In a combative privilege speech, Senator Bong Revilla revealed how President Aquino, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad intervened to oust former Chief Justice Renato Corona. Revilla quoted the President appealing to him to impeach Corona. Twenty senators including Revilla convicted Corona in 2012. Revilla fears they will again interfere in the pork barrel scam prosecution and uses the issue to destroy opponents in the 2016 election. Revilla maintained his innocence and accused whistleblowers of faking his signatures, saying he earned wealth through show business.

2. As the Winter Olympics in Sochi draw near, police handed out fliers
to hotels warning about a female terror suspect believed to be
in the city. CNN reports the fliers identify Ruzanna "Salima"
Ibragimova, described as the widow of a member of a militant
group from the Caucasus region. On Sunday, a video posted on a
jihadist website showed two young men – believed to be
suicide bombers in last month’s Volgograd twin blasts –
threatening the Games next month. The video said, “We've
prepared a present for you and all tourists who'll come over...If
you will hold the Olympics, you'll get a present from us for the
Muslim blood that's been spilled." Russian President Vladimir
Putin assured the international community that the Olympics
will be safe, but a US official said Monday two warships and
several aircraft are on standby to help evacuate American
officials and athletes if needed.

3. China reported its economy grew 7.7% in
2013, matching its 2012 rate -- its worst rate of
growth since 1999. The world’s No. 2 economy
maintained its slow growth, with economists
expecting the trend to continue as investment slows
down. The Wall Street Journal reported China’s
leaders have recognized the need to change its
growth model, addressing issues like
pollution, corruption, and wasted spending that
inhibit economic growth. China can look forward to
international trade in 2014, as economies in the US
and Europe improve. The World Bank forecast a
growth of 4.6% in world trade this year.

4. How did netizens react to Sen Revilla’s privilege
speech? For most of them, it was an entertaining
show. Netizens were quick to weigh in on Revilla's
speech – most of the sentiments were negative.
Many netizens compared his speech to a show or
film while other sentiments on his speech range
from apathy, cynicism to anger. Others thought
Revilla was trying to divert the issue by passing on
the blame. Twitter user Rae Emmanuel
commented, “Digging skeletons. That is the tempo of
Revilla's speech. Just like Enrile's and Jinggoy's.”

5. Malacanang confirmed President Aquino met with Senator
Revilla, but denied asking the senator to vote for the conviction
of former Chief Justice Corona. In a press
briefing, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said the
President met with Revilla to address reports senators were
being pressured by certain groups to influence the
impeachment trial. Coloma said Aquino asked Revilla to decide
the case on its merits. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and
prosecutor Levi Baligod hit Revilla’s speech, saying the senator
belittled the evidence gathered by the Department of Justice.
Baligod, the legal counsel of whistleblower Benhur Luy, said the
speech was “all for show” and added an important piece
missing in the senator’s speech. He said, “[Revilla] did not
explain the misuse of his PDAF. That’s the missing element of his
speech: Where did his PDAF go?”

6. In a combative and dramatic hour-long privilege speech Monday, Senator
Bong Revilla revealed how President Benigno Aquino III, Interior
Secretary Mar Roxas and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad intervened
to oust former Chief Justice Renato Corona. He derisively called
Roxas “Boy Pick-up”, since the Interior secretary picked him up and
drove him to Malacanang. The senator quoted the President as
saying, “Friend, I appeal to you. Please give me this. He needs to be
impeached.” Twenty out of 23 senators, Revilla among
them, convicted Corona in May 2012, who was accused of failing to
accurately declare his assets. Revilla said he is afraid they will again
meddle in the prosecution of officials implicated in the pork barrel
scam. He says the administration is using the issue to destroy
opponents in the 2016 polls. Revilla is reportedly eyeing the
presidency in the next elections. Revilla maintained his innocence.
He branded the whistleblowers as liars, accusing them of faking his
and his staff’s signatures. He said he got his wealth from his 30 years
in show business.

7. SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Rappler
COPYRIGHT:
13 January 2014
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