#ThewRap: Videos you need to watch this week, March 13-19, 2017
Mar 19, 2017 1:46 PM PHT
Dear Rappler reader,
It's legislators in the limelight this week. The first impeachment complaint was filed against President Rodrigo Duterte this week and the focus is on Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano.
Senate veteran Frank Drilon lectured neophyte boxer-senator Manny Pacquaio on the Legislation 101.
Occidental Mindoro congresswoman Josephine Ramirez-Sato showed her mettle as a member of the powerful Commission on Appointments.
While former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stripped of her post as deputy speaker for Central Luzon.
Below are the big video stories we think you shouldn't miss.
Alejano: Duterte impeachment complaint 'a fight for all Filipinos'
"This is not my battle alone. This is the fight for all Filipinos." Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano said of his first impeachment complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte. The opposition lawmaker accused Duterte of culpably violating the Constitution, engaging in bribery, betraying public trust, committing graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
Drilon schools Pacquiao on 'very basic' principles
"That's very basic." Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon lectured neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao that just because a commission is created by the President, it does not mean it should be directly under his supervision. Pacquiao found himself outclassed by Drilon who opposes the creation of yet another commission, this one on boxing, arguing that "the Office of the President is already spreading itself too thin." Watch more videos of Pacquaio and Drilon sparring in the Senate.
Duterte shows alarming confusion over Benham Rise
"What, human rights?... Ah, Benham." Talking to reporters last Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte clearly confused the Benham Rise with the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea. Benham Rise is a 13-million-hectate underwater plateau in the Pacific Ocean that belongs to the Philippines. Rappler's Carmela Fonbuena explains why Duterte and the Philippines cannot afford the confusion.
House ousts Arroyo, 11 committee chairpersons
"Mr Speaker, I move to declare vacant the position of deputy speaker for Central Luzon." House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said on Wednesday, referring to Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Eleven legislators were also removed as committee chairpersons. The move fulfills a threat made by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to remove from key posts all lawmakers who did not vote in favor of the death penalty bill.
Ramirez-Sato: Commission on Appointments' job to ask the hard questions
"If you could lie to the commission then you could lie on any other issue to all Filipinos." Occidental Mindoro Representative Josephine Ramirez Sato explained her view of Perfecto Yasay, the former foreign secretary rejected by body. She also said appointees facing the commission should look at the hard questions thrown at them as an opportunity to shine. She also revealed that bashers accused her via text of advanicng the interest of mining companies when she grilled DENR Secretary Gina Lopez. She belied the accusation saying she fought hard to get a 25-year moratorium from large scale mining in her province when she was governor.
Duterte eyes total mining ban, backs embattled Lopez
"What can your P70 billion do to our country? Nothing." President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, said he is considering imposing a total ban on mining and reiterated his support for DENR Secretary Gina Lopez.
Trade in the time of Duterte
"These are topnotch technocrats... they know the system." Trade and Industries secretary Ramon Lopez said of the people in his department. In the past 9 months in office, Lopez backed several initiatives for reform – from getting rid of the 5-6 lending scheme for microenterprises to supporting the proposal to raise car taxes. He discussed his vision for growth for the country.
Empowering the PH entrepreneur
"It is up to big business to embrace the smaller guys. We can't create a law on that. Change has to come from the heart." Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion told Rappler's Maria Ressa that it is the responsibility of large corporations to help small and medium entrepreneurs to amplify growth. He also talks about the Duterte government and the "pessimists" who try to bring him down.
Australia's top diplomat: World can learn from Duterte victory
"The lesson for politicians around the world is to tap into the concerns, particularly of those who feel left behind by globalization, those who have been affected by the disruption of technologies, and those who fear change." Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Rappler in an exclusive interview Thursday, about President Rodrigo Duterte's victory.
Cebu's Zubuchon lechon is in Manila
Cebu's famous lechon restaurant, Zubuchon, is now in Manila! - Rappler.com