Faces of the news
Agot Isidro
Agot Isidro has gotten herself into hot water after she called President Duterte a “psychopath,” and expressed her exasperation over the President’s perceived arrogance and string of foul-mouthed pronouncements against everybody who disagrees with his blood-soaked war on drugs. Isidro’s brave Facebook post has since gone viral, and Du30’s avid and rabid followers wouldn’t let her hear the end of their “displeasure,” but the irrepressible actress remains unfazed and says that she stands by what she said.
Jaybee Sebastian
His much-awaited testimony at the House inquiry into the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison did not disappoint. The convicted kidnapper and car thief claimed he personally gave Sen. Leila de Lima P2 million, purportedly part of the P10 million raised by inmates for her campaign kitty in the May 2016 elections, when she was still justice secretary overseeing the national penitentiary. De Lima was quick to say he’s part of a pool of witnesses forced by the Department of Justice to pin her down on drugs.
Gina Lopez
Environment Secretary Regina Lopez recently got the rug pulled from under her when Malacañang replaced Leo Jasareno as director under her department. But Lopez has salvaged the situation by retaining as consultant the man who led the audit teams that put the mining industry in a bind. The apparent lack of teamwork with Lopez led civil society groups to seek Jasareno’s removal for alleged corruption. She soldiers on, and is now reviewing some 800 DENR-issued environment clearance certificates.
June Mar Fajardo
June Mar Fajardo bagged his third Philippine Basketball Association MVP award on his fourth season—the first player in PBA history to claim the highest individual honor three years in a row. Fajardo was the runaway winner in the statistical points race with career-best averages of 19.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks. The 6-foot-10 stalwart, who turns 27 on Nov. 17, was the star of University of Cebu before being drafted first overall in 2012 by the then Petron Blaze team (now San Miguel Beer).
