MANILA, Philippines – To prove to the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan that she needs to be moved to a safehouse, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles claimed she was harassed by a raiding team of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) in 2017.

Napoles  submitted a BJMP incident report to the Sandiganabayan on Wednesday, March 21, which was released to the media on Friday, March 23. She cited as proof of harassment an incident in October 2017 when a greyhound team searched her jail cell and seized personal belongings and documents.

Greyhound teams are usually tasked to conduct surprise inspections on jail cells, and confiscate contrabands that they see.

The submission of evidence is part of the requirements of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to prove there is a need to transfer her to a safehouse.

The Sandiganbayan will resolve the motion to move her out of Camp Bagong Diwa and into a safehouse, following efforts by the Department of Justice or DOJ to put her under state protection.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOOK: Janet Napoles’ lawyers send to the court a BJMP incident report from October 12, 2017 detailing a greyhound team searching and seizing things from Napoles cell. This is their proof of harassment against Napoles. <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rapplerdotcom</a> <a href="https://t.co/k7hn7m444E">pic.twitter.com/k7hn7m444E</a></p>&mdash; Lian Buan (@lianbuan) <a href="https://twitter.com/lianbuan/status/977020047745982469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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What does the incident report say? BJMP warden Jail Chief Inspector (JCInsp) Editha Balansay signed an undated incident report saying that on October 12, 2017, a greyhound team “conducted search at the cell of client Janet Lim Napoles.”

Balansay said that the greyhound team “entered the cell by cutting the chain/lock with the use of a bolt cutter and kicking off the door to open.”

Balansay said she was not aware that this was happening as “the greyhound team did not coordinate nor permitted the presence of the detailed ‘star tram’ on duty upon entering the client cell and during the conduct of the greyhound.”

“Body search was also conducted to the client by a male jail officer who is in full battle gear wearing a vest, kevlar with long firearms and wearing a mask,” said the incident report.

“The entire cell was searched, and ended with the confiscation of some items to include personal belongings and important documents and the cutting and disabling of the CCTV security camera,” the report added.

Other questions. The BJMP leadership has not made a comment on the incident report yet as of writing.

The report did not mention a laptop, but during a hearing at the Sandiganbayan, Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David said that the laptop used to write his client’s affidavit for the DOJ was stolen.

First Division Justice Geraldine Faith Econg questioned why Napoles would have a laptop inside her jail cell without the court’s permission.

“You are saying that the [DOJ officials] left the laptops, the documents with Napoles? It’s unimaginable. Richard Cambe even had to request this court to be given a laptop inside his cell for his defense. What kind of an arrangement is this?” Econg said.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II had admitted to meeting Napoles face to face, but denied knowledge about a laptop.

Another question is why Napoles is filing the incident report, and not the DOJ. Sandiganbayan justices pointed out during hearings that the DOJ must be the one to file the motion because they are the ones interested in securing Napoles as part of the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

David had earlier told the court that the BJMP isn’t safe because insiders are the ones harassing her. 

The move to transfer Napoles to a safehouse became much more controversial when David revealed that the issue reached Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who advised them to seek court permission first. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday, March 23, suspended the entire fleet of Dimple Star Bus company following the crash that killed 19 people in Occidental Mindoro. 

The LTFRB imposes a 30-day preventive suspension order on all 118 bus units under 10 Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) issued to Dimple Star Bus and its owner, Hilbert Napat.

The LTFRB required Dimple Star to inspect the roadworthiness of its buses and for drivers to undergo a road safety seminar to be scheduled by the board, within the 30-day suspension.

The LTFRB earlier suspended 10 bus units under the bus company operating from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, to Manila via Mamburao, Abra de Ilog.

According to the Department of Transportation, Dimple Star was involved in at least 8 road crash incidents from 2011 to 2018, resulting to the deaths of more than 25 people and 134 others injured.

In a press briefing on Thursday, March 22, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said he inspected the terminal of the bus company and found that the its fleet is not thoroughly inspected for roadworthiness.

"The situation is pathetic. What I saw is horrible – it could be a garage but it cannot be a terminal," Delgra said in Filipino.

The LTFRB is currently coordinating with insurance and transport groups to increase the insurance coverage for death from P200,000 to P400,000; and for those injured  from P20,000 to P100,000.

The transportation department said the proposal was approved on Friday.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade directed the LTFRB to impose appropriate sanctions against Dimple Star, adding that the Occidental Mindoro road crash is what the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization seeks to avoid.

"Sa ating paghahanapbuhay, dapat ay 'wag tayong kumitil ng buhay. 'Eto na naman ang trahedya sa Mindoro. Ilan pa dapat ang mamatay at masugatan para maunawaan at matanggap na dapat na talagang ipatupad at isulong ang transport modernization?" Tugade said. 

(In pursuing our livelihood, we should not take lives. We have another tragedy in Mindoro. How many more should die and get hurt before we understand and accept that we really need to implement and push forward the transport modernization?)

See the suspension order below:

– Rappler.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Sick of people sniping about his advancing years, Malaysia's 92-year-old ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad gatecrashed a forum where voters were discussing whether he was too old to return as prime minister.

"I am here guys. Say it to my face," tweeted a defiant Mahathir, who is seeking the top job again as the opposition's candidate in looming polls, with a picture of himself at the discussion late Thursday, March 22.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Ada forum bertajuk, “Adakah Tun M terlalu Tua untuk jadi PM?”<br>Saya hadir.<br><br>I’m here guys. Say it to my face. <a href="https://t.co/riazno9c2q">pic.twitter.com/riazno9c2q</a></p>&mdash; Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/chedetofficial/status/976745594227113985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Mahathir, who was premier for 22 years, has returned to frontline politics after a 15-year break to take on scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak at the election due by August.

But his old age has raised questions about his ability to rule if the opposition succeeds in toppling the long-ruling coalition. In the unlikely event Najib is unseated, Mahathir would become the world's oldest prime minister.

At Thursday's forum, a 3-man panel was talking about Mahathir when the man himself walked in midway, causing the speakers to fall silent, and many in the hall to rise to their feet.

The panel – which consisted of a political pundit, psychology expert and fitness coach – stopped their discussions and opened the floor for Mahathir to speak.

"There are two types of age. One in terms of years and another in terms of the body. The age of the body does not necessarily equate to the age in years," he told the forum in Shah Alam, outside the capital Kuala Lumpur.

"As far as health is concerned, I'm not senile yet."

The government has frequently attacked Mahathir over his age, with Najib comparing him to ousted Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe, who is 94. – Rappler.com

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) official accused of threatening an Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) professor over his child's failing  grade categorically denied the allegation on Friday, March 23.

Comelec Davao regional director Remlane Tambuang issued a 3-page official statement on Friday, March 23, a day after ADDU  president Father Joel Tabora released a strongly-worded statement  against what the school called "parental bullying" against one its faculty members.

“I CATEGORICALLY DENY that I said, ‘WE ARE A FAMILY OF LAWYERS AND FAMILY OF KILLERS!’ I cannot possibly say that to the prestigious institution whom I trusted to mold my children,” Tambuang said in his statement posted in full by SunStar Davao on its Facebook page.

“I would like to reiterate there was no threat committed to anyone. It was a false media statement that blew out of proportion," Tambuang said in the statement.

This contradicts the version of the incident of at least two people who were present during his meeting with his son's professor on Tuesday, March 20, as documented in the incident report filed by the ADDU Emergency Operations Center with the Sta Ana Police Station.

The report said that according to Dean Reynante Pilapil and Assistant Dean Nelly Limbadan, "Mr Remlani Tembuang [was] quoted saying, 'Hindi 'nyo ba alam na pamilya kami ng mga lawyer at pamilya din kami ng mga killer (Don't you know that we are a family of lawyers and a family of killers?')”

His story 

In his statement, Tambuang disputed the allegations which were detailed in the incident report filed by ADDU security with the Sta Ana police station. The report identified hima as the parent who had allegedly threatened an ADDU professor.

Tambuang said he was only prompted to seek a meeting with his son's professor after he received a call from his son, who was crying, that he would not be able to graduate this year because of a failing mark. 

"I went to ADDU as a parent who has a son and not as a lawyer or a public official for that matter," Tambuang said.

He said he first went to ADDU on Thursday, March 15, and waited for 5 hours but the professor "never showed up." Tambuang returned on March 20, saying he sought help from faculty members “to speak with the Dean so that he can ask the teacher to talk to me.”

The March 20 meeting included Dean Reynante Pilapil, Assistant Dean Nelly Limbadan, and "Mr Pancho," the professor, referring to Neil Ryan Pancho, Director of the ADDU Center of Politics and International Affairs.

"We talked, and I asked him calmly for a clarification regarding my son’s grade," Tambuang said.

He said the professor did not present the documents he had requested, such as “test papers and attendance sheets to justify the failing mark that he gave to my son.”

"It is at this point that I got emotional being a father. I could not imagine the pain my son was experiencing at the moment. Since grade school up to now, my son is a true-blooded Atenean. He was looking forward to this graduation day," Tambuang said.

Tambuang closed his statement with an apology to people who might have been hurt by the incident, especially his children, and reiterated that he did not commit "any wrongdoing."

"Still with all honesty and sincerity, I apologize to anyone who may have been hurt because of this unfortunate incident especially to my children. I never made any wrongdoing. I was there only to ensure and protect the interest of my son," he said.

Reputation

Tambuang said the issue "all started" with the Rappler article on the incident published on Wednesday, March 21, which reported that a parent had threatened an ADDU professor "with a gun" over his child's low grade the day before.

Tambuang said he was "prejudged and maligned by the people" because of the social media post on the incident and the initial report, though both did not identify any of the people involved.

"I am in public service for 21 years. Not a single criminal case, administrative case, or civil case was filed against me. My record will speak for itself," he said.

The March 21 story, which did not name any of the people involved, carried the Facebook post of ADDU professor John Harvey Gamas, who condemned the incident but did not identify anyone. The story also cited sources privy to the incident, and Judith Dalagan, ADDU Faculty Union president, who said there was no gun involved in the incident.

ADDU clarified on Thursday that there “was no gun immediately involved in this incident,” as shown by security footage, but  also said that it would file a complaint  against the "parent" – who was not named but only described as a "public official and a lawyer" – for his "reprehensible" actions against a faculty member.  

“When a parent accompanied by relatives and body guards comes in brandishing statements like ‘WE ARE A FAMILY OF LAWYERS AND KILLERS!’ or ‘WE CAN TAKE DOWN THIS SCHOOL’ – these are statements the ADDU as a University can only take very seriously as they threaten the safety and security of its personnel,” Tabora said on Thursday.

“The ADDU is a Safe Zone not only for its students, but also for its teachers who ought to be able to teach and give out grades accordingly, free from intimidation and threats from parents or any related persons or personalities. Parental bullying based on public office or on one’s legal profession has no place at ADDU nor in any school, public or private, in the Philippines,” he added.

The incident prompted a  “Code Black” alert to campus security on Tuesday, meaning, there was a "personal threat" made on campus.

The ADDU incident report also said that when Tambuang saw around 10 campus security outside the office where the incident happened he said: “Ano problema, bakit maraming guard? Hindi naman ako ganoon ka-kriminal. Hindi 'nyo ba alam na ako ang director ng Comelec? Baka gusto ‘nyo hindi bigyan ng firearms exemption ang DASIA.”

(What’s the problem, why are there so many guards? I’m not a criminal. Don’t you know I’m the Comelec director? Perhaps you don't want DASIA to be given firearms exemption.)

DASIA refers to Davao Security & Investigation Agency, Incorporated, the university’s security agency. Under Comelec rules, private security personnel should secure gun ban exemptions during the election period.

It was the first time for Tambuang to speak on the issue, after he was identified as the parent involved in the incident.

Rappler first sought his side of the story late Thursday morning, when he was identified in the ADDU incident report submitted to police, and continued until Friday, but did not receive any reply. – Rappler.com

PERTH, Australia – At least 135 short-finned pilot whales died Friday, March 23, after a mass beaching in Australia as rescuers worked to herd those still alive back out to sea.

The stranding of 150 whales at Hamelin Bay, some 315 kilometers (195 miles) south of Perth, was spotted by a commercial fisherman at daybreak, with fears the carcasses will attract sharks.

Western Australia state's Parks and Wildlife Service said its staff were on site and assessing the health and well-being of the 15 still alive.

"Most of the whales beached themselves on dry land overnight and have not survived," said incident controller Jeremy Chick who added they they were awaiting support and equipment to help in a rescue attempt.

"The strength of the animals and the windy and possibly wet weather conditions will affect when and where we attempt to move them out to sea.

"The main objectives are to ensure the safety of staff and volunteers as well as the whales' greatest chance of survival."

Hamelin beach, named after French explorer Jacques Felix Emmanuel Hamelin who sailed through the area in about 1801, was closed with a shark alert issued for the area.

Short-finned pilot whales inhabit tropical and subtropical waters and are often seen in the hundreds and when they beach, it is usually en masse.

The reason why mass strandings occur is still unknown.

There are many theories including the shape of the coastline being a contributing factor, whales responding to distress calls from other whales, or groups following a leader into shore.

The largest mass stranding in Australia's west was at Dunsborough in 1996 when 320 long-finned pilot whales came ashore. All but 20 survived. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The 10 Aegis Juris fraternity members charged for the hazing death  of freshman law student Horacio "Atio" Castillo III were put under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, March 23.

The following are undergoing booking procedures as of writing: 

1. Mhin Wei Chan
2. Jose Miguel Salamat
3. John Robin Ramos
4. Marcelino Bagtang Jr
5. Arvin Balag
6. Ralph Trangia
7. Axel Munro Hipe
8. Oliver Onofre
9. Joshua Joriel Macabali
10. Hans Matthew Rodrigo

NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said all 10 were "picked up" by an agent in one location, and arrived at the headquarters in Manila around 11 am.

Earlier, a lawyer of one of the fratmen told Rappler that the 10 voluntarily surrendered to NBI citing apprehension about being under the custody of the Manila Police District (MPD) which filed the complaint.

The MPD was moving Friday morning to arrest the fratmen and was supposed to hold a press conference. The NBI will now hold the press conference instead.

"We will prepare a return informing the court of the fact of the arrest of the 10 named in the warrant and then the court decides, if the court says they stay with the NBI then we will keep them. If the court says we should transfer them, then we will transfer them," Lavin said.

Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 40 Judge Alfredo Ampuan ordered the arrest of the 10 fratmen late afternoon of Thursday, March 22.

Salamat and Ramos filed a motion for inhibition against Ampuan, citing partiality because he is allegedly the brother-in-law of Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC). Jimenez assisted the Castillo family during the preliminary investigation.

Hazing charges resulting to death are non-bailable but the fratmen filed a motion for bail. Judge Ampuan said the motions will be set for hearing once the fratmen are arrested. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – The US Senate passed a $1.3 trillion federal spending bill in dramatic dark-of-night fashion early Friday, March 23, overcoming hurdles that threatened to send the government into its 3rd shutdown of 2018.

Lawmakers stared down a self-imposed deadline of midnight Friday, when federal funding was set to expire, and passed the mammoth package by a vote of 65-32, with hours to spare.

With the House of Representatives comfortably passing the bill Thursday, March 22, it now goes to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature, as lawmakers began their escapes from Washington to start a two-week holiday.

The bill was introduced late Wednesday, March 21, after weeks of haggling, leaving lawmakers mere hours to peruse and vote on a mega-bill that will touch every aspect of American life.

Defense spending levels for this fiscal year ending September 30 were set at $700 billion, an increase of $61 billion over the 2017 cap. Non-defense domestic spending will reach $591 billion, a hike of about 10%.

Even though Trump had given his blessing to the bipartisan deal, the 2,232-page bill's fate in the Senate was up in the air throughout Thursday, with one of Trump's fellow Republicans, Rand Paul, threatening to stall the voting process.

"I think you ought to read the bills before we vote on them," Paul told Fox News. "I've been working all day diligently through the bill and I'm up to page 600."

Under Senate rules any member can object to rapidly moving legislation through the chamber.

Paul, who singlehandedly caused a brief shutdown last month by refusing to allow a quick vote ahead of a deadline, was on track to be the spoiler again, but he ultimately relented.

He did not hesitate to slam the secretive process, however, or his party's role in blowing up the federal deficit.

"Time and again, spending skyrockets, and conservatives are expected to fall in line to praise the party for making the big-spending status quo worse."

In addition to Paul, Senate leaders had to fight another personnel fire behind the scenes, with Idaho Republican Jim Risch fuming over language that would rename the White Clouds Wilderness in his state for ex-governor Cecil Andrus, a Democrat.

Andrus, who died last year, was a longtime political rival of Risch. The senator voted against the bill.

Establishment Republican leaders praised the legislation.

House Speaker Paul Ryan called it a vote "to rebuild our military, secure our borders, and give our service members their largest pay raise in 8 years," while Democrats sounded pleased at the outcome of negotiations.

"Overall, we Democrats are very happy with what we were able to accomplish on a number of priorities to the middle class and America, including infrastructure, education, opioids, mental health, and child care," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

The White House acknowledged it did not fulfill all of its wishes, but said Trump was ready to sign on.

"Is it perfect? No," acknowledged Mick Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget. "Is it exactly what we asked for? No."

'Extremely disappointed'

Triggering a 3rd government shutdown of the year would have been a deep embarrassment for the Republican-led Congress ahead of mid-term elections in November.

The spending bill had become a political battleground, as it included – and in some cases excluded – politically charged provisions known as riders which ramp up the level of controversy over the legislation.

It provides $1.6 billion – far less than Trump wanted – for border security and construction or repair of nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) of border fencing and barriers, boosts infrastructure spending, and increases funds for student grants.

It leaves intact funding for women's health provider Planned Parenthood, a target of relentless criticism from pro-life Republicans.

But in a major blow to Democrats, it fails to include protections for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as children.

And it leaves out a long-sought provision to stabilize the health insurance market by funding subsidies that could lower rates for low-income families by 40%.

That negotiation apparently broke down over disputes about abortion-related language in the bill.

"I'm extremely disappointed," said the provision's co-author, Senate Republican Susan Collins.

Among the sensitive issues included is gun safety, which has been a national focus following multiple school shootings, including one in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 people.

One provision strengthens compliance with background checks for firearm sales, and another reverses what has essentially served as a ban on federal research on gun violence. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Are you among the thousands who are expected to travel during the Semana Santa?

Transportation officials are expecting travels to and from provinces – whether by land, sea, and air – to start as early as Saturday, March 24, before Palm Sunday. They are expected to peak by Holy Wednesday, March 28. (READ: Why Holy Week has no fixed dates)

In a press briefing on Thursday, March 22, Transportation Assistant Secretary for Commuter Affairs Elvira Medina gave some tips for those hitting the road during Holy Week.

Know your rights

Safety is the responsibility of both the transportation agency and the commuters themselves.

"Our most important mandate is to ensure safety, convenience, and comfort for our commuters. But it's important that we know our rights as passengers as well," Medina said in Filipino. (READ: Road safety awareness)

Medina said that passengers should be brought to destinations "properly" by the driver that is not under the influence of drugs or even lacking sleep. Passengers should always assert their right to pay the right fare.

She also said that senior citizens and people with disability (PWD) should always assert their right to be prioritized and to sit in designated seats for them.

Don't ride 'colorum' vehicles 

Medina reminded passengers to never ride colorum vehicles, despite the long wait in terminals.

She said passengers should only patronize vehicles with registered franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Let's not patronize colorum vehicles. When the unfortunate happens, we will have difficulty in reporting them to authorities because they don't have franchise. We cannot run after insurance as well because they don't have that for sure," she told Rappler.

Load and unload in terminals

Medina also urged commuters to ride or get off only in designated bays or terminals.

"Many commuters wait for buses in areas where they shouldn't. Sometimes they get robbed by holduppers or by snatchers," she said.

"Let's not block or hail vehicles in unauthorized areas," she added. (READ: On road safety and courtesy)

Know the hotlines

Medina said they launched a hotline where commuters can easily reach the transportation department should they encounter problems.

Commuters can call them via landline by dialling 7890. Medina said phone calls are free of charge, and will be attended to 24/7.

Alternatively, here are the other landlines:

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Hotline
7890 or (02) 726-6255

Philippine National Police (PNP) Hotline Patrol
117 or send TXT PNP to 2920

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
Trunkline: (02) 882-4150-77 loc. 337 (rescue), 255 (Metrobase)
Metrobase: 882-0860

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
(02) 304-3713, (02) 304-3904

Red Cross Hotline
143, (02) 527-0000, (02) 527-8385 to 95

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) hotlines
(02) 3-5000 and (02) 580-8910; Twitter: @NLEXtraffic

Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) hotlines
(0920) 96-SCTEX (72839) (traffic hotline) or (045) 459-0522

Skyway System Hotline
(02) 776-7777 (PLDT), 0917-539-8762 (Globe), 0999-888-0893 (smart), 0932-854-6980 (Sun); Twitter: @SkywaySOMCO

South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) hotline
0917-6877539 (globe), (049) 508-7509, (02) 584-4389

Philippine Coast Guard
(02) 527-3877, (02) 527-8481, 0917-724-3682 (Globe), 0917-PCG-DOTC (Globe)

Preparations

Transportation officials said help desks and first aid stations will be put up in terminals.

The Philippine Ports Authority will also make sure charging stations and drinking water will be available for commuters waiting in ports.

For those waiting at bus terminals, officials said they are prepared for the influx of commuters and will set up tents and seats so passengers do not have to wait under the sun.

Inspections in different ports and terminals are ongoing, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suspended the number coding scheme around Metro Manila for city and provincial buses on March 28 and April 2, to accommodate the volume of traffic travelling to and from provinces. – Rappler.com

See the Holy Week schedules here:

• MRT, LRT, and PNR schedules for Holy Week 2018
• Bank schedules for Holy Week 2018
• Restaurant schedules in Metro Manila for Holy Week 2018

BARCELONA, Spain – Catalan separatist parties failed to elect a new regional president on Thursday, March 22, after their most radical faction refused to back the proposed candidate in a vote of confidence.

Former Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull obtained 64 votes in favor and 65 against, prolonging the political deadlock in the wealthy Spanish region.

There were 4 abstentions from the far-left CUP party.

The vote triggers a two month deadline for Catalonia to install a new regional government before fresh Catalan elections must be held.

Under parliamentary regulations a second round parliamentary vote must now take place within two days.

Turull, the only candidate, is not even guaranteed a win in a second round scheduled for Saturday, March 24, where he would require a simple majority from the 135-seat Catalan parliament to be elected.

As if this wasn't enough, it's uncertain whether the former Catalan government spokesman will even be able to attend the second session as he has been summoned before a Supreme Court judge on Friday, March 23, along with 5 other separatist leaders.

The judge is due to notify them of the charges brought against them for their role in the Catalan independence drive, and may even remand some of them in custody pending a trial.

'So much indecision'

With this in mind, Turull did not mention the word "independence" during his speech to the Catalan parliament even though the CUP demanded a greater commitment to the separatist cause if he wants their support.

Instead he appealed for dialogue with Spanish's central government.

"We ask to sit at the same table to resolve politically the problems we face," he said.

Just minutes before the parliamentary session kicked off to appoint Turull the CUP, which with its 4 lawmakers plays a kingmaker's role in the pro-independence camp, said it refused to back his bid arguing that his proposed program did not press hard enough for independence.

"The time has come to say no to so many calculations, to so much indecision, to so many delays," said the tiny party's parliamentary spokesman, Carles Riera.

Catalan parliament speaker Roger Torrent called the express parliamentary session on Thursday, faced with what he dubbed the "interference" of the Supreme Court.

Had Turull managed to be sworn in, he would have gone before the judge on Friday as Catalonia's new president-elect and jailing him would take on a greater gravity.

Turull is the 3rd separatist candidate to be proposed following failed bids by Catalonia's ousted president Carles Puigdemont  and jailed pro-independence activist Jordi Sanchez, who withdrew Wednesday, March 21.

As such, Spanish media have dubbed him the separatists' "plan C."

'Prolong chaos'

The anti-independence, centrist Ciudadanos party slammed the express parliamentary session.

"You don't want to govern, you want to prolong the chaos," Ines Arrimadas, Ciudadanos's chief in Catalonia, said during the debate in parliament.

"You can't be part of the solution that we need in Catalonia because you are part of the problem."

Spain's Justice Minister Rafael Catala accused the separatists of seeking "a clash with the rule of law, with institutions."

Speaking on Spanish radio, Catala said that calling the session to appoint a candidate under investigation "shows there is no real desire to find solutions for the future, but only to continue muddying the playing field."

Separatist parties won regional elections in December called by Madrid after they attempted to secede, retaining their absolute majority in parliament.

But they have still not been able to form a government as their two previous candidates for the presidency proved problematic.

Puigdemont went into self-exile in Belgium after separatist lawmakers declared independence last October and Sanchez is in jail pending the probe into the secession drive.

As long has it does not have a government, Catalonia will remain under direct rule from Madrid, imposed after the independence declaration. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – "Puwede ba kunin mo na ako dito, Lord?" (Can you take me now, Lord?)

Father Teresito "Chito" Soganub, the Marawi priest once held hostage by the terrorist Maute Group, opened up on Friday, March 23, about his "test of faith" during his 116 days in captivity. 

Two days before Holy Week, Soganub spoke in a press conference organized by the Catholic foundation Aid to the Church in Need at the Archdiocese of Manila. ACN was launching a partnership to help rebuild strife-torn Marawi City.  

In a rare public appearance in Manila, Soganub explained that his life as a hostage tested his "spiritual sanity." It was living while thinking he could die anytime.

Soganub however said: "Dinala ko na lang lahat dahil pari ako, kaya kailangan maging totoo ako doon sa my faith before God. There's no other way except to strengthen that faith and to believe that nandoon siya, nakikita niya, at alam niya at naririnig niya ano man ang nasa loob ko."

(I just bore everything because I am a priest, that's why I need to be true to my faith in God. There's no other way except to strengthen that faith and to believe that God was there, He was seeing everything, and He knew and He was hearing whatever was in my heart.)

Soganub also said that while his captivity was difficult, it was also a privilege to join the Lord in suffering. He broke into tears several times in Friday's press conference as he recounted his ordeal. 

"I was leaning on the fact that, perhaps, this is the time that the Lord wants me to join the Sorrowful Mystery. The Lord wants me to join the Stations of the Cross. The Lord wants me to join the Seven Last Words," Soganub said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Soganub was rescued on September 16, 2017, after he was captured by the Maute Group, terrorists who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS), on May 23, 2017. He is now undergoing psychological healing. (READ: Chito Soganub: Hostage-priest in Marawi often mistaken for a Muslim) 

Read a portion of the press conference with Soganub below: 

JOURNALIST JUN VENERACION: Total nagkuwento na po kayo bahabahagya, Father, puwede ba namin malaman kung doon sa 116 days 'nyo, ano po ba 'yung pinakamahirap na bahagi noon? 

FATHER CHITO SOGANUB: Ang pinakamahirap na bahagi sa buhay at sa pananampalataya, 'yung pamumuhay na nasa ilalim ka ng bala palagi. Malapit ka sa tama ng airstrike, malapit ka sa tama ng bala ng kanyon, 'yun ang pinakamahirap, dahil kahit magdasal ka, nahihirapan ka. 

At saka kahit 'yung sa prayers mo, nahihirapan din 'yung spiritual sanity mo. Nahihirapan ka na kung ano'ng gagawin mo at ano ang ipagdarasal mo. "Puwede ba kunin mo na ako dito, Lord? Alam mo na hindi ka makukuha diyan." "Puwede ba tamaan mo na lang ako, Lord? Kung tatamaan, diretso na akong mamamatay." So maraming parang hindi mo na maintindihan. 

So 'yung dalawang bagay, 'yung personality mo, 'yung person mo, at saka 'yung spirituality mo, mahirap. Siguro ang sagot doon, extraordinary situation at saka very special situation, na iba talaga kung nasa ilalim ka ng giyera. Nasa kamay ka pa ng hindi mo kilala, nasa kamay ka pa ng marami sila at may baril sila, at nandiyan naman humaharap ang malalakas na puwersa ng Armed Forces of the Philippines. 'Yun ang pinakamahirap.

VENERACION: Father Chito, papa'no 'nyo nilabanan 'yon, 'yung takot na 'yon? 

SOGANUB: Dinala ko na lang lahat dahil pari ako, kaya kailangan maging totoo ako doon sa my faith before God. There's no other way except to strengthen that faith and to believe that nandoon siya, nakikita niya, at alam niya, at naririnig niya ano man ang sa loob ko. 

Alam niya hindi ko kaya. Pero for me it's a test of my faith, na hanggang buhay ka pa, kayanin mo with the Lord. Kung ako lang, hindi ko talaga makaya, at saka hindi ko na kaya, suko na ako. But habang buhay pa, dahil pari ako, kakayanin ko ang lahat kasama ang Panginoon. 

Ang sinasandigan ko lang siguro, ito ang time na the Lord wants me to join the Sorrowful Mystery. The Lord wants me to join the Stations of the Cross. The Lord wants me to join the Seven Last Words. 

Mahirap at hindi ko gusto. On the other hand, parang privilege din ito na napagbigyan ka ng Panginoon ng ganoong privilege – hindi mo kaya pero kakayanin mo. It's a test – a final test of your faith. So 'yun lang. Between my life and my faith, kailangan kong i-strengthen. No other means. 

Mas mahirap. Marami kaming hostages, 120, pero kung pari ka, normal 'yun na mas mahirap sa 'yo dahil 'yung pari, at all situations, ikaw ang Father, kaya kung anong pangyayari. Pero kung in terms of difficult situations, ikaw pa rin ang pinakamatinding paghihirap, sa 'yo pa rin. Kasi kung halimbawa may disaster sa 'yong parokya o may masamang nangyayari, naga-sorrow ka, 'no, nasasaktan ka. So gano'n din. Maraming mga hostages. While I pity myself, naaawa pa rin ako sa kanila kung paano nila i-survive ito. 

Ang sagot doon, bakit ko nakaya, na kung ako lang hindi ko talaga kaya. Kung ano man 'yon, it's because I believe doon ang presence of God, kay Lord. Lagi kong hinihingi: hindi ko talaga kaya. At kung ano man 'yon, bigyan mo ako ng lakas, makaya ko at sa hindi, na'ndito ka lang, huwag mo lang ako iwanan. At alam ko hindi mo ako iiwanan. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio proved Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno wrong on Friday, March 23.

He showed he was able to submit all 10 required Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) when he applied to be chief justice in 2012 – contrary to claims of Sereno that 14 of the chief justice applicants in 2012, including Carpio, “failed to submit to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) one or some of their SALNs.”

Carpio requested a certification from the JBC and sent the media a copy. According to the document, the JBC has on file Carpio’s SALN for a period of 10 years, from 2001 to 2011.

Sereno's non-submission of all required SALNs is the basis of a quo warranto petition that seeks to remove her via a route separate from impeachment. The petition seeks to void her appointment as Chief Justice.

Context. Sereno said in her comment to the quo warranto petition pending before the Supreme Court (SC) that Carpio did not submit all his SALNs.

The JBC certification, however, said: “This is to further certify that our Office has on file electronic copies of his Honor’s SALN from 1992-1994.” 

 {source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST IN: Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio sends to media a certification that the JBC has on file his SALNs from 2001-2011 and 1992-1994. Context: Sereno said Carpio among CJ nominees who did not submit all SALNs to JBC <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rapplerdotcom</a> <a href="https://t.co/eaDuPEWank">pic.twitter.com/eaDuPEWank</a></p>&mdash; Lian Buan (@lianbuan) <a href="https://twitter.com/lianbuan/status/977067381297000448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The JBC required 10 years' worth of SALNs from applicants who have been in public service for that long a period.

Sereno worked as a University of the Philippines (UP) professor from 1986 to 2006 but has only 3 SALNs on record: 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Sereno said she's looking for the missing ones, but also raised the argument that she wasn't required to file SALNs in the years that she was on leave from UP without pay.

Why this matters. It refutes the claim of Sereno that Carpio did not submit all of his SALNs. He submitted the required 10, plus another two.

That Carpio, the acting Chief Justice, had to request a certification that was sent to media indicates a clear intent to prove Sereno wrong.

In the course of the House justice committee hearings, Carpio never once testified and even turned down an invitation for him to appear before the committee.

In the heated en banc session where justices pressured Sereno to go on leave, insiders said Carpio was among those who didn’t say much as opposed to other justices who were very vocal about asking the Chief Justice to go on leave. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman prosecutors on Friday, March 23, filed plunder charges against former immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles and alleged middleman Wally Sombero before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan. 

Argosino, Robles, and Sombero were also charged with one count each of graft, direct bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree Number 46, or the prohibition on private individuals to give gifts to public officials.

Former immigration intelligence chief Charles Calima was cleared after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales granted his motion for reconsideration. In Morales’ earlier indictment, Calima was supposed to be charged with direct bribery and graft.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Plunder charges against ex-Immigration execs Al Argosino &amp; Michael Robles and Wally Sombero filed in Sandiganbayan. Former immigration intelligence chief Charles Calima is cleared. <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rapplerdotcom</a> <a href="https://t.co/lFigxnbxkT">pic.twitter.com/lFigxnbxkT</a></p>&mdash; Lian Buan (@lianbuan) <a href="https://twitter.com/lianbuan/status/977081032879960064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Context. The case involves the P50-million scandal where gaming tycoon Jack Lam used Sombero as a middleman to allegedly bribe immigration officers to free nearly half of the 1,300 illegal Chinese workers who were arrested in Lam’s Pampanga casino.

There were also allegations that Argosino and Robles extorted P50 million from Lam, something that both officials denied.

During the course of Senate investigations, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also got dragged into the controversy.

Prior to the meeting of then immigration officials and Sombero, Aguirre had a private meeting with Lam, along with Argosino, Sombero, and two interpreters.

On Tuesday, March 20, the Senate adopted the Senate blue ribbon committee report on the BI bribery scandal, hitting Aguirre for privately meeting with Lam. 

The report ordered Aguirre to "explain thoroughly" why he met with Lam and the tycoon's alleged associate Wally Sombero on November 26, 2016 at a hotel, and discussed the arrest of Chinese nationals in Pampanga. (READ: Senate BI bribery probe: 3 hard questions for Aguirre)

Ombudsman’s findings. The case took on another twist when the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended only graft charges against Argosino and Robles because they recovered only P49,999,000 – P1,000 short of the P50-million threshold for plunder.

Aguirre was criticized then because Argosino and Robles are his Lex Taleonis fraternity brothers.

Nevertheless, Morales found basis to charge them with plunder.

“It bears emphasis that Argosino is the main plunderer being the one who demanded for the total sum of P100 million received through a series of two separate overt criminal acts and took ownership of a total of P50 million at the City of Dreams after asking for Robles’ company and help (carrying and keeping two paper bags of money) and thereafter giving shares of the loot to Sombero and Calima,” said Morales’ final order before charges were filed at the Sandiganbayan. – Rappler.com

BEIJING, China – China warned the United States on Friday, March 23, that it was "not afraid of a trade war" as it threatened tariffs on $3 billion worth of US goods in retaliation over President Donald Trump's moves against Chinese imports.

Beijing unveiled a hit list of products that could face duties of up to 25%, from fresh fruit to pork and wine, though it stopped short of pulling the trigger as it indicated its readiness to negotiate an agreement.

The latest trade action sent stocks diving as fears rise that the US, which accuses China of mass theft of intellectual property and other unfair practises, could provoke a damaging trade war.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 700 points, while Tokyo closed 4.5 percent lower and Hong Kong and Shanghai were both down more than three percent.

"China does not want to fight a trade war, but it is absolutely not afraid of a trade war," the commerce ministry said.

Hours earlier, Trump signed an order that also could result in restrictions on Chinese investment in the US, saying it would be the "first of many" trade actions.

"We have a tremendous intellectual property theft situation going on," Trump said as he signed the new trade order, which could include duties as high as 25 percent.

The action did not immediately impose any new tariffs, but within two weeks US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is due to publish a list of the products that could be hit with tariffs, which will be followed by a period of public comment.

As Trump has marched towards a confrontation, Beijing has repeatedly warned that trade wars benefit no one and that it would not stand by as Washington imposed new punitive measures.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday suggested the new measures on intellectual property were in fact a way of bringing Beijing to the table, telling CNBC they were "the prelude to a set of negotiations."

China's commerce ministry warned that a 15% tariff on 120 goods worth almost $1 billion – including fresh fruit, nuts and wine – would be imposed if the US fails to reach a "trade compensation agreement" within an unspecified timeframe.

In a second step, a 25% tariff would be imposed on 8 goods totalling nearly $2 billion, including pork and aluminium scrap, after "further evaluating the impact of the US measures on China," the statement said.

The measures were specifically in response to US steel and aluminium tariffs, which were due to take effect Friday.

The list noticeably does not include soybeans, which Chinese state-run newspaper the Global Times had suggested should be targeted by Beijing.

That would be a major blow to US farmers, as a third of their soybean exports go to China in a business worth $14 billion last year.

The political stakes are high: Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 10 top soybean-producing states in the 2016 election.

Betty Wang, an economist at ANZ bank, said China's reaction is "relatively mild" as it tends to seek solutions through negotiations.

"From China's perspective, it absolutely does not want to see a trade war. Coming back to the negotiation table is a relatively good result," Wang said.

Years of 'failed' dialogue

US Vice President Mike Pence hailed the new measures, saying they made it clear "the era of economic surrender is over".

Senior White House economic advisor Everett Eissenstat said the new import duties would target industrial sectors where "China has sought to acquire an advantage through the unfair acquisition or forced technology transfer from US companies."

The order also directs the US Treasury to develop new proposals to increase safeguards on Chinese investments in the US that could compromise national security.

In addition, the US trade representative will go after China in the World Trade Organization -- a body Trump and his officials have criticised as ineffective -- charging Beijing with preventing US companies from freely licensing their own technology in China.

White House officials said the actions came after years of efforts failed to convince China to change its behaviour.

While Trump hit out at China, he authorized the suspension of steel and aluminium tariffs on key trade partners – including the European Union and six other countries – until May 1.

Pain for US consumers?

The United States had a record $337.2 billion trade deficit with China last year.

American industry, and US agriculture in particular, as well as members of the president's own Republican party have voiced strident opposition to Trump's recent trade moves.

The US Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai said American companies face market access barriers in China but it said both sides should avoid a trade war.

"We welcome the US government's determination to address China's unfair trade practices but call on the Administration not to impose tariffs as its principal response," the chamber said in a statement.

But White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told reporters that China benefitted far more from trade with the US, meaning retaliation could be difficult for Beijing, and that lawmakers would broadly support the measures.

Influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he was "very pleased" with the moves, but other Republicans called on Trump to be judicious in designing the tariffs, warning of consequences for American consumers. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Point-to-point (P2P) buses will be partially suspending their operations during the Holy Week.

Below are the schedules released by P2P bus operators:

HM Transport Inc

• Holy Monday, March 26 until Holy Wednesday, March 28 - normal operations
• Maundy Thursday, March 29 until Good Friday, March 30 - no operations
• Black Saturday, March 31 - back to normal operations

Froelich Tours Inc

• Holy Monday, March 26 until Holy Wednesday, March 28 - normal operations
• Maundy Thursday, March 29 until Black Saturday, March 31 - no operations
• Easter Sunday, April 1 - back to normal operations

DNS P2P Bus

• Holy Monday, March 26 until Holy Wednesday, March 28 - normal operations
• Maundy Thursday, March 29 until Easter Sunday, April 1 - no operations
• Monday, April 2 - back to normal operations

RRCG P2P Bus

• Holy Monday, March 26 until Holy Wednesday, March 28 - normal operations
• Good Friday, March 30 until Easter Sunday, April 1 - no operations
• Monday, April 2 - back to normal operations

– Rappler.com

See the Holy Week schedules here:

• MRT, LRT, and PNR schedules for Holy Week 2018
• Bank schedules for Holy Week 2018
• Restaurant schedules in Metro Manila for Holy Week 2018

MANILA, Philippines – Sarah Elago, representative of the Kabataan Partylist, is the youngest member of the 17th Congress. But this does not always show.

During plenary session, in committee hearings, and in protest actions in the streets, she carries herself with confidence, understanding that the things she fights for go beyond herself or any handicaps and privileges that come with being part of the legislature.

“I’m still a full-time activist who just happens to be a congresswoman,” the 27-year-old Elago tells Rappler.

In her first term as a legislator, Elago has proven to be a force to reckon with. 

An active member of the progressive Makabayan bloc, Elago is front and center in presscons condemning policies and pronouncements by the administration.

She does not shy away from speaking in a megaphone during protests and gatherings. In the cushy and airconditioned halls of the Batasang Pambansa, Elago does not back down either.

“As a former president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, I’m not really new to meeting people from the heads of commissions, legislators because we rally as students to lobby for reforms…so this is nothing new for us. Whoever you speak to, that’s what also motivates you to not be afraid, to be clear about what you want to say, to be brave so you’re able to push and make what was impossible, possible,” she says.

Sarah Elago, the youngest representative and a “pauper” in a Congress filled with millionaires, understands that her job is to continue the struggle and defend the victories of generations before hers. 

As part of Rappler’s celebration of National Women’s Month, we talk to Elago about the challenges of being a legislator, a woman, a representative of the youth, and a dissenter in the age of Duterte.

Why she ran for a seat in Congress

It's a collective decision made by the party-list representation. So it was decided by the national organizations who founded the party list. [I decided to accept the nomination because] I know that I'm not alone and I'll never be alone in this huge responsibility of representing the youth sector, the sole youth representation in the 17th Congress. We have national organizations based in schools and in communities that form the constituency, the solid constituency of Kabataan Partylist.

Even outside the confines of Congress we work to empower, embolden the young people, to speak up in their schools, maximize all spaces to advance our legislative agenda, our call for free education, quality social services, the fight against corruption...the battle against the continued subservience of our country to big, giant economies. That’s not easy, so we draw strength from the unity of the students, of young people from different sectors.

From the streets to Batasang Pambansa

As a former president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, I'm not really new to meeting people from heads of the Commission on Higher Education, legislators, because we rally as students to lobby for reforms in the education system, also for the defense of democratic rights... of students' rights in schools. I'm still a full-time activist who just happens to be a congresswoman.

Being an activist and dissenter given President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements

We take the intense political situation, particularly the crackdown on vocal dissenters and critics as a grand opportunity to advance our struggle because right now we are seeing more people, more organizations offering different sectors, speaking up against human rights violations, against attacks on the critics, against the elimination of all opposition.

It only goes to show that as the campaigns for rights, freedom, and democracy intensify, the attacks also intensify. So we now have a greater push to, in the words of the youth today, do it better.

This is also the effort of the young people to secure the victories won by the young people before us. So they had their victories then. It's now up to us to garner more victories for the next generation.

Navigating the politics of a male-dominated House

Like they say: I’m not just a woman, but a young woman. But I think that fighting for the rights and welfare of the sector you represent knows no gender nor age. That should not be the first thing people think about. And because I come from the Kabataan Partylist, which has a long history of bravery, no matter who represents it, we don’t let any form of discrimination affect us.

Even if it’s there, we disregard it because what we’re fighting for is more important. If you feel that they belittle you because you are young or because you are a woman, you can use that to your advantage. I’m also thankful for the respect that we get from colleagues here in Congress.

We force unities based on principles – not because you are a woman or you are young – but because of the principles that you want to push, the steps you want to take, the measures you’re pushing here in Congress. And that’s what we want to continue doing.

Best and worst parts of being in Congress

The best part is how we are able to maximize the seat that we have here in the House of Representatives, to buttress and bolster the young and student movement nationwide.

So whatever campaigns they have on education, social services, governance, for accountability, our office is a mere extension. So whatever they support they need, we will give. Do they need a resolution filed, a bill filed? Do they need an issue to be the subject of a privilege speech? We will do that. So that’s the best part of being in Congress.

The dangers of misinformation and demonizing dissenters

The worst, and to me, the most dangerous, is when legitimate dissenters and vocal critics are tagged as terrorists. Right now, we know the heightened campaign of the administration against terrorism and this has been used frequently as an excuse to attack the opposition so it legitimizes violence, violent attacks, abuse against critics.

The noble cause is to represent the marginalized and the oppressed. Our bias really is for those who are under-represented. To give voice to the voiceless…to help those who are marginalized because how else would it be, right? It’s an effort to silence everyone who wants to speak. We speak because we want that bright future. We should not stay silent, especially now because we need many voices, loud voices.

Facing the fear of threats

I think the greatest assurance is the overwhelming support of the young people, the students, and the receptors, the peasants, the fisherfolk from the ranks of the urban poor. And then you see them supporting you, they who are the poorest, farmers who have nothing to eat, workers who do not get their wages. You see them fight, so why wouldn't you, right?

They have nothing and yet choose to speak up. What more for those in the ranks of say, scholars of the University of the Philippines like me who were shaped by the call to serve the country?

To me, a woman is...

To me, a woman is a fighter. 

– Rappler.com

YANGON, Myanmar – A close ally of Myanmar's de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi took a step closer to becoming the country's new president after the lower house overwhelmingly voted for Win Myint as its candidate on Friday, March 23.

The 66-year-old was the overriding favorite to take over the role when he resigned from his position as lower house speaker shortly after president Htin Kyaw abruptly stepped down on Wednesday.

"I hereby announce and confirm that the elected MPs group elected U Win Myint from Tarmwe constituency as a vice president," the new lower house speaker T Khun Myat announced after the session in the capital Naypyidaw.

He received 273 votes against 27 for the runner-up.

Parliament will now have to select the president from 3 candidates, one each from the lower and upper houses and the military.

Win Myint is expected to face the final vote next week against his two opponents, upper house candidate Henry Van Thio and the military-backed acting president Myint Swe.

Friday's endorsement of the former lawyer and political prisoner, however, means he is almost certain to clinch the job with Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party sporting a majority in both houses.

Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency because her children are not Myanmar citizens, a rule inserted by the military when it drafted a new constitution in 2008 that helped it retain a large role in running the country.

But Suu Kyi still leads the civilian government as state counsellor, a post engineered for her after her party dominated elections in 2015.

Win Myint stood beside Suu Kyi during the 1988 democracy movement that was brutally suppressed by the then military junta.

He is known for his strict management style in parliament but is one of Suu Kyi's inner circle so would likely remain loyal to the Nobel laureate as president.

Yangon-based political analyst Yan Kyaw said that while Win Myint's profile may rise, "he won't do anything against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi".

Suu Kyi widely remains a heroine domestically even though her reputation lies shattered on the world stage after failing to speak up on behalf of the country's Rohingya Muslim community. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – In the past they looked every bit like lawyers. On Friday, they looked like frightened sons, as they headed off to jail for the non-bailable charge of hazing.

The 10 Aegis Juris fraternity members charged in the hazing death of freshman law student Horacio "Atio" Castillo III surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, March 23.

The 10 young men, law students of the prestigious University of Santo Tomas (UST), were dressed down, stripped of their usual suits and white long sleeves.

They will spend the suceeding nights at the NBI until the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) decides whether to let them stay there, or send them to the regular Manila City Jail.

They cannot post bail, but they have a pending motion to be granted provisional liberty. (READ: Fratmen in Atio Castillo case want Manila judge to inhibit)

"They will be treated fairly, these young gentlemen just wanted to make sure that they are safe," said NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin. 

Brotherhood

The 10 men – Mhin Wei Chan, Jose Miguel Salamat, John Robin Ramos, Marcelino Bagtang Jr, Arvin Balag, Ralph Trangia, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, and Hans Matthew Rodrigo – honored their code of silence up to their detention.

The reason why they are charged is because one of their brothers, Marc Anthony Ventura, spilled crucial details about that fateful morning on September 17. Ventura named the 10 as the ones who participated in the last two phases of the hazing.

The 10, however, have admitted to nothing. Their defenses are grounded on technicalities, finding loopholes in the gaps of the Manila Police District in its documentation, and Atio's alleged pre-existing heart condition.

They stayed together, and even surrendered together.

NBI agent Danilo Mayani received a call early morning Friday from a common friend who was with one of the parents.

“Nagsabi sa akin na magvo-voluntary surrender sila ngayong umaga, from that time tinawagan ko si Director Dante Gierran humingi ako ng clearance, binigyan niya ako at doon na nagkaroon ng arrangement na sunduin ang mga bata,” Mayani said.

(They told me they will voluntarily surrender this morning, and from that time, I called up Director Dante Gierran to ask for clearance, which was given to me, and we arranged to pick up the boys.)

All 10 of them, bags in tow, surrendered together to the NBI just before noon on Friday. They might also be staying in one cell together while they are at the NBI.

"We will assess the situation, considering their security," Lavin said.

"They are all united, although they are emotionally affected because all of them have never been detained before. All the families of the accused have positive thoughts and they are giving comfort to one another," said Paterno Esmaquel Sr, lawyers of Salamat and Ramos.

{source} <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ten young law students headed off to jail for the non-bailable charge of hazing for the initiation rite of their brother Horacio Castillo that led to his death at age 22 <a href="https://t.co/IL6B7jXsbP">pic.twitter.com/IL6B7jXsbP</a></p>&mdash; Lian Buan (@lianbuan) <a href="https://twitter.com/lianbuan/status/977100455435149313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>

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Pain on both sides

Aegis Juris’ master initiator Axel Hipe looked like he had just cried, rubbing his eyes as camera lights flashed on their faces.

Hipe led the 4-hour hazing and decided when to stop punching Atio on the basis of the swelling of his muscles, according to an initial narration made by Ventura to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"He should have done something, but now it's too late," Atio's mother Carmina said.

Parents and relatives of the 10 fratmen accompanied their sons to the NBI. They refused to give statements.

"Nung kaninang dumating sila, emotional, lalo na nung tinurn over sa amin ng parents (They were emotional when they arrived, especially when the parents turned them over to us)," Mayani said.

Carmina said she is "both happy and angry." 

"I see these 10 accused and I see the suffering of my son. They put in their own hands the life of my Atio. Did they know my son? Did it ever occur to them that they are harming a human being?" Carmina asked.

Rain

It was raining Thursday morning, March 22, when Judge Alfredo Ampuan of Manila RTC Branch 40 ordered the arrest of the fratmen.

Rain has meant so much to Carmina since Atio died. Rain poured whenever they tried to visit Atio in his grave, which Carmina interpreted as her son telling them to no longer visit.

Carmina said it also rained when the DOJ announced the filing of non-bailable charges after more than 5 months of investigation.

“Was it Atio with God?” she wondered.

Rain will pour on less significant days, but Carmina will still think about what her son wants to tell her. Because now that is all she has.

“They ended the life of my son too soon. All we have now is memories,” she said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a crackdown on buses illegally plying routes nationwide, after visiting the site of the fatal Dimple Star bus crash on Friday, March 23.

He also ordered the arrest of the operator of Dimple Star bus.

"'Pinahuli ni PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) operator and 'pinahuli niya ang lahat ng colorum," Special Assistant to the President Bong Go said in a message to reporters. (PRRD wants operators arrested and all colorum buses caught.)

Land Transportation and Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Martin Delgra later on confirmed that the order has "nationwide" coverage.

He even said Duterte instructed that if the "colorum" buses resist, "call in the HPG (Highway Patrol Group) and army."

"Tapusin na natin itong problema na ito. Salot sa buhay natin," Go quoted Duterte as saying. (Let's finish this problem. It's a bane to our lives.)

Duterte made an unannounced visit to the site where a Dimple Star bus crashed in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, on Tuesday, March 20, killing 19.

The President also visited the wake of a victim and the wounded recuperating in a nearby hospital.

On the same day, LTFRB suspended the entire fleet of Dimple Star Bus company. The 30-day suspension covers all 118 bus units under 10 Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) issued to Dimple Star Bus and its owner, Hilbert Napat. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Police arrested 3 people in Muntinlupa on Friday, March 23, in a drug buy-bust operation that yielded P50 million worth of shabu. 

A joint team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) recovered 5 packs of shabu from the following in the entrapment operation at the Alabang Town Center parking lot Friday noon:

• Norodian Guimadel Samplidan, 28
• Lady Jane Flores Borja, 24
• Regina Inocencia San Miguel, 40

A follow-up operation yielded one more arrest, this time a Chinese suspect identified only as Mr. Lin. Two kilograms of high-grade shabu were confiscated from him, and his identity is being verified through police records.

Chief Superintendent Albert Ignatius Ferro said Lin was the supplier of the drugs seized in Alabang. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has a new strategy to prevent street crimes – encourage police officers to bring their firearms even when they are off-duty.

Dela Rosa said during an interview at Camp Karingal that even when they are in civilian clothing, police officers should bring their weapons and always be prepared to stop a crime.  

It is lawful for members of the police force to bring their guns as long as these are concealed. "Pulis naman sila 24/7. Wag lang silang magdisplay ng baril at manutok. Violation yan. Pero kung magdala lang sila at concealed na pagcarry, hindi na kailangan PTCFOR kasi issued firearm yan. Mission Order lang at MR, yan ang papel na dala mo pag magdala ka ng baril."

(They are police officers 24/7. As long as they do not display in pulic their guns or point the gun at people, which is a violation. But if they will conceal and carry their sidearms, they do not need a Permit To Carry Firearm Outside of Residence because these are issued firearms. A Mission Order is enough for you to bring your firearms.)

Dela Rosa recalled there have been incidences when an off-duty policemen prevented a crime. "Lahat ng accomplishment ng pulis pertaining sa mga holdapan sa bus at jeepney, laging nakafoil. Off duty na pulis at may dalang baril," he said. 

(All the accomplishments of policemen stopping a robbery inside a jeepney , were foild by off-duty cops carrying their guns.)

He said the possibility of the presence of cops in civilians with guns will surely deter crime. (READ: Cop who stopped bus robbers gets promotion)

"Bakit di natin gawing uniform practice yan sa lahat? Magdala ng baril para matakot ang mga holdaper, marami palang pulis ngayon na nakacivilian, wag tayong mangholdap," Dela Rosa said.

(Why don't we use this practive all over? Cop will carry guns always tro scare robbers.)

Dela Rosa added though that this plan could not be implemented during an election period gun ban. "Nobody is above the law, the Omnibus Election Code says only policemen in uniform may carry guns." 

But because the election gun ban is still not enforced, Dela Rosa said, "I encourage them to bring their firearms para makapagreact sila pag kinakailangan (so they can react when the need arises)." – Rappler.com