Us asian post october 14, 2015

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Duterte will run for president: adviser MANILA, Oct 10 (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is running for president in 2016, his political adviser said Saturday.

“Yes,” Lito Banayo, political adviser of Duterte, said when asked if the mayor will join the presidential race in 2016.

Banayo said that there was still no definite date when the mayor will formally announce his presidential run.

On Friday, Duterte told reporters in Davao City that he will wait for October 15 before declaring whether he would go for the presidency.

The filing of certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections office in Manila will run from October 12 to October 16.

Duterte had repeatedly said that he will not run for president, but said that he would need time for “soul-searching” after thousands of supporters showed up at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park last September.

Asked who will be Duterte’s running mate, Banayo said: “No final choice for VP (vice president) yet.”

In late September, reports of a

Bin-Go or Bi-Hon?: VP Binay hypes tandem with Gringo in vote-rich Cebu MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday announced his tandem with Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan during the launching of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the Visayas, despite the senator having yet to accept Binay’s offer to be his running mate.

“Lalong lumalakas, lalong tumatapang, UNA na, Bingo pa,” Binay said in a speech in vote-rich Cebu, using the monicker for their tandem, a play with “Binay” and “Gringo.”

Honasan, however, was not present in the event. He had earlier said he is open to be Binay’s running mate although he had asked for more time to decide.

Sought for comment, UNA president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said Honasan was not expected in Cebu See BI-HON?, page 2

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

PHL confirming US plan to sail near China’s artificial islands in South China Sea

Comelec announces schedule for presidential, VP debates

MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – The Philippines on Friday said it is confirming a plan by the United States to deploy warships near China’s artificial islands off the contested South China Sea. “We are aware of the reports on this matter and are seeking validation from the US side,” Foreign Affairs Spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message.

In a move seen to challenge China’s sovereignty over a huge swath of the resource-rich waters, an American defense official quoted by the Financial

MANILA, Oct 10 (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday announced the final schedule of presidential and vice presidential debates in 2016.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the debates will happen for four weeks next year from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bautista said the first presidential debate will happen on Feb. 21, 2016 in Mindanao.

The second presidential debate is scheduled on March 20, 2016 in Visayas and the last presidential debate will be on Apr. 24, 2016 in Luzon.

Bautista said three major television

See US PLAN, page 2

networks, including GMA Network, will draw lots and will be assigned a specific presidential debate to sponsor.

The Comelec chief said they will implement a dual-moderator format for the Mindanao leg, panel discussion format for Visayas, and town hall format for the Luzon leg.

“Merong lead stations na maghuhold, pero lahat open for broadcast,” he said.

Three officials have so far confirmed their intentions to run for president in 2016, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe and former InteSee DEBATES, page 2

PHL, US troops conduct PHIBLEX maritime exercises in Cavite At least 60 members from the Philippine and United States Marine corps conducted mock operations against terrorists in the municipality of Ternate, Cavite as part of the 2015 Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX).

The joint forces did an amphibious raid where a military vessel, two rubber boats and two riverine crafts were used.

In the mock scenario, some soldiers were deployed from the military vessel and used the rubber boats and riverine crafts.

They got off near the shore and swam toward the beach, then proceeded to the target area, supposedly a hideout of a terrorist group.

A coordinated attack was done by the soldiers to neutralize their target.

They then went to the extraction point and completed the mock mission successfully.

Military personnel from Asian See PHIBLEX, page 2

possible teamup between Duterte and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano came up after the lawmaker declared his vice presidential run in Davao City.

After the declaration, Cayetano and Duterte met in a dinner. Cayetano’s camp had said that another meeting between the two official has been set in Manila.

There are also reports that Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may be Duterte’s running mate.

Meanwhile, Banayo said that they have come up with a partial list of possible senatorial candidates.

The senatorial candidates include: Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao Former senator Panfilo Lacson Sen. Sergio Osmeña III Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno former senator Miguel Zubiri Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez Former police official and ACTCIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao Banayo said the names were “initially agreed” during a meeting with Duterte in Davao City last Wednesday night. (MNS)

Philippine Marines simulate a beach landing exercise as part of their annual joint naval exercises with the US in Ternate, Cavite on Thursday. The Philippines in late August asked the US to provide military assistance in resupplying and rotating Manila’s forces in the West Philippine Sea according to a military spokesman. (MNS photo)

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas meets with residents of a National Housing Authority project in Camarin, Caloocan on Thursday. The visit comes less than a week before the official filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 polls.(MNS photo)

Palace asks public cooperation during APEC leaders’ meeting next month MANILA, Oct 10 (Mabuhay) – The Palace asked the residents of Metro Manila to go on vacation and seize the long break of students to decongest the metropolis during the country’s hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit next month.

Malacanang has declared November 18 and 19, 2015 as non-working holidays in the National Capital Region due to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which is being hosted by the Philippines this year.

“Let us take advantage. Medyo matagal-tagal ‘yung bakasyon ng ating mga estudyante, ng ating mga anak, para naman maging maayos ang hosting natin ng pinakamalaking meeting, ang APEC (Leaders’) Summit,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday.

“Apart from our very own president, may 20 other member economy leaders pa ang darating sa bansa,” she told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan.

“At sinisigurado naman natin na magiging maayos at matiwasay ang kanilang pagbisita, ‘yun nga lang po humihingi kami ng inyong kooperasyon at pag-intindi, dahil marami tayong ilalatag na security measures.”

Metro Manila residents could take advantage of the long vacation to visit places outside the Metropolis.

The people could opt to visit the beautiful tourist spots outside of the national capital region or they can stay at home to avoid places where there are security preparations for the upcoming APEC summit, Valte said.

“Again, humihingi po kami ng inyong pang-unawa at ng inyong kooperasyon. Ilalabas na natin ang mga lugar na maaapektuhan po dahil doon sa pagho-host natin ng APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.”

APEC delegates and senior officials are in the final stages of their talks here in country, ironing up issues that will be presented to the APEC economic leaders this November. (MNS)

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Withdrawals by Bistek, Tolentino cause LP to move proclamation of Senate bets MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – The decisions of Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino to back out of the Liberal Party’s list of possible senatorial candidates have prompted the ruling party to postpone its proclamation of Senate hopefuls scheduled on Friday.

Bautista is running for reelection while Tolentino indicated that he would still run for senator even if outside the administration slate.

“Nag-backout si Bistek pero before siya ang nag-offer to run for senator,” Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, LP chairman for political affair, told report-

ers after the oath-taking of new LP members in the party’s Balay headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.

LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas said he met with party chairman President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday night to discuss who would replace Tolentino in the slate.

“Hindi mahirap in the sense na marami naman. Ang punto ay ito ba ay isang tao na pwede nating itaya ang ating pangalan at credibilidad,” Roxas said when asked if it was difficult to look for a replacement for Tolentino.

In a statement on Thursday night, the LP said the Bautista asked for more time to decide

whether to accept the party’s senatorial draft. It added that Tolentino’s withdrawal from the LP slate was a factor in the postponement of the proclamation from Friday to Monday.

“We believe this additional time for discernment is in the best interest of the parties and candidates concerned,” the LP said.

Roxas said the administration’s senatorial slate would have six or at the most, seven LP members. The other five slots will be allotted for coalition partners.

Roxas said the party would respect Bautista’s decision.

“Kung pamilya ang dahilan ay mabigat yan dahil of course,

Mike Arroyo seeks court permission for 11-day stay in Japan, HK MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – Just a few days after his return to the country from Europe, former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to travel again abroad, this time to Japan and Hong Kong.

In his motion for leave recently submitted to the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division, Arroyo asked the anti-graft court to allow him to stay in Japan from October 23 to 29 and in Hong Kong from October 29 to November 3. “Jose Miguel desires to visit Japan and Hong Kong for a grand reunion with the Arroyo family,” Arroyo, through his legal counsel Ruy Alberto Rondain, said.

Arroyo is facing graft charges before the Fourth Division in connection with his supposed involvement in the alleged anoma-

lous national broadband deal worth $329 million entered with Chinese company ZTE Corporation in 2007, during the incumbency of his wife, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Former First Gentleman is also facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of overpriced helicopters by the Philippine National Police in 2009. Based on court records, Arroyo had submitted a similar motion before the Fifth Division three weeks ago. Just last month, both divisions allowed Arroyo to travel to European countries for 22 days or from September 15 to October 6.

In convincing the court to grant his new plea, Arroyo main-

tained that he is not a flight risk and that he will definitely return to the country, as it is where his family is based.

“This Honorable Court has graciously allowed Jose Miguel to travel before. He has always honored his promises and returned to the jurisdiction [of the court],” Arroyo’s motion read.

“He has not withdrawn the additional bond that this Honorable Court had imposed as an additional guaranty for his return,” it added. Arroyo further pointed out that he has no plan of leaving his wife, who is on hospital arrest and facing a plunder case in another division of the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged misused of P366-million worth of intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

ongoing maritime dispute with overlapping claims in the East China Sea. On the other hand, China and the Philippines have a similar dispute in the South China Sea. The Philippine government has denied that its military exer-

cises with its longtime security ally had anything to do with the South China Sea dispute.

The annual PHIBLEX drills between the Philippines and the US forces are held under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

(MNS)

PHIBLEX From page 1

neighbors Japan and Thailand also attended the PHIBLEX exercises. However, Colonel Akira Miyazaki of Japan was mum when asked by Philippine media to comment on their maritime dispute with China.

China and Japan have an

mahirap sumabak sa isang laban kung hindi buo o hindi nagkakaisa ang pamilya...Alam naman natin na meron pa siyang isang term so kung ano man ang kanyang mapagpasya ay rerespetuhin natin,” Roxas said.

Bautista said that he had decided to run for reelection after consulting with members of his family and other advisers.

“After a process of consultations with constituents, ba-

rangay leaders, NGO-PO’s, a spiritual adviser and family we came to finally opt to re-elect as QC Mayor,” he said.

Bautista admitted that he presented to Aquino last year the idea of running for the Senate. “I had an audience with the President last December. I intimated that if I could be drafted as part of the Senatorial ticket of LP. He replied that you will be considered,” Bautista said.

“I thank the President, Sec Roxas, Speaker Belmonte and the leadership of the Liberal Party for having considered me to be part of the 2016 Senatorial ticket,” he added.

Bautista said the Quezon City chapter of the LP would support the party’s top bets Roxas, vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo and the members of the senatorial ticket.(MNS)

De Lima takes oath as Liberal Party member MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday morning took her oath as a member of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), ahead of the party’s announcement of its senatorial slate.

Senate President Franklin Drilon administered the oath in the presence of LP standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II

and vice-presidential candidate Leni Robredo at the Balay headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.

“Ngayon lang naging miyembro ng Liberal Party yan ano kaya hindi masasabi na yung mga desisyon niya at kilos niya ay batay sa partisanship,” Roxas said referring to De Lima.

De Lima is expected to be one of the 12 senatorial candi-

dates running under the LP banner. The complete slate will be announced on Monday, October 12. De Lima, meanwhile, disclosed that she has personally handed her resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III last Wednesday.

It will be deemed effective

by Monday upon Aquino’s approval. (MNS)

TESDA chief Joel Villanueva resigns ahead of 2016 senatorial run MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva resigned from his post Friday, two days before the week-long filing of certificate of candidacy for the 2016 elections.

On his Twitter account, Villanueva shared what could be presumed as his last photo with TESDA employees before he

went to Malacañang to personally submit his resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III. His resignation came following his announcement that he would run for senator next year.

Villanueva made the declaration during a gathering of technical vocational students at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City dubbed “Scholars’ Day.” No less than President Aqui-

no was present during the event to endorse Villanueva’s senatorial bid. The two have been close friends since their days as members of the House of Representatives. Although the Liberal Party (LP) has yet to announce its senatorial slate, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda had earlier confirmed that Villanueva will be running under the administration banner.

(MNS)

‘Dauntless’ Hontiveros runs for senate anew, vows to push for realization of universal healthcare Despite succumbing to electoral setbacks in the past, Akbayan Chairperson Risa Hontiveros today declared her senatorial candidacy, saying that the Senate is not merely the realm of old, wealthy and influential politicians.

Three important reasons in third try In a statement, Hontiveros said

that she has three important reasons why she is gunning for a senate seat for the third straight time.

Mayroon akong tatlong mahahalagang dahilan sa aking pangatlong pagtakbo para sa senado. Una, naniniwala ako na ang senado ay hindi lamang para sa mga may bigating apelyido o anak ng isang dating

diktador. Naniniwala ako na may lugar ang senado para sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan na may extra-ordinaryong pangarap para sa bansa at tao,” Hontiveros said.

“Pangalawa, ako ay lumalaban para may pambansang kinatawan sa Senado ang ating adhikain para sa Universal Healthcare.

lawyers who will directly communicate with candidates regarding the “three-companioin policy” for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) from October 12 to 16.

He said at least four lawyers will join a group of security personnels from Comelec to ensure that all rules for candidates and media, who will cover the filing of COCs, will be strictly followed. Bautista, meanwhile, did not say if there are penalties for the would-be violators of the three-companion rule.

The poll chief led the inspection of the grounds of the Palacio del Gobernador building in Intramuros, Manila, where the filing of COCs for national elections will take place.

He said the Comelec will set up two to three giant projectors outside the building so supporters can witness their candidates’ filing of their COCs. Bautista, meanwhile, expectes a festive mood during the week-long filing of COCs. “It should be a celebration of our democracy,” Bautista said.

He said the Comelec will accept all COCs that will be filed until Friday, including those considered as “nuisance” candidates.

The final list of candidates will be released before December 10 this year, he added.

Meanwhile, the poll chief also announced that the ballot printing will be done from January to April of next year. (MNS)

P8-A Poseidon aircraft.

Competing claims by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan to the South China Sea, a strategic waterway sitting atop huge gas and oil deposits, have sparked occasional violence and now regarded as a potential regional flashpoint for armed conflict.

Although the US is not a party to the disputes, it has declared that it is in its national interest to

ensure freedom of navigation, trade and peace and stability in the South China Sea, where a bulk of the world’s trade pass.

The Philippines has struggled to deal with the territorial disputes by raising the issue in international tribunal and trying to modernize its weak military, but it decided to seek a legal option through arbitration, saying it’s a durable solution that is accepted internationally. (MNS)

administration since his resignation from the Cabinet in June.

Binay then zeroed in on the administration’s alleged slow action in rehabilitating areas affected by the earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda in 2013, even name-dropping Budget Secretary Butch Abad whom he accused of releasing only P21 billion of the P75 billion housing settlement budget.

“Ano ba ang problema? Hindi naman pera dahil may pera ang pamahalaan. Ang problema ay ang makupad, mabagal, tekateka at analysis by paralysis na paglalabas ng pera ng DBM na pinamumunuan ng sikat na si Butch Abad,” he said.

Binay pointed out that whoever wins in the 2016 elections needs to lift the Philippines out of poverty, create jobs for the unemployed, and restructure government service for the people.

He claimed that this could only be achieved with leaders who had experience, stressing that Filipinos could not afford to let politicians who had no record of helping the poor take charge of the country.

“Sa bigat ng mga problemang ito, ipagkakatiwala ba natin ang bansa sa hindi handa?

Uulit pa ba tayo sa mga napatunayan na hindi kayang mamuno? Magbabasakali ba tayo sa mga nagsasabing sila ay para sa mahirap gayung hindi pa natin kinakitaan ng pagmamalasakit sa mahihirap?” he said.

“Kailangan ng karanasan at kakayanan para sa pagpapatakbo sa bansa. At kailangan natin ng malasakit sa kapwa. Hindi yan napag aaralan at nakukuha sa libro. Yan ay nakatanim sa puso. Di natin yan makikita sa salita kundi sa gawa, nagawa at gagawin,” he added. (MNS)

DEBATES From page 1

rior Secretary Mar Roxas.

Lito Banayo, political adviser of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, said the local official will also run for president.

Bautista, meanwhile, said the vice presidential debate will be held in Metro Manila on April 10.

Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo have announced their vice presidential run.

Sen. Gringo Honasan has yet to accept the United Nationalist Alliance’s offer to be Binay’s running mate.

Meanwhile, Bautista said that the poll body will designate

US PLAN From page 1

Times said US military vessels will sail “within 12-nauticalmile zones” on Beijing-claimed territories “within the next two weeks.”

No official confirmation has been released by the Pentagon on the reported plan, although the US has conducted a survellance flight last May near China’s man-made islands, prompting the Chinese Navy to issue warnings to the crew of a US

BI-HON? From page 1

as he has yet to commit to be Binay’s running mate.

“In the first place, he never committed to show up in Cebu, so I don’t know why they were expecting him there,” Tiangco said.

Malacañang, for its part, reserved its comment on the “Bingo” tandem until the official announcement of Binay’s running mate.

Meanwhile, during his speech, Binay again criticized the Aquino administration for its alleged lack of concern for the people.

“Nakalulungkot at nakababahala dahil nariyan naman ang pera para tulungan ang ating mga kabayan ngunit hindi ginagastos. Nariyan din ang tulong mula sa ibang bansa na kailan lang naulat na hindi nakarating sa mga kabayan na dapat tulungan,” said Binay, who has become a staunch critic of the

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Malacañang: Manhunt on vs. 2 suspects in Italian’s kidnapping MANILA, Oct 10 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday said authorities are pursuing two suspects in the kidnapping of Italian national Rolando del Torchio in Dipolog City.

“There was an update na may dalawa na hong suspect, at least from Dipolog City.

May dalawa na pong suspect na identified na po ng ating

kapulisan at tinutugis,” Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte said over state-run radio dzBB. “Sinimulan na po ‘yung pursuit operations nila kahapon at patuloy po ‘yung pagkuha natin at pagkalap natin ng impormasyon doon naman po sa mga ibang witnesses,” she added.

Del Torchio, reportedly a

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former missionary priest who officiated Masses in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte and is now in his early 50s, was abducted by 10 unidentified armed men on Wednesday night.

Gunmen, who posed as customers, seized the victim from his pizza parlor in Barangay Miputak. (MNS)

Napeñas pushes for filing of case vs. killers of 9 SAF men MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – Former PNP-Special Action Force commander Getulio Napeñas Jr. is pushing for the filing of criminal charges against those responsible for the deaths of nine police commandos during the Mamasapano clash in January.

Napeñas said he could not believe that the Department of Justice has failed to find anyone accountable for the deaths of the members of the 84th Seaborne

Company.

“Sana pagtuunan pa ng masinsinan na effort para makapag file talaga ng kaso dun sa mga pumatay [sa] 84th SAF,” Napeñas said. “Kung gusto, maraming paraan.”

Earlier, criminal complaints were filed against 90 individuals for the deaths of 35 members of the 55th Special Action Company. Included in the charge sheet are commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and members of private armed groups.

But according to the second half of the Mamasapano report recently released by the joint panel of the National Prosectution Service and the National Bureau of Investigation, there had been no witnesses or evidence presented that would make it possible to charge the assailants of the 84th Seaborne Company.

Expired medicine at DOH-Pampanga not sure if for Yolanda victims: Palace

MANILA, Oct 10 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday said that boxes of undelivered and expired medicine discovered at the Department of Health’s office in San Fernando, Pampanga may not be intended for the vic-

tims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

“Hindi pa malinaw kung ano ‘yung mga gamot na ‘yon, kung para daw ba talaga sa ‘Yolanda’ victims, but rest assured that the DOH is conducting an investigation on this,” Deputy Presi-

dential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told state-run radio dzRB. She added: “Wala pong kasiguruhan kung para saan po ba ‘yon. Kasi nasa Pampanga ho ito e, hindi naman po Region III ang Tacloban.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who is running for a Senate seat, said she is closely monitoring the incident at the maximum security compound of the prison facility, where at least four inmates died in a fire on Thursday.

Secure Abuyog Penal Colony, look for missing inmates: De Lima MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered jail officials to secure the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte, where at least four inmates died in a fire on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday, De Lima said she was closely monitoring the incident at the maximum security compound of the prison facility, and has been getting regular updates from Bureau of Corrections director

Senate ratifies bill seeking to monitor, evaluate tax incentives MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – The Senate has ratified the proposed Tax Incentives and Transparency Act (TIMTA), approving bicameral conference committee report that harmonized the bills from both chambers of Congress.

“The bill focuses on promoting transparency and accountability which will in turn strengthen the confidence of investors to bring more businesses to our country, thus providing more opportunities and jobs for our countrymen,” Senator Sonny Angara said.

Angara, who chairs the Sen-

ate committee on ways and means, authored the bill with Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto. Marikina City District Representative Miro Quimbo primarily drafted the House version. The proposed measure requires registered firms to lodge with their investment promotion agencies the annual reports of their income tax holidays and incentives, value-added tax and duty exemptions, deductions, credits or exclusions from the tax base.

Failure to comply with the filing and reportorial re-

quirements is penalized with a P100,000 fine for the first violation, P500,000 for the second offense and cancellation of business registration for the third violation. Investment promotion agencies such as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority must submit to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) their annual tax incentive reports based on the reports of individual companies.

The BIR and the Bureau of Customs must report to the Department of Finance (DOF) the tax and duty incentives declared by businesses along with the

actual amount as evaluated and determined by the revenue collectors.

For monitoring and analysis of tax incentives, the bill mandates the DOF to maintain a single database and submit to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the following: the actual amount of tax incentives availed by registered business entities an estimate of claims of tax incentives immediately preceding the current year the programmed tax incentives for the current year the projected tax incentives for the following year.

general Ricardo Rainier Cruz III. De Lima said around 1,000 inmates have been affected by the fire Four bodies have been recovered while eight inmates were reported to be missing.

“Among my instructions is fully secure the area, attend to the needs of the affected inmates (like) food, clothing, temporary shelter, other emergency needs, like flashlights, medicines, etc,” De Lima said.

De Lima said she has also instructed jail official to search for any missing inmates.

According to the BuCor, the Leyte Regional Prison, situated in Abuyog, Southern Leyte, was established a year after the declaration of martial law in 1972 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 28.

The LRP admits convicted offenders from Region VI and from the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa. (MNS)

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Diverse consumers overwhelmingly optimistic about financial future PHL embassy ready for worst-case Wells Fargo survey affirms African American, Asian and Hispanic communities more hopeful about finances, managing credit than general population

scenario in Korea: Jejomar Binay

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 8, 2015 consumers feel MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – Th–e Diverse Philippine Embassy in optimistic about the current U.S economic outlook, accordSouth Korea has prepared a contingency plan, in case tensions ingbetween to the South third “How American andinto Borrows” survey and North Korea Buys escalate a full-blown byconfl Wells ict.Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) and Ipsos. Eightyeight“Nakahanda percent of diverse consumers surveyed report having a po ang ating embahada para sa worst-case positive outlook compared to 79 percent of the general popscenario,” Vice President Jejomar Binay told leaders of the ulation a seven percent increase from last year for diverse Filipino community at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. consumers. This is the second wave of data Wells Fargo has There around 50,000 Filipinos livingBankers and released as are partcurrently of its annual support of the American working in South Korea.About Credit campaign.

Association’s Get Smart Binay, who is currently in Seoul to attend the 201260 Nuclear When asked about personal finances, on average percent Summit, said it is and unfortunate North Korea is of Security African American, Asian Hispanicthat consumers said they planning to launch a satellite nexttomonth. expect their financial situation be “somewhat” or “much” Korea saidnow, it intends to launchtoa 48 long-range betterNorth a year from compared percentrocket of thenext genmonth to put a The satellite into orbit, butinthe United States and eral population. survey, fielded June 2015, measured attitudes and behaviors finances managing other nations consider itabout a thinly veiled and missile test that credit would of more than 1,000 African American, Asian and Hispanic conbreach a United Nations ban. sumers.

The Japanese government said part of the North Korean “Our vision of helping financially means long-range rocket will fallcustomers east of thesucceed Philippines if the launch making sure our customers know where to go for the inforis made next month. mation and resources they need to take charge of their credit.

Binay said local authorities, who may be affected, will be That’s why we support Get Smart About Credit month to endirected to prepare. sure we’re highlighting the tools and resources they need to is is an unfortunate situation there is an existing make“Th informed credit choices,” saidbecause Shelley Freeman, head of UN (United resolution North Korea had“With said they Wells Fargo’sNations) Consumer Creditand Solutions group. optiwill comply with the resolution...

We do to speculate mism high, it’s especially important thatnot wewant continue to offer the effects of the launch. hope it does not and happen and ourondiverse customers accessWe to the information resources North Korea complies with the UN resolution. However, we they need.” will be directing local government who could affected to Survey results the – diverse communities morebehopeful than general population be prepared for any eventuality,” he added.

When at diverse communities, the findings The looking Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier unveiled issued that, similar to the general population, diverse consumers a statement calling North Korea’s planned satellite launchbelieve that when used wisely, loans and credit can help indi“unacceptable.” viduals their financial goals.

However, diverse commuThereach DFA appealed to North Korea to abide by UN Security nities vary in how proud they are about their own credit Council Resolutions 1874 and 1718, which call forscores. the Among the general population, 51 percent of consumers report “abandonment of its ballistic missile program in a complete, feeling proud of their credit score, compared to 59 percent of verifiable and irreversible manner.”

Asians, 34 percent of African Americans and 48 percent of The Philippine andthe US same. militaries are reportedly coordinating Hispanics who report to track the path ofconsumers a planned North Korean rocket launch, parts Though diverse are optimistic, their confidence of which are expected to land off the archipelago, an offi cial levels are lower. Fifty-one percent of Asians, 46 percent said of AfSaturday. rican Americans and 53 percent of Hispanics compared report “The military is coordinating US feeling theyPhilippine may not know enough about makingwith goodits borrowin the monitoring of the planned launch,” Foreign ingcounterpart decisions compared to 58 percent of the general population.

10 Tips to Get Smarter About Credittold AFP. Department spokesman Raul Hernandez Good credit helps with borrowing. can factor His announcement camemore a day than after the USS BlueItRidge, the th renting an apartment and getting a cell into everything from flagship of the US 7 Fleet in the Pacific, arrived in Manila for phone, to landing a four-day visit. a job. Lenders, landlords, utility providers, and employers making deciHernandez can did all notreview divulgecredit detailsreports of the when joint monitoring, sions.

Here are were 10 tips to helptomanage credit: joint military but the allies expected hold large-scale Monitor your credit regularly exercises in the middle of April to enhance cooperation in case Know your credit limits of external threats.

Know that good scores = good rates “Wemake continue strongly urge the DPRK (North Korea) not Don’t latetopayments to proceed its planned launch,” Know yourwith debt-to-income ratio Hernandez said.

“Th ey should abide by the UN Security Council resolutions Start with a college or secured credit card which explicitly demand that they do not conduct any launch Pay down highest interest rates first using ballisticyour missile technology.”

Live within means Manila’s defense chief, Voltaire Gazmin, said Friday the Pay more than the minimum Set up account andUS autopay government needed help inalerts tracking the rocket’s path, with Forpoorly moreequipped information aboutmilitary ways not to establish improve the Philippine having the or capability credit – or better manage debt – consumers can visit Wells to do so by itself.

Fargo’s Smarter Credit Center online at and our free financial Pyongyang announced last week it would launch the rocket education on Banking®. to place aprogram, satellite inHands orbit between April 12 and 16, and insisted About Wells Fargo it was purely for space research.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diBut the United States and other nations see the launch as a versified, community-based financial services company with disguised missile test, and say that it headquartered would breach a in $1.7 trillionballistic in assets.

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San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, inA previous North Korean long-range in 2009 finance flew vestments, mortgage, and consumer androcket commercial over Japanese territory and the boosters safely in(wellsfarwaters through 8,700 locations, 12,800 ATMs,landed the internet off Japan. go.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to Kurtcustomers Campbell,who the US assistant secretary for econoEast support conduct business in of thestate global Asian Pacific Affairs,266,000 said the rocket launch would impact my.

Withand approximately team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States.

Wells Far“in an area roughly between Australia, Indonesia and the goPhilippines,” & Companyinwas rankedtoNo. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings a message Australia’s Foreign Minister Bob BALITA WWW.BALITA.COM of America’s largest corporations.

WellsMorning Fargo’sHerald. vision is to Carr, according to a report by the Sydney satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.

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Global economy shows ‘fragile’ improvement: IMF Veto of data disaggregation bill ‘disappointing’: Asian group

By Mike Patterson Bangkok, March 27, 2012 (AFP) – Recent improvements in the global economy are “very fragile” 9, and OAKLAND, an escalationCalif., of theOctober eurozone 2015 – The Asian & Pacific Islander crisis remains the most immediate American Health Forum (APIAHF) concern, IMF managing has expressed its deputy disappointment over director said CaliforniaNaoyuki GovernorShinohara Jerry Brown’s veto of data disaggregation legislation, Tuesday.

Assembly AB-176. had The bill While Bill indicators lastwould year have required that future collected data pointed to a big setback for the world include specified ethnic categories for there have in recent weeks been Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, modest signs of improvement and and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPI) in demographic information. stability in the key US and European “Changeshe to the can only economies, saidstatus in a quo lecture at a be made when we have the facts and university in Bangkok. figures that provide an accurate picture policy actions carried of “Important AA and NHPI communities,” said out European policy president makers Kathyby Ko Chin, APIAHF and CEO. “AA and communities have helped andNHPI most recently the agreement on a new (debt) programme for Greece ... has also brought some Oct relief,” said.

MANILA, 10he(Mabuhay) – Malacañang on“Th Saturday denied But, he said: ere is no roomthat for it had a hand in of theto Omcomplacency.

A the lot Office more needs be budsman’s dismissal and perpetual done to give a fresh boost to growth.” disqualification of Makati Mayor Junin manyoverpricing countries junShinohara Binay oversaid the alleged public debt remained at all-time of the Makati City Hall Building II. “Tingin ko makikita naman nahighs, limiting the scope for po fiscal tin ‘yung naging progreso nito, also kasi stimulus, and unemployment independent po ‘yon... We do not have remained very high. a hand in the processes of the Om“We aresonavigating a very budsman, sila po ‘yung masnarrow makapath before the economy kasagot doonrecovery sa mga of statement ‘nung pamilya Binay,” Deputyis Presidential and the risk of slippage very high,” Spokesperson he warned. Abigail Valte said on state-run dzRB radio.

He said advanced economies “should press ahead with national and structural reforms to repair

the damage done by the crisis” while emerging economies needed to remain vigilant for possible spillovers. often become invisible in data collecHowever the IMF expected tion, and in diverse places like Cali“spillovers from the euro area to fornia, disaggregated data is essential other regionsresources will remain limited as to providing to the commulong theneed eurothem. area isWe contained.” nitiesasthat are deeply disappointed the Governor’s veto “Since theinbeginning of the year will continue for fidecision, nancial but tensions in theworking euro area data disaggregation on local, state, and have eased, in large part thanks to national levels.” theInso-called long-term a veto message to refi thenancing Califoroperation of the European nia State Assembly, GovernorCentral Brown called the “unnecessary, or Bank,” he legislation said. at In leastrecent premature.” curweeksCalifornia’s the data has rent demographic information specifies showed manufacturing activity the Asian categories of Chinese, Japafor advanced and emerging nese,both and Indian. economies has improved, with The bill would have included at least the above following groups:indicates Banglareadings 50, which growth, but Shinohara said a lot needed to be done to safeguard gains.

“Valte Recent addedimprovements that they would notare issue further comments on the incident still very fragile.

Important policy as they are remain not involved the Omchallenges to be in addressed. budsman’s decision-making process.

Downside risks are still very large.

“Hindi na po kami dapat pang Th e most immediate concern is still magkomento diyan kasi separate and further escalation the euro area independent po angofopisina ng Ombudsman crisis,” he mula said. ho sa tanggapan ng ating S hPangulo, i n o h a r aso ssila a i dnaElang u r opo p eang an pwedeng sumagot ‘non,” Valte said. policymakers need to pursue fiscal On Friday, the Office of the Omadjustment at the right pace. and budsman ordered the dismissal “European policy makers perpetual disqualification from also the servicetoofpursue Binay financial in connection with need reforms the stabilize administrative case he is sector facing to the banking over the allegedly overpriced conand structural reforms to restore economic competitiveness,” he said.

“And European policy makers

also need to increase the strength of their firewall to provide an adequate backstop for governments undertaking these reforms,” he said. deshi, TheHmong, IMF,Indonesian, and theMalaysian, United Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Taiwanese, States and other top economies Thai, Fijian, and Tongan. The current worldwide raise combination have of datasought fails totoprovide pressure onpicture Germany dropthan its an accurate of thetomore 50 different ethnic groups comprising previous opposition to boosting the AAs and NHPIs. eurozone’s firewalls against debt In addition, failing to disaggregate crisis contagion. data largely ignores the broad range of Looking to thedisparities, prospectseconomic for Asia, education, health Shinohara said domestic demand achievement, per capita income, and poverty rates presentstrong, in AAsupported and NHPI remained generally communities. by low unemployment and high APAIHF is committed to accurate capacity utilization. data collection of all AA and NHPI “Growth in Asia is expected groups, and will continue working to to gain momentum thisdata year,” he said. establish more robust disaggregationLeading in California. economic indicators had strengthened in the United States and Europe, he said.

“These of numbers have improved struction the Makati City Hall Building II. since the beginning of substantially an interview, Ombudsman ConthisInyear and this suggests a similar chita Carpio-Morales said that while improvement in Asia in the coming Binay could still appeal the ruling, his months,” said. perpetual he disqualification from serThe sees global growth vice wasIMF “immediately executory.”

Joey Salgado, spokesperson for slightly above 3.0a percent in 2012 the Binay family,itsdeclared but will release revised Binay’s world dismissal as a politically motivated economic outlook in two weeks. move meant to keep him from run“We not expecting a major ning forare re-election in 2016.

While change in our outlook for for thiscandiyear Binay still has plans to file dacy next next week, sister and and year. his Probably a Makati slight Representative Abigail will run improvement in our Binay position on in case he is unable to.(MNS) some of the areas but for the global picture I’m not expecting a major change,” he said.

Convention By Richard Ingham LONDON, 27, –2012 MANILA, Oct March 8 (Mabuhay) For(AFP) – The world ’s eign Affairs Secretary Albert surging del Rosapopulation a the bigimportation driver of rio on Thursdayissaid of Canadian waste to the Philippines was environmental woes but the issue a violation thesolutions Basel Convention, is complex ofand are few, and that the Department of Foreign experts at a major conference here Affairs (DFA) is now having bilateral say. consultations with the Canadian govAnswers lieto with ernment on how addresseducating the issue.

Del Rosario madecountries the statement women in poorer and when asked abouttothe issue during but the widening access contraception Senate hearing on the P20.56 billion also with reforming consumption proposed 2016 budget of the DFA. patterns rich economies, “First,inthe trash is neitherthey toxicsay. or Th e four-day meeting on Earth’s hazardous; second, it is a violation of health, Under is domesticPlanet law, two cases Pressure, have already been filed against and it unfolding aheadtheofimporter, the Rio+20 is a violation of the Basel Convention,” Summit in June. he said, adding that he has conveyed Scientists taking part have the violation formally to Canada inpinpointed population cluding a first person note andgrowth a phone as major if indirect callaon its foreign minister.contributor said the DFA hasdepletion consulted the to He global warming, of Basel Secretariat regarding the issue resources, pollution and species loss. and it advised the two parties to seek a But they also mark it as an resolution in a bilateral level. issue has disappeared almost “Wethat continue to have bilateral concompletely off political radar screens. sultations with the Canadian government to isfind a solution. just want This partly becauseWe of religious to point out that thealso Baselbecause Convention sensitivities but of traumatic memories of coercive fertility controls in poorer countries in the 1970s that no-one wants 11, to SACRAMENTO, October 2015 – Earlier this morning, Governor repeat.

Brown supported family reunification Diana Liverman, a professor at by signing SB 219, regarding the Althe University of Arizona, said the ternative Custody Program, into law. link between population growth and Authored

by Senator Carol Liu (D-La environmental damage in the Cañada, Flintridge), the arose bill expands access toth the Alternative Custody Procentury. mid-20 gram (ACP), which from currently allows “The 50 years 1950 to eligible incarcerated people to finish 2000 were a period of dramatic and their sentences outside of prisons in orunprecedented change in human der to care for their families. history,” she said.

Californians United for a ResponsibleDuring Budget (CURB), a statewide coalithat time, the planet’s tion of over 70 organizations working human tally doubled from three to reduce the number of people in prisbillion to six billion. It now stands at on and the number of prisons and jails seven billion, and by somethe estimates in the state, co-sponsored legislacould reach around nine billion by tion, with member organization Justice

2050.

The Basel Convention, in which ThCanada e good news is that the fertility both and the Philippines are signatories, that in case of an rate – the states number ofthe children a illegal movement ofhave hazardous other women is likely to – has or halved waste, the State of export shall ensure from five to 2.5 since 1950 and will that the waste in question are: fall(a) below the replacement rate of taken back by the exporter or2.1 the around 2025, Liverman said. generator or, if necessary, by itself into means that or, there is a strong the“It State of export, if impracticable, (b) are otherwise disposed in acprobability that population of growth cordance with the provisions of this will level off around nine billion Convention, within 30 days from the and may in fact fall thereafter,” said time the State of export has been inLiverman. formed about the illegal traffic or such Others caution thatasraw statistics other period of time States concernedmany may agree.

To this end the Parmask complexities. ties“The concerned shallcarrying not oppose, hinder world’s capacity or prevent the return of those wastes to isn’t a single headline figure but the State of export. depends on lifestyle, technology, and Del Rosario, during the hearing, told so forth,” saidCommittee Lord Martin Rees of the Finance under Senathe RoyalLegarda Society,that whose report on tor Loren the interagency meeting held on October 1 affirmed the demography and the environment decision to continue to engage Canada will be issued next month. forTh a ebilateral solution to monitor population is and stabilizing or the ongoing cases. falling in rich countries.

The agencies that led the meeting Butthe these economies remain – in were Department of Environment per – by far the biggest and capita Naturalterms Resources, Bureau of Customs, andofDepartment of Justice. sources environmental damage, Legarda thanked Del Rosario forgas the with for instance greenhouse emissions per head that are double or quadruple those in a developing country. and dozens of advocates, I was able to participate this program.

There were The biginpopulation growth will many difficulties and disappointments happen in developing countries, I faced in my own journey towards especially in sub-Saharan Africa. receiving this program, so I know this bear least billThese is a step countries in the right direction.” responsibility fora climate change SB 219 enacts responsible timeline will for ACP application probut be hit worst by review, it, because videslack applicants opportunity to they moneywith andanskills to adapt. appeal, andhigher ensures their that everyone eligiTh us the population, ble for acceptance into ACP are part of the more of their and people who will a more transparent informed probe hit by drought, storms, rising seas cess. The bill also removes significant barriers for program entry by specifyand floods. ingSthat t r aat person’s e g i e s existing f o r wmedical o r k i nor g psychiatric condition not be the sole on the demographic drivers of basis for exclusion from ACP. SB 219 environmental damage are essentially also requires the California Departtwo-pronged, said specialists. ment of Corrections and Rehabilita-

One to change consumption lates the is domestic law and Basel Conpatterns, so that rich countries vention,” she said. the “That makes it very should take rushing back its –clear andthat theCanada emerging giants waste.” to catch up with them—use energy also lauded Del Rosatio for andShe resources more sustainably. being pro-active on the issue and for Th e other is to protect calling the Canadian foreignwomen’s minister rights, education for and instead of just letting thewomen inter-agency their access to jobs and contraception. solve the matter by itself. solu““II ftruly y ohope u hthat a v the e bilateral econom ic tion to this issue will be resolved soon. development and you educate In the meantime, the waste is just there women, and women get labour in our port, part of it is in a landfill in market they issue. tend Clark butopportunities, still it is an unresolved notIt only to important reduce the is very that number the DFA haschildren taken thebut position that indeed the of crucially to delay presence of this waste here violates the when they start having children,” Basel Convention and domestic laws,” said Sarah Harper, director of the she said during the hearing. Senators Institute of Population Ageing at earlier called on the government to rethe University oftoOxford. verse its decision allow the disposal if you waste, delay which the start of of “And the Canadian arrived in June 2013, in theyou country. having children, tend to have The earlier position of DENR was smaller families.” to force Canada S u c h c h a ntog re-import e s c a n the h awaste, ve a but an inter-agency committee com“surprisingly fast” eff ect on reducing posed of the DENR, DFA, the Debirthrates, Stephen who partment ofsaid Justice and theTyler, Bureau of works with called the Asian Customs, in agroup decision in August 2014, agreed Climate to let the disposal the waste Cities Change ofResilience in the country.(MNS) Network (ACCCRN). He gave the

prisons, leading the charge.

MANILA, Martestament 27 (Mabuhay) – “I’m a personal that the Majority of Filipinos are hopeful the Alternative Custody Program is efgovernment and the Morowith Islamic fective in reuniting people their families and communities,” said MariLiberation Front can reach a peace anna Gray, abut former participant. agreement, thereACP appeared to be “With the help of my son, Senator Liu,

“This program was always intended The government and MILF had to support the reunification of incarcernot reached any consensus during ated mothers and their children,” says their talksState last Senator March Carol 19 toLiu, 21 the in California author of SB219.

“Our recent victory to Malaysia. make this program stronger and more SWS figures showed the 62 accessible will likely increase the num-

up in most areas except Mindanao. cerated people and their in children.”

Th ose “not hopeful at all”, During the 2015 legislativehowever, session, increased in all areas. several addiSenator Liu supported tional waysasked to reduce jail When whenprison they and expect overcrowding and recidivism reduca peace deal with the MILF to be tion. signed, 12 percent said 2011 to 2013, down by one percentage point from 13 percent in September.

A greater number, 26 percent, said the peace deal will be ironed out by marami na hodown tayongfrom sumalang sa com2014-2016, 39 percent mittee lang po diyan sa budin the hearings previouspasurvey. get. At talagang, ano po ‘yan, parang Nineteen percent, on the other to those of us in the Executive, that’s hand, believed the peacethesis deal defense will be also considered another achieved 2016-2022, down from to face ourinfellows in Congress—to be ablepercent to defend your agency’s or your of20 previously. fice’s Valte said.the number of Onbudget,” the other hand, “So nagpapasalamat naman po tayo those who believe a peace deal will “not sa kanilang pagtugon at itutuloy naman ever” be went up 40 percent po natin reached ang prosesong itotopagdating na from 24 percent in the lastadded. survey. po diyan sa Senado,” Valte

Palace denies hand in Junjun Binay’s dismissal

Canada’s trash violated international treaty DFA chief says Canadian urges parties to seek bilateral resolu- clarification.

“Itbut actually elates options me that the DFA tion as a primary approach,” Del RoPopulation adds to planet’s pressure cooker, few waste importation to PHL Basel has clarified the issue that indeed it viosario said.

fast-shrinking families in India as

Gov. Brown signs bill for incarcerated peoplean to be with families example.

Now, a legal advocacy organization

Tel. • 818.552.4503

Alex Llorente

OPINION

tion (CDCR) to assist ACP participants

Sunday, a group scientists berOn of people who apply, of decrease the number of children in the have foster won care and policymakers that system, and reduce destruction that the Blue P lanetthePriz e, a top incarceration causes among families.” environmental award, made a preAlthough the program has only been conference to aintensify green available to appeal women, court decision action. earlier this month ordered CDCR to expand the program to men. Andthey last Looking at demography, year,more the Legislature encouraged the said than 200 million women implementation ACP at the in developing of countries stillcounty have level. “This is a major victory for unmet needs forwith family planning. people in prison dependent family But funding for access to members. It supports family reunification. We know there are 30 further ways contraception fell by percent to expand1995 this and program,” saysleast Diana between 2008, “not as Zuñiga of CURB. “We want to use a result of legislative pressure from this momentum to push for people to the religious right in in thetheUSA and be able to participate program elsewhere,” said. offense, and regardless ofthey conviction to push counties to implement family

Filipinos hopeful peacewith between gov’tenrollment. and MILF,reunification but numbers to that works with people inof women’s medical coverage strategies declining as well. Now is

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a decline in their ranks, a new poll

by Social Weather Stations showed.

The SWS said the survey last Dec. 3 to 7 showed 62 percent of respondents remain optimistic Oct will 10 come (Mabuhay) theMANILA, two parties to an– Malacañang but on this Saturday thanked the agreement, was down from House of Representatives for approving 71 percent in September and 83 on Friday night on third and final readpercent recorded in June 2011. 2016 ing the P3.002-trillion proposed Also,budget. the SWS survey showed national “Nagpapasalamat po tayo doon fewer Filipinos believe the peace sa ating mga kasamahan sa Kamara agreement may be reached before the de Representantes, siyempre, led by term of President Benigno Aquino III Speaker Sonny Belmonte, at doon po sa ends in 2016nu’ng – 38 paggalaw percent, compared pagbabaston po ng mga to 52 percentsainbudget September. deliberasyon diyan,” deputy

percent who were optimistic the two parties will hammer a peace deal comprised the following: 29 percent who were “very hopeful” (slightly higher than 26 percent in by lawmakers, and Valte33said the scrutiny September); percent who will continue, this time at the Senate. were “somewhat hopeful” (lower “Hindi pa ho tapos ang pagtingin sa than September’s 45 percent). budget natin. Mayroon pa ho ‘yan, siyRespondents who were “somewhat empre, sa Senado,” Valte said. notOn hopeful” at 15members percent Friday,remained 230 House voted for the budget, while 20atvoted while those “not hopeful all” against.

This happened 11 days after the accounted for 24 percent, up from bill was presented for plenary delibera14 percent in the previous survey. tions last Sept. 28.The budget proposal Analyzing the data by the will then be submitted to region, the Senate. number of those “very Valte acknowledged thehopeful” arduouswent pro-

the time to continue working for incar-

Palace thanks House for approving 2016 budget on third and final reading

presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview.

To critics in Congress saying the budget was not adequately scrutinized

cess the budget proposal had to undergo at the House of Representatives.

“Medyo matagal na rin ho nilang pinag-uusapan ‘yung ating budget at

Under the proposed budget, the Department of Education (DepEd) was given the highest allocation of P435.9 billion in 2016. (MNS)

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, October 14 - 20, 2015

5

Visit www.usasianpost.com

UTREACH Gen. Taguba calls attention to family caregiving during Filipino History Month

tion of fishery resources is a central concern in order to sustainably provide for adequate livelihoods and the food needs of our people,” Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said in a statement.

Together with Microsoft, the Philippine Department of Science and Technology’s Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), ECOFISH piloted a new technology that taps unused television broadcast frequencies (“TV White Space”) to extend wireless Internet access to remote parts of the country in order to enable a mobile, online system to register fisherfolk in the Danajon Reef in central Philippines.

Registration is key towards sustainable fisheries management, and allows fisherfolk to access vital government services.

TV White Space was recognized as a model public-private partnership and won the second P3 Impact Award during the 2015 Concordia Summit in New York. Concordia, the University of Virginia Darden Institute for Business in Society, and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships created the P3 Impact Award to recognize P3s (public-private partnerships) that are changing our world in innovative and impactful ways.

“It is encouraging to see how national programs like BFAR’s Municipal Fisherfolk Registration or Fish-R can be complemented and enhanced through partnerships with local government units and international development partners like USAID. Innovative projects like ECOFISH has facilitated the delivery of services to intended beneficiaries and has helped develop appropriate governance mechanisms that can achieve the desired impact,” noted Dr Josyline Javelosa, Agriculture Attaché at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. Dr. Javelosa and the Embassy’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Atty. Jose Victor ChanGonzaga, were present in the forum.

Gen. Mac Arthur’s aide received recognition from Filipino seniors

By Dan E. Nino

Cerritos, Calif. – Seventy years after the liberation of the Philippines which started in Palo, Tacloban, Leyte from the Japanese occupation, one of the liberators who participated in the battle of the Philippine Sea and later waded towards the shore with Pacific Supreme Commander Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur, then 21-years-old Kenneth L. Jahnke is still alive and kicking and enjoying the twilight of his life with the Happy Seniors of Cerritos Association.

Commander Jahnke, who will turn 92 on March 11 next year, was awarded a plaque of recognition by the Happy Seniors of Cerritos composed mostly of Filipino-Americans on Oct. 1 at the Pat Nixon Senior Center in this city. The plaque reads, “Plaque of Recognition is presented to Kenneth L. Jahnke in honor and recognition of his dedicated service to the U.S. Military under the command of Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur who landed in Palo, Leyte, Philippines on Oct. 20,

2044 during the World War 11.

Thus, liberating the Philippines under the Japanese occupation.

This, therefore led to the granting of Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946 by the United States of America.”

The plaque was signed by the Honorary Commodore of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Felix B. Lopez, Major Jose Armin Reyes, a U.S. Army veteran who is also the president of Southern California Philippine U.S. Veterans Association, Dr. Carlos P. Manlapaz, founding president of Ilocano National Association of America and Rev. Eduardo Nalundasan Yu, president of Happy Seniors of Cerritos Association.

Mr. Jahnke now married to a Filipina physician after he was widowed, started his military career in the U.S. Navy on March 11, 1941 at age 17. After basic training at the Navy Training Station in San Diego, California, he was sent to Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and became a crew member of USS Oklahoma in September 1941.

AARP Community Ambassador (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Tony Taguba at the Filipino American History Month Celebration at the Asian Art Museum on October 4 in San Francisco. Click here to download images.

discuss, but family caregiving is a national public health issue that affects 44 million

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – “Fishing is not only an industry in the Philippines. Fishing for Filipinos is a way of life.”

These sentences prefaced the presentation of Ms. Rebecca R. Guieb, USAID Development Specialist, at a Forum held on 6 October 2015 at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Together with Mr. Nygiel Armada, Tetra Tech Chief of Party of ECOFISH, Ms. Guieb spoke of a successful Philippine journey to sustainable fisheries before USAID officials, diplomats, academics and experts, and NGO representatives.

The Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries Project (ECOFISH) is a USAID initiative to improve the management of important coastal and marine resources and associated ecosystems in eight marine key biodiversity areas. It is aimed at continuing to demonstrate reversal of fish decline and increasing the number of people with new or better employment from sustainable fisheries by 10% and creating strategic public-private partnerships.

“It is our banner marine program in the Philippines and important for inclusive growth,” said Dr. Gloria Steele, USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, in her remarks.

ECOFISH works with the national government and local governments to understand the status of their fisheries, prioritize issues and recommendations to establish protection measures and create social enterprises for local economic development. ECOFISH works with community entrepreneurs, including women, for potential tourism and marketing technology support. USAID also partnered with the Philippine Government and Smart Telecommunications to use the SMS broadcast facility for reporting illegal activities and enhancing maritime law enforcement in a marine key biodiversity area in Sulu Archipelago.

“The Philippines appreciates the assistance of USAID through ECOFISH towards Sustainable Fisheries. The utilization, management, development, conservation and protec-

AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.

A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanishlanguage website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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PHL ecofish team presents journey to sustainable fisheries

households in the country,” said Gen. Taguba. “Families must have the difficult, but necessary conversation about the needs of family members and start planning how to cope with day-to-day decisions required to care for loved ones.”

Visit aarp.org/caregiving to find resources, connect with experts and other caregivers, and get more information.

About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse.

We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the

F

Fishermen ride a banca to inspect fish pens that will be affected by the 47-kilometer Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike at Laguna Bay in Muntinlupa on Wednesday. The project aims to create an alternative route between Metro Manila and Laguna, as well as mitigate flooding in the western coastal communities along Laguna Lake. (MNS photo)

SAN FRANCISCO, October 9, 2015 – AARP was proud to sponsor the Filipino American History Month Celebration last Sunday at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco for the second consecutive year. More than 2,800 attendees celebrated the Bay Area’s vibrant Filipino American community. AARP Community Ambassador (Ret.) Major General Tony Taguba was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony and called attention to the challenges of family caregiving.

After his elderly parents became ill, Gen. Taguba and his siblings were ill-prepared to care for them. Faced with tough decisions about their declining health and dwindling finances, they managed to care for them the best they could.

To help others, Gen. Taguba became an AARP Community Ambassador to advocate for caregivers and their families.

“It’s a topic we don’t openly

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ENTERT Jasmine Curtis-Smith no time for romance

“TIME heals all things.”

This was the short response of Jasmine Curtis-Smith when asked recently if she has moved on from his recent heartbreak with ex-boyfriend Sam Concepcion.

The “My Fair Lady” lead actress said she does not want to discuss the split-up but clarified that she remained friends with Concepcion.

Despite the heartbreak, Curtis-Smith said that she is not lacking in the ‘kilig’ department as work is a good substitute for it. “Hindi lang naman sa lalake nahahanap ang kilig e. Nahahanap ‘yan sa trabaho, sa pamilya, siyempre pag binibigyang puri ka ng supporters mo e kinikilig ka,” she said. She also said that with the tight schedule she has now, it is difficult to find time for anything aside from work.

“Mahirap po yan. M-W-F ang schedule ko dito [My Fair Lady] at meron din akong Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. And then pag Sunday, yoon lang ang libre ko. So... sa panaginip ko lang may dini-date ako.”

“Alam ko ngayon na wala pa ‘yun sa isip ko. Ayoko na-

Jasmine Curtis-Smith

man magsinungaling at sabihin na I’m prioritizing work more. I just want to be really honest and say there’s really nothing happening in that department. That’s not where my eyes are looking.”

The actress said that if there’s one thing she has learned from her past relationship, it is that things will happen if it is meant to be.

She said she could allot time for romance if she knows that she has found the right person to compromise with.

“One of my friends told me is that how will you really know if you don’t take a leap of faith.

Sometimes you have to accept things as they come along and see where it goes. Kung wala e di wala. If it grow into something beautiful, obviously it is meant to happen.”

“It’s not on my mind; it’s not something I think of. All I look forward to at work is when I get home, I get to rest. Hindi ako naghahanap ng oras for anything else but rest.”

Meanwhile, Curtis-Smith is grateful to be back on television via “My Fair Lady,” the remake of 2009 hit Korean series with the same title. The actress said it’s good to be part of any story telling process while working opposite caliber names in the entertainment industry.

“It’s just nice to have people that you enjoy working with.

Any job is a good job and it depends on how you see it.”

Joining her in “My Fair Lady” are leading men Vin Abrenica and Luis Alandy with Joross Gamboa, Yayo Aguila, Marjorie Barretto and veteran actor Eddie Gutierrez. (MNS)

How Pokwang moved on from miscarriage “May mas magandang plan si God na mas matibay.”

These were the words of comedienne Pokwang when asked about how she came to terms with the loss of what would have been her first child with boyfriend, American actor Lee O’Brien.

The 45-year-old Pokwang said O’Brien played a huge part in helping her move on from the miscarriage.

“Lagi niya akong sinasabihan na wag kang ano—nandito lang ako, magkasama tayo.

Hindi kita iiwan kahit anong mangyari,” she shared.

Despite this, the couple has

Pokwang

been open about pursuing their plans of tying the knot. According to O’Brien, the marriage may happen sometime in 2016.

PAL_003071_01_ACM_September_October-Filipino_US_Asian_Post_LA_r2JPG.indd 1

Pokwang met O’Brien while working on the TFC movie “Edsa Woolworth.” She has a daughter with a former partner, who is based in Japan. (MNS)

THE US ASIAN POST

INMENT Cristine Reyes reveals wedding month Cristine Reyes and fiance Ali Khatibi are set to walk down the aisle before the year ends, the actress said in an interview.

While the 26-year-old Reyes did not mention any specific date, she said the wedding will happen sometime in December.

The actress also said that television host Kris Aquino, along with other colleagues from the entertainment industry, will be part of her entourage.

Reyes and Khatibi met in March last year. She ended months of speculation surrounding her pregnancy back in November in an episode of the concert variety show “ASAP.” Reyes gave birth to her daughter Amarah prematurely last February 8 while she was seven months into her pregnancy. (MNS)

Cristine Reyes

MTRCB to meet with ABS-CBN on ‘Pastillas Girl’

After women’s rights group Gabriela aired concern on receiving complaints against noontime show “It’s Showtime” for supposedly “pimping Pastillas Girl to various interested men,” Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairman Atty. Eugenio Villareal said they will have a dialogue with ABS-CBN bosses next week to discuss the issue.

Villareal said he already sent an invitation to the show’s producers, urging them to meet with the board’s Gender and Development committee.

“Pag-uusapan at bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon na magprisinta ng explanation ’yung nasabing palabas. So titingnan muna natin ’yung gender sen-

sitivity issues and then after that titingnan natin kung ano magiging (hakbang natin),” he said.

Villareal explained it is MTRCB’s impetus to empower viewers to be more discerning of what they watch on TV. “Kailangan kasi nilang malaman kung ito ay age appropriate or ’yung message ba na napapanood nila sa TV ay tama. Kasi (para sa) kapakanan din naman ng kabataan itong ginagawa natin,” he explained.

The Ateneo de Manila University law professor divulged they will continue making infomercials aimed to help lessen violence on TV and in movies.

“Gusto nating magabayan ang ating mga kababayan about sa violence. Patuloy din ang

pakikipag-usap natin sa iba’tibang ahensiya para magkaroon tayo ng memorandum of understanding,” he said.

Villareal encourages the public to be vigilant in monitoring TV programs and movies shown on television, in cinemas and even on public transport systems, like buses and ferries. He said movies shown inside the vehicles should have been properly reviewed and evaluated by the MTRCB. “Hangga’t maari kasi dapat rated G (for all ages, which also covers trailers, publicity material in all media) at PG (Parental Guidance) ang pwedeng ipalabas. Hindi pwedeng nagpapakita ng violence and there should be no lewd movies shown to passengers,” he said.

9/3/15 3:35 PM

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Teens who spend too much time on internet at risk of high blood pressure: study Wednesday October 7 2015 (Relaxnews) – A new study shows that excessive time spent on the internet can increase a teenager’s risk of high blood pressure.

The latest finding adds to a growing body of research showing a link between heavy internet use and increased health risks such as addiction, anxiety, depression, obesity and social isolation.

In their study, researchers from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that teens who spent a minimum of 14 hours a week on the internet had elevated blood pressure.

Physical exams were conducted on 335 teens aged 14 -17 who also filled out questionnaires on their internet habits. The use of the internet was defined as visiting websites, emailing, instant messaging, games, shopping, downloading

Too much internet time puts teens at increased risk of high blood pressure, according to a US study. ©Monkey Business Images/ shutterstock.com

software and homework.

Of the 134 teens described as heavy internet users, 26 had unusually high blood pressure.

“Using the internet is part of our daily life but it shouldn’t consume us,” said lead author Andrea Cassidy-Bushrow in a

statement.

For healthy teens, authors suggest that internet usage be limited to two hours a day, five days a week.

The findings were published in the Journal of School Nursing.

8 top foods for healthy eyes Thursday October 8 2015 (Relaxnews) – World Sight Day takes place this year on October 8, the perfect occasion to review your eye health. Read on for a selection of the most beneficial foods to counter eye disorders and help maintain excellent eyesight.

- Fatty fish Rich in omega-3, fatty fish like tuna, herring or sardine (steamed or grilled) nourish the cell membranes of nerve cells, including the retina and also prevent the onset of eye diseases linked to aging.

- Clementines, oranges and mandarins As with all citrus fruits, these three foods can be found almost year-round and are rich in vitamin C. They contain antioxidants that protect the cornea and crystalline lens of the eye and help prevent cataracts, a disease caused by age that causes clouded vision, especially at night.

- Carrots As with a number of other orange and yellow fruit, the carrot is

full of beta-carotene, an antioxidant precursor of vitamin A and rich in pigments that protect the retina, especially against cataracts.

It’s also important to note any vitamin deficiencies that could provoke decreased visual acuity. Carrots should be consumed cooked several times per week.

- Blueberries Renowned for improving night vision and tested for this by Royal Air Force pilots during World War II, blueberries contain vitamin C and anthocyanins, components that boost visual acuity and that can help alleviate eye fatigue.

- Spinach Rich in pigments, beta-carotene and vitamins, spinach is a super food for eye health as it protects against loss of visual acuity and UV rays. It should be a staple of your kitchen ingredients and consumed several times per week either alone or with sides, in a salad or cooked to your liking.

- Eggs Thanks to its numerous an-

tioxidants including vitamin A -- essential for seeing in the dark -- this food is renowned for its protective qualities. In particular, it helps protect against aging-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease of the retina.

- Broccoli This green vegetable, as well as its entire family of cruciferous vegetables, are rich in pigments and antioxidants and contain a high level of vitamin C that protects the retina and the crystalline lens from UV rays as well as free radicals, harmful to vision. These vegetables are to be consumed without moderation in gratin dishes, steamed or in tarts all year long.

- Corn A great source of lutein and zeaxanthin, essential pigments for eye health, this ingredient protects against AMD and can be eaten in salads, cooked or raw. Consuming 5 to 6 g per day of these pigments is said to be one of the best ways to prevent cataracts.

This could be my best move yet.

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.

AARP is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing your life at 50-plus by providing trusted and useful resources to help you stay active, engaged and vibrant.

Caregiving • Health & Wellness • Fraud Prevention • Volunteer • Life Reimagined

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10/9/15 12:24 PM

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KITCHENOMICS FAMILY FEATURES

F

all is a busy time for families on the go, but dinner can still be approachable and wholesome.

One easy solution: trans­form a simple everyday side dish into a meal that will have your family asking for more.

These recipes, created in partnership with lifestyle expert Sandra Lee, feature Bob Evans’ collection of high-quality, like-scratch side dishes ranging from mashed potatoes to macaroni and cheese. The sides, found in the refrigerated section of most local grocery stores, are made with real ingredients and the perfect blend of seasonings to make entrees taste just right.

Find more mealtime solutions that put side dishes at the fore­front at Farm Fresh Ideas (bobevans.com/ recipes), a club that provides recipes, a personalized recipe box and helpful tips in the kitchen.

Macwich

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4

8 slices garlic bread, frozen

1 package Bob Evans Macaroni and Cheese

4 slices cheddar cheese 16 dill pickle chips (optional)

1 can tomato soup, prepared (optional for dipping) In large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, heat 8 bread slices for 3 minutes and flip over to evenly warm through.

Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions.

Place 1/2 slice of cheddar cheese on each piece of garlic bread.

On 4 pieces of garlic bread, evenly spoon 4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) of macaroni and cheese on top of cheddar cheese/ garlic bread slices.

Place remaining 4 slices of garlic bread on top of macaroni and cheese stack.

Toast both sides for an additional 2 minutes or until bread is toasty brown and cheese is melted. Serve with dill pickle chips and tomato soup for dipping.

Orzo with Italian Sausage, Mushrooms and Spinach

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Serves: 4

4 tablespoons butter, divided

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

1 can (14.5 ounces) low sodium chicken broth

1 pound hot or Italian sausage 1/2 cup diced onion

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic 10 ounces baby spinach 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese salt and pepper, to taste In a large sauce pan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter and add orzo. Stir until lightly browned. Add chicken broth and bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes, until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium heat, add sausage and crumble with potato masher until fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Add onion and mushrooms, and continue to cook until onions are translucent and mushrooms are tender. Add garlic and saute

30 seconds or until garlic becomes fragrant.

Turn heat down to low. Add spinach and cover pan to allow spinach to wilt. Set aside until orzo is done.

When orzo is done, add sausage mixture and Parmesan cheese and mix well. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Mixed Berry Cobbler

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Serves: 6-8

1 package Bob Evans Glazed Apples

1 cup frozen sweet cherries

1 cup blackberries or raspberries

1 cup pear, diced Heat oven to 375 F. In large mixing bowl, mix together glazed apples and fruits. Pour into 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

While fruit is baking, mix together ingredients for streusel.

Streusel Topping

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup uncooked rolled oats 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces Mix together brown sugar, oats, flour and cinnamon until evenly combined. With fingertips, blend in butter pieces until small clumps form and butter is well incorporated, about 2 minutes.

Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit and place back in oven uncovered. Bake until streusel is lightly browned and fruit is tender, about 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and let set 5 minutes before serving.

Time Saving Tips These simple tricks from Sandra Lee will cut minutes off your busywork, so you can get to the more important things like enjoying fall with your family.

1. Shave minutes off meals using tools in original ways: An ice cream scoop makes cookies and meatballs in a flash; an egg slicer quickly cuts mushrooms and berries.

2. To further speed up slow cooker prep time, keep favorite premixed seasoning packets, pre-sliced vegetables and jarred sauces on hand.

3. Desserts need not be made from scratch to have a homespun feel.

Dip packaged cookies in chocolate, embellish bakery cupcakes or create lollipops from candies.

Baked Potato Pizza

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Serves: 12

1 package Bob Evans Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes

1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 premade large pizza crusts

1 cup cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 450 F. In bowl, mix together mashed potatoes and bacon crumbles.

Place each pizza crust on cookie sheet. Spread half of mashed potato mixture evenly over each pizza. Top each pizza with cheddar cheese.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly golden. Cut into wedges and serve.

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PRAYERS PRAYER to the BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail)

Oh most beautiful flower 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 us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.Grateful Thanks.-CRIS

PRAYERS PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT 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 confirm 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 person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. JOANNA

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MOTORING VW’s pollution-cheating device: How it works and how to fix it Friday October 9 2015 (Berlin-AFP) – Volkswagen is expected to begin recalling millions of diesel vehicles in coming months to remove a device that is aimed at cheating emissions tests, and to bring them into compliance with anti-pollution rules in each affected country. Some 11 million cars are affected worldwide and the German auto giant is still drawing up a timetable for the massive repairs.

What’s wrong with the vehicles?

The company has admitted to fitting the diesel vehicles with software that turns on emission controls when the car is being tested and then turns off when it is on the road.

There are two kinds of affected vehicles.

One group is fitted with a catalytic converter that reduces the amount of nitrogen oxide emitted by treating it with aqueous urea. Another type is fitted with a system that stores nitrogen oxide temporarily when the car is undergoing tests, before releasing the harmful levels of the gas when the car is back on the road.

How will the cars be fixed?

Some vehicles will only require a software fix, but others will need total overhauls including installing new catalytic converters and injector systems.

3 Japanese auto parts executives indicted for bid-rigging conspiracy involving body sealing products installed in US cars WASHINGTON, October 8, 2015 – A federal grand jury in Covington, Kentucky, returned an indictment against one current and two former Japanese automotive executives for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for the sale of automotive body sealing products sold in the United States.

The indictment, filed today in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky, charges Keiji Kyomoto, Mikio Katsumaru and Yuji Kuroda – all Japanese nationals – with conspiring to rig bids for and fix the prices of body sealing products sold to Honda Motor Company Ltd., Toyota Mo-

tor Corp. and certain of their subsidiaries and affiliates for installation in vehicles manufactured and sold in the United States and elsewhere. Automotive body sealing products consist of body-side opening seals, door-side weather-stripping, glass-run channels, trunk lids and other smaller seals, which are installed in automobiles to keep the interior dry from rain and free from wind and exterior noises.

“These executives conspired for years with their competitors to fix the prices of body sealing products sold to Honda and Toyota and installed in U.S. cars,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent Sny-

der of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s indictment is another reminder that antitrust violations are not just corporate offenses but also crimes by individuals. The Antitrust Division will continue to vigorously prosecute executives who orchestrate their companies’ efforts to break the law.”

“The FBI is committed to aggressively investigating individuals who engage in criminal conduct that corrupts the global marketplace,” said Special Agent in Charge Howard S. Marshall of the FBI’s Louisville Division. “We will continue our work with the Department of Justice Antitrust Division to uncover schemes aimed at creating

an unfair competitive advantage by way of price fixing, bid rigging or other illegal means.”

The indictment alleges that Kyomoto, Katsumaru and Kuroda participated in the conspiracy from at least as early as September 2003 until at least October 2011. For most of this period, Kyomoto resided in the United States and served as President of an unnamed joint venture with offices in Indiana and Michigan, which manufactured and sold automotive body sealing products.

Katsumaru, who resided in Japan, served in multiple managerial positions during the conspiracy period, including Manager of the Sales and Marketing Division, for an unnamed company based in Hiroshima, Japan, that partially owned the joint venture and also manufactured and sold automotive body sealing products. Kuroda, who resided in Japan, served as a sales branch manager at the same Hiroshima-based company for the entirety of the charged period.

According to the indictment, Kyomoto, Katsumaru and Kuroda each instructed subordinates at their respective companies to communicate with co-conspirators at other companies in order to allocate sales of, rig bids for and fix the prices of automotive body sealing products; were aware that employees under their supervision were engaging in such communications; and condoned such communications. The indictment further alleges that Kyomoto attended meetings in the United States with co-conspirators during which Kyomoto and the co-conspirators reached agreements regarding sales of automotive body sealing products to Honda and Toyota.

The indictment also alleges that Katsumaru and Kuroda instructed and encouraged certain employees at their company to destroy evidence of the conspiracy. Each individual faces a maximum penalty to 10 years in prison and a $1 million criminal fine if convicted.

Today’s charge is the result of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the automotive parts industry, which is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s criminal enforcement sections and the FBI. A total of 58 individuals and 37 companies have been charged and have agreed to pay more than $2.6 billion in criminal fines.

This indictment was brought by the Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office and the FBI’s Louisville Field Office, Covington Resident Agency, with the assistance of the FBI’s International Corruption Unit and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Kentucky. Anyone with information about anticompetitive conduct in the automotive parts industry should contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 888-6473258, visit www.justice.gov/atr/ contact/newcase.html or call the FBI’s Louisville Field Office at 502-263-6000.

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Can Subaru impress with its Impreza concept? mand for something incredibly fast and incredibly practical has never been greater.

Alongside the Impreza, Subaru will also be demonstrating that it knows a thing or two about SUVs. The company makes great four-wheel-drive systems and with the VIZIV Future Concept will be showing how it intends to build on that knowhow for people looking for something with Crossover appeal. The VIZIV is built around

The Subaru VIZIV Future Concept: This SUV offers a taste of the company’s next-generation Outback.©Subaru UK Ltd

Friday October 9 2015 (Relaxnews) – As the Tokyo motor show draws near, Subaru is offering a sneak peek of the concept cars it is planning to showcase, including a next-generation take on its much-loved Impreza sports sedan.

Although the company is planning to unveil a total of 10 vehicles, four of which have neer been seen before, Subaru’s

existing fan base will no doubt make a beeline for the Impreza concept when the Tokyo motor show opens its doors to the public on October 30.

Subaru still isn’t giving much away about what to expect from the car, even though it is just a concept, and has thus far only provided the media with digital sketches rather than photos. However, what is

clear is that the car will once again look sporty and purposeful, even when at a standstill.

Recent Imprezas, though great to drive, had started to blend into the background in terms of aesthetics.

Likewise, Subaru refuses to be drawn on the question of a WRX or STi edition, but with its closest rival, the Mitsubishi Evo, heading out to pasture, de-

Uber says will expand service to 100 Chinese cities Thursday October 8 2015 (Shanghai, China-AFP) – Carhailing company Uber said Thursday it is planning to expand into dozens more Chinese cities within a year and invest $1 billion as it looks to ramp up market share in the world’s most populous country.

While the firm dominates the US ride-hailing sector, it has struggled to make headway in China – despite backing from local Internet giant Baidu – with Beijing-based Didi Kuaidi controlling some 99-percent of the market.

Uber, which entered China in February 2014, will expand its operation into 100 Chinese cities within a year from the current 21, it said in a statement Thursday.

It will also invest up to 6.3 billion yuan ($1 billion) in China in a bid to increase its presence in the country and set up

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. ©AFP PHOTO / Greg BAKER

in Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone.

However, the announcement comes when app-based ridehailing firms face a regulatory crackdown as they conflict with traditional cabs, and have contributed to a wave of taxi strikes across the country.

Police have paid visits to Uber

offices in at least two Chinese cities including Guangzhou and Chengdu this year.

Uber also said in the statement it will apply for an online taxi booking licence from Shanghai’s transportation authorities after Didi Kuaidi said it had obtained one on Thursday.

Toyota blurs the lines between man and machine Thursday October 8 2015 (Relaxnews) – As Japan’s biggest and most influential car company, Toyota always saves something very special for the only official international auto show held on its home soil.

And this year is no exception, as the company is preparing three fascinating concept cars plus a robotic companion that keeps drivers company on long trips for their world debuts.

In recent months rumors have been building that Toyota and BMW are co-developing a new super sportscar and as if to add grist to the mill, one of its concept cars, the S-FR, is indeed of the sports variety.

But instead of big engines and cutting-edge technology, the car is all about simplicity and driver engagement. And with a front-mounted engine positioned slightly behind the front axle, rear-wheel drive, a manual transmission and independent suspension, it certainly sounds like the perfect automotive recipe for fun no matter what the conditions. The company says that the car should be seen as the latest in a long line of similarly simple yet entertaining Toyotas, and that it was

2015 Tokyo Motor Show - Toyota FCV Plus. The next step for hydrogen cars. ©Toyota

created with serious drivers and serious customizers in mind.

The KIKAI is a car that’s been turned inside out so that the elements usually hidden by panels are on full display.

An exploration of mechanical beauty and forming an emotional connection with machinery, like the S-FR, the KIKAI is an attempt to make the driver feel like part of the process, literally.

This car even has a glass floor so that tire contact, suspension movement and the brakes can all be seen in action. Toyota’s first production hydrogen fuel cell car is already on sale but for this year’s show, the company is taking the environmen-

tally friendly power source to new levels with the FCV Plus.

It uses clever internal packaging so that cabin space is optimized and is capable of plugging into the grid to share power—harvested from hydrogen in the air – with the local community, when not being used as a mode of transport. However, perhaps the most unique concept is the Kirobo Mini, which is a 1-meter tall “communication partner” capable, the company claims, of interacting with people through facial expressions and gestures.

And the reason? To make people feel happy and connected as they go about their daily routine.

Volvo urges the US to introduce national autonomous vehicle guidelines Thursday October 8 2015 (Relaxnews) – At a special event held at the Swedish embassy in Washington DC, the head of Volvo has warned the US that it needs to stay at the forefront of autonomous vehicle development and testing.

Speaking in the US capital, Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars called for a single set of nationwide rules and regulations for the development and testing of self-driving cars. “The US risks losing its leading position due to the lack of Federal guidelines for the testing and certification of autonomous vehicles,” said Samuelsson. “Europe has suffered to some extent by having a patchwork of rules and regulations. It would be a shame if the US took a similar path to Europe in this crucial area.”

The US has been ahead of the curve in allowing car and tech companies to test their vehicles on public roads. Google has clocked up over 1 million autonomous miles on the roads around Mountain View, and in March automotive component maker Delphi was allowed to autonomously drive a specially adapted Audi from San Francisco to New York, a record distance of 5471km.

For some perspective, the first sanctioned test of an autonomous vehicle on French public roads took place on October 2, 2015, and the car in question, a Peugeot Citroen-developed prototype, covered a tenth of that distance. But Europe as a whole is starting to wake up to the technology. In the UK, Germany and Sweden the roads are open to autonomous vehicle

testing but in the US, different states still have different regulations. Volvo, which has emerged as one of the early frontrunners in the race to bring autonomous driving technology to real-world vehicles, believes this will harm car companies’ chances of developing compliant vehicles. “The absence of one set of rules means car makers cannot conduct credible tests to develop cars that meet all the different guidelines of all 50 US states,” he said. “If we are to ensure a smooth transition to autonomous mobility then together we must create the necessary framework that will support this.”

However, even when all of these technological hurdles have been overcome, ethical, philosophical and moral questions remain.

the concept of “enjoyment and peace of mind” so that means a host of next-generation active assistance systems, such as driver monitoring and obstacle recognition plus a hybrid fuelefficient powertrain that uses a small turbocharged engine mated to an electric motor.

To underline the car’s lifestyle credentials, it has a custom bike rack at the rear and when on a driveway or a private car park – i.e., off the public road

11

– can autonomously park itself with no driver intervention.

Many of the technologies on display within the car, such as 360-degree obstacle recognition and avoidance, are still a long way from becoming a production reality. However, the style, stance and even the car’s powertrain are much closer to the real world. Expect the next Subaru Outback to take a number of its design cues from the VIZIV.

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Bill requiring reports on earthquake vulnerability of local water infrastructure signed by Gov. Brown SACRAMENTO, October 9, 2015 – Gov. Brown today signed into law a Sen. Bob Hertzberg plan to require regional water-management officials to report the vulnerability of their water systems to an earthquake.

“Gov. Brown understands that with a fourth-straight year of drought driving home the precarious nature of California’s water supplies, we cannot ignore forecasts showing a greater than 99-percent chance of a 6.7 earthquake within the next 30 years,” Hertzberg said about the need for Senate Bill 664.

“Much of California’s infrastructure, including key water-delivery systems, remains seismically unsafe and extremely vulnerable.”

Hertzberg and residents of his San Fernando Valley district know well how devastating an earthquake can be.

In 1991, the infamous 6.7 magnitude Northridge earthquake left 57 dead, more than 9,000 injured and caused more than $40 billion in damages.

Two years earlier in Northern California, the 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake killed 63, injured more than 3,700 and caused more than $6 billion in damages.

By comparison, the most deadly California earthquake, the 7.8 Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, killed 3,000 and caused $13 bil-

lion in inflation-adjusted damages.

“Each of these quakes resulted in devastating damages to water systems, interrupting fire-fighting efforts and leaving thirsty residents lining up for scant water supplies,” Hertzberg said.

“Drought scientists now predict our changing climate will increase the frequency, length and severity of droughts in California. The time to act is now.”

SB 664 addresses Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs), a collaborative effort overseen by the state Department of Water Resources to identify and use water-management solutions on a regional scale to increase regional self-reliance, reduce conflict and manage water. SB 664 will direct all UWMPs to include an assessment or evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of the water infrastructure.

SB 664 follows a recent Los Angeles Department of Water and Power report that identified $15 billion in potential need for seismic upgrades to water infrastructure. Last November, voters approved a water bond that provides $810 million to water-management projects. Seismic-safety upgrades may be eligible for funding from recent bond measures.

For more, including a Fact Sheet on SB 664, click HERE or visit Hertzberg’s Web site at the address below.

Brown signs bill to increase electric vehicle charging stations Sacramento, CA – Governor Brown today signed Assembly Bill 1236 by Assemblymember David Chiu (D – San Francisco), which will help increase the number of California’s electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and reduce auto emissions. AB 1236 was jointly authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell).

“Getting more people to drive electric vehicles depends on having a place to plug in,” said Assemblymember Chiu.

“Zero emission vehicles are a crucial part of a healthier and cleaner California. Our state is outpacing the rest of the nation in terms of EV ownership, but without this legislation we are setting ourselves up for failure.”

“Thanks to Assemblymember Chiu’s leadership with AB 1236, we can enjoy cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gases and a stronger economy,” said Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino. “By expediting the permit process for EV charging stations,

this bill will literally help keep the Bay Area’s hard-charging economy ‘on the move’.”

“Californians face some of the most difficult air pollution burdens in the country, so we need to use every tool we can use to clean up our air,” said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, Senior Director for Air Quality and Climate Change at the American Lung Association in California. “AB 1236 is an important step to helping spur the critical transition to zero emission vehicles, to clean up our air, and protect Californians against the worst impacts of climate change.”

AB 1236 requires cities and counties to create a simple and streamlined permitting process for the installation of EV charging systems. California has an aggressive goal to go from 100,000 electric vehicles today to 1.5 million zero emission vehicles by 2025. The California Energy Commission has estimated our state will need almost 200,000 charging stations to meet our goal.

Wednesday - Tuesday, October 14 - 20, 2015

THE US ASIAN POST

43 stories by 43 women by former Theresians Los Angeles – A unique collection of personal essays titled Portal (Gateway to Adventure) was launched over the weekend at the posh Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, California. Forty-three stories by forty-three women who are all graduates of St. Theresa’s College, an exclusive girls’ school in the Philippines, once run by Belgian nuns, are contributors to this epic anthology.

The stories of the 380-page tome carry one theme – a place, city or country that serves as a portal or gateway that triggers memories of events, epiphanies or victories. Some writers wrote of adventures of love, reconciliation, spiritual rebirth, forgiveness, achievements - even of mountains and birds.

Half of the Portal writers reside in Manila, while the other half come from all parts of the USA, even Australia and Canada.

One contributor is a nun, also a Theresian, but now based in Taiwan. There are 25 graduating batches from three branches of St. Theresa’s College – Manila, Quezon City and Cebu City - that are represented in Portal. A cross-section of the writers’ careers reveals the Theresian spirit to serve.

Some writers are former judges, lawyers, doctors, nurses, government appointees, religious ministers and servantleaders. Some continue to be writers, counselors, athletes and entrepreneurs. Portal (Gateway to Adventure) was collected and edited by Marily Orosa, a writer of creative nonfiction and founder and president of Studio 5 Designs, a pioneer in the field of graphic design in Manila.

Apart from Portal, she has published many award-winning coffee table books and corporate collaterals for a sterling list of clients. Orosa is also an alumna of St. Theresa’s College.

The book will be launched in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto and Manila in 2015 and in other key cities in 2016.