MANILA, Philippines – The pair of Philippine eagles that the country is loaning to Singapore were flown there Tuesday, June 4, by plane, courtesy of the Philippine Airlines (PAL).

Fifteen-year-old male eagle Geothermica and 17-year-old female eagle Sambisig will be staying for an indefinite amount of time at Singapore's Jurong Bird Park following the Philippines' loan agreement with Wildlife Reserve Singapore. 

In a statement on Tuesday, PAL said that while it has a long experience in flying animals, this is the first time that it has carried a critically endangered specie. PAL itself sponsors a female Philippine eagle named Sinag. 

The Philippine government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Eagle Foundation, loaned the pair to Singapore as a sort of "insurance policy" should anything threaten the remaining population.

– Rappler.com

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The 8-level Aguinid Falls in Barangay Tangbo, Samboan, south of Cebu, will temporarily close from June 17 to July 17, to let them “naturally recover from the devastating effects of the on-going El Niño phenomenon and mass human entry.”

Visitors are also advised to try other adventure sites offered by the town, like trekking to Dau Waterfalls and the Hidden Binalayan Falls.  

The barangay said the closure will also give them and the tour guides time to review current practices, rules, and regulations to be able to comply with environmental laws. 

They will also add more guidelines and precautionary safety measures for both visitors and the local guides.  

“It officially opened in 2013, and has become a must-see destination ever since. It is part of the town's eco-tourism thrust. In 2016, the Aguinid Falls won SunStar Cebu's 'Best of Cebu' for Best Ecotourism Experience,” a Facebook post from the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office reads.  

For an entrance fee of P40, P20 goes to the local government unit for the environment fee, P10 goes to the barangay, and the remaining P10 serves as the honorarium for the volunteer tour guides. 

Aguinid has 30 local guides.  

The amendments proposed by the barangay include the increase in entrance fees as well as providing a standard fee for the guides. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – On the day the 17th Congress ended, Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed hope that the next Senate would "remain cooperative but independent."

Sotto said the chamber "sought to provide the legal framework for an independent and progressive Philippines in the span of 3 years" from 2016 to 2019.

"We wish the coming Senate to carry on the task we are passing on to them. Let us remain cooperative but independent, balanced, transparent, and sincere," Sotto said in his closing speech on Tuesday, June 4.

Sotto assumed the Senate presidency on May 21, 2018, replacing Senator Aquilino Pimentel III.

The 17th Congress adjourned sine die on Tuesday. The 18th Congress will open on July 22, with the new set of senators who won in the 2019 polls.

Sotto said the Senate preserved the doctrine of separation of government powers.

He cited the case of opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who faced an arrest warrant following President Rodrigo Duterte's revocation of his amnesty. Trillanes took refuge in the chamber for nearly a month.

"Late last year, in spite of a perceived preference of the prosecutorial service and the courts to serve a warrant of arrest on one of our members, we took the view that the same may not be served while the subject of said warrant was in our castle. We did not prejudge the case in favor of our colleague. We only meant to consider our premises as inviolable while in the discharge of its functions," Sotto said.

He also said that the chamber insisted on due process when it came to legislative enactments.

He specifically mentioned the 2019 budget impasse, where senators opposed House amendments made after the bicameral conference committee had finalized the bill.

"In those two months of stalemate, we insisted on our position, and made known our stand when the budget was submitted to the Office of the President. Though we eventually signed, we made known our observations, and the executive department sustained our position," Sotto said.

High ratings

The Senate leader also took pride in the chamber's high trust and approval ratings.

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2018 and released in January 2019 showed that 71% of Filipinos are satisfied with the performance of the Senate while 13% are dissatisfied, for a "very good" +58 net rating.

"This has been the highest rating since August 2012, according to SWS," he pointed out.

He then thanked each of his colleagues, saying that the high numbers "could not have been garnered without the dedication and focus" of the senators.

Sotto reported that since June 2016, senators have filed 2,235 bills and 1,048 resolutions.

Of these, Sotto said 464 bills were signed into law. Among the landmark laws are:

• Bangsamoro Organic Law
• Philippine Identification System Act
• Universal Health Care Act
• Mental Health Act
• Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act
• Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for Persons with Disabilities
• Corporation Code of the Philippines
• Telecommuting Act
• Magna Carta of the Poor
• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act

Congress also approved the bill creating the Philippine Space Agency and the measure raising taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products, among others.

During the final session, outgoing senators also bade farewell to the Senate. Of the 6 senators leaving the chamber, only Trillanes did not deliver a speech, as he was not present. – Rappler.com

LONDON, United Kingdom (UPDATED) – US President Donald Trump promised a "phenomenal" post-Brexit trade deal with Britain as he met outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May Tuesday, June 4, to boost their frayed alliance against a backdrop of political turmoil.

As protesters angered by his state visit flew a huge balloon of a naked baby Trump and blocked traffic in central London, the US leader heaped praise on May and scorn on opposition Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn.

He dismissed thousands of protesters rallying nearby as "fake news" and said he turned down a meeting with Corbyn – who himself took part in the protest – branding him a "somewhat negative force."

Trump's state visit began on Monday, June 3, with a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and a state banquet, but behind the pageantry, Britain is in political upheaval.

His meeting with May comes just weeks before she is scheduled to quit after failing to get her island nation out of the EU, despite focusing on little else for the past 3 years.

Trump and May looked stony-faced walking up to their joint press appearance and did not shake hands before going into formal talks at the prime minister's Downing Street headquarters.

Nearby, noisy activists took to the streets to protest everything from Trump's dismissive views on climate change to his embrace of anti-abortion groups.

"Everything Trump stands for – misogyny, climate denying – everything about him is wrong," one demonstrator, marble restorer Steve Gray, told Agence France-Presse.

'Everything on table'

The president's visit is technically centered around D-Day 75th anniversary commemorations on Wednesday, June 5.

But it comes at an especially chaotic time for the UK, with May formally stepping down as leader of her Conservative party on Friday, June 7.

She will stay on as prime minister until her successor is chosen out of 12 contenders from her party.

Whoever takes over will have to make some tough choices before the twice-delayed Brexit deadline on October 31.

Trump preceded his visit by urging Britain to walk away from the EU without an agreement.

He also suggested that Brexit-backing former foreign minister Boris Johnson would be an "excellent" leader to get it done.

The two spoke by phone for 20 minutes on Tuesday, according to a source close to Johnson. Trump was also said to have set up a meeting with another candidate, Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

With the US increasingly isolated from its traditional allies, Trump talked up the "special relationship" with Britain during a joint press conference with May.

Trump said he was certain the sides could reach an understanding on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei that could avoid disruption in intelligence-sharing between London and Washington.

"We have an incredible intelligence relationship and we will be able to work out any differences. I see absolutely no limitation," said Trump, who has effectively banned the Chinese firm at home over fears it could be used to spy for Beijing.

But US-UK relations are also being tested by different approaches to Iran and climate change, besides Trump's personal politics and antics.

"We can also differ sometimes on how to confront the challenges we face," May noted, highlighting the climate and Iran.

"I've always talked openly with you, Donald, when we have taken a different approach and you've done the same with me."

Trump himself touched on the difficulties likely to face May's successor, stressing that "everything is on the table" in future trade talks.

Britain is particularly concerned that its beloved state-run health service could be opened up to US companies.

Noisy protests

Their talks were accompanied by noisy protests from thousands of anti-Trump activists.

One group paraded a life-size doll of Trump – wearing his trademark red "Make America Great Again" cap – sitting on a toilet with a phone in his hands.

"It's hard to even know where to start with Trump," said Norwegian college student Helen Thuen.

"It's about the policies, that's what really matters. His personality affects his policies, though."

Trump's day will be rounded off with a lavish dinner at the US ambassador's residence.

The heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla will attend on behalf of the queen. – Rappler.com

CEBU, Philippines – More poultry farms are causing fly infestation in villages in Ormoc City, Leyte, the city's Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) head Rafael Junnar Dumalan told Rappler on Tuesday, June 4. 

Although ENRO has not determined which other poultries produced fly swarms aside from Rovins-1 Poultry in Barangay Catmon, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez called all poultry operators, suppliers, and distributors for a meeting on May 28.

Dumalan said that among the 28 registered poultry farms in the city, 25 were represented in the meeting.

“We protect your business, but we also have to protect our community…. You want this business. You know your parameters. You know your duties and responsibilities,” Gomez reportedly told poultry owners and representatives.

Ormoc poultry, including the Rovins-1 Poultry, reportedly did not comply with environmental and business guidelines stipulated by ENRO and the Ormoc City government.

Dumalan told Rappler that the Rovins-1 Poultry owned by Ronnie Vinluan followed the recommended actions ordered by ENRO before the May 29, 2019, deadline.

Violations include the improper disposal of dead chickens and their dung, clogged drainage systems, use of fake pesticides, and absence of business, occupancy, and business permits.

“We need your cooperation. Palihog (Please), we need everybody’s cooperation. Dagko inyong investments, pinakasakit is masara inyong negosyo,” Gomez reportedly said. (You invested a lot. It will be most painful if your business will be closed.)

As mitigating measure, Dumalan told Rappler, they started fogging since Thursday, May 30, to eliminate the fly swarms that had infested residential areas in Ormoc.

The fogging, however, did not sit well with residents even after it had significantly decreased the swarms.

“After a few days, the residents complained that the fogging posed health issues to their families,” Dumalan said. – Rappler.com 

WASHINGTON DC, USA – Mexico made a last-ditch push Tuesday, June 4, to avoid the punishing import tariffs Donald Trump has threatened to slap on his southern neighbor, as the US President demanded it put an end to a migrant "invasion."

Top Mexican officials braced for talks in Washington seeking to avoid economic disaster by getting Trump to shelve his threat to impose the punitive 5% duties beginning June 10.

With pressure boiling, members of Trump's Republican party were reportedly considering a brazen legislative move to block the President's tariffs, something Trump himself warned would be a "foolish" act.

Speaking before a high-stakes meeting between Mexican officials and US trade representative Robert Lighthizer, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard  said he predicted an "80%" chance of success in negotiating a way out.

But after stepping up the pressure with a Monday, June 3 tweet saying Mexico should "immediately" stop the flow of migrants and drugs towards the southern border, Trump doubled down during his state visit to Britain.

Even as Ebrard spoke of hopes for reaching "common ground," Trump bluntly told reporters in London it was "more likely" than not that the tariffs go into effect next week.

"Mexico should step up and stop this onslaught, this invasion into our country," Trump said at a joint press conference with outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Trump has said the tariffs would rise steadily to 25% by October if Mexico does not substantially stem the flow of undocumented migrants, mainly from Central American countries, arriving at the US southern border.

The US leader's shock tariff announcement pummelled the Mexican currency and sent markets in both countries tumbling over fears of a sharp slowdown in trade and high prices for imported goods on both sides of the border.

Mexico has said the tariffs would be "counterproductive," but the White House reiterated this week that Trump's threat is serious.

US lawmakers including Republicans have warned that the tariff plan could scuttle the massive free trade agreement being finalized between Mexico, the United States and Canada, that is set to replace the longstanding NAFTA.

The new deal, called USMCA, is currently in the process of ratification by the legislatures of the 3 countries.

'Bad idea'

The Washington Post reported that US Republicans were discussing whether they would have to block Trump's planned new tariffs, a move that would trigger the most dramatic act of defiance from within the President's party since he took office in 2017.

Trump brushed aside the threat, saying he did not believe Republicans would follow through.

"If they do, it's foolish," he said. "There's nothing more important than borders. I've had tremendous Republican support."

But several of Trump's allies were insistent that Trump pull his tariff threat.

"I think it's a bad idea, plain and simple," Senator Cory Gardner told reporters late Monday.

Ebrard is scheduled to meet Wednesday, June 6, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and provide data showing Mexico's commitment to stemming the migrant flow.

The top Mexican diplomat earlier told reporters that Mexico had already prevented 250,000 migrants from traveling to the US border by taking a series of steps, including letting US asylum seekers remain in Mexico while their applications are reviewed.

Ebrard added that the only solution to the crisis is a comprehensive development plan for Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, where most of the migrants come from.

In March, Trump cut off aid to the 3 nations, insisting they weren't doing enough to stop the flow of migrants to the United States. He has also more than once threatened to close the US border with Mexico. – Rappler.com

PITHORAGARH, India – Eight climbers feared to have died on a Himalayan mountain took an untested route without permission and retrieving their bodies will be a high-risk operation, Indian officials said Tuesday, June 4.

Five bodies have been spotted on the slopes of India's second highest mountain, Nanda Devi, but rescuers say it could take days to get them down.

Experienced British climber Martin Moran led 3 other Britons, two Americans, an Australian and an Indian on the expedition that officials said had permission to scale Nanda Devi's eastern peak.

But Moran's expedition company announced on Facebook on May 22 after reaching a second base camp that they planned to attempt "an unclimbed peak" 6,477 meters (21,250 feet) high.

"This mountain range is more difficult to scale than Mount Everest. They knowingly risked their lives after changing their plans without informing the authorities," an official involved in the operation told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity.

"The permission was granted for Nanda Devi east, and any diversion is illegal. We were completely unaware of their changed plan and that turned fatal," he said.

Authorities will have to organize "a very high-risk and high-altitude operation" to retrieve the bodies, Vivek Kumar Pandey, a spokesman for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, told AFP.

High altitude fall

"In recent times such a high-altitude retrieval has not been carried out in Indian mountains," he added.

The district administration has asked for military assistance in getting to the bodies in a zone with a high risk of more avalanches, Pandey said.

"Trying to reach there on foot could be very risky as there are crevasses and it will take longer than usual."

Aerial pictures shot on Monday, June 3, showed 4 bodies together and another buried at a distance on a ridge that was swept by an avalanche. Three more were believed to be nearby.

A military source said the climbers may have fallen from an ice ridge or an overhanging mass of snow during the avalanches.

"There must have been some error of judgment and they must have fallen from a great height along with the entire snow cornice. It must have been like falling from a 10-storey building," the source told AFP.

"They took a different route for which they didn't have permission. It is their adventurism which cost them their lives," the source said.

Surendar S. Panwar from local trekking operator Cosmos Tour and Expedition, said the much-respected Moran had already climbed other peaks in the area.

"It is quite surprising how a qualified mountaineer like him made a mistake," Panwar told AFP.

Officials said 12 climbers had set out from Munsiyari in Pithoragarh but they separated into two groups a week later after reaching the Nanda Devi east base camp.

The groups communicated last on May 26, a day before heavy snow fell and massive avalanches hit the heights.

When the 8 failed to report back to the base camp, the other 4 launched their own search before alerting Indian authorities who started their own massive hunt.

Hundreds of climbers from across the world visit India to scale mountains across the Himalayan chain, and the peaks in Nanda Devi sanctuary are considered among the toughest.

The first successful ascent of Nanda Devi was in 1936.

India has 10 peaks above 7,000 meters, including Kangchenjunga – the world's third highest – sandwiched between India and Nepal.

The latest deaths come a week after the end of a deadly climbing season on Mount Everest where 11 people died, amidst criticism of authorities for allowing record numbers onto the slope. – Rappler.com

KINSHASA, DR Congo – DR Congo's health ministry said it had recorded more than 2,000 cases of Ebola, two-thirds of which had been fatal, since the disease broke out in the country's east 10 months ago.

"Since the start of the epidemic, the total number of cases stands at 2,008, of which 1,914 have been confirmed [by lab test] while 94 are probable," it said in an update issued late Monday, June 3.

"In all, there have been 1,346 deaths (1,252 confirmed and 94 probable) and 539 people have recovered."

The ministry said it was important to retain the overall perspective, despite the breaching of the symbolic threshold of 2,000 cases.

"In recent weeks, the trend has been positive, although vigilance is still necessary," it said.

There have been fewer attacks on Ebola teams by armed groups, which means health workers have "recovered some of the lost time to contain the spread of the epidemic," it said.

The epidemic was first declared in North Kivu province on August 1 and then spread to neighboring Ituri, although there have not been any cases in neighboring countries.

Oxfam's director for the DRC, Corinne N'Daw, said "it is clear the current response to tackle Ebola isn’t working. No matter how effective treatment is, if people don’t trust or understand it, they will not use it."

She added: "Our teams are still meeting people on a daily basis who don’t believe Ebola is real...many cases are going unnoticed because people with symptoms have been avoiding treatment."

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also voiced its concern.

"Worryingly, the number of Ebola cases has increased significantly in recent weeks to between 15-20 new cases per day," it said in a press release.

It called for a "reset" of the response, combining scaled-up aid with a greater role for local people in carrying it out.

Efforts to tackle the crisis have been hampered both by militia attacks on treatment centers and by the hostility of some local people to the medical teams.

Five workers have been killed, according to an Agence France-Presse tally, and important preventative work, such as vaccination programmes and burials of Ebola victims, has been delayed, said N'Daw.

The outbreak is the 10th in Democratic Republic of Congo since the disease was identified in 1976.

It is the worst on record after an epidemic that struck 3 African countries between 2014-2016, leaving more than 11,300 people dead.

On May 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) appointed David Gressly, serving as the UN's deputy special representative in DR Congo, to coordinate the global response to the epidemic. – Rappler.com

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories – The Palestinians will begin the Eid festivities on a different day to Saudi Arabia for the first time since at least 1994 due to differences in the sighting of the moon, leading some to question why.

Some Palestinians even suggested on social media the decision could be related to politics ahead of the unveiling of the US plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Saudi Arabia has close ties with US President Donald Trump's administration.

Palestinian officials flatly denied the claim related to the Eid al-Fitr festival that follows the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Others joked about the different dates, with one social media comment proposing Palestinians fast for a half-day on Tuesday to bridge the division.

A statement by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories carried on official media Monday night, June 3, confirmed Eid al-Fitr would begin on Wednesday, June 5, a day later than Saudi Arabia.

The end of Ramadan is based on the new moon but regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran have long tended to pick different days.

This year Eid is on Tuesday, June 4, in Saudi Arabia and Wednesday in Iran.

Ekrama Sabri, head of the supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem, told AFP it was the first time since the Palestinian Authority was formed in 1994 they were holding Eid on a different day to Saudi Arabia.

"We in Palestine do not have tools like those in Saudi Arabia and the geography of our country does not help to see the moon," he said, explaining the difference.

He denied any political issues, pointing out that Egypt, a close Saudi ally, was also due to begin on Wednesday.

A Palestinian Islamist group refused to accept the mufti's decision, announcing they would consider Eid to begin Tuesday.

The decision in any case set off suspicions.

The Palestinians have been seeking to block the US peace plan, accusing Trump of blatant pro-Israel bias.

Saudi Arabia is attending a US-led economic conference in Bahrain on the issue on June 25-26 which the Palestinians are boycotting and have encouraged other Arab states to skip.

Some Palestinians speculated online that the decision was a message.

Ali Mawazi posted on Facebook his support for the decision, saying that those who opposed it were "wrong, specifically in the atmosphere of the so-called deal of the century," a nickname used by Palestinians for the US peace push. – Rappler.com

VANCOUVER, Canada – Four heads of state and advocates for youth, climate change, and health equity all shared the stage to kick off the Women Deliver 2019 Conference, the largest global conference on women's sexual health rights, gender equality, and cross-cutting issues like climate change and economic empowerment.

The focus of this year's Women Deliver conference is the need to redefine power structures to enact policy changes and fund investments that will sustain long-term gains on gender equality.

But Philippine delegates lamented that no representative from the country's health department was present at the conference.

Global health conferences like Women Deliver gather high-level health officials and policymakers with nongovernment agencies and civil society organizations, giving the latter opportunities to hold consultations, dialogues, and talks with government officials to push for policy and budget commitments needed to support reproductive health and family planning initiatives at the grassroots level.

Ben de Leon, president of the Forum for Family Planning, remembers attending the 2007 Women Deliver Conference in London.

"The [Department of Health] secretary was there and we were secured a commitment for a family planning budget even if the reproductive health law was not yet passed," he said.

Other former health secretaries who attended Women Deliver conferences in the past include Esperanza Cabral (Women Deliver 2010 in Washington, D.C.) and Enrique Ona (Women Deliver 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). 

Chi Laigo Vallido, director for programs and advocacy at the Forum for Family Planning, said the absence of Philippine health officials at this event is a missed opportunity for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to hold these officials accountable.

"Our health budget has been cut. How does the government intend to fulfill its family planning commitments given this?"

Although lawmakers restored the funds that the budget department initially clipped from the health department's proposed 2019 budget, the Department of Health's (DOH) budget still decreased by P1.03 billion, from P99.60 billion in 2018 to P98.57 billion in 2019.

Ami Evangelista Swanepoel, executive director of Roots of Health – a reproductive health NGO based in Palawan – said that it is only at global gatherings that organizations like hers can have informal talks with DOH officials to discuss the reproductive health needs of women in remote areas outside of Manila.

Both Swanepoel and Vallido lamented that the absence of Philippine health officials at Women Deliver signifies that "this administration really doesn't care about women's rights."

A DOH official who asked that his identity be kept confidential because he is not authorized to speak on the issue said that travel to global health conferences like Women Deliver does not fall under authorized travel to be funded by the DOH.

However, foreign travel to global conferences tied to international health agreements entered into by the Philippines is authorized to be funded by the DOH.

Rappler reached out to the DOH to ask why there was no representative from the department at the Women Deliver 2019 Conference. There was no reply from the DOH as of this writing.

Philippine youth delegates present at the conference were also hoping to hold side dialogues with government officials to express their opposition to the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility, which was approved by the House of Representatives last January.

"Youth leaders from the Philippines are uniting here at Women Deliver 2019 in calling the attention of our Senate to stop the passage of lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 or 12 years old. We believe that government should listen to the voices of young people,” said Ralph Ivan Samson, president of Y-PEER Pilipinas. 

'Gender equality is under attack'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed the panel that included Sahle Work-Zewde, the first female president of Ethiopia, Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwa, environmental activist Farwiza Farhan, youth advocate Natasha Mwansa, and UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment and Economic Growth Alaa Murabit. 

Trudeau justified his claim of being a feminist by forming Canada's first gender-balanced cabinet in 2015 and continuing to push for feminist and gender equal government policies.

"Gender equality is hard because we have a world…that lays barriers for women. It requires real, consistent commitment to change," Trudeau said.

The conference comes at a time when women's reproductive health rights are coming under attack – from regressive abortion policies in the United States, to brazen sexism and misogyny displayed by heads of state.

"Progress can backslide. We're seeing it happen. Gender equality is under attack. I can only imagine how hard it is to be a feminist on the frontlines," Trudeau said.

"Individuals and interest groups are trying to roll back women's rights, and politicians are giving into the pressure, shamefully campaigning to undo women's hard won victories."

The four-day summit brings together thought leaders, heads of state, and global public health champions to galvanize political and financial investments in gender equality and the sexual reproductive health rights of women and girls.

The last Women Deliver Conference was held in 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark. – Rappler.com

Ana P. Santos is covering the Women Deliver 2019 Conference in Vancouver, Canada, with support from Women Deliver. 

PARIS, France – Despite widespread alarm on the environmental cost, Asia and the United States lifted world production of plastic last year while Europe saw a dip, the PlasticsEurope federation said Tuesday, June 4.

Voicing concern over US imports, the federation noted global output rose by 3.2% last year to 359 million tons (Mt), on the heels of a 3.9% increase a year earlier.

Asia represented more than half of global production, with China alone churning out 108 Mt as it continues to boost capacity, in particular via coal conversion.

Asia as a whole nonetheless has a "structural deficit and is an importer" of plastics, Eric Quenet, PlasticsEurope's regional director for Western Europe, told a new conference.

The United States is also producing more as a result of shale gas development. The US has developed ethanol-based production units that provide a competitive advantage over European counterparts, the federation said.

Given a worsening trade environment with China, US production is more present in European markets, Quenet observed, with US imports soaring by one-quarter last year.

"What we recorded in 2018 is continuing ... as a consequence of the worsening of Sino-US trade links," Quenet added.

"Our European market remains relatively open with customs duties still fairly moderate," he said.

European production fell back last year by 4.3% while consumption crept up 0.4%. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard said on Wednesday, June 5, that was scouring the Tubbataha Reef area in Palawan in search of a missing diver.

The PCG identified the diver as Bryan Nazareno, who was part group of underwater photographer Scott "Gutsy" Tuason.

The PCG said it received the report on Nazareno at 11 am on Tuesday, June 4. Nazareno went diving with his group in Amos Rock in Tubbataha Reef and had been missing since 4 pm of Monday, it added.

The PCG said it directed PCG District Palawan to verify the report, coordinate with the diver's group, and launch search and rescue operations. 

It said the BRP Cabra, with frogmen from the Special Operations Group and a medical team on board, was dispatched to the Tubbataha Reef shortly after the PCG received the report

“As of now, rescue teams are still scouring the area,” the PCG said on Wednesday.

The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in the Sulu Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a protected area and one of the world's most important marine sanctuaries, making it a divers' haven. – Rappler.com

MELBOURNE, Australia – Jailed Australian Cardinal George Pell arrived in court under heavy police guard Wednesday, June 5, beginning an appeal against his conviction for child sex abuse.

Pell, 77, was found guilty in December on 5 counts of assaulting two choirboys in Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral in 1996 and 1997.

The Vatican's former number 3 – who managed the church's vast finances and helped elect two popes – was sentenced in March to 6 years in prison.

During proceedings he sat – flanked by police officers – with his hands interlaced or taking notes with pen and paper.

His lawyers say his conviction was unreasonably based on the testimony of a single surviving victim and that the judge unfairly disallowed defense evidence.

Pell's second victim died of a drug overdose in 2014 and never disclosed the abuse.

In court documents, Pell's lawyers claimed "a catalogue of at least 13 solid obstacles in the path of a conviction".

Pell wore his clerical collar and a black coat for the appeal, which is being heard by 3 judges of Victoria State's Supreme Court: Chief Justice Anne Ferguson, President of the Court of Appeal Chris Maxwell and Justice Mark Weinberg.

The cardinal has always maintained his innocence and supporters have claimed he was being punished unfairly for the Catholic church's multiple cover-ups of pedophile priests.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday before the 3 judges make a decision on his case, a process that could take several weeks.

They could reject the appeal, order a retrial or acquit Pell. Any ruling could be appealed further to Australia's High Court.

Prior to Wednesday's hearing, the 3 judges visited Saint Patrick's cathedral to understand the evidence that was considered by the jury, a court spokesman said.

The defense argues that the timing of the assaults were "impossible" given the dates and his publicly verified movements within the cathedral.

Pell's lawyer Bret Walker opened his appeal by dissecting the "impossibility" of the abuse, describing elements of the incidents as "bizarre unlikelihood".

He claimed that Pell was mingling with congregants at the western door of the cathedral when the abuse purportedly took place. "The word is alibi," Walker said.

The prosecution said "the evidence from a handful of witnesses suggested that certain scenarios, such as the Archbishop being alone and robed, were unlikely", but not impossible.

The appellants also claim it was not possible for the two choirboys to have left their group unnoticed or for the sexual assault in the sacristy to have gone undetected when the cathedral was busy following mass.

The victim's testimony and cross-examination were given to the jurors and judge alone.

A video of that cross-examination is expected to be reviewed by the appeal judges.

A first trial in the case last year ended in a hung jury. He was convicted in December at the end of a second trial.

Both trials were hidden from the public until a wide-ranging gag order was lifted in February after a second tranche of charges against Pell, involving alleged incidents in a swimming pool in his home town of Ballarat in the 1970s were dropped.

Pell, an outspoken conservative, enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of the church, becoming Australia's most senior Catholic.

Former prime minister John Howard was one of several people to pen a glowing character reference for Pell ahead of his sentencing.– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte called on all Filipinos to be instruments of "love, respect, and selfless service" in his Eid'l Fitr message.

"Take this an an opportunity to deepen your role as instruments of love, sacrifice, respect, and selfless service and may each of you remain our government’s partner in promoting peace and understanding among Filipinos from all walks of life," said Duterte in a message sent on Wednesday, June 5.

Malacañang had declared the day a non-working holiday in honor of the Muslim celebration, also known as Festival of Breaking the Fast or end of Ramadan.

"May all Muslim Filipinos observe this day as a time for reflection, enlightenment, and renewal of commitment to a much stronger devotion to the Almighty," said the Philippine leader.

In President Duterte's Eid'l Fitr message, he calls on Filipinos to be "instruments of love, sacrifice, respect, and selfless service." @rapplerdotcompic.twitter.com/MMAF72PXC9

— Pia Ranada (@piaranada) June 5, 2019

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Muslims celebrated on Wednesday, June 5, the feast of Eid'l Fitr, which marks the end of their monthlong fasting called the Ramadan.

The challenge for Muslims, according to an imam, is to put the lessons of Ramadan into everyday practice. 

Unfortunately, said Islamic Studies professor Jamel Cayamodin, many Muslims fell into the trap of vote buying in the last elections – which fell during the month of Ramadan.

Paterno Esmaquel files this video report. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Muslims, like the rest of the Islamic world, started celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday, June 5. 

Eid'l Fitr or the Feast of the Breaking of Fast marks the conclusion of Ramadan, a monthlong period of fasting from sunrise to sunset to seek forgiveness of sins, increase self control, and exercise charity.  (READ: FAST FACTS: What you should know about Eid'l Fitr, end of Ramadan)

Eid'l Fitr would have been celebrated as early as Tuesday morning, June 4 but the Islamic moonsighting committees reported no sighting of the new moon on Monday evening, June 3.

 – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – As the 17th Congress ended, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon touted the accomplishments of the 6-member opposition bloc from 2016 to 2019.

Aside from Drilon, the other members of the minority bloc in the Senate are Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Despite the attacks against them, as well as De Lima's detention, Drilon said the minority senators still managed to become productive in the 17th Congress, spearheading the passage of landmark legislation.

"The 17th Congress has not been easy for the opposition. It is hard to be in the opposing side these days," Drilon said.

"We saw our colleague Senator De Lima detained. All of us in the minority were subjected to criticisms and attacks. Despite all these, we soldiered on and remained focused on one goal: to get things done for the people," he added.

Drilon said the minority bloc's achievements prove that the opposition "has not been a hindrance in the passage of meaningful legislation and policy formulation."

"We are proud of what we have done. We can look people in the eye, critics or otherwise, because we know that we did not fail them," he said.

The bloc will be losing two members in the 18th Congress. Trillanes finished his two consecutive terms, while Aquino failed in his reelection bid.

Drilon

In the 17th Congress, Drilon authored 3 major laws: amendments to the Revised Penal Code, the Philippine Identification System Act, and the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.

He was also the author of the New Central Bank Act, and is among the authors of the Department of Housing law.

In Senate deliberations and in the bicameral conference committee, Drilon also ensured that the Bangsamoro Organic Law would be constitutionally compliant.

It was also Drilon's proposal that helped solve the budget deadlock between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Aquino

Aquino, who had served as deputy minority leader, was the chairperson of the education committee.

He sponsored the free college tuition law and pushed for the Balik Scientist Act and the Free Wi-Fi in Public Spaces Act.

Aquino also wrote and sponsored the Personal Property Security Act that allows personal properties, and not just land titles, as collateral for bank loans.

Hontiveros

A neophyte senator, Hontiveros had served as chairperson of the health committee and then its vice chair.

She pushed for the Expanded Maternity Leave Act and the Mental Health Act, as well as the Universal Health Care Act, which was authored by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto.

Hontiveros also shepherded the passage of the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act which penalizes catcalling and sexual harassment in the streets, schools, and workplaces.

She also pushed for the landmark anti-hospital deposit law and the Philippine HIV and AIDS policy law.

Pangilinan

Pangilinan, former chair of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, was the principal author and sponsor of the recently enacted Sagip Saka Act.

The law increases farmers' income by empowering them and connecting them to the market.

Pangilinan is also the principal author of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act.

He also pushed for and defended the coconut levy trust fund bill, which the Senate later divided into two bills. These measures would have allowed the return of the multibillion-peso coconut levy funds to farmers, but President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the bills. (READ: 'Na-Duterte kami:' Why farmers feel betrayed by coco levy vetoes)

It was also Pangilinan, as chair of the committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, who led the hearings on the proposed charter change.

Trillanes

Trillanes, Duterte's fiercest critic, shepherded the passage of the Speech Language Pathology Act, Philippine Occupational Therapy Law, Philippine Criminology Profession Act, and Philippine Food Technology Act, among others.

He was also a co-author of the enacted Philippine Identification System Act.

Trillanes also pushed for the Magna Carta of the Poor, which protects and upholds the rights of the poor to adequate food, decent work, education, housing, and health.

It was Trillanes who sponsored the measure on behalf of De Lima, chairperson of the committee on social justice, welfare, and rural development.

He also co-authored the amendments to the Ombudsman Act and the amendments to the police recruitment and training system law.

De Lima

Despite being in jail since February 2017, De Lima was able to pass measures such as the institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Magna Carta of the Poor.

De Lima also continues to file resolutions calling for investigations of alleged corrupt practices and irregularities.

In his closing speech, Senate President Vicente Sotto III commended De Lima for her "professionalism," saying she has been working despite being in detention.

De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame since February 2017, over alleged drug charges. She denied the accusations and said these were fabricated by Duterte to get back at her for investigating the extrajudicial killings of the Davao Death Squad when he was still Davao City mayor. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The outgoing lawmakers of the House of Representatives heaped praises on Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the end of the 17th Congress on Tuesday, June 4. 

Two of Arroyo's allies in the House – Majority Leader Fredenil Castro and Minority Leader Danilo Suarez – filed House Resolution (HR) No. 2600 commending Arroyo for her "remarkable and efficient leadership" during the 3rd regular session of the 17th Congress. The plenary adopted it without any opposition. 

Castro, who has been reelected as Capiz 2nd District representative, gave glowing remarks for the Speaker as he sponsored HR No. 2600 during the final plenary session on Tuesday evening.

"Speaker GMA is one of the most brilliant political and academic minds in recent Philippine history. The achievements of the House of Representatives under her leadership as Speaker of the House is a shared effort," said Castro.

He described the former president turned Pampanga 2nd District congresswoman as a strict boss, yet generous in rewarding hard work.

"She would pound on a House member, official, or employee constantly to get updates on an assigned task. She pushes eveyone to their limits, often resulting [in] a self-realization that one can actually do larger-than-life tasks that the person never thought he was capable of accomplishing," said Castro.

"She is strict and a real hard worker. But Speaker GMA is fair. She is well-loved not only for being a motivating and at times challenging mentor, but also for being generous when it comes to compensating work given," he added.

Suarez also credited Arroyo for the House's passage of all legislative measures that President Rodrigo Duterte prioritized during his 2018 State of the Nation Address.  (READ: Until the end, Suarez maintains House minority 'constructive' in 17th Congress)

"I would like to thank our venerable Speaker, honorable Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for her dedication and competence in leading the members of Congress towards the achievement of the priority legislative measures of this administration. I said that at the start of her term as Speaker – that she is exemplary and a hardworking leader since she served as president of the Republic," said Suarez, who won as Quezon governor in the midterm elections.

Arroyo's one-year leadership in the House was rocky from the beginning, following the controversial coup that unseated Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker on July 23, 2018, and replaced him with Arroyo.

While Arroyo did succeed in shepherding Duterte's pet measures in the House, she received flak for the passage of the draft federal constitution and the months-long deadlock between the House and the Senate that delayed the passage of the 2019 budget. (READ: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Speaker: A missed chance for redemption?)

The Speaker seemed unfazed, however, as she gave her final marching orders to legislators in her farewell speech. Many lawmakers approached her at the end of the speech to take pictures with her. 

On Tuesday evening, the final plenary session was followed by a program paying tribute to all the "graduating" members of the House.

They were called onstage to receive a certificate of recognition, a yearbook of the 17th Congress entitled "House of the People: Cornerstone of the Nation," a flash drive containing all laws, resolutions, journals, and records of the House under the 17th Congress, and a legislative record for those who served in the past 3 Congresses. 

Castro, Suarez, and the 14 deputy speakers also received a congressional sash and a replica of the House gavel.

As for Arroyo, the outgoing Speaker received her own congressional sash, replicas of the House gavel and mace, and a portrait of her as leader of the House. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – As Senator Antonio Trillanes IV prepares to leave the Senate, Senator Nancy Binay – whose family the opposition lawmaker had subjected to exposés several years ago – offered him a teaching job and even free hospitalization in Makati.

Senator Panfilo Lacson first revealed this on Twitter, joking that Binay also offered Trillanes free parking and free burial.

“Senate camaraderie at its best in the 17th Congress: Sen Nancy Binay offered graduating Sen Trillanes a teaching job at the University of Makati with 24-hr free parking at the Makati parking lot, plus free admission to the Ospital ng Makati,” he posted on Twitter.

“Totoo 'yun pero katuwaan lang sa Lounge…. Dagdag ko na lang 'yung free parking and free burial kasi si (Yes it is true but it was part of our chat inside the Senators' Lounge.... I just added the free parking and free burial because it was) Senator Trillanes (and Senator [Alan] Cayetano) pursued to the hilt the Senate investigation on the UMak and parking lot issues, if you recall,” Lacson said in a separate message.

In a message, Trillanes said he declined out of delicadeza but he appreciated Binay’s offer. In several interviews, Trillanes said he would probably join the academe to teach after his term expires on June 30.

“I appreciated the sincere offer but I respectfully declined out of delicadeza. It was truly nice of her,” Trillanes said.

Trillanes was a key figure in the 20-month Senate investigation into multiple allegations of corruption and unexplained wealth against Binay who was Makati mayor for 21 years.

Among the subjects of the investigation were the alleged overpriced Makati parking building and the questionable deals of the University of Makati. 

Some believe the Senate probe had helped shatter Binay’s dream to become president in 2016.

It was only in 2018 when the two senators decided to put their differences aside. Binay said Trillanes invited her to talk at the Senators’ Lounge sometime in March 2018. – Rappler.com

HONG KONG, China – Huge crowds turned out for a mass candlelight vigil in Hong Kong on Tuesday evening, June 4, marking 30 years since China's bloody Tiananmen crackdown, a gathering tinged with symbolism as the city struggles to preserve its own cherished freedoms.

The eye-catching spectacle – in which tens of thousands of Hong Kongers clutched candles, sang defiant songs and listened to emotional speeches – is the only place in China were such commemorations can be safely held.

The semi-autonomous financial hub has hosted an annual vigil every year since tanks and soldiers smashed into protesters near Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989– an illustration of the city's unusual freedoms and vibrant political scene.

Organized by a group of veteran democracy activists, the vigil demands justice for victims and for China to embrace democracy.

But in more recent years the mass gatherings have taken on an increasingly contemporary significance as angst builds over Hong Kong's future.

Organizers were hoping for a big turnout for Tuesday night's vigil, fuelled by both the milestone of the thirtieth anniversary itself and a renewed furor over defending the city from an increasingly assertive Beijing.

'Monster'

This year's vigil comes at a time of huge controversy over plans by the city's pro-Beijing government to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland for the first time.

The proposed law has sparked a backlash from figures in the legal and business communities as well as the largest demonstrations Hong Kong has seen since 2014, a year when pro-democracy protesters took over key intersections of the city for more than two months.

Tuesday's vigil also comes just weeks after key leaders of those protests were jailed.

"We gather here to stop the monster that massacred people at Tiananmen 30 years ago," singer Anthony Wong told the crowds, which filled up all the football pitches in the city's Victoria Park before spilling out to the sides.

"We fear that this monster will run down to (Hong Kong), and we fear that this monster will... destroy our next generation," he added.

Gary Chiu, 35, attended the vigil with his wife and their young daughter. He felt those pushing the extradition plans and what happened at Tiananmen were linked.

"Both are caused by the mainland China regime," he told AFP.

50-year deal

Hong Kong enjoys freedom of speech and assembly rights unseen on the Chinese mainland under a 50-year handover agreement between former colonial power Britain and China.

But many fear those liberties are being eroded and have questioned Beijing's commitment to that deal.

In recent years protest leaders have been jailed and banned from politics while the disappearance into Chinese custody of a group of Beijing-critical booksellers rattled nerves.

Tiananmen survivors have previously appeared at past vigils but in recent years some have found themselves turned away by local authorities.

On Sunday, former protest leader Feng Congde was barred from entering the city on arrival at the airport and deported, organizers said.

Attendance at the vigil has remained above 100,000 for the last decade according to an organizer-run tally, but the numbers have slipped the last 4 years after the 2014 democracy protests failed to win any concessions from Beijing.

Many younger Hong Kongers have since embraced "localism", which focuses on preserving local Cantonese culture and freedoms and regards mainland China as a hostile entity subsuming their city.

The proportion of those attending the vigil aged under 30 dropped from 55% to 31% between 2010 and 2018 according to surveys while student unions have boycotted the vigil the last 5 years.

However organizers this year gave a turnout figure of 180,000, a joint record with 2014.

Police, who have historically given much lower figures, said 37,000 turned out at the peak.

Annual polling from the University of Hong Kong has shown consistent replies with a majority saying the Tiananmen students were right to protest and that China was wrong to suppress them.

One figure has changed markedly.

In the last 5 years the number of respondents saying China's human rights situation is now worse than 1989 has more than doubled from just 15 percent to 33 percent in the latest poll released Monday, June 3. – Rappler.com