Us asian post april 5, 2014

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Kris Aquino admits dating QC Mayor See PAGE 7

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Vol. 3. No. 30

LOS ANGELES

Wednesday - Tuesday, April 9-15, 2014

A Balita Media Publication

US deports illegal immigrants for minor offenses NEW YORK, April 7, 2014 (AFP)

– The United States is mostly deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed only minor offenses or have no criminal record, despite President Barack Obama’s promises to the contrary, the New York Times reported Monday.

The newspaper said it found that only 20 percent of the two million people deported since Obama took office in January 2009 were involved in major crimes like drug trafficking.

Obama, whose quest for comprehensive immigration reform has run aground in the Congress, has assured Hispanics that his government was going after “criminals, gang bangers, people who are hurting the community, not after students, not after folks who are here just because they’re trying to figure out how to feed their families.”

But the Times said its analysis of records of more than 3.2 million deportation cases over the past decade showed that deportations actually increased under Obama. Moreover, two thirds “involve people who had committed minor infractions, including traffic violations, or had no criminal records at all,” it said. It found that deportations of people who only had traffic violations quadrupled in Obama’s first five

years in office, over George W. Bush’s last five years as president – 193,000 over 43,000.

The Times also discovered that in 2013 immigration charges were filed in 90 percent of deportation cases involving people with no prior criminal records.

For those deportees, it means they face up to a year in prison if they return to the United States within five years.

Faced with growing criticism, Obama last month announced a review of his administration’s deportation policies to see if there was a “more human” approach.

He blamed Congress for the high number of deportations, claiming he had no option but to apply the law as long as the legislature failed to approve comprehensive immigration reform.

The US Senate last year approved an ambitious reform bill that offers a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.

The bill also provides for strengthened border controls and a complete overhaul of the US system for issuing visas, among other initiatives.

But the bill is stalled in the House of Representatives, and analysts agree that it is unlikely to come to a vote before mid-term elections in November.

In 2012, Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, with assistance from federal, state and local counterparts, arrested more than 3,100 convicted criminal aliens and immigration fugitives during a six-day nationwide “Cross Check” enforcement operation.

The New York Times said it found that only 20 percent of the two million people deported since Obama took office in January 2009 were involved in major crimes like drug trafficking.

JPE, Bong, Jinggoy told: Show delicadeza, resign now Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV during a discussion on “Enhancing Competitiveness Amidst A Changing External Economic Environment.” Aquino warns that lives of 300,000 people are at stake due to substandard reinforcement bars created from wire rods and used in estimated 60,000 houses in different parts of the country. (MNS photo)

Sen. Bam: 300,000 Lives at Stake Due to Substandard Steel MANILA, Apr 7 (Mabuhay) – Senator Bam Aquino warned that lives of 300,000 people are at stake due to substandard reinforcement bars created from wire rods and used in estimated 60,000 houses in different parts of the country.

“Sixty thousands houses is no joke. That’s 300,000 lives we’re talking about,” Aquino said during the hearing of the Senate

Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, which he chairs, on the rampant selling and distribution of substandard and smuggled steel in the country.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as Aquino said the available data is only for substandard reinforcement rebars alone and not for all substandard steel products, See 300,000 LIVES, page 12

MANILA, Apr 7 (Mabuhay) – The three senators accused in the pork barrel scam should show some delicadeza and resign now, according to the Scrap Pork Network.

The Scrap Pork Network, whose members were among those who organized the “Million People March” protest in Luneta last year, said it is time for Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada to step down after the Office of the Ombudsman said it had found probable cause to file plunder and graft charges against them.

The group’s spokespersons Peachy Tan and Betty Romero said these three lawmakers no

AFP: Naval blockade in place vs. Sabah abductors

MANILA, Apr 5 (Mabuhay) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday said a Philippine Navy unit has set up naval blockade against suspects in the abduction of a Filipina worker and a Chinese tourist at the Singamata resort near Semporna in Sabah on Wednesday.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the Naval Task Force 62 has started its operations, even

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada

longer have the trust of the people.

According to the Ombudsman, Enrile, Revilla and Estrada amassed a total of P172 million, P242 million and P183 million, respectively, as kickbacks from

Sen. Bong Revilla

their illegal transactions with alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

Romero said this is “enough reason” for the people to call for their resignation also “to restore See RESIGN NOW, page 12

Pacquiao-Bradley rematch Saturday Promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. When Pacquiao and Bradley rumbled the first time, on June 9, 2012 at MGM Grand, Bradley’s hand was raised via a controversial split decision, ending

Pacquiao’s welterweight title reign as well as his seven-year, 15-bout winning streak. Though both fighters claimed victory neither was satisfied. Destiny may have played a hand in their first battle but it will be survival of the fittest that determines the winner of this exciting rematch.

Remaining tickets for Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 are priced at $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service See REMATCH, page 12

See SABAH, page 12 Michael Christian Martinez gets a hug from Phiilppine News columnist Lydia Solis at the airport.

Michael Martinez poised for a gold medal finish in Slovenia

BY David Casuco

LOS ANGELES, April 4 (Mabuhay) – Michael Christian Martinez, seeing action for the first time since the Sochi Olympiad, is back in competitive form.

The seventeen year-old figure skating phenom found himself atop the leaderboard after the short program in the ongoing ISU-sanctioned Triglav Trophy in Jesenice, Slovenia.

Vying in the men’s seniors division, Martinez, who missed the star-studded junior worlds earlier due to recurring

SC upholds birth control law

knee injury was not at his best but still mustered enough spunk to stay in the medal hunt. In second place is Japan’s Keiji Tanaka, who finished 7th in last month’s junior worlds. At close third is Philip Harris of Britain.

Barring any serious mistake in the freeskate, Martinez said that a medal finish here is very likely. The Triglav Trophy is the season-ending ISUsanctioned figure skating competition.

Should Martinez stay on course, this

By Jason Gutierrez MANILA, April 8, 2014 (AFP) – Millions of poor people in the Philippines will have access to free contraceptives for the first time after the nation’s top court on Tuesday approved a deeply controversial birth control law.

The Supreme Court’s ruling was hailed by supporters as a triumph in the battle to ease crippling poverty, empower women and curtail a population explosion in the Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people.

But the Catholic Church, which had

See MARTINEZ, page 12

See SC UPHOLDS, page 12

President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 women’s volleyball champion Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles, led by Season and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alyssa Valdez, for a selfie shot during the group’s courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (April 03). (MNS photo)

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MRT exec dares Czech envoy to shed immunity after renewed extort accusation ANILA, Apt 7 (Mabuhay) – “Shed your immunity. I will face you in court anytime.”

Metro Rail Transit (MRT) general manager Al Vitangcol III on Monday issued this stern challenge to Czech Ambassador to the Phil-

ippines Josef Rychtar, following renewed accusations that the Filipino official tried to extort $30 million from a Czech firm in exchange for a supply contract.

In an interview after a Senate hearing, Vitangcol maintained he

never attempted to ask for money from the Czech official.

“Itong sinasabi ng Czech ambassador, irereiterate ko po sa lahat na ito po ay walang katotohanan. Hindi po ako nagpunta sa bahay niya. Kung may sinasabi man siyang may usapan doon, at allegedly ako ang nagpasimuno, ito po ay tahasan kong sinasabing na pawang kasinungalingan at walang katotohanan,” he told reporters.

He added the ambassador may only be “confused” because Czech firm Inekon lost the bidding for the new MRT coaches.

Vitangcol added that the processes leading to the procurement of the new MRT coaches were “open and transparent.”

“Ito po ay advantageous to the government. Advantageous to the Filipino people. Ito po ay advantageous sa lahat ng mananakay,” the MRT official said.

The contract for the new train coaches was awarded by the government to China’s Dalian Locomotive in December last year.

Rychtar, in July of last year, first revealed to The Philippine Star the supposed multimilliondollar extortion attempt on for a contract to supply train coaches for MRT 3.

A certain Wilson de Vera, a supposed member of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), allegedly acted as Vitangcol’s emissary in trying to extort from Inekon of-

ficials.

Rychtar claimed influential people are protecting Vitangcol.

Last March, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) cleared Vitangcol of wrongdoing after an administrative probe on the matter.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recently completed its fact-finding probe on the controversy, but its report has yet to be transmitted to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Earlier this year, the House committee on good government and public accountability also launched a legislative inquiry on the alleged extortion attempt. (MNS)

Lawmaker proposes prison terms, heavy fines on persons operating ‘colorum’ public utility vehicles MANILA, Apr 7 (Mabuhay) – “One of the patent causes of road tragedies is the unabated and blatant operation of ‘colorum’ or unauthorized public motor vehicles, which are considered as menaces that further clog our roads,” ANGKLA Party-list Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo said.

Manalo is author of House Bill No. 4086 or the proposed “Anti-Colorum Act” which imposes the penalties of fines and prison terms.

HB 4086 provides, among others, that the owner and operator of a colorum vehicle shall be meted out the penalty of im-

prisonment of prision correccional (six months and one day to six years) in its maximum period or a fine, or both, subject to the discretion of the trial court hearing the case.

The schedule of fines shall be: 1) Public utility bus – P1 million; 2) UV Express – P200,000; 3) Taxi – P125,000; and 4) Public utility jeepney – P50,000.

In the event that the owner and/or operator is a juridical person, the partners, in case of partnership, and the members of the board, in case of a corporation, shall be held liable.

Likewise, the driver’s license of the person found driving the colorum motor vehicle, whether he is the owner/operator or the latter’s personnel, shall be immediately confiscated and suspended for a period of 12 months for the first offense and perpetually revoked for the second offense.

“Perpetual revocation per month for 27 months** should be understood to completely disqualify said driver from being granted any type of driver’s license thereafter,” An unlimited-mileage warranty the author explained, adding that the colorum for 1 year that can be extended motor vehicle used shall for up to 2 additional years on For up to 72 Months likewise be permanently Certified Pre-Owned models.

On Select Certified Pre-Owned Models*** Unlimited Mileage Warranty confiscated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

HB 4086 also provides that all permits, franchises, or CPCs issued in favor of the owner and/or operator of a PUV used and operated as a colorum, including those that pertain to other PUVs even not used and operated as colorum, shall be revoked.

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Moonroof, Rear-View Camera Heated Seats Moonroof, 4MATIC® Manalo’s measure also provides that if the offense as contained in 203148/L8636 692623/L8590 030205/L8572 the RPC also imposes a fine, the court shall order its imposition View Our Pre-Owned Inventory at www.mbzlongbeach.com/vehicle/search/preowned of a fine not less than P200,000 but not more than P1 million.

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Palace: Alleged MRT extort try won’t ‘ruin’ Aquino’s reputation MANILA, Apr 5 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday shrugged off comments from critics of President Benigno S. Aquino III saying that his reputation can be ruined by the alleged Metro Rail Transit (MRT) extortion case.

The issue surfaced July last year when Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar accused MRT general manager Al Vitangcol III of trying to extort US$ 30 million from Czech firm Inekon Group in exchange for a train supply contract.

President Aquino then ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the allegation, especially since his sister, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and her husband Eldon Cruz were implicated in the case.

Rychtar later cleared the President’s sister and her husband of any involvement in the alleged attempt to extort money from Inekon.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan said that the extortion case could not ruin the President’s reputation because he himself initiated an investigation on it.

“It could ruin his [President Aquino’s] reputation if there was no investigation that took place, but it is clear that the President’s previous directive was to probe these claims,” Valte said.

She also said that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) was not turning a deaf ear to these allegations either.(MNS)

Chiz blames chaotic MRT corporate structure for project delays enator Chiz Escudero said the MRT corporate structure is a mess, causing delays in the implementation of longoverdue transportation projects aimed at improving the mass transport system.

Speaking to reporters after a hearing by the Senate Committee on Finance to look into the financial absorptive capacity of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to carry out projects, Escudero said the current system governing the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) operational control and ownership remains a contentious issue that impedes the future development of the MRT. “The MRT system’s corporate structure is a mess,” Escudero said. “Until now, the issue as to who has the right to what, what the government’s rights are under the BLT (build-lease-transfer) contract have yet to be settled.”

He noted that even during the past administrations, the government and the MRTC have been at loggerheads as to who should shoulder the acquisition of additional new trains. “Apparently for 12 years, the MRTC and the government stared at each other. When the government finally decided to buy new trains, the private counterpart filed an injunction to the detriment of the riding public.”

With the lifting of the temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by the MRTC to stop the DOTC from purchasing new trains, Escudero expressed optimism that there will be no legal challenges along the way.

“Now that the TRO is already lifted, the DOTC has already given a notice to proceed to the train manufacturer in China. New trains will start coming in February of 2015, every month from then on there will be train deliveries. We hope the DOTC can really deliver on its schedule and not be stymied by one reason or another,” he said.

According to Escduero, he will introduce a legislation that will require the posting of surety or cash bonds from parties who will seek injunctions against an ongoing government project.

He said these bonds will be equivalent to the amount added to the actual project cost as a result of the delay and should also cover the economic losses of the government arising from the delay.

“The government currently has fiscal spaces, the transportation agency should take advantage of this and deliver the much needed improvement to our public transport system and provide relief to the riding public,” Escudero said.

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OPINION

DOH violated SC order vs.

RH Law, petitioners claim MANILA, Apr 7 (Mabuhay) – Petitioners against the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act have accused the Department of Health of violating a Supreme Court status quo ante order against the controversial law.

The petition, filed last week but obtained by media on Monday, came shortly before the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the RH Law during a summer session in Baguio City on Tuesday.

In its eight-page ‘Urgent Joint Manifestation,” the petitioners, through lead counsel James Imbong, informed the high court that the DOH had participated in the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR) last January.

Imbong is the son of lawyer Jo Aurea Imbong, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines legal office. The CBCP has staunchly opposed the RH bill when it was being deliberated in Congress and continues to voice opposition to the measure.

The Catholic Church, which only espouses natural family planning methods, is against the passage of the RH law as it promotes both natural and artificial family planning methods.

The petitioners claimed the January event aligned “abortion rights” with family planning and reproductive health.

Imbong said the DOH violated the SQA order when it partnered with “these international institutions to hold a youth conference that openly distributed brochures and materials on Reproductive Health.”

“In spite of respondent DOH’s denial that Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights do not include abortion rights, it has given its imprimatur to support an RH Conference alongside institutions

that openly advocate abortion rights around the world,” said the petitioners.

In its manifestation, the petitioners identified these international groups with which the DOH partnered as: International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Marie Stopes International Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) Women’s Health & Rights Advocacy PartnershipSoutheast Asia United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippine NGO Council on Population Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC) Ford Foundation Pathfinder International The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Imbong expressed alarm over the participation of “the movers of these events that involve persons who are also respondents and the events involve issues directly discussed in the petitions.”

According to Imbong, the manifestation was filed to inform the justices of the Supreme Court about these “supervening events” as the body moves towards a final ruling on Republic Act No. 10354 on April 8.

Imbong said: “We expect the Supreme Court justices to read it while they are deliberating on the petitions and to take note of the information contained in the manifestation.”

In its manifestation, the petitioners attached materials from the APCRSHR conference that allegedly “aimed to teach young people the health benefits of ‘enjoyable sex.’”

Apart from the DOH, other respondents in the RH petitions are the Office of the President, and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. (MNS)

Pinoy peacekeepers receive prestigious UN medal MANILA, Apr 7 (Mabuhay) –The 7th Philippine contingent to the Golan Heights recently received the prestigious United Nations Service Medal.

The Filipino peacekeepers, who served for 112 days, were given the medal during the Medal Parade on March 22 at Camp Ziouani.

The awarding of the medals was led by Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso D.G. Calonge and United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Commander Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha.

LTC Ted B. Dumosmog INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 7th PCGH, said receiving the award is a sign of the international community’s recognition of the Philippine contingent’s contribution in maintaining peace in Golan Heights.

He said he felt proud for working with a group of people who are not only brave and talented, but also dedicated and focused in carrying out their duties.

UNDOF Force Commander Lieutenant General Singha commended the performance of the Filipino peacekeepers.

In his speech, Singha noted how the troops came

well-prepared and continued to make themselves physically and mentally ready for their mission. He also praised them for taking proactive steps in intensifying efforts to achieve safety and security in their respective positions.

Ambassador Calonge also encouraged the Filipino peacekeepers to carry on their good work in the mission and to continue performing their duties with honor and dedication.

At the same time, the Filipino peacekeepers, with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, took the opportunity to promote Philippine tourism, culture and traditions to the guests. The embassy set up a booth to exhibit various local products, such as piña barong, capiz shells, placemats, key chains, and brochures featuring the best tourist spots in the Philippines.

The Philippines has been sending troops to UNDOF since 2009 when the Polish Contingent turned over its command to the country. With the 332 troops currently serving in UNDOF, the Philippines remains the 2nd biggest troop contributor to the peacekeeping mission. (MNS)

PHL pledges restraint in China sea row MANILA, April 4, 2014 (AFP) – The Philippines pledged to act with restraint on Friday a week after China tried to block a boat ferrying supplies to Filipino troops on a disputed reef in the South China Sea. “(The) Philippines makes clear that it will continue to exercise self-restraint and will not raise tension in the South China Sea,” Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said.

He issued the statement after a week of diplomatic wrangling following a Philippine boat’s delivery of food, water and fresh troops to Second Thomas Shoal, also claimed by Beijing, by slipping through a blockade by two Chinese coastguard vessels.

A small number of Filipino soldiers are stationed on a Navy vessel that was grounded on the shoal in 1999 to assert the Philippines’ sovereignty.

A day after the incident, the Philippines further infuriated China by asking a United Nations tribunal to declare Beijing’s claims to undisputed sovereignty over most of the strategically important sea as illegal.

China strongly criticized the Philippine govern-

ment actions, warning Tuesday that the UN appeal had “seriously damaged” bilateral ties and holding Manila responsible for the “consequences” of the UN move.

“The Philippines is not the country that has greatly increased its naval and maritime presence in the South China Sea,” del Rosario retorted Friday.

“Nor has it challenged freedom of navigation. Nor has it blockaded nor forcefully intimidated any other country in the South China Sea. Countries should be judged by their actions, not by their words.”

China has said its coastguard turned away another Filipino vessel on a similar resupply mission early last month, forcing the Philippine military to air-drop supplies to its small unit of marines aboard an old navy ship guarding the reef.

The reef lies 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the nearest major Philippine island, and more than a thousand kilometers from a major Chinese land mass.

It is part of the Spratlys, a chain of islets and reefs that sit near key shipping lanes and are surrounded by rich fishing grounds.

US defense chief warns China, drawing parallel with Crimea

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TOKYO, April 6, 2014 (AFP) – Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel on Sunday warned China against unilateral action to resolve territorial disputes with its neighbors, drawing a parallel with Russia’s incursion in Ukraine as he announced two more warships would be sent to Japan.

Seeking to reassure Washington’s longtime ally Japan, Hagel’s remarks and promise of more missile defense ships came as Tokyo faces a tense row with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea. “All nations deserve respect, no matter how large or how small,” Hagel said during a visit to Tokyo.

“I think we’re seeing some clear evidence of a lack of respect, and coercion and intimidation with ... what the Russians have done in Ukraine,” he told a news conference with his Japanese counterpart, Itsunori Onodera.

Countries had to speak up and reject such a blatant violation of international law, said Hagel, referring to Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula.

And in a veiled reference to China and its territorial arguments with Asian neighbors, Hagel said smaller countries had the same sovereign rights as larger states.

“You cannot go around and redefine boundaries, violate territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations by force, coercion and intimidation – whether it’s in small islands in the Pacific, or large nations in Europe,” Hagel said.

“So I want to talk to our Chinese friends about this,” said the defense secretary, who departs for Beijing on Monday.

US takes tougher line His comments underscored a tougher line by the US government on China’s approach to territorial claims in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, after some Southeast Asian countries accused Beijing of intimidatory tactics.

As “a great power,” China has “great responsibilities,” Hagel said.

A topic Hagel plans to raise with the Chinese this week is “respect for their neighbors,” he said.

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UTREACH

Grand Jury indicts Sen. Yee, Fil-Am dentist, ‘Shrimpboy’ and 27 others SAN FRANCISCO, April 4 – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging 29 defendants with firearms trafficking, money laundering, murderfor-hire, drug distribution, trafficking in contraband cigarettes, and honest services fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge José M. Martinez.

The indictment follows the March 26, 2014 arrests authorized by criminal complaint.

Sen. Yee was charged with honest services conspiracy, wire fraud and the most controversial, conspiracy to deal in firearms and import firearms as allegations pertained to his supposed links to Muslim rebels belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front based in Mindanao, Philippines.

Filipino national Dr. Wilson Lim, a dentist was also charged with Yee on charges relating to conspiracy to traffic in firearms without a license, and to illegally import firearms, also a felony.

The Chinaton gang member, Kwok Cheung Chow, known by the nickname “Shrimp Boy” is charged with money laundering , conspiracy to traffic contraband and conspiracy to transport and receive stolen property in interstate commerce.

For allegedly committing honest services conspiracy and wire fraud, Sen. Yee faces a maximum of 20 years in prison time along with $250,000 in fines. The firearms trafficking charges carries a jail time of five years maximum plus another $250,000 in fines.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs in the Philippines has resportedly started an an investigation into the supposed plan to smuggle firearms into the United States from the Philippines involving Lim, who is based in San Francisco, an official said.

Customs’ public information chief Charo Logarta-Lagamon said the BOC has been conducting an investigation after California state senator Leland Yee was arrested last Wednesday over charges of corruption and an alleged conspiracy to illegally trade in firearms with his associates in the Philippines.

She added that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, a unit under the BOC Intelligence Group, is leading the investigation.

Meanwhile, she noted that while they have yet to receive “an official correspondence from any local or foreign agency asking for assistance,” the BOC is ready to cooperate with other agencies.

According to an earlier report, Yee was alleged to have a military contact in the Philippines – identified only as Wilson Lim – in the arms smuggling operation.

“Lim’s associates in the Philippines were said to be trying to overthrow the current government and needed money,” according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s affidavit against Yee. For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it is looking into an allegation that one of its officers may have been involved in a supposed plan to smuggle firearms into the United States, but stressed the guns could not have come from its arsenal.

“Kahit na wala pa kaming hawak na pangalan (of the military officer), kahit na wala pa kaming hawak na dokumento o anumang request, tinitignan na rin namin itong allegation na ito,” Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesman, said.

Zagala however said that it seemed impossible that the smuggled firearms would come from the AFP’s inventory.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has announced it will coordinate with US law enforcement officials regarding the matter.

(MNS)

LA Fil-Am leaders hopeful justice will be served on PDAF plunder case vs three PHL senators Los Angeles – “The wheels of justice grinds slow. But justice will be served in the end.

At the end of animated debate over the recent filing of charges by the Ombudsman against three PH Senators Enrile, Estrada and Revilla for plunder and 50 other subulterns including provisional witnesses, Filipino –American leaders at Talakayan sa FACLA last Thursday, April 03, were united that justice will be finally served in the Philippines.

FACLA Director Atty. Ben Basilio said, “ Now that the case is filed in the Sandiganbayan, it means that the Aquino III administration is really serious in pursuing the case against three accused senators.

They can file their motion for re-considerations but it’s up for the court to dismiss the case or pursue the case and order their arrest.”

Justice Will Be Served Larry Pelayo also said, “he doubts if the three senators will heed the call of of the public to resign. They continue their fanatic defense that they are innocent of the charges and even some of them (Estrada and Revilla) went abroad.”

Sid Balatan, an online journalist noted that, “ it will be a long wait because it take at least 60 days until the Sandiganbayan raffle the case and designate what division will try the case.

We must understand that like the Estrada plunder case, it will be a long trial and decision before justice is served.’

Dr. Marc Caratao explained, “that is great difference with the system of justice in the United States and the Philippines.

He was seconded by Dr. Orly Cagampan and Rudy Ferran who said “It’s a long process because they will appeal the case up to the Supreme Court and they will try to prolong the process until another administration takes over. ” On the Comprehensive Bangsa Moro Agreement (CBA) There was also an interesting discussion on the Comprehensive Bangsa Moro Agreement (CBA) that the GPH and the MILF signed last March 27 in Manila.

FACLA President Austin Baul Jr expressed some questions on the implementation of the CBA. He said, “ the CBA will still has to have an enabling law that will be passed in the Congress and must be approved in a plebiscite in 2016.”

Businessman Freddie Castaneda on the other hand agree with the CBA saying, “Now Mindanao will receive the benefits it deserves with the 50/50 sharing agreement with the national government and the Bangsa Moro Substate.

For too long, Luzon and the Visayas were the main beneficiary of government resources, now Mindanao will get what it deserves.”

There was also discussion on the Leeland Yee case and the MILF but the group decided to invite a resource speaker on the Bangsa Moro Agreement for the next TALAKAYAn session on April 10.

(From left) Special Chief Secretary Chandana Khan and Mrs. India International 2013 Amita Motwani present the ‘Best National Tourism Organization’ award to Philippine Tourism Marketing Officers Madvhi Awasti, Navritu Kaushal Rai, and Sanjeet.

PHL bags ‘Best National Tourism Organization’ award in India

Travel and tourism professionals in South India voted the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) as the “Best National Tourism Organization” for 2013.

“South India Travel Awards will create an all-India platform to recognize those behind the success of the travel and tourism industry and to recognize their achievements,” Amit Bhasin, Convener of the India Travel Awards, said The DOT was awarded for its branding campaign and roadshows in South India, particularly in the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. Last year, the Philippines organized three roadshows and one location meeting with filmmakers in the region alone to promote various destinations and facilitate business-to-business deals among its private sector partners.

Amit Bhasin added that the South India Travel Awards, supported by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, is the first of the four regional recognition events (the other three are in the North, East, and West) leading to the nationwide India Travel Awards scheduled later in the year.

The South Indian cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai collectively make up 1.22 million out of 5.24 million Indian passports issued nationwide in 2012. These are also the top three cities in the number of passports issued for the same year.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization predicts that India will have 50 million outbound travels by 2020.

“We are very pleased to know that our Indian counterparts recognize and appreciate how serious we are in what we do. India is one of our priority opportunity source country markets with a potential for high growth. This award will definitely inspire the industry stakeholders to raise our country’s comparative advantage in terms of product offerings, as well as conduct more in-depth studies of this market segment to better prepare and match evolving preferences,” Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.

In 2013, India contributed 52,206 visitors to the Philippines, a 12.53-percent growth from the 46,395 visitors recorded in 2012. Indian tourists comprise 1.12-percent of the total volume of visitors for 2013.

ARRP looking for inspiring 50 and over candidates

For the upcoming Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, AARP will be launching a list called “50 Over 50: Inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” which is to honor the contributions and impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are or were over 50 years old. Every day of May, the AARP AAPI Community Facebook page will post one or two persons selected from the 50 Over 50 List.

AARP invites you and others to nominate a person for the “50 Over 50: Inspiring AAPI” list. Also, feel free to share this news with friends and family. The call for nominations ends on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 5 p.m. EDT. Categories include: those who are changing our views about aging; influenced a generation – the boomer generation (born 1946-1964); make our days a little brighter; show us the way; and shape our opinions.

Candidates must be: 50 and up; Asian American and/or Pacific Islander heritage or ethnicity; living or deceased.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, April 9-15, 2014

US to welcome more than 6,300 new citizens this Wednesday LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles and Southern California will welcome 6,361 newly naturalized citizens on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in West Hall “A-B”. The candidates, lawful permanent residents who have met all the requirements for citizenship, represent more than 130 countries. Eighteen candidates representing all branches of the Armed Forces will also be among those taking the Oath of Allegiance.

The top ten countries represented at Wednesday’s ceremonies will be: 1) Mexico; 2) Philippines; 3)

Iran; 4) China; 5) El Salvador; 6) Korea; 7) Guatemala; 8) Vietnam; 9) Armenia; and 10) India. These monthly naturalization ceremonies highlight the successful efforts of the Los Angeles District Office of USCIS to process thousands of lawful permanent residents to become citizens of the United States of America. During Fiscal Year 2013, more than 93,000 candidates for citizenship became naturalized U.S. citizens in USCIS District 23 which covers the seven counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

Supreme Court declines to hear anti-gay wedding case WASHINGTON, April 7, 2014 (AFP) – The US Supreme Court declined Monday to take up a case filed by a New Mexico photography firm sanctioned for refusing to take a same-sex couple’s wedding photos.

Elane Photography had been fined under anti-discrimination legislation after declining to offer its services for two women in 2006.

The owners of the studio had challenged their punishment in a filing to the Supreme Court, arguing their constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression had been violated.

However, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, in a decision welcomed by gay rights campaigners.

“The Supreme Court of the United States today has paved the way for robust enforcement of non-discrimination laws,” said Human Rights Campaign legal director Sarah Warbelow.

“When businesses open their doors to the public, they must abide by the law and not expect special treatment based on personal beliefs.”

The socially conservative Family Research Council voiced dismay at the ruling.

“The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear and uphold the First Amendment rights of Elaine Huguenin, a wedding photographer, are deeply disturbing,” the group said.

“Does our nation’s highest court really believe the price of citizenship is the surrender of conscience?”

The case had been watched closely by people on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate throughout the United States, where states are increasingly legalizing gay and lesbian weddings.

An Arizona law allowing business owners to decline service to gays and lesbians on religious grounds was vetoed by Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican, in February.

Actually, kids are getting heavier in the US: study WASHINGTON, April 7, 2014 (AFP) – Contrary to recent reports, America’s children are still struggling with obesity and there has been no decline in the epidemic among young people, US researchers said Monday.

In fact, the problem is getting worse in a small subset of the heaviest children, among whom the trend has about doubled, said the findings in JAMA Pediatrics, a journal of the American Medical Association.

Childhood obesity is of particular concern because it can lead to lifelong health problems, including high cholesterol, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, experts say.

“The total number of kids that are overweight or obese hasn’t changed,” said co-author Joseph Skelton, a pediatrician at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

“It does seem overall, though, that some kids are getting heavier,” he told AFP. The latest study was based on the same data set as that released in late February, in which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hailed a 43 percent drop in obesity among the country’s preschoolers in the past decade.

However, the new study spanned a longer period of time, a wider age range and used 1999 as its starting point, rather than 2003 when an unusual spike in obesity was observed for reasons that are unclear, Skelton said.

Severe obesity on the rise The new study examined records from at 26,690 children, aged between two and 19, who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2012.

Just over 17 percent were obese in 20112012, meaning their body mass index (BMI) was greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for their age and

sex.

That was slightly higher than the figure in 1999-2000, when 14.5 were obese, but the margin of error could make the difference as small as one percent.

When researchers looked more closely at severe obesity, they found this trend was becoming more common, and had about doubled from 1999 to 2012.

Severe obesity was defined as having a BMI that was 20 to 40 percent higher than the 95th percentile of their peers.

In other words, a 10-year old boy weighing 95 pounds (43 kilograms) at a height of 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) would be considered obese.

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US unearths sophisticated border drug tunnels ANGELES, April 4, 2014 (AFP) – US investigators said Friday they have uncovered two sophisticated drug tunnels under the border with Mexico and arrested a 73-year-old woman in connection with one of them.

The tunnels, which are up to 650 meters (700 yards) long and one of which had an electric rail system and ventilation equipment, are the sixth and seventh underground passages found near San Diego in the last four years.

The tunnels are used by organized crime groups to traffick drugs and people into the United States.

“Here we are again, foiling cartel plans to sneak millions of dollars of illegal drugs through secret passageways that cost millions of dollars to build,” said US Attorney Laura Duffy.

“Going underground is not a good business plan. We have promised to locate these super tunnels and keep powerful drug cartels from taking their business underground and out of sight, and once again, we have delivered on that promise.”

The first tunnel to be found, about 550 meters long between the US side and a warehouse over the border in Mexico, was discovered Tuesday after a fivemonth investigation, said the US Immigration and Customs En-

forcement (ICE) agency.

A local woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly running the tunnel, which is accessed via a 70-foot (21-meter) shaft from a warehouse filled with children’s toys and televisions. The end of the tunnel was topped with a US investigators said Friday they have uncovered two more “socement cover to phisticated drug tunnels” under the border with Mexico just like the one shown in this photo of another tunnel discovered in 2011. hide it.

Authorities said they arrested a 73-year-old woman in connection On Thursday with one of them. Photo: US Customs and Border Patrol investigators uncovered a second, more sophisti- these tunnels down before they cated tunnel that was 650 meters become operational, but to enlong and “equipped with a multi- sure that the cartels backing tiered electric rail system and an these elaborate smuggling operations are investigated and prosarray of ventilation equipment.”

The tunnels were found by ecuted,” he added.

Over 77,000 people have died members of the San Diego Tunin drug-linked violence in Mexico nel Task Force, in collaboration since 2006, when troops were dewith their counterparts on the ployed to crack down on the powMexican side of the border.

Drug Enforcement Adminis- erful drug cartels. tration (DEA) special agent William Sherman said: “Once again, the Tunnel Task Force has eliminated a multi-million-dollar drug-smuggling venture and have reduced it to nothing more than a colossal waste of money on the part of the drug cartels.”

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Lea Salonga, Lou Diamond Phillips, Apl.de.Ap, Christine Rocas, Rodell Rosel lead celebrities in Haiyan concert

‘Laban: The Legend of Urduja’ at Cal’s State Long Beach’s Pilipino Cultural Night April 25 A Filipino student association based in Cal State Long Beach is going to hold a Filipino cultural night and will stage a play entitled “Laban: The Legend of Urduja” as its 28th annual cultural presentation on April 25 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

California State University, Long Beach’s Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) is an annual event that aims to share the culture and history of our people through the art of traditional dances and the eloquence of an original story.

Over 1000 family members, friends, acquaintances, and people from all walks of life attend this momentous occasion to experience a perspective of the Pilipino culture that is not often seen.

The story takes place in the fourteenth century, a hundred fifty years before the Spanish invaded, Tawalisi was ruled by a beloved king, also known as Tawalisi and his royal shaman, Bonzo.

When a problem begins to corrupt the kingdom, eighteen-year-old Princess

THE US ASIAN POST

Urduja travels to the agricultural settlements of Pangasinan after hearing rumors of mysterious murders. Here, Urduja begins seeking for connections to her past involving the death of her late mother, Angara.

Throughout her journey, Urduja faces prejudice, secrets of the kingdom, mass destruction, and a battle with vampiric shapeshifters, known as the aswang, that will define her in becoming the legendary warrior princess she is destined to become.

The group hopes that you can join them in celebrating their 28th annual Pilipino Cultural Night production as they “proudly present the passion for our culture!”

Interested in sponsoring this grand event? Obtain the satisfaction of contributing to keeping the PCN tradition going while also promoting your business to over 1,000 attendees! All monetary contributions and/or other donations would be much appreciated. For any business inquiries please contact pcn@lbpac.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Awardwinning Broadway artist Lea Salonga, Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips, tenor Rodell Rosel, ballet dancer Christine Rocas, singer Apl.de.ap and a host of other celebrities will come together in the nation’s capital for a benefit concert for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

The Philippine Embassy said the concert, dubbed “After the Storm,” will be staged at the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts here in Washington, D.C. on June 15, 2014.

The concert is being held in cooperation with the US-Philippines Society and the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition and will be directed by Emmynominated producer, Robert Pullen.

“This benefit concert intends to bring attention to the invaluable and necessary efforts of recovery for the people of the Philippines who were affected by Haiyan,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., who conceived the project with his wife, Mrs. Maria Victoria Cuisia.

Ambassador Cuisia said the concert, which will take place at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, will benefit storm victims through partner organizations committed to the rebuilding of the devastation that has occurred in the Philippines.

“As the world’s attention is gradually drawn away from the devastation in the central Philippines, we are reminded that formidable challenges remain for millions of families displaced by the most powerful tropical storm ever to make landfall,” said Ambas-

sador John F. Maisto, President of the US-Philippines Society.

“The Kennedy Center benefit evening will help those people reconstruct homes and schools, restart businesses, restore livelihoods, and regain access to health facilities,” Ambassador Maisto added.

The evening will include celebrity appearances and performances and feature a symphony orchestra and a 40-person choir. It will also include a series of video messages of hope from celebrities and other personalities from around the world.

Ambassador Cuisia said that among the first to confirm their participation in the concert was the Manila-based Lea Salonga, who won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards for her appearance in Miss Saigon.

Salonga is the first Asian actress to play the roles of Éponine and Fantine in Les Miserables on Broadway. She portrayed both roles on the musical’s 10th and 25th anniversary show in London respectively. She also provided the singing voice of two official Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin (1992), and Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004).

Also participating in the concert is Filipino-American actor Lou Diamond Phillips who is best known for his breakout starring role in the movie La Bamba as Ritchie Valens. He earned a supporting actor Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in Stand and Deliver and a Tony Award nomination for his role in The King and I.

Other notable films in which Phillips has starred include Courage Under Fire, Che, and Love Takes Wing.

Grammy Award-winning artist, Apl. de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas will also perform in the concert. The Philippineborn artist, whose real names is Allan Pineda, is known for his philanthropic and humanitarian work through his Apl.de.ap Foundation.

Also performing is Chicago-based tenor, Rodell Rosel, who has been hailed as one of the best young opera singers of his generation. Rosel performs regularly with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and has appeared in several operatic performances around the US. He recently finished a stint at the Sta. Fe Opera in New Mexico and made his debut performance at the Metropolitan Opera in New York early this year.

Joining this star-studded cast is Christine Rocas, principal dancer courtesy of Joffrey Ballet. Prior to joining the Joffrey Ballet, Rocas participated and won several prestigious awards from different international ballet competitions.

Tickets, ranging from $25 to $250, will go on-sale starting April 4 and may be purchased online at www.kennedycenter.org or visiting the Kennedy Center box office or charge by phone by calling (202) 467-4600.

There will be sponsorship packages available for corporations and individuals who would like to underwrite the event. For information on sponsorship opportunities and other queries, please emailAfterTheStorm@usphilsociety. org or call +1.202.595.2880.

Letran Knights embark on scholarship program Recognizing the value and importance of a college education, Letran Alumni Association North America and Letran USA have embarked on a supplemental scholarship program this year billed 2014 Letran USA Tuition Assistance.

This Letranites’ project which is debuting this year and hopefully will expand its coverage in the coming years will offer a onetime $500 Tuition Assistance to the children or stepchildren of Letran graduates from Manila, Calamba, and Bataan who will be chosen this fall semester.

According to the prime movers of this project, eligibility is

contingent on enrollment or acceptance of a college, community college or university of a selected recipient in the United States.

They added that the children of the officers and Board of Directors are not eligible to participate.

To be considered, an applicant should write an essay of not less than 700 but not to exceed 1000 words regarding any of the following topics: 1. How has your education shaped you so far?

2. Discuss your plans for college and beyond.

3. Has your Filipino roots helped or hindered your life here in the USA? The essay should be typewritten, double spaced with a cover-

ing letter that would include the applicant’s name, high school attended, college to be enrolled in, cumulative HS GPA, parent’s name and batch year. Applications must be mailed and postmarked no later than July 31, 2014 to: Letran Alumni Association North America – Letran USA, P.O. Box 5282, Buena Park, CA 90622.

For more information, applicants may contact Letran Alumni President Bernie Gutierrez at 714-288-8048 or @ Berniegutz@sbcglobal.net; Gaspar Dela Rosa at 909-851-6252 or @ gasparjr@aol.com; or Mike Afable at714-390-2466 or @ smafablejr@yahoo.com.

Interested parties may also visit www.letranusa.org. (Dan E. Nino)

APOGLA’s 2014 Search for Outstanding Fil-Am students is now on-going

Now on its third year, the Search for The Outstanding Filipino-American Senior Students (TOFASS) is now on-going.

The college-bound awardees who will be chosen will be honored and recognized for their academic achievements by providing them with supplemental scholarship grants to tie them over in a small way in their transition to college life.

Nomination forms and other protocols have already been sent to high school principals in Greater Los Angeles to nominate their outstanding senior students of Filipino parentage. The deadline for submission of nomination and other requirements is June 16.

Sponsored by the Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Assn. of Greater Los Angeles (APOGLA), this nation-building project was first endorsed by then Los Angeles Consul General Mary Jo B. Aragon who stated, “Allow me to reaffirm my support for Alpha Phi Omega’s continuing mission of developing not only our societies, but also the young men and women who will be our next line of leaders.”

The selection process will be entrusted to a select group of educators and community leaders with no affiliation with Alpha Phi Omega and its project partners who will determine the final awardees. Aside from the scholarship grant, the awardees will be honored in a banquet to be held sometime in August. The venue will be announced later.

The criteria in selecting the top awardees are based on Scholastic Grades or GPA (85%), Extra-Curricular Activities (5%), Family Financial Status (5%), Essay (3%) and School Size (2%). The theme of the essay written in about 150 words: What Are My Aspirations In Life And How To Achieve Them.

Twenty college students of Filipino ancestry have already availed of this scholarship program from APOGLA some of whom are attending ivy league universities like Stanford, MIT, UC-Berkeley and UCLA. Testimonials of gratitude were received by organizers from previous awardees. Awardee Ma. Denise Panaligan, a graduate of Burbank High School and now a junior student at UCLA says, “APOGLA is such an inspiration. The legacy you are leaving behind will be told and passed on from generation to generation. This will continue to touch and make a difference in the lives of many hardworking and deserving students.

If anybody who truly needs recognition and be appreciated is your organization. Our deepest gratitude to all of you for reaching out to all of us – for showing us what TOFASS is all about.

Other luminaries who made known their endorsement for this scholarship program are former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and former Philippines President Fidel V. Ramos.

The former president who is an honorary member of Alpha Phi Omega Philippines wrote to his alumni brothers, “Any project to advance people empowerment through quality education is a worthy and noble cause that deserves success for both the beneficiaries and benefactors. For this reason, I heartily confirm my support of the project.”

For more information, interested parties may call Project Chairman Tony Amon at 818-970-4214 or tamon4769@gmail.com; Media Affairs and Nomination Committee Chairman Dan E. Nino @ 562-921-5116 ordenino1951@gmail.com; or Chairman of the Board Eric Serrano @ 818-434-3313 or ericserrano882@gmail.com. (Dan E. Nino)

USCIS announces citizenship and integration grant opportunity Grants will support citizenship preparation services for permanent residents WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, which will provide up to $10 million in funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.

The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is a competitive grant opportunity for public or non-profit organizations, which promotes immigrant civic integration and prepares permanent residents for citizenship. Applications are due by May 16.

Through the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, USCIS seeks to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services by providing grants to organizations that offer both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to permanent residents. USCIS expects to announce

up to 40 grant recipients in September.

Since 2009, USCIS has awarded approximately $33 million through 182 grants to immigrant-serving organizations that have provided citizenship preparation services to more than 78,000 permanent residents in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

To apply for this funding opportunity, visit www.grants.gov. USCIS encourages applicants to visit www.grants.gov as early as possible to obtain the registration information needed to complete the grant application process.

For additional information on the FY 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, visit www.uscis.gov/grants or contact the USCIS Office of Citizenship by email at citizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov.

For more information about USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, April 9-15, 2014

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ENTERT

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INMENT

Kris admits dating Herbert

Anne Curtis

Anne: I thought I was going to die Kapamilya star Anne Curtis believes she has been given a second chance in life after she was stung by box jellyfish while taping the hit fantasy series “Dyesebel” last Wednesday.

In her official Twitter account, Curtis said doctors told her she was very lucky to have survived.

“Good Morning everyone!!!!

Feeling a bit better today!

Praise God! After reading some of the other articles you guys found & tweeted me, I really feel I’ve been given a 2nd chance at life,” Curtis said.

“The doctors told me I’m very lucky. The last case they had come in with the same case, a box jellyfish sting, the girl was out straight into the ICU. It’s quite a scary thought.

When we were on our way to the local and closest hospital near our set, I noticed that I couldn’t feel my legs & slowly couldn’t breathe properly. I thought I was going to die,” she added.

The actress thanked God for giving her the strength to survive, as well as her fans and friends who prayed for her. “thank you Lord for giving me and my heart the strength to survive this. Thank you to everyone that has sent their well wishes and messages of concern.. Means a lot to me.

This is the closest I’ve ever been to death and I’ve never been so afraid in my life…Thank you again Sweethearts for all the love & support. (love),” Curtis said. (MNS)

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Kris Aquino

started when they did a San Miguel TV commercial shot in 2005.

They worked together a couple of times and reconnected again as friends recently. He added that the mother of two would usually ask him for advice.

“I gave her guy’s point of view. I asked her advice the other day from something, that’s why she posted ‘Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be there for you also’ because I’m really there for her,” he said.

To recall, rumors linking the two started when Aquino posted the aforementioned message on her official Instagram account.

She also included a quote, “For every girl with a broken heart, there’s always a boy with a glue gun” on the said post.

The actor further clarified reports that they’ve been spotted together several times. Ramsay said they never had breakfast together and went out to have drinks.

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‘MOMOL Queen’ Solenn says Vhong a good kisser Actress-model Solenn Heussaff praised her “Da Possessed” leading man Vhong Navarro for being a good kisser.

“Malambot yung lips. Very good, very good. Of course, ako ‘yung MOMOL queen, ‘di ba? Approved,” Heussaff said.

After working with Navarro, Heussaff said she found the actor funny and serious at the same time.

“Alam mo very funny siya. At the same time kaya niya maging seryoso at maganda ‘yon para sa mga lalaki para sa akin.

Pwede siyang maging seryoso kapag kailangan,” she said.

For his part, Navarro said Heussaff is a natural comedienne.

“May nakita akong movies niya, may timing siya sa comedy. Siya ‘yung kayang magpatawa ng di kailangang paluin sa ulo. Kaya niya ibigay sa salita at sa gawa.

Madami siyang pinakitang bago dito. At the same time ang sarap kahalikan ni Solenn. Kaya Tsong (Joey Marquez) and Smokey (Manoloto), beh,” Navarro said.

In the press conference, Navarro admitted having a hard time finishing the movie after he was mauled last January by group of businessman Cedric Lee after their friend, model Deniece Cornejo, claimed that Navarro tried to rape her.

Navarro then thanked his co-stars and Star Cinema for supporting him.

“Ako ang sinabi ko ang totoo at kung ano ang nangyari,” he reiterated.

“Itong pelikula, ‘di ko maalis na kabahan ako kasi hindi ko nga mapiplease lahat. Iba kasi ang pelikula, may gastos, so ang gusto ko lang mangyari ay tinapos namin ang pelikula ng masaya. Susto ko ang mga

MEDIA personality Kris Aquino broke her silence on the real status of her love life Monday night.

In her talkshow “Aquino and Abunda Tonight” aired on ABS-CBN, Aquino admitted that she is in a relationship with Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

“We are a work in progress and it’s a joint project that both of us are happily undertaking with maturity, respect, and commitment,” she said.

“Weeks before any speculation about us came out, personal po siyang humingi ng permiso sa kuya ko.

Maraming iniisip si Pnoy, kaya ang intindi niya nung time na yun, may gagawin kami ni mayor na project para sa Quezon City. Until later that same day, nagtext kaming magkapatid, natawa si PNoy na permission to date his sister pala ang hiningi,” she revealed.

Aquino on Saturday posted a photo with the first family on her official Instagram account . She wrote, “Family Dinner.”

Seen in the picture were President Benigno Aquino III, who was holding Kris’ son Bimby, Kris’ three older sisters, their respective other halves, nieces and nephews, eldest son Joshua and Bautista.

The mayor was photographed talking to the Kapamilya actress’ siblings. (MNS) This developed as Derek Ramsay dismissed rumors romantically linking him to Queen of All Media Kris Aquino.

The Kapatid star clarified that he’s just good friends with the television host.

“There’s no relationship. No, there is no relationship going on. Hindi ako nanliligaw, we’re friends, hindi kami,” he said.

According to Ramsay, his friendship with Aquino

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manonood ay maging masaya at ayaw kong masayang ang ginastos nila,” Navarro said.

“Da Possessed” under Star Cinema and Regal Films will hit theaters on April 19. (MNS)

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MOTORING BMW s X4 and M4 heading to NYC ’

(Relaxnews) – BMW’s new sports drop top and sports off-roader are to make official debuts at the upcoming auto show.

With a glorious twin-turbocharged 3-liter straight sixcylinder engine, a 0-100km/h time of a fraction over 4 seconds, sublime handling and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h, there’s very little that BMW could do to improve upon the new M4’s performance.

However, by chopping off its roof, it has really upped the drama, and when the convertible version makes its global debut at the company’s stand at the New York Auto Show on April 18, BMW’s ‘M’ range of snarling, steroidaddled versions of its normal road-going cars will be complete.

The international auto show calendar for 2014 might be drawing to a close, but BMW still has new models left to reveal and so its X4, the latest addition to its rapidly expanding off-road range, will also be making its first official appearance.

Unlike a lot of manufacturers who have felt compelled

to attempt to take a slice of the SUV market in recent years, BMW has done so playing to its existing strengths – it builds quality cars designed around the driver that handle well and go very quickly in a straight line or round a bend.

That’s why it has shunned the terms SUV and 4x4 in favor of SAV – Sports Activity Vehicles.

And the new X4 has plenty of sportiness to offer, from its sloping roof coupé styling and xDrive technology that diverts power to each of the four wheels but is focused as much on grip and holding the line in a corner as it is on negotiating muddy fields.

The initial top specification model – the BMW X4 xDrive35i – will have a straight-six cylinder twin turbo engine (like the M4’s but less potent), however, the top spec diesel version that will be revealed in New York is also very impressive. A 3-liter unit too, it is capable of catapulting the car from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds, has 313hp on tap and a combined fuel economy of 6.1-5.7l/100km.

Both new models are destined to go on sale this autumn, following their New York debuts.

The new BMW M4 convertible. The car is almost as fast yet much more dramatic than the coupé version. ©BMW Group

What is the greatest sports coupé of all time?

(Relaxnews) – A group of 12 car-obsessed celebrities set out to answer the question by curating a special automotive exhibition that promises to be packed with some of the finest and fastest vehicles ever conceived.

Scheduled to open its doors to the public on April 10 at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, the special exhibit promises an eclectic collection of classic automobiles.

Hand-picked by a group of 12 celebrity curators including Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, film director Francis Ford Coppola, actor and race car driver Patrick Dempsey and AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, the exact models that will make up the final collection are being kept a closely guarded secret until a special preview event on April 9.

However, what is certain is that the show will feature landmark models from the UK, US, Japan, Italy and Germany and, judging by the celebrities behind the show, there will be no shortage of Porsches, Jaguars, Bentleys and Ferraris on show.

Other members of the elite cadre of celebrity curators for the event include Metallica’s James Hetfield; Tanner Foust, Adam Ferrara and Rutledge Wood, the hosts of “Top Gear USA”; “Toy Story” director John Lasseter; and Jaguar’s director of design, Ian Callum.

“With a location at the hub of car culture in Southern California and with partnerships from major automotive brands, the Petersen offers opportunities to bring together unique automotive collections and delivers a meeting place for aficionados from around the world,” said Petersen Executive Director, Terry Karges. “Our goal is to present an exciting exhibit unlike anything ever done in an automotive museum.”

The special show, a celebration of the best hardtop, two-seater performance cars ever conceived, is being co-hosted by Jaguar to coincide with the US launch of its latest sports coupé, the F-Type, and follows on from an earlier collaboration with the museum that saw Steve McQueen’s Jaguar XKSS exhibited at the LA Motor Show on Jaguar’s stand.

“Every automotive enthusiast has their list of all-time favorite cars, and for many that list is dominated by high performance sports coupes like the Jaguar E-Type,” said Jeff Curry, Brand Vice President, Jaguar.

“To mark the arrival of the all-new F-Type Coupe, we are very pleased to help the Petersen present this expertly curated collection of coupes answering the question, ‘what is the greatest sports coupe of all time?’ and we hope to challenge every enthusiast to answer the question themselves.”

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All new cars on US roads to have reversing cameras by 2018 (Relaxnews) – True autonomous cars might still be some years away, but thanks to a new law, there is one piece of technological kit that will be standard on all cars sold in the US very soon - the reversing camera.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule requiring rear visibility technology in all new vehicles with a curb weight of less than 10,000 pounds by May 2018.

It means that from that date, a reversing camera with a dashboard color display – until now an optional extra on mass-market cars and a standard feature only on luxury marquees such as Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover and Lexus models— will become the norm.

The NHTSA is concerned about accidents that occur due to a lack of visibility at a vehicle’s rear – an is-

Microsoft making a dash for the dashboard

(Relaxnews) – The battle for the technological car dashboard of the future is about to heat up.

Following demos from Android and from Apple, Microsoft is also developing a platform – Windows in the Car – that will put the company’s smartphones, content and apps front and center of the driving experience. But hopefully in a way that isn’t too distracting.

First demonstrated at one of the sessions at its BUILD developers conference, Windows for the Car would use the same customizable tile interface that will be familiar to anyone who owns a Nokia Lumia handset or has recently upgraded to Windows 8/8.1 on their PC. Just like Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Open Automotive Alliance or OAA (essentially Android for the car), Microsoft’s system would offer drivers access to their music libraries, turn-byturn directions via Here and Bing maps and, of course, search, voice calls and text messaging.

And although it is very much a work in progress, Microsoft doesn’t really need to play catch up.

Until this year, Microsoft was the brains behind the Ford Sync – the company’s in-car informatics and telematics system that offered a selection of mirrored ‘car-safe’ versions of smartphone apps and responded to voice commands.

For those worried that competing mobile operating systems are going to become an issue when choosing their next car, there is some good news.

The Microsoft system uses MirrorLink to connect to a car’s screen and for pushing information between connected devices. MirrorLink is an existing technology and one already supported by a host of car companies, from the aforementioned Ford to BMW. That means that if Microsoft does bring its system to market, it could work with older vehicles, and new cars would be able to support it as well as either Apple or Google’s platform too.

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sue for all modern cars but particularly for SUVs where an elevated ride height creates serious groundlevel visibility problems.

“Rear visibility requirements will save lives, and will save many families from the heartache suffered after these tragic incidents occur,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. “We’re already recommending this kind of life-saving technology through our NCAP program and encouraging consumers to consider it when buying cars today.”

On average, there are 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries per year caused by backover crashes. NHTSA has found that children under 5 years old account for 31 percent of backover fatalities each year, and adults 70 years of age and older account for 26 percent.

Reversing cameras are set to become a legal requirement in the US. ©mtsyri /shutterstock.com

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Cardio workouts in young adulthood may improve memory in middle age (Relaxnews) – Whether it’s jogging, dance or the elliptical machine, the health benefits of regular cardio activity are virtually endless. Now scientists are giving young adults one more good reason to get their heart rate up: to improve their memory in middle age, when mnemonic function typically begins to decline.

According to a recent study published in Neurology, there is a correlation between moderate to intense physical activity during young adulthood and verbal and psychomotor memory in later life.

Researchers surveyed the physical activity level and mental fitness of 2,747 participants, all in good health

and aged 25 on average at the start of the study.

The participants were subject to a physical aptitude test on a treadmill, in which speed and incline were increased constantly until the subjects could no longer continue. The average time spent on the treadmill before exhaustion was 10 minutes. Twentyfive years later, the same participants underwent the same test, this time with an average time of 2.9 minutes spent on the treadmill.

During both phases of the study, participants also took cognitive tests geared toward evaluating their verbal memory and psychomotor speed.

On average, the researchers found that each additional minute partici-

pants were able to stay on the treadmill corresponded with an additional 0.12 words recalled during the verbal memory test and 0.92 more symbols correctly replaced in the psychomotor speed test.

On the whole, those who were able to spend more time on the treadmill in their twenties – in other words, who tested for a better level of cardiovascular fitness – performed better on memory tests a decade and a half later.

The researchers point out that with certain tests, each additional word found corresponds with an 18% reduction in the risk of becoming senile over the next ten years.

Exercise during your 20s may improve memory over several decades to come, a new study suggests. ©Mircea Foto/Shutterstock.com

Could mobile phones cause impotence?

(Relaxnews) – Is there a link between carrying around a switched-on mobile phone and impotence? Possibly, according to a recent study.

Mobile phones have been blamed for all sorts of modern ailments, from chronic stress to brain tumors.

Now medical researchers in Austria and Egypt have added yet another condition to the list. The conclusions of their study, published in the Central European Journal of Urology, indicate that intensive daily exposure to a switched-on mobile phone could be linked to erectile dysfunction. The researchers came to this conclusion by studying two groups of men over the course of six years. The 20 men in the first group suffered from erectile dysfunction, while the 10 men in the second reported having no sexual health problems.

Each participant in the study filled out a questionnaire to record his daily mobile phone use.

The researchers noted that

there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of average age, weight, height, smoking habits or testosterone levels. However, a difference was observed in the amount of time the men spent with their phone turned on and in their hand or pocket. Those suffering from erectile dysfunction carried a switched-on mobile phone 4.4

hours per day on average, compared to just 1.8 hours per day for the men who did not experience impotence.

However, the results of the study should be taken with a grain of salt. As the researchers stress, additional studies must be carried out with larger sample groups before the evidence may be called conclusive.

It’s worth it: Beauty firms chase Africa cosmetics boom (LAGOS-AFP) – Nigeria’s for the Middle East and Africa, of opening a third facility in west Kuddy Cosmetics began as a one- Geoff Skingsley, said in a state- Africa, although Nigeria would woman business run out of a suit- ment. be an unlikely choice given its case, with Kudirat Fashola bringTo reach its stated goal of woeful electricity supply. ing beauty products back from the overtaking Unilever as the highAdapt to local market United States in her luggage. est-selling brand in sub-Saharan For L’Oreal, research is cruMore than 20 years later, her Africa, L’Oreal has begun re- cial to growing its African mardaughter Zainob helps run the inforcing its existing commer- ket share, including at a facility company which now wholesales cial hubs in Kenya, Nigeria and in South Africa which the comleading beauty brands and is flood- South Africa. In addition to its pany said “enables the group to ed with requests from companies existing production plants in Ke- evaluate formulas for the specific anxious to crack the fast-growing nya and South Africa, the group needs of consumers in the region” cosmetics market in Africa’s most is also looking at the feasibility particularly hair and skin. populous country.

“They love Nigeria. Every week I get emails... (international) brands see it as a large, growing market,” the 26-year-old told AFP. The trend applies across sub-Saharan Africa, where global companies see a region poised for sustained economic growth over the next decade and a potential middle class boom.

The world’s top cosmetic producer L’Oreal, for example, is looking to boost both sales and production across the region as it battles for a larger share of a developing market.

But industry experts say that winning the loyalty of Africans in the cosmetics sector poses unique challenges.

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In 2013, the French firm posted a 52-percent rise on 2012 sales in the region.

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like angle bars.

“What happened in Bohol and Cebu during last year’s earthquake could happen again anytime and anywhere due to the use of substandard steel in some structures,” Aquino said During the hearing, stakeholders, led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI), revealed that substandard and smuggled steel are being sold in different parts of the country.

RESIGN NOW From page 1

honor in the Senate.”

“Let’s give these gentlemen the opportunity to prove that they still have delicadeza.

Hindi na tayo naniniwala [sa kanila] or meron nang suspicion na napunta sa kanila yung public funds, money natin, taxpayers’ money,” she said. “Anybody with a sense of honor would say that you know, ‘While there are suspicions against me, let me bow out from my position, while there’s a

REMATCH From page 1

charges. There will be a total ticket limit of 12 per person with a limit of 10 per person at the $1,000, $800, $600, $400 and $250 price levels and a limit of two (2) per person at the $150 price level. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand. com or www.ticketmaster.com.

24/7 Pacquiao/Bradley 2 show 2 debuts Saturday, April 5 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT and

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From 2009 to 2013, the DTI’s market monitoring enforcement team discovered that 49 percent of outlets it visited in 61 provinces were selling substandard angle bars.

Last month, the agency confiscated 1,720 pieces of substandard steel products from several outlets in Caloocan and Malabon.

A similar operation by the DTI in Caloocan City in January led to the confiscation of 10,181 pieces of substandard steel bars and angle bars. Seven manufacturers and five traders were formally charged. question of trust from my constituents’,” she added. Tan said Enrile, Revilla and Estrada, though they have yet to be convicted, should no longer be in public service.

“Ang pangamba ng tao is they are still in power to do same thing all over again. We can’t continue letting them sit there,” she said.

The Scrap Pork Network’s online petition on Change.org, which was launched on Saturday midnight, has received 4,288 signatures as of 11 a.m. on Monday. show 3 debuts Thursday, April 10 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on HBO two nights before the high stakes welterweight title bout.

American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez is confirmed to sing the National Anthem of the Philippines and Grammy Award-winning singer/ songwriter, actor and author Ashantei will sing the United States’ National Anthem at the rematch between Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao and undefeated two-division world champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. Pacquiao and Bradley will be battling for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

as units of the military’s Western Mindanao Command continue their search and rescue operations in the Basilan, Sulu, and TawiTawi areas, “where the two kidnapped victims were supposedly brought by kidnap-

pers from Sabah.” In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on state-run dzRB the AFP is also in contact with the Philippine National Police to help in the search. “So far, [may] combined efforts ng AFP at saka ng PNP... sa pag-recover at paghahanap doon sa dalawang kidnap victims,” she said.

SC UPHOLDS

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led a bitter campaign for 15 years against efforts to introduce any form of family planning laws, vowed to continue resisting what it termed an “unjust” law.

“The RH law is not unconstitutional,” Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te told reporters as he announced the ruling, striking down more than a dozen petitions against the reproductive health law from church-backed groups.

The legislation requires government health centers to supply free condoms and birth control pills, as well as mandating that sex education be taught in schools.

will mark the third gold for the Philippines in the world senior men’s figure skating. Michael had two golds tucked in his belt as a senior skater – the Crystal Skate and Skate Helena.

And although he said he is not yet 100 per cent healthy the boost that he gets from the Filipinos is a big factor. “I am not yet 100 percent healthy, but I am counting on the inspiration and solid support of my kababayans to get me through,” said the charming teener that Filipinos love to call “Prince of Ice” and “Lord of the Rinks.”

The other skater representing the Philippines in the junior ladies group – Samantha Cabiles – is lodged at 7th spot going to the freeskate.

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