Not for myself. I saw the closing of EDSA, the boulevard, airports, 5 days without airplanes and on EDSA, I saw you all getting off, walking in the heat, and a pregnant woman gave birth on the side because she could not go to the hospital. Motherfucker! What kind of government is this?)

People first

His tirade elicited applause and cheers from the crowd gathered in an intersection of streets in Tondo. 

The hassle to millions of Metro Manila residents could have been avoided, said Duterte, if the government held the APEC Summit in Subic, Zambales.

This was precisely what former president Fidel V. Ramos did when his administration hosted APEC for the first time in 1996.

“Eh si Ramos, noong unang APEC, doon sa Subic. Eh di doon sana. Biro mo, nagbababa diyan sa init, bata, babae,” said a furious Duterte. 

(Ramos, during the first APEC, he held it in Subic. It should have been held there. Imagine, in the heat, children, women were getting down.)

Subic Bay Freeport Zone is a former military base transformed into a major duty-free and tax-free economic zone just outside congested Metro Manila. 

Outfitted with international airports and a good network of roads, it has become one of the country's busiest economic hubs. 

Duterte concluded this part of his speech by saying, "Government of the people. Maybe. Government by the people? Maybe. Pero putang-ina itong gobyerno (but this motherfucking government), it is not for the people."

Duterte had previously said his government would do its best not to interfere with the daily routines of citizens.

If he wins as president, Duterte promised to hold his oath-taking in the President’s office in Malacañang, instead of in Rizal Park as is customary.  

This is to avoid traffic jams and minimize disruption that such a ceremony would likely cause, he said. – Rappler.com

ZAMBALES, Philippines – Mining firm Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation (ZDMC) Incorporated on Wednesday, February 10, charged 10 residents of Santa Cruz town in this province for blocking their hauling trucks since the 3rd week of January.

Charged for violation of Mining Act of 1995 were:

• Santa Cruz Councilor Zenaida Mayor
• Barangay Kagawad Raul Ecleo
• Barangay Kagawad Louie Mirador
• Pastor Edgardo Obra
• Josephine Ignacio
• Concerned Citizens of Santa Cruz chairman Benito Molino
• Concerned Citizens of Santa Cruz secretary general Josephine Astadan
• Salvador Cortes
• Luisa Serrano
• Christopher Marzan

Last weekend, Zambales policemen – led by Senior Inspector Ramil Menor, Santa Cruz police chief Orlando Reyes, and Police Investigator George Siquig – forcibly broke through the human barricade put up by residents of Barangay Bayto, according to witnesses.

They arrested 4, but later released Jerome Merano and Daniel Reyes. 

On October 18, 2015, villages in Santa Cruz experienced head-high floods and reddish mud flowing down from the mountains. Residents blamed it on the alleged destructive mining operations in the town.

Seven residents and many farm animals died, while farms and fish ponds were destroyed. 

Amid the huge loss in income and livelihood of residents, Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr was reported to have said that the flooding was not related to mining operations in the area.

In 2014 and 2015, the provincial and municipal governments reached an agreement with mining companies for the latter to build roads leading to their own sites, or be denied operation permits. The roads were not built, but mining operations continued.

Inaction on the part of the provincial and municipal governments caused the residents of Barangay Bayto to go to the national highway to block the hauling trucks of ZDMC.

ZDMC is a company owned by DM Consunji Incorporated (DMCI) Holdings.

DMCI was contracted by Benguet Nickel Mines Incorporated to mine Area 1 of BNMI in Santa Cruz.

Residents believe that operations in Area 1 are what brought so much destruction to the interior barangays in the town, especially the farmlands and the Alinsaog River. – Rappler.com 

ALBAY, Philippines – The Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (Navforsol) rescued more than 100 domestic tourists, who got stranded on Sombrero Island, Burias, Masbate province on Tuesday afternoon, February 9, due to big waves.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had issued a gale warning advisory, prohibiting small boats from sailing.

Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Guzman, Southern Luzon Command spokesman, said that the Philippine Navy rescued 102 tourists from Manila who were stranded on Sombrero Island.

The rescue operation was carried out by the Naval Forces Southern Luzon's Patrol Gun Boat 370 under Lieutenant Edwin Nuestro Jr, who were deployed despite the turbulent seas.

“NavForSol was able to successfully transport the tourists, most of them from Manila, and the island caretakers to safety to nearby Burias Island,” Guzman said.

He said that the domestic tourists from Manila went to Masbate for a 3-day island hopping.

“On the last day of their island hopping, the wind was strong and the sea was rough, so they were not allowed to sail, with limited food supply. They made a distress call to seek assistance until it reached the Philippine Navy. They were rescued immediately,” Guzman said. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, February 10, admitted more problems in the automated election system as the Comelec has less than 3 months to prepare for the May 9 elections. 

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said it feels like being a patient who underwent an operation – and found other ailments while in the operating room. 

One of the new major problems afflicts the vote-counting machines (VCMs). 

In a recent test conducted by the Comelec, the machines rejected 1-2% of ballot papers.

Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said this is because the machines detected stray marks from the printers.

The Comelec attributed this to the new “self-diagnostic feature” of vote-counting machines. This feature allows the machines to reject ballots with stray marks. 

If the vote-counting machines rejected 2% of the actual ballots on election day, that would mean 1.14 million ballots going to waste.

The Comelec plans to print 57 million ballots for the May 9 elections.

Changing 'sensitivity' of machines

Bautista said the Comelec had the "self-diagnostic feature" installed to avoid a repeat of a problem in the May 2013 elections. 

Back then, the vote-counting machines reportedly produced "digital lines." The machines later detected these digital lines as "shades" or votes on ballots. (READ: ‘Dagdag-bawas’ through ‘digital lines’ in PCOS?) 

Bautista said the Comelec wants to prevent digital lines, even as it wants to resolve the current problem in vote-counting machines. 

This is why the Comelec has ruled out removing the "self-diagnostic feature." 

Instead, the Comelec has chosen to change the "sensitivity" of the vote-counting machines. This will make the equipment less stringent in rejecting ballots with stray marks. 

To change this "sensitivity," the Comelec now has to rebuild the source code, or the "master blueprint," of the vote-counting machines.

Bautista said rebuilding the source code will take only a few hours. 

Other problems 

The other major problem, which the Comelec admitted on Wednesday, involves the consolidation and canvassing system (CCS). 

The CCS is the system that consolidates election results from voting precincts on election day. 

Jimenez said there was a problem in generating the image to make the CCS program "installable." 

Only two days before the Comelec disclosed these issues, the poll body said there was another problem in the election system. 

Comelec Commissioner Christian Lim said the problem involves incompatible codes in the systems to be used. The Comelec now needs to redo a major step to make these codes compatible.

This compatibility issue prompted the Comelec to delay the printing of ballots.

Lim said that because of this problem, the Comelec might have to postpone elections in a few places. 

Bautista, however, said he is confident that the elections will happen on May 9. 

He said the delay only involves depositing the needed source codes in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). 

The Comelec was supposed to deposit the source codes in the BSP on Tuesday, February 9, but it postponed this process because of the problems discovered. 

Returning to his metaphor of a patient, Bautista said, "It may be a blessing in disguise in these, that at least we’re able to address these problems." 

At the same time, Bautista said, "We don’t have problems in Comelec, only challenges." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Jaime C. Laya, the Central Bank governor under the Marcos regime, has been ordered to testify in an ill-gotten wealth case against the Marcos family, as the government tries to locate more than 100 expensive paintings bought by Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos.

In a resolution released on Wednesday, February 10, the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan ordered the clerk of court, on the basis of a subpoena, to supervise the taking of Laya’s deposition at his office in Philtrust Bank Building in Manila.

This will take place at 2 pm on February 12.

In their Amended Notice to Take Deposition, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) said Laya can provide key information that could provide additional leads on Marcos assets that have been ordered forfeited in a civil case.

Filed in nearly 3 decades ago, in July 1987, the case has so far resulted in the forfeiture in favor of the government of P35 billion cash previously held in 5 Swiss foundations of the Marcoses, 3 jewelry collections belonging Mrs Marcos, and $42 million from the Arema account of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.

On September 29, 2014, the Sandiganbayan also issued a writ authorizing court officers to seize 15 paintings by European masters found at the old Marcos home on Don Mariano Marcos Street corner P. Guevarra Street in San Juan City. These were initially taken to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for safekeeping but were later turned over to the National Museum for needed restorative works and proper maintenance.

Nine more artworks were later found by Sandiganbayan sheriff Romulo Barrozo at Rep. Marcos’ office in the Batasan Pambansa, but the court officers were prevented by Congress security from seizing the paintings.

The sheriffs however served the copy of the writ and placed the paintings under custodial legis, which bars their sale or transfer to a new location without prior clearance from the court. 

The paintings were the “Madonna and Child” by Michelangelo Buonarotti; “Vase of Red Chrysanthemums” by Bernard Buffet; “Still Life with Idol” by Paul Gaugin; “L’ Aube” by Joan Miro; “Femme Cauchee VI” by Pablo Picasso; “Jardin de Kew Prés de la Serre, 1892” by Camille Pissarro; “La Baignade au Grand Lemps” by Pierre Bonnard; “Picnic (Grandma Moses) 1959” by Anne Mary Robertson; and “Moon Madness 1982” by Andrew Wyeth.

Based on the earlier testimony of PCGG Commissioner Ma. Ngina Teresa Chan-Gonzaga, the most valuable among the artworks was Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, reportedly acquired in July 1983 for US$3.5 million and was paid in 3 installments of $1 million each on July 25, October 15 and December 22, 1983 and a final payment of $500,000 on December 27, 1983.

Gaugin’s Still Life with Idol was reported to have been acquired by the former first lady at $1,000,500 while Pissarro’s work was acquired at $420,000.

The PCGG is still trying to trace the whereabouts of 156 paintings by different artists that were reported to have been acquired by the Marcos family while they were in power. Of these, 144 have left no trace whatsoever.

In taking the deposition of Laya, government lawyers are hoping to acquire more leads to bolster recovery efforts for the paintings.

“By reason of his position as [former Central Bank] governor, he was sometimes invited by Mrs. Imelda Marcos to the property located in New York particularly at 13-15 East 66th Street in Manhattan. During these visits, he was able to see and identify several valuable paintings held in possession by the Marcoses on display in the Philippine Townhouse,” the PCGG and OSG lawyers said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – A division of the anti-graft court acquitted former Sulu Vice Governor Munib Estino of homicide and obstruction of justice charges that were filed against him in 2013, saying the prosecution failed to present enough evidence.

Estino was charged for the February 2010 fatal shooting of Mannan Badang, a resident of Panglima Estino town when he was its mayor. He was indicted for homicide based on the testimony of the victim's son, who said the incident happened inside the temporary municipal hall.

The mayor’s aide, PO2 Hector Abubakar, owned up to the shooting, but was charged with obstruction of justice along with Mayor Estino for allegedly making false statements.

But the Sandiganbayan First Division noted that prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence of the suspects' guilt. The 13-page decision, penned by Associate Justice Efren de la Cruz, granted the Demurrer to Evidence filed by Estino and his co-accused. Associate justices Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos concurred.

Prosecutors proferred the theory, that Estino shot Badang when the latter became hostile during th arbitration of a problem. But the defense said it was Abubakar who fired at Badang because the latter tried to attack the mayor with a bolo.

“The evidence of the prosecution is insufficient to support a verdict of conviction. The prosecution failed to prove one crucial point – that accused Estino was responsible for killing Badang. There is no competent proof on record linking accused Estino to the said killing,” the court said.

Aside from finding more plausible the defense's version of events, the Sandiganbayan division disregarded the affidavit of prosecution witnesses because none of them appeared in court to testify.

“The affidavit of the supposed witnesses…cannot be given probative value. In our jurisdiction, without affirmation from the affiants of the contents of their affidavits, and without opportunity from the contending party to cross-examine them render their depositions hearsay evidence,” the court said. – Rappler.com 

ABRA, Philippines – “Hindi ako naging pulitiko para gayahin ang aking ama.” (I did not enter politics to be my father’s copycat.) 

This was how vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr stressed on Wednesday, February 10, that he is his own man, when asked what legacies of his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, he intended to continue.

He acknowledged, however, that his father greatly influenced his principles in governance. Should he be elected, the younger Marcos said he would be guided by his father’s belief of how nation building should be done.

“Pagandahin ang lipunan ng Pilipinas. Pagtibayin natin ang ating ekonomiya (Improve Philippine society by strengthening the economy). We are putting together different elements to build a progressive, vibrant, and compassionate society,” he told local officials in Abra on Wednesday.

“These are elements of nation building na nakakalimutan na ng ating gobyerno. Ito ang akin ipapaalala (forgotten by our government that I will revive),” he added. 

But Marcos Jr stressed that 2016 will be his time to deliver his own brand of leadership. 

“Ang Pilipinas ay iba na. Ang mundo ay iba na. Ang batas ay iba na.” (The Philippines is different. The world is different. The law is different.) 

“We need to think of new solutions, new projects,” he said in Filipino.  

Northern Luzon is known for its solid vote for the Marcos family because of how the departed Marcos uplifted the lives of the Ilocanos and brought the province’s name to national significance. 

Marcos Jr was received warmly throughout the Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur legs of the first week of his campaign since Tuesday.

In a bid to seal the Ilocano vote, Marcos made the rounds of Ilocos Sur, with Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson endorsing him. Singson accompanied Marcos in his home city of Vigan and in nearby Abra province.

Romualdez in Ilocos  

Marcos’ maternal cousin, Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, joined him in his sorties since the start of the campaign on Tuesday in Batac, Ilocos Norte. A senatorial candidate, Romualdez wooed Ilocanos by reinforcing his association with the Marcos family. 

“Baka nagtataka kayo, sino ba itong Romualdez na ito? Ito ang ipagmamalaki ko, kung walang Romualdez, walang Bongbong. Dahil Ferdinand Marcos, sino ang asawa ni Ferdinand Marcos? Imelda Romualdez Marcos,” said Romualdez, the son of former Leyte Governor Kokoy Romualdez, Imelda's brother.

(Maybe you are wondering who this Romualdez is. I will emphasize that, without a Romualdez, there is no Bongbong. Because Ferdinand Marcos’ wife is Imelda Romualdez Marcos.) 

Romualdez said voters should elect another Romualdez to the Senate because the current Romualdez there – Bongbong Marcos – is about to become vice president.

“Kaya dapat ipasok natin ang Romualdez sa equation dito. Aakyat na siya bilang bise presidente. Kailangan ipasok mo na rin ang isang Romualdez. Ang Romualdez at Marcos, partners 'yan,” he added. 

(That’s why we need to include the Romualdez in the equation. Bongbong will now ascend to the vice presidency. We need to install a Romualdez because the Romualdezes and Marcoses are partners.)   

The senatorial candidate is hoping the so-called solid north vote would boost his rating, which is currently at only 13%, based on the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. – Rappler.com

As the campaign season begins, the stakes are higher for United Nationalist Alliance standard-bearer and Vice President Jejomar Binay. 

He heads to vote-rich Laguna on February 10 with running mate Senator Gringo Honasan and other senatorial bets. 

Mara Cepeda reports. - Rappler.com

After Tuesday's start of campaign period, Vice President Jejomar Binay and running mate Senator Gringo Honasan head to vote-rich Laguna.

Riding a pick-up truck fitted with campaign trimmings, BinGo -- as the tandem is called, tours barangays in San Pedro, Biñan Santa Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba.

United Nationalist Alliance spokesperson Mon Ilagan says the province was chosen because it's the bailiwick of the vice president.

MON ILAGAN, BINAY SPOKESPERSON: Vice President Binay is strong here and his core vote here is good as well.

Binay won over Mar Roxas here for the vice presidency in the 2010 elections by more than 230,000 votes. Laguna has 1.68 million registered voters for 2016.

Dismissed Laguna Governor ER Ejercito, who is running again, is also busy rallying votes for UNA in the province.

ER EJERCITO, DISMISSED LAGUNA GOVERNOR: Personally, I believe that Jojo Binay is professionally competent. He is spiritually prepared and he has a true heart for the masses.

Ejercito also indirectly takes a jab at neophyte Senator Grace Poe, the frontrunner in the recent Pulse Asia and Laylo surveys.

ER EJERCITO, DISMISSED LAGUNA GOVERNOR: We don’t need someone who still has to go through on-the-job training. We don’t need a student council meeting. What we need is someone who is capable of helping the poor Filipinos in the country.

There is much at stake for Binay in the May polls. He lost his frontrunner status in recent election surveys, with his figures decreasing in Visayas, Mindanao, and in Classes D and E.

If Binay is not elected into office, he will lose immunity and corruption charges will descend on him in full force.

Already, he's feeling the domino effect of the corruption allegations, with his son Junjun dismissed as Mayor. 

Camp insiders say this is one of the reasons Binay stayed away from his beloved Makati for his opening salvo Tuesday afraid they'll be denied the necessary permits by the sitting mayor.

For the vice-president, it's no longer just about ambition — its about political survivial and putting on the mantle of protection that comes with the presidency.

Mara Cepeda, Rappler, Laguna

CEBU, Philippines – Why meet with political families if you are in favor of the anti-dynasty bill? 

On the second day of the campaign on Wednesday, February 10, independent presidential candidate Grace Poe and her running mate Francis "Chiz" Escudero were asked this question at a breakfast press conference in Toledo, Cebu.

“Wala naman sigurong masama o mali. Pero oras na naipasa na 'yung batas, lahat kami, kabilang ako, kailangan at dapat sumunod sa panukalang batas na yon,” said Escudero, whose terms as congressman of Sorsogon before was preceded and succeeded by his father and mother, respectively. (I think there’s nothing bad or wrong. But the moment the bill passes, all of us, even I, have to follow the law.)

He added: “Kaya siguro hindi 'yan pumasa sa ilalim ng administrasyon na pinanungunahan ng Liberal Party. Mas marami silang dynasty na sumusuporta sa kanila kaysa sa amin.” (Perhaps the law wasn’t passed under this administration led by the Liberal Party. They have more dynasties supporting them than us.)

Anti-dynasty bills have failed to pass in Congress for almost 30 years. In President Benigno Aquino III's last State of the Nation Address, he told members of Congress that it was time to pass the anti-political dynasty bill, around the time when he was visibly offended by the tirades of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had then just resigned from his Cabinet.

Poe said: "Nasa Konstitusyon natin 'yan, pero wala pang ngipin ang batas na 'yan. (Our constitution prohibits that, but it's a toothless law.)  

Poe's campaign manager is Cebu Representative Ace Durano, who belongs to an influential political family.

Poe said some new laws already have provisions that discourage dynasties. She cited the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) as an example. Relatives of a certain degree are barred from serving in the same council under the law. 

While having an anti-dynasty law is a good start, Poe hopes that later "people will vote on the basis of capability, merit, integrity, and honesty." 

Poe added, "And I'm saying this even as I am known to the public as the daughter of FPJ," referring to her well-loved late father, actor Fernando Poe Jr.  

Poe and Escudero went to this city on Cebu's western coast a day after their campaign launch on Tuesday, February 9, at Plaza Miranda in Manila. Also with them were senatorial candidates Francisco 'Isko' Moreno and Lorna Kapunan. 

This was Poe's 3rd visit to Cebu after announcing her intention to run for president in 2015. (READ: On Grace Poe's trail Where did she go? What did she do?)

Poe was in Cebu City last January 22, where she held a dialogue with the students of Southwestern University. In October 2015, she was in Danao to meet with the Durano family and the Bakud party.

While they have been speaking to political families and parties across the country, Poe clarified that she is not seeking official endorsements.

Survey rise   

Two presidential preference polls – by Pulse Asia and the Laylo Research Strategies – ranked Grace Poe in first place.

How did she improve her rankings?

"Because the last survey they conducted in December, Pulse Asia's Ana Tabunda was saying that a lot of respondents were saying, 'Is she still a candidate?'" Poe told reporters at the press conference. 

But the answer to that question, Poe said, is now clear. 

She said being able to visit many provinces also helped her improve poll numbers. 

In the latest round of oral arguments to disqualify Poe, Supreme Court Justice Francis Jardeleza said that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) "may have crossed a line" and deprived Poe of her rights to due process. 

The tandem said they intend to return to Cebu at least 3 or 4 more times during the campaign period. 

According to the latest data from the Commission on Elections, Cebu is still the most vote-rich province in the country, with about 2.5 million registered voters.

In her last visit, Poe said that despite her father's loss in Cebu during the 2004 presidential elections, she placed in the top 5 in the province when she ran for senator in 2013. (READ: Grace Poe: No beef with Cebuano voters) 

Student dialogue

Poe, Escuedero, Kapunan, and Moreno held a dialogue with students at the Toledo campus of the University of the Visayas (UV) after the morning press conference,

The candidates got celebrity treatment as they entered the courtyard around 10:30 am. Students lined up to ask questions, and one student in particular was concerned with China's increasing presence in the West Philippine Sea. 

"Kailangan nating palakasin ang ating sariling military, kahit unti-unti, para pagdating ng panahon, di tayo mabu-bully ng ibang bansa," Poe answered. (We need to strengthen our own military so we won't be bullied by other countries.) 

How can a poor and smaller country like the Philippines defend themselves against a big country like China? 

Poe noted that Singapore, a country of only 4 million, has one of the strongest air forces and maritime defense forces in the world.

"Kung kaya nila, mas lalong natin kaya," Poe said. (If they are capable of it, we are even more capable of doing it.)

Employment and wages were the most important election issues for Rose Ann, an undergraduate at UV from Agusan del Sur.

Rose Ann still has another 4 years before she graduates and is taking up a degree in education.

"Gusto nako mo sunod ang minimum wage ug naa'y work na sakto ang sweldo," Rose Ann said. (I want the minimum wage law to be enforced and enough jobs to be available that pay livable wages.)

After the UV visit, the candidates took a helicopter to Camotes Islands in eastern Cebu for a private event. 

On Wednesday, February 11, Poe is scheduled to visit Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. – Rappler.com 

TOKYO, Japan – Japan announced fresh sanctions against North Korea on Wednesday, February 10, for its latest rocket launch, including a total ban on shipping from the country and barring Pyongyang's nationals from entering.

Japan's announcement comes after the UN Security Council strongly condemned Sunday's rocket launch and agreed to move quickly to impose new sanctions of its own.

"We have decided to take firm sanction steps," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters of the latest move, which adds to measures Japan already has in place over past North Korean nuclear and missile tests.

The announcement came as South Korea also decided to suspend all operations at a jointly run Kaesong industrial park in North Korea to punish Pyongyang.

It was the first time Seoul had suspended operations at the estate since it opened in 2004 as a symbol of cross-border reconciliation.

The South Korean and Japanese moves came a day after Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye spoke on the phone.

The two leaders also held separate telephone talks with US President Barack Obama to discuss strong action against North Korea in response to recent nuclear and missile tests, including a UN Security Council resolution that would bring new sanctions.

The latest Japanese measures include prohibiting North Korean ships from entering Japanese ports and a total entry ban on North Korean nationals into Japan, a government statement said.

"All North Korean ships, including those for humanitarian purposes, shall be banned from coming to Japanese ports," the statement said. 

"Third-country ships that visited North Korea shall be also banned from entering," it added.

The measures also toughen financial reporting requirements for people transporting cash to North Korea, the statement added.

The measures bring back and add to some sanctions that Japan eased in 2014, such as the travel ban, after Pyongyang agreed to re-investigate issues related to Japanese nationals kidnapped by North Korean agents decades ago.

"We strongly urge North Korea to take positive steps toward a comprehensive resolution of various concerns, such as abductions, nuclear and missiles, under a policy of dialogue-and-pressure and action-for-action," the Japanese government statement said.

In 2002, North Korea admitted that it had kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens during the Cold War era to train its spies and allowed 5 of them to return to Japan, while saying 8 had died.

But Japan believes dozens of other people were also snatched mostly in the 1970s and 1980s to train the North's agents in Japanese language and customs.

Japan has had various sanctions against North Korea in line with UN resolutions, such as freezing of assets by groups and individuals linked with the secretive regime. – Rappler.com

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea's army chief of staff has been executed, South Korean media reported Wednesday, February 10, in what would amount to the latest in a series of purges and executions of top officials by leader Kim Jong-Un.

Ri Yong-Gil, Chief of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) General Staff was executed earlier this month for forming a political faction and corruption, Yonhap news agency said, citing a source familiar with North Korean affairs.

The report came at a time of highly elevated tensions on the divided Korean peninsula following the North's recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.

Ri was often seen accompanying Kim Jong-Un on inspection tours, but his name was conspicuously missing from state media reports of a recent major party meeting and celebrations over Sunday's rocket launch.

"The execution... suggests that Kim Jong-Un still feels insecure about his grip on the country's powerful military," Yonhap quoted the source as saying.

"It shows that Kim's reign of terror still persists," the source was quoted as saying. 

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) in Seoul declined to comment on the report.

In May last year the NIS said Kim had his defence chief, Hyon Yong-Chol, executed – reportedly with the use of an anti-aircraft gun.

Hyon's fate was never confirmed by Pyongyang but he has never been seen or heard of since. Some analysts have suggested he was purged and imprisoned.

Reports – some confirmed, some not – of purges, executions and disappearances have been common since Kim took power following the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in December 2011. 

A large number of senior officials, especially military cadres, were removed or demoted as the young leader sought to solidify his control over the powerful army. 

In the most high-profile case, Kim had his influential uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, executed in December 2013 for charges including treason and corruption. – Rappler.com

LAGUNA, Philippines – Training his guns on the current poll front runner, Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday night, February 10, told supporters at a rally in Calamba that he takes pride in his Filipino citizenship, which he would never consider giving up.

Binay made the statement at the Calamba plaza, the final stop of his day-long Laguna sortie on the second day of the campaign. He did not name anyone, but was obviously referring to Senator Grace Poe who is at risk of disqualification from the presidential race over citizenship and residency questions.

“Ni minsan hindi ko iniisip na sumumpa, iiwanan ko ang pagiging Pilipino (Not once did I think about pledging allegiance [to another country], or abandoning my Filipino citizenship). I am so proud of being a Filipino, I never took a pledge, I never abandoned my country,” he said.

“I’ve been here sa hirap at ginhawa. Pilipino po si Jojo Binay (I’ve been here in bad and good times. Jojo Binay is a Filipino),” added the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard-bearer. (READ: In new Binay ad, every Filipino is 'nognog' like him)

The Vice President made the indirect swipe at Poe just days after she topped two presidential polls.

In the Pulse Asia Research, Incorporated survey conducted in late January, Poe dislodged Binay from the top spot. The Vice President shared second place with administration standard-bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Poe maintained her lead over other candidates in the January Laylo survey, with Binay and Roxas tied for second place.

The results of the Standard Poll conducted in early December showed that Binay would be the biggest gainer among presidential candidates should Poe be disqualified from the race. (READ: Binay benefits most from Poe disqualification – poll)

In his speech, the Vice President also stressed that he has enough experience to lead the country, a point his ally, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, had made at the UNA proclamation rally on Tuesday. (READ: Avoid suffering, choose 'experienced' Binay – Enrile)

“Ang amin hong inihahandog sa inyong mga kababayan ay isang bagong mamumuno na may karanasan, may kakayahan, at may malasakit sa kanyang kapwa Pilipino (We’re offering our countrymen a new leadership with experience, capability, and compassion for their fellow Filipinos),” said Binay.

“I’ll run this government effectively and efficiently and this is on the basis of past experience,” he added, drawing applause from the crowd. – Rappler.com