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13 LOS ANGELES Vol. 3. No. 53

A Balita Media Publication

Wednesday - Tuesday, - 23 Wednesday - Tuesday,December Sept. 30 -17 Oct. 6,, 2014 2015

Roxas-Robredo tandem for 2016 a done deal?

Binay: I will run

against Poe

Vice President Jejomar Binay sprinkles holy water at the tomb of Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) at the Manila North Cemetery on the occasion of the 10th death anniversary of the acknowledged Filipino movie king on Sunday (Dec.14, 2014). Also in photo are Senator Grace Poe and movie-TV actress Susan Roces (2nd from left). (MNS photo)

VP Binay: Mercado trying to convince more friends in US to testify against me

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas (right) and Representative Leni Robredo grace the Feast of Peñafrancia celebration in Naga City in Camarines Sur on Friday. Robredo is being urged to run as the administration’s vice presidential candidate for the 2016 elections. (MNS photo)

Pulse Asia poll: Poe still on top

MANILA, Dec 15 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday alleged his former MANILA, Septthat 25 (Mabuhay) ally turned enemy, former Makati -- Senator Grace Poe dropped 3 Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, points but retained the lead inwas the tryingpresidential to convincepreference their common latest surfriends in the by United to vey conducted Pulse States Asia Retestify against him. search Inc. for ABS-CBN. “’Yong namin nagIn the complainant survey conducted Aupunta27 sa America.

Alam na gust to September 3,namin 2015 kung 1,200 ano ‘yong mga pinagpupunwith respondents, 27 pertahan niya (Mercado).

Pinagpipilcent said they would vote for Poe itan niyang tumestigo gumawa if elections were heldatthen – 3 ng istorya,” said30 in percent a press points lowerBinay from her statement. in Pulse Asia’s June survey.

Binay Asia said conducted Mercado, who Pulse thiswent survey at the height of the 5-day Iglesia Ni Cristo protest, during which Poe drew criticism for defending the influential religious sect known for supporting candi-

to the US late last month, persuaded their common friends there through to testify the Vice dates bloc that voting.

President received commissions Vice President Jejomar Binay from them for various came in second with 21projects percent,in 1 Makati City.than his previous surpoint lower vey“’Yong result.mga gusto nilang tumestigo, pinupuntahan nila (MerFormer Department of Interior cado’s camp) na magsinungaling and Local Government Secretary – na tumanggap sa kanila kaMar Roxas, who ako declared his canhit na wala naman ‘yon.before …Pinundidacy barely a month the tahan sigot gano’n.

‘Sabihin mo na survey, 18 percent, an 8-point lang si Binay, bati-bati na tayo. leap from his 10 percent in June.

Hindi ka naCity namin pahihirapan Davao Mayor Rodrigo sa Senate,’” Binay place said. but maindropped to fourth Aside from talking certain tained his 15 percent tofrom the previous survey. This, despite repeatedly insisting he had no plans of running for president.

Respondents were asked: “Of the people on this list, whom

individuals, Binay said Mercado also took photos of some properties in the propwould you US, voteamong for asthem President erties allegedly owned by Mercaof the Philippines if the 2016 elecdo himself. tions were held today and they Binay said he expects were candidates.

You mayMercamendo presentnot these photosin in this the tionto others included next hearing of the Senate blue list.” ribbon January Also subcommittee mentioned in inthe presinext yearsurvey and make it appear that dential were: Senator the properties are 5owned by him Bongbong Marcos percent, foror hisPresident alleged dummies. mer now Mayor Joseph “Eto [si Mercado] kukuha ng Estrada 5 percent, Senator Mirilitrato.

[Tapos4 sasabihin,] ‘Propam Santiago percent, Senator erty niya, property1nipercent, Binay Alan ito Peter Cayetano See MERCADO, and former Senator Panfilopage Lac-6 son 1 percent.

In theBush vice presidential survey, Jeb a step Poe was in a statistical tie with closer towardSenator her own runningmate See PULSE ASIA, page 2 White House run

diseases: PHL official

An 11-year-old boy works at an underwater mining site in Camarines Norte province, Philippines. © 2015 Mark Z. Saludes for Human Rights Watch

MANILA, Dec 15 (Mabuhay) – Some 100 operatives from various law enforcement agencies swooped down on the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Monday morning and discovered illegal drugs and some home items, including a hot tub, inside the maximum security (Manila, September 30, 2015) of the prison.

–compound The Philippine government is Justice Secretary Leila who de failing to protect children Lima, bydangerous elements dig andaccompanied dive for gold in small-scale mines, Human Rights Watch said today in a new report and video, released ahead of Children’s Month in the Philippines.

The 39-page report, “What…if

By Glenda Kwek Something Went Wrong: HazardSydney, Australia | AFP | ous Child Labor in Small-Scale Monday 12/15/2014 – Two hosGold Mining in the Philippines” tages and the lone Iranian-born documents how thousands of Filigunman were killed as heavpino children – some just 9 years ily armed Australian police early old – work in illegal, small-scale Tuesday dramatically stormed gold mines, mostly financed by loa central Sydney cafe to end a cal businessmen. day-long siege sparked when the Children work in unstable “self-styled sheikh” took 17 people 25-meter-deep pits or underwahostage. ter along the coastal shore or in Police in SWAT-style gear rivers, and process gold with mer-

of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP), held a surprise inspection at the national penitentiary’s maximum security compound amid reports that convicted drug In lords are still cury, a toxic metal.

September able toa continue with their opera2014, 17-year-old boy suffocated tions inside jail. in an underground mine because See BILIBID, page 6 there was no machine providing oxygen.

The Philippine government should act on its public commitment to end child labor in mining, Human Rights Watch said. hurled percussion grenades “Filipino children are workingand in opened  re, unleashing a urry absolutely terrifying conditions in of loud bangs and ashes in the small-scale gold mines,” said JueateryKippenberg, in the heartassociate of Australia’s liane chilbiggestrights city, after a number of the dren’s director at Human staff and customers managed to Rights Watch and author of the ee for their report.

“Thelives.

Philippine governPolice moved dangerous in after anchild exment prohibits change of gun re, with the labor, but has done very little to 50-year-old “lone gunman” shot enforce the law.” and killed,Rights New South PoHuman WatchWales conduct-

PHL: Children risk death to dig and dive for gold

Child labor, health and mining laws need to be enforced: HR Watch

Gunman, two hostages killed as police storm Sydney siege cafe

See SYDNEY SIEGE, page See CHILDREN, page 6 2

See ROXAS-ROBREDO, page 2

Members of ProGay and women’s rights group Gabriela rally in front of the Supreme Court in Manila last month to denounce the alleged government inaction on violence against women. The rally was held just as the high court was on its second day of oral arguments on the constitutionality of the PHL-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The suspect in her death, as US Marine, has been charged with murder.

Philippine Coast Guard personnel patrol the waters on a speed boat near Davao City (MNS photo) and Samal Island on Friday. Gunmen holding three foreigners and one Filipina hostage slipped past a naval cordon and escaped to remote mountains in the southern Philippines, leaving few clues of their identities, police said. (MNS photo)

By Joel Guinto

rd

Drugs, hot tub, Playstation seized inside Bilibid

met with President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday to discuss all “possibilities.”

The President believes that Robredo, widow of Interior Secretary of Jesse dent the Robredo, country.) is the perfect partner for akong Roxas in continuing “Tutuloy magkakandi“Daang Matuwid.” dato kahit sino pa po ang maka“Kung he titingnan kalaban,” added. (I naman will run tano laga natin ano yung pinamatter who kung I run against with.) glalaban ng ating“Ang administrasBinay stressed, issue sa yon ngayon, yun din ay naman ang darating na halalan karanapinaglalaban ni Leni bilang isang san at kakayahan.” (The issue in maybahay datielections ni Sec. would Jesse be sa the upcoming Naga, at yun ginagawa rin experience andyung capability.) niya bilang distrito The Vicekinatawan Presidentnghas reniya sa Naga,” Tañada said. mained the top choice of 28 perThe cent of congresswoman, voters, accordinghowever, to the has repeatedly saidsurvey. that she feels latest Pulse Asia Poe is she is not yet second with 18prepared percent. to run for theHowever, country’s unlike second highest Binay, post Poe and repeatedly is more open to athat possible run has said she had for plans the Senate. no of joining the presidentialTañada derby. said Robredo’s two children werethey alsowere present in pitthe And while being meeting.

The lawmaker’s children ted against each other, Binay said are against calls for to run Seeher BINAY, pageas 6 vice president next year.

Tañada, meanwhile, downplayed Robredo’s low ratings in the latest vice presidential

US Marine charged with murder as Jeffrey, was found dead on Washington, United States | Malacañang: Manila, Philippines | AFP Avoid | October 12booking 6AFPof 7 ‘Pinoy deaths’ in a cheap hotel in a | Monday 12/15/2014 – For- Monday 12/15/2014 – Philippine red light district of the port city of flights during APEC meet mer Florida governor during Hajj 2015 Jeb dueBush, to prosecutors on Monday charged a Olongapo. brother of the 43 president of the

By Jérôme Cartillier

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to run for Bush 45th.

MANILA, Sept 26 (Mabuhay) – Has Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo agreed to be the running mate of administration standard bearer Mar Roxas in next year’s elections?

MANILA, Dec 15 (Mabuhay) The spokesperson of theBinay Leni – Vice President Jejomar Robredo for Vice said Monday thatPresident he wouldMoveght ment refused confirm Senator Graceto Poe shouldnor shedeny run reports that Robredo for president against has him accepted in 2016. theAsked offer if of he Roxas to be his vice would pursue his presidential candidate in 2016. bid if the administration picked Rep. Erin PoeFormer to be itsQuezon standard-bearer in TañadaBinay said said: the “Opo peoplenaman.” should 2016, justcourse.) wait for the announcement (Of of He therecalled Liberalthat Party (LP) at immediately its convention on Wednesday, after the elections in 2010, he alSeptember 30. his intention to beready declared “Hindi ko sasabihin na pumaycome president. ag “Kinabukasan o hindi,” Tañadamatapos said. ang “Hintayin na lang halalan, nagpahayagnatin na yung ako. final announcement no, dahil Talaga namang naghanda ako meronmaglingkod namang bilang gaganapin na para pangulo parang ang Liberal ng ating convention bansa,” Binay said.

(The Party sa the September 30.I made At based day after elections, the sa Comelec resolution, announcement.

I have kailangan prepared i-submit magiging line myself to kasi serveyung as the next presiup ng partido.”

“Ayoko namang pangunahan kahit sino, so hintayin na lang natin,” he added.

According to Tañada, Robredo

United States and son of the 41st, appears to be preparing a bid to MANILA, Sept 26 (Mabuhay) – become the 45th.

Six of the reported seven deaths George H.W. Bush’s 61-yearof Filipino pilgrims during this old second son promised Sunday week’s hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arathat he would make up his mind bia were due to various types of on whether to run “in short order.” diseases, a Philippine health offiBut would his presidential hercial said Saturday. itage be a bonus or a burden?

Dr. Abdulnasser P. Masorong As speculation grips WashingJr. of the National Commission ton at what is the de facto start on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said of the November 2016 presidenthe six reported deaths were due tial election, many commentators to heart problem, liver cirrhosis, have spoken of Bush as a heavyliver cancer, and severe pneumoweight Republican contender. nia, and that the ages of the vicBut, aside from possible Bush See PINOY DEATHS, page 2 fatigue, he shares with defeated 2012 Republican ag-bearer Mitt Aquinoa career signsin EO Romney off-shore priSee JEB BUSH, page 6 creating body vs. cyberattacks, threats Pacquiao says MANILA, Sept 24 (Mabuhay) Mayweather has – The government has created ‘nowhere to run’ a National Cybersecurity Inter-

General Santos,to address Philippines Agency Committee the | AFP | vulnerabilities Sunday 12/14/2014 – country’s against Philippine boxing legend Manny cyberattacks and threats, and to Pacquiao to chase implementvowed measures whenFloyd the Mayweather need arises. into ring submission after his US rival offered to ght President Benigno Aquino III him next year in Order a blockbuster signed Executive No. 189 world title face-off. on September 17 citing the “ur“Heneed (Mayweather) has reached gent to assess national vula dead end. of Hegovernment has nowhereand to nerabilities run but to information ght me,” Pacquiao commercial systems told AFPthreats.” late Saturday, hours afto cyber ter“There the undefeated Mayweather is an increasing number issued thethreats May 2 challenge on US of cyber against governtelevision. ment and commercial informaThe two were long-time tion systems which places rivals these as the “best pound-for-pound” institutions at great risk,” the EO boxers said. of their generation, but the See PACQUIAO, page 62 See CYBERATTACKS,

Septmurder 26 (Mabuhay) world leaders USMANILA, Marine with over the ingPemberton, who and hadtheir just deln– Malacañang on Saturday told ished egatestaking and members of the interdeath of a Filipino transgender part in US-Philipthe public avoidthat booking flights pine national media, duringnear the APEC woman, in to a case has fanned military exercises Olonduring the Asia Pacific Economic week. had checked into the hotel anti-American sentiment and gapo, Cooperation Leaders’ties.

Summit in with The APEC Meeting tested close military Laude andLeaders’ was the last perNovember. will seen be held on November 18 and Private First Class Joseph son with her, police said.

“WePemberton would also this 19,The which have beenagainst declared as Scott usedadvice “treachery, charge sheet Pemearly on you plan to outside non-working holidays

by Presiabuse ofto—if superior authority and berton released on Monday de– to avoidagainst iyong mga na vicda- tailed dent Benigno III. School cruelty” his araw alleged what theAquino prosecutors said rating poprosecutor sila (world leaders) at was authorities have also tim, lead Emilie Fe dean unprovoked andsuspended relentless patiSantos po ‘yung nating bisita,” attack classes against on November 17 and 20. los saidiba as she announced a defenceless vicDeputy Presidential Spokesper- tim.

Valte said that those who may the charge. son“We Abigail Valte told state-run already booked flights durbelieve we have a strong have “Respondent Pemberton radio dzRB an interview. ing the APEC week, should expect case,” delos in Santos told a nation- choked Jennifer from behind. Obsaid brie the ng. government is viously, delays. in that position, Jennifer allyValte televised APECopportunity MEET, page 2 expecting 10,000 includ- was deprived See Pemberton willvisitors, not be allowed of the to post bail, she said. Murder is to defend herself,” the six-mempunishable by up to 40 years ber prosecutors panelout said in the SET decision onincase vs Poe jail. charge sheet. after deadline for filing of CoCrespondent Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old “Undeniably, transgender woman also known US MARINE, page 6 MANILA, Sept 25 (Mabuhay) – The SenateSee Electoral Tribunal (SET), hearing the disqualification case filed against Senator Grace Poe, has agreed to come up with a decision on November 5, a member-senator said on Friday.

“November 5 was the last agreement in the tribunal,” Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said in a text message when sought to react to Senator President Franklin Drilon’s repeated call for the tribunal to immediately resolve the case.

Drilon expressed hopes that the tribunal would be able to come up with a decision before the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) on October 12 and 16.

Meanwhile, Poe’s camp has no plans to call for a change in the composition of the SET despite questions raised against its chairman, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

1BAP Representative Silvestre Bello III, a former justice secretary, earlier said that Carpio should inhibit himself from the case because of his association with a lawyer of the administration’s bet, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Asked if the senator would initiate such move against Carpio, Poe’s lawyer, George Garcia, answered in the negative.

“Wala po (There is none). We will not inhibit anybody,” Garcia said in a text message. “We believe in the integrity and independence of the tribunal as well as the fairness and justness of its Speaking to Showtime Sports on Friday night, Floyd Mayweather said he wants his Seeoff SET 2 next ght to be against Manny Pacquiao, who is coming an DECISION, impressivepage win over Chris Algieri (his opponent in this photo) last month in Macau, China.

1-877-35-NOPAY 818-334-5445 818-552-4500 (1-877-356-6729)

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Samal kidnap victims taken to Sulu: Duterte

MANILA, Sept 26 (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte claimed Saturday that the four tourists kidnapped by armed men on Samal Island in Davao Oriental have been taken to Sulu.

Duterte said he received intelligence information on the kidnapped Filipina and three foreigners last Thursday.

His sources said the hostages were taken from Holiday Ocean Resort on

a pumpboat and were possibly later transferred to a larger and faster motorized boat.

The mayor said the group passed by Glan, Sarangani and from there, took only six hours to reach Sulu.

The pumpboats were found Tuesday, hundreds of kilometers southeast of the Davao Oriental province.

Duterte declined to identify the group responsible for taking the four tourists at gunpoint.

He instead said that the armed men may be linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group as one of them appears to resemble a known member of the terror group, based on the resort’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

“They (victims) were delivered to a known Abu Sayyaf Group. Whether they are also actually Abu Sayyaf members, that we do not know. Ganyan ‘yan eh, ipasa-pasa na ‘yan, so as they are passed on to

Possible ‘hostage’ boat found on militant island: AFP MANILA, Sept 26 (Mabuhay) – Philippine authorities have found a boat they suspect was used by kidnappers to take a group of mainly Western hostages to an island stronghold of Islamic militants, the military said Saturday.

The outrigger boat was found Friday on Jolo, more than 500 kilometers (311 miles) southwest of the Samal island resort where two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina were abducted late Monday, BrigadierGeneral Alan Arrojado announced. Jolo is the main base of the Abu Sayyaf, an Al-Qaeda-linked group that has been blamed for the Asian country’s deadliest terror attacks as well as ransom kidnappings of for-

eign tourists and Christian missionaries.

“We have eyeballed the seacraft, but not the kidnap victims from Samal,” Arrojado, head of a Jolo counterterrorism task force, told reporters.

Officials would not say if the discovery pointed to possible Abu Sayyaf involvement in the kidnapping of Canadian tourists John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50, as well as Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad and Hall’s Filipina girlfriend.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions, the latest in Mindanao, a southern region plagued by decades of Muslim as well as communist insurgencies.

Arrojado said the 25-metre (82-foot) boat suspected of taking the hostages to Jolo was found abandoned at Parang, a coastal town.

It was fitted with two onboard engines, but was taking in water apparently from a breach on its hull, he added. Regional police spokesman Antonio Rivera said that of all the “threat groups” in the south, those based on Jolo were the ones most skilled in using boats.

However, he added: “We cannot say that they (Abu Sayyaf) are involved at this time.” The authorities earlier said they had received reports the kidnappers had taken their victims to the impoverished Davao Oriental region to the east of Samal.

CYBER ATTACKS From page 1

The committee will be chaired by the Executive Secretary, and co-chaired by the Director General of the National Security Council and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

The body shall issue updated security protocols to all government employees in the storage, handling, and distribution of all forms of documents and communications. The EO also creates a National Cybersecurity Coordination Center

which shall act as a secretariat to the committee.

Under the EO, all government agencies and offices shall organize their Computer Emergency Response Teams, which shall directly report to the Cybercrime Investigating and Coordinating Center (CICC).

The supervision of the CICC created previously under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act was likewise transferred from the Office of the President to

the newly-created committee. (MNS)

SET DECISION From page 1

members.”

Sotto also saw no need for any members of the SET to inhibit from the proceeding, saying that “links with candidates cannot be avoided.”

“It’s how you conduct yourself, that’s important,” he said. (MNS)

a new group, lalaki nang lalaki yung patong nila sa ransom,” Duterte said.

Duterte believes it is probable that the abduction had been deliberate and that the suspects knew their target.

“We have this hanging suspicion that the hostages are pre-determined victims,” he said.

The mayor reiterated that he is willing to be part

of the negotiating team for the release of the Canadian tourists John Ridsel and Robert Hall, Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad, and a Filipina only known as Marites.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Ocean View, meanwhile, said that an organized kidnap for ransom group is behind the abduction.

SITG Ocean View head Chief Supt. Federico Dulay also refused to identify the group amid the ongoing rescue operations.

The task group is convinced that the suspects have not yet left Davao Region, contrary to Duterte’s claim.

Dulay added that the suspects have yet to ask for money in exchange for the captives’ freedom. (MNS)

taken some important steps to ensure education for all, but the number of out-of-school children in the country remains high.

Children, mostly from impoverished households, skip school because of their mining work and sometimes drop out altogether.

“Lots of children in Masbate and Camarines Norte are dropping out of school to work in gold mining,” Kippenberg said. “In order to tackle the root causes of child labor, the government needs to assist the poorest families financially and ensure their children are able to attend and stay in school.”

Children also work with mercury, a readily available toxic metal that is commonly used to process gold.

Children are particularly susceptible to mercury, which attacks the central nervous system and can cause brain damage and even death.

Unaware of the health risks, children use their bare hands to mix mercury with gold ore and create an amalgam. When they burn off the mercury to retrieve the raw gold, they breathe in toxic fumes.

In the mining village of Malaya, Camarines Norte, Human Rights Watch observed the unrestricted flow of light-grey, mercurycontaminated tailings from gold processing into the nearby river, where children play, swim, and pan for gold. Several children in Malaya complained of tremors, symptoms that could be signs of mercury poisoning.

The Philippine government should be introducing

mercury-free gold processing, such as is practiced in Benguet province, to reduce the threat to all children, Human Rights Watch said.

The Philippines has signed but not ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury of 2013, which sets out steps to reduce mercury exposure.

The government should promptly ratify the Minamata Convention and test for mercury exposure among residents in mining areas.

In March 2015, the government banned the use of mercury in mining as well as compressor mining, but little has been done to implement this regulation so far.

The Philippines is the world’s 20th largest gold producer. An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people work in the country’s smallscale gold mines. Large and small-scale mines combined produced about 18 tons of gold in 2014, at a market value of over US$700 million, according to official statistics.

The country’s central bank is the official buying agent for gold from smallscale mining and exports it. However, the bank has no process in place to check the conditions in which the gold has been mined. Other gold is smuggled out of the country.

“Small-scale mining provides a vital livelihood for many Filipinos,” Kippenberg said. “But the government needs to take urgent steps to ensure a safe and child-labor-free mining sector so that families can earn an income without putting their children at risk.”

national Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado announced that quasi-emergency closures of runways will be implemented for the arrival of the heads of state who will be joining the APEC

summit. Honrado said 22 aircraft parking lots at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be reserved for the heads of states.

He said these arrangements have been relayed to the airlines.(MNS)

person Charles Jose said, “The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has confirmed that one local Filipino pilgrim died in the stampede in Mecca. The personal circumstances of the victim are being withheld on the request of the family.”

All of the seven Filipino fatalities have already been buried in Mecca, Masorong said.

But DFA’s Jose did not

confirm the other deaths, saying they were still gathering information on the six cases Masorong has reported.

On the other hand, Masorong said the Saudi Ministry of Health has not received reports from the pilgrims’ base that a Filipino has contracted the dreaded Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) disease, so far.(MNS)

vice presidentiables are bunched together in single digits, including Binay’s preferred runningmate Marcos with 7 percent; and Roxas’ two vice presidential options - Senator Alan Cayetano with 7 percent, and Camarines Sur Represen-

tative Leni Robredo with 2 percent. Pulse Asia’s survey for ABS-CBN is the last one before the October filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 elections.

The survey has a margin of error of plus/minus 3%.

(MNS)

CHILDREN From page 1

ed field research in Camarines Norte and Masbate provinces in 2014 and 2015.

More than 135 people were interviewed, including 65 child miners between the ages of 9 and 17. Beyond the fears of mine collapses and drowning, the children complained of numerous health problems, including back and body pain, skin infections, fevers, and spasms.

In underground mines, children risk injury from falling rocks and wood beams, pit collapse, and lack of oxygen.

Underwater mining for gold, locally known as “compressor mining,” puts adult and child miners at risk of drowning, decompression sickness, and bacterial skin infections. Staying underwater for several hours at a time in 10-meter-deep shafts, the miners receive air from a tube attached to an air compressor at the surface.

This work is carried out by adolescent boys and – mostly – adult men. Several boys described moments of fear when they dived for the first time. Fourteen-yearold “Dennis” said: “I was 13 the first time [I dived]. I felt scared because it’s dark and deep.”

If the diesel-powered compressor stops working, the miner can drown or get “the bends” coming up too quickly. “Sometimes you have to make it up fast, especially if you have no air in your hose,” said “Joseph,” 16. “It’s a normal thing. It’s happened to me.”

The Philippine government in recent years has

APEC MEET From page 1

“Please also expect adjustment in the flights... So imagine 20 other economic leaders po ang darating. So, certainly magkaka-impact po ‘yan doon sa flights natin,” she said.

Last June, Manila Inter-

PINOY DEATHS From page 1

tims ranged from 49 and above.

He said that one of the victims succumbed to heart attack while on a plane heading for Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, the Dapartment of Foreign Affairs confirmed that one Filipino pilgrim died in the stampede that left hundreds of people dead.

In an earlier text message to GMA Nes Online, Foreign Affairs spokes-

PULSE ASIA From page 1

Chiz Escudero.

Escudero jumped 10 points to 25 percent, from 15 percent in June. Escudero announced his vice presidential bid last September 17, just a day after Poe’s own declaration of her presidential plans. Several

ROXAS-ROBREDO From page 1

preference surveys conducted by Social Weather Station (SWS) and Pulse Asia.

In the SWS poll conducted from September 2 to 5, Robredo only placed 10th, a tie with former Senator Panfilo Lacson, with 3% of the 1,200 respondents saying they would vote for them if the elections were held then.

Senator Grace Poe and her running mate Senator Francis Escudero emerged

as the top picks with 27% and 20%, respectively, in the survey. They were followed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Loren Legarda, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. In the Pulse Asia poll conducted from August 27 to September 3, Robredo

also only got 2%, a tie with Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Senator Francis Pangilinan, ranking behind Poe, Escudero, Cayetano, Marcos, Santos, Aquini, Trillanes, and Lacson.

Despite Robredo’s weak showing in vice presidential preference surveys, Tañada is not bothered.

“Tingin ko naman kayang habulin eh... Tingin ko may panahon pa naman eh,” he said. (MNS)

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2015

LOS ANGELES

Obama picks Fil-Am for top Navy post LOS ANGELES – US President Barack Obama has nominated the granddaughter of a Filipino veteran of World War II for promotion to vice admiral in the US Navy and for the position of Defense Health Agency (DHA) director, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced this week.

If her nomination is approved, Rear Adm. Raquel C. Bono will become the highest ranking FilipinoAmerican naval officer in the United States.

A few years ago, Bono and her brother, now retired Rear Adm. Anatolio B. Cruz III, made history in the US Navy when they became the first and only siblings of Filipino descent to hold flag-officer ranks simultaneously, according to the DHA website.

Bono currently serves as director of the DHA’s national capital region medical directorate and is the 11th chief of the Navy Medical Corps.

Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, US Navy surgeon general, has described Bono as a “role model” for others

Rear Adm. Raquel C. Bono

to emulate, and acknowledged the contributions of her family.

Bono’s grandfather was a Filipino obstetrician who served in the US Army with the rank of colonel during World War II. Migrated to US Two decades after the war, Bono’s parents migrated to the United States and settled in Minnesota, where her father completed his surgical residency and became part of the Navy Reserve, retiring as a captain.

Her brother, Cruz, served as deputy commander of the US Naval Forces Southern Command and deputy com-

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HPG coordinates with LGUs to keep trikes, pedicabs off EDSA

mander, US Fourth Fleet.

According to an article on the US Navy website, Bono initially wanted to go into nursing but her father challenged her to become a doctor and showed her that there were no limits to what she could do.

First woman Bono was commissioned in 1979. She got a Navy health professions scholarship and earned her medical degree at Texas Tech University.

She began her military career with a general surgery residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, becoming the first woman to graduate from this program.

Shortly after training, Bono served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as head of the Casualty Receiving, Fleet Hospital Five in Saudi Arabia.

“Service to others; service to country. It was ingrained in us by our father and mother in gratitude to their adopted country, the United States,” Bono was quoted as saying in the article.

MANILA, Sept 24 (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) is coordinating with local government units, tricycle groups and other motoring organizations to keep tricycles and pedicabs from the major thoroughfares such as EDSA. The HPG will start the stricter implementation of the ban on tricycles and pedicabs on major highways and apprehend violators on Monday.

“Ang ginawa natin diyan kinausap natin ‘yung mga organization involved sa pagpapatakbo ng mga tricycle at tsaka mga barangay,” HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said.Gunnacao said the HPG had already talked with tricycle and pedicab groups in Cubao and Pasay City.

“In fact naumpisahan namin dito sa Barangay Socorro dito sa Cubao kung saan ‘yung mga tumatakbong tricycle sa ibat-ibang kalye nila ginawan na nila ng paraan at nagkaroon na sila ng ugnayan,” Gunnacao said.

“Ganun din po ang ginagawa natin

sa Pasay. Kasi po napapansin natin na ‘yung mga tricycle na bumabaybay sa kahabaan ng EDSA lalung lalo na sa Pasay area kung saan ay may buses ay walang pakundangan na sumasalubong sa trapiko,” he added.

Gunnacao warned that violators will have their licenses confiscated with tricycle drivers facing a penalty of P2,000 and pedicab drivers being subjected to fines provided for in barangay or municipal ordinances.

He said that the Land Transportation Office already had an existing policy against tricycles and pedicabs being on national highways, but former traffic enforcers had difficulty in implementing this.

“Kung napapansin niyo po kahit sa Commonwealth marami na po nahuli ang ating enforcers natin diyan kaya lang po marami ang matigas ang ulo at nagpupumilit,” Gunnacao said.

“Pero ganoon pa man dadaanin pa natin sa pakiusap sa una at sabay na rin ‘yung panghuhuli po,” he added.

(MNS)

Customs chief told: Stop sugar smuggling or get out MANILA, Sept 24 (Mabuhay) – The Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP) is urging Bureau of Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina to put an end to sugar smuggling or resign if he cannot fully commit himself to fight alleged irregularities in the agency.

SAP President Manuel Lamata said Lina must deputize their group if he wants the SAP to help chase after big-time smugglers of sugar.

“All we are asking him, if he really wants to put a stop to sugar smuggling, to deputize our group. So that way we can really, really help him,” Lamata said.

“But if he cannot do that for whatever reasons and he seems helpless to stop smuggling, then he better get out of Customs. He bet-

ter resign because he is not up to the job,” he added.

Customs is under fire following the alleged involvement of former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres in the foiled release of smuggled sugar from Thailand.

According to Lamata, over a hundred container vans containing smuggled sugar started entering the Manila International Container Port during the first four months of Lina in office, apart from the “dramatic stoppage of smuggled sugar to the Philippines” declared by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) based in Thailand during the term of former Customs Commissioner John Philip Sevilla.

“What did Lina say that brought all these things

open? On his very first day in Customs, and I believe it came out from media, he said walang hulihan muna.

We have to generate funds for government, he said that...That was when the sugar industry got very alarmed,” Lamata claimed.

However, Lina strongly denied that he eased the campaign against smugglers and even vowed “to do what the law says” over Torres’ case.

“I did not say that. We are apprehending those sugar smugglers. Based on our records in my four months, we have made those apprehensions already,” Lina replied.

The Customs chief added that the agency has been consistently acting on cases of smuggling and coordinating with concerned industry players.(MNS)

De Lima bids DOJ goodbye in founding anniversary speech MANILA, Sept 24 (Mabuhay) -- Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday bid farewell to the Department of Justice, underscoring the agency’s “humble” victories under her leadership despite “pressures.”

De Lima, however, has not yet formally offered her intention to quit her post, despite rumors of her senatorial bid for the May 2016 polls.

“I will soon leave all of you... Wherever I will be in coming years, I will cherish all my years at the Department of Justice,” she said in her last “State of the Department Address” during the 118th founding anniversary of the DOJ Manila.

In her speech, De Lima highlighted the DOJ’s efforts to deliver “real-time justice” during her five-year stint in the agency, saying that the rate of case disposition has increased from 75 percent in 2010 to 80 percent in 2014, and that prosecution rate also improved from 68 percent in 2010 to 73 percent in 2014.

She also cited the DOJ’s accomplishments in the Maguindanao massacre case; the pork barrel fund scam; the Balintang Channel shooting incident; the Atimonan encounter; and the case of Mary Jane Veloso, who is facing death in Indonesia after being convicted of drug smuggling.

She also noted the DOJ’s efforts against monopolies in the market and illegal drug activities inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Likewise, De Lima expressed hopes that the transfer of the NBP and the Correctional Institute for Women to Nueva Ecija would solve the “age-old” problem of jail congestion

and decrepit jail facilities.

De Lima became tearyeyed in the last part of her speech, even as she quipped how much she misses her father.

“Siya ang nagbigay ng gabay sa akin when I accepted the Commission on Human Rights post. Siya iyong nagbigay uli ng gabay sa akin when I accepted the DOJ post and now the next phase of my journey, bigla ko syang na miss,” said De Lima. Asked if she thinks her father had already given him a sign, De Lima said: “I think so.”

“In the end, what makes up the legacy of (my) administration in the DOJ is the integrity of the institution that’s left behind after six years in government,” she said.

De Lima described herself as a “caretaker and steward” of an institution by protecting and insulating the agency’s professionalism from politics.

Also, she said the budget of DOJ for 2016 has a P54-million allocation for increase in operational expenses and P48 million for additional support staff.

She said that when she faces President Benigno Aquino III to give an accounting of what she has done as DOJ secretary, she would tell him this:

Cristo.

She said she “protected the institution and its people from pressures,” pointing out that the agency has been “pilloried in public for meddling in their religion’s affairs.”

Other than saying she is “seriously considering it,” De Lima still refused to categorically say if she would run for the Senate. “Until nga magkaroon ng official announcement iyong admin ticket hindi ako pwedeng magsabi na 100 percent na ako,” she said.

When asked, “Buo na po ba loob niyo,” De Lima replied: “I think so... na susubukan na ang another world.”

As for her replacement as DOJ secretary, De Lima refused to give any possible candidates, but said she had already endorsed one to President Benigno Aquino III. De Lima has figured prominently in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, though she has still yet to confirm her bid for the Senate in 2016.

She said she would be making a “categorical acceptance” once the Liberal Party officially announces its line-up for the senatorial race.(MNS)

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“I was not able to fulfill my mission of delivering complete justice to all but what I did was leave behind a DOJ that in time will accomplish that mission,” she said.

In making a point over what she considered as “pressures” in the exercise of her duties, she made an apparent allusion to her recent spat with the Iglesia ni

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CPJ signs on The Manila Principles

PHL embassy ready for worst-case scenario in Korea: Jejomar Binay

The Committee to Protect Journalists has signed on to the Manila Principles, a set of best practices launched at RightsCon 2015, a digital rights conference CPJ attended in the Philippines in March. With journalists facing increased risks, the principles offer a way to protect the platforms on which they rely.

MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – The the Philippine in The Manila Principles help clarify rightsEmbassy and responSouth Korea has prepared a contingencyfor plan, in case posted tensionsby sibilities of Internet intermediaries content between South North Korea escalate into a full-blown their users.

The and recommendations are intended to help inform around the world when developing or reconfllawmakers ict. forming Internet-related legislation.

“Nakahanda po ang ating embahada para sa worst-case The principles, which have been endorsed by nearly 300 scenario,” Vice President Jejomar Binay told leaders of the leading press freedom and technology policy organizations Filipino community at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. from and individuals, recommend shielding intermediaries There are currently around 50,000 Filipinos living andbeliability for third-party content, requiring a court order working in South can Korea. fore information be removed from a platform, ensurBinay,broadly who is currently in process Seoul to attend the 2012 ing more that due standards are Nuclear met, and building processes that are transparent and fair.

Security Summit, said it is unfortunate that North Korea is A copy oftothe Manila Principles can be viewed here. planning launch a satellite next month.

San Francisco-based CPJ Internet North Korea said it intends to launch aAdvocacy long-range Coordinator rocket next Geoffrey King works to protect the digital rights of journalmonth to put a A satellite into orbit, but the United States and ists worldwide. constitutional lawyer by training, King other nations consider it a thinly veiled missile test that also teaches courses on digital privacy law, as wellwould as the breach a United Nations ban. intersection of media and social change, both at UC Berkeley. Follow him on Twitter at @CPJInternet.

His public key The Japanese government said part of the North Korean fingerprint is 4749 357C E686 71B1 4C60 F149 9338 5A57 long-range rocket will fall east of the Philippines if the launch 27FA 494C. is made next month.

All communication over the Internet is facilitated by inBinay saidsuch local as authorities, mayproviders, be affected,social will be termediaries Internetwho access netdirected tosearch prepare.engines. The policies governing the legal works, and “Thisofis intermediaries an unfortunate situation there is an existing liability for thebecause content of these commuUN (United Nations) resolution and North Koreaincluding had said they nications have an impact on users’ rights, freedom expression, of association andtothe right to willofcomply with thefreedom resolution...

We do not want speculate privacy. on the effects of the launch. We hope it does not happen and With the of protecting freedom of expression and North Koreaaim complies with the UN resolution.

However, we creating an enabling environment for innovation, which will be directing the local government who could be aff ected to balances the needs of governments and other stakeholdbe civil prepared for any eventuality,” he added. ers, society groups from around the world have come Th e Department of Foreign Affairsof(DFA) earlier issued together to propose this framework baseline safeguards and best practices. based on international a statement calling These North are Korea’s planned satellite launchhuman rights instruments and other international legal “unacceptable.” frameworks.

The DFA appealed to North Korea to abide by UN Security The Manila Principles: Council Resolutions 1874 and 1718, which call for the 1. Intermediaries should be shielded from liability for “abandonment of its ballistic missile program in a complete, third-party content verifi able andmust irreversible 2. Content not bemanner.” required to be restricted without The Philippine and US militaries are reportedly coordinating an order by a judicial authority 3. track Requests forofrestrictions of content mustlaunch, be clear, to the path a planned North Korean rocket parts be unambiguous, and follow due process of which are expected to land off the archipelago, an official said 4. Laws and content restriction orders and practices Saturday. must comply with the tests of necessity and proportionality military is coordinating with practices its US 5. “The LawsPhilippine and content restriction policies and counterpart in the monitoring of the planned launch,” Foreign must respect due process Department spokesman Hernandez told AFP. 6. Transparency andRaul accountability must be built into lawsHis andannouncement content restriction policies and practices. came a day after the USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the US 7th Fleet in the Pacific, arrived in Manila for a four-day visit.

Hernandez did not divulge details of the joint monitoring, but the allies were expected to hold large-scale joint military exercises in the middle of April to enhance cooperation in case MANILA, Sept 25 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Friday of externalthe threats. welcomed recent Pulse Asia survey placing former In“We continue to strongly urge the DPRK (North Korea) terior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas at the third spotnot with to proceed with its planned launch,” Hernandez said.

18 percent, up by eight points from his rating in June.

“They should abide the by the UNsignificant Security Council resolutions “Sec. Roxas posted most increase of eight which explicitly demand that they do not conduct any points which indicates increasing support for himlaunch as the using ballistic missile technology.” standard bearer of Daang Matuwid,” Communications SecManila’s defense chief,Jr. Voltaire Gazmin, said Friday the retary Herminio Coloma said in a text message. government needed US help or in tracking thepath rocket’s path, with The “Daang Matuwid” straight policy is the the poorly equipped Philippine military not having the capability Aquino administration’s catch phrase in promoting good to do so by itself. governance.

Senator Grace Poe, still runner the latest Pyongyang announced last the weekfront it would launchinthe rocket presidential preference 27 and percentage points, to place a satellite in orbit survey between with April 12 16, and insisted said in her declaration speech that “Daang Matuwid” is not it was purely for space research. exclusive toUnited one man or and group.

But the States other nations see the launch as a Coloma also credited Roxas’ the breach surveya to disguised ballistic missile test, andincrease say that itinwould President Benigno Aquino III’s endorsement of his presiUN ban on North Korean missile launches. dential candidacy in July.

A previous North Korean long-range rocket in 2009 flew “This improvement wasthe achieved withinsafely a month after over Japanese territory and boosters landed in waters President Aquino endorsed his candidacy,” he noted. off Japan.

The survey was commissioned for ABS-CBN and was Kurt Campbell, the US assistant secretary of state for East conducted nationwide from August 27 to September 3 from Asian and Pacific Affairs, said the rocket launch would impact 1,200 respondents with a margin of error of plus-minus “in an area roughly between Australia, Indonesia and the three points.

Philippines,” in a message Australia’s Foreign MinisterUnited Bob Vice President JejomartoBinay of the opposition WWW.BALITA.COM Carr, according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Nationalist Alliance maintained his spot at second place with 21 percent, one point lower than his rating in June.

(MNS)

Coloma on Pulse Asia survey: Roxas is preferred ‘Daang Matuwid’ president

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Global economy shows ‘fragile’ improvement: IMF Poe: Inspiration not from surveys but from people’s needs

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 are “very fragile” spillovers. undertaking these reforms,” he said.

Septof25the (Mabuhay) Grace Poeexpected then chose Sen. Escudero as andMANILA, an escalation eurozone – Senator However the IMF TheFrancis IMF, “Chiz” and the United Poe on Friday said she feels both “honored and hum- her running mate. crisis the most immediate “spillovers from the In euro to Pulse States othercommissioned top economies bled” remains on the recent Pulse Asia survey results where thearea same Asiaand survey for concern, IMFtodeputy managing will remain limited as President worldwide have Binay sought to raise she continued be the front runner other in theregions presidenABS-CBN, Vice Jejomar placed sectial race.Naoyuki Shinohara said long as the euro area ond with 21 percent while former InteriortoSecretary director is contained.” pressure on Germany drop its “My sincerest gratitude to the people“Since for their Mar Roxas with 18 percent,to anboosting eight-point Tuesday. theunbeginning of the was year third previous opposition the wavering trust and support. am honored andtensions hum- in increase from in June.

While indicators had lastI year financial the euro areahis rating eurozone’s firewalls against debt bled by the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey,” The survey was conducted nationwide from Aupointed a big setback for the world have eased, in largegust part27thanks to crisis3 contagion.

Poe saidtoin a statement. to September from 1,200 respondents with there have in recent weeks been onthe long-term refinancing Looking to the prospects “Surveys help us check if we’re theso-called right track, a margin of error of plus-minus three points.for Asia, but we signs deriveofour inspirationand fromoperation the needs Meanwhile, also remains top choice in the modest improvement of and the European CentralPoeShinohara saidthe domestic demand aspirations of our countrymen, with or without surrecent Social Weather Stations survey for the 2016 stability in the key US and European Bank,” he said. remained generally strong, supported veys,” she added. presidential elections. economies, he said in a lecture at a In recent weeks the data has by low unemployment and high Last week, Poe declared her presidential bid as She, however, faces disqualification complaints university in Bangkok. showed manufacturing activity utilization. an independent candidate in the 2016 national.

The before the Senate capacity Electoral Tribunal and the Com“Important policy actions carried for bothBenigno advancedmission and emerging in Asia is2013 expected to declaration came after months of President on Elections“Growth filed by defeated senatoAquino III and thepolicy administration appealhas to improved, rial bet, Rizalito over questions herhe citizenout

by European makers party’s economies with David gain momentum thison year,” said. her tohelped run firstand for vice have mostpresident. recently readings above 50, ship. which(MNS) indicates Leading economic indicators had 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 said in many countries The most immediate concern is still months,” he said.

MANILA, Sept 24 (Mabuhay) – Now that charges Mayor ng Mamasapano kasi may ilan-ilan lang po public debt filed, remained at all-time furtheragainst escalation euro area ang The IMF sees growth have been serving the subpoenas 90 ofnathe hindi sigurado witnesses kungglobal ano sila... unhighs, limiting the scope for fi scal crisis,” he said. slightly above 3.0 percent in 2012 people linked to the killing of Special Action Force affiliated.” she said. stimulus, unemployment also to beS ha ichallenge, n o h a r a s a i d Respondents E u r o p e a n who but will will refuse release to its answer revised to world troopers and in Mamasapano is going the the Department Thursas having waived their remained very high.of Justice (DOJ) admitted policymakers need subpoena to pursue will fiscalbe considered economic outlook in two weeks. day. rights to submit a counter affidavit.

“We are navigating a very narrow adjustment at the right pace.

“We are not expecting a major Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said the National De Lima said the Mamasapano case has taken a path before recovery of the economy “European policy makers also change in our outlook forofthis year Prosecution Service (NPS) will exhaust all feasible while to advance due to the sheer number personand the risk of slippage is very high,” need to pursue financial reforms and next year.

Probably a slight means to serve the subpoenas against the personali- alities and witnesses involved. heties warned. tocommandos stabilize the sector improvement in our position alon responsible for the deaths of SAF in banking She said authorities are striving to determine the encounter. ternative avenuessome to fast-track thebut delivery jusHeMamasapano said advanced economies and structural reforms to restore of the areas for the of global Charges direct murdercompetitiveness,” and tice for the fallen SAF troopers. “should press of ahead withassault nationalwith economic he said. picture I’m not expecting a major theft were filed against 26 members of the Moro “I’m certainly giving the proper guidance to the and structural reforms to repair European policyofmakers change,” said. track ito. This is Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 12“And people from panel prosecutors para he ma-fast

‘Serving subpoenas vs SAF slay suspects a challenge’

the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) again a major case na nagko-cause ng disappointPopulation adds tofrom planet’s pressure cooker, but members and 52 individuals private armed ments kapag tumatagal,” the few Justiceoptions Secretary said. groups (PAGs).

Once the five-member panel of prosecutors under

2050.

One is to change consumption

By Richard Ingham The DOJ is also considering enlisting the help the National Prosecution Service (NPS) has found e good news that the fertility patterns, so be that thebefore rich countries March 27, 2012on theThCessation ofLONDON, the Coordinating Committee of is probable cause, the case will filed the Marate –thethe numberguindanao of children a –The andNPS, the emerging (AFP) – The world surging with Hostilities (CCCH) in ’s coordinating MILF. court.

National giants Bureaurushing of In“At the very ‘yung of maabisuhan ang vestigation (NBI),toand 33up other may women ispo likely to have – has halved catch withcomplainants them—use energy population is a least, big driver MILF leadership in so far as the 26 MILF responalso appeal to the Supreme Court to move the hearenvironmental woes but the issue from five to 2.5 since 1950 and will and resources more sustainably. dents are concerned na medyo magko-cooperate po ing’s venue to ensure security in the court proceedrate of 2.1 The other is to protect women’s issila,” complex and solutions are few, fall below the replacement De Lima said. ings. Forty-four SAF troopers were killed in the Maaround 2025, Liverman said. rights, education for women and experts at a major conference here The MILF earlier reiterated that it will not sur- masapano encounter. However, the DOJ report only th “It means that there is a strong their access to jobs and contraception. say. render its troops involved in the firefight in Mama- covers the 35 slain members of the 55 SAC, which sapano. served as a blocking “force. growth If you have economic Answers lie with educating probability that population De Lima admitted that reaching the level members of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said off around nine billion development andlast youweek educate women in poorer countries and will the BIFF and PAGs will be a bigger challenge. the team was given another two months to further widening access to contraception but and may in fact fall thereafter,” said women, and women get labour The BIFF, she said, have no leaders involved in investigate the deaths of the 9 troopers from the 84th Liverman. market opportunities, they tend also with reforming peace talks with theconsumption government while some mem- SAC. Others caution that The raw statistics notofonly to reduce the patterns economies, they say.only by bers of in therich PAGs were identified aliases. second phase the investigation willnumber also in“Sa BIFF, meeting mahirap-hirap. naman pong clude the deaths of got caught the mask many complexities. of civilians children who but crucially to indelay Th e four-day on Earth’sWala known leadership na nasa peace process with the crossfire, and the alleged killing of MILF members “The world’s carrying capacity when they start having children,” health, Planet Under Pressure, is government. Sa PAGs naman po, kaya nga po sa by PO2 Christopher Lalan, the lone survivor of the isn’t a single headline figure but said Sarah Harper, director of the unfolding ahead of the Rio+20 memo referral, ini-care of na lang po sa Office of 55th SAC.(MNS) depends on lifestyle, technology, and Institute of Population Ageing at Summit in June.

Scientists taking part have so forth,” said Lord Martin Rees of the University of Oxford.

“And if you delay the start of pinpointed population growth the Royal Society, whose report on 25 (Mabuhay) Benigthis day having likewisechildren, remind you us of thetostories demography and the “May environment tend have as MANILA, a major if Sept indirect contributor– President no Aquino III on Friday marked the occasion of Eid’l of sacrifice upon which we built our nation. We owe smaller families.” to global warming, depletion of will be issued next month.

Adha or Feast of Sacrifice as he vowed to pursue a this era of peace to those who readily laid down their The population lives is stabilizing ora better S u cfuture h c h afor n gtheir e s c afellowmen,” n have a resources, and species loss. Philippines.” “peaceful,pollution harmonious, and inclusive to secure in arich countries. “surprisingly effectatonthose reducing But they also declared mark it September as an falling Aquino earlier 25 as reguAquino said. Aquino also took fast” a swipe who lar holiday across the country in observance of Eid’l wishremain to hinder government’s “daang Tyler, matuwid” But these economies – in the birthrates, said Stephen who issue that has disappeared almost Adha, regarded as “one of screens. the two greatest feasts orfar straight path policy goodgroup governance. per capita termsof– by the biggest worksofwith called the Asian completely off political radar Islam.”

“Never will we let their honor be tainted by misThis is partly because of religious sources of environmental damage, Cities Climate Change Resilience In his message to the Muslim community, Aquino trust, viciousness, and malice sowed by those who for instance greenhouse gasus on Network (ACCCRN). gaveMathe sensitivities also because of with said Prophetbut Ibrahim’s tale should “reinforce our seek to hinder our march along theHe Daang emissions per head that are double fast-shrinking families in India as traumatic memories of coercive bonds as we work together to fulfill our mission of tuwid. We, as adamantly and relentlessly as our heperpetuating positive change in society.” will continuean toexample. fight for their dream: A peaceor quadruple those roes, in a developing fertility controls in poorer countries Eid’l1970s Adhathat commemorates thetowillingness inclusive he said. country. of Ibra- ful, harmonious, andOn Sunday,Philippines,” a group of scientists in the no-one wants him to sacrifice his son in honor of God. (MNS) The big population growth will and policymakers that have won repeat.

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 linkMANILA, between population growth and Sept 25 (Mabuhay) – Non-passage of a tors, ulama, professors and theologians at the forum. responsibility for climate change the action. environmental damage arose in the “good” Bangsamoro Basic Law does not mean MindHe reiterated stand of the MILF: It will not th anao would relapse into bloody war,but saidwill Mohagher accept watered-down versionatof demography, the BBL. century. be hit worst by it,abecause Looking they mid-20 Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition ComOn September 10, Iqbal threatened that women the de“The 50 years from 1950 to they lack money and skills to adapt. said more than 200 million mission (BTC). commissioning of the MILF armed forces will not 2000 were is a period of dramatic and Thusofthe higher in developing countries still have “There life even after non-passage BBL,” he their pushpopulation, through if Congress passes a watered-down unprecedented change in human the more of their people will unmet needs family planning. said, adding that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front versionwho of the BBL, saying thatfor it is “unacceptable.” history,” she said. be hit by drought, storms, seasthat aBut funding to (MILF) would continue its peace-building efforts.

He rising clarified weakened BBLfor wasaccess not about An article ontime, MILF’s “deleted, substituted or During that theLuwaran.com planet’s andquoted floods. Iqbal the number of provisions contraception fell by 30 percent as saying “the MILF has already gained milestones amended.” human tally doubled from three S t r a t e g i e s f o r w o r k i n g between 1995 and 2008, “not least as in its political struggle and would not compromise its “Just one issue, for instance, the aspect of natubillion to six billion.

It now stands at on thestruggle.” demographic drivers ofcan amake resultthe of legislative pressure from gains by unnecessarily reverting to armed ral resources, BBL diluted and would seven billion, and by some estimates environmental damage are essentially the religious right in the USA and At a forum organized by the Interreligious Coun- force the MILF to reject it.” could reach around nine billion by 21 two-pronged, said specialists. elsewhere,” they said. cil of the Philippines on September at the Ramon Malacañang, however, said that the concerns of

Aquino marks Eid’l Adha with promise of peaceful, inclusive PHL

Peace efforts to continue even without BBL passage – Iqbal

Magsaysay Center in Manila, Iqbal assured the at- all the stakeholders over BBL are being considered, tending religious leaders that the non-passage of the and that it is working to forge one BBL that is acBBL will not result in war. ceptable to all.

Theasgovernment had up in most areasofexcept in Mindanao.

MANILA, Mar 27 (Mabuhay) – Iqbal Also, the Luwaran.com quoted saying and In MILF mid-August, members Congress ruled reached any consensus during ose “not hopeful at all”, however, Majority Filipinos are hopeful the not that the of MILF is already preparing itself for demoout the possibility ofThpassing the proposed BBL in cratic struggle “goodIslamic BBL is passed.” its original BTC’s their talks last March 19 to 21form in despite increasedthe in all areas.appeal to pass government andonce the aMoro Wednesday’s forum was convened by the CathoMalacañang’s version.

When asked when they expect Liberation Front can reach a peace Malaysia. lic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., chair SWS figures showed the 62 a peace deal with the MILF to be agreement, but there appeared to be Commission on Interreligious Dialogue (CBCP- of the Senate committee on local government tackwereling optimistic the signed, 12said percent 2011 toCourt 2013, aECID), declineNational in their ranks, a new poll percent Ulama Conference of the who Philipthe Bangsamoro bill, thesaid Supreme parties will hammer a peace by one percentage point from by Social WeatherPhilippine Stations showed. pines (NUCP), Council two of Evangelical will strike down down the measure as unconstitutional Churches (PCEP), Focolare, Religions for Peace thejust like it did29the 13 2008 Memorandum of Agreement percent in September. deal comprised following: The SWS said the survey last Philippines Ramon Award FoundaAncestral DomainA(MOA-AD) if Congress passes who were on “very hopeful” greater number, 26 percent, said Dec. 3 to 7and showed 62Magsaysay percent percent tion. it without any changes. of respondents remain optimistic (slightly higher than 26 percent in the peace deal will be ironed out by In his speech at the forum, Iqbal likened the BBL The BBL is the product of the peace agreement percent who the2014-2016, down 39 percent the will come to an September); and 33 to a two “lost parties traveler.” signed between government and from the Moro Islamwere (lower in It theseeks previous survey. agreement, but this was traveler, down from “But unlike a lost those who“somewhat want to hopeful” ic Liberation Front. to create a Bangsamoro solve the Bangsamoro problem, the sole 45political entity whichNineteen will replace the ARMM. than is September’s percent). percent, on the(MNS) other 71 percent in September and 83 which agenda of the [government of the Philippine and Respondents who were “somewhat hand, believed the peace deal will be percent recorded in June 2011.

MILF [GPH-MILF] peace negotiations since 1997, Also, the SWS survey showed not hopeful” remained at 15 percent achieved in 2016-2022, down from have at their disposals all the agreements especially whilenotthose fewer Filipinos peace the earlier onesbelieve signed the by the Parties, only “not to hopeful at all” 20 percent previously. accounted for 24 percent, up from On the other hand, the number of agreement be reached before the comprehensions, base theirmay formulations or textual but of also to understand the context frame of previous survey. percent in the those who believe a peace deal will “not term President Benigno Aquino III 14and mindinof2016 the Parties…,” said.

Analyzing the data by region, the ever” be reached went up to 40 percent ends – 38 percent,Iqbal compared Iqbal also said that he is still “tempted to believe number of those “very hopeful” went from 24 percent in the last survey. to 52 percent in September. that Congress has the collective wisdom to pass a good BBL,” but it has been “hijacked by delays and lack of quorums.”

“I stopped analyzing whether a good BBL is forthcoming or not,” Iqbal frankly told the priests, pas-

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

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UTREACH NaFFAA chair says Pope’s message in Congress ‘encouraging’ The message of care and compassion conveyed by the Pope, particularly as they relate to immigrants, is very encouraging, this according to a statement issued by National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) National Chair JT Mallonga on the Pope’s Message to Congress Mallonga said the Pope “said that we should not be fearful of foreigners ‘because most of us were once foreigners.’

As a son of migrants himself, the Pope reminded members of Congress and all the highest officials gathered at the joint meeting, that we are all ‘descendants of immigrants’ and therefore must be welcoming of those who come to this ‘land of dreams’ to pursue a better life for their families.

The NaFFAA chair said, “We hope our political lead-

ers will take the Pope’s message to heart, set aside their differences and pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill soon.

This legislation will go a long way in uniting and strengthening families, which is essential, as the Pope aptly puts it, to the building of this country.”

“As Filipino Americans we have a role as well in nurturing a culture of care in this great and affluent nation where millions of people continue to suffer in a cycle of poverty and hunger, where millions more are excluded from reaping the fruits of economic prosperity, and where the earth - our own environment and our common home – is deteriorating because of our lack of responsibility,” Mallonga said.

“We applaud the Pope’s call for unity and solidarity in working together to face this nation’s challenges, as-

suring us that if we follow the Golden Rule, we can make a difference,” Mallonga added in the statement said.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a private, non-profit, nonpartisan tax-exempt organization established in 1997 to promote the active participation of Filipino Americans in civic and national affairs. NaFFAA is the largest national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, organizations and individuals.

Its thirteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Marianas Islands, and American Samoa. NaFFAA partners with local affiliate organizations and national coalitions in monitoring legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans and advocating for issues of common concern.

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.

Help us BOX A SMILE for 3,000 kids this Christmas 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 held. With this, we encourage your participation in bringing smiles to children in need.

Visit your nearest LBC branch or call 1800-3385424 for more information on how you can help. LBC Express, Inc. is the Philippines’ market leader in payments, remittance, courier products, mail, parcels and, cargo logistics.

Through a global pres-

ence in over 30 countries in Asia-Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Europe, LBC Express’ network of 4,400 locations, partners, and agents is growing steadily, and commits to moving lives, businesses, and communities in the Philippines and across the globe. Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, LBC Express pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-to-door delivery in the Philippines.

Today, it is the most admired and trusted courier, cargo, and remittance service of millions of Filipinos, an iconic and global Filipino brand. LBC can move it for you: visit us at www. lbcexpress.com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter).

1.2-M Asian-Americans eligible to vote, but remain unregistered LOS ANGELES – In celebration of the National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on Tuesday, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA (Advancing Justice - LA) encouraged widespread promotion of California’s online voter registration website.

Individuals can now register to vote by completing an online form available in Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese, as well as English and Spanish. The online registration system is available at http://registertovote.ca.gov and may also be used to update addresses or political party affiliation.

“While the number of Asian American registered voters has steadily increased over time, over 1.2 million Asian Americans in California who are eligible to vote remain unregistered,” says Congresswoman Judy Chu. “Now that individuals can register online in various Asian languages, I strongly urge Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to register to vote, especially since our community can be the margin of victory in California’s many close elections.”

Online voter registration offers a convenient alternative to filling out a voter registration form at the local DMV office or downloading a form, filling it out, and putting it in the mail.

Before the November 2012 election, over half a million people used the online voter registration website to register as new voters. Since then, the voter registration website has been updated allowing for smartphone and tablet users to register online easily.

“We see daily coverage of the presidential campaigns on national news these days,” says Los An-

geles City Councilmember David Ryu, “National Voter Registration Day is a good reminder to register to vote now in order to have a voice in next year’s presidential election as well as the many ballot measures likely to be on the November 2016 ballot.”

“Our Democracy was founded on the basic principle that all citizens have the right to vote. But our history tells us that it takes more than just words to make this principle true — it takes action,” says Garden Grove Mayor Bao Nguyen. “From the civil war to the civil rights movement, women’s suffrage to young adults, it took the action of millions to secure the right to vote for every American. National Voter Registration Day reminds us of that right — and of our responsibility to exercise it.”

“As college students, we often feel that our voices are not being heard, and our needs aren’t being met.

But exercising our right to vote allows us to have a say and let our voices be heard in crucial policies and decisions that affect both us and the communities we are a part of,” says Lorna Xu, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Student Assembly at USC. Advancing Justice - LA staff will be registering college students at USC from 10 am to 2 pm as part of National Voter Registration Day. Started in 2012, NVRD is a nationwide effort to get more Americans involved in the democratic process by exercising their most basic right — the right to vote. More information can be found at http://www.nationalvoterregistrationday. org.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los An-

geles is the nation’s largest Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) legal and civil rights organization and serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year. Founded in 1983 as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Advancing Justice - LA’s mission is to advocate for civil rights, provide legal services and education, and build coalitions to positively influence and impact Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to create a more equitable and harmonious society. Through direct legal services, impact litigation, policy analysis and advocacy, leadership development and capacity building, Advancing Justice - LA seeks to serve the most vulnerable members of the AANHPI community while also building a strong AANHPI voice for civil rights and social justice.

Fil-Am young leaders urge eligible Filipinos to vote in the 2016 Philippine elections WASHINGTON, D.C. – FYLPRO leaders passed a resolution urging qualified Filipino Americans to exercise their right to vote in the 2016 Philippine presidential, national and local elections, President Bea Querido announced today. Overseas absentee voting for the elections is scheduled from April 9 to May 9next year and eligible Filipino voters may submit an Overseas Voting Form to their respective consulates or by filling out the iRehistro form on the Commission on Elections website at irehistro.comelec.gov.ph.

The deadline to register is Oct. 31. A copy of the Overseas Voting Form is available on FYLPRO’s website atwww.fylpro.org/resources.

6

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Get Free Tickets to see Jericho Rosales and Maja Salvador at the Pechanga Theater If you are interested in seeing Jericho Rosales & Maja Salvador live at Pechanga Resort & Casino, then perhaps this is your lucky day. Pechanga Resort & Casino announced a raffle contest, which will give away two pairs of tickets to see Jericho Rosales & Maja Salvador at the Pechanga Theater on October 31, 2015 at 8:00 PM. The raffle contest will begin on Sept 26 and will be ongoing until Oct 15. Entry forms can be submitted via email at advertising@ balita.com and put Jericho & Maja as subject. Your entry form should contain your complete name, age and phone number.

Participants must be over 21 years old and must also be California residents

with a valid form of identification. Contestants will be asked to answer the two (2) trivia questions about Jericho Rosales & Maja Salvador.

If the contestant submits the correct answer, their names will be entered in the raffle drawing to win tickets for themselves and a lucky guest of their choice.

What is the name of the group in which Jericho Rosales is a member?

What year did Maja Salvador first started acting?

To join this raffle contest, please visit one of the following websites: www. usasianpost.com and www. balita.com OR get a copy of The US Asian Post and Weekend Balita.

You have to answer the trivia questions and send

your answers via email.

You will be entered into the Oct 16, 10 AM drawing at the Balita Media, Inc. office in Glendale, CA. The winners of the contest will be contacted via phone or email immediately after the raffle drawing.

The winners will be able to claim their tickets through will-call at the Pechanga Theater on October 31, 2015. Lastly, winners will be announced in Balita Media’s weekly publications, The US Asian Post and Weekend Balita.

Come and experience it all at Pechanga Resort and Casino located at 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, California 92592.

For more information, call 1-877-711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com.

‘FASO Goes Pops!’ on Nov. 14 at Alex Theater

“FASO Goes Pops!” on November 14 continues the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra’s tradition of presenting quality, entertaining concerts. FASO, returning to the iconic Alex Theatre in Glendale where it earned cheers and praises for its very successful “FASOGoes Broadway” last April, tackles pop music this time.

“If the audience enjoyed ‘FASO Goes Broadway,’ this one will bring them to another level of fun and excitement,” promised Robert “Bob” Shroder, the musical director and conductor of the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines. “We auditioned a set of incredibly talented young singers to join FASOfor this concert. You will be amazed to see young Pinoy kids perform covers of Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars and some of our favorite OPM (Original Pilipino Music) numbers.” “We are very excited about this show because it is the first time that we are featuring pop music – both mainstream and OPM,” added Luis “Lou-

ie” Ramos, FASO board vice president and arranger-inresidence. “We will be honoring iconic OPM composers in the show.”

Shroder shared what’s in store for the audience: “We are opening the concert with an old school William Tell overture by Rossini.

Then, we’ll kick it right off with mainstream pop music of the 1970s and 1980s.

Wear your jersey shirts and blouses, bell bottom pants and platform shoes to dance to 70s tunes like those of the TSOP.” The acclaimed maestro stressed, “Of course, our sentimental OPM love songs, as performed by our talented featured singers, will also highlight the evening. We will also honor several Filipino composers, most of whom will be present at the concert.”

Ramos said, “We are also featuring songs by these renowned Filipino composers who are based in the U.S. – ‘Lift Up Your Hands’ by Cecile Azarcon; ‘Tayo ay Pilipino’ and ‘Hanggang Huli’y Ikaw,’ SJ Gandia; ‘Let It Go,’ Robert Lopez; ‘Give Me a

Chance’ and ‘Till I Met You,’ Odette Quesada; ‘Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin,’ Aaron Paul del Rosario; ‘Tatak ng Pilipino’ and ‘Ikaw Lamang,’ Dodjie Simon.” The night’s featured performers will be announced soon.

In keeping with its muchadmired commitment and tradition to spotlight deserving talents, FASO is excited to present the guest vocalists in the coming show.

Ramos announced, “After holding three rounds of auditions, we selected these performers, some of whom are as young as 8 years old: Bryce Gomez; Ian Chen, who plays Evan Huang in ABC’s ‘Fresh off the Boat’; Jokai Dawson, who will be performing ‘Billie Jean’; Sydney Haik; Gian Paolo Jimenez; Michael Keith Pronda; Mikaela Bautista; Therese Masangcay; Denise Gonzales; Gabrielle Current, 2015 Rose Parade princess; Shelby Miguel; and Daryl Ogalino, ABSCBN’s ‘TFCkat USA’ Grand Singing Champion 2012 and ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ Grand Singing Champion 2008.

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INMENT

Luis Manzano stands with Angel Locsin in Lumad cause

Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin

Angel Locsin has convinced her boyfriend, actor and TV host Luis Manzano, to join her crusade for justice for the recent murders of two Lumad leaders and a civilian companion in Li-

anga, Surigao del Sur. Or, at the very least, she managed to make him hold up a statement shirt in support of the cause and pose for the photo above, which was posted on Facebook

late Monday by Angel’s sister, Angela ColmenaresSabino.

The white shirt bears images of the three victims — Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Bello Sinzo

Teleserye tears and inspiring peers Some gauge acting excellence by the ability to cry on cue.

Well, theater and TV actress Ayen Munji-Laurel is required to shed copious amount of tears for her role on the ongoing teleserye “Beautiful Strangers.”

“Sometimes there’s a long line and then the director’s going to say ‘At this point, madami ka na dapat luha.’ You can’t fake those (scenes) by putting tears in your eyes,” she shared in a recent interview.

Professional that she is, Ayen doesn’t complain of crying for the cam many times, though she admits it can be “emotionally tiring.”

“Minsan, walang biro, I have like 15 scenes to shoot per day, and 12 (scenes) dun iiyak ako. Ganu’n kadami ‘yung iyakan,” she shared.

In any case, she is happy to get the chance to work with “Beautiful Strangers” co-stars Dina Bonnevie, Heart Evangelista, Christopher de Leon and Lovi Poe, describing them as “inspiring.”

The 43-year-old singled out working with Christopher as dream come true.

“Noon pa lang gusto ko na talaga siyang maka-trabaho. Ngayon, it’s real na,” she said.

She lauded the actor for being a gentleman especially when doing intimate scenes.

“Ang galing… Kasi ‘at this point’ lang niya gaga-

Ayen Munji-Laurel

win ‘yung kiss, then, that’s it. Hindi ‘yung tipong paulit-ulit. He handled it well,” Ayen shared.

Getting to know Heart was “refreshing” for Ayen who, prior, thought the actress “untouchable, protected and sheltered.”

“Normal pala siyang tao,” she jested. “Magaan siyang katrabaho, walang arte, tapos masayahin din.

Marami kaming on the side na tsika even her personal life which I appreciate kasi she’s also open.”

Ayen, who also dabbles in painting, admires Heart who’s also into it. “She’s so talented, ang galing niya.

I love her collections. Sabi nga niya, the next time daw na magkakaroon siya ng exhibit, i-invite niya ako.”

She also likes it that Heart is “malambing.” She shared, “Minsan feeling ko magka-edad kami. We talk about sensible things.”

On the other hand, Ayen

described Dina as “very funny.”

She said, “Akala mo lang suplada siya, stoic or mataray. Pero when you get to talk to her, ang bait naman, masarap siyang kausap.

She knows what she’s doing kaya it’s really nice to work with her.”

As for Lovi, Ayen said, “Nakakatuwa ‘yung batang ‘yun kasi ang lalim ng pagiging artista niya. Alam mong sensitive actress. And not just that, alam mong malayo ang mararating niya kasi kita kong hindi siya fake. It comes from the heart kumbaga.

“There was a time akala ko hihimatayin siya kasi the scene was talagang nagwawala siya. She was hyperventilating.

Bago mag-start ‘yung scene, nagwawala na siya. So bago pa lang mag-take ‘yung direktor, kailangan na niyang umiyak,” she further related.

“You can see that she’s going to go far. Hindi maarte, very pleasant to work with. And kahit hindi siya nasa harap ng camera, mabait siya.” she added.

It’s been awhile since Ayen got to sing. She’s gradually getting back to it, performing in small events.

“I’m glad I’m singing again.

Namiss ko din eh. Ang sarap pala,” she said.

Ayen cleared, however, that she is not planning to record another album anytime soon.

Claudine explains why marriage to Raymart failed MANILA, Sept 24 (Mabuhay) -- Claudine Barretto has an explanation why her marriage with Raymart Santiago didn’t work out.

For the comebacking movie actress, perhaps it just wasn’t the right time.

“Rebound kasi,” she admitted. “Huwag na nating pag-usapan kasi masakit.”

Barretto said she was still “heartbroken” when she first met Santiago.

“I was so sad. I was heartbroken. Namatayan ako tapos there was somebody who was there na parang knight in shining armor,” she said.

“Parang I played safe,” she added. Prior to Santiago, Baretto was in a relationship with Rico Yan, who died of cardiac arrest due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis on March 29, 2002.

Had she met Santiago when she was already healed and whole again, Barretto said she believes their relationship could

Claudine Barreto

have worked.

Santiago and Barretto were married in March 2006. They have two children -- an adopted daughter, Sabina and a biological son, Santino.

In 2013, Barretto claimed that she suffered “years of abuse” with Santiago.

The two, however, seem to have ironed out some of their differences such that Barretto sometimes posts photos of Santiago on her

social media accounts.

Barretto explained that she and the actor have agreed to try “uncoupling” or being together when it comes to their children.

The term gained popularity when Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow announced her split with husband Chris Martin.

“Para sosyal, di ba? ‘Yun ang ginagawa namin. We have to make decisions about the children as a family pa din,” Barretto told Aquino and Chiu. “Kami lang talaga ni Raymart tapos ‘yung counselor namin... I think around two, three weeks ay magta-try kaming mag-counselling for that uncoupling thing na ‘yan.”

“Here in the Philippines nakikita namin kapag parang magkahiwalay na kayo, eh magkagalit na kayo. Eh di naman dapat ganoon. ... you always have a relationship for your kids,” she added.

7

— and the words “HUSTISYA!” (Justice), “Makigbisog Dili Mahadlok” (Visayan for the traditional activist chant “Makibaka!

Huwag Matakot” or “Keep fighting! Don’t be afraid!”) and the hashtag “#StopLumadKillings.

Beside Luis, Angel holds up the back of a black shirt with the hashtags “#StopLumadKillings” and “#HelpRebuildLumadSchools”.

Unlike Angel, Luis, the eldest son of movie queen and Batangas governor Vilma Santos-Recto, has yet to make a statement about the murders.

Angel is emotionally invested in the issue because she and her sister met Samarca and Campos in 2009 when they visited the Lumad community where Samarca and Campos lived and the community school that Samarca headed as executive director.

The murders were allegedly committed by paramilitary forces backed by officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and are being linked to other atrocities against indigenous people in Mindanao.

Aside from Angel, Aiza Seguerra and actress-writer-director Bibeth Orteza have also joined the call for a stop to Lumad killings.

Angel is a relative of Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colmenares and has endorsed his senatorial bid for the national elections next year. (MNS)

Will Dawn Zulueta run for Congress?

Dawn Zulueta

With incumbent Davao del Norte representative Anton Lagdameo’s term ending in 2016, there is speculation that actress Dawn Zulueta will succeed her husband and join politics.

Zulueta has confirmed that she received offers to run for Congress after her husband’s term ends.

But is she ready to join the league of actors who crossed over to the political scene?

“Mayroong mga offers,” Zulueta said.

She said she is grateful to receive these offers but explained that her priorities are placed elsewhere.

“I’m very grateful for the

offers that come our way… that they consider me, pero I know naman kasi what my limits are,” Zulueta explained.

“I’m happy with what I do, like acting, and this is where I want to stay,” she added.

Asked if her husband has ever asked her to consider politics, the actress answered in the negative, saying her husband knows she’s not interested.

“Hindi s’ya nangungulit.

Alam n’yang ‘di ko linya ‘yun eh,” the actress said.

Zulueta is currently busy preparing for an upcoming drama series with perennial onscreen partner Richard Gomez. (MNS)

8

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KITCHENOMICS

C

FAMILY FEATURES

rowding around a table eating ice cream is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy family time. Parent, chef and cookbook author Antonia Lofaso knows this very well and has created delectable ice cream desserts, such as her Pound Cake and Peaches Sundae, that bring back fond childhood memories to inspire fami­lies to take a step back and appreciate every moment.

“My mom would have ‘ice cream parties’ in her bedroom when my dad had to work the graveyard shift,” Lofaso said. “She would snuggle us in her bed and give us toasted pound cake with ice cream and fresh fruit. My dad would come home to find us all asleep in one bed with scattered bowls and spoons everywhere.”

Special family moments are even sweeter when the recipes are served with real, high-quality ingre­dients everyone can feel good about.

“On top of the great taste of Breyers Natural Vanilla, families can feel good about enjoying a scoop of Breyers,” said Lofaso, who partnered with Breyers to create these recipes. “The brand is now only using milk and cream from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones*, and sustainably farmed vanilla beans.”

Here are three of Lofaso’s favorite new ice cream creations. Start sharing delicious moments together with your family with these recipes. For more recipe inspiration and nutritional information, visit www.Breyers.com/recipes.

* Suppliers of other ingredients such as cookies, candies and sauces may not be able to make this pledge. The FDA states that no significant difference has been shown between dairy derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows. Find out more information about the Breyers pledge at www.breyers.com.

Pound Cake and Peaches Sundae

Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 4

2 fresh summer peaches, diced

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons thinly sliced basil

4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices plain pound cake, toasted until golden

1 cup Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream (1/4 cup per scoop) In small bowl, mix peaches, sugar, lemon juice and basil.

To make each sundae, place a slice of toasted pound cake on a plate, then top with a scoop of ice cream and cover generously with macerated peaches.

Uncommonly Vanilla

Vanilla ice cream has always been a great foundation for family desserts and Breyers believes vanilla is anything but plain and bor­ ing. With four different varieties of vanilla to choose from, you’re sure to find a flavor that pairs perfectly with your favorite treats. Here’s what you need to know about each variety.

Natural: Its distinctive taste brings out the natural goodness of your favorite fresh fruit recipes, like classic apple pie a la mode or peach cobbler.

French: Inspired by the traditional French custard, it’s the perfect complement to deli­ cious breakfast-style desserts, like French vanilla puff pancakes or a fruit salad parfait.

Homemade: Thick and smooth like it was just churned, Homemade Vanilla is the perfect pairing to your favorite homemade treats, such as ice cream sandwiches, pies and cakes.

Extra Creamy: Fresh cream and sweet

vanilla come together to make your favorite frozen treats, such as sundaes and shakes, velvety smooth.

Tropical Ice Cream Sandwich

Prep time: 10-12 minutes Serves: 2

2 (1/4-inch-thick) slices fresh pineapple

1 cup Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream, lightly softened

2 tablespoons toasted coconut shavings Grill pineapple slices over low to medium heat for 90 seconds per side. Allow to cool briefly.

Sandwich softened ice cream between pineapple slices. Coat sides in toasted coconut. Slice in half and serve.

Toasted Almond and Vanilla Arancini

Prep time: 20 minutes (including freezing) Serves: 2

4 tablespoons mixed, chopped, toasted whole unsalted almonds and hazelnuts

1 tablespoon toasted and crushed amoretti cookies 1/2 cup Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream (1/4 cup per scoop) Place ice cream on baking sheet in freezer for 10 minutes to harden.

In bowl, mix nuts and amoretti cookies.

Dredge frozen ice cream balls in nut/cookie mixture and refreeze 5 minutes before serving.

Note: May be made and stored in advance.

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Is America ready to kick the junk food habit?

Thursday September 24 2015 (New York, United States-AFP) – Cage-free eggs at McDonald’s, bans on suspect ingredients and “healthful” options edging out junk on supermarket shelves: could America be ready to end its decades-old love affair with processed food?

US food firms and restaurant chains have been lining up to banish items perceived as unhealthy or unethical -- from additive-laden snacks to industrially-farmed meats -- in what experts see as a powerful trend.

“It’s kind of like a whole bunch of things happening, snowballing,” said Penny Kris-Etherton, a professor of nutrition at Penn State University.

Beyond the farmers’ markets and organic delis that have long dotted more affluent US neighborhoods, American consumers are being wooed en masse with promises of “healthful” or “natural” foods, free of GMOs, additives and nasties. Just this month, McDonald’s said it would transition to more humanely produced eggs within 10 years, following a switch to “real” butter instead of margarine in some dishes.

Kellogg plans to banish artificial flavors and colors from its cereals, and Mondelez, maker of Ritz crackers and Oreo cookies, set itself a target of 50 percent so-called “well-being” snacks by 2020.

“It’s moved from being a fringe issue in a niche market to becoming a mainstream desire,” said former McDonald’s chief marketing officer Larry Light.

Polar bear with tooth decay The trend crosses the generations, with baby boomers seeking to avert age-associated ills as they live longer, and millennials fixated on health and ecological concerns, experts say.

Sign of the times: the bakery

chain Panera Bread vowed to excise 150 “unacceptable” ingredients while Chipotle Mexican Grill said it was banning antibioticraised meats and would use more local produce.

Retail behemoth Walmart has told suppliers to curb the use of antibiotics in meat, a year after it began to mass market organic foods -- part of a trend that saw the organic market jump more than tenfold from 1997 to 2014, to $35.9 billion.

Social media has been intensifying pressure on the food industry to clean up its act, creating the scope for negative publicity to go viral.

Photos of hens stuffed in cages, for instance, helped spur passage of a California referendum in 2008 guaranteeing the birds adequate conditions.

Likewise, Coca-Cola was put on the defensive by a 2012 video that showed its iconic polar bear suffering the consequences of diabetes and tooth decay. The soda giant has since promised a push on smaller-pack and lower-calorie drinks.

Public relations not public health Once-mighty brands such as Nestle’s “Lean Cuisine” frozen meals are downplaying the “diet” argument to focus instead on their use of organic ingredients.

“People are looking for healthier lifestyles and a lot of that is perception that the more manufacturing there is, the less healthful it is,” said Light, who now chairs the brand management consultancy Arcature. “’Fresh’ is a signal of healthier than processed,” he said, even though “it may have just as many calories.”

And here comes the tricky part.

Michael Jacobson, executive director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said many of the changes trumpeted are just

window-dressing in health terms.

He praised Panera for eliminating artificial food dyes and transfats as part of a “food as it should be” campaign. But he explains that other items on its blacklist, such as sodium lactate, while they may sound problematic, are actually benign. “Those moves are more about public relations than public health,” said Jacobson.

Look closer, and the “healthful” food” effect may do little to address the obesity crisis which now affects some 78.5 million American adults, bringing increased risks of diabetes and heart disease.

In 2013, obesity affected more than a quarter of the population in 43 US states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

‘Load up the calories’

“You need to look at the fine print,” said Jacobson.

He criticized Chipotle, whose motto is “Food with integrity,” for continuing to serve food “loaded” with sodium, while offering few fruits and vegetables.

A Chipotle burrito made with chicken, white rice, salsa, beans, cheese and sour cream still has about 1,050 calories and 2,085 milligrams of sodium. Scoop on the cheese, guacamole or second meat options, and you push those counts up to half an adult’s daily recommended calories and all of the sodium.

“What people want is food that’s a little bit healthier,” said Light. “’Healthier’ doesn’t mean it’s perfectly healthy.”

“You could take a perfectly ‘healthy’ option and load up the

calories,” agreed Kris-Etherton, who serves on nutrition advisory boards for McDonald’s and the American Heart Association.

“The key thing is people just have to be knowledgeable.”

‘Heart Attack Grill’ That touches on a core issue, since studies suggest a sizeable chunk of the American public is content to keep knocking back the quarter-pounders.

This is, after all, the home of the “Heart Attack Grill” -- a notorious Las Vegas restaurant whose tongue-in-cheek menu boasts the Guinness world record for the highest calorie burger.

One third of US children eat pizza or other fast food every day -- about the same as in the 1990s -- according to a study released this month by the CDC.

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Moral and ethical issues need to be overcome as well as technological challenges. ©Dasha Petrenko/ shutterstock.com

Can a self-driving car negotiate a moral maze?

Sunday September 27 2015 (Relaxnews) – If a tree falling in a forest hits an autonomous car and there’s no one there to see it, does it make a sound?

It may seem like a bizarre question; but as well as technological challenges, the road to autonomous cars is littered with ethical, moral and even philosophical obstacles that need to be overcome before self-driving vehicles can take to the streets.

“Who is responsible for autonomous driving – the driver, the vehicle owner, or the manufacturer? Since robots cannot act like humans or be treated like them, we must clarify how to assign our criteria from criminal law, civil law and common morals to the new technologies,” said Prof. Dr. Julian Nida-Rümelin, Professor of Philosophy at LMU Munich.

Nida-Rümelin, an expert in the field of technology ethics, is one of over 100 experts attempting to address these questions at a special symposium, “Autonomous Driving, Law and Ethics”,

this week in Germany, organized by Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler.

Theoretically, autonomous cars could cut road collision deaths, congestion, pollution and driver stress levels overnight while simultaneously boosting many people’s quality of life. Yet until there is a consensus regarding not just liability but, for instance, how a self driving car is programmed to act in an unexpected traffic situation or how it collects and potentially uses personal data, progress towards reality will be slow.

“The safety of every road user is our top priority for automated driving as well.

Just as important as technical developments is that our customers have legal certainty and security when it comes to ethical and data protection matters,” said Dr. Christine HohmannDennhardt, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Integrity and Legal Affairs.

What isn’t open for discussion at the symposium, however, is the technologi-

cal feasibility of self driving cars; everyone is in agreement that it is simply a question of when, rather than if. Dr HohmannDennhardt is convinced that the advantages offered are so great that autonomous cars will become a fixture of future mobility, a sentiment shared by every major carmaker at this month’s Frankfurt motor show.

When asked to describe the current landscape from a technological point of view, Renault Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn described the industry as being in search mode -- i.e., evaluating the different approaches and technologies available to deliver what consumers are expecting.

“We are all eager to move quickly but are also cautious about if we are going in the right direction. Are we with the right partner, are we using the right technologies?

So we obviously want to move quickly but we want to make sure we are moving quickly on the right road,” he said.

2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty with King Ranch Crew Cab – interior. Inside it is as technologically advanced as it is tough on the outside. ©The Ford Motor Company

Ford’s new pickup reports for super duty Thursday September 24 2015 (Relaxnews) – As long as a Rolls-Royce Phantom and with just as much presence, the F350 Super Duty is one of the biggest and toughest vehicles money can buy.

And, while it’s traditionally aimed at those with serious business to attend to – hence the ‘Super Duty’ moniker, for the 2017-year model, Ford is also getting equally serious about comfort an convenience. After all, if there is one thing that American customers are not short of, it’s a choice of pickup trucks that can meet potentially any requirement.

A point that Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development and chief technical officer, is quick to concede.

“While Super Duty is America’s best-selling heavy-duty truck, we never take our leadership for granted,” he said. “Our team is using relentless innovation in materials, technology and Built

Ford Tough engineering to deliver customers our best Super Duty yet.”

So, as well as an extremely strong steel to form the vehicle’s chassis, Ford has turned to military grade aluminum for body panels to significantly cut weight while simultaneously reducing the possibility of a serious dent if a fender bender does occur.

Inside, if plumping for the Platinum trim model, the cabin is not simply treated to leather and wood veneers, it is also packed with the types of active safety and driver aid features usually associated with executive sedans or premium SUVs. The vehicle boasts adaptive cruise control and collision warning systems, meaning that it can automatically apply the brakes should the car in front unexpectedly start slowing down. It also has lane departure warning and a blind spot information system optimized for trailer

towing.

Following on from that there is a trailer guidance system to help ensure what’s being towed moves in the right direction when maneuvering in tight spaces while a 360-degree birdseye-view camera gives the driver a clear image of everything around the F350 so that he or she will never need to know just how dent resistant that militarygrade aluminum actually is. “Ford Super Duty is the truck America’s hardestworking men and women trust and depend on,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “We are helping these customers build a better world by delivering a new generation of pickups that set new benchmarks in capability, performance and efficiency.”

When the F350 goes on sale towards the end of next year, it will be offered with a choice of three engines, a 6.7-litre V8 diesel, a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 and a 6.8-liter gasoline V10.

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Toyota’s off-roader: Cruising back into the spotlight

Thursday September 24 2015 (Relaxnews) – Toyota has unveiled the newest edition of its iconic Land Cruiser, which has been in a state of constant innovation both inside and out since making its debut some 60 years ago.

The new Toyota Land Cruiser is an evolution from the outside – a sharper but familiar grille, daytime LED running lights and special attention paid to eliminating anything that could possibly impede on the car’s off-road approach or departure angles.

And thanks to new MultiTerrain-Select (MTS) technology to simplify everything from locking differentials, to stepping-down gear ratios and feeding the right amount of power to the right wheel at the right time, taking full advantage of the car’s off-road capabilities has never been easier -- especially if specified with automatic transmission.

MTS has five default settings for coping with everything from mud and sand to loose rocks and will take over the throttle angle, braking and traction control to suit.

The car also offers a choice of five speed settings -- think of it as off-road cruise control -- for careful, controlled ascents and descents and for automatically getting unstuck from mud or snow.

Serious off-roaders can go for the manual transmission option and get more hands on with the Land Cruiser’s capabilities, but even they will appreciate the car’s self-leveling suspension, sonar (for gauging wading depth and clearance) and the fact that the wheels are digitally rather than physically linked via the suspension system so that the whole shell doesn’t sway from side to side when one wheel hits a dip.

Inside, creature comforts and materials are on a par with the Land Rover’s smarter sibling, the Range Rover. Piano black wood-grain veneer is a new dashboard option, for example as is a standalone multimedia system for rear-seat passengers.

As for engines, the new Land Cruiser gets a new 2.8-liter diesel engine that has been tailored to deliver optimum torque off road and the best fuel efficiency and predictability when cruising at motorway speeds.

Toyota claims that thanks to a urea selective catalytic reduction system, 99% of NOx emissions are eliminated and while it’s not lightning quick -- 0-100km/h in 12.7 seconds, it offers an economy of 7.4l/100km for the five-door, seven seat model and 7.2l/100km for the three-door five seat version.

Those looking for a little more grunt can go for a 4-liter V6 petrol engine instead, but it is only available for the larger five-door model.

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