VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis celebrated his 81st birthday Sunday, December 17, with a hero cake and a message urging the world – and children in particular – to join in the holiday mood and be joyful.

The Argentine pontiff thanked the crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Angelus prayer as they sang happy birthday, and was expected to slice into his birthday cake after lunch.

It sports a picture of the pope carrying the world on his shoulders, designed by Italian graffiti artist MauPal.

The pear and cinnamon delight shows Francis in his white cassock, holding up with one hand the world, which is divided in two but stitched back together – a symbol of the pope's unifying force, Rome pastry maker Hedera said.

Francis's birthday this year falls on Gaudete Sunday, which the church marks as a moment of particular joy as celebrations for the birth of Jesus Christ approach.

"Be always joyful, even when things don't go as we wish they would," the pope said during the Angelus prayer.

He had earlier stressed the importance of sheltering children from adult woes.

"When children see problems at home, parents that fight, they suffer. Don't make them sad. They must always grow up with joy," he said as he met disadvantaged youngsters looked after by a Vatican foundation. – Rappler.com

MADRID, Spain – Ecuador has warned WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange not to interfere in Catalonia's separatist crisis, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said in an interview published Sunday, December 17.

Assange, who has been holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London for the past 5 years, has angered Madrid by using Twitter to pump out messages of support for Catalonia's independence drive and accuse Spain's central government of "repression".

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis has said there were signs that Assange was "trying to interfere and manipulate" amid the Catalan crisis after the outspoken Australian met last month with a prominent Catalan pro-independence figure.

"We do not want to intervene under any circumstances with respect to Catalonia. We hope the problem is resolved as soon as possible for the benefit of all Spaniards," Moreno told top-selling Spanish daily El Pais.

"We have reminded Mr Assange that he has no reason to interfere in Ecuadorian politics because his status does not allow it. Nor in that of nations that are our friends. He does not have the right to do so and he has committed himself to this."

Last month Ecuador's foreign ministry said it had told Assange to avoid making statements "that could affect Ecuador's international relations" with Spain and other nations.

Moreno begins a 3-day official visit to Spain on Sunday with a meeting with Ecuadorian immigrants in Madrid. He is scheduled to hold talks with Spain's King Felipe VI and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, December 18.

Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since June 2012 after seeking asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden to face a rape allegation.

Although Swedish prosecutors dropped their rape probe in May, Assange – who denied all allegations – still faces arrest by British police on a charge of skipping bail if he leaves the embassy.

He fears he will be extradited to the United States and put on trial for WikiLeaks publishing leaked secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010.

Spain was plunged into its worst political crisis since a failed coup attempt in 1981 after the Catalan government pushed ahead with a banned independence referendum on October 1.

Catalonia will vote Thursday, December 21, in a knife-edge regional election that could chart the course of the secession crisis. – Rappler.com

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MANILA, Philippines – Here is a list of areas and schools where classes have been suspended for Monday, December 18, due to Tropical Depression Urduja (Kai-tak).

• Baco, Oriental Mindoro– preschool to senior high school (public and private)
• Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro– all levels (public and private)
• Naujan, Oriental Mindoro– all levels (public and private)
• Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro– all levels (public and private)
• Roxas, Oriental Mindoro– all levels (public and private)
• Socorro, Oriental Mindoro– preschool to senior high school (public and private)
• Coron, Palawan– preschool to senior high school (public and private)
• Odiongan, Romblon– preschool to senior high school (public and private)

Not on the list? Help us crowdsource class suspensions by posting in the comments section or tweeting @rapplerdotcom.

For more information: When are classes cancelled or suspended? – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – US President Donald Trump insisted Sunday, December 17, he has no plans to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, despite his team's recent attacks on the credibility of the probe into Russian meddling in the US election.

With the ex-FBI director's investigation making inroads into the president's inner circle in recent weeks, Republicans have sought to cast doubt on its impartiality and pressed for a new independent prosecutor to investigate anti-Trump bias.

This in turn has led to speculation that the administration could be laying the groundwork for firing Mueller.

But Trump shot down those rumors. Asked whether he was going to fire Mueller, the president told reporters: "No, I'm not."

In a letter to congressional committees, Trump campaign lawyer Kory Langhofer alleged the General Services Administration (GSA) "unlawfully produced" private materials, including privileged communications that Mueller then used as part of his Russia probe.

The GSA is the government agency that supports presidential transitions – the interim period after a new president is elected but before he takes office.

Langhofer wrote that Mueller's office "received from the GSA tens of thousands of emails, including a very significant volume of privileged material," according to a copy of the letter published by Politico.

The letter added that a warrant should have been obtained for such materials, and said it violated the Presidential Transition Act.

Trump said "my people are very upset about it," calling the development "quite sad."

"I can’t imagine there's anything on them, frankly, because as we said, there's no collusion. There's no collusion whatsoever."

But Mueller's spokesman Peter Carr told CNN that emails were obtained for the probe after "we have secured either the account owner's consent or appropriate criminal process."

Probe tightens

Mueller was appointed after Trump abruptly fired then-FBI director James Comey, who was leading an agency probe into the Russia affair.

The president's Democratic foes have sought to characterize the allegations of illegality as an attempt to stymie the probe, which has already led to charges against Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn and three other people linked to the presidential campaign.

"ABSOLUTE RED LINE: the firing of Bob Mueller or crippling the special counsel's office," tweeted Eric Holder, who served as attorney general under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama.

"If removed or meaningfully tampered with, there must be mass, popular, peaceful support of both. The American people must be seen and heard - they will ultimately be determinative."

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell said: "This is another attempt to discredit Mueller as his #TrumpRussia probe tightens."

Republicans asked the US Justice Department on Wednesday to name a new independent prosecutor to probe alleged bias in the FBI.

The special counsel's critics have seized upon the case of Peter Strzok, a senior FBI agent whom Mueller removed from his team for sending text messages critical of Trump.

In addition to whether Trump's campaign team colluded with Russia to help him win last year's election, the special counsel is also looking at possible obstruction of justice linked to Trump's firing of Comey.

Trump did so in May and later acknowledged he had the Russia probe in mind when he sacked him.

Comey, for his part, wrote a memo alleging Trump had asked him to drop his investigation into Flynn, an act which some say could constitute obstruction of justice and thus grounds for seeking Trump's impeachment. 

But the Justice Department's number two, Rod Rosenstein, insisted this week that the investigation was impartial and free from any political influence.

Trump has repeatedly denied claims of "collusion" with Russia, and denounced the "witch hunt" against him. – Rappler.com

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was declared Sunday, December 17, the winner of a heavily disputed presidential election held three weeks ago, despite mounting protests and opposition claims of fraud.

Electoral authorities made the announcement the day that Hernandez's leftist opponent, Salvador Nasralla, left for the United States to highlight what he said was ballot tampering in the November 26 poll.

The declaration could deepen a spiral of violence that has occurred since the election, as anti-Hernandez protesters and police have squared off repeatedly.

Police have counted three deaths in the unrest. But the opposition says 20 people have died, and Amnesty International has registered 14 deaths.

The election was deeply contentious.

Hernandez, 49, stood for re-election against Nasralla, a 64-year-old former TV presenter, despite a constitutional ban on presidents having more than one term.

His conservative National Party said that rule was scrapped by a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.

But the opposition insists ballots were tampered with after the election, and says unusual breaks in the count that dragged out the tally over more than a week was suspicious.

International observers also said they noted "irregularities."

Call for new vote

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal had previously declined to name a victor, despite saying that its count of the ballots showed a slight margin in favor of Hernandez: 43% to 41% for Nasralla.

But it had to do so by a December 26 deadline, or risk the entire election being invalidated.

Nasralla, the candidate of the leftist Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship, is standing firm on his claim that he won the election, and that only fraud made it look like Hernandez had the edge.

He is insisting the entire vote be held again, with greater international scrutiny.

On Sunday, Nasralla left for the United States to call attention to the fraud he said was perpetrated.

He was to meet the head of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, officials from the US State Department and human rights groups.

The US visit "may be decisive in finding a solution to the crisis brought about by fraud and to restore calm to the nation," he told journalists in Tegucigalpa before leaving.

Going into the election, the United States gave implicit support to Hernandez, who has presided over a crackdown on vicious gangs that are rampant in Honduras, which is beset by violence, poverty and corruption and provides many of the undocumented migrants headed to the US.

Hernandez himself was in mourning over the death of his 51-year-old sister in an air force helicopter crash on Saturday that also killed 5 others.

Hilda Hernandez had served as the president's communications minister. – Rappler.com

MONTREAL, Canada (UPDATED) – Toronto's homicide unit has taken over a probe into the "suspicious" deaths of Canadian pharmaceutical billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife Honey, police said Sunday, December 17, after finding they had died of strangulation.

"The cause of death for both deceased was ligature neck compression," Toronto police said in a statement following post-mortem investigations of the bodies of the 75-year-old chairman of the board of Apotex and his 70-year-old wife.

"Toronto Police Service Homicide has taken the lead in this suspicious death investigation."

Police provided no further details on the case.

At 11:44 am on Friday, December 15, police responded to an emergency call to the couple's home on Old Colony Road, in a tony neighborhood of Toronto.

Local media cited a police source as saying the Shermans' bodies were found hanging from a railing around a basement pool, the theory being that the Apotex chairman killed his wife Honey, hung her body and then hanged himself by the pool's edge.

But their family strongly refuted that version of the events.

"Our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community totally inconsistent with the rumors regrettably circulated in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths," a statement read.

"We are shocked and think it's irresponsible that police sources have reportedly advised the media of a theory which neither their family, their friends nor their colleagues believe to be true."

They called for a "thorough, intensive and objective criminal investigation," urging the media to refrain from reporting until the investigation is complete.

Philanthropic legacy

There were no apparent signs of premeditation or that either of the Shermans was suffering from depression. The couple had planned to spend the year-end holidays with friends in Florida.

Apotex, which Sherman founded in 1974, confirmed the deaths. Local media said he was not seen at the company's offices Thursday, December 14.

The company, which made its name producing generic drugs, grew to employ more than 11,000 people worldwide.

According to Forbes, Sherman had an estimated worth of $3.2 billion (Can$4.1 billion) at the time of his death, and was the 12th-richest person in Canada.

Canadian media said the Shermans had recently put their home up for sale with a price of around Can$7 million.

The deaths sparked an outpouring of sympathy from the country's political elite, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said he was "saddened" by the news, and tweeted about the "vision and spirit" of the couple known for their philanthropy.

Apotex noted the couple had made significant donations to universities, saying their foundation had given more than Can$50 million over the past decade. – Rappler.com

SANTIAGO, Chile (UPDATED) – Billionaire Sebastian Piñera will return to power as Chile's president next year, according to virtually complete results from a runoff election held Sunday, December 17.

Electoral authorities said the 68-year-old conservative, who previously led the South American nation from 2010-2014, had 55% of the vote, with 98% of ballots counted.

His leftist rival Alejandro Guillier, a 64-year-old TV presenter turned senator who ran as an independent backed by outgoing center-left President Michelle Bachelet, conceded after receiving 45%.

"We have suffered a tough defeat," Guillier said. He called for the opposition to "defend" reforms started under Bachelet.

He said Piñera walked away with "a solid and impeccable triumph."

Piñera will lead the country – the world's top copper producer – for 4 years starting in March 2018.

He will once again take over from Bachelet, who was barred by the constitution from running for re-election.

Bachelet and Piñera have tag-teamed the presidency since Bachelet first took office in 2006. Since then, they have alternated in power, switching Chile's politics between center-left and center-right each time.

Piñera supporters were gathered outside his election headquarters in anticipation of his victory speech.

Uncertain race

The outcome of the runoff had been far from certain after Piñera scored a much lower than expected 37% in the first round of the election held November 19.

Analysts had speculated that Guillier could bolster his 22% from that round by getting votes from other leftist candidates who were defeated.

But in the end, most voters appeared to come down in favor of the experience of Piñera, who is worth about $2.7 billion and painted himself as a safe pair of hands for Latin America's fifth-biggest economy.

Voting had taken place under a somber cloud Sunday, following the deaths of 11 people and the disappearance of 15 others in a mudslide in a southern town.

The picturesque village of Villa Santa Lucia was unable to vote in the runoff.

Both candidates had projected confidence, with Piñera stating as he cast his ballot: "I have the firm conviction that we are going to win these elections and that better times are going to come for all Chilean households." 

With no recent reliable voter surveys in the weeks before Sunday's runoff, however, the outcome had been seen as wide open.

Marco Moreno, of Central University, had called it "the most uncertain election since the return of democracy" after the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in 1990.

Lower growth

Although copper exports, which contribute greatly to Chile's wealth, are increasing thanks to demand from China and from the burgeoning manufacture of electric cars, the country is struggling relative to previous years.

Its GDP, a key measure of economic performance, is forecast to expand a modest 1.4% this year, the slowest pace in eight years. Forecasts suggest it will grow 2.8% next year.

Piñera and Guillier also promised to expand free university tuition brought in under Bachelet – a measure with historical resonance in Chile because paid tuition was introduced under Pinochet's 1973-1990 rule.

For Piñera, the vow was a U-turn, contradicting an earlier statement he had made that "free things mean less commitment."

The president-elect was often accompanied by his wife Cecilia Morel while campaigning, and also by their four children and several of their nine grandchildren.

Their presence softened his public character, according to a member of his entourage who requested anonymity.

As much as he is known as a demanding businessman – who had to divest investments including an airline and a football team for his first mandate – he also has a reputation for being cultivated, humorous and full of ideas.

He hasn't hidden his wealth, even wearing an ostentatious watch in the red of his campaign color. But he has also sought to project an image of someone concerned about injustice and ordinary people. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Loren Legarda is open to a post at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after her term ends in 2019.

Asked about it, Legarda said she would want to have "very strong oversight functions" over an agency taking care of the people.

"Can I say, I am thinking about it?" Legarda said in an interview on ANC on Monday, December 18.

"I am not certain whether I am allowed to comment on that on national television but my being mum about it would probably spill the beans. Let me just say that I would want to exercise very strong oversight functions over a department that is very important that takes care of the needs of the people," Legarda added.

Directly asked if she is open to it, the senator said the DSWD is a "very important" department that takes care of the "most vulnerable" sector.

"Just like I do oversight functions with all other government departments... but this is a very important department that should take care of the poorest and the most vulnerable populations like what is happening now with [Tropical Depression] Urduja," Legarda said.

She did not answer, however, when asked if President Rodrigo Duterte has asked her to become his next DSWD secretary. Instead, Legarda talked about her job as Senate finance committee chairperson.

"All I can say is that I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to serve as a [chairperson] of finance and I think the President hopefully appreciates the work we do, not just myself but the whole Senate, and I hope to continue and finish the 2019 budget which is a year from now. Let's take it from there," Legarda said.

Duterte earlier told reporters that he made an informal offer to a lady senator he refused to name. The offer came "long before" the Commission on Appointments (CA) rejected then DSWD secretary Judy Taguiwalo in August.

In October, when rumors of the President's offer reached her, Legarda said she intends to finish her term as senator and serve as chairperson of the committees on finance, foreign relations, and climate change.

Duterte has yet to appoint a new DSWD chief 4 months after Taguiwalo was rejected. The President has so far only appointed an officer-in-charge, Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco.

A high-ranking source in Malacañang said the President has indeed made the offer and is just waiting for Legarda to end her term. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit areas struck by Tropical Depression Urduja (Kai-tak) in Biliran in Eastern Visayas on Monday, December 18.

"The President will arrive at 2 pm in Biliran," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in Filipino in an interview with radio station DWFM.

Duterte will be accompanied by Roque, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Social Welfare and Development officer-in-charge Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco, and Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol.

Roque, in an interview with radio station DZRH, said the President will check on the situation in Biliran and is likely to give assistance to the local government unit or to affected families. (READ: #ReliefPH: Help victims of Urduja)

"The President will determine what is the most urgent need of Biliran and relay that the government is one with them," said Roque in Filipino.

It was in Biliran where landslides due to Urduja killed at least 26 people, according to local authorities.

Roque said it's also possible that Duterte will drop by Tacloban City in Leyte. (LOOK: Urduja pummels Tacloban City)

Urduja tore across the major islands of Samar and Leyte on Saturday, December 16, as a tropical storm. It eventually weakened into a tropical depression on Sunday, December 17.

Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, trips were canceled, and roads and bridges were damaged.

Based on its latest forecast track, Urduja will leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, December 19. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Janet Lim Napoles' two children and brother asked anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to reduce their P22-million bail over graft and malversation charges in the Malampaya fund scam.

From bail of P22.310 million each, the accused are requesting that they pay only P690,000 each.

Napoles' children Jo Christine and James Christopher as well as her brother Ronald Francisco Lim filed their urgent motion before the court's 3rd Division last December 12.

Aside from them, Napoles' other brother Reynald Lim and nephew Ronald John Lim were also charged with 97 counts each of graft and malversation through falsification of public documents. The case stems from the misuse of P900 million worth of Malampaya funds.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales had dropped the plunder charges, saying that the 97 disbursements resulted from one transaction only. Her resolution stated that plunder should be a result of multiple transactions.

"The amount recommended is not only overwhelming but disheartening as well. It has practically stripped any person presumed innocent of the constitutional right of temporary liberty," Napoles' kin said.

They filed this motion ahead of an issuance of a warrant of arrest. 

P690,000 instead of P22 million

Each count of graft is usually bailable for P30,000 while malversation through falsification of public documents is bailable for P200,000 per count. The usual amounts were multiplied by 97 in the case of Napoles' kin, so bail was set at  P22.310 million each.

Napoles' kin cited Supreme Court (SC) rulings assailing "exorbitant" bail amounts. They also cited Article 70 of the Revised Penal Code which states that "the maximum duration of the convict's sentence shall not be more than threefold the length of time corresponding to the most severe of the penalties."

"For the purpose of fixing bail, it is respectfully submitted that the same could be applied just the same," reads their motion.

Using that as basis, they offered to pay P690,000 each or P230,000 multiplied by 3. Of the P230,000, malversation through falsification of public documents is P200,000 while graft is P30,000.

The Sandiganbayan does reduce bail amounts from time to time. Back in January, the 3rd Division allowed dismissed Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo to post P1.1-million bail, or half of the P2.3 million originally recommended by the Ombudsman.

The court reduces bail on the principle that high amounts can be tantamount to violating the rights of an accused to bail.

Financially unable? 

Napoles' kin are asking the court to consider their "financial ability to give bail."

But the prosecution said that without documents or affidavits to prove that the accused cannot afford to pay the amount, the motion must be denied.

The prosecution also told the court that the accused can always pay "in the form of corporate surety, property bond, and cash deposit."

Earlier this month, the Court of Tax Appeals dismissed the P17-million tax evasion case against Napoles' youngest child Jeane which stemmed from her alleged non-payment of tax for a P54-million condominium unit at the Ritz Carlton in Los Angeles, USA and a P1.49-million farm lot in Bayambang, Pangasinan.

Jo Christine and James Christopher were pointed to by whistleblowers as having participated in the scam that used Napoles-owned non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to steal funds meant for public projects.

Ronald Francisco Lim allegedly set up the NGOs. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – At least 31 people were killed and 49 others are missing after the onslaught of Tropical Depression Urduja (Kai-tak), which battered Eastern Visayas as a tropical storm.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced the death toll in a news briefing in Biliran on Monday, December 18. (READ: Duterte to visit Urduja-affected Biliran)

According to Roque, 23 of the fatalities were from Biliran, 5 from Leyte, 2 from Samar, and 1 from Eastern Samar.

He also said that 33 of the missing are from Samar, 11 from Eastern Samar, 3 from Leyte, and 2 from Romblon.

In a separate news briefing earlier on Monday, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Romina Marasigan said most of the fatalities were due to landslides.

The NDRRMC, citing data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), also said 44,369 families fled to 608 evacuation centers in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Mimaropa, and Caraga. (READ: #ReliefPH: Help victims of Urduja)

Around 2,900 passengers also remain stranded on Monday, most of them at the Manila North Harbor. This is down from a high of more than 16,000 stranded passengers in various regions over the weekend.

Urduja is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, December 19, after making landfall in the country 6 times.

But Marasigan said the NDRRMC will remain on alert for the low pressure area (LPA) which could enter PAR within the week.

"We are not going to let our guard down. Tuloy-tuloy ang paghahanda natin (We will continue preparing)," said Marasigan. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Why fear martial law?

This was the question posed by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to the public on Monday, December 18, after reporters asked him if he would recommend the nationwide expansion of martial law, currently in effect in Mindanao. (READ: Who's afraid of martial law… in Mindanao?)

"As I have said, depende sa kanya (President Rodrigo Duterte). Desisyon niya 'yan, hindi ko siya papangunahan, it is dependent on his own determination. Anyway, bakit, takot na takot ba kayo sa martial law?" Dela Rosa said after their Christmas party inside Camp Crame.

(As I have said, it will depend on [the President]. It is his decision, I cannot preempt him. Anyway, why are you so scared of martial law?)

This comes a week after Congress granted the one-year extension of military rule in Mindanao, following the recommendation of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). (READ: AFP chief on nationwide martial law: 'We can never tell')

Dela Rosa, a native of Davao, said skeptics should go to Mindanao or ask Mindanaoans themselves how they feel about the imposition of martial rule.

"My neighbors, my friends, my relatives will say na wala namang pagbabago (that nothing has changed). Sa mga peace-loving people, walang pagbabago kung may martial law (For peaceloving people, there is no change if there is or there is no martial law)... Pero sa masasamang tao, malaki ang epekto sa kanila (But for bad people, the effect is huge)," he said.

Dela Rosa himself claimed before that he was tortured during the infamous Marcos Martial Law era, but he insisted that Duterte's martial law was different.

The top cop said terrorists have been restrained and forced into hiding with martial law, but the day-to-day lives of "law-abiding citizens" remain as is.

Condition for PH-wide declaration

According to Dela Rosa, he still sees no reason for declaring martial law nationwide, but he gave a condition when he will recommend the measure to the President.

"When my subordinate commanders sa ground 'yung ating regional directors sa Visayas at sa [Luzon]... lahat ng regional directors na 'yan, if they are in unison, and recommend," he said. (If Visayas and Luzon regional directors, in unison, recommend it.)

He also said he checks on his regional commanders from time to time, but has not reached out to them ever since martial law was extended. They also have monthly meetings, or "command conferences," where they assess the PNP's policies and security in the country. 

The PNP chief then defended their recommendation of extending martial law in Mindanao, denying that it was an admission that they would fail to crush terrorism without it. (READ: Marawi residents crying for justice fear extended martial law)

"Mas kayang sugpuin kung may martial law (We are more enabled to stop  [terrorism] with martial law.) . Kaya naming sugpuin without martial law (We can stop it without martial law), but it will give us a favorable working condition, a favorable operational environment. Kung merong (If there is) martial law, that will make our job a lot more easier," Dela Rosa said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Local agencies committing illegal recruitment practices are becoming rampant, an expert warned.  

Migration consultant Emmanuel Geslani urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to look into the proliferation of local recruitment agencies that act as dummies for foreign agencies.

“Foreign-owned recruitment agencies using Filipino dummies are easing out Filipino-owned agencies, with their wide contacts in the Middle East and capturing most of the available applicants in Mindanao through the use of illegal agents,” he said.  

This came from reports received from local agencies deploying household service workers (HSWs). According to these reports, agencies owned by foreign entities used by illegal agents are paid $500 for every applicant they are able to bring in. Women from Mindanao comprise most of the victims of the scheme. (READ: 'Slow' gov't process makes OFWs fall for illegal recruiters)

According to Geslani, the backers are mostly from the Middle East, some of whom are married to Filipino women to be able to conduct their business in the Philippines.

DOLE is currently conducting an internal cleansing and investigation of the irregularities inside POEA after they received continuous reports of illegal recruitment with some of their employees earning as much as P250,000 from it. 

This has prompted DOLE to suspend the processing of overseas employment certificate for two weeks in November.

POEA officer-in-charge and labor undersecretary Bernard Olalia said that this recent claim is another matter that they may separately investigate. 

Deployment of HSWs continues after it saw a steep rise of 70% in 2016. Some 194,973 domestic workers were deployed in 2015 while 275,073 flew out in 2016. 

Using POEA figures, a study by LBS Recruitment Solutions noted that the 2016 deployment is the largest batch in 25 years. 

The Middle East remains to have the strongest demand for HSWs, with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar topping the list of destinations. 

Hong Kong is also one of the leading migration destinations, with a 65% surge in deployment observed in 2016. (WATCH: How OFWs can avoid illegal recruitment) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte downplayed his granddaughter's use of Malacañang Palace for a photo shoot, saying it's no big deal.

"Kadugo ko 'yan eh. Small matter, gamitin lang 'yung Malacañan," he said on Sunday night, December 17, during the birthday party of Senator Manny Pacquiao in General Santos City.

(She is my relative. It's a small matter to use Malacañan.)

He said he himself wasn't even part of the photo shoot, but if he were, it shouldn't be a problem because many other Malacañang guests take photos of themselves in the Palace.

"Wala naman ako doon. But even if I [were] there, itong granddaughter ko magpa-picture, lahat nga ng mga bisita pumupunta diyan, nagpapa-picture eh," he said.

(I wasn't there but even if I were there, my granddaughter having her picture taken is just like visitors who go there and take pictures of themselves.)

Isabelle Duterte, daughter of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte with his ex-wife Lovelie Sangkola Sumera, brought professional stylists, makeup artists, and photographers for her pictorial session, in preparation for her "debut."

The photo shoot, which included the use of the presidential seal, sparked outrage among netizens who criticized it as inappropriate use of Malacañang and as a contradiction to the President's projected image of being a man with a simple lifestyle. (READ: 'Blood red,' 'Imeldific': Isabelle Duterte draws flak for Malacañang photo shoot)

An executive order states that the presidential seal should be used exclusively to refer to the Philippine president. Malacañang, however, said the shoot did not violate any regulations.– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After ordering them back into his controversial war on drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte warned that at least 60 police personnel would be asked to leave the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"[On] Wednesday, mga tatlong superintendent, about 90, siguro mga minimum of 60 police, umalis kayo sa PNP," said Duterte on Sunday night, December 17, during the birthday party of Senator Manny Pacquiao.

(On Wednesday, around 3 superintendents, about 90, around 60 police, at the minimum, leave the PNP.)

This, he said, is part of the government's ongoing "purging" of abusive policemen.

"I am starting the purging and don't be insulted if you're not the one I am targeting," said Duterte in a mix of English and Filipino.

He railed against policemen who are in cahoots with criminal gangs or corrupt local government officials. Duterte relayed his dilemma that if they leave the PNP, they will become guns-for-hire of gangs and druglords.

"Kayong mga gangster na nasa police o nasa gobyerno, medyo may takot ako na ‘pag wala kayo sa serbisyo, 'yung baril ninyo na nalaman ninyo then you start to bed, makitulog ka na doon sa mga gangster," he said.

(You gangsters in the police or in government, I'm afraid that if you are gone from the service, you will use your gun when you go to bed with gangsters.)

One practice of corrupt policemen, said Duterte, is to use their skills as law enforcers to steal or get involved in illegal drug trafficking.

The President reminded policemen he will "destroy" anyone who engages in drug trafficking or corrupt practices. – Rappler.com

KABUL, Afghanistan – Armed militants stormed an intelligence agency training facility in Kabul on Monday, December 18, officials said, triggering intense fighting with police in the latest attack to hit the Afghan capital. 

"Around 10:10 am, a group of armed attackers entered an under-construction building in (the) NDS training centre in (the) Afshar area of Kabul," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told Agence France-Presse, referring to the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan's spy agency.

"The fighting is ongoing and we have also launched our operation."

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Nasrat Rahim, a deputy interior ministry spokesman, said the sound of large and small arms fire could be heard from the fighting. 

Roads to the area were closed and dozens of police and intelligence officers were blocking access to the public.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Previously both the Taliban and, increasingly, the Islamic State group have carried out devastating attacks in Kabul.

In November, a suicide attacker blew himself up outside a political gathering in Kabul, killing at least 14 people. The bombing was claimed by the Islamic State group. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya is the new federalism campaign chief, the department announced on Sunday, December 17.

"Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya...has been designated the campaign’s new administrator replacing Asst. Secretary Epimaco Densing III," the DILG said in a statement.

Malaya was appointed to the DILG last October after leading the federalism research institute of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the ruling party headed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

As the new federalism campaign chief, Malaya is tasked to rally support for the proposed new system of government. This can only be done, Malaya said in the statement, if the government is united in explaining the shift.

(READ: Will federalism address PH woes? Pros and cons of making the shift)

“We have to have one voice and one messaging in the federalism campaign, otherwise, we would not be able to bring our message across to our countrymen on how a shift to federalism would impact on our country and our lives,” Malaya said in the statement.

The DILG's plan in achieving a unified message includes 3 steps.

One voice

The DILG said the  Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has the primary role of ensuring government has a "single voice and single message" during the federalism campaign. COO).

As the "premier arm of the Executive Branch in engaging and involving the citizenry and the mass media," the PCOO has a hold of all public information offices in all government public information offices.

This favors the DILG which wants to harness all national agencies for the campaign.

Tapping the reach and autonomy of local government units, Malaya said the DILG will also initiate talks with local government leagues.

Malaya said the DILG wants a "more inclusive campaign," given that LGUs will be most affected by the planned national restructuring.

Outside the government, DILG said in its statement that they will reach out to to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to have mainstream media "explain to the public the benefits of federalism." (READ: Duterte to Lopezes: If ABS-CBN promotes federalism, I'll shake hands with you)

“As directed by President Duterte, the DILG needs to let the local governments and the ordinary people appreciate and understand how federalism will be able to change the course of our country and lead it towards development. And with Asec Malaya at the helm of the campaign, I am confident that we can make this happen,” DILG OIC Cuy said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa apparently could not wait for the budget from Congress any longer, so he has taken it upon himself to seek funds for cops' body cameras.

"Ako, naghahanap ako ng pondo ngayon, kahit na late nang lumabas 'yung pondo galing sa Congress. Naghahanap ako ng mga well-meaning Filipinos na magdo-donate ng pondo pambili ng body camera," Dela Rosa said on Monday, December 18.

(I am looking for funds now so it'll be okay even if funds from Congress come late. I am looking for well-meaning Filipinos to donate funds to buy body cameras.)

But he said donations can only come from "well-meaning Filipinos," suggesting that they will screen everyone who will donate. (READ: PNP drug enforcement chief: No need for body cameras, we have God)

"Well-meaning lang hindi 'yung 'bad-meaning'... Kung kilala natin na miyembro ng organized crime group itong tao na ito tapos mag-donate ng kuwan then mag-donate ng body camera, bakit mo tatanggapin? Para matali ka hindi mo na siya huhulihin, mahihiya ka nang hulihin siya dahil nakapag-donate siya ng body camera," Dela Rosa said.

(Only well-meaning people can donate, not those with ill intentions. If we know that a certain person is a member of an organized crime group then he or she donates a body camera, why would we accept? We would be indebted to them, we would shy away from arresting them because they donated.)

The top cop did not explain how Filipinos can donate to them, but local police usually accept donations at barangay or area police stations. Camp Crame, the PNP national headquarters, also has the Police Community Relations Group.

The fundraising comes as the PNP crafts new operational guidelines for its war on drugs, which is being challenged before the Supreme Court.

The body cameras, the PNP believes, will prevent irregularities in operations, which critics claim had spiked since police provided the muscle for President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

Dela Rosa, for his part, reiterated that they will require cops to wear the cameras during all operations once they have bought enough for all police stations. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – The world's busiest airport, in the US city of Atlanta, said early Monday, December 18, that power was back on after an outage left passengers in the dark and affected hundreds of flights.

"Power has been restored on all concourses," the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said on its Twitter account, about 11 hours after first reporting an electrical disruption.

Giving an idea of how many people were affected, the airport added: "5,000+ meals are being delivered to passengers."

It did not indicate how long it might take to clear the backlog of flights but said it was offering affected passengers "free parking until 8:00 am," (1300 GMT) or for about eight hours after the lights came back on.

Flightview.com, which tracks air travel data, listed hundreds of flights as being delayed, canceled or diverted since Sunday afternoon, December 17, but it also began to show several departures as scheduled for 6 am Monday.

The Georgia Power company, in a statement, said "power had been restored for all essential airport activities including all concourses and flight operations."

It described the outage as "very rare." Although the exact cause is not yet known, Georgia Power said preliminary investigation suggested that a fire damaged cables and caused the power disruption.

"No personnel or passengers were in danger at any time," the company said.

Photos and videos from the airport showed people walking or sitting in crowded airport corridors, with windows only partially cutting through the gloom.

Numerous airplanes could be seen parked on the airport tarmac.

'Thousands of stories'

A woman said she was waiting in the security line when "they turned off the lights – a few times they went off, and then finally they shut off completely." 

One passenger, Mike Vizdos, told Agence France-Presse that he and other passengers got trapped on their aircraft because the power went out just as it reached the terminal gate after arriving from Costa Rica.

"Sat on the plane for 6 hours and then cleared customs and immigration, Vizdos said, still hoping to reach his home in Richmond, Virginia the following day.

"There are thousands of stories," he said.

The airport earlier announced that it "sustained a power outage shortly after 1:00 pm today (Sunday)."

That led the Federal Aviation Administration to place a "ground stop" on flights inbound for Atlanta, meaning they are held at the airports from which they were to depart.

"The FAA Tower can operate normally, however, departures are delayed because airport equipment in the terminals is not working," it said on Twitter.

Those stuck at the airport were predictably not amused.

"I haven't eaten since 8AM central," one user tweeted.

Others said they were waiting on the tarmac: "Atlanta airport doesn't have power. I'm trapped on the runway, I'm hungry, and slightly buzzed..... Send help!!!"

Others said people were not being permitted to leave the airport, including a mother who tweeted: "My kid is trapped with the others at the Atlanta airport. No one is allowed to leave. Isn't this kidnapping?" – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David appealed for the freedom of 21-year-old supermarket clerk Paul Matthew Tanglao, who was jailed for stealing corned beef worth P31.50 ($0.60).

In a Facebook post on Monday, December 18, David said Tanglao has spent "already one week in jail for stealing a can of corned beef worth P31.50!" 

"It was 5:45 pm; he hadn't had lunch and he was hungry," said the bishop, who is also vice president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

"Please, for heaven's sake, let's get this man out of jail! I am willing to repay his employer, the supermarket owner, a hundred times over," David said. 

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on December 12 that Tanglao has been detained at the Santa Ana station of the Manila Police District since December 10, and is "facing a complaint of qualified theft." 

Quoting a police report, the Inquirer said "a security guard caught Tanglao hiding a can of corned beef in his apron at around 5:40 pm" on December 10.

The supermarket supervisor eventually requested the cashier "to file a complaint" against Tanglao. 

The Inquirer said some police officers "had tried to dissuade the supermarket from pressing charges – all to no avail." The supermarket was identified in the report only as "part of one of the largest mall chains in the country."

Tanglao has drawn sympathy in a country where plunderers get acquitted or remain in positions of power. Facebook users have pointed out this irony in various posts about Tanglao.

Tanglao was jailed days after a court dismissed a tax evasion case against Jeane Napoles, daughter of the alleged mastermind of the Philippines' biggest corruption scandal in recent history. – Rappler.com 

P50.50 = $1