Rappler Newscast | March 26, 2014

Today on Rappler.

• A French credit group says the Philippines is one of 10 new emerging economies seen to outshine BRIC countries.
• Pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy says his assets should be exempt from a freeze order because he’s a state witness..
• The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 continues as weather improves in the Indian Ocean.

STORY 1: PH AMONG 10 'NEW EMERGING COUNTRIES'

The Philippines is one of 10 new emerging countries set to take over from the powerful BRICS nations.
French credit group Coface says the economies of the big 5 BRICS nations -- or Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- are slowing down sharply "after 10 years of frenetic growth."
In a new report, Coface breaks down the 10 new emerging economies into two groups.
The first group is PPICS, composed of Peru, the Philippines, Indonesia, Colombia and Sri Lanka.
Coface says these countries had "strong potential confirmed by a sound business environment."
The second group comprises Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Bangladesh and Ethiopia but Coface says these countries have "very difficult or extremely difficult business environments which could hamper their growth prospects."

STORY 2: PALACE READY FOR 'BIGGEST EVENT' OF AQUINO PRESIDENCY

After 17 years, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF will sign a final peace agreement that aims to end the decades-old armed struggle in Mindanao.
Malacanang prepares for what could be the Aquino presidency's biggest achievement: the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
At least 1,000 guests, including Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, are expected to attend the event on Thursday.
500 MILF members, and leaders of MILF's rival group, the Moro National Liberation Front or MNLF are also expected.
The signing comes 18 months after both sides agreed on the initial Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
It will establish a new political entity with greater political and fiscal autonomy to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Asked whether this will be the last peace negotiation with Muslim rebels Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles reiterates the deal is the best the government has to offer within the confines of the Constitution.
Thursday’s event marks an end to negotiations that lasted for 17 years.

STORY 3: SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE DAY

Netizens look forward to the implementation of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF.
Saidamen R. Mambayao says “At last, a comprehensive and multidimensional solution to the problems in Mindanao
is about to be inked and implemented.”
Jude says, “Very glad that this has happened. But the bigger work commences after the signing.”

STORY 4: OMBUDSMAN ORDERS FILING OF CRIMINAL CHARGES VS CORONAS

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales orders the filing of criminal and civil charges against former Chief Justice Renato Corona and his wife Cristina for allegedly amassing over P130 million or $2.9 million in ill-gotten wealth.
In a joint order signed Wednesday, Morales denies the Coronas’ motion for reconsideration on a January 2014 resolution where a special panel of investigators found probable cause to file charges against them with the anti-graft court.
Corona is indicted for failing to pay P120.5 million or $2.7 million in taxes and failing to file his income tax return for 6 years.
Corona, the first Philippine magistrate to be impeached and convicted, maintains their assets came from "45 years of hard, honest work."
He was impeached by the Senate after he was found guilty of betraying public trust and violating the Constitution.
On Wednesday, the justice department also recommends the indictment of Corona’s son-in-law, Constantino Castillo III, over undeclared assets valued at more than P20 million or about $500 thousand.

STORY 5: BENHUR LUY: EXEMPT ME FROM ASSETS FREEZE

Pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy says his assets should be exempt from a freeze order because of his status as a state witness.
On Tuesday, Luy's lawyer Raji Mendoza says the assets forfeiture case against Luy should be covered by his immunity from criminal prosecution under the Witness Protection Program.
A Manila court earlier issued a Provisional Asset Preservation Order or PAPO that covers select bank accounts and vehicles of Luy.
The PAPO also covers select properties of other suspects in the pork barrel scam, including those of alleged mastermind Janet Napoles and her family.
Mendoza says he is confident the Anti-Money Laundering Council cannot prove that Luy’s wealth came from illegal sources.
He adds, “While Luy admitted his participation in the pork barrel scam, it doesn't mean that he benefited financially.”
Before becoming a whistleblower, Luy was an employee of Napoles, who allegedly operated fake NGOs that siphoned lawmakers’ pork barrel funds.

STORY 6: E-WASTE CONTAMINATES ENVIRONMENT, ENDANGERS HEALTH

The effects of throwing away our gadgets reach far beyond the garbage bin.
The United Nations Environment Programme says e-waste generates up to 50 million tons of potentially toxic waste annually with only a 10% recycling rate.
Pia Ranada reports.

NIKKI BLANCO, LAPTOP USER: The last laptop I had, I had it for 5 years and it was really slow na and clogged. Since I just got into college I guess I needed a new laptop.

We can't seem to get enough of laptops, smartphones and tablets.
But what happens to our old electronics?
This junk shop in Antipolo City is one place where old electronics end up.
Old CPUs, CD drives, motherboards are broken into different parts to be sold as junk.

ARCHIE CUDERES, OWNER, ELECTRONICS JUNK SHOP: Meron galing sa Korean suppliers, yung mga iniimport papunta rito. Yung iba naman galing sa mga bidding, yung mga companies na nagdidispose ng old units nila katulad ng mga bangko, callcenters ganon or mga ibang company. Mga two years nagdidispose na sila ng units.

(Some are from Korean suppliers, they are imported. Others are from biddings, companies that dispose of old units like banks, call centers or other companies. They dispose of units every two years.)

Computers contain valuable metals like gold, which makes recycling them profitable.
But these also contain highly toxic chemicals... mercury, cadmium and lead.
Some junkshops specialize in old lead acid batteries which contain up to 8 kilograms of lead.
Lead is one of the most toxic metals to humans.

ABIGAIL FAVIS, INSTRUCTOR, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY: It will impact your neurological system so how your brain will develop. There's a very strong connection between lead and your IQ so if you are exposed to lead, especially for the children, the children under study will exhibit lower IQ than the rest of their cohort who has not been exposed to the lead.

Gadget users are protected from toxics by the device's casing.
But once it's in the trash, it can end up anywhere.
In communities living near the Payatas landfill electronic waste are handled by scavengers.

RAPPLER: Kamay niyo lang ginagamit niyo? (You only use your hands?)
SALDI BAUTISTA, SCAVENGER: Kamay lang. Kinakalkal namin. Inaano yung sako, binubuhos. Pinagpipilian. Ito minsan binibiling 150, 250. (Just my hands. We go through them. The sacks full of electronics are poured out. Then we choose. This is sometimes bought for P150, P250.)
RAPPLER: Isang ganyan? (One of those)
SALDI BAUTISTA, SCAVENGER: Oo. (Yes)

A kilogram of motherboards full of precious metals are bought by junk shops from P800 to P1,000.
Contamination is so rampant.
Toxic chemicals have been detected in mothers’ breastmilk.
Jeffrey, Jepjep and James also scavenge for electronics to make an easy buck.

RAPPLER: Pag may mahanap kang computer part sa basura anong ginagawa mo? (When you find a computer part in the trash what do you do?)
JEFFREY, PAYATAS SCAVENGER: Kinukuha po. (I get it.)
RAPPLER: May mga protective gloves ka ba? (Do you have protective gloves?)
JEFFREY, PAYATAS SCAVENGER: Wala po. (None.)

A recent study shows lead exposure in children costs the country more than $15 billion dollars in IQ loss.
That's more than 3% of our Gross Domestic Product.
Aside from IQ loss, lead can also cause infertility, miscarriage, stillbirths, anemia, hypertension and death.

RAPPLER: Alam niyo ba na pwede kang magkasakit sa mga computer parts? (Do you know you can get sick from computer parts)
JEFFREY AND JEPJEP, SCAVENGERS: Oo (Yes)
JEPJEP: Teh wala, walang mga sakit sakit na yan. (No, there's no such thing as getting sick.)

Concerned groups point to the growing contamination of our environment from discarded gadgets.
They point to a growing need to be more responsible.

ABIGAIL FAVIS, INSTRUCTOR, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY:The key there really is to avoid generating the waste so if you buy your products make sure you use them well, maintain them well so you can really extend its lifetime.

When it comes to gadgets, think before you throw.
Pia Ranada, Rappler, Manila.

STORY 7: US LANDSLIDE DEATH TOLL RISES TO 24

The death toll from the massive landslide that hit Oso in Washington state on Saturday rises to 24.
Heavy rain prevents rescue efforts for at least 170 people still missing in the aftermath of the landslide, which sent mud and timber crashing down into Oso, destroying homes and part of a highway.
US President Barack Obama declares a state of emergency on the state.
Officials continue search efforts even if there have been no signs of life since Saturday.

STORY 8: MH370 SEARCH BACK ON AS WEATHER IMPROVES

The search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 continues Wednesday, after weather improved in the Indian Ocean.
Gale force winds and heavy rain prevented the search for possible debris from the plane, which vanished on March 8 with 239 people on board.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the search is now in a recovery phase, and it will continue until there was no hope of finding anything.
On Wednesday, Malaysia says new satellite images show 122 potential objects in an area of the ocean, but it’s not yet confirmed if it is from the plane.
Authorities are trying to find the black box flight data recorder, which could help explain why the plane veered off course en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Malaysia believes the plane was deliberately diverted by someone on board.

STORY 9: 4 LIONS KILLED IN COPENHAGEN ZOO

The Copenhagen zoo that drew criticism for killing a healthy giraffe last month says it killed 4 lions Monday to make way for a new male.
The zoo says two lion cubs were put down because they weren’t old enough to survive by themselves.
A spokesperson says the cubs would have been killed anyway by the new male lion.
Last month, the zoo was the target of protests after it killed a healthy 2-year-old giraffe named Marius to prevent inbreeding.
The giraffe was shot by a veterinarian in front of an audience that included children before being fed to the zoo’s lions.
The killing of the four lions triggers angry comments from netizens.
One asked, “Why are people visiting this abhorrent animal slaughter house?”
Another went as far as calling for a boycott: “Boycott Denmark as a tourist destination and let their minister know you're boycotting their country.”

STORY 10: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ

At number 8, South Korea’s largest telecommunications company SK Telecom offers compensation to its subscribers after a six-hour downtime Thursday.
All 27.5 million subscribers will get back the value of a day’s subscription,
which could cost SK Telecom at least 33 billion won or $33 million.
Under its contracts, the company is required to compensate users 6 times the cost of a basic monthly plan if they experience a blackout longer than 3 hours.

At number 9, West Africa goes on high alert Tuesday after Sierra Leone says an Ebola outbreak ravaging Guinea may have crossed its borders.
More than 60 people died of hemorrhagic fever in Guinea since February, with the Ebola virus identified as the cause in 13 of 45 sample tests.
While there is no confirmed case of Ebola in Sierra Leone, officials say there are suspected cases under investigation.
Ebola is a highly contagious virus that causes internal bleeding and massive organ failure.

At number 10, Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin are separating after 10 years of marriage.
In a statement on Paltrow’s website Goop, the couple says
”We have been working hard for well over a year - some of it together, some of it separated- to see what might have been possible between us, and we have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate.” 
Paltrow and Martin married in December 2003 and have two children, a 9-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son.

For the full top 10 visit Rappler.com’s ‘the wRap.’

– Rappler.com

Newscast Production Staff