2018 WEEKLY PH AND THE WORLD #2: CHED Licuanan Resigns, BITCOIN at the State of Recovery

gilnambatac (48)in #news • 6 years ago (edited)

Weekly Philippines (PH) and the World is a weekly curation of the the biggest news for the week. Be updated every Saturday. Follow | Upvote | Resteem @gilnambatac

1. CHED Chair Licuanan Steps Down

January 15, 2018

Photo by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler

"It has become obvious that there are persons determined to get me out of CHED by hurling false and baseless accusations against me in what appears to be a fishing expedition and a well-orchestrated move in media," she added.

This comes on the same day administration-allied Iligan Representative Frederick Siao was set to deliver a privilege speech and file a resolution calling for a congressional probe into the alleged delay of the release of the living allowances of 9,500 government scholars. -Mara Cepeda, Rappler

This is a good news for all CHED scholars who haven't received their allowances. For the information of everyone these scholars are away from their families and relied heavily on their allowances to pay for their daily expenses while studying. One case was posted by a CHED scholar to show the bad the government is treating its scholars. The next question is: does CHED Chair Patricia Licuanan's resignation speeds the release of these allowances? If itss till the same, then their is something wrong in the whole system.

2 Philippine Congress wants to amend Free Speech

January 16, 2018

Photo by Philippine Star

"There is so much abuse of this freedom," he added.

His comments come in the wake of the Securities and Exchange Commission's revocation of Rappler's license to operate, seen by some as the government's move against critical media. Malacañang has denied any involvement in the order. -Eimor P. Santos, CNN Philippines

There is something beyond the issue of Rappler's revocation of licence to operate. It is due to the fact that rappler ran a news story about a study made by the University of Oxford on how the Philippines and other 27 countries use "cyber troops" or commonly known as "online trolls" to shape public opinion. It was a bold revelation that left me wondering "Why does the public not alarmed? Not even the slightest shock?" Is that because (1) it is a public secret, everyone knows about it but no one dares to put out in the open? or (2) we are very apathetic that even the biggest scandal won't affect us?

Let's add to that the issue on Rappler's investigative report about Sec. Bong Go's anomalous warship deals. According to Rappler, that was made to further justify the revocation of the said news outlet's licence.

Roque also claimed in the press conference that "only" Rappler came out with the article on Go's alleged involvement in the frigates deal.

He failed to mention that the Philippine Daily Inquirer also published a similar story, using the same documents, a day ahead of Rappler. -Pia Ranada/Rappler

Now, if they want to punish Rappler for running the story, what happened to Philippine Daily Inquirer? But the correct question is: Why beat the media hard for publishing the truth, for publishing an anomaly? It is the President himself who issued the lines "If you are not doing any illegal things, why fear?". Let's make him eat his words again.

3 "North & South Korea to form 1st joint Olympic team, march at opening together under unified flag", Reuters

January 17

Photo by Claro Cortes / Reuters

“Athletes from both Koreas marched together at international sports events about nine times so far,” South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-whan said on Monday, as quoted by the Chosun Ilbo. “Peace on the Korean Peninsula through sports is a value that the Olympics are pursuing.”

Despite the agreement between Pyongyang and Seoul, the final decision about the team rests with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which will hold a meeting on in Switzerland on Saturday to discuss the possible joint Korean team and other matters relating to North Korea.

4. Surigao del Sur's Indigenous People (IP) vacates ancestral community as Militarization intensifies

January 18, 2018

Photo by Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV)

On it's official Facebook Page, the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) og Surigao del Sur, Philippines are now on the run as government forces conducts continuous tactical operation in the ancestral lands of an indigenous community. This has been the reality of this peaceful community since late 2017 after President Duterte vows to initiate crackdown to various IP communities.

According to the Facebook post, loud explosions were heard within the vicinity of the community. This was confirmed by another Facebook status made by one of its volunteer teachers, the community were awakened by the late night sound of the drones hovering in their area.

Araw-araw kaming ginugulat ng putukan at pagsabog ng mga bomba sa katabing bundok. Gabi-gabi kaming pinapaikutan at ginigising ng mga drones. Apat na araw na. Palakas nang palakas. Papalapit. Hindi nalalayong kami na ang isusunod.

I did a short audio recording about the projects that I wanted to do with the support of the steemit community. One of which is a writing project that will document the plight and struggles of the IPs in Surigao and other affected communities. The goal of which is to let the vast number of people in the Philippines and throughout the world now on the various violations committed by the operating government agents. We could also initiate other collaborative projects (i.e filmmaking, documentary, art exhibits, volunteering) in support.

5. Bitcoin in Recovery

Photo by Newsbtc

Bitcoin Price Key Highlights

-Bitcoin price looks ready to resume its slide as the descending trend line on the 1-hour time frame is keeping gains in check.
-This lines up with Fibonacci retracement levels that add to its strength as a ceiling.
-A continuation of the selloff could lead to a test or break of the lows near $9,300.

Bitcoin price is struggling to regain ground as it hit a barrier at the inflection points on short-term charts.
(Sarah Jenn/Newsbtc)

With a very high volatility, there's only one thing that I can say:

Photo by: sofamax/Imgur