TOKYO, Japan – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stormed to a landslide "super-majority" in snap Japanese elections, near complete projections showed Monday, October 23, with the hardline nationalist immediately pledging to "deal firmly" with North Korea.

Abe's conservative coalition is on track to win at least 312 seats with only a handful left to call, according to public broadcaster NHK, giving him a coveted two-thirds majority in the lower house of parliament.

That will allow him to pursue his cherished goal of proposing changes to the country's pacifist constitution to beef up the status of the military, which is effectively restricted to self-defense.

Abe, 63, is now on course to become Japan's longest-serving premier, winning a fresh term at the helm of the world's third-biggest economy and key US regional ally.

The hawkish prime minister said the crushing election victory had hardened his resolve to deal with the crisis in North Korea, which has threatened to "sink" Japan into the sea and fired two missiles over its northern islands.

"As I promised in the election, my imminent task is to firmly deal with North Korea. For that, strong diplomacy is required," stressed Abe, who has courted both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

'Some concerns' about Abe

However, while local media acknowledged what was described as a "landslide" victory, many chalked up Abe's win to a weak and ineffective opposition and urged caution.

"The voters didn't think the opposition parties were capable of running a government... they chose Prime Minister Abe, who is at least better, even if they had some concerns about the ruling coalition," said the Nikkei daily. 

The Asahi newspaper said: "The Abe brand is not as strong as it was before. There are some signs that voters are seeking a change in the situation whereby Abe is the only decent option."

"Winning an election in a democracy doesn't give the winner carte-blanche and he would be overconfident if he thought people were satisfied with the past five years of government management," said the paper.

According to an exit poll by Kyodo News on Sunday, 51% of voters said they do not trust Abe with 44% saying they did.

Turnout was expected to be only a fraction higher than all-time low set in the 2014 election and was boosted largely by people voting early to avoid a typhoon, which smashed into Japan on election day.

The opposition Party of Hope, formed only weeks before the election by the popular Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, suffered a drubbing. It won just 49 seats according to the NHK projections.

A chastened Koike, speaking thousands of kilometers away in Paris where she was attending an event in her capacity as leader of the world's biggest city, said it was a "very severe result" for which she took full responsibility.

The new center-left Constitutional Democratic Party out-performed Koike's new group but still trailed far behind Abe with 54 seats.

"People are reluctant about Prime Minister Abe, but then who would you turn to? There is no one," said Naoto Nonaka, professor at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.

'Deepen constitution debate'

Abe, who has in the past been criticized for an arrogant attitude towards voters, vowed to face the challenge posed by the victory "humbly."

He struck a cautious note on possible revisions to the US-imposed constitution, saying that he would "deepen" debate in parliament on the divisive issue but not seek to ram anything through.

"I don't plan to propose (changes) via the ruling bloc alone. We'll make efforts to gain support from as many people as possible."

Any changes to the document must be ratified by both chambers of parliament and then in a referendum, with surveys showing voters are split on the topic.

Many voters stressed that the economy is their biggest concern, as the prime minister's trademark "Abenomics" strategy of ultra-loose monetary policy and huge government spending has failed to rekindle the former Asian powerhouse.

Abe has vowed to use the proceeds from a planned sales tax hike to fund free childcare in a bid to get more women into the workforce.

"Neither pensions nor wages are getting better... I don't feel the economy is recovering at all," said 67-year-old pensioner Hideki Kawasaki as he cast his vote in a rain-swept Tokyo.

But investors cheered the victory, with the benchmark Tokyo index up 1.15%, extending a winning run that has seen 14 straight consecutive gains – the first since 1961. – Rappler.com

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Soldiers of the Philippine Army 82nd Division Reconnaissance Company arrived at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport on Sunday afternoon, October 22, amid loud cheers, tears of joy, and sighs of relief, a fitting close to their successful campaign in Marawi City.

Wearing their battle uniforms and carrying their belongings and weapons, some 150 soldiers stood in formation after disembarking from the C-130 plane of the Philippine Air Force. It was obvious they missed their loved ones as they craned their necks and turned their heads, looking for familiar faces among the crowd of well-wishers.

Corporal Dennis Molino from Basey, Samar, was giddy when he saw his two kids running towards him. Then came the tightest of hugs the three of them have had in months. "Feeling ko kamaiha namon nga waray magkita. Na miss ko hira sobra," Molino said. (I feel this is the longest time we’ve been separated. I miss them so much.)

His 12-year-old daughter Danizel also wept. "Sobra ko nga na miss hi tatay… nahadlok ako han nakadto hiya ha Marawi," Danizel said. ( miss my father so much… I was afraid for his life when he was assigned to Marawi)

In stark contrast, no one greeted 37-year-old Army Sergeant Nonito Pretenia because his family was in Catbalogan City in the island of Samar, some 112 kilometers away. "It’s kind of sad when you get off the plane and there’s nobody there."

However, Pretenia said, "I am so thankful to God for this life. I am just happy to be home. I know getting home safe and sound was really emotional for my family in Catbalogan."

The parking lot of the airport in the Leyte capitol was filled with families of the soldiers hours before the scheduled arrival of the C-130 military transport plane. 

Mary Joyce Balita, a 33 year old teacher of Taft, Eastern Samar, and a mother of 5, waited for her husband Corporal Jome Balita. She patiently held a camera all throughout the ordeal.

"I’ve cried every day, hoping and waiting for my husband come home safely," she said. According to Mary Joyce she prayed for her husband's safe return every single day he was in Marawi.

"We have this very nice picture of a happy moment," Mary Joyce said, "but every time I look at it, I remember the families that weren’t reunited, and the ones that aren’t being reunited today and I think I’m one of the lucky ones."

Colonel Albert Desoyo, of the 8th Infantry Division Philippine Army, said the country was grateful to the soldiers who fought for nearly 5 months before routing the terrorists who tried to occupy Marawi City. 

"Our debt to our soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country to preserve our security and freedom in Marawi can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. Eastern Visayas and the entire country will never forget their sacrifices," Desoyo said.

Soldiers of the 82nd Division Reconnaissance Company and their families, according to Desoyo, would have to make up for the lost time. They would also undergo a stress debriefing workshop as part of standard procedure.

Meanwhile, the 63rd Infantry Battallion, still in Marawi, was expected to arrive in Tacloban City next week. – Rappler.com

BARCELONA, Spain – Catalan parties were due to meet Monday, October 23, to discuss their next steps at the start of a week that will see Spain dismiss the region's government to stave off its threat to break away from the country.

"What happens now, with everyone in agreement and unity, is that we will announce what we will do and how," Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull said after denouncing what he called "a fully-fledged coup against Catalan institutions".

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Saturday announced he would remove Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and his executive, with Madrid taking control of ministries under unprecedented measures to stop the region breaking away.

The Catalan parties will meet Monday to set a date and agenda for a gathering of the regional parliament to debate their next steps – a session that could potentially give the ruling separatists another opportunity to declare unilateral independence, which they have been threatening to do since a banned referendum on the issue on October 1.

Though Catalans are deeply divided on whether to break away from Spain, autonomy remains a sensitive issue in the northeastern region of 7.5 million people. Catalonia fiercely defends its language and culture and has previously enjoyed control over its policing, education and healthcare.

As nearly half a million angry separatists took to the streets of the regional capital Barcelona on Saturday, Puigdemont declared Rajoy guilty of "the worst attack on institutions and Catalan people" since the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

Among other repressive measures, Franco – who ruled from 1939 until 1975 – took Catalonia's powers away and banned official use of the Catalan language.

Headache for Madrid

Spain's government says it had no choice but to use previously untested constitutional powers to seize control of the region, faced with the country's worst political crisis in decades.

"What we are doing is following strictly the provisions of our constitution," Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis told BBC television.

Responding to accusations of a "coup", he said: "If there is a coup d'etat, it is one that has been followed by Mr. Puigdemont and his government."

Madrid could take control of the Catalan police force and replace its public media chiefs, while new elections for the regional parliament must be called within six months.

The Senate, where Rajoy's conservative Popular Party holds a majority and his approach to Catalonia enjoys support from other major parties, is set to approve the measures by the end of the week.

But political analysts warn that Madrid faces a serious struggle in practical terms to impose control over the region.

Potential scenarios include Catalan police and civil servants refusing to obey orders from central authorities. 

"What is going to happen if they don't abide by it?" said Xavier Arbos Marin, a constitutional law professor at the University of Barcelona, raising the prospect of the government trying to "take them out by force".

There is fierce debate among experts over whether the government's actions are even legal, he added.

Independence supporters may also seek to scupper Madrid's plans through civil disobedience, such as surrounding regional ministries.

"If police try to enter one of the Catalan institutions, there will be peaceful resistance," said Ruben Wagensberg, spokesman for new activist group En Pie de Paz.

Antonio Crespo, a 65-year-old retiree who joined a protest in the Spanish capital on Sunday night against Madrid's takeover, described Rajoy's decision as "disastrous".

"It's a huge retreat of freedoms and rights," he told Agence France-Presse.

Region divided

Puigdemont says 90% backed a split from Spain in the referendum, but turnout was given as 43% as many anti-independence Catalans stayed away from a vote that was declared illegal by the courts.

Opinion polls suggest the wealthy region is evenly split over independence, with separatists saying it pays too much into national coffers but their opponents arguing it is stronger as part of Spain.

The crisis has rattled a European Union that is already grappling with Brexit.

Against the backdrop of Catalonia's push for independence, two of Italy's wealthiest northern regions Sunday voted overwhelmingly in favor of greater autonomy.

The referendums in Veneto and Lombardy are not binding and the organizers stressed they were seeking greater autonomy and to reduce their regions' tax contributions to Rome rather than looking to secede. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a special non-working holiday from November 13 to 15 in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga due to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Malacañang released Proclamation No 332 on the declaration on Monday, October 23.

The document was signed earlier that day.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST IN. Malacañang declares holiday from Nov 13-15 in NCR, Bulacan, Pampanga due to ASEAN Summit. <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rapplerdotcom</a> <a href="https://t.co/DP6xaGAhl8">pic.twitter.com/DP6xaGAhl8</a></p>&mdash; Pia Ranada (@piaranada) <a href="https://twitter.com/piaranada/status/922313735443640321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

The holiday was declared because the Philippines' hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will involve Metro Manila and the two provinces.

Various activities and events, including the arrival of some world leaders, will take place in these areas.

The holiday is in preparation for traffic and security regulations that will be enforced during the summit. 

Over 20 world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the international gathering.– Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A new coalition led by presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was formed to unite Filipinos and put an end to ‘destructive politicking.’

It was a sea of red as hundreds of the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte gathered for the launch of Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines on Monday, October 23 at the Marquis Events Place at the Bonifacio Global Center in Taguig.

“Let us not be distracted by the noise created by clashing political interests. We support freedom of speech and expression, but we need to recognize the difference between constructive criticisms and destructive politicking,” said Department of Public Works and Highways Undesecretary Karen Jimeno, who read the alliance’s pledge during the program.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOOK: The pledge of the Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines <a href="https://t.co/mreWp8elV7">pic.twitter.com/mreWp8elV7</a></p>&mdash; Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) <a href="https://twitter.com/maracepeda/status/922342896501645312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

This was echoed by Mayor Duterte, who said “dissent is a facet of democracy” but added the matter is different altogether when you “lie to oppose.”

“And it’s very bad if you paint a sad and hopeless Philippines outside. Okay lang siguro if mag-away dito sa loob. Tayo lang naman eh. Pero 'pag reputasyon na ng bansa natin ang nasisira sa mga kapitbahay natin, mali po 'yon,” said Duterte.

(And it’s very bad if you paint a sad and hopeless Philippines outside. It’s probably okay to fight here inside. It’s just between us. But if the country’s reputation is being destroyed in front of our neighbors, that’s wrong.)

Last week, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had met with US Senator Marco Rubio to discuss the ties between the two countries as well as upholding human rights in the Duterte’s bloody drug war. 

Trillanes is a staunch critic of President Duterte and his family. The senator is accusing the Duterte clan of having unexplained wealth in their bank accounts. (READ: Prove the bank accounts are true, Sara Duterte dares Trillanes)

In her speech, Duterte described her father as “very, very imperfect” but “he is a wrangler.”

“We have 5 years to take advantage of that warrior spirit, of that aggressive spirit, and use him, siya ang gagamitin natin (he's the one we will use) to create a better future for our country,” she said. 

“Let us side our personal politics that has torn our country every time we have a new president.... Let us change that. [In] 5 years, we need to push and push and push and see a change in 5 years,” she addded.

She then called on the public to focus their efforts in helping rebuild Marawi City and make the Philippines a leading country in the ASEAN region.

According to Duterte, alliance members are expected to help address the issues faced by their respective comunities. 

"This is the launch. This is checking who will answer the call for the alliance. We noticed many have already answered the call and we’re trying to come up with a masterlist and segregate them according to their community and talk to them what they can do in their community," said Duterte in Filipino.

"[We're] not [going to work] together nationally because every community has a peculiar problem. So if I'm from Taguig, I will help in Taguig. If I am from Caloocan, I will help in Caloocan. If I'm from Visayas, I'm sure there are many problems there that they can all find a solution to," she added. 

Not a show of force?

The Tapang at Malasakit Alliance launch was attended by key allies and Cabinet members of the President.

Among those who joined Sara Duterte onstage were Jimeno, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, his wife Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, PAGCOR chief Andrea Domingo, and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Pro-Duterte bloggers were also seen in the venue, including Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and Bruce Rivera.

Asked if the event was a show of force of all blocks supporting the President, Abella said Tapang at Malasakit is merely an “alliance for nation-building.”

He also denied the coalition was formed in preparation for the 2019 elections. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) filed a graft case against former transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Busan Universal Rail Incorporated (BURI), the maintenance provider of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) whose contract was terminated.

In the complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, October 23, the DOTr said that the Abaya-led agency in 2015 facilitated the creation of special purpose company BURI, which then took over the maintenance contract won by Korean firm Busan Transportation Corporation.

Busan won the P3.8-billion contract to provide system maintenance, signaling systems, and overhauling services to the MRT3.

But the DOTr under Abaya – then the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) – allowed the creation of a separate company, which was BURI.

"Interestingly and disturbingly, on the same day that the project was awarded to Busan, Camille Alcaraz, as Chairperson for Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and Assistant Secretary for Procurement, requested the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to facilitate the registration of a special purpose company consisting of the members of Busan for the Contract Award of the project," the complaint reads.

According to the DOTr, Busan's shares in BURI were diluted to only 4.7%. Four other firms were involved: Tramat Mercantile Incorporated (28.9%), TMICorp Incorporated (23.6%), Edison Development and Construction (28.9%), and Castan Corporation (13.9%).

Transportation Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Yebra said recent MRT3 glitches were the result of the underperformance of BURI – a company which wasn't supposed to be the maintenance provider in the first place.

"It has everything to do with the current degradation and the poor service and the unreliable trains of the MRT3. Busan won the contract with DOTC – it has the experience, it has the required capitalization. Instead they formed BURI, where Busan – the Korean giant company – only got 4.7% and became a nominal shareholder. That in itself, we believe, is anomalous and should be looked into," Yebra said.

In the complaint, the DOTr blames BURI entirely for all the glitches, saying these were "preventable defects and not design defects" that "could have been averted had [the MRT3] been properly maintained." (READ: DOTr considers blacklisting MRT3 maintenance provider)

"BURI is confident that it will be able to answer and negate any charges against the company or its officials," BURI's lawyer Charles Mercado said.

Violations

The DOTr said DOTC officials under Abaya violated several procurement and bidding rules, and that their acts amount to graft.

"BURI is a newly formed corporation [which] does not only lack the required years of experience, but more importantly has not, for all legal intents and purposes, joined the bidding at all," the complaint reads.

The complaint does not allege that kickbacks were pocketed, but Yebra said it is worth investigating why the DOTC found it necessary to create BURI.

Abaya is being held accountable for "allowing or tolerating the commission of those deplorable acts through his own act and/or ommission."

The former DOTC chief vowed to clear his name.

"Our decision has always been guided by our conscience and our compliance with procurement laws and laws with regard to the procurement of the maintenance provider. We look forward to clearing our name before any appropriate body," Abaya said.

Aside from Abaya, the following former and current transportation officials were also named respondents in the complaint: former undersecretary for operations Edwin Lopez, former undersecretary for planning Rene Limcaoco, former undersecretary for procurement Catherine Jennifer Gonzales, former MRT3 general manager Roman Buenafe, former BAC chairperson Camille Alcaraz, BAC vice chairperson Ofelia Astrera, as well as BAC members Charissa Opulencia, Oscar Bongon, Jose Sabayle, and Maria Cecilia Natividad.

BURI officials Eldonn Ferdinand Uy, Elizabeth Belasco, Belinda Ong Tan, Brian Velasco, Chae-Gue Shim, Antonio Borromeo, Jun Ho Hwang, Elpidio Silvestre Uy, William dela Cruz and Eugene Rapanut were also named as respondents in the complaint.

Termination of contract

The DOTr sent BURI a notice of termination of contract on October 17. The government has so far paid the company P921 million out of the P3.8 billion stipulated in the contract. Yebra said they are studying their legal options to possibly recover some of the money paid.

BURI has also sued Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez for non-payment of P176 million worth of fees.

Chavez earlier said he is awaiting clearance from the Commission on Audit (COA) to pay BURI the fees.

"Bakit kailangan masinop sa pagsusuri ng billing? Para matiyak na original ang spare parts, at hindi rin galing sa 'cannibalized' o kinuha lang na piyesa sa ibang bagon. Ito ay para sa kaligtasan ng mga mananakay," Chavez said last September.

(Why do I need to be thorough in assessing the billing? To make sure that the spare parts are original, and not "cannibalized"or just taken from other coaches. This is for the safety of commuters.)

With the termination of BURI's contract, Yebra said the DOTr could resort to negotiated procurement due to an emergency case, which was what Abaya did in 2015 that led to the awarding of the contract to Busan.

Before Busan, APT-Global was the maintenance provider for the MRT3 on a month-to-month basis. It was held responsible for the glitches and breakdowns of the MRT3 in 2015, and was even fined P211 million.

"What we can assure you is we have the public interest on top of mind. That is the reason we're doing all of this, kaya pati [sa] paghanap ng replacement, ang laging nasa utak namin (that's why even in the search for BURI's replacement, our priority is) how do we assure the safety of the riding public? They've had enough, we've had enough," Yebra said. – Rappler.com

CLARK, Philippines – US Defense Secretary James Mattis on Monday, October 23, praised the Philippines for its successes in battling Islamic State (ISIS) supporters, as he began an Asian trip aimed at reaffirming American support for regional allies.

Mattis echoed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's statement last week that Filipino forces had "liberated" the southern city of Marawi, after 5 months of bitter urban fighting that had claimed more than 1,000 lives, even though battles have continued.

"One of the first things I'm going to do when I get there is commend the Philippine military for liberating Marawi from the terrorists," Mattis told reporters on the flight to the Philippines, according to an official transcript.

"It was a very tough fight as you know in southern Mindanao. And I think the Philippine military sends a very strong message to the terrorists."

Gunmen who had pledged allegiance to ISIS occupied parts of Marawi, the largest Islamic city of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23 in what Duterte said was a bid to establish a Southeast Asian caliphate there.

Hundreds of insurgents withstood a US-backed military campaign, including near daily air strikes and artillery fire, that displaced more than 400,000 people and left large parts of Marawi in ruins.

Duterte last week travelled to Marawi to declare it had been "liberated", a day after the Southeast Asian leader for ISIS, Isnilon Hapilon, was shot dead there.

However deadly fighting has continued, with the military reporting dozens of militants are still resisting in a small pocket of the city.

Mattis flew to the Philippines to attend a meeting hosted by Southeast Asian defense ministers at the former American military base of Clark, two hours' drive north of Manila.  

The Philippines is a former American colony and the two nations are bound by a mutual defense treaty. 

But relations have soured under Duterte as he has sought to build closer ties with China and Russia.

Defense ministers from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Russia are also scheduled to attend the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) event.

Mattis' Asia trip, which will also take him to Thailand and South Korea, comes ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Asia next month.

Some American allies in the region have become wary of Trump's interest in Asia.

Mattis sought to reassure allies.

"The US remains unambiguously committed to supporting ASEAN," Mattis said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Families of soldiers killed in the war which recaptured Marawi City from the Maute terror group may receive free housing units from the National Housing Authority (NHA). 

Under the new AFP-PNP (Armed Forces of the Philippines - Philippine National Police) Housing Program, security officers who died on duty are entitled to two houses worth a total of P450,000.

“They will be given two units worth P450,000 free of charge. For those who have a property they own, we will provide then P450,000 worth of housing unit. For those needing repair, we will give then P150,000,” said architect Susan Nonato, head the project. 

Each house will have a floor area of  60 square meters and will either be duplex type or a unit in a low-rise building, depending on the chosen area of the beneficiary. 

Awardees may avail of houses located in Davao City, Bulacan, Iligan City, La Union, Tarlac, Zambales, Baguio City and Davao Oriental. 

While the program also covers soldiers and police who are wounded in action, Nonato said they are currently prioritizing families of killed officers. 

Soldiers and police officers who were wounded in operations are also covered by the program but it will take time for the NHA to validate their claims for free housing.

“We will only entertain those KIA (killed in action) spot reports from the AFP-PNP Housing Board… [So far], we have already received 93 KIA applicants,” said Nonato. 

P200 per month amortization

Other soldiers and police officers in need of housing assistance may also apply for socialized housing under the new AFP-PNP Housing Program. 

The new project was launched after the massive takeover of the urban poor group Kadamay in several housing sites in Pandi, Bulacan. President Rodrigo Duterte gave away the occupied houses and promised the police and the military personnel that they will get new and improved houses. 

During a congressional hearing last April, Senate Housing and Urban Development Committee Chairperson Senator JV Ejercito said that NHA data show a very low occupancy rate of the project at only 13%. 

Construction has already started on the new sites with 62,000 units. AFP and PNP will get a share of 45% while beneficiaries from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Correction will get the remaining 10%. 

Those eligible to apply are officers in the said government agencies with “no landholdings and in need of a house,” said Nonato.

Houses cost between P175,000 to P240,000. Beneficiaries are given a P35,000 discount, leaving them with a monthly amortization of P200. Applicants who have retired or are soon retiring will also get a discount but will have to pay in full. – Rappler.com 

This is a breaking news story. Please refresh this page for updates.

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – The 5-month battle against terrorists in Marawi City has ended, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday, October 23.

"After 154 days of the siege of Marawi by the Daesh-inspired Maute ISIS group, or after a week since the Commander-in-Chief declared the liberation of Marawi, we now announce the termination of all combat operations in Marawi," Lorenzana told reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN regional security meeting in Clark, Pampanga.

The announcement comes almost a week after President Rodrigo Duterte announced the "liberation" of Marawi from "terrorist influence" on October 17, during his visit to the war-torn city.

Lorenzana said government security forces – both the armed forces and the police – "nipped the budding infrastructure and defeated terrorism in the Philippines."

Government forces had been fighting a fierce war with the terrorist Maute Group and a faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group, led by supposed ISIS emir Isnilon Hapilon.

Over a thousand people have been killed in the war.

In a press conference in Marawi, AFP information chief Colonel Romeo Brawner said that 920 terrorists have been killed, but troops are still trying to recover around 30 to 40 cadavers left in the last holdout building.

On the government side, 165 soldiers and cops were killed in action, Brawner said.

A total of 1,780 hostages have been rescued, and 850 firearms were recovered.

Lorenzana hails cooperation

In Clark, Lorenzana said that in defeating what he called "thus far the most serious attempt to export violent extremism and radicalism" in the Philippines and the region, "we have contributed to preventing its spread in Asia and give our share of maintaining global peace, stability, and security."

"While we submit that this tactical and strategic gains will not annihilate the ideology completely, we declare that this achievement is clear manifestation of how our regional cooperation can lead to a decisive advance against the proliferation of terrorism in this part of the world," he added.

Lorenzana thanked other countries – in particular China, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore – in the battle to liberate the city.

"We hope that these operational achievement in Marawi in the Philippines will be the catalyst that shall bring to the core future cooperation and partnerships not only against terrorism but also those that shall defeat other regional and global security threats," he added. 

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, in a statement, commended the troops, includimg those killed in action, "for their courage, gallantry, and sacrifice."

"With the liberation of Marawi, our focus now shifts to the enormous and challenging task of rebuilding, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Islamic City. The damage to Marawi’s infrastructure and private properties and the displacement of thousands of residents require the government’s unified and comprehensive effort; thus, we call on all our citizens to come together to move our country forward towards a peaceful, prosperous and secure future," he said. – with reports from Agence France-Presse / Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has allowed students to avail of their fare discounts up until weekends, and holidays.

In an October 11 Memorandum Circular, the LTFRB said: "Students can avail of the twenty percent (20%) discount from Monday to Sunday including summer breaks, legal and special holidays."

The order covers all students up until undergraduates. Post-graduate students still need to pay in full, such as students studying medicine, law, as well as those taking masters or doctorate degrees.

The LTFRB has been sought for comment for the rationale of the order, but has yet to respond to reporters' queries.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST IN: LTFRB extends student discount until weekends, includes summer breaks and special legal holidays. <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rapplerdotcom</a> <a href="https://t.co/0zoChPlA8A">pic.twitter.com/0zoChPlA8A</a></p>&mdash; Rambo Talabong (@rambotalabong) <a href="https://twitter.com/rambotalabong/status/922341779428356096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – While human rights violations have existed in previous administrations, the situation in the Philippines has “considerably worsened” in the second half of 2016 as a consequence of President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent war on drugs, the European Union (EU) noted.

“The second half of the year was marked by a serious deterioration in respect for the right to life, due process, and the rule of law,” the EU stated in its annual report entitled “Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2016” published on October 16. 

Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs have been widely criticized due to the rising number of killings. Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) show at least 3,850 people have been killed in police operations while at least 2,290 others were killed mostly by vigilantes.

The government, however, consistently denies the existence of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines – even rejecting calls made by United Nations member-states for in-depth and impartial probes.

For EU, however, the Duterte’s rhetoric against individuals involved in illegal drugs contributed to the killings the country has been burdened with. (READ: Shoot to kill? Duterte's statements on killing drug users)

“The president’s statements and actions have seemingly encouraged the police to take an aggressive approach in dealing with drug users and pushers,” it said.  

Follow the law 

The report also listed the “new momentum” in the peace process in Mindanao, peace negotations with the Communist Part of the Philippines, and socio-economic policies against poverty as “positive developments” under Duterte.

These developments, however, have been stalled, particularly the peace negotiations. (READ: Duterte still open to peace talks with communists)

But the “one major problem” in the country, according to EU, was the prevailing culture of impunity as killings and human rights abuses remained unresolved. This included attacks against human rights defenders and journalists as Duterte remained consistent with his tirades. (READ: 'Demonizing' human rights in the first year of Duterte)

The EU, however, reminded the Duterte administration to follow the rule of law in its campaign against illegal drugs.

“The government needs to ensure that the fight against drugs and crime is conducted within the law, including the right to due process and safeguarding of the basic human rights of citizens of the Philippines, including the right to life, and that it respects the proportionality principle,” it said.  

“This naturally includes the rights of human rights defenders,” the EU added.

The report was released less than a week before Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed to the media that the Philippine government is rejecting all kinds of grants from the EU because of conditions that were supposedly being used to criticize the government.

The rejection has been long coming as Duterte himself had talked about refusing EU aid in the first few months of his administration as the EU expressed concern in his war on drugs. (READ: How important is the EU to the Philippines?) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The camp of Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno sent a follow-up motion to the House justice committee on Monday, October 23, requesting that they be allowed to cross-examine the witnesses who will be presented in the impeachment complaint against her.

The first requests were sent on September 28 and October 3 but the committee declined to resolve those, saying they are not "in the form of motions."

But Sereno said impeachment proceedings do not have rules on motions.

"Said Rules on Impeachment provide for the suppletory application only of the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The rule on motions, as well as the rule on formal requirements of a pleading, are both found under the Rules of Civil Procedure, not the Rules of Criminal Procedure," Sereno said in her motion. (READ: How Sereno answered her impeachment complaint)

House justice committee chairman Reynaldo Umali earlier told media that if Sereno wants to cross-examine witnesses, she will have to do it herself.

The 3 requests so far have been to urge the committee to confirm the Chief Justice's "constitutionally guaranteed rights to confront witnesses against her, to be heard by counsel."

'Basic right' 

Sereno cited Section 6 of the House's own Rules of Procedure in Impeachment which states: "The Committee, through the Chairperson, may limit the period of examination and cross-examination."

Sereno said the committee should "respect her basic rights" as a respondent in an impeachment proceeding.

The Sereno camp earlier said it would be a dangerous precedent to bar cross-examination.

Sereno also noted that complainant Larry Gadon has not objected to the request.

The House justice committee found sufficient grounds in Gadon's impeachment complaint against Sereno, which alleges undeclared assets, excess use of SC funds, and acts not authorized by the SC en banc.

Sereno's top-rated lawyers have repeatedly said the allegations do not constitute impeachable offenses. They also insist that Sereno declared what remained of the cash assets she earned from the Philippine International Air Terminals Company Incorporated (Piatco) case.

All the properties she bought with that income was also declared, her lawyers said. (READ: Will SALN pin down Sereno? 'A non-issue,' says her spokesperson)

Gadon has dared the Chief Justice to sign a bank waiver to settle the issue, but her lawyers said the general provision indicated on Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) forms already authorizes the Ombudsman to look into officials' wealth.

In a convention of trial court judges in Palo, Leyte on October 11, Sereno said members of the judiciary should not be distracted by the impeachment proceedings.

"The greatest demonstration of support you can give me is to stay true to your oaths. Remain steadfast in the conduct of your duties. Zone out the politics and decide on your cases with openness, sobriety, and fairness," the Chief Justice said.

Sereno added that she has "enough faith in our people and in our democratic system to know that narratives built on lies will eventually crumble." – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas is free to join the newly formed pro-government Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines.

This was Duterte-Carpio's reply when asked on Monday, October 23, if the Tapang at Malasakit Alliance was formed as a response to Tindig Pilipinas.

"No. In fact, we are asking them to join us. This is a call for our country. Let us support the government. Some of them are working for the government. Let us turn this country around and do everything for the Philippines," the Davao City mayor said.

Tindig Pilipinas is a group of lawmakers and organizations who are calling for Filipinos to stand up against the Duterte administration's "abusive" policies.

Several of its member-groups are known supporters or allies of former president Benigno Aquino III and the once-ruling Liberal Party. Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, Tindig Pilipinas member, had filed an impeachment complaint against the President, which was junked by the House of Representatives. 

Tapang at Malasakit Alliance members, meanwhile, pledged to support the government's programs and to put an end to "destructive politicking."

Duterte-Carpio previously tagged Tindig Pilipinas as a "power-hungry group" when they called the President a "paranoid and insecure little man" after he warned he would declare a revolutionary government amid an alleged destabilization plot.

For 'positive change'

The Davao City mayor said she initiated the creation of the Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for them to be a "positive voice in their respective communities."

"Kasi maski sila, doon sa communities nila, sila na rin 'yung mga nag-aaway-away. So sabi ko, they can be individually or collectively positive. Magkaaway man kayo pero ginagawa mo positive naman, ginagawa ng kalaban mo, positive naman. So it will be good for the country," said Duterte-Carpio.

(People even fight among themselves in their communities. So I said they can be individually or collectively positive. You might be fighting with each other, but you and your enemy can both do positive things. So it will be good for the country.) 

The launch was attended by many key allies of the President, including Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairperson Andrea Domingo, Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Karen Jimeno, and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Pro-Duterte bloggers were also seen at the venue, including Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and Bruce Rivera.

Duterte-Carpio, however, said the Tapang at Malasakit Alliance was neither a show of force by the President's allies nor created in preparation for the 2019 elections. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Up to 42 bodies were retrieved after the final assault in Marawi City, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. (READ: Marawi combat operations over – Lorenzana)

The military maintained they were all Maute Group terrorists because all hostages have been rescued. The bodies also included two wives of terrorists.

"Forty-two cadavers were recovered. They were all fighting against our troops so they were terrorists," said Lorenzana.

"No more hostages. All the hostages have been recovered a couple of days back," he added.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Eduardo Año said the final battle was at a mosque near Lake Lanao.

"That is also the place where we rescued additional hostages. In that fighting, we gave a chance for these militants and terrorists to surrender. But they fought to the last breath," said Año.

Among those retrieved were the remains of foreign terrorists who survived the October 16 assault that killed siege leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

But the military has yet to determine if top Malaysian terrorist Mahmud Ahmad was among the bodies retrieved. Año said there was no way the enemy could have escaped.

"It is immaterial [to find his body] because he is dead already," said the AFP chief.

Mopping-up operations continued after President Rodrigo Duterte declared on October 17 the "liberation" of Marawi City from "terrorist influence." Two more soldiers were killed since, bringing the total death toll on the government side to 165. – Rappler.com

CLARK, Philippines – US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Monday, October 23, that curbing military threats from North Korea would be high on the agenda on his Asian tour this week, ahead of a visit by Donald Trump.

Tension has been high on the divided peninsula for months with Pyongyang staging its sixth nuclear test and launching two ICBMs that apparently brought much of the US mainland into range, while Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong-Un trade threats of war and personal insults. 

Mattis, on his way to the Philippines for security talks with Southeast Asian defense ministers, said he would discuss the "regional security crisis caused by reckless... North Korea" among other issues. 

At the forum, Mattis is also expected to hold 3-way talks with his counterparts from South Korea and Japan – key US allies in Asia – before visiting Seoul for annual defence talks. 

"We will discuss... how we are going to maintain peace by keeping our militaries alert while our diplomats – Japanese, South Korean and US – work with all nations to denuclearize the Korean peninsula," Mattis told reporters on his aircraft.

He stressed the international community's goal was to denuclearize the flashpoint region, adding: "There is only one country with nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula."

Mattis' visit to Seoul comes ahead of Trump's first presidential trip to Asia next month, which also includes South Korea. All eyes will be on Trump's message to the isolated North.

His recent remark that "only one thing will work" with North Korea fueled concerns of a potential conflict.

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul – only around 50 kilometers from the heavily-fortified border and home to 10 million people. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, is eyeing a bid for a House of Representatives seat in the 2019 polls.

Duterte-Carpio said on Monday, October 23, that she is not interested in running for any national post in the next elections.

"I do not have plans on running for a national post in the 2019 elections. I have plans for running for the 1st congressional district of Davao City," she told reporters in an interview after launching the pro-government Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines. (READ: Tindig Pilipinas can join pro-gov't coalition – Sara Duterte)

Duterte-Carpio stressed she has no plans of running for senator.

"Kung tatakbo man akong senador, 'di ako mag-a-announce ngayon. Masyadong maaga. Pero wala talaga," the Davao City mayor said.

(Even if I would be running for senator, I would not announce it now. It's too soon. But I really don't have any plans.)

There are rumors in political circles that Duterte-Carpio plans to run for president in 2022, with former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr as her vice presidential bet.

Duterte-Carpio's father previously said he wants his daughter to succeed him in 2022.

"I couldn't find any other better candidate than Sara to become the next president... And one thing about her is she is not a bigot," the President said during a September 22 interview with reporters in Davao City.

Duterte-Carpio is the first female mayor of Davao City. She worked as a court attorney at the Supreme Court before getting elected as vice mayor in 2007. She ran and won for mayor for the first time in 2010, defeating former House Speaker Prospero Nograles. 

Duterte-Carpio once again ran for mayor in the 2016 polls to replace her father.

The Davao City mayor, however, denied the newly launched Tapang at Malasakit Alliance will be used as a political machinery for the next elections.  

"'Di ko naman kailangan ang mga taga-Luzon para sa kandidatura ko sa Davao eh (I don't need the people from Luzon for my candidacy in Davao)." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Almost 2,000 units intended for police and soldiers in Pandi, Bulacan are a step closer to redistribution to other beneficiaries, including members of urban poor group Kadamay. 

National Housing Authority (NHA) Architect Susan Nonato said on Monday, October 23, that 480 beneficiaries from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and 1,500 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) already waived ownership of the houses awarded to them. 

Nonato, who heads the AFP-PNP Housing Project, said they are now waiting for the approval of the resolution authorizing them to redistribute the houses to other beneficiaries such as government employees and poor families.

Last March, thousands of Kadamay members forcibly occupied idle housing units in Pandi after failed dialogues with the NHA. The housing units, including the ones originally intended for police and soldiers, have been unoccupied for years.

President Rodrigo Duterte intervened by granting the houses to Kadamay and promising troops new and improved houses.

The NHA then sought a resolution from the Senate and the House of Representatives to re-award the houses specified for the AFP and the PNP under the 2013 and 2014 national budgets.

The joint resolution has since been approved on 3rd and final reading in the House, but it remains pending for 2nd reading in the Senate. Upon approval, Duterte would still have to sign the resolution, as good as a law. 

Joint resolution 

The joint resolution (House Resolution 15 / Senate Resolution 7) provides the "immediate awarding" of the following units to "other qualified beneficiaries": 

• unawarded housing units
  
• awarded housing units that are unoccupied and "whose ownership and possession are surrendered by their respective awardees"
• housing units with owners failing to pay amortization

"It was already announced by [Congress] that the resolution will be released. There are already guidelines for implementation once the order is released," Nonato said. 

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario earlier said that some 4,700 Kadamay members are qualified to be awarded NHA houses.

Kadamay has taken over around 6,000 units in Bulacan – 2,150 of which are under the AFP-PNP Housing Project. (READ: Occupy Bulacan: How the urban homeless won shelter)

Nonato said that if the "number of interested parties" would be more than the available houses, they may distribute the units through a raffle system. 

Kadamay chairperson Gloria Arellano called on the NHA to use the joint resolution to distribute the houses to informal settler families. (READ: Why P600-a-month housing is still a burden to the poor)

"We call for the use of all idle housing for the poorest and homeless, including those built for ISF (informal settler families) that have been left to rot for so long. However, this will solve only a portion of the problem. The government must enact a genuine mass housing program that caters to housing rights of the people for decent and affordable shelter," said Arellano. 

Kadamay also claimed that the NHA has an untouched fund of around P1.8 billion for 2017 that could have been used to provide basic services in Bulacan sites that still do not have electricity and water supply.

The NHA, however, denied this. "These projects are in-city projects with ongoing public bidding. That's what they are referring [to that have an] untouched budget for 2017," explained NHA Engineer Victor Balba. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – The decision of the Philippine government to decline grants from the European Union will not significantly affect Marawi rehabilitation, said an Office of Civil Defense (OCD) official.

"I don’t think it will be a setback," said OCD Assistant Secretary Kristoffer Purisima on Monday, October 23, during a Malacañang press briefing.

Purisima said the Philippines can turn to other donors for assistance, given that the cost of Marawi rehabilitation will likely run into the billions.

"We will, of course, exhaust all other possibilities, and we’re being also assisted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank regarding this," said Purisima.

Task Force Bangon Marawi's finance and resourt management sub-committee met on Monday to "discuss the options that we have in terms of donations and in terms of accepting grants."

In September, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who heads the rehabilitation task force, said the EU offered P49 million assistance for Marawi.

In a text to Rappler, Lorenzana said the task force will follow the Department of Foreign Affairs' decision on whether or not to accept the aid.

Purisima said the priority of the task force is to finish clearing operations, complete the Post-Conflict Needs Assessment, Comprehensive Rehab, and Recovery Plan, and construct transitional shelters.

There is currently P5 billion allotted for relief efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and for the construction of the transitional shelters. 

"The goal is to have at least 1,100 transitional shelters by the end of the year, said Purisima. (READ: Gov't to build 1,000 temporary homes for Marawi evacuees)

The start of construction and rebuilding of permanent structures would likely start in 2018 using the P10 billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, he said.

The government also mulls selling P30 billion in patriotic bonds to finance rehabilitation efforts. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Key allies of President Rodrigo Duterte were present during the launch of the pro-government coalition, Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines.

No less than presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio led the event held at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Monday, October 23.

Among those present were Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, his wife Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos.

Marcos' brother, former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, was among the losing vice presidential candidates in the 2016 polls along with Alan Peter Cayetano. 

While Bongbong Marcos and Alan Peter Cayetano are both allies of the President, the two had exchanged heated words during the campaign period last year. (READ: Cayetano hits Marcos: Your family stole $10 billion)

There are rumors in political circles that Duterte-Carpio wants to run for president in 2022, with Bongbong Marcos as her vice presidential bet. The Davao City mayor, however, said she does not plan to run for any national post and is only eyeing the congressional seat in the 1st District of Davao City in 2019.

Former president and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is also part of the alliance. He is the godfather of Duterte-Carpio's youngest child Stonefish Carpio.

Other Duterte administration officials were at the launch as well, including Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Karen Jimeno, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairperson Andrea Domingo.

Pro-Duterte bloggers also joined the Tapang at Malasakit Alliance, like Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and Bruce Rivera.

A part of the pro-Duterte alliance's pledge reads: "Let us not be distracted by the noise created by clashing political interests. We support freedom of speech and expression, but we need to recognize the difference between constructive criticisms and destructive politicking." (READ: Tindig Pilipinas can join pro-gov't coalition – Sara Duterte)

Duterte-Carpio said members of the alliance are expected to help address the problems being faced by their respective communities.

"[We're] not [going to work] together nationally because every community has a peculiar problem. So if I'm from Taguig, I will help in Taguig. If I am from Caloocan, I will help in Caloocan. If I'm from Visayas, I'm sure there are many problems there that they can all find a solution to," she said.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista announced on Monday, October 23, that Malacañang Palace had wanted his resignation to take effect immediately, and not on December 31 as he originally indicated in his resignation letter to President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Bautista's term was supposed to expire on February 2, 2022, about 4 years from now. He filed his resignation on October 11, however, hours before the House of Representatives was to impeach him. (READ: From resignation to impeacment: Chairman Bautista's longest day)

President Duterte accepted his resignation immediately, but without indicating he would want it to take effect sooner. (LOOK: What Comelec's Bautista told Duterte in his resignation letter) 

In a hastily called press conference in Comelec late Monday afternoon, Bautista said he received a letter from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, accepting his resignation effective immediately.

The impeachment complainants wanted Bautista out of his post for supposedly betraying public trust when he failed to prevent a hacking incident in 2016, exposing data on millions of voters nationwide. They also accuse him of not being truthful in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth. 

The impeachment complaint on undeclared assets was based on the allegations of Bautista’s estranged wife Patricia, who had been demanding that she be given shares of his assets. (READ: The making of a scandal: Comelec Chair Andy vs Patricia Bautista)  

Bautista's replacement will preside the Comelec's preparation for the barangay and Sangguniabgn Kabataan elections in 2018, the midterm elections in 2019, and a possible plesbiscite on a federal constitution in between. – Rappler.com