Here's a recap of the things you might have missed last November:
IS ATTACKS, LEAVES PARIS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY
Last November 13, 2015, Paris was attacked by several gunmen and suicide bombers. There are at least 130 people who died and hundreds who are wounded in the said attack. President Francois Hollande described the attacks as an act of war by the Islamic State (IS) against the country.
Over the course of an hour the areas of Petit Cambodge restaurant and La Carillon Bar, Rue Fontaine au Roi, Bataclan concert hall, Belle Equippe Bar and Boulevard Voltaire were filled with terror as the suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the citizens resulting to the death of 130 people and hundreds of wounded.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34818994
Over the course of an hour the areas of Petit Cambodge restaurant and La Carillon Bar, Rue Fontaine au Roi, Bataclan concert hall, Belle Equippe Bar and Boulevard Voltaire were filled with terror as the suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the citizens resulting to the death of 130 people and hundreds of wounded.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34818994
RUSSIAN AIRCRAFTS: SHOT DOWN BY TURKEY FOR VIOLATING AIRSPACE
Russian aircrafts were shot down on November 24 by a missile from Turkey. The primary cause of the incident according to Halit Cevik, the permanent representative of Turkey to the UN Security Council, was that the planes invaded and violated Turkey’s airspace. In addition, Mr. Cevik said that the planes were warned 10 times and the warning was ignored by the planes.
On the other hand, Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, claimed that the aircrafts are clearly on Syria’s airspace and did not violated Turkey’s airspace. Russia’s defence ministry also added that the aircrafts stayed in Syria’s airspace while conducting the airstrike missions and did not receive warnings from Turkey.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34912581
On the other hand, Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, claimed that the aircrafts are clearly on Syria’s airspace and did not violated Turkey’s airspace. Russia’s defence ministry also added that the aircrafts stayed in Syria’s airspace while conducting the airstrike missions and did not receive warnings from Turkey.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34912581
DUTERTE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES HIS PRESIDENTIAL BID
On Saturday, November 21, 2015, Rodrigo Duterte has formally announced his decision to run for presidency. According to Duterte who is fondly called “Digong” by supporters and friends alike, it was fellow presidential aspirant Grace Poe and the Senate tribunal decision to dismiss Poe’s disqualification case that pushed Duterte to run for presidency, saying that Poe is not qualified to run as she is not a natural-born citizen. Nevertheless, to the joy of thousands of his supporters, Duterte proudly elaborated his platform, saying that he will do whatever it takes to bring about change if elected into presidency.
Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/113603-rodrigo-duterte-brink-running-for-president
Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/113603-rodrigo-duterte-brink-running-for-president
WORLD LEADERS GATHER FOR THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE TALK IN PARIS
In Paris, France, starting on November 30, 2015, leaders from across the globe, including the President of China Xi Jinping and the President of the United States Barack Obama, gathered for the United Nations Climate Change talk which was reported to be one of the biggest conventions attended by powerful global figures in history. Almost 30,000 delegates will be working on a treaty regarding greenhouse gas emissions that would aid in alleviating global warming.
Source: http://unfccc.int/meetings/paris_nov_2015/meeting/8926/php/view/decisions.php
Source: http://unfccc.int/meetings/paris_nov_2015/meeting/8926/php/view/decisions.php
UST HOLDS BAR EXAMINATION 2015
With the Supreme Court’s approval on the negotiation between its Office of the Bar Confidant and the University of Santo Tomas, the Bar Examinations was gain held in UST. The high court approved the agreement for the use of UST’s campus and facilities in Espana, Manila slated on November 8, 15, 22 and 29 with estimated 7,100 bar examinees per day. This was the fifth year for UST to serve as venue for the examinations. The 2015 Bar Exams covered the subjects: Political Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, Taxation, Mercantile Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, and Legal and Judicial Ethics.
Source: http://k2.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/04/09/15/2015-bar-exams-be-held-ust
Source: http://k2.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/04/09/15/2015-bar-exams-be-held-ust
PHL GETS FIGHTER JETS FROM SOUTH KOREA
The Philippines received the first supersonic combat aircraft fighter jet from South Korea as it strengthens its military amid an escalating territorial dispute with China. The FA-50 jets touched down at Clark Freeport where fire trucks sprayed water as a traditional welcome salute for the still-unarmed aircraft. The Philippines bought 12 FA-50s, which are primarily trainer jets that the military converted to also serve as multi-role combat aircraft, from Korea Aerospace Industries at a cost of P18.9 billion ($402 million). The other jets would be delivered in batches until 2017. Weapons that include bombs and rockets for the FA-50s will be purchased at a later time.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/29/1527087/philippines-gets-fighter-jets-korea
Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/29/1527087/philippines-gets-fighter-jets-korea
THE STATE’S HIGHLIGHT: APEC SUMMIT 2015
It was a big week for the Philippines with over 7,000 delegates from all over the world converging in Manila for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting on November 18 to 19. With the theme "Building inclusive economies, building a better world" was a success according to President Benigno Aquino III. The APEC is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The highlight of the annual summit was the 23rd Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay. Heads of government of all APEC members including US President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull are among the leaders who arrived in the country. The APEC leaders tackled issues on terrorism, sustainable development, inclusive growth, investment in human capital development and regional economic integration.
Source: http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2015/11/apec-summit-2015-summary-review-for-reaction-paper.html
Source: http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2015/11/apec-summit-2015-summary-review-for-reaction-paper.html
ARGUMENTS ON PHILIPPINES AGAINST CHINA ON SOUTH CHINA SEA CLAIMS
An arbitral tribunal in The Hague discussed the arguments on the merits of the Philippines’ case against China’s South China Sea claims. The tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration held the first rounds of arguments on the merits of the case from November 24 to 30. This round of hearings comes after the tribunal considered arguments on the question of jurisdiction. Though China remained unresponsive regarding the verdict, in December 2014 Beijing released a position paper holding that the tribunal does not have the jurisdiction to rule on the case. China reasoned that the issues raised in the Philippine case could not be considered without determining sovereignty, which the tribunal is not empowered to do.
The delegation is led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and also includes Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas, Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, and Representative Rodolfo Biazon, who chairs the Committee of National Defense and Security in the House of Representatives.
The tribunal itself is composed of five members: Judge Thomas A. Mensah (the tribunal president), Judge Jean-Pierre Cot, Judge Stanislaw Pawlak, Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum, and Professor Alfred H. A. Soons.
Source: http://thediplomat.com/2015/11/arguments-open-in-philippine-case-against-chinas-south-china-sea-claims/
The delegation is led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and also includes Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas, Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, and Representative Rodolfo Biazon, who chairs the Committee of National Defense and Security in the House of Representatives.
The tribunal itself is composed of five members: Judge Thomas A. Mensah (the tribunal president), Judge Jean-Pierre Cot, Judge Stanislaw Pawlak, Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum, and Professor Alfred H. A. Soons.
Source: http://thediplomat.com/2015/11/arguments-open-in-philippine-case-against-chinas-south-china-sea-claims/
ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER VICTOR PONTA RESIGNS AFTER NIGHTCLUB FIRE
After a nightclub fire during a heavy metal concert in Bucharest that killed more than 30 people, the Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has finally decided to resign, saying that he is “obliged to take note of the legitimate grievances which exist in society”. Almost 25,000 people gathered in Bucharest protesting the resignation of Ponta, interior minister Gabriel Oprea, and the mayor of the district where the nightclub was located, Cristian Piedone. Ponta also said that he claims full responsibility for the incident. Ponta has had numerous calls for resignation in the past but chose to ignore them.
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/04/romanian-government-resigns-nightclub-fire-victor-ponta
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/04/romanian-government-resigns-nightclub-fire-victor-ponta
TPSF HELPS EDUCATE VOTERS THROUGH BOTANTENG MATALI-KNOW SEMINAR
Last November 28, 2015, The Political Science Forum held another Community Development activity entitled “Botanteng Matali-KNOW”, a voter’s education seminar at the covered court of Barangay Sibulan with participants from the three baragays namely Sibulan, Buenavista and Kanlurang Kabubuhayan. The project was done in partnership with the College of Architecture and the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics whose partner communities are Barangay Sibulan and Barangay Buenavista, respectively.
TPSF COMDEV CONTINUING ITS ADVOCACY FOR AWARENESS OF RIGHTS
Last November 14, 2015, The Political Science Forum Community Development Committee conducted a women empowerment seminar for the newly formed women’s organization in Brgy. Kanlurang Kabubuhayan, Nagcarlan, Laguna. The program was entitled “WE can do it: Upholding Women’s Rights for Strengthening Communities.” The title of the seminar is really intended to emphasize WE, Mindy Planillo, Head TPSF Community Development Committee explained that WE stands for Women Empowered.
There were approximately 35 beneficiaries of this event. The group of volunteers was accompanied by Mr. Joem Co and Mr. Peter Louie Pinlac who also served as the guest speaker. The discussion of Mr. Pinlac was initiated by a series of questions as to how the beneficiaries liken themselves to a color, animal or object. He also talked about the gender inequality and gender stereotyping in the Philippine society, dealing with parenthood, how to better resolve issues between husband and wife and other related issues. The seminar ended with the beneficiaries discussing about their common problems at home and in the community and what their suggested resolutions are.
Brgy. Kanlurang Kabubuhayam has been a partner community of Faculty of Arts and Letters through its Barangay Captain Ben Platero and Baragay Secretary Lerma Crencio. They had been very participative and eager in coordinating with the community development activities of the various organizations in AB.
There were approximately 35 beneficiaries of this event. The group of volunteers was accompanied by Mr. Joem Co and Mr. Peter Louie Pinlac who also served as the guest speaker. The discussion of Mr. Pinlac was initiated by a series of questions as to how the beneficiaries liken themselves to a color, animal or object. He also talked about the gender inequality and gender stereotyping in the Philippine society, dealing with parenthood, how to better resolve issues between husband and wife and other related issues. The seminar ended with the beneficiaries discussing about their common problems at home and in the community and what their suggested resolutions are.
Brgy. Kanlurang Kabubuhayam has been a partner community of Faculty of Arts and Letters through its Barangay Captain Ben Platero and Baragay Secretary Lerma Crencio. They had been very participative and eager in coordinating with the community development activities of the various organizations in AB.
TPSF COMDEV VOLUNTEERS HELD A STORYTELLING ACTIVITY
Last October 22, 2015, The Political Science Forum Community Development Committee conducted a storytelling activity for the Grade 2 students of Cecilio Apostol Elementary School. The program was initiated by TPSF in order to empower the members of the partner communities, most especially the students, with regard to their rights as children in a creative and interactive way through storytelling. There were approximately 35 grade two students from Cecilio Apostol Elementary School who participated in the said event.
Five volunteers coming from the Political Science community were the storytellers themselves. Here’s a list of the stories and the respective storytellers during the event: Namimingwit sa Langit (Sozzette Ong), Tuwing Sabado (Aerish Gonzales), Bakit Matagal ang Sundo ko (Roseanne Mateo), Si Andoy, Batang Tondo (Pamela Aragon) and Sinemadyika (Thalia Salvador). Those stories centered about lessons and themes on children’s rights, social issues and history. The activity ended with the students writing the lessons that they have learned from the stories. The group of volunteers was accompanied by Mr. Ronald M. Castillo who overlooked the program throughout the day.
Cecilio Apostol Elementary School has been a partner community of Faculty of Arts and Letters for several years with its School Program Coordinator Ms. Roxanne Corpuz and School Principal Mrs. Belinda V. Dionisio.
Five volunteers coming from the Political Science community were the storytellers themselves. Here’s a list of the stories and the respective storytellers during the event: Namimingwit sa Langit (Sozzette Ong), Tuwing Sabado (Aerish Gonzales), Bakit Matagal ang Sundo ko (Roseanne Mateo), Si Andoy, Batang Tondo (Pamela Aragon) and Sinemadyika (Thalia Salvador). Those stories centered about lessons and themes on children’s rights, social issues and history. The activity ended with the students writing the lessons that they have learned from the stories. The group of volunteers was accompanied by Mr. Ronald M. Castillo who overlooked the program throughout the day.
Cecilio Apostol Elementary School has been a partner community of Faculty of Arts and Letters for several years with its School Program Coordinator Ms. Roxanne Corpuz and School Principal Mrs. Belinda V. Dionisio.
TPSF HOSTS OWN BATTLE OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
On November 23, 2015, 14 contestants from different year levels and sections battle for the annual Thermopylae Quiz Bee, held at rm. 11B, BGPOP. For the Easy Round, 100 questions were answered by the participants for 45 minutes which determined who will be eliminated and who will advance to the next round. 6 students advances, namely: Justin Manrique (2POL1), Josiah Jimenez (2POL3), Clint Estapia (3POL1), John Ralf Luna (3POL2), Mindy Planillo (4POL1) and Vance Fuentes (4POL1).
The AVERAGE round was composed of 25 items with 4 points each. The participants were given 20 seconds to answer. The same 6 students advanced to the final round, since points are accumulated from the last 2 rounds. They were given 20 questions with 5 points each, and 30 seconds to answer each question.
Clint Lou Estapia (3POL1) was hailed as the champion, with an accumulated score (from average and difficult round) of 95 pts. Vance Fuentes (4POL1)followed with 82 pts. and Josiah Jimenez (2POL3) with 66 pts.
The AVERAGE round was composed of 25 items with 4 points each. The participants were given 20 seconds to answer. The same 6 students advanced to the final round, since points are accumulated from the last 2 rounds. They were given 20 questions with 5 points each, and 30 seconds to answer each question.
Clint Lou Estapia (3POL1) was hailed as the champion, with an accumulated score (from average and difficult round) of 95 pts. Vance Fuentes (4POL1)followed with 82 pts. and Josiah Jimenez (2POL3) with 66 pts.