January 9-11, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 2 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages
Makati court reopens Trillanes’rebellion case, upholds arrest order by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
THE Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 on Monday, January 7, reaffirmed its decision to reopen the rebellion case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as it denied the senator’s plea to reverse the ruling. In a six-page decision dated December 18 of last year, Makati RTC Judge Elmo Alameda explained that the senator failed to prove that he applied for amnesty and admitted his guilt over the incident. “Sen. Trillanes was not able to prove through Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV
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Philstar.com photo
NEW PEACE ADVISER. President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes newly-appointed Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr., as a new member of his cabinet prior to the 33rd Cabinet Meeting held at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, January 7. Galvez replaced Jesus Dureza as the chief of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process after the latter resigned in the wake of corruption allegations against his subordinates. Galvez served for 12 years in Mindanao, during which he said he visited rebel lairs where soldiers were often killed, earning these areas the tag “point of no return.” Malacañang photo by Rolando Mailo
Erring Cabinet men to be held accountable — Palace
USA
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
DATELINE US carbon emissions saw sharp rise in 2018, data shows FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
AFTER years of declining carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the U.S. saw emissions take a sharp increase in 2018, according to new data Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo published on Tuesday, January 8. According to the Rhodium Group — an economic research firm that looks at energy and climate as one of its key research areas — the U.S. saw CO2 emissions increase by 3.4 percent in 2018, the largest annual gain in over 20 years. The only year since 2004 that saw a larger yearly increase was in 2010 when the U.S. economy was making a come back after the Great Depression. Last year’s rise came despite factors suggesting improvements in emission efforts. Not only did emissions see a decline since 2015, but the increase also came despite many of the nation’s coal plants going into retirement
Inquirer.net photo
MALACAÑANG on Monday, January 7, assured the public that erring officials will be held accountable for their actions. This is after the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) announced that it is investigating three officials accused of irregularities. The three officials namely Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, former Customs commissioner and now Technical Education and Skills De-
velopment Authority chief Isidro Lapeña and National Commission on Indigenous People chairman Leonor Oralde-Quintayo were the ones identified by PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna. According to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, there would be no sacred cows in the Duterte administration. “You violate the law, regardless of your status — whether you’re a friend, an ally, a political adversary, a relative, a friend or a fraternity brother — it doesn’t matter. You are ac-
countable,” said Panelo to reporters. “We will wait for the findings. If there’s evidence, the president will act on it,” he added. Bello, for his part, said he is not aware of any complaint or pending investigation being conducted against him by the PACC. However, he said he is prepared to address the issue once the PACC required him to answer the allegations of corruption being thrown at him. “Wala pa namang (There’s still no) complaint against me and they have
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Duterte orders Manila Bay cleanup, Palace calls for 2019 budget approval ASAP crackdown on errant hotels CORRALES Inquirer.net
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US Navy destroyer sails near disputed islands A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer sailed near the disputed islands in the South China Sea where China has built military installations on Monday, January 7, as trade talks between the two countries commenced. The United States and its allies periodically send planes and warships through the area claimed by China — an act that reminds Beijing their right under international law to pass through the waters. U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesperson Rachel McMarr told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the USS McCampbell sailed within 22 kilometers (12 nautical miles) of the Paracel Islands “to challenge excessive maritime claims.” The Paracel Islands are claimed by China as well as Taiwan and Vietnam. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its territory, while Taiwan, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts. McMarr added that the so-called “freedom of navigation” operations were “not about any one country, nor are they about making political statements.” The sail-by happened while Chinese and
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Department of Public Service (DPS) personnel sweep garbages washed ashore by the waves of Manila bay in Roxas Boulevard. Inquirer.net photo by Earvin Perias
by AJPRESS
“We urgently call on Congress and graciously urge it to approve MALACAÑANG on Monday, the general budget in the soonest MANILA — The government January 7, urged the lawmakers possible time, otherwise delay in would start cleaning the heavily to expedite the approval process its approval will affect the release polluted Manila Bay, President of the the 2019 budget noting that of the funds for the salary hike of Rodrigo Duterte said on Tues- any further delay in the passing is soldiers, policemen, teachers and day, January 8, as he ordered not a feat acceptable to the Filipino civilian employees,” Panelo said. “Further unreasonable delay on hotel owners in the area to install public. Presidential spokesperson Sal- the part of Congress to approve water treatment systems or face vador Panelo said that the “unrea- the General Appropriation Bill that closure. Duterte said he already in- sonable delays” of the legislation will throw a monkey wrench on the structed Environment Secretary in the approval of the General Ap- program of the administration will Roy Cimatu and Interior Sec- propriations Bill would hinder the be unacceptable to the sovereign retary Eduardo Año to start the implementation of government people that place them in office,” projects and programs. by NESTOR
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Darren Criss becomes first Fil-Am to win Golden Globe, dedicates award to Filipina mom by AJPRESS ACTOR Darren Criss became the first Filipino American to win a Golden Globe award on Sunday, January 6. Criss accepted the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series for his role as Andrew Cunanan, the half-white, half Filipino serial killer, in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” This was Criss’ first Globes nomination and win. In his acceptance speech during the 76th Annual Golden Globe
Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Criss recognized how the entertainment industry has improved in terms of representation. “This has been a marvelous year for representation in Hollywood and I am so enormously proud to be a teeny-tiny part of that as the son of a firecracker Filipino woman,” the award-winning actor said. He also paid tribute to his Filipina mother, Cerina Bru, who hails from Cebu. He added, “So, Mom, I know you are watching this. You are hugely responsible for most of the
good things in my life. I love you dearly. I dedicate this to you.” He described Ryan Murphy’s mini-series as “a grim story to make,” noting that it tells the tale of a murderer who killed five people including fashion designer Gianni Versace. Criss acknowledged that the role gave him the chance to be the first Filipino-American to ever win a Golden Globe award. Aside from dedicating his award to his Cebuana mother and Filipino heritage, he also expressed his gratitude to his fiance Mia Swier. “I’ve said this before, but being
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Darren Criss
Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador/SIPA USA/AP