US Asian Post November 4, 2015

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Vol. 5 No. 6

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A BALITA MEDIA PUBLICATION

Wednesday - Tuesday, November 4 - 10, 2015

Thousands troop to Metro Manila cemeteries on eve of Undas MANILA, Oct 31 (Mabuhay) – Thousands of people have entered the Manila North Cemetery, one of the most crowded cemeteries in Metro Manila, a day before All Saints’ Day. The Manila Police District said that as of noon, at least 13,000 people have entered the cemetery.

Several policemen, aided by force multipliers including barangay watchmen, have been deployed in and around the cemetery to provide security to people visiting their loved ones.

Authorities expect the crowd inside the cemetery to balloon on November 1.

Children entering the cemetery are given name tags so they will be easier to find just in case they get lost while wheelchairs are being offered for free to handicapped persons who are visiting their loved

ones at the cemetery.

Meanwhile, security was tight at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. Vehicles entering and leaving the cemetery were being strictly inspected.

At the Manila South Cemetery, only a few hundred people have visited their loved ones. Authorities are expecting at least 700,000 people to troop to the cemetery on November 1.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento personally inspected the security measures being implemented by the police at the cemetery on Saturday morning.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez is expected to check security being implemented by police units around in cemeteries around Metro See CEMETERIES, page 3

Forced by public clamor, President Benigno S. Aquino has ordered ordered an investigation into the alleged “laglag-bala” scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Malacañang: PHL to push arbitration of sea disputes regardless of China’s reaction

Aquino forced to act on ‘laglag-bala’

MANILA, Oct 31 (Mabuhay) -- Malacañang on Saturday said the government will continue to pursue arbitration to resolve its dispute with China over the South China Sea. “Yes, we will continue to resort to arbitration. That is the most logical and the most… I suppose the most operative way of enforcing our claim. So tuloy po nating gagawin ito, regardless po kung ano ang magiging reaksyon po ng ating kapitbahay na Tsina,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told state-run radio dzRB. China on Friday reiterated its call to the Philippines to return toMANILA, to the “correct in resolveing the sea disputes.

Oct. path” 20 (Mabuhay) returning to their places of origin.

President meets DOTC officials amid bullet in luggage allegations MANILA, Nov 2 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday morning met with officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) amid allegations of the “laglag-bala” extortion scheme.

“The President has been briefed instructed the installation of adand has given further instructions ditional closed-circuit television in order to refine the efforts under (CCTV) cameras at the NAIA way. The DOTC as the lead agen- terminals. cy will be updating the public,” Ninfa Fontamillas, 65, was appresidential spokesperson Edwin prehended on Sunday and placed Lacierda said in a text message to under custodial investigation after reporters. a bullet was detected inside her Over the weekend, Lacierda bag. said President Aquino and SecWhen the aviation authorities retary Joseph Emilio Abaya had opened her luggage in the presence already ordered an investigation of her lawyer on Sunday, she broke into the alleged “laglag-bala” scam down in tears as a bullet was found at the Ninoy Aquino International in her bag.

Three lawmakers urged Aquino Airport (NAIA).

See LAG-LAG BALA, page 3 Lacierda said that Abaya had

– The Department of Social Wel“This is to ensure their safety has been telling the Philippines it only landslides wants unilatfare China and Development (DSWD) againstthat possible and eral talks on the sea disputes and that it will not participate in the reiterated on Tuesday its call for flood waters coming down from case before the Permanent Arbitration in The Hague. typhoon “Lando” evacuees Court wish- of high places,”(PCA) Soliman said. ing to“China return urges home to heed the ad- to honor Based its on the of DSWD, the Philippines ownrecords commitments, visories concerned government “Lando” has famirespectofChina’s rights under international law,affected change37,455 its course authorities ensure theirtrack safety. lies equivalent 182,946 in persons and returntoto the right of resolving relevanttodisputes the According DSWD Secretary fromand Regions I, II, III, China’s IV-A, V, South ChinatoSea through negotiations consultations,” Corazon J.ofSoliman, it is imporCordillera Administrative Ministry Foreign Affairs said in and a statement. tant that the evacuees wait for Region (CAR).

The PCA ruled on Thursday that it has immediate jurisdiction See MALACANANG, page 3

MIAA to focus on sacking officers involved in laglag-bala – spokesman MANILA, Nov 2 (Mabuhay) – Amid calls for President Benigno Aquino III to remove General Manager Angel Jose Honrado from office, efforts should instead be turned to sacking those directly involved in the “laglag-bala” extortion scheme, the spokesman of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said Monday.

MIAA spokesman David de See SACKING OFFICERS, page 3

the go-signal of national and loOf this number, 12,125 families Self-rated poverty broadly unchanged Fresh complaint vs. Aquino, Abad, cal government officials before or 55,554 persons are in 255 evacDrilon filed over DAP, PDAF ‘misuse’ in third quarter: SWS survey MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) Also named respondents in the MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) – The number of families that consider themselves poor remained broadly unchanged during the third quarter of the year.

Half of families surveyed by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) across the country in September rated themselves poor, compared with 51 percent recorded in the past two quarters and 50 percent in the same period in 2014.

The highest incidence of selfrated poverty was observed in Mindanao. About 70 percent of respondents considered themselves poor, the same level seen in June and higher than last year’s 61 percent.

Self-rated poverty in the Visayas, meanwhile, increased to 66 percent from 58 percent in June and 65 percent a year earlier.

Commuters wait for their bus rides at the Cubao bus terminal on Friday. Authorities have beefed up security around the country as thousands are expected to travel to the provinces in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day this weekend.(MNS photo)

– Another complaint was filed Friday against President Benigno Aquino III over the Department of Agriculture’s alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of several lawmakers and as well as the executive branch’s funds under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The latest complaint was filed by former TESDA chief and presidential Augusto Syjuco Jr., who also filed a complaint against Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad last week.

“This Complaint for Investigation focuses on BS Aquino’s sins in the agricultural sector, which our poor farmers continue to bear inabject destitution and economic bondage,” Syjuco said in his sixpage complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman.

complaint were Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Senate President Franklin Drilon and “other John and Jane Does, who are liable for the stated malfeasances.”

Just on Friday last week, Syjuco also filed a complaint against Aquino, Abad and Drilon over their alleged misuse of PDAF and DAP funds, the existence of which was already declared partly unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Just like in his complaint filed last week, Syjuco, a former Iloilo representative and former head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), reiterated his allegation that the Aquino administration, for the last six year, spent PDAF amounting See PDAF MISUSE, page 3

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One bullet in baggage enough to get passenger arrested: Sec. Abaya

Residents are transported on a farm tractor along a flooded portion of a highway in San Simon, Pampanga on Thursday, more than one week after Typhoon Lando hit the country. Authorities are assessing losses and providing assistance for survivors of typhoon Lando, which killed 58 people.(MNS photo)

Boy Scouts yet to earn from property deal with Alphaland: COA report MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) – The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) has not yet earned or recorded any income from its controversial deal with property developer Alphaland Corp, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

“As of CY 2014, no income and/or collection was recorded in the books and received by the BSP out of its share from the Joint Venture (JV) Project in Makati City. Its share of 15% of the gross floor area in the said project has not been identified,” COA’s said in a letter to the Boy Scouts.

COA reminded the Boy Scouts on why they entered into a deal with Alphaland in 2008 in the first place.

“The main reason for the decision to sell the said property was to alleviate the financial woes of the BSP,” the letter also wrote.

BSP was supposed to the rights, title, and interest of the 15 percent of the gross floor area (GFA) of the project.

COA told both parties to identify which units were for BSP. COA also gave these recommendations: Enforce and collect the amount of property share of

MANILA, Nov 2 (Mabuhay) – Office for Transportation Security (OTS) officers are required to arrest passengers found with live ammunition in their baggage, even if it’s just one bullet, said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

If the bullet were just an empty shell, which according to Abaya is a popular souvenir, then OTS officers simply confiscate it without making any arrests.

However, if the bullet has the four components required for live ammunition, even without a gun, the passenger has to be arrested. If the OTS officers don’t follow protocol, they can be sued.

Abaya added that the

DOTC will be holding a meeting on Monday morning, November 2, to discuss the issue.

In the “laglag bala” scheme, suspects, supposedly airport personnel, slip bullets into the bags of passengers in order to extort money in exchange for dropping charges.

Three lawmakers have already petitioned for the firing Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Angel Jose Honrado, citing the growing number of laglag bala incidents.

The latest victim was a 65-year-old woman named Ninfa Fontamilla on her way to Singapore to watch her grandson compete in a youth football tournament.

A bullet was found in the outside pocket of her luggage. Her daughter Menchu Tan, who was traveling with her mother, denied the bullet was theirs.

“At the first instance that this laglag-bala scam was exposed by the media, we expected concrete and immediate action, but unfortunately, Honrado was content making excuses for the shenanigans inside the airports he manages. Honrado must be removed if we really want to reform the image of our airports,” said Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles.

Malacañang is looking at having additional CCTV cameras in airports as a possible solution to the problem and said that they are coordinating with DOTC. (MNS)

BSP that is rightfully/properly due and demandable out of the pre-sold units Submit the Supplemental Agreement with regard to the mutually agreed method of allocations of individual units between BSP and its partner, if there is any. If none, submit an explanation on how was the selling of disposable units done without such allocation by both parties.

Meanwhile, BSP vice chair and general manager Atty. Wendel Avisado said that they have already submitted the required documents to COA. Senatorial candidates running under the “Team Galing at Puso” raise their hands, with Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Chiz Escudero, during the team introduction at Club Filipino on Thursday. Six members are running exclusively under Team GP, while 6 are common candidates from other parties vying for the 2016 election.

(MNS photo)

Binay gets support from Camarines Sur political families MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday got support from political families in Camarines Sur, a province where he lost to administration standard bearer Mar Roxas during the 2010 vice presidential race by over 40,000 votes.

Former House Speaker Arnulfo Feuntebella endorsed the candidacy of Binay, who came along with five senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance.

“If you notice, our presence here with Congressman Lui (Luis Villafuerte), myself, and other known

politicians in Camarines Sur especially, you will immediately conclude that a Binay presidency will be very strong come [the] 2016 elections,” Fuentebella said, adding that Binay won in his district in 2010 by more than 25,000 votes.

For his part, Villafuerte, a former governor said: “For the first time in the province of Camarines Sur, the Fuentebellas, the Villafuertes, the alferors and the Rocos.

We were never together before, but now we stand behind President Jojo Binay.”

Binay sounded confident when asked how the support of prominent Bicolandia politicians would work for his candidacy. “Eto ung mga talagang mga institusyon na sa pulitika sa Bicol ,,,

mas maigi na pakinggan na lang natin kung paano sila magiging game-changer for Binay as president.”

In 2013, Camarines Sur had almost a million registered voters and around 80 percent actually voted.

But support from the Villafuertes is not that solid.

The current governor, Migz (Villafuerte’s grandson), and his father, L-Ray, have earlier expressed support for Sen. Grace Poe’s presidential bid.

Fuentebella and Villafuerte are both seeking a congressional comeback in the province.

Meanwhile, Binay promised Bicolanos that should he become president, he will revive the Bicol Express Line of the Philippine National Railways.

Duterte substitution was party’s decision: Dino MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) – Ex-PDP-Laban presidential candidate Martin Diño admitted Friday that it was the party’s decision to name Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as their substitute candidate for president.

Diño said they submitted Duterte’s name as his substitute even without the mayor’s permission.

Diño denied that he filed a certificate of candidacy for president as a placeholder for Duterte. However, he admitted that PDP-Laban wants Duterte to run for the country’s highest position.

Diño said he really intended to run for president and thus felt insulted when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) questioned his capability to mount a national campaign. “Ano bang qualifications natin para maging Pangulo ng Pilipinas... may nakalagay ba doon na kailangan milyonaryo ka? Kailangan ba mayaman ka? Insulto yan, napakalaking insulto sa Pilipino nyan [What should be the qualifications of being a Philippine President... should you be a millionaire?

That is an insult to the Filipino people],” Diño added.

Meanwhile, Comelec Chair Andres Bautista cleared that they have not yet declared anyone a nuisance candidate.He said the poll body sent letters to the aspirants so they can explain why they should not be declared as nuisance bets.

Bautista said Comelec needs to study the technicalities of getting a substitute candidate to run in the national elections.

“There is a technicality there that we will have to study if and when Mr. Duterte or any other member of PDP-Laban would like to substitute for Mr. Diño, because once Mr. Diño withdraws and there is no substitute, again I think that the rules are unclear whether or not the substitution should happen instantaneously and that it should coincide with the withdrawal, or whether or not again the party has until December 10 to effect a substitution,” Bautista said.

For his part, Diño said he believes Duterte is still open to the idea of running for president. He said Duterte once said he will abide by the party’s decision when asked if he will run in the 2016 polls. (MNS)

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15 killed, 13 injured in Zamboanga City fire ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 31 (Mabuhay) – Fifteen people, including six children, perished while 13 others were injured in a fire that hit this city’s old public market Saturday dawn.

Superintendent Dominador Zabala Jr., Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) fire marshal, said the fire razed 350 stalls, mostly used-clothing shops, and partially destroyed a threestory commercial building.

Estimated worth of property damaged was placed at PHP8 million.

Zabala said the fire broke out around 2:45 a.m. Saturday in one of the stalls owned by a certain Mannan and rapidly spread to the

nearby stalls.

Zabala said the fire has reached third alarm status in few minutes after it broke out. Investigation showed the fire started when the amber from an electric post that sparked fell into a stall of used clothing.

“Apparently it was a spark in the (electrical) wiring,” Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said as to the origin of the fire.

Salazar said the other stalls that were razed were selling marine products and vegetables.

Salazar noted that some of the stalls were constructed illegally by the occupants.

She said the victims who were killed and injured were

LAGLAG BALA From page 1

to sack Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado over the alleged growing number of “laglagbala” extortion victims at the airport.

The MIAA, meanwhile, said that it will focus on going after those possibly involved in the extortion scheme.

“It would be good to focus our efforts on the investigation and removing the people directly involved in the matter rather than removing those who are working to resolve it,” said MIAA spokesman David de Castro.

He added that measures have been put in place to address the issue, including heightened surveillance, and concerned agencies—including the MIAA—conduct-

ing their investigations on the matter.

In a press conference at the Philippine National Police’s headquarters in Camp Crame, Aviation Security Group spokesperson Superintendent Jeanne Panisan said they have not proven the “laglag-bala” allegations.

“Sa imbestigasyon na ginagawa, wala pa kaming napatunayan na mayroong nagtatanim ng bala,” she said.

“Ang nagdadala lang ng bagahe ay pasahero maliban na lang kung magrerequest siya ng porter. After that ilalagay sa conveyor belt para sa screening kung saan siya rin ang magbubuhat ng bagahe, maliban na lang kung may porter,” she added.

She said there is no

CEMETERIES From page 1

Manila in the afternoon.

Aside from cemeteries, more policemen were also deployed in transport terminals, seaports and airports

to provide security to people going to the provinces for the All Saints’ Day weekend.

(MNS)

among the people staying in their stalls while some had just stayed overnight as they were scheduled to travel to Jolo, Sulu.

The names of the fatalities released by the local police and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) are the following: Kayulan Hasiddin, 48; Musal Hasiddin, 45; Radzhata Hasiddin, 28; Bunay Hasiddin, one; Crissamae Hasiddin, 3; Noynoy Hasiddin, 5; Nurais Hasiddin, 9; Radzmer Hasiddin, 10; Ruhilyn Hamis, 26; Jasper Hamis, 1; Abei Salahuddin, 40; Nuru-in Salahuddin, 39; Algabid Salahuddin, 20; Marilyn Salahuddin, 32; and, Binnas Salahuddin, 20.

A resident (left) wades on a river with their belongings while a fire razes a residential area in Tambo, Paranaque City on Thursday. At least 50 houses made of light materials were destroyed by the fire, affecting 150 families according to a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) official.(MNS photo)

chance for their personnel to plant bullets into the passengers’ baggage.

“Kung nagkataon na ang operator (ng x-ray) may makitang ipinagbabawal na dalhin, pipicturan ng baggage inspector ang monitor, tatawagin o hihintayin na i-claim ng pasahero ang baggage at sasabihin na may nakita.

Saka tatawagin ang PNP AvSec. Saka bubuksan yung

baggage sa may inspection table at ang magbubukas ay pasahero. Kung positive na na-identify ay iimbitahan na ang pasahero sa opisina,” said Panisan.

She added that the presence of airport policemen are not required at the screening area, explaining that their responsibility is to provide police visibility and maintain peace and order at the airport.

MALACANANG From page 1

over seven out of 15 issues raised against China by the Philippines, which asks the tribunal to declare Beijing’s sweeping claims over the disputed areas in the South China Sea illegal “From the outset naman, China has openly stated that they will not participate.

The closest thing without participating was to submit a position paper. Very clear naman po sa kanilang submission of the position paper itself, this is not equivalent to submitting to their jurisdiction, naintindihan po ‘yan ng Permanent Court of Arbitration,” Lacierda said.

While China has maintained its position against the case before the PCA, Lacierda said the Philippines is raring to present the merits of the case before the international court.

“Obviously, our track is to go by way of arbitration and we will continue to pursue that track. It just helped us. The PCA has looked with favor on our petition, so we look forward to presenting the merits of the case,” he said. China is insisting on its “indisputable” and “historical” claim over virtually the entire waters in the South China Sea.(MNS)

SACKING OFFICERS From page 1

Castro said, “It would be good to focus our efforts on the investigation and removing the people directly involved in the matter rather than removing those who are working to resolve it.”

He also said measures have been put in place to address the issue, including heightened surveillance, and concerned agencies – including the MIAA – conducting their investigations on the matter. The Philippine National Police Aviation Security (PNP-AVSECO) is

also checking whether its officers are involved in the scheme, De Castro said.

He added that as per protocol, “we automatically revoked the access passes for all [personnel of] OTS (Office of Transportation Security).”

During a separate press briefing on Monday, De Castro said at least 40 personnel from the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) have had their access passes revoked as they face investigation for various complaints.

PDAF MISUSE

DAP funds, the president and the other respondents must also be held liable for the DA’s alleged misuse of DAP funds as well as the PDAF of several lawmakers.

Syjuco said that based on the a series of annual audit reports (AARs) by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the use of PDAF and DAP by various government agencies, the DA “squandered” a total of P14.4 billion DAP and PDAF funds on questionable programs and projects.

From page 1

to P220 billion and DAP amounting to P157 billion, for a total of P377 billion.

“As I have repeatedly said before, again and again, ad nauseam, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, herein referred as BS Aquino for brevity, is the biggest and most prominent usurper of pork barrel,” Syjuco said in his complaint.

In his new complaint, Syjuco said that aside from Aquino’s alleged misuse of his own

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China urges PHL to resume talks on maritime dispute BEIJING, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) – China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday urged the Philippines to return to the “correct path” of talks to resolve their dispute over the South China Sea. A court in The Hague ruled on Thursday it has jurisdiction to hear some territorial claims the Philippines has filed against China over disputed areas in the South China Sea. China has said repeatedly it will neither recognize nor participate in the case.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on Thursday ruled that it has immediate jurisdiction over seven out of 15 issues raised against China by the Philippines, which is asking the tribunal to declare Beijing’s sweeping claims over the disputed areas in the South China Sea illegal and excessive.

In an initial legal setback for China and a victory for the Philippines, which filed the case in January 2013, the tribunal has set hearings and said that it expects to hand down a ruling on the case next year.

The tribunal also rejected China’s contention that The Hague-based tribunal did not have authority to rule on the case.

Filipino government officials and diplomats said the Philippines ran into a “dead end” when it tried to resolve territorial disputes with China through nearly two decades of bilateral talks, prompting the country to eventually decide to bring the long-simmering conflicts to international arbitration.

In its ruling on Oct. 29, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said its jurisdiction with respect to seven other issues, or “submissions” in arbitration parlance, by the Philippines remain pending and “will need to be considered in conjunction with the merits.”

These include a move by the Philippine government to invalidate China’s nine-dash line, the country’s basis to claim almost all of the South China Sea. Another Philippine submission, on the other hand, needs to be clarified and narrowed by the court. - See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/542504/news/ nation/int-l-tribunal-takes-jurisdiction-of-phl-case-versuschina#sthash.IupT6LJc.dpufThe Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on Thursday ruled that it has immediate jurisdiction over seven out of 15 issues raised against China by the Philippines, which is asking the tribunal to declare Beijing’s sweeping claims over the disputed areas in the South China Sea illegal and excessive.

In an initial legal setback for China and a victory for the Philippines, which filed the case in January 2013, the tribunal has set hearings and said that it expects to hand down a ruling on the case next year.

The tribunal also rejected China’s contention that The Hague-based tribunal did not have authority to rule on the case.

Filipino government officials and diplomats said the Philippines ran into a “dead end” when it tried to resolve territorial disputes with China through nearly two decades of bilateral talks, prompting the country to eventually decide to bring the long-simmering conflicts to international arbitration.

In its ruling on Oct. 29, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said its jurisdiction with respect to seven other issues, or “submissions” in arbitration parlance, by the Philippines remain pending and “will need to be considered in conjunction with the merits.”

These include a move by the Philippine government to invalidate China’s nine-dash line, the country’s basis to claim almost all of the South China Sea. Another Philippine submission, on the other hand, needs to be clarified and narrowed by the court. (MNS)

Wednesday - Tuesday, November 4 -10, 2015 THE US ASIAN

OPINION

Palace welcomes arbitration court’s decision to hear PHL case vs. China MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Friday welcomed the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to assume jurisdiction over the case filed by the Philippines against China over disputed claims in the South China Sea, parts of which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea. “We welcome the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal on jurisdiction, allowing the Philippines to present its claims on the merits,” Communications Secretary Hermino Coloma Jr. said in a text message.

“Our people can be assured that those representing our country have been continuously preparing for this,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said. For its part, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said: “We welcome the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal that it has jurisdiction over our case.”

“We look forward to the Tribunal’s further hearing on the merits of the case,” Jose added.

In a separate statement, Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said the court’s decision is a step forward towards a peaceful resolution on the territorial dispute. “The decision represents a significant step forward in the Philippines’ quest for a peaceful, impartial resolution of the disputes between the parties and the clarification of their rights under UNCLOS,” Hilbay, the Philippine legal representative in the proceedings, said.

“The elimination of preliminary objections to the exercise of the tribunal’s jurisdiction opens the way for the presentation of the merits of the Philippines’ substantive claims,” Hilbay added.

‘PHL victory’ Meanwhile, South China Sea analyst Professor Carl Thayer of the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defense Force Academy described the development as “a victory in the first instance for the Philippines.”

“The Arbitral Tribunal has answered in the affirmative to two important legal questions – its competence to hear the case and the fact that the Philippines had made a case in international law.

The Arbitral Tribunal is now cleared to begin its formal deliberations on this case. China claimed the Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction and would not participate. The Arbitral Tribunal rebuffed China on both accounts, ruling that it would proceed,” Thayer told GMA News Online via e-mail.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to respond to request for comment on the ruling.

The arbitration court ruled that it would take up seven of the 15 submissions made against China by the Philippines, which is asking the tribunal to declare Beijing’s sweeping claims over the disputed areas in the South China Sea illegal and excessive.

In its decision, the Netherlands-based court also rejected China’s position that the court cannot assume jurisdiction over the case because it deals with sovereignty over the features in the resourcerich waters, which it says is beyond its scope under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. After assuming jurisdiction on the Philippine case, a hearing on the merits of the Philippines’ claims will be convened by the tribunal soon. (MNS)

Comelec: You can’t force Duterte to run MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) -- The Commission on Elections on Friday said it will not work on the substitution of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as presidential candidate of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan until the mayor accepts the party’s decision.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the poll body has not received a letter from the toughtalking mayor indicating his willingness to stand as Martin Diño’s substitute for the presidential race.

The PDP-Laban has also yet to file a new certificate of nomination and acceptance for Duterte.

Bautista said the substitution will not be valid without Duterte’s consent.

“Elementary ‘yun na hindi mo pwedeng pilitin ang tao na tumakbo kung ayaw tumakbo. Walang ganyan--kumbaga, hindi mo lang pwedeng basta isingit ang pangalan ng isang tao na sinasabi mong magsa-substitute para sa ‘yo,” Bautista said.

“In my mind, bago talaga natin dapat bigyang pansin ito e dapat natin munang malaman, mayroon ba talagang magsa-substitute? Kasi kumbaga, it’s all contingent on that e,” he added.

Diño, the former chairman of the Volunteers

Against Crime and Corruption, has announced he will withdraw from the presidential race while naming Duterte as his substitute.

The Comelec chairman said questions may arise on the validity of the proposed substitution without Duterte’s consent.

“Ang tawag nila sa batas, kumbaga, one of a kind situation. But sinabi ko rin, sana kung magkakaroon ng substitution, as soon as possible para hindi na magulo ‘yung ating proseso,” he said.

Duterte’s reluctance to run for president has been deemed by some as a mere political ploy to boost his candidacy. Bautista said such a strategy is not against the law.

“Kasama ito sa proseso e. ‘Yang strategy rin e kasama sa isang kampanya. Kaya lang, ang dapat siguraduhin ay ‘yung strategy ay sumasang-ayon sa batas. As I said, may gray areas kung magkakaroon man ng substitution,” the Comelec chairman said.

“Hindi ko masasabi sa inyo kung tatanggapin namin kung magkakaroon ng substitution--at kung may magfa-file ng disqualification case if and when a substitution happens.” (MNS)

Sue Indonesia for haze: PHL lawyer METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES – “We should hold Indonesia liable for the haze under the Articles on State Responsibility,” said Atty. Harry Roque, in light of the deadly Indonesian haze reaching Philippine territory.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) had earlier issued an advisory that moderate haze is affecting the Zamboanga peninsula, and that said haze has even reached as far as Metro Manila.

The haze is caused by the intentional slashing and burning of forest land to clear the way for new plantations. Indonesia is the world’s leading producer of palm oil, as well as a leading producer of paper and pulp products.

But this year’s El Niño and the prolonged dry season have caused raging forest fires, leading to more than 500,000 cases of respiratory infections and 10 deaths from haze-related illnesses in the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan alone.

The forest fires and inadequate government response are now being described as “crimes against humanity.” Atty. Roque emphasized that the haze is not merely a local concern for Indonesia, as other countries, like Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, are now being affected by it.

“Under international law, Indonesia is liable under the Articles on State Responsibility,” Atty.

Roque said. “Clearly this is a breach of Indonesia’s international obligation to keep its environment and

economic activities in check. It has sanctioned for too long the burning of its forests to the detriment of everyone.”

Atty. Roque is the former Director of the Institute of International Legal Studies at the UP Law Center, and professor of Constitutional Law at the UP College of Law. He has given up his established academic career to pursue an elective legislative position.

One of the main advocacies of his party-list, KABAYAN, is KAlusugan (health), as part of the legal mandate of the State, including housing and livelihood. Atty. Roque aims to use his expertise in international law to fight for socio-economic constitutional rights of Filipinos.

“Establishing liability will compel Indonesia and Malaysia, as frequent sources of haze, to be more vigilant against allowing their territories to be used in a manner injurious to other countries, especially the Philippines,” Atty. Roque said.

The Philippines said it was supporting Singapore’s call to ASEAN countries to take action on the haze pollution that is now spreading across Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje said the Philippines will be calling for the “full implementation” of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

SWS: More Filipinos became hungry in Q3 of 2015

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MANILA, Nov 2 (Mabuhay) – After registering a 10-year record low, the number of families who said they experienced hunger over three months increased during the third quarter of the year, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Survey results first published on BusinessWorld on Sunday evening, showed that a total of 15.7 percent of respondents, or an about 3.5 million families, said that they experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the three months prior to the survey from September 2 to 5.

An estimated 3.1 million families or 14.1 percent of the respondents said they experienced “moderate hunger,” which meant that they suffered from involuntary hunger “only once” or “few times” for the past three months.

Meanwhile, the number of those who felt “severe” hunger slightly dipped in the third quarter as only 1.6 percent of respondents or about 361,000 families said they felt hunger “often” or “always” for the past three months.

The latest hunger figure is three points higher than the preceding quarter’s figure of 12.7 percent or an estimated 2.8 million families.

In terms of geographic area, more respondents from Mindanao said they suffered hunger during the past three months. At total of 21.7 percent said they experienced hunger, a 7.4 point increase from the preceding quarter’s figure.

More families from Balance Luzon said they experienced hunger, registering a four-point increase this quarter at 14.7 percent.

Hunger stayed the same in Metro Manila at 18.3 percent while it dipped in the Visayas by 2.4 points to 9.3 percent.

Second quarter’s self-rated hunger, which was pegged at 12.7 percent, was the lowest rating recorded since May 2005.

The survey conducted face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide with sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. (MNS)

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UTREACH

Washington meet shines spotlight on APEC 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oct. 30 – The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the premiere economic policy organization in the region, plays a unique role in supporting sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific through a holistic approach which empowers government, business, and civil society sectors of its member economies.

Representatives from these three sectors gathered in Washington, DC to talk about the priorities, goals, and milestones of APEC during “APEC Philippines 2015,” a symposium held on 30 October 2015 at the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center. The gathering was organized by the US-Philippines Society, in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center.

To explain how APEC works, keynote speaker Laura Q. Del Rosario, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations and Chair for the Senior Officials’ Meeting of APEC 2015, likened APEC to a musical masterpiece.

“APEC works like the music of Johannes Sebas-

Keynote speaker Laura Q. Del Rosario, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations and Chair for the Senior Officials’ Meeting of APEC 2015, at the APEC Philippines 2015 symposium on 30 October 2015 at the Ronald Reagan Building and

tian Bach. It’s like having so many instruments playing together and each instrument has its own music but somehow they all lead to one major goal. They all play under one definite key,” said Undersecretary Del Rosario.

The one major goal and one definite key for this year is “Building inclusive economies, Building a better world,” a theme the Philippines, as the Chair of APEC 2015, has chosen.

MSME and the inclusive growth agenda Keynote speaker Matthew J. Matthews, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary and

Senior Official for APEC described inclusive growth as everyone having a “fair shot because everyone is playing on a level playing field.”

To level the playing field, APEC is working on strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) so that these businesses can enter the global market. Bringing more businesses into global business chains is one of the main goals under the APEC inclusive growth agenda.

During her remarks, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council, talked about the crucial role technology

Cuisia promotes PHL in Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber Of Commerce Banquet Los Angeles, 23 October 2015 – Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. gave the keynote speech as the special guest of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (GDAACC) during its banquet on 20 October 2015 at the Marriott at Legacy Town Center, Dallas, Texas. The GDAACC is an organization with over 1,200 members with the mission of promoting and developing Asian American businesses with the economic development of North Texas.

The 2015 GDAACC Banquet centered on “Driving Diversity” in the work place. Awards were given to individuals, small and large companies that championed the various aspects of driving diversity. The GDAACC itself is a great example of diversity in both its leadership and membership. The current GDAACC President Galileo Jumaoas is of Filipino descent. GDAACC Chairperson Shabnam Modgil expressed appreciation for the presence of the Ambassador Cuisia at their banquet. She also mentioned that it was indeed an honor for the GDAACC to feature the Philippines and have the Philippine Ambassador as their keynote speaker.

In his speech, Ambassador Cuisia focused on two important events in Asia this 2015: ASEAN Economic Integration and the Philippine hosting of APEC. The Ambassador stated that these events pertain to regional groupings that are two of the most excellent examples of GDAACC’s theme of “Unity in Diversity.”

Ambassador Cuisia stated that the Philippines is pleased to be hosting APEC for the second time this year. The Philippines believes that APEC is the premier multilateral intergovernmental forum for liberalizing trade and in-

vestment, facilitating business and fostering economic and technical cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The theme of this year’s APEC, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World” is in line with the Philippine Government’s own goal of promoting inclusive growth in the country.

The Ambassador closed his remarks by encouraging the attendees to take a close look at the Philippines as they map out their investments and expansion plans in the next few years. With the Philippines’ geographic location at the center of the most dynamic region for the next 50-100 years, the country can be the gateway of the Pacific to South East Asia, and to Greater Asia.

Ambassador Cuisia also took the opportunity to acknowledge the presence of the Philippine delegation for the 4th Private-Led Investment Roadshow headed

by Dr. Bernardo Villegas with senior corporate executives representing various industries as members.

The Investment Roadshow aims to present economic updates and various investment opportunities in the Philippines to the business community at Dallas Forth Worth, Texas.

Meanwhile, Cuisia was the featured speaker of the Dallas Fort Worth World Affairs Council on 21 October 2015. The Philippine delegation of the 4thPrivate-Led Investment Roadshow in the U.S. was also present during the event.

In his speech, the Ambassador discussed the current updated and positive developments about the Philippine economy, the Philippines’ Geopolitical Rose in Asia, the Philippines’ economic engagements - ASEAN, hosting of APEC and the country’s efforts to work on accession to the TPP. The Ambassa-

dor stated that the continued prosperity of Asia will largely depend on the peace and stability in the region.

Other areas of particular interest for the audience were about the upcoming Philippine elections, as well as transparency and fight against corruption in the Philippines. On the elections, the Ambassador quoted Dr. Bernardo Villegas who informed the audience that he sees the continued growth of the Philippines even with the upcoming change of leadership in the country. On transparency and corruption, Dr. Villegas also referred to the book “Why Nations Fail,” citing that as long as institutions are already in place, like what has been done in the Philippines in the fight against corruption, it will be difficult for future leaders to do further acts of corruption. He stated examples like the stricter and more transparent Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) for government officials, and a more active civil society who actively posts activities on social media.

In closing, the Ambassador cited that the hope is for the continuation of the good governance platform of the Aquino Administration. The reforms already instituted and undertaken under the current administration will ensure that the Philippines remains a reliable partner and ally of the United States.

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plays in leveling the playing field for MSMEs. “Today, one of the greatest trends that make this idea of inclusive growth so much more possible is technology. That has really opened up the possibility for anybody—man, woman, child, people with disabilities—to really be participating in endeavors that allow one to cross borders with services and goods,” Doris Magsaysay-Ho. An example of such technology is a program for interactive mapping of incubators being developed

by APEC and is set to be launched in November. The interactive map will serve as a networking tool for young entrepreneurs and investors in the region.

“We have partnered with Canada to do interactive mapping for incubators in the region. We have started with six economies and hopefully by next year we can complete all 21. I think it is so exciting when you can see the possibility of connecting the next generation entrepreneurs and a venture capitalist being able to find somebody inventing something in Indonesia, for example,” said Magsaysay-Ho. Inclusive growth also entails optimizing the full participation of women in the economy. According to Monica Whaley, President of the National Center for APEC, the Philippines is a perfect example of having women as active players, citing that the country has two female APEC chairs in Undersecretary del Rosario as SOM Chair and Ms. Magsaysay-Ho as ABAC Chair.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador John F. Mais-

to, President of the USPhilippines Society, also pointed out that seven of the eleven speakers at the forum were women.

Health and the environment APEC has also shown seriousness in making sure public health and environmental concerns are addressed in the process of creating inclusive economies. The organization has thus included businesses and non-profits working health and environmental issues in APEC meetings.

According to Nicholas J. Mallos, Director of the Trash Free Seas program of Ocean Conservancy, a growing amount of waste and pollution is one of the consequences of a growing economy.

“With increase in prosperity, we are seeing rapid growth in plastics consumption. Unfortunately, with that growth in plastics consumption and waste generation, we have not seen a similar growth at the same pace in waste management capacity.

The result has been waste flowing into rivers, into waterways, and ultimately into the ocean,” said Mallos.

This challenge, however, also poses a great economic opportunity for the region.

“The challenge posed by this mismatch certainly are detrimental and pose environmental and economic cons but it also poses many opportunities if we can get the right conditions in place to foster the creation of a waste management industry,” said Mallos.

A cleaner environment translates to healthier workers, and “healthy workers are better work-

ers,” according to Nancy S. Travis, Vice President for International Compliance and Governance for the Advanced Medical Technology Association.

Travis also highlighted the importance of a strong healthcare system to support strong economic growth.

“The less money spent on what happens to you after the hospital, the more money you have for addressing more important health issues,” said Travis.

Structural reform According to Undersecretary Del Rosario, achieving the goal of inclusive growth will entail structural reform, which includes reexamining how countries build the quality of their human resource.

“Structural reform needs to have a whole of government approach. Because of this, we thought that we should start with education. Somehow, I think all the economies agree that without improving our own education and addressing the needs of the future, we will not be able to address the challenges that business will bring,” said Undersecretary Del Rosario.

She added, “Our children now are being trained for jobs that don’t exist yet. We do not know what the jobs of the future will look like so we have to train our people in such a way that they will learn how to be nimble, they will know how to connect the dots.”

Undersecretary Del Rosario ended by saying she hopes that “APEC will live up to its promise of being an incubator of ideas, an incubator of policies, and that it is really a leader in the Asia Pacific region.”

6

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ENTERT

Wednesday - Tuesday, November 4 -10, 2015 THE US ASIAN

INMENT

Aldub Vortex With a record their affection to each breaking 41 Milother, I feel an unconlion tweets durtrollable smile that’s ing their “Tamang quickly followed by Panahon” appeargiddiness. I am among ance at the Philipthe millions of viewers pine Arena last who have witnessed October 24, 2015 the start of a wonderone cannot ignore ful and very odd relathe fact that this tionship. This fictional phenomenon is loveteam brings hope out of this world. It’s an astonishing sen- to the promise of the couple living happily sation that in a matter of hours Twitter’s together, forever. And that someday it will world record was dominated by Aldubnation. become reality.

This event marked the first time that Alden Entertainment is a useful and important Richards and Maine Mendoza, aka Yaya distraction in people’s lives. Life is compliDub, shared the stage. It was not enough cated and finding pleasure in it is a godsend that they were finally for millions of people. seen together in one place, Social media has filled but they were allowed to that need in unexpectlook into each other’s eyes ed ways. The phenomthen they hugged. It was ena of “Dubsmashing”, a heartwarming moment which is a mobile app that even Alden had tears to create short selfie rolling down his cheeks videos dubbed with faas he held Maine tightly mous sounds, has blosin his arms for awhile. As somed on the internet. he savored that moment, It was inevitable that, everyone in the arena sooner or later, people and those watching live would start communiremotely were teary-eyed. cating to each other in The emotion was intense the Dubsmash format. to feel so happy that you AlDub has viewers all over the world glued And that’s how Aldub find yourself crying. Then to Eat Bulaga, which airs worldwide on GMA got started.

Pinoy TV (photo courtesy of Maine Mendoza’s they treated everyone to a instagram account).

In an interview, fairytale-like dance numAlden Richards menber to their theme song “God Gave Me You”. tioned that he spotted a Dubsmash video It was a beautiful moment, quite magical. of Maine Mendoza, the Dubsmash Queen The unusual circumstance behind this of the Philippines, before she was casted media sensation is that the packed arena of as Yaya Dub. He found her videos hilarimore than 50K was there to see and experi- ous and became a fan. Alden is a regular ence the energy of a couple who had never host in the hit noontime variety show “Eat met, and had never spoken a word to each Bulaga”. Maine’s internet popularity caught other. The premise of this first kalye-serye the attention of the producers and casted is to offer audiences the ultimate kilig fac- her in a soap opera parody segment of the tor. It is the pixie dust of the entertainment show, “Juan for All, All for Juan”. In the world, and the Aldub tandem feeds the pub- series, Maine portrays the character of Yaya lic’s hunger for kilig. Shallow as it maybe, Dub (Divina Ursula Bukbukova), a nanny but the anticipation of a romantic interlude for her adoptive grandmother. In the early is pleasurable. Everytime I watch Aldub’s episodes, Yaya only communicates through split-screen stolen moments when they show vocal dubbing and does not actually speak.

One of the theme songs of the phenomenal AlDub couple is ‘God Gave Me You’ by Bryan White_ The American country singer is coming to Manila this December (photo courtesy of EB FB page)

The Aldub tandem was accidental. In one of the episodes, Yaya Dub broke character when she smiled upon seeing Alden on the show’s split screen, which prompted an instantaneous smile on Alden too. The producers and the audience saw the chemistry spark between Alden and Yaya Dub, thus the loveteam was created.

Part of the charm of the show is that it’s spontaneous and mostly improvised. The scenes on the street shot live makes it unpredictable. Including ordinary people gives the show a down-to-earth feel. A rewarding aspect of the show is that traditional virtues are often on display. Emphasis on modesty and old fashioned courtship is the main theme,“ang pag-ibig ay hindi minamadali”.

Yes, you can’t hurry love. It will be meaningful if you wait for the right time to achieve love forever.

Now that Alden is allowed to officially court Maine, their quest in finding true love

begins. It’s the kind of love that hits the heart, if your eyes don’t tear-up from laughing at the funny faces that Maine makes at Alden when he tries to be romantic. The fantasy world of Aldub has crossed over the boundary from the unreal Dubsmash format to a boy-meets-girl, thus creating a community that strongly believes in hope, love, and happiness.

The promise of their courtship is a reward beyond the dreams of averice. I admit, as an Aldubber who tunes in 6 days a week in anticipation of a romantic fulfillment between Alden and Maine, that I can’t wait to see what will happen next.

In my generation the “new media” format was “music video”, which gave us the odd but comical video persona of “Max Headroom”. Dubsmashing featured in Aldub’s kalye-serye is the 21st century version.

Under the surface it is simply social media comedy meets romance. And it works.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, November 4 -10, 2015

Keeping track of number of bites could help with weight loss: study Friday October 30 2015 (Relaxnews) – New research suggests that counting bites, not calories, could help with weight loss.

For the study, researchers from Brigham Young University in Utah asked a group of 61 participants to count the number of times they lifted food or drink to their mouths.

They were then asked to commit to taking 20 to 30 percent fewer bites over the next week.

The 41 participants who successfully completed the task lost an average of 1.6 kg at the end of the experiment.

The results have also spurred the university’s computer science department to develop an app that would be compatible with wearable devices to help people count their bites.

New research suggests that counting bites, not calories, could help with weight loss. © szefei/shutterstock.com

Researchers say the method would be a doable, cost-effective weight management tool.

The findings appear in Advances in the journal Obesity, Weight Management & Control.

WHO says cancer report not calling for people to give up meat Friday October 30 2015 (Geneva-AFP) – The World Health Organization stressed Thursday that an explosive report this week linking the consumption of processed meat to cancer was not calling for people to stop eating meat altogether.

The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) caused shockwaves Monday when it released a report ana-

lysing 800 studies from around the world, concluding that processed meats such as sausages, ham, and hot dogs cause bowel cancer, and red meat “probably” does too.

Meat producers slammed the report, with Australia’s agriculture minister calling it “a farce”, and the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) saying IARC “tortured the data to ensure a specific outcome.”

The United Nations agency cited research attributing about 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide to diets high in processed meat.

The agency acknowledged this was dwarfed by the estimated one million cancer deaths attributed to tobacco smoking, 600,000 to alcohol use, and more than 200,000 to air pollution every year.

But it warned its data did “not permit” the determination of a safe meat quota.

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Friday October 30 2015 (Paris, France-AFP) – Lowfat diets do not yield greater weight loss than other slimming regimes, said a study Friday, adding to the longrunning debate on how best to shed extra pounds or kilos.

A review of 53 scientific studies, covering nearly 70,000 adults in several countries, found “no good evidence for recommending low-fat diets,” said lead author Deirdre Tobias of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts.

“The science does not support low-fat diets as the optimal long-term weight loss strategy.”

In fact, low-carbohydrate diets led to greater weight loss than low-fat ones, according to study results published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.

Weight loss on a low-fat diet was just 360 grammes (13 ounces), compared to 1.15 kilogrammes (2.5 pounds) on a higher-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan.

As the world’s population grows ever fatter, the quest for an easy weight-loss plan has taken a high priority.

Dietary fat has long been targeted, said the study, for the reason that every gram (0.04 ounce) of it contains more then double the calories of a gram of carbohydrates or protein. But research through the years has yielded contradictory results.

Just last month a smallscale study in the journal Cell Metabolism said cut-

The science does not support low-fat diets as the optimal long-term weight loss strategy, according to a review of 53 scientific studies.

ting back dietary fat caused obese people to lose more body fat than restricting carbohydrates.

But the latest contribution, in the form of a metaanalysis of other studies comparing low-fat diets to other ones, found the contrary. “Behind current dietary advice to cut out the fat... the thinking is that simply reducing fat intake will naturally lead to weight loss,” Tobias said in a statement. “But our robust evidence clearly suggests otherwise.”

Tobias said more research

Loida Nicolas Lewis, AARP Member Chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice, LLC Philanthropist

Dahil sa Health and Wellness resources ng AARP, si Loida at iba pang katulad niya are now able to have as much fun in the ballroom as they did in the boardroom.

Loida has enjoyed a long career as a successful businesswoman, and she remains just as active today. Bilang miyembro ng halos 20 na taon, she keeps current with AARP publications on health, diet, exercise at iba pang activities that help her enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Not surprisingly, her boundless energy and generous contributions para sa Filipino community have made her a role model for many. Para kay Loida, walang hanggan ang mga posibilidad and the best is yet to come. AARP offers members a wealth of resources na siguradong makapagbibigay ng saya, sigla at importanteng impormasyon para rin sa inyo. To learn more, visit aarp.org/aapi or call 1-866-805-1986 today.

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Low-fat diets not best for weight loss: study

This could be my best move yet.

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must be done to “identify better approaches for longterm weight loss and weight maintenance”.

A comment on the study, published by the same journal, said it showed that weight loss overall was poor, regardless of the diet chosen.

“What seems to be clear is that long-term diet adherence is abysmal, irrespective of whether low-fat or other diets... are prescribed,” wrote Kevin Hall of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Maryland, United States.

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Wednesday - Tuesday, November 4 -10, 2015 THE US ASIAN

KITCHENOMICS FAMILY FEATURES

D

azzle guests this holiday season with delicious dishes that only taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. These recipes, created in partnership with lifestyle and cooking expert Sandra Lee, show how using high-quality, like scratch ingredients such as Bob Evans’ refrigerated side dishes lets you create perfectly prepared holiday recipes in minutes.

Find more recipes ideal for sharing and gifting this holiday season through Farm Fresh Ideas, an online club featuring recipes and tips, at www.bobevans.com/recipes.

Sweet Potato Cookies Prep time: 28-33 minutes Cook time: 10-12 minutes Makes: 36 cookies 3/4 cup vegetable shortening 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1 cup Bob Evans Mashed Sweet Potatoes 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 cup unsalted butter 3 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon maple extract Chopped honey roasted pecans, optional Mini marshmallows, optional Heat oven to 350 F. In large bowl using hand mixer or paddle attachment, cream together shortening and brown sugar. Add egg and sweet potato and mix until combined.

In small bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. With mixer on low speed, slowly add flour mixture until well mixed. Use a small cookie scoop and drop rounds onto greased baking sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before frosting.

In separate bowl, beat together butter, powdered sugar and maple extract until frosting is light and fluffy. Frost each cooled cookie with maple butter cream frosting. Sprinkle with pecans and mini marshmallows, if using. Carefully toast marshmallows with a culinary torch, avoiding melting frosting, if desired.

Bacon Wrapped White Cheddar Jalapeno Poppers Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 25-35 minutes Makes: 40 poppers 2 packages Bob Evans Thick Sliced Bacon, slices cut in half 1 package Bob Evans White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes 1 package garlic herb cheese spread 20 jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded with membranes removed 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, ground Heat oven to 400 F. Bring bacon to room temperature so it is pliable and easy to work with.

Loaded Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Makes: 24 rolls 1 package Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes, divided 1 cup Bob Evans Thick Sliced Hardwood Smoked Bacon 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 2 green onions, small diced Salt and black pepper, to taste 1 package dinner roll dough (24 rolls) 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted and melted

In mixing bowl, combine mashed potatoes and garlic herb cheese with rubber spatula. Stir until incorporated.

Spread approximately 1 teaspoon mashed potato mixture in each jalapeno half; level off with butter knife or spatula.

Be sure not to heap potato mixture or it will spill out of peppers. Wrap each jalapeno with bacon; use 3 half slices for large jalapenos or 2 halves for smaller sizes. Be sure bacon is wrapped to seal in mashed potato mixture tightly.

In small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Generously sprinkle bacon with brown sugar and pat gently to make it stick to bacon.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and place wrapped peppers on sheet. Bake until bacon reaches desired crispiness, about 25-35 minutes.

Let peppers cool slightly before serving, about 5 minutes.

Heat oven to 350 F. To make filling, in mixing bowl combine mashed potatoes, bacon, cheese, onion, salt and pepper.

Stir until combined.

Flatten dough into round using palm of hand, spoon 2 tablespoons of filling in middle. Place on baking tray.

Brush surface of rolls with melted butter and cut cross pattern with sharp scissor at middle until you can see filling.

Bake rolls until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

Remove from pan and cool at room temperature for 5 minutes. While cooling, brush tops with melted butter.

Loaded Mashed Potato Poppers Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Makes: 48 poppers 1 package Bob Evans Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 6 slices Bob Evans Hickory Smoked Bacon 8 ounces nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips 2 large eggs, slightly beaten 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 6-8 cups vegetable oil, for frying 16 ounces sour cream for dipping, optional Stir together cold mashed potatoes, cheese and bacon. Scoop 48 tablespoons of potato mixture onto parchment- or wax paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate 1520 minutes.

Meanwhile, place tortilla chips in bowl of food processor and pulse to fine crumbs, or place chips in large resealable bag and smash using a rolling pin. Pour crumbs into shallow bowl.

Beat eggs and pour into another shallow bowl.

Pour flour into shallow bowl; set aside.

Heat oil in fryer or Dutch oven to 350 F. Remove mashed potato scoops from refrigerator and roll into balls. Roll each ball in flour, tapping off excess.

Once all potatoes are coated in flour, dip each into egg, allowing excess to drip off, then into the tortilla chips, making sure to coat evenly with crumbs. Set on clean baking sheet. Discard excess flour, egg and tortilla chips.

Fry small batches of poppers until golden brown, 30-40 seconds. Remove from fryer and place on paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve hot with sour cream, if desired. Poppers can be reheated in 350 F oven for 6-8 minutes.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, November 4 -10, 2015

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MOTORING What to see at SEMA 2015 Sunday November 1 2015 (Relaxnews) – The Specialty Equipment market Association (SEMA) show has quickly become one of the biggest events on the automotive calendar, so expect some genuinely outlandish creations when it gets underway on November 3.

Despite being a trade rather than public show and despite having a very strong US focus, SEMA manages to attract between 60,000 and 100,000 attendees from 100 countries around the world. All of whom will be descending upon Las Vegas on Tuesday to show off their own skills and admire those of others when it comes to reengineering, customizing and modifying everything from pickups and sportscars to SUVs and even camper vans.

Ford As usual, Ford will be

out in force, with 28 official customized cars on show including a number of F150 pickups. But the star turn is likely to be the Bisimoto Ford Mustang EcoBoost, one of eight modified Mustangs on show and the only one that can generate 900hp Chevrolet Where the Mustang goes, other muscle follows and Chevrolet will be showing two takes on its Camaro SS, the Black Accent and Red Accent. Both add new styling elements but neither boosts horsepower or acceleration.

However, the company will also be promoting a new small block crate engine, the ZZ6, which can output 405hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.

Hyundai Horsepower is high on Hyundai’s list this year. It will be revealing a soupedup Tucson that can deliver

700hp from its 2.4-liter engine and is one of six extreme show cars the Korean company will be promoting when SEMA gets underway.

KIA Sister company KIA will be going all-out to show the customization capabilities of its off-roaders and will be unveiling six hand-built bespoke concept vehicles, each created to represent a different region of the US. Mopar The custom parts division for Dodge, Jeep and Chryslers has a big surprise planned and while it’s being very coy about what to expect, the smart money is on an all-wheel drive conversion for the Challenger and Charger Hellcat muscle cars to bring their ludicrous power levels under control away from the drag strip.

Mazda The centerpiece of Maz-

Camaro SS Black Accent Package concept: One of two kits for the Camaro on show this year ©Chevrolet

da’s stand will be two conceptual takes on the Miata MX-5 drop top sportscar -the Spyder and the Speedster.

Both promise very different visual characteristics but the same increased performance thanks to being even lighter than the

standard Miata.

Nissan Like Ford, Nissan will be hosting a wide selection of models from across its range at this year’s show but doubtless the highlight will be the NISMO N-Attack Package for the GT-R. With it fitted to the latest

edition of the company’s flagship super sports car, it can conceivably lap the Nurburgring in 7 minutes 8.679 seconds, the fastest recorded time for a volume production vehicle.

SEMA runs November 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Why Japanese carmakers are concentrating on making the connection Sunday November 1 2015 (Relaxnews) – At this year’s Tokyo motorshow, Toyota’s keyword was “wow!” and on the Subaru stand, company head Yasuyuki Yoshinaga dedicated as much of his presentation to building a bond with owners, of “becoming partners in our customers’ lives”, as he did on discussing the future of connected or autonomous vehicles.

“A life with Subaru is a richer life. We want to create and share such oppor-

tunities for enrichment. We want to help our customers create indispensable partnerships with their Subarus that go beyond what people usually expect from their cars. This is our aim,” he said.

Yoshinaga’s counterpart at Toyota, Akio Toyoda, was also focused on emotion and on the car’s cultural history, rather than simply on hybrids or hydrogen. “Why did people choose cars over horses? There are probably a lot of reasons, but the

one I find most compelling is that it was simply more fun to get around by car.

Maybe, just the existence of cars back then made people go ‘Wow!’,” he reflected.

Since replacing the horse at the turn of the 20th century, the car has become an integral part of people’s lives and a source of emotion and of deep feeling as much as a mode of transport.

But the car is about to go through the biggest change in its 130-year history. As

internal combustion gives way to plug-in or hydrogen powertrains, and driving gives way to being driven, the car as we know it today could be heading for an identity crisis.

It’s why Toyota’s Kikai concept investigates what makes machinery beautiful, why Nissan’s Teatro for Dayz explores the wants and needs of tomorrow’s car owner, and why much of this year’s Tokyo motor show is dedicated to trying to strengthen the emo-

tional connection in an age when zero-emissions, zerofatality and potentially zero-involvement cars are common.

“Our objective for autonomous drive is not to take you out of the car. Our objective is to keep you in the car and empower you,” said Carlos Ghosn, CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance about the idea of these new technologies breaking the bonds that drivers have with their cars.

“There’s a big difference

between autonomous drive and driverless cars. Driverless cars are cars without a driver, which is what Google is pursuing. Our objective is to make your life on board more pleasant and easier.”

But even as the technology develops and cars roll towards a future where they’re potentially viewed as white goods, Japanese companies feel that they will still be able to find a way to make a humanmachine connection.

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Car shopping: The next generation Friday October 30 2015 (Relaxnews) – According to an eBay-commissioned study, strapping on a virtual reality headset will soon be a normal step on the path to choosing and buying a new car.

The one element of the automotive industry that is still largely untouched by innovation is the actual purchase process. Car companies may have incredibly comprehensive websites

and even a burgeoning social media presence, but car shopping is still about going in person to a dealership, talking with a sales assistant and finally signing on the dotted line.

But it won’t be able to resist the digital or mobile revolution forever. The Future of Automotive Shopping Survey shows that 21% of 18-29-year-olds are already interested in using virtual reality as part

of the car-buying journey and that nearly 70% of all respondents already automatically reach for a mobile device to check out a dealer’s reputation or to find out information about marques or models on the go. “Mobile is increasingly changing the way consumers shop -- whether it’s for a vehicle or parts and accessory,” said Sree Menon, General Manager of eBay Motors. “Today’s consum-

Visit www.usasianpost.com ers -- especially millennials -- are embracing technology to enhance their own car shopping experiences.”

The study of over 1000 US vehicle owners across age groups found that almost one in five had already bought a car or truck online within the past five years and that younger consumers in particular expect to be able to easily use every type of device and channel available for the clearest possible picture before picking a car.

When asked why, over one third of all consumers said that they turn to the web because unlike a dealership it’s always open for business. And, almost three in 10 said that they wanted to avoid having to interact with a real-life salesperson.

Innovations in showroom tech Car companies are beginning to test the waters in terms of technologies like VR. Volvo developed a virtual test drive app for use with Google Cardboard

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when it launched its flagship XC90 SUV in the US last November. Audi, Lexus and Infiniti have also tried out headsets as a way of offering potential customers a more immersive understanding of cars.

As for other devices, Bentley in September launched a configurator app that helps to customize and specify a new car automatically based on the user’s emotional responses to video clips and mood images.

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Mexicans nabbed for selling PH-made jewelry as Native American-made ALBUQUERQUE, October 29, 2015 – Three New Mexicans have been charged with violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) by conspiring to import and fraudulently sell Filipino-made jewelry as Native American-made. The indictment charging the three defendants is the result of an ongoing federal investigation led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into an international scheme to violate the IACA that included a law enforcement operation yesterday during which 16 search warrants were executed in New Mexico and California and related investigative activity took place in the Philippines.

The IACA prohibits the offer or display for sale, or the sale of any good in a manner that falsely suggests that it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian and Indian tribe. The law is designed to prevent products from being marketed as “Indian made,” when the products are not, in fact, made by Indians. It covers all Indian and Indian-style traditional and contemporary arts and crafts produced after 1935, and broadly applies to the marketing of arts and crafts by any person in the United States.

IACA provides critical economic benefits for Native American cultural development by recognizing that forgery and fraudulent Indian arts and crafts diminish the livelihood of Native American artists and craftspeople by lowering both market prices and standards.

“American Indian and Alaska Native people have contributed tremendously to the cultural and artistic heritage of our nation and they have an important future that must be protected,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Stuart F. Delery. “This case demonstrates our willingness to prosecute those who falsely market products as ‘Indian Made’ and thus undermine the livelihoods of Native American

artists and craftspeople, many of whom are responsible for carrying precious spiritual and artistic knowledge from one generation to another.”

“The indictment announced today and yesterday’s enforcement operation are not only about enforcing the law but also about protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Native Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez. “The cultural heritage of American Indians is a precious national resource and it is critically important that we provide the proper respect to those whose creations are seen by some as simple retail commodities to be exploited for profit.”

“As Chairman of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, U.S. Department of the Interior, I want to convey the Board’s deep appreciation for the outstanding leadership and contributions provided by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the other agency partners who participated in bringing this landmark enforcement action under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act,” said Chairman Harvey Pratt of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.

“By requiring truth-in-marketing of Indian art and craftwork, the Act is intended to protect Native American artists and artisans who rely heavily on the production and sale of traditional and contemporary art and craftworks to provide their economic livelihood, preserve their rich heritage, and pass along their unique culture from generation to generation. Unfair competition from counterfeit Native American art and craftwork seriously erodes the sustainability, vitality, and economic well-being of Indian tribes and their members and businesses. The Act is also intended to protect the consumers who purchase Native American art, bringing much needed financial resources to Indian communities in the Southwest

and across the country. Eliminating the flow of counterfeit Native American art and craftwork provides a level playing field for the highly talented, dedicated, and hard-working producers of genuine Native American art.

We must protect these authentic American Treasures.”

“Under our 2012 cooperative agreement with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has investigated numerous potential violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act,” said Nicholas E. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement for the Southwest Region. “Our investigations primarily have focused on identifying fraudulent schemes where jewelry is marketed and sold as authentic Native American adornments to defraud tourists and other consumers. Through these investigations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endeavors to protect and preserve the authenticity of jewelry produced by our country’s Native American artisans.”

The four-count indictment that was unsealed earlier today charges Nael Ali, 51, and Mohammad Abed Manasra, 53, both of Albuquerque, N.M., and Christina Bowen, 41, of Los Lunas, N.M., with conspiracy to violate IACA and three substantive violations of the Act. Ali is the owner of two jewelry stores, Gallery 8 and Galleria Azul, in Albuquerque’s Old Town that purport to specialize in the sale of Native American jewelry. Bowen was formerly employed as a store manager by Ali. Manasra holds himself out as a wholesaler of Native American jewelry.

Ali was arrested in Albuquerque yesterday and Bowen surrendered to the U.S. Marshals Service this morning. Both made their initial appearances in federal court in Albuquerque this morning and were released pending trial.

Nearly 500 hospitals pay $250-M to resolve false claims act allegations related to implantation of cardiac devices: FBI WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice has reached 70 settlements involving 457 hospitals in 43 states for more than $250 million related to cardiac devices that were implanted in Medicare patients in violation of Medicare coverage requirements, the Department of Justice announced today.

“While recognizing and respecting physician judgment, the department will hold accountable hospitals and health systems for procedures performed by physicians at their facilities that fail to comply with Medicare billing rules,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We are confident that the settlements announced today will lead to increased compliance and result in significant savings to the Medicare program while protecting patient health.”

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, is an electronic device that is implanted near and connected to the heart.

It detects and treats chaotic, extremely fast, life-threatening heart rhythms, called fibrillations, by delivering a shock to the heart, restoring the heart’s normal rhythm. It is similar in function to an external defibrillator (often found in offices and other buildings) except that it is small enough to be implanted in a patient’s chest.

Only patients with certain clinical characteristics and risk factors qualify for an ICD covered by Medicare.

Medicare coverage for the device, which costs approximately $25,000, is governed by a National Coverage Determination (NCD).

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services implemented the NCD based on clinical trials and the guidance and testimony of cardiologists and other health care providers, professional cardiology societies, cardiac device manufacturers and patient advocates.

The NCD provides that ICDs generally should not be implanted in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack or recently had heart bypass surgery or angioplasty.

The medical purpose of a waiting period -40 days for a heart attack and 90 days for bypass/angioplasty - is to give the heart an opportunity to improve function on its own to the point that an ICD may not be necessary. The NCD expressly prohibits implantation of ICDs during these waiting periods, with certain exceptions. The Department of Justice alleged that from 2003 to 2010, each of the settling hospitals implanted ICDs during the periods prohibited by the NCD. “The settlements announced today demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to protect Medicare dollars and federal health benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida. “Guided by a panel of leading cardiologists and the review of thousands of patients’ charts, the extensive investigation behind the settlements was heavily influenced by evidence-based medicine.

In terms of the number of defendants, this is one of the largest whistleblower lawsuits in the United States and represents one of this office’s most significant recoveries to date. Our office will continue to vigilantly protect the Medicare program from potential false billing claims.”

“Working as a team with the Department of Justice to investigate and settle false billing claims of this magnitude has resulted in substantial recoveries to Medicare and the successful enforcement of Medicare’s coverage requirements for these procedures,” said Inspector General Daniel Levinson of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).