Faces of the news

Josa Deinla

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is leaving no stone unturned in getting a fair shake from the House of Representatives. After being rebuffed earlier, her lawyers have asked the justice committee to allow one of them to cross-examine resource persons at the impeachment proceedings. The committee has found the impeachment complaint filed against her by one Larry Gadon sufficient in form and substance. Her spokesperson, Josa Deinla, invoked due process in filing their motion with the committee.  “Not one citizen can be denied the due process of law in the country because this is emphasized in our Constitution,” the bespectacled lawyer said. Deinla has also not taken Gadon’s antics sitting down. She accused Gadon of acting increasingly “like a troll” for his sensational pronouncements to the media.

Majul Gandamra

The five-month-long battle between government troops and the Islamic State-inspired  Maute terror group not only ravaged the once bustling city of Marawi, it also tested the grit and strength of spirit of its leaders. Among them is Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, a lawyer, whose rise to become Marawi City’s mayor was initially marred by controversy when his closest rival questioned his slim winning margin. But Gandamra, a member of the Liberal Party, is now faced with the task of rebuilding the city. He described the task of cleaning the city of debris—as daunting, not only physically but also emotionally. Barely a year into office and two weeks into the siege, the Marawi City mayor had rallied his people to fight the scourge of the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf.  “Allah said evil would never triumph,” he said.

Marc Anthony Ventura

After his colleagues at Aegis Juris chose to clam up on the fatal hazing of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, Marc Anthony Ventura’s decision to tell all is refreshing news. His sworn affidavit submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation was a breakthrough in the investigation, providing an eyewitness account in the hazing that had been shrouded in mystery until his appearance, and answers to the questions of Atio’s parents. For starters, he said that at least 10 Aegis members took turns in punching Atio for hours during the initiation rites. While he was barely breathing, they whacked his thighs five times with a wooden paddle, leaving the lone neophyte to lose consciousness, Ventura said. One of the 37 charged with murder, Ventura has been admitted to the witness protection program.

Rey Leonardo Guerrero

Newly installed Armed Forces chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero could have one of the shortest stints as the country’s top military official with his impending retirement on Dec. 17. While he vowed to lead with purpose the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as its 49th chief of staff, in fighting terrorism and threats to internal security he said he would try to finish whatever he can during his brief term. His first marching order to the AFP were: Sustain the pressure on the enemies of the state and work closely with government law enforcement agencies. The new AFP chief of staff, a member of Philippine Military Academy Maharlika Class of 1984, was commander of the  Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao command. He commanded the Presidential Guard Battalion during the time of President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Christian Standhardinger

After making a quick impact as member of Gilas Pilipinas, Christian Standhardinger has emerged as the consensus top pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft. The Filipino-German could turn into a franchise player for any of the struggling teams as proven in his well-rounded performances during the Fiba Asia Cup, Jones Cup and the Southeast Asian Games. Yet Kia, the cellar-dweller that wound up winless last conference, made the head-scratching decision to pass up on Standhardinger and trade its No. 1 pick to San Miguel Beer for three second stringers and a 2019 first-round selection. If the powerhouse Beermen do get Standhardinger, he won’t see action in the first half of the next PBA season as the 6-foot-7 standout had committed to play as an import for the Hong Kong Eastern Lions in the Asean Basketball League.

Tim Cone

For Ginebra coach Tim Cone, championships are like children—you value each one and love them equally. Last Friday, the American mentor got to cherish another one as Ginebra completed its quest for back-to-back crowns after turning back Meralco in a thriller of a series. It was capped by a do-or-die Game 7, which lured an all-time record crowd of 54,068 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The title was Cone’s 20th—another testament to his already glowing legacy in pro basketball that includes two Grand Slam runs with two different teams and a coaching milestone where he eclipsed the legendary Baby Dalupan’s all-time record of 15 championships. And the 59-year-old Cone isn’t quite done yet. “I’ve always said we didn’t come to Ginebra to win one championship,” he said. “We’re not going to stop here. We’ve got more to get.”