Us asian post january 28, 2015

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Vol. 4. No. 18 LOS ANGELES

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Wednesday - Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2015

50 elite forces killed in clash with MILF Firefight lasted 11 hours between PHL cops and Muslim rebels

President Aquino visits on Monday the site of the explosion in Zamboanga City last week that killed two people and wounded 50 others. Aquino also saw the victims in the hospital and inspected the city jail after reports point to a plot by the Abu Sayyaf to free its jailed members.(MNS photo)

Aquino comforts blast victims, vows justice Zamboanga, Philippines | AFP | Sunday 1/25/2015 – resident Benigno Aquino flew on Sunday to a southern city hit by a deadly bombing to comfort dozens of casualties and vow to bring those responsible to justice, a spokesman said.

An explosion near a bus terminal in the port of Zamboanga killed two people and wounded 50 others on Friday, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma said over government radio.

The city’s mayor, Maria Isabelle Climaco, has blamed the AlQaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, saying it was part of a plot to

MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – The number of police officers killed in a clash against suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Maguindanao has risen to 50, a regional police official said Monday.

Senior Superintendent Noel Armilla, director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), revealed that the number went up from Sunday, when at least 30 elite police officers were reportedly killed.

The fatalities were members of the PNP’s elite Special Action Force.

Authorities are now focused on recovering the bodies of these police officers.

Meanwhile, Mamasapano Mayor Benzar Ampatuan confirmed that two civilians were injured in the gun battle, which happened in Barangay Tukanalipao, it added.

Sources said the police operation was to serve an arrest warrant on Malaysian bombmaker Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as “Marwan,” whose presence had been confirmed in the area. The See 50 ELITE, page 12

JI leader Marwan believed dead in Mamasapano clash

spring 57 detained comrades from the local jail.

“The government will be unstinting in pursuing those responsible,” Coloma said.

He added, without giving details, that police were “following a number of possible leads that could help them obtain the identity and whereabouts of the suspects”.

He said Aquino flew to Zamboanga to be briefed on the investigation into the blast, which police have described as a possible car bomb.

“He will personally visit the

MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the military is now confirming reports that Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Commander Marwan was killed in a day-long firefight between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Sunday.

“Well, we have no confirmation but that was the report we got last night...According to reports they (PNP) were able to neutralize

See JUSTICE, page 4

See JI LEADER, page 4

Muslim women from several organizations in Metro Manila rally outside the Senate on Monday, January 26, to call for the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is calling for the suspension of hearings on the BBL following the deaths of at least 37 policemen in an ambush on January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao by MILF fighters. (MNS photo)

Junjun Binay MILF leader: ‘Not logical’ to delay Bangsamoro says he’s ready to be detained by process after Maguindanao clash MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – government, which is a negotiSenate panel A top leader of the Moro Islamic ated political solution to the con-

Senator TG Guingona , chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee together with Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Koko Pimentel present to the media the list of the persons to be detained in connection to the investigation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee on the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building 2 and other anomalies.

Included in the list are Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and six other Makati city officials.

(MNS photo)

Arrest warrant issued vs Makati Mayor Jujun Binay MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – The Senate on Monday ordered the body’s sergeant-at-arms to arrest Makati Mayor Erwin “Junjun” Binay and five others for their continued refusal to attend the Senate hearings on alleged corruption in the country’s premier financial district.

The order came after Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired

by Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. approved the recommendation to cite in contempt Binay, Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy, Marjorie De Veyra, lawyer Eleno M. Mendoza, Engineer Line Dela Pena, and Bernadette C. Portollano.

Makati City Science High School President Professor Tomas

B. Lopez was spared after he indicated in letter received by the Senate Monday morning that he would attend future hearings.

“For the rest of the Makati official, the Senate Rules apply,” Guingona said in an interview.

Guingona on Friday issued a “final call” for Binay and other city officials to heed the summons of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee chaired by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to avoid being cited in contempt and arrested.

“I make this final call as an effort on my part to avert a situation where the Senate Blue Ribbon committee would have to See ARREST WARRANT, page 12

MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. on Monday expressed readiness to turn himself in to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as a consequence of his continued refusal to attend the hearings of the Senate subcommittee on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II and other alleged anomalies.

“Hindi na po nila ako kailangang arestuhin. Tatalima po ako sa naging decision ng Senate Blue Ribbon committee.... Magpapadetain po tayo,” Junjun Binay said in his press conference in Makati City following the order of the Blue Ribbon Committee for his arrest after citing him and five See JUNJUN READY, page 12

DOTC’s admission of lack of authority enough reason to stop light rail fare hike: Bayan Muna MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Transportation and Communication’s (DOTC) admission that it lacked authority to raise the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) fares is enough grounds for the Supreme Court to stop the fare hike, a lawmaker said Monday.

Party-list Bayan Muna filed a manifestation with the Supreme Court last Friday, reiterating its call to stop the fare hike based on DOTC Undersecratery Jose Lotilla’s admission that the agency

Liberation Front (MILF) said it is “not logical to delay” the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BLL), despite the firefight between their group and elite police officers in Maguindanao province on Sunday.

In an interview, Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said doing so “will be [a] disadvantage to all parties concerned,” particularly to those residing in the concerned area.

Jaafar said: “I don’t think it will affect discussions of the BBL, I don’t think this should delay the process.” “’Pag na-delay [nang] masyadong matagal ang pagiging batas ng BBL, ... made-delay ang establishment ng Bangsamoro

flict in Mindanao. So ‘pag walang Bangsamoro government sapagkat na-delay ito, sapagkat walang batas ito, walang BBL, ‘yung situation sa Mindanao remain(s) as it is,” he said.

He added that “technically, there is still war in Mindanao, because what we have only here now is a ceasefire agreement.”

‘No coordination made’ While he “cannot categorically” say that MILF members first opened fire in the clash, Jaafar echoed the information earlier given by MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, who said it was triggered by lack of coordination on the operation of the PNP-Special Action Force.

See BANGSAMORO, page 4

CBCP official calls Aquino liar Priest says President lied in telling Pope of church’s silence under Arroyo

MANILA, Jan 24 (Mabuhay) – A Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines official over the weekend called President Benigno Aquino III a liar for claiming before Pope Francis last week that the Catholic Church was silent about the abuses under his predecessor Gloria Arroyo.

Biking priest Fr. Amado Picardal said it was offensive for Aquino to make such a claim before the leader of the world’s Catholic Church.

“He bore false witness against the Church in front of Pope Francis, the whole nation and the whole world. He was not only rude, he was also a liar. This is what made his welcome address very offensive,” he said in a post on the CBCP news site.

Picardal is the executive secretary of the CBCP committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities.

“His welcome address to the Pope in Malacañang was pathetic and a monumental embarrassment to the nation. He was not just rude, he also did not speak the truth. That was un-presidential of him. This was the lowest, ugliest moment of the papal visit,” the See CBCP OFFICIAL, page 4

See FARE HIKE, page 4

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Jinggoy lawyers: AMLC report confidential, can’t be used as evidence MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – Lawyers of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday surprised prosecution lawyers with an Urgent Motion to Suppress an important document that could implicate the senator in a money laundering scheme.

In a motion filed Monday morning, Estrada’s lawyers claimed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s report on Estrada’s bank accounts was confidential, and therefore should not be used by the prosecution as evidence in Estrada’s plunder case.

Estrada is accused of diverting millions of pesos in public funds to bogus NGO’s owned by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

“Republic Act No. 10167 (or the Anti-Money Laundering Act,) by allowing inquiry into or examination of any particular deposit, investment or related accounts with any banking institution upon order of any component court ‘based on an ex parte application in cas-

es of violations of this Act,’ is an ex post facto clause. Hence it may not prejudice the right of senator Estrada not to be subjected to an ex-parte judicial procedure in the application for a bank inquiry order,” Estrada’s motion said.

Estrada’s camp also added that the report was meant for a freeze order of his assets and the evidence therefore is inadmissible in court.

In an interview, Estrada’s counsel Atty. Alexis Abastillas noted that to use the AMLC report in the bail proceedings of Sen. Estrada, the prosecution and the AMLC itself must obtain permission from the Court of Appeals, which Abastillas said commissioned the report “It’s supposed to be strictly confidential. It is required by the court of appeals, the AMLC was required by the Court of Appeals to file the report and it is declared there that it is strictly confidential and only for that purpose, for

the Court of Appeals. So our stand is, if re-release nila yung report, they should ask permission from the court of appeals first. It is not for them to determine if they should waive their right to confidentiality,” she said.

However, Justice Undersecretary Jose Justiniano Jr. said that no confidentiality clause will be violated if the AMLC report will be presented in court, since as a public official, Estrada waives confidentiality of his bank accounts based on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities law.

“Lahat ng government officials, may waiver kami in favor of the Ombudsman to examine our bank accounts. Ibig sabihin niyan since may waiver yung SALN mo to examine your bank account, ginamit naman ng Ombudsman na sila ang mag examine,” Justiniano told reporters after the hearing.

During open court, the justices of the Sandiganbayan fifth Divison informed the prosecution that

they cannot continue with the direct testimony and examination of the witness from AMLC, due to Estrada’s Urgent Motion to Suppress both the witness and the AMLC report.

Since the prosecution again failed to provide a back up witness, Estrada’s bail hearing was terminated.

In an interview following his attendance to his bail hearing, Estrada maintained that his camp is not trying to delay proceedings by submitting motions to block the prosecution witness’ testimony.

Instead, he said he is merely safeguarding his rights as an accused.

“I am guaranteed under the constitution. I have the right to due process. Di naman ako pwedeng basta basta manahimik kung ang naaapektuhan yung aking karapatan. That prompted us to file a motion to suppress. Sa tingin ko illegal ang pag obtain nitong AMLC report ng prosecution eh,” he said. (MNS)

THE US ASIAN POST

SC voids GMA order appointing CSC chair to GOCC boards

MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – The Supreme Court (SC) has nullified and voided an order issued by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that designated the Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman to sit in the board of trustees/directors of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (PagIbig Fund).

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin, the high court ruled that Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 864, dated February 22, 2010, is unconstitutional for violating sections 1 and 2 of Article IX-A of the 1987 Constitution which state that “Section 1: [t]he Constitutional Commissions, which shall be independent, are the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit:” and “Section 2: [n]o member of a Constitutional Commission shall, during his tenure, hold any other office or employment... in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the Government, any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.”

The ruling was in favor of petitioner Dennis A. B. Funa, who argued that the order, which allowed CSC chairman Francisco Duque to sit in the boards of the mentioned agencies, violates the independence of the CSC as a constitutional commission.

Funa pointed out that the Constitution intends to protect the CSC from outside influence, while the mentioned agencies were all under a political branch of government the executive.

Despite affirming the position of petitioner, the high court, however, stressed that Duque was a “de facto officer” during his tenure with the GSIS, Philhealth, ECC, and HDMF, and his official functions in the GSIS, Philhealth, ECC, and HDMF boards were not invalidated.

Reorganization and Modernization of the NBI pushed MANILA, Jan 24 (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker pushes for the enactment of a bill seeking for the reorganization and modernization of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to strengthen the agency’s capability to successfully address the “high-tech” level at which criminals pursue their “trade.”

Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado (2nd District, Bohol) urged the enactment of the “National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act” as contained in House Bill (HB) 5304.

“This is in consonance with the policy of the State to promote and maintain a modern, competent and highly trained investigative body, functionally integrated and national in scope,” Aumentado said. “Law enforcement does not seem able nor capable to deliver and respond fast enough or good enough,” the author lamented.

He recalled that a version of this bill was adopted by both the Senate and the House during the previous Congress, but was, unfortunately overtaken by the adjournment without the bicameral conference action being ratified.

It was difficult to imagine how law enforcement could truly be efficient and effective if its growth and expansion were stifled by age-old organizational system and procedures and chained by too much financial restriction, the Bohol lawmaker said.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2015

Govt ‘deeply saddened’ by PNPSAF, MILF clash in Maguindanao MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – The government said it was “deeply saddened” with the death of at least 30 members of the elite Philippine National Police Special Action Forces who clashed with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Sunday.

But government chief negotiator for peace talks with the MILF Miriam Ferrer admitted that “better cooperation” could have prevented the clash.

Ferrer’s statement also did not contain any message condemning the death of the SAF forces who were out to serve warrants of arrest on Malaysian bomb expert and top Jema’ah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, who uses the alias Marwan.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the tragic encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao yesterday, January 25, involving the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police and various armed groups,” Ferrer said.

“Based on the reports of our ceasefire mechanisms, all efforts are being exerted to retrieve the casualties and provide safe passage to other SAF personnel who remain in the affected areas. Members of the International Monitoring Team, the government’s and the MILF’s ceasefire committees, the 6th ID of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the regional police are working closely together in these efforts,” she added.

Ferrer praised the quick action of the ceasefire teams of both the government and the MILF. “We regret however that due to the involvement of other armed groups, some intermittent fighting continued. Our aim is to normalize the situation as soon as possible in order to prevent the displacement of civilians and give full swing to the humanitarian effort,” she said.

“This incident and other recent acts of violence by other armed groups manifest the diverse security challenges that confound the peace process. But our resolve to see through the process of legislating the Bangsamoro Basic Law and implementing the different normalization programs, including the security components, is only further strengthened. With better cooperation we will be able to prevent these kinds of incidents,” Ferrer added.

Ferrer said the objective of arresting the growth of extremist cells lodging themselves in interior villages in Mindanao remains.

“We say to our fallen policemen: for your selfless courage, for your steadfastness in answering the call of duty, for your sacrifices in the name of peace, we salute and honor you. To their families and loved ones, we convey our deepest condolences,” she said.

(MNS)

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Trillanes: Lack of coordination led to Maguindanao bloodbath MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is urging the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately conduct an internal investigation into Sunday’s Maguindanao clash, which left at least 30 police commandos dead.

Trillanes, said it is possible the policemen were fed the wrong information which led to their ambush.

At least 30 elite cops were reportedly killed as members of the PNP Special Action Force clashed with the Muslim rebels in Maguindanao on Sunday.

An MILF spokesman said at least four of its members and more than 30 cops were killed in the clash that happened near the remote town of Mamasapano.

Reports said the police were hunting Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and Basit Usman, a Jemaah Islamiyah bomb-making expert, in Tukanalipao village.

Trillanes said he is puzzled as to why the police did not seek help from the military in pursuing the terrorists.

“They should coordinate with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) first and the AFP will determine if the area involved is covered by the peace agreement then they would coordinate if necessary…

Even for operational purposes, the Armed Forces would know the area better than the PNP,” Trillanes said. The 10,000-member MILF had agreed to end decades of rebellion in the mainly Catholic nation in exchange for a proposed law now being debated

in parliament that would give the minority Muslims self-rule in several southern provinces.

“This is the first encounter between the MILF and (government forces) this year. Hopefully, this will be the last,” Iqbal said.

He said the police had entered an MILF-influenced area without notifying the group, which disagrees with the peace talks and broke away from the MILF in 2008.

The clash in Mamasapano was only the second since two soldiers and 18 Muslim gunmen were killed in a clash in Basilan in April 2014.

Such incidents once broke out with much greater frequency prior to the signing of the treaty, during a rebellion that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

After the April fighting, the government accused the MILF of helping Islamic extremists under attack from security forces. The group acknowledged four of its members were killed.

Since the peace deal was struck, government forces have been going after the BIFF, a group of several hundred Muslim gunmen who last year pledged allegiance to Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Trillanes, meanwhile, advised the government not to over-react until all details involving the fatal clash are in.

“The worst thing we can do right now it to overreact. We need to get the facts straight. We need to investigate both internally on the part of the PNP, and through the mechanisms of the peace agreement,” he said.

PNP-MILF clash shows challenges to peace process – gov’t panel chief MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – The deadly clash between elements of the PNP-Special Action Force and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao on Sunday showed “security challenges” to the peace process with Moro rebels, the government’s peace panel chair admitted Monday.

In a statement, peace panel chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the incident could have been prevented through “better cooperation.”

“This incident and other recent acts of violence by other armed groups manifest the diverse security challenges that confound the peace process,” Ferrer said.

“With better cooperation we will be able to prevent these kinds of incidents,” she added On Sunday, at least 30 members of the PNPSAF were reported to have been killed in an ambush by members of the MILF in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.

Earlier on Monday, a police official in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the number of SAF fatalities had risen to 50.

Ferrer confirmed that the PNP personnel were on the trail of Malaysian bomb-maker and top Je-

maah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, known as Marwan, when the incident happened. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has offered a $5-million reward for information on Marwan.

The peace panel chief nevertheless said the Philippine government and the MILF will continue pushing for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law even after the bloody incident.

“Our resolve to see through the process of legislating the Bangsamoro Basic Law and implementing the different Normalization programs, including the security components, is only further strengthened,” she said.

The clash, however, has prompted the Senate to suspend hearings on the Bangsamoro measure.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law will embody the peace agreement signed by the Philippine goverment and the MILF last March, which aims to end the decades-old conflict in Mindanao.

The legislation seeks to create the Bangsamoro political entity, which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It will also specify wealth- and power-sharing arrangements between the national government and the new political entity. (MNS)

Ex-SC Justice: Bangsamoro territory will reduce PHL gov’t sovereignty MANILA, Jan 26 (Mabuhay) – The establishment of the Bangsamoro territory will reduce the sovereignty of the Philippine government, a former Supreme Court justice said Monday.

“My understanding of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is that the Bangsamoro government may change what presently exists in the Philippine government.

If I am wrong, I will be very happy to be corrected,” Justice Florentino Feliciano said during the hearing of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

Florentino said the statement that “the Bangsamoro authority shall remain a part of Philippine territory” should be given a more forceful meaning.

He added the provision on the Bangsamoro government having exclusive power on several aspects such as agriculture, livestock, food security, laws on foreign corporations, trade and industry, foreign investments, labor, freeports, banking system, education, public utilities operations, ancestral domain and natural resources, land management and distribution, Shariah courts and Shariah justice system, and education would result to reduction of the general sovereignty of the Philippine government.

“Those powers are vested today in the government of the Republic of the Philippines, they cannot be taken from the atmosphere, they can be taken from our law. So what exists today in the govern-

ment, you necessary reduce the authority,” he said.

Feliciano said such changes can only be done if Congress convenes itself into a Constituent Assembly.

“Changing the Constitutuin is a serious business, it is not something you sleepover the weekend,” he said when asked by Senator Teofisto Guingona III if Congress cannot deal with the changes in its legislative authority but as a Constituent Assembly.

SC Justice Vicente Mendoza said there is no separation of state in the proposed Bangsamoro government, therefore no checks and balances.

“With the parliamentary system, the executive function is with the Cabinet. Majority of the members of the Cabinet are members of the parliamentary. There is no separation of power between the law making and executive branches of that government,” he said.

He added that it is odd that the Philippines has a presidential form of government while the proposed Bangsamoro government will have a parliamentary form of government.

“Since the national government has a presidential form of government, the local governments must also have a presidential form of government. It is an odditive or an anomaly that the national and local governments have different forms of government. I find the proposed BBL contrary to the mandate of the Constitution,” he said. (MNS)

Christie campaign committee augurs likely White House run

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Washington, United States | AFP | Monday 1/26/2015 – Chris Christie, the tough-talking governor of New Jersey, inched closer to launching a formal White House bid, setting up a political action committee to raise campaign funds.

Christie on Sunday launched his Leadership for America PAC, which has the important task of gathering donations needed to run a US presidential campaign. The overall price tag for the 2012 presidential campaign exceeded two billion dollars, according to federal election commission tallies, so locking up rich donors early in the game is key.

Christie, 52, already has been frequently spotted in recent months at events in Iowa, New Hampshire and other key presidential campaign states, as he and other potential White House contenders jockey to enlist powerful supporters and rich donors.

He was among several politicians with White House aspirations who attended a conservative forum in the midwestern state Iowa which drew several Republican leaders over the weekend.

Another important meeting in California with potential donors—organized by billionaire conservative activists Charles and David Koch—drew prospective Republican candidates Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, all members of the US Senate believed to have White House ambitions.

Republican strategist Kevin Madden, a key adviser to 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney,

told the Wall Street Journal that the time is ripe for a move by Christie, who is seen as one of a handful of likely frontrunners in the crowded Republican race.

“He’s still in a good position, but it’s a highly competitive environment right now,” Madden told the daily. The creation of his Leadership for America PAC allows Christie to assemble a team of campaign staffers as well as court potential donors.

The crowded Republican field has drawn at least a dozen possible contenders, among them Cruz, Romney, Rubio, Paul, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and former Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Opinion polls suggest, however, that Christie may have an uphill climb in his bid to lock up the nomination.

Most surveys give Romney an early lead among Republican voters, followed by Jeb Bush, scion of one of America’s leading political families whose brother and father also served in the White House.

Christie’s already abrasive image took a hit in 2013, after revelations emerged that senior aides in his administration ordered the closure of some lanes of the George Washington Bridge—a vital conduit between New York City and New Jersey.

It has never been established that Christie himself ordered the bridge closing – interpreted by some as a reprisal against a mayor in his state – which caused hours of traffic mayhem on the bridge, one of the busiest in the United States.

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UTREACH ABC Entertainment debuts upcoming TV shows in TCA winter press tour From the same network that brought us the Emmy-award winning series, “Modern Family,” comedy favorite, “The Middle,” and long-running hit shows like “Dancing With the Stars” and “General Hospital,” comes another set of TV shows that are bound to keep you riveted to your TVs. On January 14, 2015, ABC announced its newest roster of TV shows, during The Critics Association’s (TCA) Winter Press Tour of 2015 in Langham Hotel, Pasadena CA. ABC held a special private screening of the pilot episodes for the press, which was then followed by a panel discussion with the writers, executive producers, directors and cast of the shows.

ABC’s Entertainment Group President, Paul Lee, mentioned that the network’s programming has changed to reflect what America really is today. As seen in their current shows like Black-ish, Cristela and in the newest comedy airing this February –“Fresh Off The Boat”, shows have now evolved to

focus on characters that are more diverse. In fact, “Fresh Off The Boat” has an all-Asian main cast, which is something that has not been done in US television for 20 years.

Whether it’s a fresh new comedy, a suspenseful drama or a gripping thriller that you fancy, ABC has a show that may just make it hard for you to leave the couch.

Here are ABC’s upcoming series: Fresh Off The Boat – Premieres Tuesday, February 10th at 8:00 pm ET This hilarious new comedy is based on TV personality, Eddie Huang’s memoirs. Set in the 90’s, a 12 year old, hip-hop loving Eddie just moved from Washington DC’s Chinatown to suburban Orlando with his parents. In an attempt to fit in and survive, this immigrant family experiences culture shock in this comedic tale about pursuing the American Dream.

Starring: Randall Park | Constance Wu | Hudson Yang | Forrest Wheeler | Ian Chen American Crime – Premieres Thursday, March 5th, at 10:00pm

ET All over the news are reports about a young couple in Modesto, California, who were attacked in their home. The case sends shock waves into the community stirring up tensions across racial lines in this gritty drama.

Starring: Felicity Huffman | Timothy Hutton | W. Earl Brown | Richard Cabral | Caitlin Gerard | Benito Martinez | Penelope Ann Miller | Elvis Nolasco | Johnny Ortiz Secrets and Lies – Premieres Sunday, March 1st, at 9:00 pm ET Did he or didn’t he? Ben Crawford becomes the number one murder suspect after discovering the body of his neighbor’s son in the woods. As Detective Andrea Cornell digs for the truth, the secrets and lies of this town come to the surface and no one is above suspicion.

Starring: Ryan Phillippe | KaDee Strickland | Natalie Martinez | Dan Fogler | Indiana Evans | Belle Shouse | Juliette Lewis The Whispers – Premieres This Spring

JI LEADER

JUSTICE

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From page 1

one of them, si Marwan, although ‘yung isa nakawala, ‘yung si Basit Usman,” Gazmin told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.

At least 30 police officers belonging to the elite group, Special Action Force (SAF) were confirmed dead in the firefight on Sunday. Army sources, however, said they suspect that about 50 people died from the clash, majority of them belonging to the side of the police. Gazmin said he, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina will go later on Monday to Maguindanao and Cotabato to assess the situation.

families of the two fatalities as well as those who were hurt and are being treated at local hospitals,” Coloma added.

Sandy Balagamo, owner of a small hotel and bakery that was heavily damaged by the explosion, told AFP she wanted a greater police presence in the area.

“We are apprehensive about our investment... Our business is dying,” she said. “We know it’s not the government’s fault but I hope they could help us rebuild.”

Insurers had refused to pay out on policies over the blast because they considered the destruction a “terrorist” attack, and as a result explicitly excluded by the policy, Balagamo said.

By Hannah De Castro-Abinuman

Fresh Off The Boat premieres February 10is a hilarious new comedy is based on TV personality, Eddie Huang’s memoirs. Set in the 90’s, a 12 year old, hip-hop loving Eddie just moved from Washington DC’s Chinatown to suburban Orlando with his parents.

We love to play games with our children. But what happens when someone else starts to play with them too? Someone we don’t know. Can’t see. Can’t hear. In The Whispers, someone or something—is manipulating the ones we love most to accomplish the

unthinkable.

Starring: Lily Rabe | Barry Sloane | Milo Ventimiglia | Derek Webster | Kristen Connolly | Kylie Rogers | Kyle Harrison Breitkopf Sources: ABC Entertainment,

CBCP OFFICIAL

BANGSAMORO From page 1

FARE HIKE

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priest added.

Picardal was referring to Aquino’s opening remarks to the pope at Malacañan Palace last Jan. 16, when the pope called on him.

Aquino at the time scored some members of the Church for being silent in the face of abuses under the Arroyo administration. Arroyo is now facing plunder charges.

Picardal particularly questioned Aquino’s statement where he said “many members of the Church, once advocates for the poor, the marginalized, and the helpless, suddenly became silent in the face of the previous administration’s abuses, which we are still trying to rectify to this very day.”

“Hindi ko nga alam kung sino ang unang nagpaputok, but what I can categorically pronounce now is that there was no coordination made and I think this is a violation to the provision of the ceasefire agreement,” he said.

Sources said the police operation was to serve an arrest warrant on Malaysian bombmaker Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as “Marwan,” whose presence had been confirmed in the area. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has offered a $5-million reward for information on “Marwan.”

He also said he did not know ifthere were casualties on the rebel groups’ side.

lacked authority for the fare increase, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate told participants to the Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel.

“Wala silang ginawang hearing [for the fare hike]; consultations lang. Inamin din ng DOTC through Usec. Lotilla na walang regulatory body pertaining to rails, trains,” he said.

“DOTC cannot cite any law on granting rate hike. Nakikita namin na malakas ‘yung paniniwala namin na merong basehan na mag-issue ng TRO ang Supreme Court,” Zarate added.

The high tribunal thumbed down the petitions against the fare hike but required DOTC officials to defend the fare hike.

www.abcgo.com

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THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2015

State commission ruling allows electric utilities to invest in electric car charging SCE has 36,000 electric vehicle owners in its 50,000-square-mile territory, and that number is growing by 1,200 to 1,500 monthly.

By Paul Griffo

Over the next few years, electric car drivers in California should find it easier to recharge their batteries while they’re away from home, thanks to a recent

decision by the state to allow utilities such as Southern California Edison (SCE) to invest in electric vehicle charging.

Ed Kjaer, SCE’s director of Transportation Electrification, says the ruling by the California Public Utilities Commission is very good news for both electric vehicle drivers and SCE customers.

“A big problem is that there aren’t enough charging stations where people leave their cars for long periods of time, and we can help with that,” he said.

Kjaer, who is responsible for the company’s broad effort to support the connection of transportation to SCE’s electrical system, believes utilities have a major role to play in helping to accelerate the electric vehicle market in California.

SCE has 36,000 electric vehicle owners in its 50,000-square-mile territory, and that number is

growing by 1,200 to 1,500 monthly. But research shows that many more put off buying electric cars out of “range anxiety,” or the fear that their car will run out of power and leave them stranded before they can get home to recharge their batteries.

Or, in the case of plug-in hybrids — electric vehicles that have small backup internal combustion engines — people have “gas anxiety.” That is, they fret about having to switch over to gasoline mid-trip, losing much of the savings that comes from driving solely on battery power.

Relief for either anxiety could be on the way if the commission

approves a five-year plan recently proposed by SCE to help install as many as 30,000 electric vehicle chargers at locations where people leave their cars for extended periods of time — for example, at apartment and condominium complexes, workplaces, campuses and recreational areas.

The proposal would also provide funding to educate more people about the benefits of electric vehicles and charging from SCE’s power grid.

SCE’s Charge Ready program, as it is known, is proposed to begin with a $22-million, yearlong pilot for installation of up to 1,500 chargers. The results of the

first phase would help shape the rest of the program, which is expected to cost an additional $333 million over the remaining four years.

The program would also support Gov. Brown’s recently announced energy initiatives, which include reducing today’s petroleum use in cars and trucks by up to 50 percent within the next 15 years.

Kjaer says the Charge Ready program, which would include installation of chargers in pollution-impacted communities, is designed to accelerate the market for electric vehicles, similar to what electric utilities did for solar power and energy efficiency in the past.

He said the program would also move California closer to its objective of putting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025, which would, in turn, help the state achieve its goals to reduce greenhouse gases and meet deadlines for federal clean air standards.

“Electricity has a benefit that few other alternative fuels can claim,” said Kjaer. “While electric vehicles currently cut carbon emissions by 70 percent, they will only get cleaner and cleaner because the grid is getting cleaner and cleaner as the result of state clean air policies.”

US budget deficit to shrink this year: CBO Chinese company Washington, United States | AFP | Monday 1/26/2015 – The US budget deficit is expected to shrink in the current fiscal year but climb after 2017 as spending mounts on health and retirement benefits, a government agency said Monday.

The Congressional Budget Office, the independent agency that provides economic and budgetary analysis to Congress, projected the deficit in fiscal 2015, which ends September 30, would total $468 billion, or 2.6 percent of gross domestic product, the smallest shortfall relative to GDP since 2007.

In 2014, the federal government deficit had hit its lowest level in six years at $483 billion, falling below 3.0 percent of GDP for the first time since 2007.

The deficits have been shrinking as the economy pulls out of the deep 2008-2009 recession, supported by trillions of dollars of public aid and sharp government spending cuts. Gross domestic product increased a robust five percent in the third quarter, and although that pace was expected to moderate, the US economy remains a relative bright spot in the slowing global economy.

The positive deficit news came as President Barack Obama, in the final two years of his second term, faces for the first time a Congress controlled by opposition Republicans and a continuation, if not escalation, of fierce budget battles.

Obama’s Democratic Party sees government spending as an engine of growth, while Republicans want to shrink the government and slash taxes to spur activity.

In his State of the Union speech last week, Obama called for more spending on infrastructure, education and tax credits to keep the economy on a solid growth track, laying down a direct challenge to Republicans.

Whoever wins the 2016 presidential elections will face a steadily growing deficit from 2017 through 2025, to $1.1 trillion, or 4.0 percent of GDP, according to the CBO’s 10year budget and economic outlook report.

The nonpartisan CBO pointed out that its estimates are based on the assumption that current laws governing spending and taxation will remain broadly unchanged.

The reason the deficits would swell is in large part due to the increased spending on social safetynet programs that eclipses the economy’s growth pace, the CBO said. The government will have to spend more on health care insurance, reflecting the “Obamacare” reform that Republicans vow to roll back.

The tidal wave of aging baby boomers hitting

retirement also will lift spending on social security benefits.

The CBO predicted that federal government debt will rise to 74 percent of economic output by September 30, its highest level since 1950.

In a bright note, revenues were projected to rise “significantly” by 2016 on the back of the ongoing expansion in the economy and the expiration of several tax breaks.

The economy was poised for “a solid pace” of growth in 2015 and in the next few years as consumer spending, business investment and home buying pick up, the agency said.

Year-over-year, GDP growth was estimated at 3.0 percent at the end of 2015 and 2016, slowing to 2.5 percent in 2017.

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wins subway deal in US: Xinhua

Beijing, China | AFP | Monday 1/26/2015 – A Chinese train manufacturer announced a deal on Monday worth hundreds of millions of dollars to provide rolling stock to the US city of Boston for its subway system, state media reported.

The deal announced by China CNR Corporation to sell 284 subway trains is worth 4.12 billion yuan ($658 million), the official Xinhua news agency said.

The sale marks the first time China has entered the US rail transit market, according to Xinhua.

Under the deal, the Chinese company will sell the trains to the Massachusetts state transportation regulator for use on Boston’s Red and Orange subway lines, the report said.

The trains are built to travel at a speed of 102 kilometres (63 miles) per hour and as far as 129,000 kilometres a year for a life span of at least 30 years on regular maintenance, the report said.

According to Xinhua, China CNR is aiming to enter markets in other US cities including New York and Washington and will establish a research and development base in the country.

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5

California DMV retracts alert affecting ride share operators SACRAMENTO – California DMV Director Jean Shiomoto this evening retracted Vehicle Industry News alert VIN 2015-01, which affected ride share operators for companies such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar and issued the following statement: “Our responsibility is to notify the public of existing state law. In response to inquiries, the department issued an alert earlier this month that reflected the definition of a commercial vehicle under a 1935 law. However, there remains uncertainty about the interaction and effect of this law governing vehicle registration requirements with the more recent regulatory and statutory changes affecting ride share operators. We jumped the gun, and we shouldn’t have. The matter requires further review and analysis which the department is undertaking immediately.”

In the coming days, the DMV will be meeting with regulators and industry to continue working through this issue. Pending this further review, Vehicle Industry News alert VIN 2015-1, which affected ride share operators, is hereby revoked including any reference to the requirement of a commercial plate.

Republican presidential hopefuls kick off debate Washington, United States | AFP | Monday 1/26/2015 – A Republican retreat hosted by billionaire political powerbrokers Charles and David Koch kicked off Sunday, with presidential hopefuls debating major issues ahead of the 2016 presidential race.

Senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio – all tipped as possible candidates for a presidential run – spoke at the annual winter retreat attended by some 450 conservative entrepreneurs and donors.

The retreat is invitation-only, but this year organizers invited reporters to follow via webcast.

Sunday’s 80-minute debate in Palm Springs, California, covered foreign policy, defense, economics and domestic affairs. It also touched on the contentious issue of election campaign financing, which the candidates defended as a matter of freedom of expression.

“I admire Charles and David Koch, they’re businessmen who’ve created hundreds of thousands of jobs, and they have stood up for free market principles and endured vilification with equanimity and grace,” Texas senator Ted Cruz said.

The influence of the billionaire

industrialist brothers is significant; one organization in the Koch network spent a reported $120 million in 2012 opposing Barack Obama and congressional Democrats.

Florida Republican senator Marco Rubio defended election funding as a legal right.

“I believe in freedom of speech.

And I believe that spending money on political campaigns is a form of political speech that is protected under the Constitution,” he said.

The candidates also touched on issues of domestic poverty, an unusual topic foray for the conservatives, with Cruz and Rubio slamming income inequality in the United States.

“What we have in this country is really a divided America,” Tea Party conservative Cruz said.

“The simple truth is with big government, those with resources are doing well, the people who have been hammered through the last six years are working men and women.”

Meanwhile, Rand Paul slammed the Obama administration and argued against big government.

“Government is inefficient and ineffectual at almost everything they do,” the libertarian Republican said.

6

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THE US ASIAN POST

KITCHENOMICS FAMILY FEATURES

A

s your winter schedule is sure to be packed with gatherings that bring family and friends closer, have plenty of treats that are gentle on the waist and wallet. Sweet, spicy, salty or with an Asian twist — any way you pop it — popcorn is a satisfying snack suitable for every chilly weather occasion.

Whether you’re hosting a game-day party or simply enjoying a family movie night, popcorn’s wholesome taste can take on a variety of flavors to please every guest. Plus, popcorn snacks are healthy and whole grain, which means they’re a more nutritious alternative to traditional party nibbles and noshes.

Cuddle up to these recipes and more by visiting www.popcorn.org.

Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix

Yield: 8 cups 6 cups popped popcorn 2 cups Oriental rice cracker mix 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2–1 teaspoon ground ginger (may vary to taste) 1/4–1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (may vary to taste) Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix popcorn and rice cracker mix together in large bowl.

In small microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter on high until melted, about 20 seconds. Stir in soy sauce, ginger and oil. Drizzle over popcorn mixture; toss.

Spread mixture on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring once.

Allow to cool, serve or store in airtight container.

Cinnamon Chocolate Popcorn Yield: 3 quarts 3 quarts popped popcorn Butter-flavored cooking spray 9 tablespoons powdered cocoa mix (cocoa

sweetened with sugar or sugar substitute) 3 teaspoons cinnamon Put popcorn in large bowl and lightly spray with cooking spray.

Sprinkle cocoa mix and cinnamon on popcorn. Toss to coat evenly.

Spray and toss again until mixture is well coated.

Serve immediately.

Blazing Buffalo Ranch Popcorn Yield: 6 quarts, plus leftover seasoning mix 1 tablespoon ranch dressing or dip mix (from 1-ounce package) 1 tablespoon seafood spice mix (or celery salt) 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (or sugar) 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil 6 quarts popped popcorn Cooking spray, optional In small bowl, blend ranch dressing mix, spice mix, garlic powder, powdered sugar and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle with vegetable oil and blend until well incorporated.

Place popcorn in serving bowl and spray lightly with cooking spray.

Sprinkle seasoning mix over popcorn to taste and toss. Store leftover seasoning mix in airtight container for future use.

Coconut-Ginger Popcorn Truffles

Yield: 3 dozen truffles 5 cups air-popped popcorn 2 cups miniature marshmallows 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter 1/2 cup shredded coconut 3 tablespoons candied ginger, minced Cooking spray 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 1 teaspoon coconut oil or butter Place popcorn in large bowl.

Place marshmallows and 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until melted; remove from heat.

Stir in shredded coconut and candied ginger.

Mix well.

Spray hands with cooking spray, then scoop up 1 tablespoon of popcorn mixture.

Roll mixture with hands to form ball.

Place ball on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Repeat to make 36 balls.

Place chocolate in small, microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for one minute, until melted. If not completely melted, microwave for another 15 seconds and stir again.

Stir 1 teaspoon coconut oil into melted chocolate.

Place chocolate in zipper-style plastic bag and seal. Snip off tiny corner of bag.

Pipe chocolate on popcorn balls in decorative pattern.

Garnish with extra shredded coconut and extra minced candied ginger, if desired.

Place truffles in cool place until chocolate is set.

Cinnamon Chocolate Popcorn

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THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2015

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INMENT

Iya: I was a virgin until wedding to Drew Iya Villania and Drew Arellano did not have sex during their 10year relationship, until they got married in February 2014, according to the actress-host.

Villania, 28, talked about her stand on pre-marital sex as she addressed a recent comment she made on her long-time friend Nikki Gil’s Instagram page, defending the actress-singer against those questioning her virginity.

Gil, who was in five-year relationship with TV host Billy Crawford until July 2013, has said she made a vow not to have sex until marriage. At the time, Gil’s stand was speculated as one of the reasons behind the breakup.

“I know how it feels,” Villania said, referring to being accused of lying about her virginity.

“I know it’s unfair that despite her claims, parang she was being accused pa of being a liar. I mean, it’s really up to someone to tell the world about it or not. But you know, I don’t think it’s fair that she was being accused pa of lying.”

Referring to not having sex before marriage, Villania added, “I

do believe in that. You know, I don’t look down upon other girls who practice it [pre-marital sex].

It doesn’t make you less of a person. Kanya-kanya namang values ‘yan, e.

“But, personally, I do believe that one should not practice premarital sex.”

Asked to confirm whether this was the case with her and Arellano, Villania laughed as she said, “Yes! Doon ko naman na-confirm na mahal niya talaga ako.”

“He was very patient, yes… I mean, it’s easy now for me to say because we’re married now,” Villania said, adding that between her and Arellano, the 34-year-old host’s decade-long abstinence is more “impressive.”

“It’s actually nakakatawa. Mas nakakabilib si Drew!” she said, laughing. “It’s actually easy for… which is why ang lakas ng loob ko magsabi. It’s easy for girls who [haven’t] experienced anything because you don’t know what you’re missing out on!”

Villania acknowledged that there may have been temptations, but expressed confidence in the

values her husband upheld, noting he is Catholic.

“Well, nasa values din naman ng lalaki ‘yun, e. It’s really up to the person. It really boils down to the values,” Villania said, echoing a statement made by Gil in the weeks following her breakup with Crawford.

She added: “I mean, sa 10 years of being together, there were times na we made mistakes. But, you know, that’s what it is to be a person. I mean, no one had never made mistakes.”

Villania encouraged other women to avoid pre-marital sex, saying preserving one’s virginity until getting married is something to be proud of, as in her case.

“You know, I have to say na it’s not something that it’s guaranteed, ha. But it is something that I would encourage,” she said.

“It’s something that a girl can be proud of, especially in this age where you saw how the people reacted. It’s rare. I think it’s something that you can be proud of.

And I think it’s something that Drew is also proud of me,” she said, smiling. (MNS)

Iya Villania

Julia Montes laughs off pregnancy rumors Julia Montes laughed off rumors that she is not that visible on TV lately because she is pregnant.

Speaking to reporters during the press conference of her upcoming movie “Halik sa Hangin”, Montes said it is impossible that she is pregnant because she does not even have a boyfriend.

“Siguro kung ako, hindi ko na iniisip. Kasi, kung meron man, lalaki na lang siguro ang tiyan ko. Lalabas at lalabas rin naman yan kung totoo. Kung wala, wala naman talaga,” she said.

Speculations say Montes tem-

Julia Montes

instagram.com/palacasino

porarily stepped out of the limelight because the actress had to leave the country to hide her pregnancy.

Asked to react to the rumor, Montes said: “Sana nga po ay nakaalis ako ng bansa pero hindi nga ako nakaalis ng bansa. Of course lagi kaming nagshu-shooting almost every day in a week. Lagi kaming magkakasama. Wala pa ngang boyfriend eh, paano kaya [ako mabubuntis]?”

Montes said she is unfazed by the false reports because this is not the first time this happened to her.

“Honestly kapag nari-recall ko nga, may isyu na diyan before.

Hindi ko maalaala kung ilang taon ako, naisyu na rin ako noon.

Pinagtatawanan ko na lang,” she said.

Montes also explained why she is no longer that active in her social media accounts.

“Hindi talaga ako ma-post [sa social media ngayon]. Ine-enjoy ko lang lagi ang kapatid ko. Hinahatid ko siya sa school. Kapag walang work, lumalabas kami.

Talagang yung bonding time, chine-cherish ko talaga. Tapos ginawa ko siyang private. Kaya

walang lumalabas. kasi hindi ako nagpu-post lately,” she said.

Meanwhile, Montes said she is already looking forward for people to see her latest movie, “Halik sa Hangin.”

The actress said she wants to make the most out of the opportunities being given to her.

“Siguro work lang muna talaga. Kasi kilala ko ang sarili ko.

Ako kasi kapag focused ako sa work, focus muna ako. Ayaw kong mag-focus sa love kasi ang daming oportunities. Bibihira naman mabigyan ng ganitong opportunities ang iba,” she said.

Aside from Montes, “Halik Sa Hangin” will also feature Gerald Anderson and JC De Vera. (MNS)

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THE US ASIAN POST

Samsung developing wearable headset that detects strokes A team of engineers at Samsung Electronics took on an independent project at the company’s Creativity Lab – also called C-Lab – in which they discovered a way to detect strokes by monitoring brainwaves.

The resulting headset is equipped with sensors that transfer data to algorithms that allow you to observe your brainwaves on your smartphone, tablet or upright computer to make sure you are not at risk.

The idea behind the Early Detection Sensor & Algorithm Package (EDSAP) is to take note of irregularities earlier than what was previously feasible and take proper preventative steps.

It may appear to resemble those wearable gizmos that count your steps, but it’s actually even more efficient than

hospital stroke detecting equipment, which takes up to 15 minutes to analyze brainwaves.

Samsung says its product is not only much faster than hospital equipment but that its sensors are able to pick up more detail thanks to an ultra-conductive material the team discovered that resembles rubber.

The new material also makes it possible to wear the sensors in barrettes, eyeglasses or any piece of headgear instead of the rather medical headset that serves as the creators’ prototype.

The EDSAP is being further developed, and project lead Sehoon Lim says the team has plans to apply it to heart muscle activity tracking, but they did not say when it could become available on the commercial market.

New discoveries about how sleep, learning and memory are deeply intertwined illustrate why staying up all night to cram before a test couldbe a bad idea. ©Kiselev Andrey Valerevich/shutterstock.c

Why studying all night may not work (Relaxnews) – Memory neurons lull us to sleep in order to consolidate what we’ve learned, say researchers from Brandeis University in the US, who advise students against pulling all-nighters to prepare for tests.

Knowing that sleep, memory and learning are deeply intertwined, the Brandeis team set out to find out whether memory is consolidated during sleep simply because the brain happens to be at rest or whether those neurons provoke sleep in order to do their job.

In the study, which was published in the journal eLife, the researchers focused on a specific group of neurons called the dorsal paired medial (DPM), which are well known to implant mem-

ories in fruit flies.

In what’s thought to be a first-of-its-kind observation, the flies slept more when the DPM neurons were activated, yet continued to buzz about when these neurons were switched off.

As these neurons start to convert short-term memory to longterm memory, they do their best to make sure you stay sleeping and actually hinder wakefulness, according to the study.

In the case of the fruit flies, the part of their brain in charge of memory and learning – called the mushroom body – is also what determines wakefulness and, consequently, it’s where the DPM are housed.

“It’s almost as if that section of the mushroom body were say-

ing ‘hey, stay awake and learn this,’” says co-author Bethany Christmann, a graduate student at Brandeis. “Then, after a while, the DPM neurons start signaling to suppress that section, as if to say ‘you’re going to need sleep if you want to remember this later.’”

Christmann points out that knowing how sleep, memory and learning work together in the fruit fly brain can help researchers know what to look for when working with human participants.

“Eventually, it could help us figure out how sleep or memory is affected when things go wrong, as in the case of insomnia or memory disorders,” she says.

Obama urges more funds for ‘new era of medicine’ Washington, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/21/2015 – US President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the United States to lead the way toward a “new era of medicine” by boosting funds for modern medical research.

During his State of the Union speech, Obama said a key area of focus should be a fast-growing field known as precision medicine, which aims to deliver the best treatment for cancer and other illnesses based on an individual’s genetics.

“I want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the hu-

man genome to lead a new era of medicine – one that delivers the right treatment at the right time,” he said in prepared remarks.

“Tonight, I’m launching a new Precision Medicine Initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes - and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier.”

The White House said US funding toward finding and developing new antibiotics should nearly double to fight the global threat of infectious diseases that spread

via antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Obama’s proposal would also continue to fund Alzheimer’s research and the BRAIN initiative he launched in 2013 and expanded last year to include $300 million in funding for government agencies involved in regulation, military, health and science research.

The main US government body for medical research, the National Institutes of Health, distributes about $30 billion in funds annually.

Leading cancer researchers at the American Society for Clinical Oncology warned last year that stagnant funding levels over the past decade were contributing to brain drain and threatening the pace of medical progress.

After accounting for biomedical inflation, ASCO said the NIH budget had actually declined more than 22 percent, bringing funding to its lowest point since 2001.

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Samsung developing wearable headset that detects strokes

IVF babies healthier than before: study Paris, France | AFP | Wednesday 1/21/2015 – Better techniques and policies have given children born from artificial fertilization a much better chance of survival and good health, a Scandinavian study said Wednesday.

Doctors looked at data from 1988 to 2007 from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden for more than 92,000 children born through assisted reproduction technology (ART), the term for invitro and other methods.

Of them, more than 62,000 were single births, also called singletons, and more than 29,000 were twins.

The health of the babies at birth and in their first year of life was compared to that of children conceived without ART. “We observed a remarkable decline in the risk of being born pre-term or very preterm,” said Anna-Karina Aaris Henningsen at the University of Copenhagen.

“The proportion of single ART babies born with a low or very low birth weight – less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) or 1,500g respectively – also decreased.

“The rates for stillbirths and death during the first year declined among both singletons and twins, and fewer ART twins were stillborn or died during the first year compared with spontaneously conceived twins,” Henningsen

said.

In the period 1988-1992, the rate of pre-term singletons born from ART was 13 percent, compared to five percent among babies that had been spontaneously conceived.

But by 2007, this had fallen to eight percent in the ART group, while the non-ART group stayed at five percent.

Henningsen said several factors contributed to the improvement.

Laboratories became more skilled at culturing fertilized eggs before returning them to the uterus, and hormonal drugs to stimulate ovaries for egg harvesting were milder than before.

The biggest gain, though, was in a policy change to encourage a single embryo implant at a time, not several.

Multiple embryos boost the chance of a live birth, but also raise the odds of having twins or triplets, which can result in lower birthweight and health complications.

From 1989 to 2002, the proportion of ART twins in the four Scandinavian countries was stable at about 23 percent of births, but then began to decline. By 2007, it had halved to 11.6 percent.

The study appears in the journal Human Reproduction.

Life in the slow lane: Walking groups boost health (Paris-AFP) – Joining a walking group is one of the easiest ways to boost health and morale, according to an investigation published Monday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Researchers at Britain’s University of East Anglia analyzed 42 published studies of people who took up organised walking – regular outings that typically lasted less than an hour.

Walkers enjoyed “statistically significant improvements” in wellbeing compared to their formerly sedentary state, the probe found.

Small but measurable gains were seen in general fitness, blood pressure, resting heart rate, lung power, cholesterol levels, body fat and in a standard test to measure depression.

The picture was less clear for

waist circumference and blood glucose.

Of those who joined a walking group, three-quarters tended to stick to it – and apart from the odd stumble over roots or wet ground, it is a risk-free activity.

These are benefits that doctors should point out to sedentary patients, the paper said.

“Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits.”

The published studies, accessed through online databases, involved almost 2,000 people in 14 countries.

The volunteers were assessed before and after joining a walking group, and many had a widerange of long-term health conditions, ranging from diabetes, arthritis and depression to obesity and Parkinson’s disease.

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MOTORING Want trumps need for car buyers

Three-quarters of consumers have already decided on their new car before visiting the dealership. ©Monkey Business Images/shutterstock.com

(Relaxnews) – Most consumers are driven by their hearts, not their heads, when choosing a new car, according to new research.

Of the 2,300 new and used car buyers surveyed for the AutoTrader 2015 Automotive Buyer Influence Study, 61% of those looking for a brand new ride admitted that they bought the car they want rather than the one that they need.

However, picking which car to own is not an impulse buy or a snap decision—nearly two thirds (64%) of those shopping for a brand new car said that they do their homework first, researching different makes and models of car and then setting a budget. Almost as many (63%) admitted that they

don’t have a specific make or model of car in mind when they first set out to make a purchase.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the first port of call for 75% of new car buyers doing research is the internet and by the time they arrive at the first dealership, 77% claimed that they purchased the first vehicle they had in mind.

That means that the salesperson has very little if any influence over the buyer’s choice.

AutoTrader believes that the results provide more proof that in the US consumer confidence is continuing to grow, something that can only bode well for the automotive industry.

“When consumers start to make big purchases out of desire rather than necessity, they are

clearly showing more confidence about their personal financial situations,” said Jared Rowe, president of AutoTrader.com.

For the study, carried out in conjunction with IHS Automotive, AutoTrader polled 1,300 recent new and 1,000 recent used car buyers in the US who had purchased a vehicle within the last 12 months.

On average, new car buyers spend 16.9 hours shopping for the right vehicle and 70% of that time is spent online. Two thirds (66%) of consumers use third-party websites to help with the decision-making process and they are ranked as the most useful type of website by 37% of respondents.

Car companies’ own sites are used by 64% of respondents and ranked most useful by 34% while 61% said that they used car dealers’ websites as part of the research process. However, only 19% of respondents said that they find the sites useful. Still, that’s better than social media: less than 1% of respondents ranked sites like Facebook as the most useful source of information when choosing a new car.

Back in December, researchers from San Francisco State University announced the results of their own study into what influences a consumer the most when choosing which car to buy. The research, led by associate professor of marketing, Minu Kumar, found that looks are more important than safety, green credentials or cost.

The small-scale study of 700 US consumers examined participants’ opinions relating to 30 vehicles that were selected for the study based on their affordability, practicality and utility rather than their aesthetics.

However, even though none of the vehicles in the study were known for their aesthetics, it was their appearance more than anything else that appealed to participants.

What the color of your car says about you The next time you buy a car, you might want to pause a while longer to decide what color you choose.

Top automakers throw millions of dollars at researching what the latest tastes are, and say the color of a vehicle is so important to customers that it can be the difference between buying or not.

The ongoing auto show in Detroit saw many of the classic colors – reds for Porsches and other sports cars – and a few less conventional (a Nissan Titan pickup truck decked out in “forged copper”).

But there was no mistaking the preeminence of white. Particularly at the Volkswagen stand, where several cars, the stairs and much of the furniture was white.

In a multibillion-dollar industry, nothing is put to chance and nothing is done by mistake, of course.

At least two designers in Detroit referred to the “Apple effect” – the Californian tech giant – to explain the propensity for white vehicles.

White where it’s hot Sitting at a white table, on white chairs, in a white room, Oona Scheepers of Volkswagen told AFP: “White for cars really peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, and then all of a sudden disappeared.

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Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con¿rm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. A

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Oh most beautiful Àower of Mt. Carmel, fruit wine splendor of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for

person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After

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Traveling and choosing a life partner You should never marry until you’ve traveled (Part 1) together. Traveling will give you an idea on how

your partner reacts to frustrations, when things don’t go as planned; or how independent or dependent s/he is; and even her/his habits. It will also help gauge your compatibility based on what you value and prioritize; your preferences about what to see and do; down to the temper

ature in your room.

You basically discover a lot in a few and stuffy. The tea room had a very British days. I know my husband and I both did. flair; a look achieved by a mix and match These days when we ask ourselves how we of antiques and modern furniture. The elknew we could marry each other, we both evator, however, was not working when we go back to the clues we gathered from our arrived. Lester and I looked at each other first trip together. Lester and I had known and laughed. How fortuitous! (Sarcastic of each other for about three months and had course.) been officially together for only a month Clue #3 – We shared the same kind of huwhen we planned our first trip. Some of our mor. Laughter is key to a great relationship. friends warned us that it might actually be I had prepaid tickets to watch “The too early in the relationship. But he wanted Phantom of the Opera” at 7:30 p.m. and to take me to meet his family in Stratford- since it was only 2 p.m., he offered to take upon-Avon where he grew up. And since I me to explore Kensington Gardens. Sunhad also never been to London, we planned light is also good for adjusting body clock. a two-week vacation in England.

15 minutes of staying under the sun after a Clue #1 - He was eager to introduce me plane trip helps with jet lag. We ended up to his family. I knew the guy was serious staying in the gardens for about an hour, as about our relationship. he told me stories about his life in London.

Since I was the tourist, I wanted to see Clue #4 – He was excited to share his life and experience everything I had heard with me, from anecdotes, to stories from his about the great city, and of Shakespeare’s life before he knew me. He wanted me to rehometown. But since he’s lived in both plac- ally know him. es, he said he wasn’t really looking forward “Phantom of the Opera” is one of my fato sightseeing and touring. What excited vorite Broadway classics and so I was very him was introducing me to his parents; and much looking forward to watching it on taking me the places he used to frequent the West End, at the historic Her Majeswhile living there. And like most newly- ty’s Theatre, home of the “Phantom” since coupled, we compromised... I planned ev- 1986. Surprisingly, Lester was not too erything and he agreed to go along. keen. He had been involved with the Royal Clue #2 – We were both willing to com- Shakespeare Company in Stratford, but promise. (He laughs.) not into musicals. However, when the play We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon in finished by 10 p.m., we were both high from early May. So much has been said about our theater experience and we decided to the erratic weather in England and even top it off with drinks at some of the bars he Lester warned me about it many times. used to visit on Piccadilly Circus.

But sunshine actually greeted us as we Clue #5 – He was open to trying new took the ride from Heathrow to The Pel- things with me, experiencing things that I ham Hotel – a 5-star boutique hotel across liked and enjoyed. As I was open to taking a the street from South Kensington tube peak at his life in London. [To be continued] station, and a mere two blocks from the TRAVEL NOTES from London: Natural History, Science and Victoria and To Stay: The Pelham Hotel – 15 CromAlbert museums, that ironically, we would well Place, South Kensington, London SW7 not have the chance to explore.

2LA, UK The facade of an old Victorian-era townTo Visit: Natural History Museum, Scihouse greeted us. The wood-floored lobby ence Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum felt quaint and charming, more than grand To Watch: Broadway shows – www.box-

SO GOES

Exploring Kensington Gardens. Kensington is a palace of “secret stories and public lives. There are four routes to discover, each exploring the different eras of stories of the palace.”

office.co.uk Jannelle So is She is credited for creating, hosting and producing America’s first and only locally-produced daily talk show for Filipinos, that ran for 8 ½ years under her leadership, making it the longest-running Filipino talk show outside of the Phil-

ippines.

On her spare time, she loves to travel.

This new column will document her sojourns as she shares what she learns an discovers on her trips. Connect to her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; or email her at sojannelle77@gmail.com.

JUN JUN READY

ARREST WARRANT

others in contempt.

“Maling mali ang ginagawa nila. Nung nagpunta ako dun (sa hearing) kinukutya nila tayo pero pinababayaan yung mga nagsisinungaling. Selective ang application ng rules,” he said.

He added that the Makati officials were just after fairness and due process.

“Ang gusto namin ay fairness at due process, malinaw na iisa lang ang intensyon nila. Ang siraan ang pangalan ng aking ama at sirain ang mga opisyal dito,” Junjun Binay said.

Binay said he already have his clothes and personal things ready in anticipation of his impending arrest. After the press conference, Binay also faced his supporters gathered at the Makati City Hall and explained his decision to surrender.

issue an arrest order for Mayor Binay and other officials concerned,” Guingona, who heads the panel, said.

Last week, Pimentel asked Guingona to cite the mayor and six other city officials in contempt for their continued refusal to appear at hearings of his sub-committee.

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US Federal Bureau of Investigation has offered a $5-million reward for information on “Marwan.” Leaders of the MILF has said the government did not coordinate with them for the said operation.

The deadly clash has prompted Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.