FACES OF THE NEWS: Dec. 29, 2019
Samuel Martires
Earlier this month, Ombudsman Samuel Martires came out with a scathing statement, blasting veteran journalist Malou Mangahas for allegedly “wiretapping” a conversation he and Mangahas had about guidelines on the release of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of top officials. The statement was released following a report by Mangahas, executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, describing President Duterte as the first President in 30 years to withhold his SALN. Under Republic Act No. 6713, the Ombudsman is deemed custodian of the SALNs of the President, Vice President and other top officials. Martires, however, saw things differently, and maintained that it was his duty to protect the rights and interests, including the privacy, of public officials. Which explains why, despite presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s statements that they will leave it to the Ombudsman to release Mr. Duterte’s SALN, Martires had yet to do so.
Fidel Agcaoili and Silvestre Bello III
National Democratic Front of the Philippines chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III have been chasing peace, a pledge that President Duterte made when he started his term. The President sent Bello to the Netherlands to restart peace talks meant to end the 51-year-old communist insurgency. After two weeks of preliminary talks, Bello and Agcaoili, agreed—as a confidence and goodwill building measure—on a ceasefire over the holidays despite the government security forces’ earlier pronouncement that it was out of the question. But just hours after both sides declared their respective cessation of offensives, communist rebels attacked policemen and soldiers who were returning to their camps. Agcaoili had a different narrative: the communist rebels were just defending themselves. If the initial stages of the ceasefire were an indication, peace negotiators have yet to resolve trust issues, a key to formal peace negotiations.
Pope Francis
On Christmas Day, Pope Francis offered a message of hope to people struggling in the darkness of conflict, crisis and uncertainty all over the world. He proffered Christ to those facing violence, gloom and desperation, saying that His light “is greater” and able to cast out the darkness “in human hearts” and even in “economic, geopolitical and ecological” strife. The Pope drew attention to the
Syrians who have seen relentless war and death, to the Venezuelans burdened with economic and political upheavals, and migrants hoping for a new start beyond their strife-torn lands. During his annual “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world) message, the Pontiff pressed for answers and solutions to problems and conflicts afflicting nations, deplored the “inhuman” conditions borne by immigrants, and called for prayers for those in Africa “persecuted for their religious faith.” The Pope also reminded everyone that the savior was born with the message of peace for all.
Sergei Magnitsky
Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky never thought his death would result in a set of sanctions now known as the Global Magnitsky Act. Already, several Filipino lawmakers and vloggers have distanced themselves from their previous pronouncements supporting the government’s war on drugs and the alleged drug charges against Sen. Leila de Lima for fear of being targeted by the law that allows authorities in the United States and Europe to pursue rights violators anywhere in the world, and freeze their assets abroad. Magnitsky, 37, died in jail in November 2009 after being badly beaten by prison guards and denied medical treatment. A lawyer and auditor, Magnitsky was detained in 2008 after reporting fraud by Russian tax officials. Russian authorities also posthumously convicted him of tax evasion in July 2013. Magnitsky’s case has come to symbolize the corruption and miscarriage of justice in many countries today, as well as global efforts to exact accountability for such acts.
Kawhi Leonard
His transfer to the Los Angeles Clippers raised a lot of eyebrows—especially from the fan base of LA’s more famous squad. But ever since Kawhi Leonard demanded that he be traded from what looked like a comfortable and successful situation in San Antonio, you can place your bet on the Fun Guy. The stoic Leonard has proven that he made the right choice—so far. The Clippers have beaten the Lakers twice this season, and it almost seems like LeBron James and Anthony Davis haven’t unlocked the puzzle Leonard has created for them. Clearly the marquee game of five matchups on tab, the Clippers followed Leonard’s lead—and his 35-point, 12-rebound, 5-assist stat line—and dealt their Staples Center housemate a 111-106 defeat. As if the week could not get better for the guy, he was named the Associated Press’ male athlete of the year, largely for his role in Toronto’s dismantling of the Golden State dynasty that gave the Raptors their first franchise title.
