MANILA, Philippines – Jacinto "Jing" Paras, the man behind many of the complaints filed against top government officials during the current administration was appointed labor undersecretary by President Rodrigo Duterte. 

His appointment papers were signed on January 23 but released to media on Thursday, January 25.

Paras, a lawyer and member of the Duterte-allied Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), helped put together the botched impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections chief Andres Bautista and filed a complaint against Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang for his supposedly "unlawful disclosure" of the Duterte family's bank transactions. (READ: From 'Gang of Five' member to VACC lawyer: Who is Jacinto 'Jing' Paras?)

Paras was also the textmate of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II during a Senate hearing. Their texts, immortalized by a photograph, showed Aguirre asking Paras to expedite a case against Senator Risa Hontiveros who has been very vocal against the violence under Duterte's war on drugs.

Despite the two becoming the subject of criticism from other officials and the public in the aftermath of the "exposé", Paras and Aguirre still played the victim and called Hontiveros' move a violation of privacy – labelling it as wiretapping.

Paras' designation comes after the appointment of his VACC colleague Dante Jimenez as chairman of Duterte's Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The first petition related to Charter Change or Cha-Cha was filed before the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, January 25, and it seeks the High Court's intervention in a disagreement pitting Congressmen against Senators.

Should the House of Representatives and Senate vote jointly or separately?

Law professor Arturo De Castro filed on Thursday an 11-page petition for declaratory relief, which he said is necessary to avoid a constitutional crisis.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is pushing for a joint voting, while the Senate stands firm that it should be separate voting in order for their 24 votes not to be drowned out by the nearly 300 votes of the lower house.

Alvarez has even pronounced that the House can go on proposing amendments to the Constitution even without the Senate's participation. 

The House and Senate leaderships met over dinner on January 24 to try to break the impasse.

“If the voting should be counted separately, then the House alone may not proceed to propose revisions to the Constitution without the participation of the Senate,” De Castro said.

De Castro is a professor of Law and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Lecturer, Dean of the College of Criminology and Associate Law Dean and Bar Review Director at the University of Manila.

Political question?

De Castro also asked the SC to rule on whether or not amending the Constitution is a political question. If an act by the executive or the legislative is said to be a political question, the SC is stripped of the power of judicial review to step in and interfere.

De Castro argued that the SC should insist its powers.

“The Supreme Court, as the final arbiter of constitutional questions is called upon to resolve the constitutional issue of whether the House of Representatives alone may propose amendments to the Constitution,” De Castro said.

“A final and definitive resolution of the constitutional questions...would diffuse the tension in the nation that would go a long way to keep and maintain stability in the political system in the Philippines,” De Castro added. – Rappler.com

ALBAY, Philippines – In the 14 days that Mayon volcano have been erupting, almost P94 million worth of agricultural crops have been damaged, the provincial agricultural officer of Albay said on Thursday, January 26. 

Che Rebeta, provincial agricultural officer, said the initial estimate estimate of P93,916,916 in damage is expected to increase, as the volcano is expected to spew out materials in the next few days before a possible big explosion. 

She said 5,172 farmers are now without income.

“We are facing economic disaster as numerous farmers are without income. Their crops are badly  affected by the volcano’s eruption, with less chances of recovery, except for rice, with 50% probable recovery,” Rebeta said.

She said at least 3,516 hectares of rice plantation are affected, with a value of P73,345,150 in the municipalities of Guinobatan, Polangui, Camalig, Daraga, and Santo Domingo. For corn, 291.3 hectares of plantation are affected, with a value of P7,573,696. For vegetables and root crops, the reported damage amounted to P19,814,070.

The agricultural office is still awaiting report on damage to coconut plantations.

To assist the affected farmers in Albay, the Department of Agriculture regional office provided P64 million in livelihood opportunities for farmers. They can be trained in masonry, dress making, carpentry, and weaving under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Paul Alanis, senior research specialist at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said on Thursday Mayon's activity would continue, as the volcano is continuously recharging even after a series of explosions in the last two weeks. 

There are 19,407 families or 74,224 persons temporarily housed in 74 school buildings that serve as evacuation camps. Among the affected municipalities are Daraga, Guinobatan, Camalig, Santo Domingo, Malilipot, and Bacaca.

Among Albay's 3 cities, Legazpi has the biggest number of evacuees (3,691 families or 13,605 persons), followed by Tabaco (1,569 famlies or 6,244 persons), and Ligao (1,313 families or 5,618 persons). – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released data on the number of requests to conduct marine scientific research (MSR) in Benham Rise and the Luzon Strait.

In a list provided to reporters on Wednesday, January 24, the DFA said the Philippines approved 13 MSR applications from the US, 2 from China, 9 from Japan, and 4 from Korea.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano also gave this information in an interview in Tarlac on Tuesday, January 23. 

The DFA shared with reporters the relevant part of this interview with the secretary of foreign affairs (SFA), describing it as the "transcription of SFA interview in Tarlac on Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) MSR applications."

The data from the DFA, however, is vague.

No data specific to Benham Rise

In the data they released, the DFA lumped together the MSR applications for both Benham Rise and the Luzon Strait.

These are two different areas, maritime expert Jay Batongbacal said. 

Rappler asked the DFA for data on the number of MSR applications separately for Benham Rise and for the Luzon Strait.

The DFA could not provide this breakdown as of posting time. There is no data specific to Benham Rise. 

Now Cayetano's statements have led to confusion.

Based on Cayetano's statements, the Philippine Starreported on Wednesday, January 24, that the Duterte administration "approved 13 applications from the US, 9 from Japan, and 4 from South Korea." 

CNN Philippines also reported that since 2000, the Philippine government "has approved 13 scientific research requests in Benham Rise from the US," 9 from Japan, and 4 from South Korea. 

This comes as the DFA draws flak for allowing China to do research in Benham Rise.

Below is the DFA's message to reporters, in unedited form, on Wednesday:

Sharing transcription of SFA interview in Tarlac on Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) MSR applications: 

SFA: There’s so much talk about why we allowed the Chinese. Let me share this information with you: The Americans have requested for 13 scientific research missions. We have approved 13. The Japanese have requested nine scientific research missions. We have approved nine. The Koreans have applied for four, we have approved four. The Chinese have applied for 18, we have approved two. So makikita mo na mas lamang ang Pilipinas kung lahat puwedeng mag-research doon. Hindi pa ito exploration o development. Pagka exploration, development, fisheries, papasok na diyan ang DA, papasok na DENR, papasok na ‘yung Department of Energy. This is scientific research. So as long as sundin nila pareho—Filipino scientist on board, and then data-sharing—papayagan natin. Why is it beneficial? Because if… parang dito sa Pampanga, Tarlac. Kung sabihin niyo, Globe [Telecom] lang ang puwedeng pumasok, e ‘di yung offer nila iba. Pero alam nila na puwede ang Smart [Communications], puwede ang third party, iba ‘yung offer nila, ‘di ba? So whether it’s protecting the environment or any sovereignty rights, meaning economic rights, in Benham Rise, Philippine Rise, it’s more advantageous to us na mas maraming mag-research. ‘Yung problema doon sa French trip, sabi nila mallit ‘yung ship, ‘di puwedeng sumakay ang Pilipino. Kung pinayagan nila at ‘yung ruta [ay] okay sa atin, pinayagan din natin.

Number of MSR Applications in Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) and Luzon Strait Areas (Year 2000-19 Jan 2018)

• US has most number of MSR Applications, 13, ALL 13 GRANTED
• China has 18 MSR Applications, only 2 GRANTED
• Japan 9 MSR Applications, ALL 9 GRANTED
• Korea 4 MSR Applications, ALL 4 GRANTED
• Germany has 2 MSR Applications, ALL 2 DENIED

– Rappler.com

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan official said Thursday at least 25 people were killed in the attack on a Kabul hotel, as confusion reigned over the true toll with conflicting figures given and Afghan media reporting higher numbers.

The health ministry official said at least 25 people had been killed, including 13 foreigners. But the Agence France-Presse (AFP) has independently verified that 15 foreigners – 7 Ukrainians, 4 Americans, two Venezuelans, one German and one Kazakh – died in the massacre. 

"We have 25 deaths from the Intercontinental Hotel attack in Kabul – 7 Afghans, 13 foreigners and 5 suspected attackers," health ministry spokesman Wahid Majrooh told AFP.

That was hours after he gave a different toll, telling AFP that 25 Afghans had been killed and that "we don't know about the foreign fatalities."

An Afghan security official also said 25 people had been killed in the 12-hour attack on Saturday night but that figure included three badly burned bodies "which we believe are of foreigners".

"To be honest I am not very sure about the final death toll yet," he said on the condition of anonymity.

Adding to the confusion, the interior ministry told AFP that the official death toll still stood at 22 but suggested that figure could change in the coming days.

"The fact-finding mission and investigation work will be finalized today and... the interior minister will have a press conference on Saturday where he will give the new details," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

"There could be some new information and changes."

Afghan media outlets have reported significantly higher death tolls. Tolo News previously quoted the interior ministry as saying 29 people had been killed, but also cited "reliable sources" as saying the number was around 43.

Afghan officials have a long history of understating death tolls in high-profile attacks and there is widespread speculation in Kabul that the true death toll in the hotel attack is far higher than what they have said.

"The government is concerned about the inevitable repercussions that this and yesterday's attack (in Jalalabad) are going to have," an Afghan media source told AFP.

"Businesses are going to think twice about coming in, foreigners are going to leave. We have seen in the past – specifically after last year's truck bombing and previous hotel attacks – that a lot of foreigners leave.

"It's almost a given that this happens, as a result government tends to keep information under wraps."

The attack comes at a bad time for President Ashraf Ghani whose government was already facing criticism over its failure to improve security in the war-torn country.

Investigators are still looking into how the militants were able to get past privately-owned Kabul Balkh Safety and Security guards and launch the assault with guns and grenades. 

Visitors to the upmarket hotel, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the Afghan capital, have described glaring security breaches before the assailants went on a bloody rampage targeting guests.

Bags were not checked, scanners did not work and body searches were non-existent, according to witnesses.

During the terrifying ordeal insurgents armed with Kalashnikovs and suicide vests went from room to room searching for foreigners, survivors and a security source have told AFP. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippnes - Health Secretary Francisco Duque III continues his tour of schools where kids received the risky Dengvaxia dengue vaccine.

In a visit to Santa Rosa Central Elementary School, Duque says the now-suspended dengue immunization program was launched even if the clinical trial on its safety has not been completed.

Mara Cepeda reports. - Rappler.com

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has worrisome news for parents of children vaccinated with the controversial Dengvaxia dengue vaccine.

Duque says the clinical trial on the safety of Sanofi Pasteur’s Dengvaxia was not completed when the vaccination program was launched by ex-DOH chief Janette Garin.

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine studied the vaccine’s efficacy in 2011 to 2014, while its safety study was conducted in 2011 to 2017.

But Garin approved Dengvaxia’s use in public schools in 3 regions in April 2016.

FRANCISCO DUQUE III, HEALTH SECRETARY: They started giving the Dengvaxia as early as 2016, March. So the findings on the severe dengue after they concluded the phase 3 on September of 2017. So if they had waited [for] 2017, then they would have known they cannot give these Dengvaxia to children who never had dengue in the past, because that is exactly what the advisory of Sanofi says.

Sanofi last November announced individuals who received the vaccine but were not previously infected by the virus may develop severe dengue.

The DOH chief is now touring schools to directly answer questions from the vaccinated children's concerned parents.

Rubireza Catindig says her 11-year-old child occasionally gets the chills.

Her child also complains of pain in the eyes and stomach after getting two out of 3 Dengvaxia doses.

Were these caused by the vaccine?

RUBIREZA CATINDIG, MOTHER OF CHILD VACCINATED WITH DENGVAXIA: I can't say they're because of Dengvaxia. But he doesn't experience those before. Those symptoms didn't come out prior to his vaccinization. After the 2nd vaccine, that's the time his immune system weakened.

But Duque says the the DOH and experts from the Philippine General Hospital are still studying whether or not Dengvaxia causes children to develop other symptoms or worse, death due to dengue.

FRANCISCO DUQUE III, HEALTH SECRETARY: We cannot really say for sure wether the reactions that are being observed by the parents can be classified as the reactions that are directly related to Dengvaxia. But just to make sure that we cover all grounds, we will report them as part of the surveillance system and classify them as possible adverse events following immunizations beginning March 2016.

For now, DOH is closely monitoring the health of the vaccinated children, whose medical and hospital expenses due to dengue will be covered by PhilHealth.

Parents welcome the chance to talk to the DOH chief himself.

But it remains to be seen if the DOH can consistently address their concerns and keep their vaccinated children safe in the long run.

Mara Cepeda, Rappler, Laguna

VIENNA, Austria – The United Nations embarked on fresh efforts on Thursday, January 25, to jump-start Syrian peace talks that Western countries and the opposition fear are being undermined by a separate Russian diplomatic push.

The two days of talks in Vienna come after 8 previous rounds in Geneva, during which the two sides failed to even meet each other.

The previous attempts stumbled in particular over the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with the government delegation refusing to meet the opposition face-to-face until they drop demands that he leaves office.

The Syrian government's top negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari made no comment as he arrived at the UN in Vienna to meet the world body's special envoy Staffan de Mistura.

The main opposition group, the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC), said it would sit down for separate talks with the envoy at 4:00 pm (1500 GMT). 

De Mistura said on Wednesday that the negotiations came at a "very, very critical moment".

Nasr al-Hariri from the SNC said the discussions would be "a real test for all the sides."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said meanwhile in Paris that the talks were the "last hope" for reaching a political solution to a seven-year conflict that has claimed more than 340,000 lives.

He highlighted a "considerable worsening of the humanitarian situation" in Afrin -- where Turkey has launched an operation against Kurdish fighters -- as well as in Idlib and Eastern Ghouta.

The Turkish intervention, its second in a conflict that has drawn in multiple world powers, has heightened tensions with Ankara's NATO ally the United States, which has backed the Kurdish militants in their battle against the Islamic State group.

Ankara, in contrast, views the Kurdish YPG fighters as a Syrian offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state.

Parallel peace talks

The Vienna talks come ahead of a separate peace conference next Tuesday in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, backed by Russia, Iran and Turkey.

The 3 key regional players have been sponsoring parallel peace talks since the start of last year, which have fuelled concerns that the Kremlin is looking to sideline the UN.

"The Russians have done everything to weaken the Geneva process. They want to short-circuit it and be the only sponsor of the diplomatic process," said Hasni Abidi from the CERMAM think-tank in Geneva.

The focus in Sochi will be on hammering out a new constitution, according to the opposition, something that de Mistura also wants discussed in Vienna.

While Assad's government has said it will go to Sochi, the SNC has not yet decided, even after a recent visit to Moscow.

Russia under pressure

A Western diplomatic source said that if Moscow wanted its own peace talks in Sochi to be successful, it must push its ally Assad into accepting the need for a political transition, as agreed by the UN Security Council in 2015.

"This is the moment for the Russians to be banging their fists on the table," the source told AFP.   

"The opposition has no reason to go to Sochi if the Russians don't win any commitments from Damascus."

A suspected chemical weapons attack by the regime on the rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus left at least 21 people with breathing problems on Monday, prompting a sharp US warning to Russia to rein in its ally.

But the war has turned in Assad's favour since Russia became involved militarily in September 2015.

Russian-backed Syrian forces have also dealt severe blows to ISIS, whose self-proclaimed "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria has largely collapsed. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON, DC, USA – Mounting concerns about the possibility of a nuclear war along with US President Donald Trump's "unpredictability" have pushed the symbolic "Doomsday Clock" to two minutes before midnight, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists said Thursday.

The clock – which serves as a metaphor for how close humanity is to destroying the planet – was moved forward by 30 seconds, to as near as it has ever been to the hour of the apocalypse.

The last time the clock was at two minutes to midnight was in 1953 when the United States and Soviet Union were testing hydrogen bombs.

"In this year's discussions, nuclear issues took center stage once again," said Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

She mentioned new testing by North Korea, an enhanced commitment to nuclear weapons in China, Pakistan and India, and "unpredictability" embodied by the US president in tweets and statements.

The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947. Its time has changed 20 times since then, ranging from two minutes to midnight in 1953 to 17 minutes before midnight in 1991.

Last year it moved from three minutes before midnight to two-and-a-half minutes. – Rappler.com

SAO PAULO, Brazil – Former Brazilian president Lula Inacio Lula da Silva, who was planning to travel to Ethiopia, was not allowed to leave the country, the justice ministry said Thursday, January 25, one day after an appeals court upheld his conviction on corruption charges.

Lula, once seen as the favorite ahead of October's presidential election in Brazil, was headed to Addis Ababa for a meeting organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, but authorities rescinded his passport, the ministry said in a statement.

"There is no legal restriction that would prevent former president Lula from traveling abroad. We already told the authorities that he would be participating in this event (in Ethiopia)," one of his attorneys, Cristiano Zanin Martins, told Agence France-Presse earlier in the day.

"Lula has the right to come and go."

But a complaint was filed asking that his passport be rescinded, arguing he posed a flight risk and that he could ask for political asylum abroad.

On Wednesday, January 24, the appeals court in Porto Alegre upheld the 72-year-old Lula's conviction for corruption, dealing a body blow to his hopes of running for re-election this year.

The 3-judge panel sitting in the southern city unanimously ruled that his original 9.5-year jail sentence be extended to more than 12 years.

Lula is however likely to remain out of prison for many months. He is expected to continue to challenge the conviction through higher courts, initially in the Superior Court of Justice and ultimately in Brazil's Supreme Court.

On Thursday, his Workers Party (PT) held a rally in Sao Paulo to endorse the presidential campaign of Lula, who already led the country from 2003 to 2011.

The latest polls say that more than a third of Brazilians support Lula, putting him far ahead of his closest competitor, far right lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro, who has 17% backing. – Rappler.com

KOUROU, France – Arianespace's mission control has "lost contact" with an Ariane 5 rocket carrying two commercial satellites after its lift-off from French Guiana, CEO Stephane Israel announced late Thursday, January 25.

The European space workhorse blasted off at 7 20 pm (2220 GMT) from the Kourou Space Center and was planning to put satellites into orbit for Luxembourg's SES and the United Arab Emirate's Yahsat.

It was the first launch of 2018 for Arianespace, a French-headquartered multinational launch service provider that includes Europe's Galileo navigation project among its key clients.

Israel apologized to customers for what he described as an "anomaly." When contacted by Agence France-Presse, Arianespace promised further updates.

Since it was founded in 1980, Arianespace has put more than 550 satellites into orbit.

In September the company aborted the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket carrying two commercial satellites in the final countdown as the main engine was being ignited.

An Ariane 5 lift-off was also aborted at main engine ignition in March 2011. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – US President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday, January 25, unveiled a sweeping new immigration plan to Congress that offers 1.8 million young unauthorized immigrants known as "Dreamers" a path to citizenship over 10-12 years.

Trump's comprehensive plan – which will be formally presented next week – includes eliminating the popular "green card lottery" program and would severely restrict family immigration.

It would also require Congress to budget $25 billion for a "trust fund" for constructing a wall on the US-Mexico border – a major plank of Trump's White House campaign.

"The Department of Homeland Security must have the tools to deter illegal immigrants; the ability to remove individuals who illegally enter the United States, and the vital authorities necessary to protect national security," a senior White House official told journalists.

The White House's offer of a path to citizenship for the Dreamers was much wider than expected. Earlier it had suggested it was only open to granting citizenship to the 690,000 young immigrants registered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

But in exchange, Trump was asking Congress to make future legal immigration more difficult – and to shore up the Homeland Security Department's toolbox and funding to crack down on the overall population of unauthorized immigrants, estimated at some 11 million including Dreamers.

Sharp turn in immigration policy

The plan represents a sharp shift in US immigration policies. Trump promised during his 2016 presidential campaign a tough crackdown on illegal immigration, but has extended this to narrowing the doors for legal immigrations and refugees.

The end of the lottery system – which was introduced in 1990 to diversify the origins of new immigrants – was expected and has support from some Democrats. Trump has argued the program has allowed people into the country who have supported Islamic extremists.

"This program is riddled with fraud and abuse and does not serve the national interest," the White House said in a summary Thursday.

Trump however at least momentarily undermined his push against the lottery when, in immigration bill negotiations with lawmakers in early January, he complained about immigrants from what he reportedly dubbed "shithole" nations like Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa, sparking widespread outrage.

Trump has also argued for ending "chain" migration, the practice of allowing the extended family members of people who already have US citizenship to immigrate.

Thursday's proposal said that to "protect the nuclear family," family immigration would be only permitted for spouses and minor children.

Battle in Congress likely

The White House plan immediately provoked the ire of Democrats, who made clear they would likely fight to water down the changes in negotiations in coming weeks.

Pro-immigration groups said it would reduce overall immigration by half.

"$25 billion as ransom for Dreamers with cuts to legal immigration and increases to deportations doesn't pass the laugh test," said Democratic Representative Luis Gutierrez.

"The White House released a hateful, xenophobic immigration proposal that would slash legal immigration to levels not seen since the racial quotas of the 1920s," said Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy at the American Civil Liberties Union.

But Republicans voiced strong support.

"I applaud the president for releasing a realistic framework that meets the 4 immigration pillars agreed by both Republican and Democratic leaders earlier this month," said Republican Senator Thom Tillis.

"The framework proposes solutions supported by both parties and the American people: securing our borders, providing long-term certainty for DACA-eligible youth, and making our immigration system more merit-based," he said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has named Commissioner Prospero de Vera III as officer-in-charge of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea announced De Vera’s appointment in a memorandum issued on Thursday, January 25, 10 days after Patricia Licuanan resigned as CHED chairperson. (WATCH: Rappler Talk: Former CHED chair Patricia Licuanan on her resignation)

“Upon the instruction of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of public service, please be informed that you are hereby designed as officer-in-charge of the Commission on Higher Education, effective immediately,” said Medialdea.

De Vera's appointment comes as no surprise, as he is the most senior commissioner in CHED after the resignation of Licuanan. He took his oath as CHED commissioner in September 2016.

De Vera had been joining Malacañang press conferences for CHED-related announcements, as Duterte had barred Licuanan to attend Cabinet meetings in December 2016.

Prior to his CHED appointment, De Vera was the vice president for public affairs of the University of the Philippines. He was also an adviser of Senator Grace Poe during the 2016 presidential polls.

Licuanan had said he resigned after Medialdea warned her of the “worst” to come if she did not leave her post, following weeks of corruption allegations thrown at her by two administration-allied lawmakers. 

The former CHED chairperson believes executive director Julito Vitriolo, with whom she had locked horns prior her resignation, helped in getting her kicked out of CHED. Vitriolo denied this. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – United Nations special rapporteur Agnes Callamard and two other experts slammed moves to shut down Rappler after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked the license of the social news network. 

"We are gravely concerned that the government is moving to revoke Rappler's license," the 3 UN special rapporteurs said in a joint statement.

"As a matter of human rights law, there is no basis to block it from operating. Rappler and other independent outlets need particular protection because of the essential role they play in ensuring robust public debate," they added.

The UN experts described Rappler as "an innovative and independent source of news and analysis in the Philippines," which has "provided critical coverage" of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. (READ: The Rappler story: Independent journalism with impact) 

The following UN experts issued this statement:

• David Kaye, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
• Callamard, special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions; and 
• Michael Forst, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

Callamard is the same UN rapporteur who has angered Duterte for supposedly meddling in his anti-drug campaign. 

Callamard, Kaye, and Forst said in their joint statement, "We are especially concerned that this move against Rappler comes at a time of rising rhetoric against independent voices in the country."

"We urge the government to return to its path of protection and promotion of independent media, especially those covering issues in the public interest," the UN rapporteurs added. – Rappler.com

SEOUL, South Korea – At least 31 people were killed in a blaze at a hospital in South Korea on Friday, January 26, Yonhap news agency said, with dozens more injured.

Video footage and pictures showed a helicopter flying above the building in Miryang, engulfed by heavy gray smoke and surrounded by multiple fire trucks.

The five-story structure housed a nursing home as well as the hospital, and the South's Yonhap news agency said 31 people had been killed, citing firefighters at the site.

Earlier the national fire agency put the toll at 19.

"Two nurses said they had seen fire suddenly erupting in the emergency room," said fire chief Choi Man-Woo, but the cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

All the patients had been evacuated, he added.

"The victims came both from the hospital and the nursing home. Some died on their way to another hospital."

Pictures showed survivors being brought out wrapped in blankets, and firefighters picking their way through the blackened shell of the building after the blaze was extinguished.

Around 200 people were in the Sejong Hospital building when the fire broke out, police said.

The fire came only a month after 29 people were killed in an inferno at a fitness club in the South Korean city of Jecheon – a disaster blamed on insufficient emergency exits, flammable finishing materials and illegally parked cars blocking access to emergency vehicles. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) defended its collaboration with a Chinese firm to survey the country's eastern seaboard, a project that Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio had dismissed as "dumb." 

The UP-MSI said the research project is part of a long-running international collaboration to study the flow of water in the country's eastern seaboard – its temperature, salinity, and current distribution, and ocean currents, among others – to understand how it affects regional climate and cycles like La Niña and El Niño. 

"UP-MSI has been collaborating with oceanographers from different countries such as the US, South Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan on research along the Pacific seaboard as early as the 1980s," it said in a statement issued Thursday night, January 25.

The collaboration with the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences will study the North Equatorial Current (NEC), which splits as it meets the Philippine coast to form the northward Kuroshio Current and the southward Mindanao Current. (READ: China's 33-day permit to survey PH's eastern seaboard begins)

It will focus on the Kuroshio Current, which is "responsible for the transport of heat to the rest of the North Pacific and therefore is an important driver of the regional climate and even the El Niño and La Niña cycles," the statement said.

"To understand the Kuroshio’s role on climate and to help develop predictive models, we need to know how often and by how much it varies; thus the need to measure the currents and temperature structure over a long period of time," it added.

Instruments will be deployed for time series measurements along the coast of northern Isabela province, which is located north of Benham Rise. It will measure the volume and heat content of the water flowing to the north.

"In addition, lessons from these oceanographic processes help explain changes in the productivity of the ocean (which is crucial to fisheries management) and contribute to new knowledge (such as changes in monsoon and typhoons), all of which are important in the sustainable development of the northeastern Philippine biogeographic region," UP-MSI said. 

UP-MSI said the Chinese survey vessel Ke Xue Hao will work within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for a maximum of 6 days. The rest of the study will be conducted in the country's extended continental shelf. 

Carpio, who led the country's international case against China's "squatting" in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), said it was "dumb" to give Beijing access to the other side of the country. He said China should first recognize the United Nations-backed ruling that struck down its 9-dash-line claim over the South China Sea.

China's intent is being questioned because of its notoriety in the South China Sea, where it reclaimed 7 reefs and turned them into artificial islands that now host runways and missiles. 

There was also an uproar when China said that the Philippines did not have "sovereignty" over Benham Rise, an underwater plateau bigger than Luzon that was recently confirmed by the United Nations to be a part of the Philippine's extended continental shelf. (READ: Fast Facts: What you should know about Benham Rise)

What the Philippines has is "sovereign right" over Benham Rise. Foreign vessels cannot be barred from "innocent passage" but the Philippines has exclusive right to explore and exploit the natural resources in the area. It can also decide to allow other countries to conduct research in the area, as in this case. 

But China had been conducting research in Benham Rise in recent years despite the repeated denial of its requests. This is the first known permit granted to China since the 2012 standoff between Manila and Beijing over Scarborough Shoal.

President Rodrigo Duterte has pursued warmer ties with China, setting aside the country's victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of bilateral engagements.

Carpio and other pioneers of the country's case against China have been vocal critics of the new government policy towards the regional giant.

The Chinese firm discussed the collaboration with UP-MSI back in 2016 through an international collaborative observational program called the North Pacific Ocean Circulation Experiment (NPOCE), which IOCAS leads. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Addressing fellow Southeast Asian leaders and leaders of India, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called for stronger cooperation among countries to stop the financing of terrorist organizations.

Duterte made this push during his speech at the plenary session of the ASEAN (Association of Souteast Asian Nations) and India Commemorative Summit held on Thursday, January 25 in New Delhi.

"PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte), in the plenary, pushed for regional and multilateral cooperation to address terrorism financing to prevent violent extremism," said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.

The Philippine leader also stressed the "importance of timely and thorough intelligence gathering and analysis."

Before leaving for India, Duterte rued how a failure of intelligence led to the Marawi crisis lasting 5 months.

He said that international conferences are not enough to address the terrorist threat plaguing Southeast Asia and called for a "platform" to effectively quell the threat.

In his plenary session remarks, however, Duterte said he would "support the conduct of regular senior officials meetings on transnational crime, in consultation with India."

Aside from security issues, Duterte also called for the promotion of the rights of migrant workers and for the signing of maritime and transport agreements that would improve connectivity between Southeast Asian countries and India.

He also urged the body to step up efforts to protect biodiversity in the region. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has indicted former Iloilo 5th District representative Rolex Suplico over an anomalous P14.7-million pork barrel release in 2007, her office said on Friday, January 26.

Morales approved the resolution on January 8, ordering the filing of one count of graft against Suplico and former officials of the now abolished government agency Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) and the non-governmental organization (NGO) used as project implementor. 

Before the 2007 elections, Suplico released P14.7 million worth of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to TLRC as implementing agency, and funnelled through AARON Foundation Philippines Incorporated (AARON) for livelihood projects for the 5th District of Iloilo. 

“Based on an audit conducted by the Special Audit Office of the Commission on Audit (COA), the PDAF remains unliquidated,” the Office of the Ombudsman said.

The Ombudsman also found that the selection of the NGO did not follow procurement rules.

“No business permit had been issued to AARON since 2004 and that its business address is located in a vacant lot, thus, casting doubt as to its existence and legitimacy,” the Ombudsman said.

Morales’ resolution accused Suplico of negligence or deliberate failure to liquidate “which could only mean that he benefitted from the transaction or that he was grossly negligent.” 

“It is emphasized that respondent Suplico is accountable for the funds because he has control and actual custody of the funds as these funds cannot be released without his consent and directives. Such failure/refusal to liquidate the P14,700,000.00 clearly casts doubt as to the validity, propriety, and legality of the transaction between respondents, causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to AARON,” Morales said.

Also indicted were former TLRC director general Antonio Ortiz and AARON president Alfredo Ronquillo.

Suplico is the latest politician to be indicted in the pork barrel scam, as Morales reaches the last stretch of her "penultimate race" to hold those involved in the scam accountable. She retires in July. – Rappler.com

MIAMI, USA – The oldest remains of a modern human outside Africa have been dug up in Israel, offering evidence of what genetic studies have already suggested – that humans migrated out of Africa some 50,000 years earlier than previously thought.

Facial fragments, including a jawbone and several teeth, were found at a site called Misliya Cave in Israel, one of several prehistoric cave sites located on Mount Carmel.

The bones date to between 174,000 and 188,000 years old, said the report in the January 25 edition of the US journal Science.

Until now, the earliest modern human fossils found outside of Africa were estimated to be between 90,000 to 120,000 years old.

"Misliya is an exciting discovery," said co-author Rolf Quam, an anthropology professor at Binghamton University.

"It provides the clearest evidence yet that our ancestors first migrated out of Africa much earlier than we previously believed."

The fossil, named Misliya-1, "exhibits teeth that are in the upper size range of what's seen in modern humans, but that otherwise shows clear patterns and features of our species," said the report.

Other archaeological evidence in the cave showed that the inhabitants hunted big game and used fire.

Stone tools that were chipped in places to make them sharper were also found nearby, marking the "earliest known association of the Levallois technique with modern human fossils in the region."

Older fossils of modern humans have been found in Africa, including some with similar facial characteristics excavated from the Ethiopian sites of Omo Kibish and Herto, dating to around 195,000 and 160,000 years old.

Even older primitive human remains – though still members of our species – have been found in Morocco (315,000 years old) and South Africa (259,000 years old).

In China, the human fossils known to science are younger, with fragments from the Zhiren and Daoxian Caves ranging in age from 80,000 to 113,000 years ago.

But the discovery in Israel sheds new light on the routes of modern human migration out of Africa, and helps scientists better under the evolution of our own species.

"It also means that modern humans were potentially meeting and interacting during a longer period of time with other archaic human groups, providing more opportunity for cultural and biological exchanges," said Quam.

Previous research, based on ancient DNA analyses, has suggested that modern humans left Africa even earlier, as far back as 220,000 years ago. – Rappler.com

DILI, East Timor – East Timor is set to hold fresh elections after president Francisco Guterres dissolved parliament Friday, January 26, ending a months-long political impasse that plunged Asia's youngest democracy into a post-election stalemate.

Fighting among lawmakers paralyzed the former Portuguese colony and has left it on the brink of its worst period of political instability in more than a decade.

Speaking at the presidential palace, Guterres called for new parliamentary elections to put an end to "a serious institutional crisis" and blasted leaders for turning "their backs to each other".

"I am convinced that the people must be called to vote once again in order to help, to overcome the challenge that lies (ahead) in our young democracy," he said, adding that the date for new elections will be set within 30 days.

Guterres' decision comes after nearly 4 months of political gridlock amid tensions between Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's minority government and the opposition, centered around the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction party led by former president Xanana Gusmao.

Alkatiri's Fretilin party, which won the July election by a narrow margin, did not win enough votes to govern alone and formed a minority coalition government.

With only 30 seats in the 65-seat house, it relied on the confidence and support of other parties in parliament, but opposition lawmakers thwarted its attempt to introduce a policy program and budget.

Some analysts have warned the charged political environment could lead to unrest.

"The political leaders have managed to keep a lid on this so far, but when they get into campaign mode it is going to be much more difficult to control their supporters," East Timor analyst Damien Kingsbury, from Australia's Deakin University, recently told Agence France-Presse.

Political turmoil has boiled over before in East Timor, which occupies half of an island shared with Indonesia.

In 2006, the country was racked by violence when rivalries among political elites led to open conflict between factions within the security forces and breakdown in law and order.

Some 31 people were killed in armed clashes, gang violence and rioting in the capital Dili until an international peacekeeping force restored order.

Since then, weak state institutions, unemployment and a laggard economy have been the most pressing issues facing the country.

East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 before it gained independence in 2002 after a UN sponsored referendum. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – US President Donald Trump ordered the firing of Russia investigation special prosecutor Robert Mueller last year but the White House counsel's threatened resignation pushed him to reverse course, US media reported Thursday, January 25.

Mueller is leading the probe into allegations of collusion between the US president's campaign team and Russia in the 2016 election, which Trump has repeatedly criticized and views as an attack on the legitimacy of his presidency.

Trump gave the order in June 2017, according to The New York Times, but White House counsel Don McGahn opposed the decision, telling senior officials it would have a "catastrophic effect" on Trump's presidency.

After McGahn threatened to quit, Trump backed down, the Times reported, citing 4 anonymous sources.

The Washington Post, also citing anonymous sources, confirmed that Trump sought to fire Mueller but reconsidered after the White House counsel's threat.

White House counsel Ty Cobb declined to comment on the matter, the Times said.

Trump told journalists in August that he had not considered firing Mueller, some two months after he reportedly had moved to do just that.

"I haven't given it any thought. I mean, I've been reading about it from you people, you say, 'Oh, I'm gonna dismiss him.' No, I'm not dismissing anybody," Trump said.

'Red line'

According to the Times, Trump had accused Mueller of 3 conflicts of interest that he argued disqualified him from running the Russia collusion investigation.

The alleged conflicts were as follows: Mueller had terminated his membership at a Trump golf course over a dispute about fees, had worked for the law firm that previously represented the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and had been interviewed to return as director of the FBI before he was appointed special counsel.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said Thursday that firing Mueller was a "red line."

"I've said it before, and I am saying it again: firing the special counsel is a red line that the president cannot cross," Warner said in a statement.

"Any attempt to remove the special counsel, pardon key witnesses, or otherwise interfere in the investigation, would be a gross abuse of power."

The day before, Trump for the first time directly said that he would cooperate with Mueller, whose investigation he had previously dismissed as a "witch hunt."

"I would love to do it," Trump told reporters in the White House when asked about testifying.

"I would do it under oath, absolutely."

Any interview of a US president in an investigation is fraught with issues of executive privilege – how much and in what context the US leader can be forced to disclose information.

In Trump's case, it also raises deep concerns that his shoot-from-the-hip outspokenness could jeopardize his own legal position. – Rappler.com