Rappler's latest stories on assistance
Democracy under threat during pandemic, global leaders warn
'Democracy is under threat, and people who care about it must summon the will, the discipline, and the solidarity to defend it,' says the open letter signed by political and civil society leaders, Nobel laureates and rights groups
Rappler+ Webinar: Implications of the anti-terrorism bill
Happening Tuesday, June 9, 10 am
'Reject this': Human rights lawyers up in arms vs 'repressive' anti-terror bill
'The attempt to use the anti-terror bill as a tool for repression rather than for thwarting terrorism is appalling,' says the Ateneo Human Rights Center, which calls for its rejection
Grade 9 Muntinlupa student uses scholarship allowance to buy relief goods
At 15, Jarred Gaviola finds a way to help those displaced by the pandemic
[OPINION DEEP DIVE] The fruit of the poisonous interview
This week’s Deep Dive looks into the admissibility of Mr Ronnel Mas' admission based on case law as well as the finding of the DOJ that his admission 'cured' the illegal arrest
Volunteer group raises funds to cover shortage of PPE in Leyte
Through the civic engagement group Tabang PH, a fundraising initiative was organized to produce alternative personal protective equipment for frontliners and other vulnerable groups
House, DOJ could have done more for ABS-CBN – FLAG
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra defends his refusal to issue a formal legal opinion for ABS-CBN, a document that could serve as a legal defense for the NTC
Protections for free press 'continually threatened' by existing laws – FLAG
The Free Legal Assistance Group says a free, responsible press is 'absolutely essential for a truly transparent, accountable, and democratic government'
Negros Occidental universities, colleges help with coronavirus response
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the province have suspended classes since the general community quarantine on March 15
[EXPLAINER] State auditors have bad news for COVID-19 ‘epal’
Officials who plaster their names and pictures on government-funded relief goods and materials will be obliged by COA to pay back
LIST: Groups providing free online counseling during the pandemic
Here's a list of institutions and organizations offering free online counseling for people affected by the coronavirus pandemic
Gov't may wire workers their subsidy if employers remiss with requirements
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III says employees of negligent businesses may submit their payroll directly to the government, to receive their P5,000 handout during the coronavirus lockdown
LIST: Groups help vulnerable sectors affected by coronavirus lockdown
Here's how you can help urban poor families, daily wage workers, elderly, displaced Lumad youth affected by the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak
Why Duterte doesn't need special powers to address the coronavirus outbreak
'The emergency powers proposed to be granted by Congress are either superfluous and unnecessary, as they are already vested in the Executive Branch by existing laws,' says the Free Legal Assistance Group
Can a Cabinet member 'order' Visayas LGUs to pass ordinances?
Law professor and former Supreme Court spokesperson Ted Te says he cannot
LIST: Groups providing helpful information about the Luzon lockdown
(UPDATED) Here's a list of groups providing assistance for needed information related to health inquiry, psychological services, and volunteer opportunities
LIST: Groups providing transportation services for frontliners, patients
Here's a list of efforts aimed to help provide transportation and delivery services needed by the frontliners and those in need
Volunteer your skills during the lockdown through these initiatives
Here are some initiatives where we can share our skills and time to help out during the coronavirus crisis
LIST: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic
Here are some concrete ways to help those on the frontlines
FLAG goes to Supreme Court to free ex-NPA chief Salas
The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) files a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, invoking the extraordinary power of the Court to examine the legality of the murder case itself
Unlike Boracay, Baguio won’t be closed to tourists during rehab period
The rehabilitation of Baguio will start with the 3 T's: trees, traffic, and tourism
Afghan war caused 100,000 civilian casualties in last decade – U.N.
The announcement comes as the Taliban and US continue to hold talks aimed at drawing a close to America's longest war
Journalists, lawyers call for state accountability after Ampatuan verdict
The state needs to be accountable for crimes committed by its own agents, says NUJP chair Nonoy Espina, whether it's the Ampatuan massacre or the drug war
With Robredo at helm of anti-drug body, Diokno hopes killings will stop
'Under Vice President Robredo's leadership, we hope that the killings will stop, and the government will finally take a better approach to the problem of illegal drugs,' says human rights lawyer Chel Diokno
'Putang ina, pulis ka' is recurring phrase of suspects in TokHang reports
In one police report, 3 suspects allegedly point their guns at one cop, but the cop, by himself, manages to kill all 3. It is movie-like fiction, says the Free Legal Assistance Group.
TokHang documents prove drug war caused cops to kill suspects – FLAG
'Police operatives were already conditioned by these information reports not only to arrest suspects but to neutralize them,' the Free Legal Assistance Group tells the Supreme Court
At least 30 civilians died in May U.S. strikes in Afghanistan – U.N. probe
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan says it 'verified 39 civilian casualties... due to the May 5 air strikes.' It also got 'credible information' about an additional 30 deaths, which are being verified.
Amazon digital assistant Alexa gets into your head
Amazon brings smart assistant Alexa to glasses, earbuds, and a ring in new hardware announcements
FLAG demands P5M damages in sedition countercharge vs CIDG
Chel Diokno, Erin Tañada, and Ted Te file a perjury countercharge against the CIDG officer who filed the sedition complaint. Te admits to meeting to Bikoy who wanted a legal consult.
Rappler Talk: FLAG lawyer Jun Viterbo on navigating sedition case vs opposition
On Tuesday, September 3, Rappler editor at large Marites Vitug sits down with FLAG lawyer Jun Viterbo to discuss the complaint against key members of the opposition
Sentiments split on SC ruling freeing convicts like 'beast' Sanchez
It sparks debate on a law that applies to all, even to a convict whom the Supreme Court called an "unthinking beast." It also reignites opposition to death penalty
FLAG lawyers move to disqualify OSG from sedition probe
The lawyers cite a Supreme Court decision from 1990 which says that the Office of the Solicitor General only participates in a criminal case when it has 'reached the appellate courts'
[EDITORIAL] #AnimatED: Kumakahol ang mga tuta sa naghihingalong demokrasya
The howling of the dogs reverberate in the corridors of power as darkness descends on democracy
FLAG on sedition complaint: DOJ panel invalid
'The Secretary of Justice had no legal basis to take any direct action on the matters subject of the letter-complaint,' says the Free Legal Assistance Group
DOJ asks OSG to explain participation in sedition complaint
The country's top lawyers, representing the respondents in the inciting to sedition complaint, bear down on the Office of the Solicitor General
Civilian casualties in Afghan war jump in July
According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, more than 1,500 civilians were killed or wounded in the Afghan conflict in July
Charity program will continue despite gaming ban – PCSO
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office assures the public that medical assistance will continue ‘unless otherwise instructed’
Google says partner leaked classified Dutch data
Google also acknowledges its Google Assistant device was liable to 'false accept' pickups, allowing it to record by mistake without having been activated by users
Davao City gets more foreign funding under Duterte
Now that Davao City's longtime mayor has become the most powerful man in the country, his city has taken its place at the ODA banquet table
Some news sites unintentionally collecting info for third parties – study
A study published by the Center for International Media Assistance says that 15% of website cookies in the global south have no identifiable ownership
DTI backs Taiwanese firm's plan to bring robot assistants to PH airports
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has committed to connect the New Kinpo Group with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Tourism 'to facilitate its planned installation of airport robot assistants,' says the DTI
Google data privacy: Incognito mode on Search and Maps, keeping data locally
The next generation of Google Assistant has been shrunk to fit onto Pixel phones, so your data won't get sent to the cloud
New law waives gov't document fees for first-time job seekers
Persons applying for a job for the first time won't have to pay to get an NBI clearance, police clearance certificate, and a barangay clearance, thanks to the First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act
TV, newspaper journalists join Rappler petition vs Duterte coverage ban
(UPDATED) At least 41 journalists from different media organizations intervene in a Supreme Court petition to end President Rodrigo Duterte's coverage ban against Rappler
Prosecutor junks perjury case filed by Okada vs former firm
There 'is no falsity that can be attributed' to Tiger Resort official Dindo Espeleta, says Las Piñas City Senior Assistant Prosecutor Donald Macasaet
Initial tokhang documents show lack of genuine probe into killings – lawyers
'It appears that not much effort has been placed into identifying and arresting the assailants, based on the length of time devoted to investigating the case,' says human rights lawyer and former SC spokesman Ted Te
Japan signs P41-M assistance to 5 local government projects
(UPDATED) The projects will benefit communities in Aurora, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao
Rappler case: PH Bar Association concerned law being used to silence gov’t critics
'Law students and legal professionals alike look forward to how the courts will resolve threshold issues such as the purported retroactive application of the Cybercrime Prevention Act,' says the Philippine Bar Association
Dismiss cyber libel case vs Maria Ressa, Rappler – Te, FLAG
Te says the Supreme Court finalized the Cybercrime Law only on April 22, 2014, which means that in February 2014 when the article was supposedly republished, there was no applicable law
DOJ starts probe into cops’ alleged role in prosecutor slay
The family of Prosecutor Rogelio Alfiler Velasco comes face to face with the accused
