FACES OF THE NEWS
Joseph Abaya
After just seven months of investigation, the Ombudsman found probable cause to order the filing of graft charges against former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and 16 others over the awarding of P4.25 billion in Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3) maintenance contracts to an unqualified and ineligible contractor in 2015. The Ombudsman said the joint venture of Busan Universal Rail Inc. (Buri) did not have the technical experience and financial capability to handle the long-term maintenance of MRT 3. Yet Department of Transportation and Communications officials “intentionally” disregarded the procurement rules and adjusted the eligibility requirements to accommodate the Buri bid. The Ombudsman, however, found no basis to charge Abaya with plunder because there was no evidence to show that public funds went to the official’s pocket or that of the Busan joint venture incorporators.
Wanda Tulfo-Teo
The Commission on Audit has unearthed more anomalies under the term of resigned Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo. This time, Teo and former Undersecretary for Administration and Special Concerns Rolando Cañizal were found to have withdrawn various merchandise—including luxury bags and cosmetics, chocolates and kitchenware—from the state-owned Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC). State auditors said some P2.17 million worth of goods were unlawfully deducted from the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) share of Duty Free’s net profits. Another P346,446.80 worth of items pulled out were not recorded in DFPC’s books. As an attached agency of the DOT, DFPC had to remit some of its profits to the DOT to help fund its projects. Teo insisted that the DOT under her watch “would not have allowed receipt by the DOT of any DFPC items and merchandise unless the lawful processes [had been] duly observed and followed.”
God
God grabbed the headlines last week when President Duterte called him “stupid,” enraging the Catholic Church and other religious groups as they rally behind the Creator, while the Palace scampered to do damage control. Mr. Duterte, in one of his rambling speeches in Davao City, had pondered the Creation story and asked: “Who is this stupid God? You created something perfect and then you think of an event that would destroy the quality of your work.” The Church—reeling from the recent killings of Catholic priests—and other religious groups protested the President’s attack on God, with some Christian leaders warning that Mr. Duterte was inviting God’s wrath not only on himself but on the nation. The Palace ended up appointing a four-man committee to talk and try to placate Church leaders in the wake of the President’s stubborn refusal to apologize. Despite that, God definitely ended up the winner here.
Bro. Eddie Villanueva
Jesus Is Lord church founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva felt “holy anger” on hearing President Duterte’s description of God as “stupid.” The Christian leader said he “cannot be a traitor to God” as he avowed his full loyalty only to the Creator. Villanueva’s church supported Mr. Duterte’s presidential bid in 2016. Despite that support, Villanueva slammed in 2017 the alleged extrajudicial killings in the government’s war on drugs, but put the blame on “police scalawags.” This time, the firebrand Christian leader had much to say about the President’s “stupid God” remark, which he said was tantamount to “blasphemy in the highest order.” The President’s animosity toward the Church is nothing new, as he has repeatedly recounted being sexually molested by a Catholic priest when he was in high school. He also previously cursed the Pope publicly for causing traffic when he visited Manila.
James Harden
After pulling together one of the best statistical seasons in NBA history, James Harden gave doubters little to feast on in his bid for the MVP award. True enough, very few people held their breath before the Houston Rockets star was finally named the best individual performer of the season during a glamorous awards night. Harden joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 20 points, eight assists, five rebounds and 1.7 steals in a season, and also led the league in scoring three-pointers and 50-point games with four, while helping the Rockets to an NBAleading 65 wins. “The last four years have been like knocking on the door, knocking on the door. Now the moment is finally here,” Harden said. Harden beat Cleveland superstar LeBron James and New Orleans franchise player Anthony Davis for his first MVP award.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for the past 15 years, extends his rule for another five years and takes on sweeping new powers after winning Turkey’s landmark presidential and parliamentary elections. The Turkish leader has been accused by critics of adopting increasingly authoritarian tactics, but is loved by supporters for bringing prosperity and stability to a country that lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Erdogan may be facing rough times ahead, however, because analysts predict an economic downturn for Turkey amid rising inflation and its struggling lira currency. In its May 2018 issue, Time magazine named Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the Philippines’ President Duterte as among the world’s emerging strongmen.