US Asian Post October 7, 2015

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World Bank cites Aquino’s ‘Daang Matuwid’ Palace welcomes results of latest World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators report MANILA, Oct 2 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Friday welcomed the results of the latest World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) survey, which were attributed to the Aquino administration’s Daang Matuwid advocacy.

“Along with the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, the latest World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) survey again affirms the extent of our country’s transformation under Daang Matuwid,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.

The Palace official noted that the Philippines has shown improvements in all six indicators

since 2010 and this year, the country scored higher in five indicators as compared to last year.

“Scores for our country show improvements in all six indicators since 2010. Compared to the previous year’s results, the Philippines scored higher in five out of six indicators: voice and accountability; political stability and absence of violence; government effectiveness; regulatory quality; and rule of law,” said Valte.

She said positive developments such as this “make clear that good governance and reform lead to increased peace, harmony, and citizen participation in government”.

“Such an environment encourages not only a more vibrant deSee DAANG MATUWID, page 2

DRILON AT DOTC BUDGET HEARING: Senate President Franklin Drilon grills Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General William Hotchkiss III and other airport officials on the issue of commercial advertisements located at airport terminals during today’s hearing on the proposed 2016 Budget of the Department of Transportation and Communication, October 1, 2015. “Our billboard-filled airport terminals are no different from EDSA. We need to have a policy review if we really need these commercial advertisements, or if it is better that our terminals are without them,” Drilon said.(MNS photo)

President Benigno S. Aquino III shovels dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Supreme Court Complex at the Philippine Army Security and Escort Batallion Area in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City on Friday (October 02). Also in photo are SC Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Arnel Casanova. (MNS photo)

Leni: I’m ready to sacrifice like what Jesse did MANILA, Oct 5 (Mabuhay) – After weeks of arduous decision-making, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo on Monday said she was “wholly offering” herself to the public as the running mate of administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Speaking before more than a thousand LP members and representatives from civil society groups at Club Filipino, Robredo formally accepted the Liberal Party’s offer for her to be Roxas’ running mate in the May 2016 elections.

Robredo said she decided to accept the LP’s offer because she was certain her late husband would have agreed to sacrifice anything for the country.

“Hindi ako si Jesse ngunit noong namatay siya, maliwanag sa aming mag-iina na siya ay umaasa na sa abot ng aming makakaya ay susubukan naming magsakripisyo gaya ng kanyang pagsasakrpisyo para makapag-ambag sa ating bayan,” she said, referring to her late husband, former Naga City Mayor and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Robredo added, “Buong puso, buong pananampalataya, at buong tapat ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na tumakbo bilang pangalawang pangulo ni Sec. Mar Roxas.”

In her speech, Robredo said she believes Roxas will continue the Daang Matuwid started by Pres-

ident Benigno Aquino III. “Malinaw po sa akin na si Sec. Mar ang magpapatuloy sa ‘Daang Matuwid’ na sinimulan po ng administrasyon ng ating mahal na Pangulo,” she said.

Earlier, Roxas announced that Robredo will be his running mate in the coming 2016 polls, assuring her that everybody, including President Benigno Aquino III, would be behind her.

He acknowledged that it would not be easy for them but they will be backed by the “bosses.”

“Kaming lahat ay nasa likod mo, nasa likod natin si PNoy, at higit sa lahat nasa likod natin ang ating mga boss. Sa gabay ng Maykapal, magtatagumpay tayo,” Roxas said.

Laguna lawmaker Solon calls for stricter laws, probe sees nothing wrong but apologizes for on Cebu Pacific delayed flights MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) – to the passengers… I reiterate my sexy dancers Amid delayed flights plaguing budget airline Cebu Pacific Air (CEB), a militant lawmaker on Saturday said stricter laws protecting the rights of passengers should be passed in order to curb “airline abuse.”

Bayan Muna Representative and senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares urged his colleagues at the House of Representatives to pass House Bill 5361 or the Magna Carta for Airline Passengers Rights before the holiday season.

“This only shows the failure of existing rules to provide remedy

call on Congress to pass the Air Passengers Bill of Rights before November 1, when the bulk of airline passengers would start [traveling] for the holiday seasons,” Colmenares said in a statement.

With provisions on airfare discount and reimbursement, Colmenares, main author of the bill, said his proposed measure would seek to aid passengers who suffer flight delays and cancelation.

“The bill provides for 20% discount on airfares to senior citizens, PWDs (persons with disabilities) and students.

Kabayan exits PAR; 7 fishermen missing MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) – Severe Tropical Storm Kabayan intensified further as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Saturday, according to weather bureau PAGASA. PAGASA said in its latest weather bulletin that as of 2 a.m., Kabayan’s center was estimated at 425 kilometers west of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

Kabayan was packing maximum winds of 95 kph near the center, and gusts of up to 120 kph. Estimated rainfall amount within the storm’s 300 km diameter was from moderate to heavy.

With Kabayan’s exit, the whole country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Winds will be moderate to strong from the southwest to southeast over the western section of Luzon, and from the northeast to southeast over the rest of Luzon.

Coastal waters along those areas will be moderate to rough, with sea travel risky along the western seaboard of northern and Central Luzon.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate from northeast to northwest, with slight to moderate seas.

MANILA, Oct 2 (Mabuhay) – Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr. found nothing wrong with the performance of sexy dancers during his birthday party, which incidentally happened after the oathtaking rites of new Liberal Party members at his home.

Agarao, nonetheless, apologized if the dance offended certain sectors.

“Sa akin pangkaraniwan ‘yun.

Ngayon kung naka-offend ‘yun, pasensya na, kasi yung mga taong walang kasalanan nakakaladSee LAWMAKER, page 2

Palace, DFA checking if missing Bahamas cargo ship has Pinoy crew members MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs are verifying if there were Filipinos among the crew members of a cargo ship that went missing off the Bahamas as Hurricane Joaquin barreled through the island chain on Friday (US time).

In an interview on state-run dzRB radio on Saturday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said: “We have asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to look into that particular report, and we expect that they will be See CARGO SHIP, page 2

Contestants participate in the press presentation of the Miss World Philippines 2015 pageant at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City on Tuesday. The Philippine edition of the beauty pageant will have its coronation night at the same venue on October 18. (MNS photo)

Malacañang distances Aquino from ‘Playgirls’ incident MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday distanced President Benigno Aquino III from the “twerking” controversy following an appearance of sexy dancers after the swearing in of new Liberal Party (LP) members in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Thursday.

“In this particular case alam naman po nating walang kinalaman ang Pangulo diyan. Wala ho siya doon sa vicinity,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told state-run radio dzRB in an interview.

She added: “The President had no idea that it was happening.”

Valte said that the President does not condone such acts.

“I think we were pretty categorical that the President will not and has never condoned any action that in any way would demean women, that would debase women...” she said.

Valte, meanwhile, declined to comment on the President’s take on the LP’s investigation on the incident.

An online petition has been put up asking President Aquino, as chairman of the LP, to apologize for the incident.

“While the President is chairman of the Liberal Party, I think hayaan na po natin ‘yung partidong umaksyon, at sinasabi naman po nila nga na magpapaSee PLAYGIRLS, page 2

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Filipino nurse in Jeddah tests positive for MERS: Owwa, DFA MANILA, Oct 2 (Mabuhay) –A Filipino female nurse in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) two weeks ago.

Amelito Adel, welfare officer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa), said the nurse contracted MERS from patients in the hospital where

she was working.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also confirmed the news through the Consulate General in Jeddah, but noted that the nurse’s condition was getting better in the past days.

“After several days of treatment in the intensive care unit, the patient showed good improvement.

Laboratory tests for MERS

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CoV turned positive,” DFA said.

“She was unhooked from the mechanical ventilator a few days ago and is already breathing on her own. She will probably be taken out of the ICU and transferred to an isolation room in a few days,” it added.

MERS was first identified in Saudi Arabia in April 2012. (MNS)

DOH: Saudi national with MERS-CoV symptoms dies MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday announced that a Saudi national who arrived in the country last September 17 and showed symptoms of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has died.

Health Secretary Janette Garin said in a press conference that the 63-yearold Saudi national died last September 29.

Garin said that the Saudi national started showing MERS-CoV symptoms on September 26.

The patient asked to be brought to the hospital on September 28 and died the next day.

DOH spokesperson Lyndon Lee Suy clarified during the briefing that they

were not able to test the Saudi national and confirm if his death was caused by MERS-CoV. Lee-Suy said that the patient had to be flown back to Saudi Arabia, where he was buried according to Islamic religious laws.

The DOH said that 55 hospital staff, 16 hotel workers and three workers at a funeral parlor had contact with the patient.

It said that 81 of these people have been interviewed and tested negative from MERS-CoV. The DOH said that 12 of 55 healthcare workers, who showed symptoms, have been quarantined.

It said that the healthcare workers have tested negative in initial tests.

They will remain under

observation for the next 14 days, the DOH added.

In an earlier report, the DOH said that a male patient from the Middle East was referred to the RITM last July 4.

The 36-year-old patient had been cleared.by the DOH. The DOH declined to reveal when the patient arrived and where he stayed in the country before testing positive with the virus.

On Friday, Welfare Officer Amelito Adel of the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration in Jeddah said that a Filipina nurse in Jeddah had also tested positive with the virus.

Adel said the Filipina worked at a hospital in Jeddah taking care of CERSCoV patients.

Cagayan de Oro rep Rodriguez PLAYGIRLS to run for mayor tawag po sila ng kanilang From page 1

MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) – Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Saturday declared that he will run for mayor in next year’s elections.

Rodriguez announced his candidacy before members and supporters of the Centrist Democratic Party (CDC) at the covered court of Barangay Nazareth in Cagayan de Oro City.

Rodriguez laid down a platform of government that focuses on education, health, housing, peace and order, and proper drainage system.

He will face off with incumbent Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and former Mayor Vicente Emano. Rodriguez, who is the chairman of the ad hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, is on his last term in Congress.

According to Rodriguez, their party will still discuss who to support among the presidential aspirants.

So far, only administration standard bearer Mar Roxas, opposition candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay and independent candidate Senator Grace Poe have declared their plans to seek the country’s top post in 2016. (MNS)

sariling imbestigasyon,” she added.

LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas on Friday said that the LP has already launched an investigation on the incident.

Roxas attended the event, but he clarified that he was already in a different location when sexy dancers called “Playgirls” performed.

An earlier report said the event’s emcee declared that the sexy girls’ performance was a present from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman and senatorial aspirant Francis Tolentino for Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao, who was celebrating his 58th birthday.

One dancer from the group Playgirls extended her thanks to Tolentino.

“Thank you kay Chairman Tolentino at happy birthday kay Congressman Agarao,” she said.

Tolentino has denied that the “gift” came from him.

Port workers open a sack of sugar from a cargo container at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), Manila North Harbor Port on Thursday. The misdeclared shipment contained smuggled 50-kilogram sacks of sugar from Thailand that were packed tightly inside 12 container vans. (MNS photo)

BOC seizes P20M of sugar from Thailand MANILA, Oct 1 (Mabuhay) – The Bureau of Customs has seized P20 million worth of smuggled sugar from Thailand, the bureau told reporters on Thursday.

Sacks of refined white sugar were found hidden behind boxes of kitchen-

ware inside a dozen container vans. The shipment, declared as kitchenware, arrived at the Manila International Container Terminal in May. It was consigned to Strong Winds Enterprises and Real Top Enterprises. The BOC re-

voked the accreditation of Real Top Enterprises and banned the company from future shipments into the country. Authorities, headed by Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina, are currently investigating the consignees.(MNS)

No rice hoarding at Harbour Centre -- NFA

MANILA, Sept 30 (Mabuhay) -- The Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. is a transshipment point for imported rice and not a place where the commodity is being kept illegally, the National Food Authority (NFA) said on Wednesday.

The NFA conducted an investigation into allegations by the National Coalition of Filipino Consumers that NFA rice is being kept at Harbour Centre, the agency said.

From the vessels to the trucks, the rice imported by the NFA is transshipped through Harbour Centre before the shipments are

delivered to NFA warehouse, the state-run grains agency noted.

The consumer group has urged the NFA to investigate what may possibly be rice hoarding at the port.

“We have to ensure that Filipinos have enough food to eat. We want to arrest the syndicate manipulating prices in the market,” the NCFC said in a separate email.

According to NFA, Harbour Centre was contacted

by Golden Orient Ship Management and Agencies Incorporated, the cargo handler hired locally by supplier Vina Foods Inc.

for the rice imported from Vietnam.

NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay the shipment consisted of rice bought under a government-to-government transaction.

“The price per metric ton included the cost of insurance freight, delivered at place and free on warehouse,” Dalisay noted, saying that under the terms of reference, the winning supplier has to deliver the goods free of obligations and expenses on the part of the government up to NFA’s designated warehouse.

the US Coast Guard as saying. “The crew reported the ship had previously taken on water, but that all flooding had been contained,” it said in a statement.

En route from Florida to Puerto Rico, the container ship was reported to be caught in the storm near Crooked Island, which is part of the Bahamas.

It was from there that it sent a satellite notification stating the ship had lost propulsion and had a 15-degree list, the AFP report said.

Tim Nolan, president of

the company that owns the El Faro, said the ship’s “officers and crew were monitoring what was then Tropical Storm Joaquin” when they sailed from Florida.

Meanwhile, data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration indicate there were 367,166 seabased Filipino workers deployed in 2013, while 467,915 seabased workers were processed in the same year. Of these, 51,537 were able seamen, 29,730 were oilers, and 26,046 were ordinary seamen. (MNS)

times as saying that Tolentino brought in the dancers.

The MMDA chair, however, has denied he was behind the women’s sexy performance.

The video has drawn flak from netizens, with critics slamming Tolentino for his alleged involvement. Some slammed the LP for sanctioning such a performance.

In bad taste, Speaker says Sought for comment, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the performance, if true, was left a “bad taste.”

“If it is true, it is a very bad taste. [It’s] a bad move kung totoo ha,” Belmonte said. Belmonte said Tolentino should explain his alleged involvement in the performance himself since it was now easy to implicate anyone in any controversy.

“Madaling mag-manu-

facture ng all sorts of thing at this time. At this stage, I’m not willing to concede to the genuineness of that (video),” Belmonte said.

‘Exploitation of women’ For her part, Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan slammed Tolentino for allegedly exploiting women because of his reported participation in their performance.

“Ano ba yan? Inaapi na nga ang mga commuters dadagdgan na naman niya ng exploitation of women!” she said.

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said Tolentino might have resorted to such a gimmick because he was “desperate” to win a Senate seat.

“He has to resort all of these, considering his desperate situation,” the lawmaker said. (MNS)

CARGO SHIP From page 1

giving us an update soon.”

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose said in a text message to GMA News Online that they had to check with the concerned office to verify if the cargo ship had Filipino crew members. Earlier, an Agence France-Presse report said rescue workers searched for a missing cargo ship with 33 aboard off the Bahamas. Contact with the El Faro was lost early Thursday, and that efforts to locate the vessel by air and sea have so far been unsuccessful, the AFP quoted

LAWMAKER From page 1

kad,” Agarao told reporters in the House of Representatives.

Agarao clarified that the performance, which took place at his home, happened after the swearing in of new LP members in Laguna.

“Tapos na ‘yung programa. Di naman kasama ‘yun sa program. Parang entertainment lang ‘yun na bigay ng kabarkada ko,” Agarao said.

Agarao also cleared LP senatorial bet Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino of bringing the dancers to his party.

“Wala pong kinalaman si Chairman Tolentino dito at regalo ng mga kaibigan ko ang dance group para sa aking kaarawan. Aalamin ko pa nga [kung sino ang nagdala sa performers],” Agarao said.

Asked why Tolentino was announced as the person who brought the dancers to his home, Agarao said: “Yung nag-announce, baka may nabanggit lang para mabanggit si Tolentino.”

A video uploaded on social media earlier in the day showed the scantily-clad women called the Playgirls dancing suggestively at Agarao’s celebration.

Reports said the event’s emcee was heard several

DAANG MATUWID From page 1

mocracy but also a more active business sector, which in turn promotes productivity and economic activity.

This virtuous cycle holds many benefits for our countrymen: increased job opportunities, a higher standard of living, and a greater capacity for investment in,

Mag

for example, skills development and education,” she added. “By continuing to empower the Filipino people, the Aquino administration seeks to ensure that such gains will be enjoyed by both present and future generations,” Valte further said. (MNS)

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Bongbong Marcos in VP race MANILA, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) -- Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to join the 2016 vice presidential race will benefit the Filipino electorate, a Malacañang official said Tuesday.

In an e-mailed statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the now fiveway race among Senators Marcos, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Antonio Trillanes IV, Alan Peter Cayetano and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo offers voters a wide range of candidates.

“Senator Marcos joins a robust field of vice presiden-

tial hopefuls...Our people are provided with a wide latitude of choice and an opportunity to compare platforms for governance and track records,” said Coloma.

“We trust that the sovereign electorate will choose the most qualified and most competent among the aspirants,” he added.

The ruling Liberal Party (LP) is pushing for the vice presidential candidacy of Robredo. She is running alongside standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Robredo declared her vice presidential bid on Monday.

Later that day, Marcos also declared his bid for the

same post, claiming that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has promised to support his bid.

“I flew to Davao City on Wednesday and consulted with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. He was gracious enough to promise me his support should I decide to run for Vice President. I too will support Mayor Duterte if and when he runs for President,” Marcos said.

Marcos is the son and namesake of the late strongman, Ferdinand Marcos.

One of the popular opposition leaders during the Marcos-led Martial Law era was President Benigno

Aquino III’s father, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino.

Aside from Robredo and Marcos, other vice presidential hopefuls are: Escudero, who is the running mate of Sen. Grace Poe; Cayetano and Trillanes.

Cayetano, Marcos and Trillanes, all members of the Nacionalista Party, have declared their intention to seek the vice presidency even without a presidential standard bearer.

Another senator, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, said he is open to be the running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, but no final decision has been arrived.

Grace campaigns in CamSur without Chiz CAMARINES SUR, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) -- A day after Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo declared her candidacy as the vice presidential bet of Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas, independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe attended the World Teacher’s day event at the Jesse Robredo Coliseum in Naga City minus her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero.

Poe was escorted by Camarines Sur Governor Luis Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte

and his father, former Governor Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, who declared their support for the senator.

The younger Villafuerte, however, said in an interview that they will support a Poe-Robredo tandem.

In a separate interview, Poe answered “bakit naman hindi?” when asked of the possibility of two women eventually leading the country.

In a statement released

by Escudero, he said various Bicolanos aiming for

government positions is a source of pride for the people of Bicol.

In her speech before around 15,000 teachers from the Camarines Sur Division of the Department of Education, Poe said she knows their plight, noting that she formerly worked as a pre-school teacher.

She told them that salaries of teachers should be continuously increased.

“Napapanahon na na bigyan kayo ng tulong,” said Poe. Poe was greeted at the airport upon her ar-

rival by her relatives led by her grandaunt Aida Kelley Yuboco, the sister of Fernando Poe Jr.’s mother.

The senator then hopped from one broadcast station to another where she was interviewed about her platform as a presidential candidate. She also dropped by the Archbishop’s Palace and met with Archbishop Rolando Tirona.

She also graced the gathering of provincial members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) organized by its party provincial chair.

Sandiganbayan suspends lawmaker, 3 other local officials

MANILA, Oct 2 (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court has ordered the suspension of an incumbent lawmaker in Mindanao and three other local government officials over various cases of graft, including alleged overpricing in the purchase of supplies.

Ordered suspended over different cases were Zamboanga Del Sur Rep. Aurora Enerio-Cerilles; Mayor Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City; Mayor Pepito Reyes of Perez, Quezon; and Vice Mayor Dante Garcia of Tubao, La Union. The four were charged for various al-

leged violations if the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act 3019, the Office of the Ombudsman said in a statement.

Cerilles is facing charges before the Sandiganbayan for the purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies in 2001 amounting to nearly P7 million, while the charges against Puentevella involve the allegedly anomalous utilization of his Priority Development Assistance Fund amounting to P26 million to purchase overpriced computer packages for public schools in Bacolod City.

According to the Ombuds-

man, the computer package was reportedly bought at P400,000.00 each.

Meanwhile, Reyes is undergoing trial for allowing his brother to operate a cockpit, while Garcia is facing charges for the purchase of allegedly overpriced fogging chemicals and chlorine without the required public bidding.N In four separate resolutions, the Sandiganbayan ordered Puentevella, Reyes, and Garcia to cease and desist from performing their present government functions for a period of 90 days, while Cerilles was preventively suspended for 60

days. Under Section 13 of R.A. 3019, any public officer shall be suspended from office should they face a criminal prosecution with “valid information” in court.

Officials lose “all retirement or gratuity benefits under any law” if convicted.

The Sandiganbayan ruled that the suspension of any public officer due to the Anti-Graft act was “but a fortification of the principle that public office is a public trust” and maintained that they “must at all times, be accountable to the people in the fulfillment of their duties.” (MNS)

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House leader jokes about Playgirls’ dance reenactment in inquiry MANILA, Oct 2 (Mabuhay) – What happens at the birthday party of a House member is not the business of the House of Representatives, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said on Friday.

But this did not stop the House leader and Liberal Party stalwart to crack a joke about holding an inquiry into the allegedly lewd dance performance at the birthday party on Wednesday of Laguna Representative Benjamin Agarao Jr. “Hindi ko napanood eh. Parang baka there might be a need to have it in investigated so that there would be a reenactment in the House,” Majority Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II told reporters in jest.

On a more serious note, Gonzales said he was not keen on having Agarao investigated in the House committee on ethics because they cannot interfere with the program of a private occasion such as a birthday party.

“Hindi ko pwedeng pakialaman ang sino man nagbibirthday kung paano niya patatakbuhin ang private program niya...In the same manner na hindi ko mapipigilan si Speaker magbi-birthday kung magtw-twerk siya,” Gonzales said referring to 79-year-old House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. “Ang sinasabi nung iba, pagdating daw sa probinsya ganyan daw talaga ang kampanya. Ang hindi ko alam what maybe acceptable sa kanila may not be necessarily acceptable in Metro Manila,” he added.

A group of sexy dancers called the Playgirls took the stage following the oath taking of new members of the LP in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Thursday.

The emcee at the event said that the presence of the dancers was a gift from Metro Manila Development Authority chairman and senatorial aspirant Francis Tolentino.

Tolentino drew flak over the incident but denied that the “gift” came from him. He said he was just a guest at Agarao’s birthday party, which was also celebrated at the same venue.

Escudero wants interagency body formed to address El Niño effects MANILA, Oct 2 (Mabuhay) – Senator Francis Chiz Escudero is proposing the creation of an interagency body to study and address the impacts of El Niño on farmlands and households which are now experiencing water shortages.

Escudero said the interagency body should be composed of representatives from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical

and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Climate Change Commission, private water concessionaires, and other experts that might be able to help the government craft an easily implementable plan on El Niño.

We must convene an inter-agency body to map out the situation in El Niño-affected areas and propose viable solutions to the expected short-term, mid-term, and long-term effects of El Niño, he said in a statement on Friday.

“Water interruptions and shortages are already disrupting the day-to-day activities of Filipinos.

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Cayetano woos Duterte: PHLneed embassy readyleader for worst-case We a real

scenario in Korea: Jejomar Binay

DAVAO, Sept 30 (Mabuhay) -- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday said he is backing calls for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run for president in 2016, saying the country needs a real MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – The Philippine Embassy in leader.

The Nacionalista Party senator said he and his in sister, South Korea has prepared a contingency plan, case Senator tensionsPia Cayetano, three hours into on Tuesday night to between dined Southwith andDuterte North for Korea escalate a full-blown discuss various issues including peace and order and developing the conflict. south.“Nakahanda po ang ating embahada para sa worst-case He said that based on theirJejomar talks, heBinay feels told that Duterte scenario,” Vice President leaders is offeeling the theFilipino burden community that the nextatgeneration needs a real leader. the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

“Lahat ng currently problema na natanong namin sa kanya, ang and ganda Therepoare around 50,000 Filipinos living po ng solusyon at kung hindi kayang ayusin, inaamin niya. So, tinin Southdoon Korea. ginworking ko po, papunta sa pagtakbo,” Cayetano said.

Binay, who is currently in Seoul to attend thekung 2012ako Nuclear “As I said, ayaw ko siyang pangunahan pero po ang Security Summit, said it is unfortunate that North Korea is na tatanungin, I think nafi-feel niya yung burden ng next generation planning to launch a satellite next month. naghahanap talaga ng tunay na leader.”

North Korea said it Tuesday intends tohis launch a long-range rocket next in Cayetano announced plan to run for vice-president to put a satellite into orbit, but the United States and themonth 2016 election. other nations consider it a thinly missiletheir test that would He said he and his entire familyveiled are adding voices to the clamor for Duterte to run for president in 2016. breach a United Nations ban.

HeTh noted that hegovernment and Duterte said sharepart the of same values, being e Japanese thecore North Korean both a supporter of federalism and ‘’real change.” long-range rocket will fall east of the Philippines if the launch Duterte, whomonth. ranked fourth in the latest Social Weather Stations is made next (SWS) and Pulse Asiaauthorities, surveys, behind Senator Grace Poe, Binay said local who may be aff ected, willformer be Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and Vice President Jejomar Binay, directed to prepare. remains undecided whether he will run or not for president.

“This is an unfortunate situation because there is an existing After ‘’categorically’’ ruling out a bid for president, Duterte said UN (United Nations) andtime North Korea had said they over the weekend that heresolution needs more to do some ‘’soul-searchwill comply with the resolution...

We do not want to speculate ing.” He later clarified that his statement was taken out of context. on the interview, effects of the launch.confirmed We hope he it does happen and In the Cayetano will not not be the running North Korea Party complies with bearer the UN resolution.

However, we mate of Liberal standard Mar Roxas due to differences will be directing the local government who could be aff ected to of opinion on some issues. be preparedsaid for he anyhad eventuality,” he added.

Cayetano talks earlier with President Aquino and otherTh LPe members on the ofairs running as earlier the party’s viceDepartment of possibility Foreign Aff (DFA) issued presidential candidate. a statement calling North Korea’s planned satellite launch “Nagkausap kami. Nagkausap din kami ni Pangulo, may sarili “unacceptable.” silangThproseso.

Kami naman po ngKorea aking to supporters grassroots, e DFA appealed to North abide by sa UN Security sa Christian community, lalo na sa pamilya ko, hindi na rin po naging Council Resolutions 1874 and 1718, which call for the komportable.

Marami pong issues na magkasama kami pero marami “abandonment of its ballistic missile program in a complete, rin pong issues na hindi. Alam niyo naman ako, kapag naniniwala verifiable and irreversible manner.” po ako na mali ay lalabanan ko talaga. Asset and liability ko na outTheako Philippine militaries are reportedly coordinating spoken sa ilang and mgaUS issues,” he said. to track theadmitted path of a he planned North rocket launch, partsthe Cayetano has been anKorean outspoken critic of how of which are expected to land off the archipelago, an offi cial Aquino administration has handled several issues such as thesaid traffic Saturday. mess and the random inspection of balikbayan boxes. He, however, Philippine is coordinating gave “The credit to the Aquinomilitary administration for doing a with lot to its curbUS graft of the planned launch,” Foreign andcounterpart corruptionin in the the monitoring past five years.

“I cannot please everyoneRaul patiHernandez sa Liberal Party...Hindi Department spokesman told AFP. naman ako pwedeng tumahimik so that saBlue eleksyon ito,” His announcement camemakasama a day afterko thesila USS Ridge,nathe th heflsaid. agship of the US 7 Fleet in the Pacific, arrived in Manila for be fairvisit. sa ating Pangulo, wala naman siyang dinikta. Wala a“To four-day naman siyang sinabi na dapat angdetails prinsipyo kailangan natin laHernandez did not divulge of theayjoint monitoring, munin.

It just didn’t worktoout,” added. joint military but the allies werereally expected holdhelarge-scale Cayetano earlier admitted that his own family and supporters exercises in the middle of April to enhance cooperation in casefelt more comfortable that he run as an independent “or with someone of are external threats. they passionate about.”

“We continue to strongly urge the DPRKang (North Korea) not ‘’As I said, masyado naming naramdaman hirap at kakulanproceed withsaitsating planned launch,” Hernandez said. gantong malasakit kababayan.”

“Th ey should abide by the UN Security Council He also noted that he and Aquino have cleared theresolutions air, amid rewhich explicitly demand that they do not conduct launch ports that the President does not want him to becomeany Roxas’ runusing ballistic missile technology.” ning mate following their supposed tiff in 2010 where the senator Manila’s defense chief,mental Voltaire Gazmin, said Friday the supposedly called Aquino’s stability into question. ‘’Na-clear up na namin ng pangulo.

I never calledpath, himwith names government needed US help in tracking the rocket’s directly,’’ Cayetano said, adding that the president to prove the poorly equipped Philippine military not havingwas theable capability histodetractors wrong with his work in the last five years. do so by itself.

Meanwhile, saidlast theweek race itfor the VP post the willrocket become PyongyangCayetano announced would launch more challenging after other Nacionalista Party members also to place a satellite in orbit between April 12 and 16, and insistedannounced their plans for 2016. it was purely for space research.

“Baka ang mangyayari d’yan is, ‘may the best man win.’ Hindi But the United States and other nations see the launch as a naman po talaga iyung partido ang tinitingnan, talagang ang support ballistic test, and that it would breach a podisguised is nasa grass root,”missile the senator told say radio dzMM. UN ban on North Korean missile launches.

Cayetano is bound to run against fellow NP member Senator AnpreviousIV.North Korean long-range rocket Marcos in 2009 Jr., flew tonioATrillanes Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” also over Japanese territory and the boosters landed safely in waters an NP leader, is himself considering a possible run for either the off Japan.or vice presidency. presidency Kurt Campbell, theanUS assistant secretary state foreyed East by Trillanes will run as independent.

Marcosofhas been theAsian campand of Vice the United PacifiPresident c Affairs,Jejomar said theBinay rocketoflaunch wouldNationalist impact Alliance as a running mateAustralia, though theIndonesia senator remains non“in an (UNA) area roughly between and the committal.

Philippines,” in a message to Australia’s Foreign Minister Bob WWW.BALITA.COM Senator FrancistoEscudero will run Morning for vice Herald. president in a Carr, according a report by thealso Sydney team-up with Senator Grace Poe while Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas continues to woo Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo to be his running mate. (MNS)

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OPINION Global economy shows ‘fragile’ improvement: IMF LP women call sexy dance in Laguna solon’s party ‘a gross insult to all’

By Mike Patterson the damage done by the crisis” also need to increase the strength Bangkok, March 27, 2012 (AFP) while emerging economies needed of their firewall to provide an – Recent improvements in the to remain vigilant for possible adequate backstop for governments global economy “very fragile” reforms,” said.

MANILA, Oct 2are (Mabuhay) – Femalespillovers. members of the er be consistent withundertaking the values of these the Liberal Party,hewhich, Liberal have taken offense at the performance of the throughout the years, has madeIMF, social and equitythe one of the piland an Party escalation of the eurozone However the IMF expected The United dance remains group Playgirls at the birthday party of Laguna from Rep- the larseuro of its area endeavors.” crisis the most immediate “spillovers to States and other top economies resentative Benjamin Agarao Jr. on Thursday.

“Throughout work, we have received nothing less concern, IMF deputy managing other regions will remain limited asour worldwide have sought to raise The dance, that many described as lewd, happened af- than the utmost respect from our colleagues and peers in director NaoyukiofShinohara saidmembers long asatthe euro areatheisLiberal contained.” pressure ter the oath-taking the party’s new Agarao’s Party,” the women on said.Germany to drop its Tuesday.

“Since the beginning of the year previous opposition residence.

“We know that such gimmickry will nottobeboosting toleratedthe by “The performance gatheringtensions in La- in ourthe members and our leadership, firewalls and we fully support the While indicatorsthat hadtook lastplace yearat afinancial euro area eurozone’s against debt guna yesterday a grossfor insult all: thehave women involved, truth behind the incident,” he pointed to a bigissetback the to world eased, in largeinvestigation part thankstotounearth crisisthe contagion. the Liberal Party, and indeed, all Filipinos and Filipinas added. there have in recent weeks been the so-called long-term refinancing Looking to the prospects for Asia, who espouse equality,” said the women in a statement the Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, a presumptive senatomodest signs of improvement and operation of the European Central Shinohara said domestic demand LP posted on Facebook. rial candidate of the LP in 2016, described the performance stability in the keywas USsupposedly and European Bank,” heSpeaker said. remained generally strong, supported The statement made by Deputy “demeaning.”

Henedina Abad, Mindoro Oriental “It’s data really has demeaning.

It’sunemployment appalling… if it’s and true na gaeconomies, he said in a lecture at aRepresentative In recentJoseweeks the by low high phine Sato in andBangkok.

LP ally Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag- noon,” said De Lima, who admitted not having seen the university showed manufacturing activity capacity utilization. ao.“Important policy actions carried for both advancedvideo of the dancers yet. in Asia is expected to and footage emerging “Growth “We condemn, in the strongest terms, any and all forms “But based on the reports, if it’s true, it’s demeaning lalo out Europeanof policy economies has improved, with gain thisdap year,” he said. of thebyexploitation women,”makers the women said. na kung may children andmomentum women. Hindi at ganoon,” have helped and most recently readings above 50, which indicates Leading economic indicators had The women said the exploitation of women would “nev- she added. (MNS) the agreement on a new (debt) growth, but Shinohara said a lot strengthened in the United States programme for Greece ... has also needed to be done to safeguard gains. and Europe, he said. brought some relief,” he said. “ Recent improvements are “These numbers have improved But, he said: “There is no room for still very fragile. Important policy substantially since the beginning of complacency. A lot more needs to be challenges remain to be addressed. this year and this suggests a similar done to give a fresh boost to growth.” Downside risks are still very large. improvement in Asia in the coming Shinohara countries The mostBenigno immediateperformance. concern is still months,” he said.

MANILA, said Octin2many (Mabuhay) – President Aquino III will not condone the lewd dance performed by Earlier the day, Roxas said the LP is conducting an public debt remained at all-time further escalation of the euroin area The IMF sees global growth an all-female group shortly after new Liberal Party (LP) investigation on the incident, reminding party members highs, limiting the scope for fiscal crisis,” he said. slightly above 3.0 percent in 2012 members took their oaths in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, a Malaca- never to resort to similar gimmicks in future activities. stimulus, and unemployment also S h i n o h a r a s a i d E u r o p e a n but will release itsang revised world ñang spokesperson said Friday.

“Pilit pong ikinakabit ng ilang grupo ating pangaremained very high. policymakers need to pursue fi scal economic outlook in two weeks.

“Women are not objects to be given away as gifts dur- lan sa performance na ito, kahit pa ba nasa ibang bahagi are navigating very narrow adjustment the right pace.

“We are not expectingata walang major ing“We celebrations.

The aPresident has always stood atfirm ako ng compound, hindi kasama sa audience, against the exploitation of women and will not condone sight lines saalso nangyayari.

Hindi ko nasaksihan perforpath before recovery of the economy “European policy makers change in our outlook forang this year suchthe displays of disrespect,” said deputy mance,” reforms he said. and next year. Probably a slight and risk of slippage is very high,” need presidential to pursue financial spokesperson Abigail Valte.

“Lilinawin ko po: Mariin kong ipinagbabawal sa anhe A warned. to stabilize the banking sectorng ating improvement our position group of sexy dancers called Playgirls took the stage umang aspekto kampanyainang ganitong uri on ng He said advanced economies and structural reforms to restore some of the areas but for the global after LP standard bearer Mar Roxas swore in new party pagsasamantala sa kababaihan,” Roxas added. “should ahead with economic competitiveness,” he said.textpicture I’mSenator not expecting a major memberspress on Thursday.

The national emcee at the event declared In a separate message, Vicente Sotto III that it was a gift from MMDA chairman and senatorial said those behind the act should be ashamed of themand structural reforms to repair “And European policy makers change,” he said.

Valte: Aquino won’t condone display of disrespect in LP event

aspirant Francis Tolentino. selves.

Tolentino drew flak over the incident but denied that “Those kind of shows are never appropriate anytime. the “gift” came from him. He said he was just a guest at [It is] demeaning for women. The persons who are bethe Richard birthday Ingham party of Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao, which hind those kinds of shows they consumption are should be 2050.

One whoever is to change By was also celebrated in the same venue. ashamed of themselves,” Sotto said.

The good news is that the fertility patterns, so that the rich countries LONDON, March 27, 2012 Agarao has since cleared Tolentino on the incident, “Wala ba silang mga ina? I’m sure na nahihiya ang rate – the number of children a – and the emerging giants rushing (AFP) – The world ’s surging saying it was his friends who were behind the sexy girls’ mga ina nila!” he added. (MNS)

Population adds to planet’s pressure cooker, but few options

population is a big driver of women is likely to have – has halved to catch up with them—use energy environmental woes but the issue from five to 2.5 since 1950 and will and resources more sustainably.

The other is to protect women’s is complex and solutions are few, fall below the replacement rate of 2.1 MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) Senatoraround Antonio2025, Trillanes Trillanes, will education officially declare his vice presLiverman said. meanwhile, rights, for women and experts at a major conference– here IV is confident that Vice President Jejomar Binay will fail in idential bid at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City Satur“It means that there is a strong their access to jobs and contraception. say. his bid to win the presidency in 2016. day afternoon. probability that population growth o u h a v e Party e c o(NP), n o mwill ic Answers lie intends with to educating Trillanes, who run as vice president, reasoned Trillanes, a member “ofI fthe yNacionalista that the public’s vigilance will prevent succumbrun as an independent candidate after some members are willfrom level off around nine billion development and NP you educate women in poorer countries and them ing to empty rhetoric and electing Binay. eyeing same electoral thereafter,” said thewomen, and post. women get labour widening access to contraception but and may in fact fallreportedly “I believe in the Filipino people.

Iba na po ngayon, naThe senator will support the presidential bidthey of Senator market opportunities, tend also with reforming consumption Liverman. kikita na po nila—hindi na puwedeng bolahin ang mga ka- Grace Poe, pursuant to the decision of his other group, the Others caution that raw statistics not only to reduce the number patterns in rich economies, they say. babayan natin kaya hindi po mangyayari ‘yan. He won’t be Magdalo bloc. children but of crucially to delay The four-day meetingTrillanes on Earth’s President of this country,” said. mask many complexities.

Trillanes said the of 500,000 members the Magdalo bloc But the senatorUnder stressedPressure, that he willisrespect“The the will of the carrying opted to capacity support his when own candidacy over that ofchildren,” Poe’s runworld’s they start having health, Planet people shouldahead he be elected Binay’s second-in-command. ning mate, Senator Esucdero, to ensure the progress isn’t a single headline figure but Francis said Sarah Harper, director of the unfolding of theasRio+20 He added that he will maintain watch over any possible act of the party’s advocacy. depends on lifestyle, technology, and Institute of Population Ageing at Summit in June. of wrongdoing on Binay’s part.

“Mayroon kaming sariling kandidato who would raise somga forth,” said Lord Martin Rees ofSi Senator the University Scientists partdesisyon have ng “Rerespetuhintaking ko po ‘yung Pilipino na our own issues.

Escudero,ofheOxford. won’t embody the Royal Society, whose report on if you delay said. the start of pinpointed growth siya ang gustopopulation nilang Presidente.

Pero, the sa akin siyempre, ideals and aspirations of“And the party,” Trillanes hindi ko bibitawan ‘yungcontributor aking role na demography pagbabantay,”and he the Trillanes is also confident of his chances winning the environment having children, you of tend to have as a major if indirect said. vice presidential racesmaller with thefamilies.” help of Magdalo’s resources, to global warming, depletion of will be issued next month.

“Kung magkakamali siya at gagamitin niyang citing the party’s Thelang population is stabilizing or grassroot S u c hsupport c h a nsystem g e s cthat a n propelled have a resources, pollution andpo species loss. personal na bangko itong kaban ng bayan ay talagang ilala- him in the 2007 senatorial race. falling in rich countries. “surprisingly fast” eff ect on reducing But they also mark it as an bas po natin ‘yan at ibubunyag sa taumbayan.”

“Itong aming organisasyon kasi, nakaugat ito sa ground.

But these remain in din birthrates, said Stephen issue that has disappeared almost Trillanes, along with Senators Aquilino Pimentel III economies and Noong 2007, –‘yan ang itinatanong sa aminTyler, noon.who The Alan Peter Cayetano, hasradar been leading probe into– by media has, parang, works writtenwith us off nang, ‘Hindi, per capita terms far the biggest group called the walang Asian completely off political screens.a year-long various allegations against Binay and hisoffamily. pag-asa ‘yan, wala namang partido ‘yan, nakakulong ‘yan, sources environmental damage, Cities Climate Change Resilience This corruption is partly because of religious Binay, in turn, filed a P200-million damage suit against walang pera ‘yan.’

Pero nanalo.

Bakit kaya?

Dahil mayroon sensitivities but also because of with for instance greenhouse gas Network (ACCCRN). He gave the Trillanes and other personalities allegedly acting in conspir- kaming ganitong organisasyon,” the senator said. are double fast-shrinking in India as traumatic memories of coercive emissions per head that acy to destroy his reputation.

Trillanes is also not worried aboutfamilies going against candiortop quadruple those dates in a developing an example. fertility controls in poorer countries The vice president remains among the presidential backed by popularity and financial resources. contenders, as shown by the latest conducted by So“Mabigat po itong laban ito talaga.

Mga kilala ‘yan taOn na Sunday, a group of scientists in the 1970s that no-one wantssurveys to country. cial Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia. The big population pos may pera will ‘yan sila.

Pero hindi naman po ako have nawawalan growth and policymakers that won repeat.

‘VP DERBY TO BE A BIG FIGHT’ ng pag-asa,” he said.

(MNS) Diana Liverman, a professor at happen in developing countries, the Blue P lanet Priz e, a top environmental award, made a prethe University of Arizona, said the especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

These countries bear least conference appeal to intensify green link between population growth and He alsochange pointed out that the government can even broadMANILA, Sept 30 (Mabuhay) While Malacanang reresponsibility for climate action. environmental damage arose in --the en the tax base by simplifying the at tedious process of they busifuses to thyield to calls for lower tax rates, the Tax Managebut will be hit worst by it, because Looking demography, mid-20 century. ment Association of the Philippines (TMAP) still hopes to ness registration, especially for self-employed individuals, 50 Aquino’s years from 1950 theypublic lack money skills to adapt. saidonmore 200 million women and not relying heavily fixed than compensation earners. get“The President nod with the to growing clamor and 2000 were a period of dramatic and Th us the higher their population, in developing countries still have “If we make it easy for them to comply with the adminover tax system reform in the country. unprecedented in human theofmore of said their people will unmet for family planning. istrativewho requirements, there’sneeds a greater chance that they will Atty. Terence change Conrad Bello, president TMAP, Aquino has to hear a lot of justifications complyrising with their history,” sheyetsaid. befor hitthe byproposed drought, storms, seas tax obligation,” But funding for access to taxDuring measures, citing the group’s “unity statement” with 17 Bello also echoedcontraception the stand of Senator that time, the planet’s and floods. fell Sonny by 30 Angara, percenta other business organizations on income tax reform. staunch campaigner of tax reform, that increasing the purhuman tally from three the President S t r a t e would g i e s fchasing o r w opower r k i nofg lowbetween 1995income and 2008, “notindividuleast as “We are stilldoubled hoping that somehow, and middle earning billion to six billion.

It now stands at on the demographic drivers of a result of legislative pressure from still change his mind and support the various income tax als will be more beneficial for the government and the public seven billion, andpending by some environmental damage essentially the religious measures that are in estimates Congress,” Bello said. as itare will induce economic activities.right in the USA and “Wereach believe that thenine inherent unfairness in the system has “It’s very clear that the additional income will could around billion by two-pronged, said specialists. elsewhere,” theydisposable said.

Iba na ngayon: Pinoys won’t choose Binay, Trillanes says

Palace told: ‘We are not giving up calls for lower tax’

to be corrected now,” he added. increase. So in a sense I think it’s better to decrease tax rates Bello insisted that adjusting the income tax brackets will and income taxes than increasing salaries,” he said. not necessarily increase budgetary deficit, contrary to the FiBello added that lowering tax rates is no longer an ecoThe government and MILF had but up in most in injustice Mindanao.

MANILA, Mar claim.

27 (Mabuhay) nance Department’s He added–that reduced tax rates nomic issue alone also an areas outcryexcept against by will actually encourageare active participation taxpayoverburdened taxpayers,Th insisting now at is all”, the right time reached any consensus during ose “notthat hopeful however, Majority of Filipinos hopeful the notamong ers in generating for the push for such of reform.

19government to 21 in toincreased in allkind areas. government andgovernment the Mororevenue.

Islamic their talks last March “It’s good for the economy. Economists and studies have “I think it’s about time, it is long overdue that we do When asked when they expect Liberation Front can reach a peace Malaysia. shown that you increase compliance by decreasing the rates. something about the inherent injustice. While it’s fine that SWS figures showed the 62 a peace deal with the measures, MILF toyou be agreement, but there appeared to be Of course you have to also consider other revenue raising the government can consider revenue raising percent who were optimistic the signed, 12 percent said 2011 to 2013, ameasures. decline in their ranks, a new poll But that can be done simultaneously with income can do that simultaneously and not make it as a condition on taxSocial reform,” correctinga the systemdown now,”by theone lawyer said. point from peace percentage by Weather Stations showed. two parties will hammer

Filipinos hopeful of peace between gov’t and MILF, but numbers declining

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The SWS said the survey last deal comprised the following: 29 13 percent in September.

A greater number, 26 percent, said Dec. 3 to 7 showed 62 percent percent who were “very hopeful” MANILA, Sept 30 (Mabuhay) – Camarines Sur Rep. she will be in.” of respondents remain optimistic (slightly higher than 26 percent in the peace deal will be ironed out by Leni two Robredo has will already given consentand to 33 Asked on who her absence, Caloocan City from Rep. Edgar Erice, September); percent 2014-2016, down 39 percent the parties come to her an informal be the running mate of administration presidential bet Mar LP vice chairman for political affairs, said he thinks Robredo were “somewhat (lower in the previous survey. agreement, this was down from Roxas in thebut 2016 elections, House Speaker Feliciano Bel- hopeful” is still discerning. than September’s 45 percent).

Nineteen percent, on the other 71 percent in September and 83 monte Jr. said Wednesday.

“Baka Monday na siguro, baka hinihintay.

Baka nasa disRespondents were “somewhat believed peace deal will be percent recorded June 2011.

“I think she has in more or less given her consent informallywhocernment process pa hand, siguro,” he told the reporters. andAlso, I don’t na survey binibitinshowed niya or anything like that,” Quezon Rep. Erin in Tañada said theydown are giving not hopeful” remainedFormer at 15 percent achieved 2016-2022, from thethink SWS Belmonte said in abelieve press conference the national space20 to think. thosecon“not Robredo hopefulsome at all” percent previously. fewer Filipinos the peaceafterwhile vention of Liberal Party in Quezon City.

Earlier in the day, the LP formally selected Roxas as the for 24 percent, up from the other hand, the presidential number of agreement before the accounted He said may it is be justreached a matter of making Robredo’s family ruling party’s standardOn bearer in next year’s 14 percent in the previous survey. those who believe a peace deal will “not term of President Benigno Aquino III comfortable with her decision. Robredo is the widow of the polls. (MNS) Analyzing the data by region, the ever” be reached went up to 40 percent ends in 2016Secretary – 38 percent, late Interior Jesse compared Robredo.

“We want all her family to feel very at easeof with the“very hopeful” went from 24 percent in the last survey. number those to 52 percent in of September.

Belmonte: Leni already gave ‘informal’ consent to be Mar’s VP

decision and to be fully supportive of the decision and they are grown-ups na naman,” he said.

Asked why Robredo was not present during the LP convention, Belmonte just said, “Basta I’m very confident that

Mag

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UTREACH Philippine delegation tells PHL reform story in the American heartland WASHINGTON, D.C. — The exciting reform story of the Philippine economy headlined the Doing Business with the Philippines Forum held at the World Trade Center Kansas City on 28 September 2015. Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. led an economic diplomacy delegation that briefed corporate executives and entrepreneurs from the Greater Kansas City Area, which encompasses a number of counties and cities spanning the border between the states

of Missouri and Kansas. Aside from the Ambassador, the delegation included Consul General Generoso Calonge, Philippine Consulate General in Chicago (with jurisdiction over Missouri); Minister Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga, Philippine Embassy in Washington DC; and Trade Representative John Paul Iñigo, Philippine Trade and Investment Center, New York.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Cuisia emphasized that the country’s economic

performance can be credited to the good governance model of President Benigno S. Aquino under his “Daang Matuwid” (“Straight Path”) program, as well as the sound macroeconomic fundamentals that have been achieved under the leadership of the economic managers. “The positive developments in the Philippine economy during the past five years can be best summarized as an exciting reform story,” Ambassador Cuisia told the Forum.

Movement to award Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino veterans gains ground during Filipino American History Month Washington, DC – As Filipino American History Month is commemorated nationwide in October, the movement to recognize Filipino and Filipino-American World War II veterans for their wartime service to the U.S. gains momentum.

October is recognized as Filipino American History Month, when the contributions of the Filipino American community are celebrated across the United States. In recent years, the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed resolutions officially recognizing October as Filipino American History Month on an individual basis for a given year. Various states, counties, and cities have also established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month.

The movement to obtain national recognition for Filipino and Filipino-American World War II soldiers across the United States and Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. continues to gain momentum during Filipino American History Month. Today, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), including

Senator Mazie Hirono (DHI) and Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Mark Takai (D-HI), are holding a press conference to announce support for legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino veterans.

HR 2737 and SB 1555 are companion bills that acknowledge over 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag against the Imperial Forces of Japan during World War II. “Filipino World War II veterans served this country with unquestioned loyalty and admirable courage,” said Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP).

“They risked their lives to secure democracy and freedom and ensure a better life for generations of Americans. It’s now America’s turn to thank our brave heroes and recognize their sacrifice and service to this country. Their’s is a national story that must be preserved and passed on with utmost pride.”

Adds Luisa Antonio, Exec. Director of the Veter-

ans Equity Center and FilVetREP Board member: ”Many Americans today enjoy peace and prosperity due in large measure to our veterans’ uncommon valor and unheralded contributions to the war effort. As we honor them, we must commit ourselves to celebrate their achievements not only during Filipino American History Month but every day and every where, through our own acts of selfless service to our community and country. We keep their story alive by continuing to fight for the same cause for which they gave their lives.”

The initiative behind the recognition of Filipino and Filipino-American World War II veterans is the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), a nonpartisan, communitybased, all-volunteer national initiative whose mission is to raise awareness through academic research and public information and obtain national recognition of Filipino and Filipino-American WWII Soldiers across the United States and Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. and the Philippines from July 1941 to December 1946.

City of Carson kicks off Filipino-American History Month Celebration October 3 Special tribute to union Leader Larry Itliong slated for October 24 September 30, 2015 – Showcase of amazing talents and performing artists in music, creative arts, and varied forms of entertainment from the Filipino-American community will start on Saturday, October 3 at the Congresswoman Juanita MillenderMcDonald Community Center East Parking Lot at 9 a.m. located at 801 E. Carson Street in Carson.

The program line-up includes performances from Manny Evaldez, Malaya Dance Group, and Christine Love.

Co-author of the book, Filipinos in Carson and the South Bay, Roselyn Estepa Ibaňez, will also be there to highlight the significance of FilipinoAmerican History.

On October 24, the City of Carson and various organizations will join the entire community in honoring the life’s work and legacy of Larry Itliong – a Filipino-American labor leader and organizer.

A tribute march will start at 10 a.m. on October 24 around the vicinity of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center.

A program featuring awards for labor and community leadership, youth achievement, and medals of honor for advocacy work on behalf of Filipino American World War II veterans will also take place on October 24. The awardees are Gerry Villero (labor), David Campbell (labor), Franco Arcebal (leadership), Kobe Paras (youth achievement), Michael Christian Martinez (youth achievement), renowned publicist Fritz Friedman (medal of honor) and screenwriter/producer/television director and former actor Dean Devlin (medal of honor).

Both events on October 3 and October 24 are open to the

public and admission is free.

Larry Itliong was responsible for organizing immigrant farm workers and cannery workers for over 30 years. He helped establish the Alaska Cannery Workers Union in the 1930s and helped get a contract that called for eighthour days with overtime pay.

In 1965, Larry Itliong led the successful “Great Delano Grape Strike” to protest the low wages and miserable working conditions. In 1966, he led the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee and merged with the National Farm Workers Association led

by Cesar Chavez to form the United Farm Workers union.

In 1970, Larry Itliong founded and became the president of the Filipino American Political Association (FAPA), the first national political Filipino American organization and a crucial alliance between Filipino professionals with 30 active chapters throughout the United States.

On October 2010, Carson City Council passed a resolution establishing October 25 as Larry Itliong Day in Carson.

City officials are encouraging the community to take part in observing this special day by attending the October 24 event honoring the life’s work and legacy of Larry Itliong who promoted and fought for the well-being of all of California’s Farm Workers. On June 30, 2015, Assembly Bill 7 (AB 7) was signed into law by Gov. Brown establishing October 25 as Larry Itliong Day in all of California.

“The City of Carson is the first city to recognize the contributions of labor union leader Larry Itliong. We are proud to have this annual event and proud to have been instrumental in the movement to get AB 7 passed in Sacramento to

have October 25 recognized as Larry Itliong Day throughout California,” said City of Carson Mayor Albert Robles.

“On behalf of a grateful City, we give special thanks to Mayor Pro Tem Elito M. Santarina for his leadership in getting Carson to be the first City in the Country to recognize Larry Itliong Day,” added Robles.

The program presents a talented line-up of performers, including CecileandMighty Show, Sampaguita Youth Dance Troupe, Lorian Fausto, Ciamara Morales, Jamie Bacani, Gee G Starr, Jane Provido, Michelle Delos Reyes, Michael Walker, Zack Pogz Villegas Aquino, Michael Pronda, Maaikee Kiyoe Pronda, Sid Bautista Castañeda, Anna Alano, and Binibining Pilipinas USA Pageant Best in Talent winners Caitlin San Diego and Sheri-Lynne Ducusin.

Additionally, Binibining Pilipinas USA Christelle Abello, BPUSA Miss Tourism Czarina Hermoso, and their BPUSA Royal Court will also be appearing for meet and greet and photo ops.

The program presents a talented line-up of performers, including CecileandMighty Show, Sampaguita Youth Dance Troupe, Lorian Fausto, Ciamara Morales, Jamie Bacani, Gee G Starr, Jane Provido, Michelle Delos Reyes, Michael Walker, Zack Pogz Villegas Aquino, Michael Pronda, Maaikee Kiyoe Pronda, Sid Bautista Castañeda, Anna Alano, and Binibining Pilipinas USA Pageant Best in Talent winners Caitlin San Diego and Sheri-Lynne Ducusin.

Additionally, Binibining Pilipinas USA Christelle Abello, BPUSA Miss Tourism Czarina Hermoso, and their BPUSA Royal Court will also be appearing for meet and greet and photo ops.

Even while noting a slowdown in the Philippines’ economic growth during the first two quarters of 2015 compared to the first two quarters of the previous year, and that some volatility was experienced by the Philippine Stock Exchange, Ambassador Cuisia reassured the Forum that stock investors were reacting to external factors rather than to problems with Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals. He also added that “recent declines and volatility in the Philippines’ stock market should be seen as an opportunity for investors as the Phil-

ippine economy is positioned better than other Southeast Asian economies to withstand negative financial trends occurring regionally and globally.” Before the Ambassador’s keynote address, there were presentations made by Trade Representative Iñigo, and Director Nyamusi Igambi of the US Commercial Service office in Kansas City.

Mr. Iñigo spoke about the various trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines, focusing on key sectors such as manufacturing, services, and infrastructure. He began his presentation with a

detailed summary of the trade and economic performance of the Philippines in the last five years. He highlighted the gateway role that the Philippines may offer to American businesses that intend to penetrate not only the Philippine market but also the ASEAN and European markets, through the opportunities arising from ASEAN economic integration and Philippines’ EU GSP-plus status, respectively. He also showed video presentations relating to furniture design and Manila FAME, as well as on the Philippine economy and tourism.

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THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, October 7 - 13, 2015

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Will Julia Montes agree to pose for men’s magazines?

Despite her sexy figure, actress Julia Montes is not interested in doing bikini pictorials for men’s magazines.

Montes, who is receiving good feedback for losing weight, said that she’s willing to pose for a fashion magazine but not for a men’s magazine.

“Hindi po ako kumportable, honestly. Sabi ko nga, ‘yung mga scenes before na nagawa ko na eh nahirapan talaga ako, hindi madali po sa akin.

Siguro po kung sa aspeto kung kaya mo ba bilang artista siguro baka po, pero kung kaya mo ba bilang babae, hindi po bilang babae, “ Montes explained.

“Siguro ang pananaw ko po kasi ay kaya ng isang babae na maging sexy without posing

Sharon Cuneta

‘Team Kramer’ shares secret to lasting marriage Celebrity couple Doug and Cheska Kramer, the “captains” of the highly popular celebrity family “Team Kramer,” revealed their secret to a lasting marriage.

The two explained how they managed to maintain a happy and healthy relationship for more than 13 years.

“It goes hand-in-hand. I have a husband who loves me, treats me well. So in return, I also give back to him and make sure that I look nice for him,” said Cheska.

“Everything in life is a choice. When we fight and we reconcile, it’s a choice. Sometimes it’s not always the feel-

Doug and Cheska Kramer

ing, it’s the choice of making it work because we want to.”

For his part, Doug added: “A lot of people who are in relationships, sometimes they’re on that ‘kilig moment.’

But that would only last

for only so long. Sometimes your love for that partner will become a choice, you have sustain it and say, ‘I chose to fall in love with you over and over again.” “Team Kramer” includes the couple’s three

7

INMENT

What Sharon wants from daughter KC “Gusto ko ako ang pinakamahal niya.”

These were the words of “Your Face Sounds Familiar” judge Sharon Cuneta when asked about the status of her relationship with daughter, actress-model KC Concepcion.

Cuneta also opened up about the sacrifices she made for her daughter.

“I realized na there are certain roles meant for the father and those meant for the mother. And at that time, unfortunately, I had to perform both. And I couldn’t always be there for her,” she admitted.

“I feel bad because I feel that I have shortchanged my daughter in certain areas, but also I think I have taught her the importance of independence,” Cuneta added.

The two recently made headlines after Cuneta criticized Concepcion’s “unnecessary too-sexy poses” in some of her pictorials. It led to an alleged rift, which ended when Concepcion visited her mother at the hospital.

“We are like night and day when it comes to differences.

But my daughter is a good girl. I think it is normal na nagkakatampuhan ang mag-ina,” Cuneta said.

The Megastar then revealed that she only wants one thing from Concepcion, and it is to feel loved.

“Sana ako ‘yung pinakamahal mo kasi ako ang nagpakahirap eh. Wala akong degree kasi gusto ko magka-degree ka,” she said.

“I sacrificed so much. And I just want her to feel that ‘my mom is my world,” she added. (MNS)

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children Kendra, Scarlett, and Gavin. They have more than six million followers on Facebook, which they regularly update with pictures and videos.

Asked if they have ever fought in contrast to the “happy image” they maintain online, Doug said: “It says on the Bible, don’t let the sun go down on your anger.”

“And we’ve practiced that our whole relationship. Pagdating ng gabi, we make sure everything is fixed.

In other words, these 13 years of being together, we’ve never fought for more than a day.” (MNS)

Julia Montes

(sa sexy magazine) o mag-menos ng damit,” she added.

Montes admitted that she lost weight in preparation for her upcoming series “Doble Kara,” which debut last August 24 after “Flor de Liza.”

“Hindi ko alam (kung ilang pounds ang nawala) pero nagkasya na po ako ulit sa pants ko,” said Montes, who admitted that she does a cardio workout once a week.

“Siguro na-enjoy ko po ‘yung pagluluto sa ibang tao more than ako ang kumakain.

Madalas kasi dati ako ang kumakain.

Siguro dahil doon ay naglose weight po. And excited po ako para din po bago at kumportable ako na gumalaw para sa soap ko,” she said. (MNS)

8

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Bangs Garcia: Sexy stunner is also amazing painter Valerie “Bangs” Garcia is more than just a pretty face.

Although she’s best known as an actress, the sexy stunner is also an amazing visual artist, with her works mostly following these art styles: realism, impressionism, and surrealism. Garcia only started painting in 2011. She found the activity therapeutic and did not even consider it as an alternative career. Now, she has been in numerous exhibits and her artworks. She has done landscape, animals, and still life and many have been sold in galleries.

“I never thought it will be a good alternative for a career. I am actually selling paintings.

It’s surprising, I am flattered,” said Garcia.

Garcia also believes in luck and she translates this belief to artworks. Garcia sometimes

Valerie “Bangs” Garcia

incorporates Chinese beliefs in her paintings, so might as well find the hidden lucky number 8 if you get the chance to see

any of her artworks.

She also recently finished “Lucky Panda.”

“I believe in law of attraction. Paint something lucky to encourage them,” said Garcia, adding that most of her clients are art collectors.

She also puts her talent to good use.

Recently, she went to Davao to teach cancer patients how to paint using materials such as crumpled paper and plastic.

Someday, Garcia wishes to combine her love for painting and her passion for cooking by establishing an art cafe. (MNS)

Help us BOX A SMILE for 3,000 kids this Christmas

Coco Martin says no to politics Coco Martin said he does not need to run for public office to help others and would rather stick to his thriving acting career.

In the past elections, several politicians were courting Martin for his endorsement.

“Sa ngayon, wala akong naiisip na ganun kasi para sa akin, masaya po ako sa kung nasaan ako ngayon at kung anuman ang ginagalawan kong mundo, sa aking trabaho,” Martin said answering questions from reporters asking if he is interested in running for public office.

“Sa pag-arte ko, kahit papaano, nagagawa ko ang part ko dahil napapasaya ko ang mga manonood. Nakakapagbigay ako ng encouragement.”

He said he is not ready to be a politician.

“Iba-iba siguro ang destiny ng mga tao. Siguro, may mga tao talagang nilaan para sa ganung aspeto ng buhay. Ako siguro, kung ano ako ngayon, ito ang binigay sa akin ng Diyos. At sa ganitong paraan ko bilang artista, ginagamit ko rin ito para makatulong ako sa kapwa,” he said.

“Sa bawat role na ginagam-

panan ko, alam n’yo ‘yong nakakapagbigay ako ng magandang ehemplo para gayahin nila ako sa bawat karakter na ginagawa ko. Kaya nga po sinasabi ko palagi na ang bawat artista, may responsibilidad sila sa mga manonood,” he added.

Meanwhile, Martin said he believes that what he does influence others.

He said he is careful when using of social media as it is one of the most effective tools to communicate to Coco Martin his supporters.

“Ang kabataan kasi ngayon halos wala na silang time sa pamilya nila or sa mga magulang nila. Kadalasan sino ang tinutularan nila, ginagaya nila, kaming mga artista. Kung ano yung pino-post namin kadala-

Box A Smile is a project that aims to deliver a Happy Christmas to children in poverty in the Philippines. LBC Customers from North America who sends a box via sea or air from October 1 to November 30, 2015 may elect to participate in the program.

The LBC Foundation, in cooperation with Project Pearls, aims to move love this Christmas through its project BOX A SMILE. The LBC Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of LBC Express.

Together with Project PEARLS, a non-profit organization, whose vision of seeking to protect and provide the basic human rights of the poorest of the poor children in the Philippines, BOX A SMILE will be launched on October 1, 2015.

Box A Smile is a project that aims to deliver a Happy Christmas to children in poverty in the Philippines. LBC Customers from North America who sends a box via sea or air from October 1 to November 30, 2015 may elect to participate in the program, where a portion of their transaction fees will be donated to Box A Smile.

The funds raised will be used to give Christmas gifts to beneficiary children at a gifting event (Christmas party) organized by Project Pearls.

LBC Foundation is targeting to collate 3,000 Christmas Gift Boxes.

Come December 2015, the distribution of Christmas Gift Boxes to children aged 4-14yo in underprivileged areas of Helping Land, Tondo, Manila, Brgy. Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan, Zambales will be With this, we encourage your participation in bringing smiles to children in need.

Visit your nearest LBC branch or call 1800-338-5424 for more information on how you can help.

NYX Cosmetics set to open first digitally-enabled retail stores aimed at a new generation of make-up lovers The L.A. based professional makeup brand will open its first flagship stores in California in fall 2015,

san tingin nila iyon ang tama at uso.” “Kung magpapakita ako na wala lang, yun ang maiisip nilang tama. Sa parte ko, alam ko kung ano yung responsibilidad ko sa aking mga manonood at sa lipunan,” he ended. (MNS)

LOS ANGELES, September 24, 2015 – NYX Professional Makeup, the cult favorite makeup brand with unique products that cater to the new generation of makeup lovers, is set to launch its first-ever flagship retail stores designed with unique digital features that will bring the passion of the online beauty world into a retail environment. The first

NYX Cosmetics’ CEO Scott Friedman and SVP of Global Marketing and Business Development Nathalie Kristo proudly stand in front of their first ever retail store at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, CA.

store grand opening is set for Oct. 2 at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall in the greater Los Angeles region, with additional nationwide and global stores rolling out in select urban centers throughout 2016.

As a digital-native brand with a global online community made up of millions of beauty fans, the NYX Professional Makeup store was created for today’s makeup consumers who are adapting the skills and the tools of professional makeup artists to their own personal style. Recognizing that these new artists are often selftaught and love to share their makeup style with the world, the NYX Professional Makeup store will celebrate everyday makeup artistry by offering a complete line of affordable professional makeup, new digital technology features and an interactive approach that puts techniques and tools directly into the hands of shoppers.

“We’re very excited about this new chapter for the brand and are proud to be able to create a space where fans can come play, learn and share their love for NYX Professional Makeup,” said Scott Friedman, NYX Cosmetics CEO. NYX Professional Makeup will continue its strong partnerships with key retailers that currently distribute NYX. Its flagship stores will serve as an extension of its current retail distribution, combining digital technology with a hands-on self-learning environment that will provide consumers with a completely new NYX experience. The new retail store features include an interactive NYX Beauty Bar, a digital community wall, and innovative use of digital imagery and social media content throughout the store. By developing these first-to-market technological innovations, the NYX stores will bring the excitement and energy of the online beauty world into the retail space.

“Our stores will celebrate the new generation of beauty influencers, and their dedicated followers, by highlighting the creativity and artistry

of these real-world makeup lovers,” said Nathalie Kristo, NYX Cosmetics SVP of Global Marketing and Business Development, NYX. “With our complete line of professional makeup and new digital services our customers will be empowered to create and share their own makeup looks.”

The new NYX Professional Makeup stores will be a playground for beauty junkies who love to have fun with makeup.

“I am a longtime NYX Professional Makeup fan, so it was very cool to partner with them to help develop their retail stores,” said Charis of YouTube channel, Charisma Star. “As a passionate beauty consumer, NYX Professional Makeup is offering a place where makeup lovers like me can find all of their favorite products, and truly become a part of the NYX Professional Makeup community. I can’t wait for the first store to open and meet my fellow NYX fans there.”

Honoring its deep relationships with some of the most popular Instagram and YouTube beauty influencers, NYX has teamed up with these beauty gurus as campaign models.

Additionally, every month select NYX Professional Makeup stores will host meet-ups and in-store content takeovers with these influencers.

In their continued support of artistry and self-expression, the first NYX Professional Makeup stores will also include custom pieces of streetart in store, created by HUEMAN, a renowned female street artist.

The first NYX Professional Makeup store will open in Arcadia, California on October 2.

Additional locations opening include:  Del Amo Fashion Center Torrance, CA  Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga, CA  Westfield Valley Fair, Santa Clara, CA  Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, CA For more information about store locations please visit nyxcosmetics.com/stores.

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MOTORING French car makers achieve autonomous driving first

The new BMW X4 M40i. ©BMW Group

BMW unleashes M Performance X4 Thursday October 1 2015 (Relaxnews) – A new 355bhp version of BMW’s smallest crossover coupe is about to hit the road and it’s gunning for the Porsche Macan. The new model, the X4 M40i, will move right to the top of the X4 range when it goes on sale, promising a heady mix of practicality and power.

Four doors, space for four

adult passengers, plenty of luggage space and a commanding driving position combined with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.9 seconds and limited top speed of 250km/h.

Its 3-liter twin-turbocharged straight six engine is a brand new powerplant and as well as offering up 355bhp it is also capable of delivering 8.6l/100km in terms of fuel

consumption and combined CO2 emissions of 199g/km.

And even though it isn’t an official out-and-out M car -like the larger X5M and X6M crossovers (or Sports Activity Vehicles, as BMW likes to call them) -- it still beats its closest rival, the Porsche Macan Turbo in terms of emissions, economy and, crucially acceleration.

UK bans smoking in cars with children Thursday October 1 2015 (London, United KingdomAFP) – A new British law banning smoking in cars while children are present came into effect Thursday but police representatives said it will be “extremely challenging” to enforce.

Under the changes, which apply only in England and Wales, anyone found to be smoking with a passenger under 18 in the vehicle could be fined £50 (68 euros, $76), even if the windows are open.

A driver who fails to stop a

passenger smoking in the same circumstances is also liable to be fined, in legislation aimed at protecting children from the effects of passive smoking.

The Scottish parliament is considering bringing in a similar law next year.

Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer for England, hailed the “landmark” legislation.

“Smoking just a single cigarette in a vehicle exposes children to high levels of air pollutants and cancer-causing chemicals like arsenic, formaldehyde and tar,” she said.

But Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation which represents rank and file officers, told AFP the ban would be “extremely challenging” to enforce.

“Our officers are telling us they cannot get to some quite serious incidents like burglaries... how are we going to resource this?” he asked, saying that the policing budget had been cut by 25 percent in four years.

“This is largely a public health issue... we should be getting on with the job of being police officers,” he said.

Friday October 2 2015 (Relaxnews) – A Peugeot Citroen prototype has become the first self-driving car to travel on French public roads, navigating from Paris to Bordeaux fully autonomously As the first carmaker to obtain permission for self driving technology testing on the nation’s roads, the company had a head start on its rivals.

Nevertheless, the 580km trip, completed on Friday is a first for PSA Peugeot Citroen and for France as a whole. As it is the first time an autonomous car has driven on a public road within the country’s borders.

Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën said: “The journey made by our prototype today proves that autonomous vehicles are no longer of mat-

As the first carmaker to obtain permission for self driving technology testing on the nation’s roads, the Peugeot Citroen had a head start on its rivals. The 580km trip, completed on Friday is a first for France as a whole. As it is the first time an autonomous car has driven on a public road within the country’s borders. PSA Prototype Car. ©PSA Peugeot

Citroen

ter of science fiction. This ushers in a new era for mobility, which I find truly exciting.”

In neighbouring Germany, Mercedes-Benz also achieved an autonomous world first on

Friday.

Its self driving truck became the first production commercial vehicle anywhere in the world to drive itself on a public highway.

Mercedes’ autonomous truck takes its first open road test Friday October 2 2015 (Relaxnews) – On Friday the Mercedes-Benz Actros became the world’s first production truck to drive autonomously on a public road.

“Today’s premiere is a further important step towards the market maturity of autonomously driving trucks—and towards the safe, sustainable road freight transport of the future,” said Daimler board member Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard of his journey on the A8 between Denkendorf and Stuttgart airport.

Thanks to a sensor array plus active safety systems, the truck is capable of taking

Mercedes-Benz Actros with Highway Pilot. The truck has become the first to autonomously drive on a public road. ©Daimler AG

over driving responsibilities in pre-defined situations such as on highways, where traffic flows and potential hazards are more predictable. The Highway Pilot Mode, which can be engaged and disengaged by the driver, can autonomously ensure a safe distance from the vehicle ahead while maintaining lane discipline. If the car in front slows, the truck also applies the brakes automatically.

Friday’s demonstration was made possible by the German

state of Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann.

Sven Ennerst, Head of Development Daimler Trucks, commented: “We are delighted that Baden-Württemberg has approved these tests for us. In so doing the state is demonstrating true pioneering spirit.

And we are of course also delighted that the German Technical Inspection Authority has so clearly confirmed the safety of our system.”

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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.-JuneBug

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. Lita B.

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Mitsubishi launches new-look Lancer Wednesday September 30 2015 (Relaxnews) – A sharper design and a longer list of standard equipment should help the car really stand out among other compact sedans currently on sale in the US “[It] not only looks good with its updated styling, but it drives and performs at a level well beyond its value-oriented price point,” said Mitsubishi North America executive vice president, Don Swearingen.

“The new 2016 Lancer builds upon the legacy of challenging what a compact car can be in terms of design, technology and performance, all at an affordable price.”

Even in entry-level ES trim, the Lancer offers hands-free smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control and alloy wheels as standard while all-wheel control and a CVT8 transmission are now available as options.

Prices for the 2016 Lancer will start at $17595.

“The 2016 Lancer not only looks good with its updated styling, but it drives and performs at a level well beyond its value-oriented price point,”

New 2016 Nissan Altima adopts the latest design

When Nissan rolled out a series of futuristic auto show concept vehicles a few years ago, few people believed that the boldly styled designs would ever see the light of a Nissan showroom. Yet against the odds they started coming.

First, there was the Nissan Resonance Concept, a wild mid-size crossover concept that evolved into the 2015 Murano. Then Nissan Sport Sedan Concept strongly influenced the radical new 2016 Nissan Maxima. And, the new Nissan design language is making its way into more and more vehicles – including Nissan’s best-selling vehicle in the United States, the Nissan Altima.

For the new 2016 Altima the design team adopted key aspects of both the exterior and interior styling themes to give the popular mid-size sedan a fresh new appearance, including the “Energetic Flow” exterior styling theme and “Gliding Wing” interior layout.

The front end of the 2016 Altima offers the most dramatic change, since all panels and pieces forward of the Apillars are new – fascia, bumper, fenders, hood and lights.

Two key elements are the redesigned V-Motion grille and boomerang-shape headlights, similar to those found on the Murano and Maxima. The look is dramatically different from the 2015 Altima design, with a wide, deeply sculpted lower bumper, integrated fog lights (SR, SV and SL models) and prominent chrometrimmed grille.

The reshaped headlight units incorporate halogen high beam and projector low beam lights. LED projector low beam lights and LED signature Daytime Running Lights that sweep into the wide raised hood are standard on Altima 3.5 SR and 3.5 SL grades (late availability) and available on 2.5 SR and 2.5 SL. Altima SR adds smoked headlight bezels.

The rear of the new Altima is marked by a new sculpted bumper with a dark lower accent, a new trunk lid – with integrated rear spoiler on Altima SR models – and lower, wider boomerang-shaped combination lights that help provide a more expressive, higher quality appearance when approaching the vehicle from behind. The four-piece combination lights incorporate the tail- and stop lights, turn lamps and backup lights.

Along with the revised appearance, the new Altima also offers a 10 percent improvement in coefficient of drag – to 0.26 Cd from the previous 0.29 Cd*. The changes come from the addition of an active grille shutter (three percent gain), underfloor aero cover additions (three percent) and the new front and rear fascia and windshield designs (four percent).

said MMNA executive vice president, Don Swearingen.

“The new 2016 Lancer builds upon the legacy of challenging what a compact car can be in terms of design, technology and performance, all at an affordable price.”

Beyond its new design, the 2016 Lancer boasts an updated list of standard features at the ES trim level such as FUSE Hands-free Link System®, automatic air condition climate control, fog lights, alloy wheels and new LED daytime running lights, further enhancing the compact sedan’s value story. The SE trim level features all-wheel control, heated front seats, rearview camera and display audio with HD radio, while the new SEL trim level adds leather seats, rain sensing wipers with auto on/ off headlights, auto-dimming mirror and more. The GT trim level is even more fun-to-drive with sport-tuned suspension, larger disc brakes, 18 inch twotone alloy wheels, sunroof and rear spoiler, and is available as a 5-speed manual or with the new generation CVT8. Sportronic Steering wheel paddle

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The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer in GT trim. ©Mitsubishi

shifters are available for the GT trim.

Other additions for the 2016 Lancer include new seat fabrics, a newly designed center console with built-in USB port, and two new colors – Diamond White Pearl and Alloy Silver. Mitsubishi’s All-Wheel Control system is now more readily available at the lower

ES trim level, and a new generation CVT8 transmission improves performance and fuel economy. Known for its commitment to safety, the Mitsubishi Lancer has been named an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” for seven years running in 2015, and continues its record of excellence with a comprehensive list of safety features/technolo-

gies in each Lancer model, such as Mitsubishi Motors advanced Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) safety body construction system. Additional piece of mind is offered by the brand’s industry-leading warranty that includes a fully transferable 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty; 10-year/100,000 mile

powertrain limited warranty; 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion perforation limited warranty and a 5-year/unlimited mile roadside assistance.

For more information on the redesigned 2016 Lancer please visit media.mitsubishicars.com and be sure to visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

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Wednesday - Tuesday, October 7 - 13, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

THE US ASIAN POST

Mayor promotes eco-tourism to battle Chinese incursions in besieged West Philippine Sea

By Abner Galino

Saying we will fight fire with fire would make for a good acoustic but really implementing it against a formidable foe as China is simply a fool’s errand.

This, in a nutshell, is the opinion of Kalayaan mayor Eugenio Bito-onon who is in the US to promote the prospect of building an Eco-Tourism Zone in his municipality of six islets, two cays, two reefs and 288 residents.

The municipal government has its seat at the 32-hectare island of Pag-asa, the largest of all the islands in its jurisdiction. It has a municipal hall, a health clinic, an elementary school and a dilapidated airstrip. It is part of the province of Palawan.

Pag-asa, which means hope, may well be the coun- Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon of Pag-asa Municipality, Kalayaan Island try’s strongest fortress in the Group, Palawan speaks before the members of the Fil-Am media and community at the LA Rose Cafe against China’s bullying and island West Philippine Sea where the grabbing in the Spratleys. The forum in Los Angeles Wednesday was islands, reefs and shoals are sponsored by LA US Pinoys for Good Governance led by Ms. Rocio being disputed by Brunei, Tai- Nuyda. wan, Malaysia, Vietnam and area. The mayor stressed that the plan is feaChina. sible with enough support from the Philippine In a presentation organized by the US Pinoys government and the private sector, particularly for Good Governance in a restaurant in down- from the Filipino diaspora. town Los Angeles, Mayor Bito-onon disclosed He cited the relative success of the developthat Pag-asa has been more besieged today than ment instituted by the MalAysian government during the last three years. Pag-asa is just 13 on Layang Layang island, which is also part of miles away from a man-made island developed the Spratly’s group of islands.

by China and it is in the process of developing Layang layang, which is smaller than Paganother island in the area. asa, has been transformed into a diving resort The mayor said Chinese warships have been through the collaboration of the Malaysian govfrequently appearing very near the island. ernment and private investors.

Aside from that, Bito-onon also lamented According to Wikepedia, Layang Layang has the destruction of coral reefs in the West Philip- two air-conditioned accommodation blocks, an pine Sea as a result of the construction activities aircraft landing strip, two hangars, a radar staof the Chinese military and economic activities tion, an air control tower, watchtowers and a of Chinese civilian vessels. The wild life that jetty. It also has a security contingent from the includes birds, turtles and other marine animals Malaysian armed forces. have been adversely affected by the intrusions.

“I am not against credible defense,” BitoThe magnitude of the destruction, Bito-onon onon said, reiterating that we should follow the claimed, has been so great that its consequences lead of other countries staking claims on islands have become irreversible. and reefs in the region that have strengthened “That is why we are here tonight, to appeal their military defenses on the islands that are in to the Filipino-Americans who have the heart their respective possessions. and deep sense of patriotism to help us,” BitoThe Philippines has filed a case against Chionon said. Inhabiting the islands, the mayor na in The Hague, Netherlands, before Arbitral said is the best way to establish sovereignty Tribunal in the Permanent Court of Arbitration. over islands. “Each home, each citizen, each The country is asking the tribunal to debirth or marriage on Pag-asa island helps my clare China’s nine-dashed line as void. The country stake its claim on the land,” Bito-onon nine-dashed line is supposedly China’s historitold CBS News correspondent Seth Doane dur- cal boundary that comprised about 85% of the ing an interview in July.

South China Sea. Under this claim, 80% of the Bito-onon said transforming Kalayaan mu- Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the nicipality into an economic-tourism zone could West Philippine Sea would have been part of discourage China from encroaching into the China’s territorial jurisdiction.