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Vol. 3. No. 11 LOS ANGELES
A Balita Media Publication
Wednesday - Tuesday, December 3 - 9, 2014
China stopped harassing PHL ships Gazmin cites enhanced military ties with US as reason for calmer, but disputed waters
MANILA, Dec 1 (Mabuhay) – Chinese vessels stopped harassing Filipino ships en route to the disputed Ayungin Shoal after the Philippines and the United States signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in April, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told a Senate committee on Monday. Gazmin claimed that the EDCA—which provides for increased US military presence in the country and US access to Philippine military bases—was “a deterrent” against external security threats such as those presented by China. “Right now, we use EDCA as a deterrent to threats to our security. As we continue using the EDCA, we continue to fill the gap [of our Armed Forces] through our modernization program,” Gazmin said during the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on the EDCA. Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong”
Marcos Jr., however, said the agreement didn’t provide did not guarantee the US assistance if the country came into a “shooting war” with another country. “Why will an aggressive power be afraid to attack us?” Marcos said. To which, Gazmin said, “The deterrence nangyayari na ngayon. Kita niyo hindi ho tayo inaatake sa pagresupply ang ating mga tropa sa Ayungin Shoal.” Marcos, who has been at odds with the Aquino administration despite being part of the majority coalition in the Senate, didn’t agree with the defense secretary. “I think that is due to the bravery of our own servicemen. I don’t think the Americans played a part, but never mind, that is your interpretation,” Marcos said. In March, a Philippine Navy research vessel loaded with Philippine troops, supplies, and members of the media managed to reach Ayungin Shoal despite efforts by the Chinese Coast Guard to block it. The Philippine Navy’s BRP See CHINA STOPPED, page 9
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Kingdom of Norway Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Ferner during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (November 27). (MNS photo)
Globe website hacked due to ‘poor internet connections service’
Dock workers unload part of the 2,160 bags of Vietnamese rice on Thursday at the Eva Macapagal Port in Pier 15 in Manila. The shipment is part of the 500,000 metric tons scheduled for importation from Vietnam that will add to the country’s stockpile. (MNS photo)
Two dead, seven missing as storm hits PHL
MANILA, November 27, 2014 (AFP) – Two people were killed and seven others missing in the Philippines after a tropical depression spawned huge waves and flash floods, forcing hundreds to flee their homes, authorities said Thursday. Pre-emptive evacuation of people in areas prone to floods and landslides helped keep the casualties low, but others along the coast were hit hard by the storm, locally code-named “Queenie”. One woman was swept away by floodwaters on the central island
of Cebu while a man was fatally injured when his boat was battered by huge waves off the island of Bohol on Wednesday, said regional disaster monitoring chief Olive Luces. “Even before Queenie hit, we were already experiencing bad weather,” she told AFP. Four people went missing while at sea while three others were carried away by huge waves, Luces added. The storm, with maximum winds of 55 kilometres (34 miles) See STORM, page 9
Loi Estrada is ‘Inay’ in pork scam – Luy
MANILA, Dec 1 (Mabuhay) – Who are “Inay” and “Kris Yen” in the pork barrel scam? Principal whistleblower Benhur Luy told the Sandiganbayan on Monday that the mother of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Senator Loi Estrada, was also a client of accused pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. During Senator Jinggoy’s bail hearing, Luy testified that Jinggoy’s code name was “Anak” to distinguish him from his mother. “Kliyente po ni madame si Ma’am Loi,” Luy told the antigraft court. Senator Loi, the wife of former President Joseph Estrada, was codenamed “Inay” in the scam, Luy said. Estrada’s codenames are “Anak,” “Seksi,” and “Cong. Biazon.” Meanwhile, Luy also divulged that Estrada’s deputy chief of staff Pauline Labayen, who fled her plunder charges, was codenamed “Kris Yen.” Luy said Napoles gave the nickname because Labayen’s favorite actress is Kris Aquino, the actress-TV host and sister of President Benigno Aquino III. After the hearing, Senator Jinggoy slammed Luy for dragging his mother in the scam, saying the whistleblower was merely basing his allegations on endorsement letters signed by Senator Loi. See LOI ESTRADA, page 9
MANILA, Nov 28 (Mabuhay) – The website of Globe Telecommunications was allegedly hacked by a group of hacktivists protesting their “poor internet connection service.” The hacktivists identified themselves as “BloodSec Hackers” and posted a message that said “Dear Globe, your service on your internet connection is not worthy what we pay for. Do something or expect the consequence. This is just the beginning. Expect Us!” See GLOBE HACKED, page 9
PHL seeks to block adultery website MANILA, November 30, 2014 (AFP) – The Philippine justice secretary said Sunday she is seeking to block extramarital dating site Ashley Madison in the country – under charges it facilitates crime. “The website is a platform that allows illegal acts to be eventually committed. A ban may be enforced,” Secretary Leila de Lima said in an SMS statement, referring to Ashley Madison. The Canada-based firm, which has the slogan: “Life is short. Have
an affair”, recently launched their website in the Philippines, where the population is largely Roman Catholic and divorce is illegal. De Lima stressed that “adultery” also remains against the law in the Philippines, even though it has largely been un-enforced and is a country where many powerful men flaunt their mistresses. Adultery and “concubinage,” are punishable by at least six months in jail under Philippine law. See WEBSITE, page 9
Aquino to kick off PHL’s APEC hosting next year MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead Monday the kick-off ceremony for the Philippines’ hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Makati City. Monday’s event is hosted by government’s partners at the Department of Trade and Industry which will be held 5 p.m., Deputy Presidential Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday. “So we hope to see you there for the unveiling of the Philippines’ hosting logo for APEC 2015,” See KICK OFF APEC, page 6
MMDA chief to Maserati driver: Take lie detector test MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino challenged Joseph Russel Ingco, the Maserati driver who allegedly mauled an MMDA enforcer, to take a lie detector test. Tolentino said the test will show if Ingco or traffic constable Jorbe Adriatico is really telling the truth. “Hinahamon natin siya, magpa-lie detector test na siya,” he said. He said he doubts the statement of Ingco that it was Adriatico who first slapped him and that See MMDA CHIEF, page 9
Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Thursday, November 27, receives the symbolic key of Makati City for his courage that led to his triumph over undefeated American boxer Chris Algieri in a bout held in Macau last Nov. 23.(MNS photo)
Pacquiao to sell PHL: Mansion after rich neighbors complain MANILA, November 27, 2014 (AFP) – World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said Thursday he would sell his mansion in one of the Philippine capital’s swankiest areas after his neighbors complained of his visitors wearing shabby clothing. Pacquiao told AFP that as a “man of the masses”, he is not finicky with his visitors, even if they are wearing “just shorts and slippers”. The boxer’s rags-to-riches story, from being a fish vendor in his hometown to winning world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, has made him wildly popular in the Philippines.
He used his boxing fame to get elected to Congress in 2010 and like many wealthy Filipino politicians, he frequently has to meet with constituents asking for hand-outs and favors. Pacquiao said he would buy a new house where he could accommodate more visitors, who are mostly seeking financial assistance. “If there’s somebody who is willing to buy, I’m going to sell it,” Pacquiao said of the Manila property, which he acquired for 400 million pesos ($9 million) in 2011. He added that he wants to make a profit from the sale as he See PACQUIAO, page 9
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Pacquiao mulling 2016 run for higher office? MANILA, Nov 27 (Mabuhay) -It may be more than a year to go but 2016 is looking like a target for one of Manny Pacquiao’s jabs. During a press conference at the
Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City Thursday noon, Pacquiao said he was considering running for a position in 2016 but he first wanted to focus on the task at hand as
the congressman of Sarangani province. “I’m considering it, 2016, but it’s still too far away,” Pacquiao said after his victory parade with Makati Mayor Junjun Binay. “My decision, though, is not yet final if I will run for a national position.” Boxing’s only eight-division
World Champion was welcomed in Makati by Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son Junjun after Pacquiao’s triumphant defense of the World Boxing Organization Welterweight Championship against Chris Algieri last Sunday. Vice President Binay earlier said he was courting Pacquiao
to run as senator under his United Nationalist Alliance. Pacquiao on Thursday said he would first concentrate on the matter at hand and not the near future. “I must fulfill my responsibilities as a congressman, as a boxer and as a family man.” (MNS)
Disaster-prone PHL wants simpler weather warnings MANILA, November 26, 2014 (AFP) – The Philippines will simplify its weather warnings to make them easier to understand in order to prevent the annual loss of hundreds of lives from natural calamities, officials said Wednesday. The state weather service of one of the world’s most disasterprone nations is working with linguists to ensure that the threat posed by typhoons, floods and other events would be fully understood by people, they said. “People need to be told in a language they can understand the dangers that they face,” said Roberto Anonuevo, executive di-
rector of the government’s Filipino Language Commission. “Typhoons and storms are a common occurrence, so they become complacent. This will help them to respond. This is potentially life-saving,” he told AFP. Giant walls of seawater, called “storm surges” generated by Haiyan, the strongest ever typhoon to hit land, were blamed for most of the 7,350 lives lost in the central Philippines a year ago. Even though the hardest-hit areas were warned beforehand, the weather service and other officials later admitted that the victims were unfamiliar with the
term “storm surge”, which they said failed to adequately convey the deadly threat. President Benigno Aquino has been among the weather service’s most severe critics, often lecturing its forecasters publicly to use layman’s terms in its bulletins. About 20 typhoons and storms hit the country each year, triggering floods and landslides that kill hundreds. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are also an ever-present threat in the Asian archipelago that forms part of a “Ring of Fire” of Pacific islands formed by volcanic activity.
Solon seeks mandatory vision screening for preschoolers MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker is proposing the mandatory vision screening for school entrants for the early treatment of “lazy eye,” which is one of the causes of visual impairment and blindness among children worldwide. Rep. Kimi S. Cojuangco (5th District, Pangasinan) filed House Bill 5190, which seeks to create the National Vision Screening Program (NVSP) to screen the eye vision of kindergarten pupils. Cojuangco said that lazy eye, or amblyopia, is often caused by a high degree of disparity in refractive power between the eyes and that the prevalence figures range from two to five percent of all children. “The condition is treatable, with a high success rate if done before the age of 7. This declines significantly beyond that age. When the opportunity passes, amblyopic children most likely end up with permanent visual impairment. At worst, they can get blind,” she said. Cojuangco said because it is impossible for eye doctors to check every child in the country, the national vision screening is a fast and cost-effective means of checking children’s vision. Among the objectives of the NVSP are to identify early childhood visual problems and to provide immediate attention to visually impaired kindergarten pupils and create a referral system so that they may be checked and treated by eye specialists. The NVSP also aims to develop a vision screening results database for all kindergarten pupils as well as to conduct continuing research on the state of visual impairment among these preschoolers. Under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd) is the lead implementing agency for the NVSP. In coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI), NVSP shall administer the vision-screening program to all public kindergarten pupils subject to the written consent from the kindergarten pupils’ parents or legal guardians. The DepEd is also tasked to develop a system of referral and corrective measures for kindergarten pupils who are suspected or diagnosed to have eye ailments as well as create a vision-screening database wherein results of the screening per child can be found.
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Smuggling raps filed against execs of rice import MANILA, Nov 28 (Mabuhay) – The Bureau of Customs on Friday filed a a criminal complaint against 2013’s alleged third biggest rice-smuggling firm in the country that is connected to bigtime smuggler David Tan. In an interview in Manila, Customs Commissioner John “Sunny” Sevilla said charges were filed against owners, directors, and brokers of Starcraft for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines. According to Sevilla, Starcraft has smuggled more than 45,000 tons of rice in 2013, equivalent to an output from 113,000 farmers. “So malaki ang na apektuhan ng smuggling activities ng company na Starcraft,” Sevilla said. He said Starcraft used to secure an import permit from the National Food Authority for an importation quota of 1,600 tons. “Ang ibang rice smugglers never applied for an import permit in
the first place. Basta dumeretso na lang sila. Ang Starcraft ay nag apply siya sa umpisa sa NFA... Ibig sabhin perfectly aware ang company na ito na may requirement na ganito kasi sumunod siya noon,” he said. The BOC had prevented the release of imported rice shipments connected to Tan and shipped from Thailand and Singapore in late 2013. Rice traders who purchased the rice shipments eventually sought and secured a preliminary injunction issued by Judge Emmanuel Carpio of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16 in Davao City on Dec. 12, 2013. “So ngayon we are fighting back... Sana ay mapabilis ang pag-investigate sa DOJ,” said Sevilla on Friday. Sevilla said the rice shipments seized in 2013 had already been auctioned off for more than P1 billion. Ninety percent of the rice shipments came from consignees
related to David Tan. Apart from Startcraft, other companies connected to Tan are Bold Bidder, Silent Royalty, Intercontinental Grains and Medaglia de Oro. The BOC had already filed charges against Bold Bidder on October 2. On October 31, another set of charges were lodged against Intercontinetal Grain. Earlier in November, Medaglia de Oro was also sued for rice smuggling. Businessman David Bangayan had repeatedly claimed he is not David Tan, but documents submitted to the DOJ about a libel case he filed in 2005, showed that he also used the alias David Tan. The Senate, which at the time was investigating rice smuggling, ended up filing a perjury complaint against him, which the DOJ eventually recommended for filing in court. (MNS)
Whistleblower admits receiving Innova from Napoles MANILA, Nov 28 (Mabuhay) – A whistleblower in the pork barrel scam told the Sandiganbayan on Friday that accused mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles gave her an Innova that was allegedly purchased using proceeds from the scam. During Napoles’ bail hearing from plunder, Marina Sula, who worked for Napoles’ JLN Corp., said an Innova 2010 model was given to her as a debt of service during the 2009 anniversary of Napoles’ company. Sula said the car was still under Napoles’ name despite the fact that Napoles changed her mind and deducted half of the car’s P1.1 million purchase price from Sula’s kickbacks in the scam. The whisteblower said she is willing to return the Innova to the government since the vehicle was allegedly bought using public funds. “I will not return it to Napoles. I will return it to government be-
cause it came from Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) proceeds,” Sula said in Filipino. Justice Samuel Martires asked Sula if she is happy that she is still in possession of the vehicle, which Sula said is now being used by her husband. Sula said: “In a sense, happy kasi nagagamit pero hindi happy kasi galing to sa PDAF proceeds.” She also said the the Anti-Money Laundering Council did not stop her from using the vehicle even though the Innova is part of the freeze order in connection with the forfeiture case against Napoles before the Manila Regional Trial Court. “Basta kapag hindi pa po nakukuha ng gobyerno, pwede pa rin po namin gamitin,” Sula said. When asked how she would react if the public judges her for using a vehicle bought using taxpayers’ money, she said: “Ang mahalaga po ang aking pagkatao at
paano ko gamitin (ang Innova).” In a rare interview after the hearing, Napoles denied giving Sula a car that was purchased using pork barrel funds. Napoles said Sula’s husband, who she knows from the Philippine Navy, borrowed the car from her but he never returned it after the alleged scam erupted. “Hiniram ang sasakyan na yan para sa Alay Lakad. Unfortunately hindi na binalik kasi nagkaproblema na kami,” Napoles said. Napoles faces plunder and graft charges for allegedly masterminding the elaborate scheme diverting lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Funds to ghost projects for kickbacks. She is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa female ward. The hearing over the scam has also resulted in the detention for plunder of Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile. (MNS)
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Sandiganbayan junks bail petitions of Bong Revilla, Napoles, Cambe
MANILA, Dec 2 (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan First Division has junked the bids of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, his staff Richard Cambe and trader Janet Lim-Napoles for temporary freedom in connection with the alleged multibillion-peso pork barrel scam. In a 71-page decision, the anti-graft court junked the bail petitions of Revilla and his two co-accused. “The prosecution has duly established that there exists strong evidence that accused Revilla, Cambe and Napoles, in conspiracy with one another, committed the capital offense of plunder and thus are not entitled to the constitutional right to bail,” the decision penned by Justice Efren Dela Cruz said. However, in the same decision, the court said that the denial of bail should not be taken to mean that those accused in the scam will be found guilty of the offense. “The court cautions that such conclusion [to deny bail] shall not be regarded as a prejudgment on the merits of the case that are to be determined only after a full blown trial,” the decision read. Revilla and Cambe are both detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame while Napoles, the alleged brains in the pork barrel scam, is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Revilla is facing one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan. He and his co-accused allegedly received P224.5 million in kickbacks from 2006 to 2010 for funding the ghost projects of Napoles NGOs. Cambe, as Revilla’s chief political officer, is said to have prepared endorsement letters and memoranda of agreement with Napoles NGOs and implementing agencies. He also crafted disbursement reports and at times, according to the indictment, even allowed Napoles’ employees to prepare the documents and sign for him. Cambe faces one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft. Napoles, meanwhile, faces three counts of plunder and 42 counts of graft. She has been accused of taking advantage of her connections in government to orchestrate the pork barrel scam, said to be “the mother of all scams.”
Palace: Up to DOJ to allow jamming of cell signals at New Bilibid Prison MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday said it will leave it to the Department of Justice to decide whether to jam mobile phone signals inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to prevent drug lordinmates from continuing drugrelated transactions. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while such a proposal is sound, the final decision is with the DOJ, which has jurisdiction over the Bureau of Corrections that runs the national penitentiary. “Of course the final decision will be up to (Justice) Secretary (Leila) de Lima. Ang BuCor nasa ilalim ng DOJ, let’s see how the secretary of justice receives it,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. She described the proposal as
bared earlier this week by interior secretary Manuel Roxas II was “sound.” On Friday, Roxas was quoted as saying there is an available technology for the government to carry out the blanketing of cell phone signals. For her part, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the JSCC would be coming out with a “consolidated position” to address the drug problem inaide the NBP. Sereno said authorities are meeting at least once a month to come up with ways to prioritize and address the problem. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, said she is thinking of holding a national drug summit to come up with a “focused approach” from the justice sector.
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1,200 youths to welcome Pope Francis
Sister Bernardina Aguillon picks up a 2015 Pope Francis calendar being sold in front of the Quiapo Church in Manila on Friday. Many memorabilia are flooding the market as the visit of Pope Francis in January next year nears. (MNS photo)
PHL to secure Pontiff in custom-built ‘popemobile’ MANILA, November 27, 2014 (AFP) – The Philippines will custom-build a “popemobile” for Pope Francis to travel in during his visit to the fervently Catholic nation in January, organizers said Thursday. “He is our visitor and we can’t let anything bad happen to him,” the government’s chief protocol officer Marciano Paynor said, adding however that there were “no specific threats”. Pope Francis, who has shunned the pomp of his predecessors, said earlier this year he prefers to use open-top cars rather than the Vatican’s bulletproof “popemobile” used by previous pontiffs, which he called a “sardine can”. “It is true something could happen to me but let’s be realistic, at my age I do not have much to lose,” he said in June, adding that the “popemobile” made it hard to connect with the faithful. Paynor declined to give the specifications of the vehicle to be used in the Philippines for secu-
rity reasons, but said the pope might opt for an open car for some appearances. A total of six million people are expected to turn up when the Pontiff hears mass in the city of Tacloban, ravaged by last year’s Super Typhoon Haiyan, on January 17 and in Manila’s main outdoor park the following day, he said. “The Pope requested that it be kept simple. He wants nothing flamboyant,” said Father Antonio Pascual from the organizing committee. The “popemobile” was being designed in coordination with Vatican security, said presidential communications undersecretary Jess Yu, another member of the organizing committee. “Definitely, the Pope will be visible to the public (from the vehicle),” Yu said. In August, comments by the preparatory committee sparked speculation that the pope could be transported in a jeepney – a common form of cheap public trans-
port, often decorated with colourful religious artwork, evolved from the jeep. However officials would not confirm the speculation Thursday. The last pope to visit the Philippines, John Paul II, rode a white “popemobile” in 1995, where he waved to crowds from a glass, bulletproof cage at the back of the vehicle. Authorities later uncovered an alleged plot by Al-Qaeda to assassinate John Paul while he was in Manila. The bulletproof “popemobile” was first introduced after the attempted assassination of John Paul in 1981. Two flower-bearing orphans will welcome Francis when he arrives at Manila airport from Colombo at dusk on January 15, organizers said. Pope Francis will then spend the entire day on January 17 hearing mass and comforting victims of Haiyan in Tacloban and Palo town.
MANILA, Nov 27 (Mabuhay) – A total of 1,200 young men and women will welcome Pope Francis upon his arrival to the Philippines this January, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Thursday. In a press briefing, Episcopal Commission on Social Communications executive secretary Fr. Lito Jopson said the Pope shall be greeted with music and dance as he disembarks from the plane. Reading a statement written by Bishop Jesse Mercado, the chairman of the arrival and departure committee, Jopson added that the Pope shall arrive at dusk on January 15, 2014. “We shall be welcoming the Holy Father at dusk on January 15 next year,” he said. “When he disembarks from the plane, 1200 young men and women will greet him with vibrant music and dance... Two children will offer him flowers.” Ambassador Marciano Paynor, a member of the papal visit central committee, said that they expect the public to cooperate as
both audience and actual participants of the papal visit. He hopes that the Pope will remember the country because of the Filipino hospitality. “We need the collaboration of everyone... we’d like to emphasize more their participation in ensuring the pope’s visit here will be one he will remember because of our hospitality,” Paynor said. According to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Usec. Jess Yu, the government shall be working with the church to provide all the security that will be needed during the papal visit. “We will provide all the necessary assistance that will be needed to ensure the safety of the pope,” Yu said. “Not only of the pope but also those of who would be attending.” Pope Francis shall be visiting the country from January 15-19 on 2015, making stops in Manila and Leyte. The next CBCP briefing on the papal visit will be on December 2 at 1:00 p.m. (MNS)
Global report cites PHL’s effort to stop modern slavery MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) – The 2014 Global Slavery Index (GSI) of the Walk Free Foundation, an international institution which aims to end modern slavery around the world, has dubbed the Philippines as a country with strong efforts to respond to modern slavery even with limited economic capability. The country ranked 103rd out of 167 economies with prevalence of people in modern slavery or an estimated of 261,200 people in modern slavery or around 0.266 percent of the total population. The Philippine government was also cited in the latest GSI report as third best in the Asia Pacific to respond to modern slavery with response rating of “BB”. The Report rated the country “BB” noting that “the government has introduced a response to modern slavery, which includes short term victim support services, a criminal justice framework that
criminalizes some forms of modern slavery, a body to coordinate the response, and protections for those vulnerable to modern slavery”. Among the efforts of the current administration, the GSI Report highlighted the government’s actions to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) -- a vulnerable sector for modern slavery for the country. “Following reports of abuse of Filipino workers in the Gulf States, the Philippine government introduced a raft of innovative measures to ensure domestic workers were protected. This includes standardized employment contracts that require predeployment verification by the Philippine Labor Office and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), a minimum monthly wage of US$ 400 and holidays among other measures,” the report cited.
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No pork, just lump sums MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday reiterated its position that lump sums in the national budget are unavoidable because of the “flexible” nature of the Executive branch of government. “There are lump-sums in the budget that we cannot avoid having like the calamity fund, the eGov funds that are there,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said over staterun radio. “By [its] very nature, the Executive needs flexibility,” she added. Her statement came after some senators defended the national budget against Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s accusations that P37.3 billion in pork barrel funds were inserted in the allocations for various agencies. Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano insisted that it is the Executive that dictates where the lump sums will go. He said that if people think that the pork barrel is “any lump sum and anyone has discretion,” then it is the Executive and its cabinet secretaries who have the pork, and not the legislators. Valte said Cayetano was correct that there was no more pork for legislators since the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). On Monday, Santiago said the national budget had “two dangerous minefields leading to corruption” – the pork barrel funds and the new definition of savings. She said that while the pork barrel was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, legislators were still asked to submit lists of projects for their districts. She said the P37.3 billion budget for the said projects was allocated to the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Commission on Higher Education. “While legislative lump sums are huge, the presidential lump sum is even bigger, amounting to over P500 billion for 2015 alone,” she said. Earlier in the year, Malacañang defended the P501.67 billion allocated for the Special Purpose Funds. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the amount will only be used for special circumstances such as calamities. (MNS)
What makes a candidate corrupt? Miriam lists down traits MANILA, Nov 27 (Mabuhay) – Senator Miriam Santiago said voters should look closely and assess the traits of a candidate who has the potential to be corrupt. In a speech at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Santiago said: “Many studies show that one of the most critical aspects of culture is the moral tone and examples set by leadership. Unfortunately, unethical leaders tend to attract more attention than an ethical one, and unethical leaders tend to influence employee behavior.” Santiago, who is also mulling a possible presidential bid, said voters should watch out for traits of Machiavellianism, or using manipulation due to the thirst for power. She also warned against traits of narcissism or an inflated sense of self-importance. She also cited “subclinical psychopathy” or the trait related to antisocial deviance that is described as lacking in judgment leading to the damage of others or their properties. “Watch out for weak moral identity and primitive moral thinking as exhibited by the candidate who values personal loyalty over formal rules and does not distinguish between organizational and personal goals,” she added. Santiago said the most notorious act of plunder in the country is the abuse of pork barrel. Most likely, the potential plunderer will defend the abuse of the pork barrel, she said. The plunderer will say, among others: this is a legitimate government process of long-standing; or the consequences are minimal and my practice will speed up and directly deliver services to my constituents. Santiago said the potential plunderer will say he or she is not abusing the people’s money but “I am using what is due to me and intended to be distributed among my constituents.” She said the country has a plethora of laws associated with fighting corruption, and yet it has become institutionalized. “It will surprise you to know that in the entire Asia, one country has the highest number of anti-corruption measures – this country is the Philippines. And yet, according to the 2013 Corruption Perception Index, among 177 countries, the Philippines is ranked No. 94. The Philippines was among the first countries to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2006,” she noted. She said, however, that Filipinos don’t have the conscious intent to be corrupt. “Rather, corruption is schematic, because it has become a routine practice in the conduct of daily business. This is why it is of the utmost importance to choose the best possible president and other national officials in the 2016 elections,” she said. (MNS)
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OPINION
DOJ may ask telcos to ban ‘adultery’ website MANILA, Dec 1 (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday said she has asked the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime to thoroughly study what measures may be undertaken to address the “illegal operations” of so-called “adultery website” Ashleymadison.com. De Lima said the possible measures the DOJ are mulling are requesting telcos to take down or ban these websites. The Cybercrime Prevention Law need not come into play regarding the issue since there are enough provisions in the Revised Penal Code (RPC) that may be invoked, the justice chief said. She said adultery remains punishable under the RPC. “Pinapaaral ko yan sa OOC or Office of the Cybercrime although offhand, initially, ang advise ng OOC is we can appeal to the telcos to consider banning cellsites like that so pinaparesearch ko. Is there any provision that can provide legal cover for us compelling telcos to precisely do that because it tends to encourage illegal acts?” she said. “You know adultery remains to be punishable under the Revised Penal Code and from what we
see and from what we hear from that particular website is that it encourages extramarital affair. It encourages adulterous acts, and adultery is a criminal act punishable under our general criminal law,” she said. De Lima said that despite the removal of the “takedown clause” from the Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, “perhaps if proper refinements can be made on the provision of the takedown powers of the DOJ, baka isa yan sa pwede maconsider as enforcement.” Ashley Madison, which has the slogan: “Life is short. Have an affair,” recently launched its website in the Philippines, where the population is largely Roman Catholic and divorce is illegal. Local press reports said that at least 2,500 Filipinos have already signed up to the website since its recent launch. Singapore and South Korea have previously banned Ashley Madison, citing that it threatened family values. Adultery and “concubinage,” are punishable by at least six months in jail under Philippine law. (MNS)
Japanese newspaper retracts use of ‘sex slave’ term By Hiroshi Hiyama
TOKYO, November 28, 2014 (AFP) – Japan’s biggest newspaper apologized Friday for its longtime use of the term “sex slave”, the latest sign of a shift to the right in public life as nationalists press for a less critical reading of Tokyo’s war record. The step by the Yomiuri Shimbun comes as Japanese conservatives ramp up the pressure for a more sympathetic reading of the country’s wartime behaviour, egged on by the nationalist government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The centre-right Yomiuri said its “Daily Yomiuri” English-language paper had erred by using the term “sex slaves” to refer to the women forced to work in brothels serving the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. It said the term gave the mistaken impression that the system was official policy. “The Yomiuri Shimbun apologizes for having used these misleading expressions and will add a note stating that they were inappropriate to all the articles in question in our database,” the Japanese paper said in a column printed in its English-language paper, now named “The Japan News”. The Japanese language paper carried a similarly worded apology. The term “sex slaves” used by the Daily Yomiuri was “based on an inaccurate perception and using foreign news agencies’ reports as reference,” said The Japan News, adding that the original Japanese Yomiuri stories did not use them. The English edition now uses the euphemism “so-called comfort women,” although the paper admits that the phrase is difficult to understand without any prior knowledge of the issue. AFP, in common with other global news agencies AP and Reuters, uses the term “sex slaves”.
Historical controversy Despite a dearth of official records, mainstream researchers estimate up to 200,000 women, many from Korea but also from China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan, served Japanese soldiers in “comfort stations”. Many historians say these women were not willing participants and that the Imperial Japanese Army and wartime government were involved in their enslavement, either tacitly or explicitly. The Yomiuri’s change of policy aligns with conservative arguments that the Japanese government was not involved. Right-wingers say the women were common prostitutes engaged in a commercial exchange. The issue has come under renewed public attention this year after the influential liberal Asahi Shimbun newspaper retracted contentious reports it began publishing in 1982. They cited a Japanese man who claimed to have kidnapped women on the South Korean island of Jeju for sex slavery. His testimony has long-since been discredited. The Japanese government, including conservative Abe, has repeatedly recognized and apologized for the suffering of individual women who were part of the system. But equivocations by him and other nationalists – including a review of the Japanese government’s 1993 apology for sex slavery that he instituted – have sparked controversy at home and abroad. South Korea is particularly vocal and has repeatedly demanded Japan apologize sincerely and come to terms with its past. The issue is a major sticking point in ties between the countries, and has prevented Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye from holding a bilateral meeting.
Israel backs new law against illegal immigrants Undocumented are identified as ‘infiltrators’ JERUSALEM, November 30, 2014 (AFP) - The Israeli government on Sunday approved new draft legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration after judges quashed an earlier law as repressive, the interior ministry said. The bill, which was unanimously approved by the cabinet, must now pass three votes in the parliament, or Knesset, before passing into law. But rights groups denounced the move, saying it made a mockery of the High Court’s decision and would only offer an interim solution to the question of how to deal with asylum seekers and other illegal immigrants. The new bill determines that anyone entering Israel illegally can be held in Saharonim detention centre for up to three months, after which he or she will be moved to another detention facility called Holot for a period of up to 20 months. Both facilities are deep in the southern Negev desert. It also lays out stiffer penalties for those employing “infiltrators” - a government term for illegal migrants, most of them Africans who slipped across the border from Egypt. On September 22, the High Court struck down a law which allowed the government to detain illegal migrants for
up to a year without trial. It also ordered the closure of Holot detention centre within 90 days. There are around 2,000 African detainees currently being held there out of an estimated 48,000 currently living in Israel. Exactly a year earlier, the court blocked a similar law allowing migrants to be held for up to three years without trial. Both laws were blocked by the court over the issue of detention without trial, suggesting the new bill could also be torpedoed by the court. In a joint statement, six local and international rights groups condemned the bill, warning that it too was likely to be shot down by the court in a fresh waste of tax-payers money. “This new draft law not only ignores the High Court rulings but it will also worsen the situation in south Tel Aviv in whose name the state is imprisoning innocent people,” they said, questioning where the migrants would go after completing the two detention periods. Most African migrants residing illegally in Israel are from Eritrea, where the regime has been repeatedly accused of widespread human rights abuses, and from conflict-torn Sudan.
Senate action on EDCA depends on SC ruling – Drilon MANILA, Dec 2 (Mabuhay) – How the Supreme Court rules on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will guide the Senate’s actions on the controversial pact with the United States, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Tuesday. On Monday, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who chairs the committee on foreign affairs, said she is filing a “sense of the Senate” resolution that the EDCA is a treaty that requires the concurrence of the chamber, as the Constitution dictates, and not a mere executive agreement. Santiago’s committee has begun an inquiry into the EDCA. However, Drilon, in a transcript of a radio interview he gave, said: “Ang posisyon ko po ay ganito: kung tratado man o agreement ang EDCA, ay iyan po ay nasa Korte Suprema (My position is this: whether the EDCA is a treaty or an agreement rests
with the Supreme Court).” The high court is hearing petitions questioning the constitutionality of the EDCA. “Kaya ang susi diyan ay ang magiging desisyon ng Korte Suprema – kung ano bang klaseng animal itong EDCA na ito. Ito ba ay treaty o executive agreement? Dahilan sa ngayon, wala pong makapag-utos sa Malakanyang na ipadala sa amin ang EDCA (Therefore the key is how the Supreme Court decides – what kind of animal this EDCA is. Is it a treat or executive agreement? Because at the moment, no one can order Malacañang to send us the EDCA),” Drilon said. Santiago earlier argued that, “only the Senate has the power to ratify any treaty or international agreement including EDCA.” She also accused the administration if ignoring the Senate’s power to ratify treaties. (MNS)
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WASHINGTON, December 1, 2014 (AFP) – US authorities have warned troops to avoid drawing attention to their military ties on their social media accounts, ABC news reported Monday. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security want current and former military members to check accounts for information that might attract the attention of the Islamic State group and its supporters, a bulletin to law enforcement agencies said. The bulletin added that the Federal Bureau of
Investigation had information indicating that people overseas were “spotting and assessing” people who were willing to commit attacks against current and former US-based military personnel. Authorities are especially worried about the possibility of copycats inspired by two separate attacks on soldiers in Canada in October. The first successful jihadist attacks on Canadian soil resulted in the deaths of two soldiers. Police said the two suspects in the separate incidents held jihadist sympathies and wished to join the IS group.
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Nancy Binay, COA chair Tan bicker in Malampaya probe
COA Chair Grace Pulido Tan and Assistant Commissioner Susan Garcia attend the first Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing on the alleged Malampaya fund scam probe. (MNS photo)
12 NGOs linked to Napoles cornered P900-M Malampaya funds – COA MANILA, Dec 1 (Mabuhay) – Twelve non-government organizations linked to alleged pork barrel scam brains Janet LimNapoles cornered the P900 million in royalties from the Malampaya gas fund released to the Department of Agrarian Reform, Commission on Audit chairperson Grace Pulido Tan said Monday. Testifying before the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, Tan said the 12 NGOs split the memorandum of agreements with 97 municipalities among themselves with each agreement costing P10 million or less. “Lahat ng ito, from all of the revelations, lahat ng 12 NGOs na ito, linked kay Mrs. Napoles,” Tan said. “Ang sinasabi namin dito, sinadya na i-isplit ang mga proyekto na ‘yun para hindi tumaas. Kasi ‘pag tumaas sa P10 million, Secretary ang kailangang pumirma. Since ito ay P10 million and below, pwede si Usec (Rafael) Nieto at the time ang pumirma. It is not justified for them to split to have 97 MOAs,” she added. Tan said they also found out that the checks issued to four of the NGOs were deposited in two bank accounts. Napoles is currently facing plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam. She is detained in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. The NGOs were: * Karangyaan para sa Magbubukid Foundation with MOAs in nine local government units with a total amount of P82.5 million * Gintong Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. with MOAs in nine LGUs with a total amount of P82.5 million * Kaupdanan Para sa Mangunguma Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total
amount of P75 million * Kasaganahan para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total amount of P75 million * Dalangpan Sang Amon Utod Kag Kasimanwa Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total amount of P75 million * Ginintuang Alay sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total amount of P77.5 million * Bukirin Tanglaw Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total amount of P75 million * Abundant Harvest for Peoples Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total amount of P75 million * Tanglaw Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total amount of P72.5 million Saganang Buhay sa Atin Foundation Inc with MOAs in nine LGUs with a total amount of P80 million Micro Agri Business Citizens Initiative Foundation Inc with MOAs in six LGUs with a total amount of P55 million, and Masaganang Buhay Foundation Inc with MOAs in eight LGUs with a total amount of P75 million. Tan added they found out that the MOAs were signed by three notaries public, namely, Delfin Agcaoili Jr., Editha P. Tanaboc, and Mark S. Oliveros. She said Oliveros was not on the list of lawyers while they cannot locate the two others. Tan said the independent audit report of the NGOs was signed by only four certified public accountants. But Tan said some NGOs could not be located at their given addresses while some were traced to residential premises or canteens. Six of the NGos have no
business permits from the LGU and other were using receipts not legally printed or issued. She further said that none of the listed beneficiaries selected by COA for validation confirmed receipt of the items and most of the names are not registered voters or agrarian reform beneficiaries. Different NGOs Asked if the NGOs in the Malampaya fund scam were the same as those used in the pork barrel scam fund, Tan said these were different organizations. “Iba po ito. I’m not saying that these are Napoles NGOs but ito yung nali-link sa kanya based sa mga previous revelations, 20 po kasi yung NGO, eight yung sa PDAF scam at yung 12 ito yun,” she said. The COA chief said the DAR entered into the MOA with the NGOs even before the issuance of Special Allotment Release Fund, in violation of the PD 1445 which prohibits entering into contract unless funds are available and authorized or appropriated. She added the NGOs were also selected through the endorsement of the mayors and not through public or negotiated bidding. Tan said they are still in the process of conducting audit and getting the comment of the concerned agencies. She said they will release early next year the audit report on the Malampaya funds allocated to PAGASA, the National Housing Authority, and the Department of Agriculture Also in the hearing, Tan said they found red flags on the funds released to the Department of Public Works and Highways and Philippine National Police- Department of Interior and Local Government but refused to disclose these yet. (MNS)
MANILA, Dec 1 (Mabuhay) -A tense moment ensued during Monday’s Senate hearing on the alleged P900-million Malampaya fund scam after Senator Nancy Binay demanded Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Maria Grace Pulido Tan to release the preliminary audit findings on other government agencies. Binay asked Tan if the COA could reveal the audit highlights on other agencies other than the Department of Agrarian Reform and two related agencies. Tan said the COA could not do so until it has finished auditing all government agencies involved in the Malampaya scam. “As a matter of policy, we do not disclose the results of audit until we are ready to release. Kasi in the course of the review, baka may magbabago pa po depende pa po sa aming audit evidence,” Tan said. Binay then questioned why the COA released the audit highlights on the Makati City Hall Building 2 when the audit was still ongoing. “If I remember correctly, in another hearing, you already disclosed audit highlights. Bakit hindi ninyo puwedeng i-disclose ngayon?” Binay said. “Ako po ‘yun, ako po ‘yun?” Tan replied. Binay said it was a representative from COA. “If I remember, I have not dis-
closed any audit findings in any hearing,” Tan said. “Are you referring to the Makati carpark building (probe), Madam?” Binay gave the affirmative. “I don’t think those were audit findings. Those are red flags,” the COA chief said. “No, they submitted preliminary findings and they disclosed it during the (Makati building) hearing,” Binay retorted. “Wala pa pong audit ‘yun, Ma’am. Initial evaluation. ‘Yun po ang tinatawag naming red flags,” Tan said. To which the senator said, “Yun na nga eh. Initial pa lang, it was already disclosed.” “Iba po ‘yun sa audit. ‘Yung red flags po, on the bare face of evidence, makikita mo kaagad. This is the direction of our audit,” Tan said. “So, dito walang red flags?” Binay asked. “Meron po nung umpisa but since we went through with it already, we cannot disclose the results of the audit,” Tan said, adding that since it was already evaluated by state auditors, the results cannot be revealed. Binay then asked to subpoena the documents of the audit highlights. Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said he woud rule on Binay’s request some other time. (MNS)
Napoles did not issue written instructions to avoid paper trail – whistleblower MANILA, Nov 28 (Mabuhay) – As advised by her lawyers, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles did not issue written instructions to her staff regarding deals using government funds to avoid paper trail, whistleblower Marina Sula said Friday. In her testimony before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, Sula said she heard Atty. Rocky or lawyer Marciano Delson giving advice to Napoles not to write her instructions. “Hindi niya (Napoles) nakaugalian na magbigay ng written document especially sa mga presidente ng NGO dahil yun ang magpapatunay na siya ang nago-own at nagko-control ng NGOs,” she said. Napoles allegedly used bogus non-government organizations to divert government funds from some lawmakers’ pork barrel allocation to her account. “Verbal lang ang instruction
niya sa amin, advice ni Atty. Rocky para walang koneksyon sa mga korporasyon. Nadidinig ko po sila, ginawa na ngang biruan yun sa opisina,” Sula added. Asked for other proof of her allegation, she said no other. Justice Samuel Martires said Sula has a habit of name-dropping as she reminded her that her immunity only pertains to the pork barrel scam and will not extend if the persons she mentioned in her testimonies will file perjury charges against her. Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang called for a five minute recess to allow the prosecution panel confer with Sula and advise her on her testimonies. Napoles is currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology female dormitory in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig for multiple plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel fund scam. (MNS)
Ruby Tuason has P200-M ‘Malampaya Mansion’ – Jinggoy MANILA, Dec 1 (Mabuhay) – Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday bared that pork barrel scam suspect turned whistleblower Ruby Tuason was one of those who profited greatly in the alleged anomalies regarding the use of royalties from the Malampaya gas project in Palawan. “Si Ruby Tuason, as far as I know, in my opinion, siya yung nagkamal ng malaking pera sa Malampaya fund scam,” Estrada told reporters after attending his bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan. Tuason, who once admitted bringing bagfuls of money to Estrada’s office, was one of those who implicated the senator in the pork barrel fund scam. Estrada faces graft and plunder charges for allegedly conspiring with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in diverting millions in public funds to her bogus non-government organizations. On Monday, Estrada said Tuason has a mansion worth more than P200 million in the posh Dasmariñas Village in Makati City. “My office received reports [of the mansion], and because I know Ruby Tuason personally, kinukwento niya sa akin sa Malampaya galing yung bahay,” Estrada said, adding he has been to the alleged mansion.
“Yung mansion na pinatayo ni Mrs. Tuason, and alam ko it’s around P200 plus million. And I’ve been there, malaki talaga yung bahay, kumpleto, may swimming pool, malaki yung bahay,” he said The detained senator said that the Senate blue ribbon committee, which is investigating the alleged Malampaya fund scam, should invite both Napoles and Tuason to testify during its hearing. “Time and again I have repeatedly requested to the chairman of the committee to invite Napoles to shed light on her participation in the Malampaya fund scam, and Ruby Tuason,” he said. On Sunday, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, the committee chair, said Napoles would be asked to testify but did not say the same about Tuason. (MNS) The leading source of News and Information for the Filipino American Community
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UTREACH Free Christmas carol concert at Christ the King Church in Hollywood December 14 A Christmas tradition comes back to Hollywood as the Nova Vocal Ensemble together with Christ the King School’s Pueri Cantores choir performs dazzling new arrangements of familiar carols by composer-in-residence Dale Trumbore in a free concert entitled Lesson and Carols on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Christ the King Church in Hollywood. Headed by Founder and Artistic Director, Jonathan Bautista who has appeared as a professional bass vocalist for choral groups and church choirs in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and California., Nova Vocal Ensemble is known to be Los Angeles’ chamber choir devoted to the music and choral works of living composers of all genres. In addition to contemporary classical, Nova also performs various musical arrangements from popular music, jazz, musical theater, film, television series, video games, and animation. Nova aims to not just entertain, but move and educate its audiences about the diversity of musical styles and arrangements. For more information about Lessons and Carols and Nova Vocal Ensemble Team DIVE PHILIPPINES! Various Dive Resort Operators with one common goal: to highlight the country as the center of marine biodiversity in the world. Diving. It’s More Fun in the Philippines!
Philippines wraps up a successful participation at DEMA Show 2014 By Manny V. Ilagan, OIC, PDOT-Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – The Philippines wrapped up a very successful participation at the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA) Show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on November 19 – 22, 2014. The Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board and TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure & Enterprise Zone Authority) partnered with sixteen private sector representatives and made its strong presence felt at the four-day annual tradeonly event for qualified professionals that attracted an estimated close to 10,000 attendees. The Philippines’ 40 feet x 50 feet booth teemed with an panel displays featuring the country’s top dive sites and destinations and amazing images of the best marine life and underwater scenes found in the country. This attracted a continuous stream of visitor traffic throughout the event. Dive maps and tour packages of the major dive tour operators were made to the visitors, who inquired about the Philippines most popular dive destinations specifically Puerto Galera, Anilao, Malapascua, Moalboal and Dumaguete. In addition, three different seminars on Philippine
diving and underwater photography in the country’s top dive sites took place for two consecutive days. Mike Bartick, a professional marine wildlife photographer based in Anilao, Philippines, presented “Peak of the Action” seminar focusing on the aspects of underwater photography. Marine photojournalist and dive guide Ethan Daniels talked about the “Anilao Great Biodiversity, A Heaven for Underwater Photography,” about Anilao’s unique marine habitats, flora and fauna. Underwater photographer and videographer Robert Yin, on the other hand, discussed “The Latest on Philippine Diving” and presented that abundance and vastness of good dive sites in the Philippines. The Department of Tourism’s private sector partners enjoyed and generated a lot of inquiries and bookings especially Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Atlantis PhilippinesDive Resort & Liveaboards, Crystal Blue Resort, Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort, and Punta Bulata Resort and Spa. The other private sector participants that actively promoted the dive tourism industry in the Philippines include Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa, Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Discovery
Fleet Corporation, El Galleon Beach Resort & Hotel with Asia Divers, Kasai Village Dive & Spa Resort, Magic Island Dive Resort, Inc. Philippine Airlines, Sea Explorers Philippines, Scandi Divers Resort, Thresher Shark Divers, Balicasag island Dive Resort and Turtle Bay Dive Resort. DOT’s participation at this year’s DEMA Show is in line with the tourism agency’s objective of sustaining the country’s presence in the international tourism scene and to actively promote the Philippines’ prime dive destinations. It was also part of the “Visit the Philippines year” 2015 campaign that features travel and adventure in diving hubs like Anilao, Puerto Galera, Tubbataha Reef, Malapascua and other dive destinations among other attractions and events available in the Philippines for tourists and visitors to enjoy. Strategically located in the center of the world’s coral triangle, the Philippines offer a wealth of diving opportunities throughout its 7,107 islands. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks and an amazing abundance and diverse marine life, the Philippines is considered as among the premier diving destinations in the world.
APOGLA’s inaugural ball slated Dec. 13 Dan E. Nino, a journalist, tax and business consultant, will be sworn in as president of Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) of Greater Los Angeles for 2015 with his fellow officers on Dec. 13 (Saturday), 6 p.m. at Marriott Hotel on 4700 Airport Dr., Long Beach. Nino will succeed Jerome Paggao. Cerritos City Mayor Mark Pulido will be the inducting officer and guest speaker. The inaugural ball will coincide with APOGLA’s 34th anniversary foundation and Christmas Party. It is also the fraternity’s 89th anniversary which was founded at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania on Dec. 16, 1925. An alumnus of PSI Chapter (Centro Escolar University) and Gamma Kappa Chapter (Ateneo de Manila University), Nino remarked during the presentation of candidates in October, “Being a president of an organization is a destiny. The position will seek for you and not you seeking the position.” Other officers to be sworn in are Betta M. David, vice president; Jehiel Vinluan, secretary; Ophel Amon, treasurer; Hazel Salas, assistant treasurer; Fely Montecillo, PRO; Casey Mansilla, Auditor; Rollie Franco, Philip Banayos, Jr. and Jovee Jovellanos, Sgt.-atArms. The Board of Directors who will also be inducted are Roehl Reyes, chairman; Ed Romero, Board Secretary; Melody Ang-Gayon, Emma Rubina-Galang, Jerome Paggao, Dan E. Nino and Eric Serrano. The Alpha Phi Omega Council of North America (ACNA) incoming officers led by its
president Alecks Garcia of APO DallasFort Worth Texas will also be inducted. He will succeed Lito Tarculas, a member of APOGLA. Guests will be treated to an extravaganza Dan E. Nino of dance and song billed “Musical Journey to the Past.” The theme of the new president is: “Elevate Our Enthusiasm; Let’s Mobilize Relentlessly to reflect his administration’s aspirations.” Alpha Phi Omega’s three cardinal principles are Leadership, Friendship and Service. With these precepts, its members from various colleges and universities in the Philippines who are now based in Greater Los Angeles serve or volunteer in the Los Angeles Marathon, Operation Gratitude, Feeding America, Tree Planting, Special Olympics, relief operations, honoring The Outstanding Filipino-American Senior Students (TOFASS) with supplemental scholarship grants as well as providing scholarships to college-bound children of APOGLA members. For further inquiries, interested parties may call Ruth Manalastas @ 818-800-6765, Ophel Amon @ 818-970-4614, Jerome Paggao @ 818-472-7049 or Dan E. Nino @ 562-9215116. – denino1951@gmail.com
please visit www.novavocalensemble.org. The Christ the King Church is located at 624 N. Rossmore Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004. Nova Vocal Ensemble is a professional chamber choir consisting of experienced singers dedicated to performing the a cappella choral works of living composers. Nova singers come from all over Southern California to entertain, move, and educate its audiences about the diversity of musical styles in today’s choral landscape: the romantic, the experimental, the complex, the comical, and the profound are all part of Nova’s eclectic sonic palate. Nova presents the music of beloved contemporary masters and classical music’s rising young stars, especially composers with ties to the choir’s home of Los Angeles. Not limited to just contemporary classical, Nova also performs arrangements of popular music, jazz, musical theater, film music, and music from video games, television series, and animation, all orchestrated with a flair that is contemporary and fun by innovative arrangers active in the choral field. Nova was born in the spring of 2012 and has expanded from a group of four singers to today’s roster. Nova boasts some of the finest vocal talent in Los Angeles, and its singers travel from all over the valley just to perform with the group.
HIFI California’s Int’l Filipino Expos Dec 5-6 at FACLA Los Angeles—The International Filipino Business Exposition sponsoredby the Historic Filipinotown California Expostion LLC will be held onDecember 5 and 6, 2014 at the Filipino American Community of LosAngeles (FACLA) Social Hall at 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, Ca90026. This was announced by Dr. Veronico Agatep, the HIFI Cali ExpoPresident who said: “ the trade fair and exposition is an annual event that will bring together FilAm business personalities and their potential partners from the Philippines to introduce products and services for possible trade partnerships The HIFI Cali LLC partnered with the Philippine Chamber of Commerceand Industry , Cagayan Chapter. Philippine Coordinator Cloyd Velasco,President of the PCCI-Cagayan Chapter will lead the Philippinedelegates who will attend the trade
exposition in LA.” Agatep ended. Speakers and Panel Meanwhile, HIF CALI Chief Executive Officer Sid Balatan assured the public,.” that theevent preparations is in full swing.” Balatan also said, “ the trade fair is where the Fil-Am business community in California share information with their counter-parts coming from the Philippines Invited speakers are Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti and Philippine Consul General for Los Angeles, Leo Herrera-Lim.” Balatan also confirmed that, “Presidents of several Los Angeles and Orange County Chambers of Commerce will also be speakers at the panels for discussion andsharing of experiences and business trades.” For more information please call Sid at (213)399-4052 or go thehificali website at http//hificalifornia.com or at the event atinvite@brite.com.
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Oil price fall ‘good news’ for world economy: IMF WASHINGTON, December 2, 2014 (AFP) – The plunge in oil prices since June may hurt some crude exporters but is overall a good thing for the world economy, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said Monday. “There will be winners and losers, but on a net basis it’s good news for the global economy,” she said in Washington. Oil prices have fallen sharply since late June, losing around 30 percent as supplies increase
and global demand for oil grows more slowly. While some exporters are hurting from the price fall, overall it will add significantly to global growth as consumers and businesses pay less for energy. “It’s likely to be an additional 0.8 percent (of growth) for most advanced economies, because all of them are importers of oil, whether you look at US, Japan, certainly Europe... and China,” she said. Crude oil exporters “are taking a hit, for some of them it’s
a calculated hit,” Lagarde said, in a reference to the Gulf producers like Saudi Arabia, which have been reticent to cut production to firm up prices. In October, the IMF cut its forecast for global growth this year to 3.3 percent and to 3.8 percent in 2015, citing stagnation in Europe and Japan and the slowdown in emerging economies. Lagarde was speaking at a conference of corporate chief executives sponsored by the Wall Street Journal.
Obama to move on police body cameras after Ferguson unrest
Former U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis takes her oath Monday as L.A. County Supervisor administered by Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti in the Hall of Administration of the City of Los Angeles as she comes home again to work in the state’s public sector. Photo: Benny Uy
Toy figurines and jewelry pose health risk: US report WASHINGTON, December 1, 2014 (AFP) – Too small Disney figurines and toxic Hello Kitty jewelry are among toys that pose a risk to children this shopping season, according to a report Monday by an American consumer organization. The US Public Interest Research Group expressed alarm that “dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves” in its annual “Trouble in Toyland” report Monday The organization commended the country’s policing of toy sales, but said more needs to be done. “Progress has been made,” said US PIRG public health advocate Sujatha Jahagirdar, pointing towards recently enacted consumer legislation. But the recall of more than 11 million toys in 2013 shows that authorities still need to exercise vigilance, the group said. Of several hundred toys tested, around 25 were found potentially dangerous. The consumer organization divided the hazards into several categories: toxic with high
levels of phthalates, lead or chromium; choking hazard; and items that can be too easily swallowed. The report noted there was no warning label on a set of figurines for popular Disney TV show “Doc McStuffins” that could be broken into pieces and swallowed. Toy sheriff stars were found to have excessive amounts of development-dampening lead. Hello Kitty jewelry and a plastic bath duck were found to have high levels of phthalates, which can damage reproductive systems. A Dora the Explorer backpack was found to have 200 times the allowable levels of phthalates. And Buckyballs, popular magnetic chain toys, could still be purchased online despite a ban on sales, US PIRG said. If swallowed, the ultra-powerful magnets could rip through intestinal tissue to draw together. The report can be read on the www. uspirg.org site. However, the Toy Industry Association challenged the report, emphasizing that all toys have to undergo strict testing to be sold in the US.
WASHINGTON, December 1, 2014 (AFP) – President Barack Obama will seek to release funds aimed at equipping more US police officers with body cameras following the racially charged fatal shooting of a black teenager in Ferguson, the White House said Monday. Calls for police officers to wear micro-cameras fitted to uniforms have mounted since the teen, Michael Brown, was shot dead in the Missouri town in August. The decision not to charge the white police officer responsible for the shooting triggered riots and nationwide protests last week while reigniting the debate
over how minorities are treated by law enforcement. Obama is proposing a threeyear, $263 million investment package which will increase the use of body-worn cameras and expand training for law enforcement agencies. As part of the initiative, a partnership program would provide a 50 percent match to states and localities who purchase body-worn cameras. The goal of the investment is to have 50,000 more body cameras in use within three years, the White House said in a statement. Body cameras are already
worn by police officers in some US cities, such as Laurel, Maryland. Their use is being trialed in New York and Washington. In the Washington program, recordings not used for investigations are destroyed within 90 days. Obama was due to meet civil rights activists later Monday to discuss the issue of mistrust between law enforcement and the communities they are responsible for policing.He was also due to meet local elected officials, religious leaders and law enforcement representatives to discuss ways of building trust between local communities and police.
US lawmaker’s aide to quit over Obama daughters rant WASHINGTON, December 1, 2014 (AFP) – A communications director for a Republican lawmaker said Monday she would resign after she posted a Facebook rant about US President Barack Obama’s daughters. Elizabeth Lauten, spokeswoman for Congressman Stephen Fincher of Tennessee, wrote a post slamming Malia and Sasha, aged 16 and 13, for looking bored at a public event with their father. Lauten confirmed to US media outlets including NBC and Fox News that she would quit. Her resignation follows a weekend of virulent criticism about her diatribe targeting the Obama girls. White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Monday said he had been “taken aback” by Lauten’s remarks, though he acknowledged her apology as “an appropriate thing for her to do.”
“I was taken aback that ... a political operative on Capitol Hill (used) the occasion of ... a Thanksgiving-themed event to criticize members of the first family,” he said. The incident is a reminder, Earnest said, that public figures, including spokespersons, need to choose “words very carefully” and “try to be mindful of how those words and messages will be received.” The teens had stood beside Obama – looking somewhat bored – as he issued the annual Thanksgiving turkey “pardon,” saving two birds from the dinner table. The underwhelmed expressions of the teenaged sisters sparked mainly amused comment, but Lauten’s remarks were notably more caustic. “Then again, your mother and father don’t respect their posi-
tions very much, or the nation for that matter,” Lauten wrote in her post. “So I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department.” “Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. “Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar,” she added, apparently referring to the girls’ short skirts. Lauten subsequently apologized on Facebook. “I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager,” she said. US media report relatively little about the private lives of the Obama girls, and personal attacks against a president’s children are considered taboo.
Gulf, Asia approve steps to protect foreign workers By Omar Hasan
KUWAIT CITY, November 27, 2014 (AFP) – Gulf and Asian labour ministers agreed Thursday on a series of initiatives aimed at boosting protection and improving conditions of employment for millions of foreign workers in the Gulf, officials said. The deal followed two days of talks between ministers from the 12 Asian labour-sending countries and the energy-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which hosts at least 15 million workers, mostly Asian. They welcomed a proposal by the International Labor Organization to assist in “preventing abuse in the recruitment process, protecting workers’ rights, improving regulation and strengthening oversight of private recruitment,” in a final statement of the end of the meeting. The measures include initiatives and programs for wage protection, for speedier settlement of labor disputes, a skill development and testing program and a pre-departure orientation initiative, the Emirati labor ministry undersecretary for policies and strategy, Omar al-Nuaimi, told AFP. The governments in the latest round of the so-called Abu Dhabi Dialogue, launched in the Emirati capital in 2008, negotiated “in a positive and responsible
way for the benefit of workers,” Nuaimi said. “The issue of expatriate manpower cannot be effectively managed, and their protection and rights cannot be improved without a strong partnership between receiving and sending countries,” he said. The wage protection program obliges all GCC members to transfer salaries of workers to banks in order to ensure payment and easy monitoring. A disputes settlement program is currently being implemented in Saudi Arabia, where around 10 million foreigners live, to ensure a swift and efficient legal system to help workers, Nuaimi said. It will be expanded to other GCC states. Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind al-Subaih, however, said the much-criticised “kafala” sponsorship system was not raised during the conference. The system restricts most workers from moving to a new job before their contracts end unless their employers agree, trapping many workers. Labor management Philippines Secretary of Labour and Employment Rosalkinda Baldoz welcomed the initiatives but said that problems were still facing migrant workers in the Gulf and called for effective labour management
mechanisms to protect them. Ahead of the conference, GCC labor ministers agreed on minimum terms in the contracts of domestic staff to improve the widely criticised working conditions of over 2.4 million foreign maids.The new contract entitles domestic workers to a weekly day off, annual leave and the right to live outside their employer’s house, the director general of Kuwait’s Public Manpower Authority, Jamal al-Dossari, told AFP. It also limits the working day to eight hours. The GCC, comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, has repeatedly come under strong criticism by international rights groups for alleged maltreatment of foreign workers, particularly domestic helpers. Ninety international rights and labor groups called in a joint statement last Sunday for urgent action to protect migrant workers, especially maids in the Gulf. Nuaimi however said abuse in the GCC states had been exaggerated by rights groups and that some of their reports were lacking objectivity.
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9 Pinoys detained for fuel smuggle try off Sabah – report MANILA, Nov 28 (Mabuhay) – Nine Filipinos were detained in Sabah Thursday after they were caught in an alleged attempt to smuggle fuel, a Malaysian news site reported Friday. The nine were manning a cargo boat with fuel products when they were intercepted off the east coast of Sandakan, Malay-
sia’s The Star Online reported. The nine Filipinos were described as between 24 and 45 years old. They were taken back to Sandakan and detained for further investigation. At the time, the vessel was loaded with nine cooking gas cylinders and 17,300 liters of petrol. It was noticed by a Malaysian
Maritime Enforcement Agency patrol 10 a.m. MMEA District 17 enforcement head Maritime Captain A. Razak Abdul Rahman said the nine crewmembers had no travel documents. He also said they found no documents allowing the transport of the items. (MNS)
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PNP draws up 12 safety tips for Christmas MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) – December is almost here – and with many about to go partying and shopping, the Philippine National Police has drawn up 12 safety tips for the public. The PNP’s Directorate for Police Community Relations drew up the “12 Safer Days of Christmas” to help people avoid being victimized by criminals during this season. Among the safety tips – which touch on shopping, social media and parties and even at home – are:
MMDA CHIEF From page 1
it was also the traffic constable who threatened to kill him. “Yung element ng spontaneity, mas spontaneous po yung sinabi ni traffic constable Adriatico. Ibig sabihin po hindi po yun rehearsed. Kakapangyari pa lang po [ng insidente] nung sinalaysay niya yung event,” Tolentino said. “Mahigit isang araw pong nawala yan [si Ingco] eh. May resources po yan para mag-rehearse, kumausap ng dapat kausapin bukod sa abogado kaya nagtagal po yan bago lumitaw eh. Nakapaghanda po yan ng sasabihin,” he added. Ingco maintained that he did not violate any traffic rule. That
Shopping 1. Ensure that doors and windows are properly locked when out shopping. 2. Shop with friends and relatives instead of going alone. 3. Park in a well-lit, well-trafficked area at the parking lot of stores and malls. 4. Supervise children at all times when shopping. 5. Avoid wearing jewelry, talking over the phone and texting in a crowded area. 6. Keep shopping bags, valuis why, he said, he confronted Adriatico upon seeing him taking a video. “Hinawi ko po yung video. Noong nahawi ko na po, hinampas niya po ang mukha ko. Pagkahampas niya po sa mukha ko, hawak-hawak niya po ang braso ko. Yung isa ko pong kamay, nasa manibela lang po,” Ingco said. He said he tried to free himself from Adriatico’s grip by moving away from him. He admitted that he slapped Adriatico twice so he can escape from his grip. “Minumura niya po ako eh, galit na galit po siya sa akin, papatayin daw niya po ako. Hawakhawak niya po yung damit ko. Gusto ko lang po makaalis po sa kanya kasi natatakot na po ako.”
LOI ESTRADA From page 1
“It’s not automatic na tumatanggap kami ng kickbacks. Panay hearsay lang yana,” Jinggoy said. Reached for comment after the hearing, Senator Loi denied knowing Luy and Napoles when she was Senator. Jinggoy Estrada is facing plunder and graft charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam, the purported diversion
of the senators’ Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) to ghost projects for kickbacks. Estrada is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center with fellow co-accused Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. while Senator Juan Ponce Enrile is in hospital detention. Napoles is locked up at the Camp Bagong Diwa female ward also for plunder. (MNS)
CHINA STOPPED From page 1
Sierra Madre remains as the country’s outpost on the Ayungin Shoal. A month after the alleged harassment, the Philippines and the US inked the EDCA on April 28. Under the EDCA, the US will be allowed to build structures,
store and preposition weapons, defense supplies and materiel, station troops, civilian personnel and defense contractors, transit and station vehicles, vessels, and aircraft for a period of 10 years inside “agreed locations.” (MNS)
ables, purses, and wallets close to you. Social media 7. Be careful with social media. Checking in at stores lets potential criminals know you are not at home. 8. Watch out for friendly strangers. They might distract you or put you in a compromising position. Parties 9. During house parties, never leave anything of value out in plain sight.
KICK OFF APEC From page 1
Valte told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan. On December 8 and 9, the government will host the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) in Oriental Hotel in Legazpi City, she said. Valte said ISOM will serve as the venue for agenda setting of priorities of the 21 APEC member economies for the country’s hosting of the APEC next year. With regards to the government’s overall preparation for the hosting of APEC, Valte said they are threshing out small details of the preparations but she said they are ready to spearhead the ISOM meeting in Albay. She said they expect the participants to arrive next Saturday or Sunday in Legazpi City.
GLOBE HACKED From page 1
The hacking was initially reported by technology blog Coorms.com and listed which pages of Globe were breached. As of 1:00pm Friday, the four websites listed remained offline with a message saying “we’re currently conducting a maintenance activity to improve system performance. Sorry for the inconvenience.” Coorms reported that Globe subscribers are unable to enjoy good internet service because of their use of “Data Capping” and “Throttling.” “May this message become the key to Globe to finally remove the limitations for their Internet Services,” the blog said. (MNS)
10. During social events, don’t get too drunk as you could be an easy target. Home 11. At home, avoid placing gifts
where they can be seen through the window. 12. Avoid leaving Christmas lights turned on overnight to avoid fire or overheating.
Online sales spike on a less chaotic Black Friday WASHINGTON, November 29, 2014 (AFP) – The top US shopping “holiday” saw a surge this year in online sales with smaller crowds in stores – but Black Friday still brought some of its trademark shopping mall pandemonium. Businesses usually offer deep discounts starting early Friday morning, prompting massive crowds that have led to numerous injuries and a number of deaths in years past. This year, businesses continued a trend in starting shopping deals earlier and extending them longer, leading to smaller crowds. But many major retailers, including discount megastore Walmart, also emphasized online shopping as a way to get consumers purchasing faster. There were smaller lines and fewer packs of frenzied shoppers at
PACQUIAO From page 1
had made renovations. The 35-year-old said he apologized to his neighbors, though some understood why he was accommodating poor visitors. “I may be as rich as some of them here, but my lifestyle remains the same and so is my heart. I am just a simple man. I will never change that,” he said. The three-storey mansion – in
malls around the country Thursday night and Friday, US media reported. Still, several people were injured and three were arrested after a shopping fight early Friday morning at a department store in southern California, reports said. And what appeared to be a murder suicide took place Friday night at a Nordstrom department store in Chicago. Police deemed it “domestic-related,” according to the Chicago Tribune. This year the shopping day was also caught up in a furor over the decision not to indict the police officer who killed an unarmed black teenager in Missouri. The shooting has put American race-relations under scrutiny. Black public figures called for Black Friday boycotts. a neighborhood that is home to Manila’s old rich – has five bedrooms, several reception and dining halls, and an office. Pacquiao also owns a fleet of luxury cars, and his hometown mansion in southern Philippines has a pool shaped like a boxing glove. He beat American Chris Algieri in Macau last Sunday, in a match that proved to fans that he still has what it takes to face arch-rival Floyd Mayweather.
STORM From page 1
per hour, hit the eastern coast of the southern island of Mindanao late Wednesday, then moved westward, across the central is-
lands before heading to Palawan island. It is expected to continue moving west towards the South China Sea.
WEBSITE From page 1
She said: “The (telecommunications companies) will have to do their part to ensure that illegal content and websites that are used to drive illicit conduct are not used,” she said. De Lima did not specify if they could be compelled to block the
website. Local press reports say that at least 2,500 Filipinos have already signed up to the website since its recent launch. Singapore and South Korea have previously banned Ashley Madison, citing that it threatened family values.
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Camille’s wedding will have to wait
Claudine Barretto
Claudine Barretto excited to work with Judy Ann Santos ACTRESS Claudine Barretto expressed her desire to star opposite actress Judy Ann SantosAgoncillo in one project. The mother-of two shared that it always wanted to work with the “I Do” and “Bet on Your Baby” host on television and movies. It became impossible for both of them to star in one project after Barretto moved to GMA-7 while Santos stayed with ABS-CBN 2. Now that she is not tied up exclusively to any network, Barretto said that she is hopeful that this time the project would push through. “It has always been a dream. Matagal na namin talaga gusto gumawa ng movie together. Pero we want to be quiet muna. It’s going to be from Viva and Star,” Barretto said.
She said that unknown to many she and Santos are good friends. She said people thought that they are not in good terms because they are constantly pitted against each other. “People don’t know that Juday and I are really, really good friends and marami kaming pinagdaanan together na hindi alam ng tao,” she added. “May mga magaganda at hindi magaganda pero one thing is for sure, there was a time in our lives na it had something to do with my daughter and her daughter, that’s when we really worked hand in hand.” Meanwhile, in a prior interview with Santos, she also articulated her desire to work with Barretto. (MNS)
Camille Prats’ wedding to a former classmate, John Yambao, will have to wait until after her elder brother John (Prats) has wed his girlfriend of nearly two years, Isabel Oli. “Nagmamadali na ang dalawa na magpakasal,” said Camille, who introduced her Kuya John to her friend, Isabel. “Medyo kasi reluctant, at first, na magpaligaw si Isabel kay Kuya,” she related. “Kahit nga cellphone number niya, ayaw niyang ibigay kay Kuya, until ako na ang nakiusap. Mabuti na lamang at that time, I was a Kapuso na like Isabel.” Now, of course, Isabel has ceased to be a Kapuso and often appear in shows produced by ABS-CBN, where John is under contract. Right now, Camille said she has no idea when exactly John and Isabel will wed. All she knows, she said, is that it will happen next year. John turned 30 last February 14; Isabel is 33. (MNS)
Camille Prats
Julian Estrada apologizes to Julia Barretto for revealing relationship Julian Estrada has apologized to Julia Barretto after he admitted in a press conference recently that they became a couple for six months. Estrada said he immediately sent a text message to Barretto and her mother, former actress Marjorie Barretto, after the press conference to say sorry. “I had to say sorry to Julia and Julia Barretto and Julian Estrada to Tita Marj. Nagkausap na kami. After the did. presscon, tinext ko po siya [Julia] and I said “Nag-usap rin po kami ni Tita Marjorie sorry, ‘Sorry, nasama ka sa presscon kahit and I said sorry po talaga… Hindi po [siya di ka kasama,’” he shared. nagalit]. We’re on good terms po. Sabi po Asked if Barretto responded to him, the niya, ‘Just remain friends with Julia,’” he “Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig” actor said: “She said. said, ‘Why did you do that?’ And I said, ‘I While he never disclosed the exact date just want to be honest and I don’t want to that they became a couple, Estrada said lie.’ It’s okay, sabi ko, I’ll try to fix this.” they parted ways some time last year. Estrada also shrugged off talks that BarBoth Estrada and Barretto are members retto’s mother got mad because of what he of the Star Magic batch 2013. (MNS)
Why Katrina Halili broke up with Kris Lawrence Katrina Halili opened up about the reason behind her decision to break up with singer Kris Lawrence, whom she parted ways back in January. The 28-year-old actress explained that she felt that neither of them have matured throughout their 5-year relationship. “Siguro kailangan lang po naming magmature na dalawa. Ako, may kailangan din akong tapusin pa. Siya naman, kailangan din niyang mag-ipon pa,” she said. “Parang hindi kami naggu-grow na dalawa kapag magkasama. Basta, mas okay kami na separate ways,” she added. According to Halili, the two remain in good terms. She said that Lawrence has been a dutiful father and is shouldering some of their daughter’s educational expenses. “Naghahati kami sa mga binabayaran kay Katie (Katrence), like may tutor siya, may school pa,” Halili said. Asked about whether there are any lingering feelings for Lawrence and if there’s a chance of the two getting back together, Halili said: “Love as a friend.”
Katrina Halili
She also added that she is not interested in entertaining any suitors at the moment. Instead, she is choosing to focus on her career and Katrence, saying “ayoko rin naman, hindi naman ako naghahanap.” (MNS)
Xian to replace John Lloyd in teleserye Actor Xian Lim on Tuesday confirmed that he will be replacing John Lloyd Cruz in ABS-CBN’s upcoming drama “Bridges” with Jericho Rosales and Maja Salvador. “I am really excited siyempre to begin sa soap at laking pasasalamat sa Star Creatives at pinagkatiwalaan nila ako,” Lim said. Cruz, who was originally cast in the series, has backed out from the teleserye. Lim acknowleged that there is added pressured to take on a role that was originally intended for Cruz. But he prefers not to allow himself be intimidated. “I am just really thankful and excited and I’m really going to give it my all to make everything work,” he said. “There’s pressure pero makakasiguro sila na pagbubutihan ko at they will see 100% of Xian.” Lim also feels relieved when co-star Rosales welcomed him to the cast. “Sinabi niya ‘yon sa interview niya, sinabi niya na I’m really excited and his prayers are going out for me. Sinabi ko kasi sa kanya na isang karangalan na makasama ko siya,” Lim said. (MNS)
Xian Lim
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Beyond Skin Deep
11
Profile: Dr. Tess Mauricio
A True American Success Story Born in the Philippines and the oldest of four kids, Dr. Tess and her family moved to America when she was only 12 and her youngest sibling was a mere three months. With all of the turmoil surrounding the impending ousting of then-President Marcos, the family made a clean break for the states leaving everything they had behind. They shared a small two-bedroom apartment in east San Diego, in less than desirable conditions, and settled in for a long and difficult journey. While her parents each worked two jobs to make ends meet, Tess was the main caretaker for her younger siblings.
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Beautiful, smart and driven – three spot-on descriptors for Dr. Tess Mauricio. This Board Certified Dermatologist, graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, and Summa Cum Laude graduate of The University of California San Diego, is the founder of M Beauty by Dr. Tess clinics in Southern California. What you don’t know about this successful physician, author and on-air personality is how she got her start and the obstacles she had to overcome before becoming America’s Favorite Dermatologist.
My passion was always medicine but being poor you have to think financial and practical.
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Overcoming Her Own Issues In addition to the financial issues once she reached the states, Tess also had challenges when growing up in the Philippines. Having a severe bout of eczema and darker skin than her siblings brought social scorn. Secure in her academic abilities, she developed a strong personality and was well liked by friends, but the stigma of her skin issues were still festering in the back of her head. “I always had to wear pants and knee-high socks to cover my legs, otherwise I’d be teased. My brother was the beautiful one and I was the smart one. I always had that, but I was hoping to someday fix my skin issues so that I would be more confident,” Tess adds. Today Dr. Tess feels that the level of what we accept as beautiful changes for all of us. Knowing that inner beauty, in the end, is really what counts, she encourages everyone to try to stay psychologically intact, find a support system and to do the things in life that are fulfilling.
Dr. Tess’ Time Machine Procedure™ Skin Tightening & Resurfacing Technology When people get older and lose collagen, or even experience weight loss, the skin sags. In order to restore the skin to a younger state, collagen must be rebuilt to have a firmer, more youthful appearance. Using a combination of state-of-the-art technologies and many years of expertise, the Time Machine by Dr. Tess takes on age-related issues and offers complete rejuvenation and natural looking results. Part of the Time Machine process is the new micro fractional ablative radio frequency technology, which is designed for skin tightening and resurfacing. This procedure rebuilds collagen in the skin, offers improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, and stretch marks. It is used in combination with laser resurfacing treatments and is followed with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, micro needling and other specially selected technologies and skin care products to aid in healing and maximize results. It works using two different types of energy to heat the skin: Micro fractional radio frequency technology, which is basically tiny electro currents that heat the skin on contact and micro plasma technology that delivers good heating under the skin. Little electrodes that look like wheels on the surface of the application device tip deliver the frequency on the skin.The skin’s natural reaction is to lay down new collagen, which results in younger looking, thicker and tighter skin.
However, having grown up being (in her own words) "not that attractive" and then later on finding great technologies that can help transform such issues, she feels the need to get the message out. Dr. Tess continues, “Because there are girls, teens, and women of all ages who have little things with their physical appearance that they wish they could improve, I want them to know that there is gy that can help.” p technology
The children attended public schools and had to hone their almost non-existent English skills very quickly, a task that was somewhat daunting to the young Tess. However this pint-sized dynamo set her sights high from day one and went on to become a true American success story. Tess’ parents would always make it a point to say, “This is just temporary. You know who you are, your worth and what you can do. You can pull yourself out of this situation.”
Total Beauty
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“Every time I started a school,” states Dr. Tess, “wherever it was, I had goals. I told my mom that I would be valedictorian and I did everything that I needed to do to become so.” And do so, she did. Tess not only graduated top of her class and delivered the closing statement at her high school graduation ceremony, she was the battalion commander for the ROTC. Because of her shining achievements, she was awarded a full Air Force scholarship and an engineering scholarship. Out of financial necessity, Tess opted to become an Electrical Engineering major at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and was one of the few female students in the program at the time. After acing the academics for two years, she knew that she had the grades for a degree in medicine. So she changed her major to biochemistry, applied to medical school and the rest is history.
SCAN
To watch the treatment
The procedure is quick and the down time is minimal with amazing results and without having to go under the knife.
californiatotalbeauty.com
Dr. Tess starts the treatment by applying a topical numbing cream, which is left on for 30-45 minutes to take full effect. The tip of the hand tool is carefully run along the affected area in one or two passes with sort of a rolling sensation. A warming sense is felt along with an occasional zapping sound, which indicates the process is working.
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I always had friends, but I was always definitely more driven dr and focused on excelling.
Knowing that true beauty is about how you look on the outside and feel on the inside, Dr. Tess Mauricio partnered with Wellness Doctor, Dr. Brian Alman Ph.D. to write California Total Beauty. The book offers a simple approach to happiness by combining an attractive outside and a healthy, positive inner self. This leading cosmetic dermatologist and top wellness coach work together to help readers enhance their appearance from the outside in and from the inside out.
I have a deep appreciation of how our skin looks and how it impacts how we feel. I’ve personally gone through the journey and I want others to be part of it so they can be inspired and educated that no matter where they are in their lives, they can do something right now to change their situation and make it better.
In the end the area is a little tender, slightly swollen and looks, as if there is a mild sunburn. After a couple of days, healing has begun and a normal lifestyle can be enjoyed.
Dr. Tess is the founder of Scripps Ranch Dermatology & Cosmetic Center and several locations of M Beauty by Dr. Tess clinics throughout Southern California, where she enjoys every aspect of dermatology. This busy Dermatologist is also a published author, educator, guest speaker, and talk show host. mbeautyclinic.com
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SCAN
To meet Dr. Tess Mauricio
Credits:
By: Kelly Taggart Photos: Allen Carrasco and Dr. Tess
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Tayo!
PRAYERS
PRAYERS
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
NOVENA of CONFIDENCE
Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach
O Lord, Jesus Christ, to Your Most Sacred Heart I con¿de this intention. (Here,
my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that
mention your request) Only look upon me, then do what Your Heart decides....I
is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short
count on You...I trust in You...I throw myself at Your mercy...Lord Jesus! You
dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con¿rm once more that I never
will not fail me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Sacred Heart of Jesus,
want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may
I believe in Your love for me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked for many
be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. A
favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your Sacred Heart.
person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After
When the Eternal Father sees it covered with Your Precious Blood, He will not
the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how dif¿cult it may be. Promise to
refuse it. It will be no longer my prayer but Yours, O Jesus. O Sacred Heart
publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks -CAROLL
of Jesus, I place my trust in You. Let me never be confounded. Amen. -LO
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The Editor
FIGHTING ANIMAL TESTING
THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, December 3 - 9, 2014
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MOTORING US automakers aim for luxury market in China (DETROIT-AFP) – China is the new El Dorado for US automakers looking to develop sales of their luxury brands, which globally are lagging behind German and Japanese competitors. General Motors, the largest US automaker, already sells more cars in China each month than it does in its home market and expects that to continue. “Our joint ventures in China are working to boost production capacity by 30 percent to more than five million units annually by 2015,” GM executive Mary Barra told the firm’s annual shareholders meeting. GM launched a Chinese-produced luxury sedan, the XTS, last year and is steadily adding more vehicles to its Cadillac range. “Cadillac is already a very profitable business for us today and GM expects to see substantial growth for its luxury brand over the next few years, particularly in China where young consumers are open to new brands,” said Dan Ammann, GM president. GM a few months ago poached Johan De Nysschen, the former executive of Nissan’s luxury Audi and Infiniti brands, to head the Cadillac brand. The nameplate, part of GM since 1909, traces its roots to the French founder of Detroit – today the heart of the US auto industry—Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac. China will become a “volume hub” for the Cadillac brands, De Nysschen said recently. China, the world’s largest auto market, accounts for about
25 percent of global luxury car sales and its share is only growing. German automakers including Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen hold about 80 percent of the “premium” market. Cadillac will soon launch in China a new full-sized sedan for owners who use a chauffeur and a smaller sports utility vehicle, burnishing the brand’s reputation for building distinctive vehicles, he said. “China has indeed has been a very rewarding market for GM. We’ve benefited from the tremendous growth. China has taken a very big role in GM and China’s voice is a very strong voice within GM,” GM China president Matt Tsien said during a recent conference in Wuhan. GM created the post in January to coordinate the US company’s growing operations in China. Ford in Lincoln drive But General Motors is not the only US company looking at luring the Chinese high-end buyer. Ford Motor Company has just launched its Lincoln nameplate there. The Dearborn, Michiganbased Ford, the number-two US automaker, hopes to sell more than a million cars in China this year for the first time and is banking on the appeal of a reimagined Lincoln. The best-selling luxury brand in the United States two decades ago, Lincoln has been lagging behind luxury German and Japanese sedans. In October Ford launched its first vehicles under the Lincoln
brand in China, especially designed for the market: a midsized sedan, the MKZ, and a compact SUV, the MKC. In early November, Lincoln opened its first dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln, said a total of eight Lincoln stores will open in China by year’s end and by 2016, 60 Lincoln stores will be open in 50 cities nationwide, under a marketing program called “The Lincoln Way”. “The Lincoln Way demonstrates how a storied brand with a nearly 100-year history is innovating for our Chinese customers while staying true to our roots of personal service,” Galhotra said. Created in 1917 by former Cadillac executives, Lincoln is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. Ford has owned the brand since 1922. The first US automaker to launch itself in the Chinese market, in the 1980s, is Chrysler, which today is part of Italian group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) based in Milan. But it was a bumpy road for Chrysler, which had teamed up with Germany’s Daimler AG, maker of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. FCA, which sells about 130,000 vehicles a year in China, will soon launch there Fiat, Alfa-Romeo and Chrysler vehicles as well as Jeep, a brand that belongs to Chrysler, with its Chinese partner Guangzhou Automobile Company.
The Cadillac 2016 ATS-V coupe and sedan make their world debut at the LA Auto Show. Cadillac will soon launch a new full-sized sedan for owners who use a chauffeur in China. © AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck
BMW hybrid system balances power with responsibility (Relaxnews) – At a special event at its company headquarters this week, BMW took the wraps off a new plug-in hybrid system and with it, signalled the direction that Europe’s leading carmakers are going in order to meet increasingly stringent pollution, emissions sand fuel economy regulations that are coming into force. Called the Power eDrive and demonstrated in a special prototype BMW 5-Series GT, the new powertrain promises the sort of power one expects from a 6-liter V12 Rolls-Royce but combined with the CO2 emissions more associated with a Toyota Prius. By 2021, companies will have to meet a ‘fleet average’ emission level of 95g of CO2 /km. In simple terms it means when the emissions levels of all of a manufacturer’s different cars are added together and the average taken, it needs to be 95g of CO2 /km. That’s an easy target to hit for a company like Smart, which only builds two, highly efficient,
tiny city cars. But for brands like Volvo, VW and BMW, with potent luxury sedans, serious sportscars and heavy SUVs in their ranges, the challenges and costs are major—a point that was high on the agenda at this year’s International Conference on Advanced Automotive 48V Power Supply Systems, held in Düsseldorf earlier in November. “Until we have a really significant breakthrough with battery chemistry or fuel-cell technology, the high voltage approach to hybridization and pure battery electric vehicles will remain too expensive for universal application across high volume vehicle platforms,” said Paul Bloore, product validation manager for CPT, a multinational company that provides “clean technology” to car companies, at the event. Instead, car companies will gravitate towards solutions that balance efficiency with expense, which means evolving existing engines, powertrains and hybrid technologies in the hopes of hitting emissions targets.
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LOS ANGELES
Wednesday - Tuesday, December 3 - 9, 2014
THE US ASIAN POST
Solon wants to extend the services of scientists due for retirement MANILA, Nov 28 (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker has filed a bill extending the services of scientists in government who are due for retirement for another five years. Rep. Fernando V. Gonzalez (3rd District, Albay), author of House Bill 5155, said compulsorily retiring government scientists at the age of 65 would deprive the country and its citizenry of the knowledge, ideas, skills and even leadership abilities that the scientists had acquired over the years. “It is a well-known fact that even at the age of 65, scientists are still at the peak of their mental capabilities. They are still very capable of working on scientific projects that they had been working on prior to their retirement,”
Gonzalez said. Gonzalez, vice-chairperson of the Committees on Bicol Recovery and Economic Development and Transportation, said the services of a government scientist may be extended for a maximum period of five years, provided that the research project is within the priority research and development programs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and is identified as strategic to the national development. Gonzalez said the request for extension of services should be submitted to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for approval of at least three months prior to the date of the compulsory retirement of the scientist.
The bill seeks to amend Section 16 of Republic Act 8439, otherwise known as “The Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel on Government.” Under RA 8439, an employee retired under any existing law, who, in the judgment of the governing board or head of a research agency, possesses technical qualifications and the capability to undertake specific scientific research activities, may be rehired on contractual basis without refunding the unexpired portion of the gratuity and accumulated leave benefits received by him from the government. The law provides further that a retiree may be rehired if no qualified science and technology expert is available.
22 PAF airmen detained over cadet hazing MANILA, Dec 2 (Mabuhay) – At least 22 Philippine Air Force personnel are currently detained at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for their alleged involvement in a hazing incident last August. PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said nine of the personnel were recommended to be dismissed from service, while the other 13 will undergo preliminary investigation. Canaya, however, declined to name the 22 personnel linked to the incident while an investigation is ongoing. The alleged hazing occurred during training at Lipa City in Batangas last August. Meanwhile, Canaya condemned the incident, saying the PAF does not tolerate such behavior. Earlier in November, a video, titled “Ultimate Military Training of the Philippines,” went viral on the Internet, showing men in camouflage uniform being harassed and beaten by men also in military uniforms, and some in civilian clothing. However, the military said it has long removed hazing in their training. (MNS)