Orange County & the Inland Empire - January 4, 2013

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T he Filipino –A merican C ommunity N ewspaper Volume 20 - No. 2 • 2 Sections- 16 Pages

j an ua r y 4 - 1 0 , 2 0 1 3

Californiareceivesapprovalforhealthexchange Feds approve Calif. plans to run its own insurance exchange; state has more than 7M uninsured

SACRAMENTO—The federal government last Jan. 3 approved California’s plan to run its own health insurance market, a milestone in the state’s effort to meet requirements of the national health care reform law.

California was among seven states that received conditional approval from the US Department of Health and Human Services to operate their own insurance exchanges. Arkansas was approved to operate a partnership exchange with the federal government.

In all, 19 states and Washington, D.C., have been partially or fully approved. Other states have until Feb.

15 to apply for a partnership exchange.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the action will accelerate development of the health insurance marketplaces, where she said consumers will be able to buy affordable, high quality insurance. Conditional approval “will provide the information states need to guide their continued work.”

California was the first state to authorize a health insurance exchange after passage of the federal Affordable Care Act in 2010.

The California Health Benefit Exchange board,

which now goes by Covered California, submitted its operational plan last month to expand coverage by at least 2 million. The California HealthCare Foundation estimates the state has about 7.1 million people —or about 18 percent of its total population — without health insurance.

The federal health care law seeks to increase health coverage by 2014 by creating new online insurance markets for individuals and small businesses to shop for subsidized private coverage, and by expanding PAGE A2

USA

DATELINE from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America

FBI arrests Filipino car-dealer in LA for fraud LOS ANGELES—A Filipino car dealer, who allegedly bilked investors of tens of millions and defrauded banks of hundreds of millions of dollars before fleeing the country in the late 1980s, is in US custody.

Eminiano “Jun” Reodica, the former president of Grand Chevrolet in Glendora, was arrested by FBI agents on November 27 at 9pm somewhere in California, according to his court appointed attorney Moriah Radin.

“There were no issues in his arrest,” said Radin, a deputy federal public defender, to the Asian Journal.

“He provided his true identity. He’s been very cooperative with law enforcement officials.”

The 68-year-old former president of PAGE A2

A young boy kisses the hand of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and church officials said last January 3 that they are ready for the annual feast of the miraculous saint on January 9. The event is expected to bring millions of devotees to the busy streets of Manila, which includes the traditional traslacion or procession.

Philstar.com photo

PresidentBarackObamaandVicePresidentJoeBiden make a statement regarding the passage of the fiscal cliff bill in the Brady Press Briefing Room at theWhite House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. A pPhoo t

Despite deal, taxes to rise for most Americans WASHINGTON — While the tax package that Congress passed New Year’s Day will protect 99 percent of Americans from an income tax increase, most of them will still end up paying more federal taxes in 2013.

That’s because the legislation did nothing to prevent a temporary reduction in the Social Security payroll tax from expiring. In 2012, that 2-percentage-point cut in the payroll tax was worth about $1,000 to a worker making $50,000 a year.

The Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan Washington research group, estimates that 77 percent of American households will face higher federal taxes in 2013 under the agreement negotiated between President Barack Obama and Senate Republicans. High-income families will feel the biggest tax increases, but many middle- and low-income families will pay higher taxes too.

Households making between $40,000 and $50,000 will face an average tax increase of $579 in 2013, according to PAGE A2

School sets up Survivor wants jail for Alberta driver who killed four workers from Philippines memorial fund for crash victims Two suspects expect to be arraigned on Jan. 7 GLENDALE and SAN BRUNO—A memorial fund has been set up for the Filipino family of an 11-year-old who was killed along with his cousin on Christmas day.

Our Lady of Mercy School (OLM) in Daly City and members of the community have set up the Kendrick Ng Memorial Fund to help with funeral and medical expenses after a car crash claimed the life of one of its brightest students.

Kendrick Ng, 11 of Daly City and his cousin Tracey Noelle Ong Tan, 25 of Glendale were killed on Christmas day when the minivan they were riding in was struck by a Dodge Durango driven

by Darrell Lee Williams, 22, in Pasadena, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Three other passengers inside the minivan - Kendrick’s parents and teenage sister - were seriously injured and were transported to a local hospital.

Kendrick, “was a vibrant, energetic, beloved 6th grader at Our Lady of Mercy School in Daly City,” wrote Joy Pasamonte Henry, who created the fund.

“This fund is an effort to support the Ng Family in their time of need ~ to let them know they are loved and Kendrick is loved dearly.

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EDMONTON—Josephine Tamondong just wanted to cross the border into the United States.

After 3 1/2 years working as a maid at the Coast Edmonton Plaza hotel, dutifully sending money home to family in the Philippines, she had earned her permanent resident status and needed to make it official by leaving the country and getting her papers stamped.

So she set off last March with four friends and coworkers on one of the busiest stretches of road in Alberta and headed toward Montana.

“They wanted to celebrate with me,” recalled the tiny, soft-spoken woman, her dark eyes glossy with tears. “It was supposed to be a happy moment.”

A driver heading the wrong way on a divided stretch of Highway 2 near Innisfail, north of Calgary, had already forced at least two dozen vehicles to swerve out of the way when he crashed head on into the rental SUV carrying Tamondong and her friends.

Tamondong, sitting in the back without a seatbelt, was flung into the front. She remembers being car-

ried out of the wreckage and being told after surgery that her four friends were dead. Anthony Castillon, 35, Eden Biazon, 39, Joey Mangonon, 35, and Josefina Velarde, 52, were also temporary foreign workers from the Philippines.

After six weeks in hospital to mend her broken bones, and several more weeks in rehabilitation, Tamondong recently put her black uniform on again and returned to lighter duties in the hotel’s laundry room. On Friday, the 29-year-old will be in a Red PAGE A2

More pay tribute to ‘honorary Filipino’ Fr. James Reuter UN allocates $10M fund for Pablo victims MANILA—A $10-million (P408.6-million) allocation from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will be given as lifesaving assistance to thousands of families affected by typhoon “Pablo.”

It will target seven key sectors that the government has identified as immediate priorities, including emergency shelter, debris clearing, water and sanitation, nutrition, protection and health.

David Carden, head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Philippines, said: “The CERF’s timely and significant support will play a critical role to take early action and response to reduce the loss of life.”

The international community is seeking $65 million to respond to the immediate humanitarian needs in Davao and Caraga regions.

To date, donors have given or pledged $38 million to support the humanitarian efforts in eastern Mindanao.

United Nations agencies, the International Organization for Migration and their humanitarian partners will step up relief efforts and life-saving activities in Davao and Caraga regions most affected by the disaster.

Pablo crossed Mindanao on Dec. 4 and 5. It affected six PAGE A3

MANILA—He was one “great Filipino,” a brother and an inspiration.

The late American Jesuit priest, Fr. James Reuter, SJ, indeed touched many lives in his seven decades in the Philippines that his legacy—in communication, in activism, in the arts—may well live on as a legend.

Vice President Jejomar Binay recalled how Reuter, a Jesuit broadcast pioneer in the country, made use of his mastery of communication to reach out to Filipinos through an underground radio station during the martial law years.

“Father James Reuter harnessed the tools of media and communications in promoting the Catholic faith and in the defense of freedom and democracy, especially during the days of martial law and the glorious 1986 Edsa Revolution,” said Binay, a human rights lawyer during the fight against the dictatorship.

“In life, Father Reuter was a man of faith and a defender of the rights that we hold sacred. In death, he will be remembered as a great Filipino,” said the Vice President.

Long frail due to age, Reuter, 96, passed away last Dec. 31 due to lung and heart failure at the Our Lady of Peace hospital in Parañaque City, where he had been under the constant watch of private nurses for

Philstar.com photo

three years.

Reuter’s remains will be at the St. Paul University in Manila until Jan. 2, and will be moved to the Church of the Gesu at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, where public viewing will be open until Jan. 4.

Reuter will be laid to rest on Jan. 5 at the Jesuit PAGE A3

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january 4-10, 2013 • OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

California receives approval...

Despite deal, taxes to rise...

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Medicaid for low-income people. Medicaid is known as Medi-Cal in California and currently serves 7.7 million adults and children.

In her letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, Sebelius said she was granting approval to California because of the “substantial progress the California exchange has made ...”

The approval was granted on the condition that California demonstrates it can meet exchange requirements and comply with deadlines and regulations.

Covered California plans to have its exchange up and running in time for open enrollment on Oct. 1. Health coverage would take effect Jan. 1, 2014.

the Tax Policy Center’s analysis.

Households making between $50,000 and $75,000 will face an average tax increase of $822.

“For most people, it’s just the payroll tax,” said Roberton Williams, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center.

The tax increases could be a lot higher. A huge package of tax cuts first enacted under President George W. Bush was scheduled to expire Tuesday as part of the “fiscal cliff.” The Bush-era tax cuts lowered taxes for families at every income level, reduced investment taxes and the estate tax, and enhanced a number of tax credits, including a $1,000-per-child credit.

The package passed Tuesday by the Senate and House extends most the Bush-era tax cuts for individuals making less than $400,000 and married couples making less than $450,000.

Obama said the deal “protects 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small business owners from a middle-class tax hike.

While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing to do for our country.”

The income threshold covers more than 99 percent of all households, exceeding Obama’s claim, according to the Tax Policy Center. However, the increase in payroll taxes will hit nearly every wage earner.

Social Security is financed by a 12.4 percent tax on wages up to $113,700, with employers paying half and workers paying

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

The exchange’s executive director, Peter Lee, said the approval means California is hitting its marks.

“Rightly, the federal government is saying, ‘You’ve got all your ducks in a row. You’re ready to go and we want to make sure you’re going to be ready on Oct. 1,’” Lee said.

He said the exchange will now move ahead on outreach and marketing to California’s diverse population, negotiate contracts with health plans and come up with ways to improve the quality of medical care in the state. (AP)

Survivor wants jail for Alberta...

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Deer courtroom to face the driver of the other vehicle for the first time.

“My friends deserve to have justice and they need justice,” said Tamondong. “I hope they can get that.”

Tyler James Stevens, 30, pleaded guilty in September to four counts of criminal negligence causing death and one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Several other charges, including impaired driving, were withdrawn.

An agreed statement of facts submitted to the court said Stevens refused a breathalyzer test after the crash. But a blood test revealed he had an alcohol level of more than three times the legal driving limit.

He has admitted to combining alcohol with prescribed medication the night of the crash and blacking out.

Stevens, a divorced father of two children, is part-owner of an international oilfield service company and travelled back and forth between Alberta and Aus-

tralia. On March 4, he was at a family birthday party where he drank three doubles of Scotch whisky, then had about five more drinks at two different bars.

The last thing he remembers is leaving The Zoo bar in Innisfail, said the court document.

He was initially heading south on the busy highway when witnesses saw him stop, put his Range Rover into reverse and turn around. He went in the wrong direction, at times swerving wildly, but mostly driving on the shoulder of the road.

Two other motorists, one an off-duty police officer, flashed their high-beams to alert oncoming traffic of the danger ahead. Stevens had gone 24 kilometres the wrong way before he crashed into a smaller Dodge Journey carrying the Filipino workers.

The front of the rental vehicle was totally destroyed, the engine pushed back into the passenger compartment.

Stevens, smelling of liquor, was found drifting in and out of consciousness in his vehicle with cuts on his knuckles. He was arrested and taken to hospital for observation.

“Did I really kill those kids?”

Stevens later asked an officer.

The court document said Stevens had been taking an antibiotic to treat pain for a cyst in his back. His doctor had never told him not to take it with alcohol and there’s no known research that has found the combination is a risk.

But Stevens “believed that he probably should not be combining alcohol with it because of a past occasion when he had a blackout after consuming alcohol while taking the medication.”

Tamondong said she’s not sure what sentence Stevens should serve but wants him to spend some time behind bars.

“I hope he’ll go to jail to pay for what he has done to my friends. They came here to work and just be happy. They didn’t wish anything much, just to be with their families in the future.

“It will not happen anymore.”

Tamondong was to be the first of her friends to get her permanent resident status. The others also hoped to bring their families to Edmonton.

Castillon was a single guy; Biazon and Velarde were both married, each with one child.

Mangonon was married with four children, the youngest a new baby boy he had never met.

A few weeks after Tamondong was released from hospital, hotel staff took her to a federal government office to complete the paperwork for her permanent resident status. A week later, her husband, Joel Alcomendras, arrived in Edmonton.

He now works as a machinist.

And someday, on her doctor’s advice, Tamondong hopes to go to school so she can get another job that doesn’t require physical labour and walking up and down stairs. She’s still on morphine and other medication for pain in her knees and right arm.

In addition to breaks in her arm and both legs, the crash fractured her lower spine and several ribs and damaged her liver.

Tamondong said it will be difficult to look at Stevens, even more so to forgive him.

“It’s hard, especially when you’re thinking about the families back home.

“I know we have to forgive, but for now it’s hard.” (AP)

the other half. Obama and Congress reduced the share paid by workers from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for 2011 and 2012, saving a typical family about $1,000 a year.

Obama pushed hard to enact the payroll tax cut for 2011 and to extend it through 2012. But it was never fully embraced by either party, and this time around, there was general agreement to let it expire.

The new tax package would increase the income tax rate from 35 percent to 39.6 percent on income above $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for married couples. Investment taxes would increase for people who fall in the new top tax bracket.

High-income families will also pay higher taxes this year as part of Obama’s 2010 health care law.

As part of that law, a new 3.8 percent tax is being imposed on investment income for individuals making more than $200,000 a year and couples making more than $250,000.

Together, the new tax package and Obama’s health care law will produce significant tax increases for many high-income families.

For 2013, households making between $500,000 and $1 million would get an average tax increase of $14,812, according to the Tax Policy Center analysis.

Households making more than $1 million would get an average tax increase of $170,341.

“If you’re rich, you’re almost certain to get a big tax increase,” Williams said.

FBI arrests Filipino car-dealer...

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Grand Chevrolet faces several felony counts of fraud, including scheming to defraud banks and savings and loans; creating false credit statements; and aiding and abetting.

It is estimated that before Reodica fled and declared bankruptcy, his companies (Grand Chevrolet, Grand Wilshire Leasing, Grand Wilshire Finance Corp., and Grand Rizal Finance) racked up as much as $200 million in debt, with $43 million owed to individual investors, many of whom are members of the Filipino-American community.

Tens of millions of dollars remain unaccounted for.

Radin said her client is cooperating with officials but could not delve into the specifics of the case.

“The evidence is still forthcoming in the case,” she said. “That’s the only thing I can tell you. I can’t go into the details of the case.”

“He is aware of the alleged losses by investors and creditors,” she added. “He is eager to resolve this case.”

Fall from grace Reodica’s arrest came after more than two decades of being on the run.

Once regarded as the model Filipino immigrant success story, Reodica’s life took a sudden fall from grace when investigators from multiple state agencies and banks began investigating his company’s financial operation.

Originally from Laguna province in the Philippines and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of the East, Reodica arrived to the US in the mid-1970s and worked his way up -- from being a busboy, to vice president of a car dealership in Encino.

He purchased his own car dealership, Grand Chevrolet, in 1978 and employed an immigrant workforce that heavily targeted Filipino, Asian and minority customers.

By the mid-1980s, Grand Chevrolet grew to over 600 employees and ranked as high as third in the nation in total sales volume.

The business and the man behind it were seen as a success. Magazines as TIME, Fortune 500, Young Entrepreneurs and several newspapers across the country featured the Filipino.

General Electric Credit Corp. extended a $250 million line of credit to Reodica’s companies. Then California Governor George Deukmejian appointed Reodica to the state’s New Motor Vehicle Board, the board that oversees the DMV. But something was amiss.

DMV investigators opened a Pandora’s box, revealing several patterns of fraud when dealing with Grand Chevrolet.

According to a Los Angeles Times exposé in 1988, The DMV began investigating Reodica’s car dealerships in 1985, when they found out that his companies were overcharging customers and selling them accessories, which they neither requested nor received.

The Times investigation also found several allegations of fraud, and deceit including: - Customers were made to sign paperwork they did not understand, the Department of Motor Vehicles said.

- Selling cars to people with bad credit and collecting a commission, then quickly repossessing the cars and selling them again.

- Bilking more than 1,000 investors, whose investments ranged from tens of thousands to $1.3 million. Reodica promised returns of 13 to 20 percent.

- Defrauding major banks and savings and loans millions of dollars through forged car loan records, and reselling old/ duplicate loans.

- DMV cited Grand Chevrolet with 1,500 violations resulting in a $100,000 fine.

As his car empire began to collapse, and as he was being pursued by angry creditors and investors, his companies went into bankruptcy and Reodica disappeared in 1988.

Many believed he stayed in the Philippines under an assumed name, and there were also sightings of him in Chicago, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Since his disappearance, eight of Reodica’s employees were charged with criminal fraud for tampering with credit reports and other schemes, the Times reported.

Reodica was officially indicted in 1994, six years before he fled, on felony criminal charges and an arrest warrant was issued a year later by Judge Carolyn Turchin.

According to court records, Reodica fled to the Philippines before settling in Australia.

He left behind his wife, Hilda and their four children. His younger brother, Emanuel, and sister, Maria Corazon, who worked at Grand Chevrolet were also left behind. Fearing for their lives, his wife Hilda and their four children moved from their home in Glendora to Seattle, where she filed for divorce and changed her last name.

Court records reveal Reodica settled and worked in Cairns, a city in Queensland, Australia as early as 1990 and became a citizen of the country in 1992. He later re-married in July 1993.

It is not clear whether Reodica came back to the US 24 years later or if the FBI and US Marshalls tracked him down in Australia and extradited him back to the US. Asian Journal messages to the FBI about Reodica’s arrest were not returned as of press time.

In a recent detention hearing on December 12, Reodica’s wife Leticia Coscoluella, ex-wife Hilda Hilao and Jun Reodica’s brother and sister issued a declaration asking the court to grant him pre-trial release until his court date.

The court sided with government prosecutors that he remain in detention until trial citing the nature of the crimes and his “serious risk to flee.”

Reodica’s trial is scheduled for January 28, 2013. (Joseph Pimentel/ AJPress)

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ESPN picks Donaire as Fighter of the Year Marquez gets KO of the Year

by Joseph Pimentel AJPress

LOS ANGELES—ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, has chosen World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. as the 2012 Boxer of the Year and Juan Manuel Marquez’s crushing knockout of Manny Pacquiao as its KO of the Year.

The 30-year-old “Filipino Flash” (30–1 20 KOs) from San Leandro via General Santos City, Philippines, had an extremely busy and dominating year, defeating four quality opponents despite fighting in a new weight division.

Donaire, “easily handled the move up in weight, winning all four of his fights in dominant fashion.

He dropped each of his foes (scoring seven knockdowns in all) won twice by knockout and collected two world titles,” wrote ESPN Boxing columnist Dan Rafael.

Rafael also commended Donaire’s innovative approach towards drug testing, a controversial issue that has clouded the sport and many of its top fighters in recent years.

Donaire, whose diet and nutrition is being overseen by former BALCO boss and performance enhancing drug dealer Victor Conte, is the only fighter in the world who undergoes voluntary Olympic style

AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal

drug testing (urine and blood) year-round.

“This in an era when every great performance unfortunately comes under the suspicion of possible performance-enhancing drug use -- except, of course, Donaire’s,” said Rafael.

In 2011, Donaire was a 118-pound three division titlist looking for new challenges and ready to breakout as a superstar.

Already highly regarded, Donaire continued to add to his legacy in 2012. He started off the year claiming the vacant 122-pound WBO super bantamweight title defeating Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. The 5’5” Filipino captured the division’s IBF title when he bested his tallest opponent 5’11” Jeffrey Mathebula.

Donaire then knocked out former No. 1 division world champion Toshiaki Nishioka in October.

While most fighters would rest on their laurels after three bouts in a year, the Filipino quickly turned around and with less than two months preparation knocked out highly accomplished Mexican warrior Jorge Arce in Houston to cap off the year.

Donaire who has always played second fiddle to Manny Pacquiao in Filipino boxing, may have leaped the Sarangani congressman inside the ring rankings.

Fil-Am Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (32-3, 19 KOs) also received consideration for 2012 Boxer of the Year. Viloria defended his flyweight title by knocking out Omar Nino in May and stopping Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in November.

Donaire becomes the second Filipino fighter to win the award. ESPN chose Pacquiao as its Fighter of the Year in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

Marquez KOs Pacquiao Believing judges had spurned him in three different bouts against arch nemesis Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez wanted to exact revenge in the worst way.

Over the past eight years, Marquez and Pacquiao have had three close fights – one ending in a draw while the other two in a split, and majority decision for the Filipino. Each close fight, Marquez believed he had bettered the Filipino boxing superstar.

So coming into their fourth fight, the 39-year-old Marquez sensing his time inside the ring may be coming to an end, trained like there was no tomorrow. Both men had said the goal was to make sure this fight would not be left in the judge’s scorecard.

Showing off a new cut-up physique, all the training and hard work paid off in a big way on December 8 for Marquez.

After knocking down Pacquiao in the third round, Marquez threw a devastating overhand counter right that landed flush on the Filipino’s face knocking him out cold.

“Pacquiao and Marquez lived up to their promise and put on the best fight of their epic series, which delivered as definitive an outcome as possible: Marquez landing a picture-perfect right hand that knocked Pacquiao out cold with one second left in the sixth round,” wrote Rafael.

“The knockout was as aesthetically pleasing as it was shocking and historically significant. Obviously, it’s the 2012 ESPN.com knockout of the year,” he added.

Though clouded with steroid or performance enhancing drug allegations, Marquez passed the postfight drug test erasing some doubts against him.

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • january 4-10, 2013

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UN allocates $10M fund for Pablo...

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million people, partially or totally destroyed more than 200,000 houses and displaced over 970,000 people. More than a thousand people have died and hundreds remain missing.

Luiza Carvalho, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, said when she visited the affected areas a few days after the disaster she was shocked at the scale of the destruction.

“Cities and villages have been completely devastated, with only a few roofless buildings and walls still standing, and entire plantations have been wiped out,” she said.

Pablo’s impact has been devastating for the poor and marginalized people of eastern Mindanao, an area suffering from food insecurity and limited infrastructure and public services.

In the coming months, survivors, many displaced from their homes, will face critical challenges to cover their families’ basic protection, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation needs.

Recurring rains add to their misery, as many families seek shelter under assembled debris and tarpaulins. (Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)

Typhoon victims receive relief goods following the visit of Philippine President at New Bataan township, Compostela Valley. otoh p A P

More pay tribute to ‘honorary Filipino’...

PAGE A1 cemetery at the Sacred heart Novitiate in Novaliches, Quezon City.

The funeral mass will be held at the Gesu at 8:30am.

The New Jersey native, officially proclaimed by Congress as an honorary Filipino in 1996, had many times professed his love for the Philippines and its people, even saying at one time that “Filipinos brought God to me.”

Former Ateneo de Manila University president and prominent Jesuit priest, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, said many of his fellow priests considered Reuter, a longtime Ateneo educator, as their big brother.

“For myself and Jesuits of my generation, Fr. Jim was an older brother we looked up to and admired for his deep faith, his love for the Church and the Philip-

pines, for the Society of Jesus and the Ateneo,” Nebres said.

He said Reuter often shared this in his talks and writing.

“I am deeply grateful for the gift of having lived and worked with him as an older brother and friend,” said Nebres.

The activist priest, Fr. Robert Reyes, meanwhile took time off his “silence” break to honor Reuter, the “great communicator” he considered his mentor.

“Fr. James insisted that knowing how to use and relate with media is one thing. However, his life was both medium and message as he spoke both in word, action and silence about Jesus, the word made flesh,” said Reyes.

He sent the statement from the Juan de Plasencia Franciscan No-

vitiate in Liliw, Laguna, where he has been residing after deciding to take a break from public life in 2011.

Reyes, an activist priest often seen in media while advocating various causes, credited Reuter for helping him understand the culture of the press in the Philippines. He offered a prayer run for Reuter.

“It will be different now without the voice, the pen, the face of the priest in the white Jesuit cassock.

Not really, for this communicator did not die in vain. He has taught hundreds to speak well and effectively about Jesus through the means of social communication. But more than skill and art, he passed on a spirituality,” said Reyes. (Tarra Quismundo/Inquirer.net)

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january 4-10, 2013 • OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL

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Election gun ban to begin on Jan. 13 A SIXmonth election gun ban will be enforced starting Jan. 13.

Commission on Elections Resolution 9385 provides that bearing, carrying and transporting firearms and other deadly weapons are prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Comelec.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the PNP has long prepared for the Comelec-imposed election gun ban.

Cerbo said checkpoints would be set up in strategic areas to ensure the strict implementation of the gun ban. He said the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are in close coordination with the Comelec.

With the gun ban, Cerbo said all permits to carry firearms outside residence issued by the PNP to civilian gun holders are suspended. Only law enforcers on duty and in full uniform are allowed to carry firearms outside residence, he added.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said suspension of elective local officials is also banned during the election period.

Transfer or movement of government officials and the use of security personnel and bodyguards by candidates are also prohibited under the Comelec resolution. (Sheila Crisostomo with Cecille Suerte Felipe/Philstar.com)

Comelec to hold mock polls THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold mock elections this month to ensure that the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines would function properly on the second nationwide automated polls in May. Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that the commission en banc has yet to finalize details of the mock polls such as the date, venues and number of voters to be involved.

“There are areas that were suggested in Luzon,Visayas, Mindanao and Metro Manila but they are not yet final,” said Sarmiento, while naming Maguindanao, Naga City and Camarines Sur as among the possible host areas.

He explained that they want to find out the possible flaws that need to be addressed.

He said that one possible result of the mock elections is the identification of areas with weak telecommunication signals. Telecommunication signals are crucial in transmitting the poll results from precincts to the canvassing centers.

The conduct of mock polls is mandatory under Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law. The law states that there is a need for a “successful conduct of a field testing process followed by a mock election event in one or more cities/municipalities.” (Johanna M. Sampan/ManilaTimes.net)

9\kj Xi\ flk# gfc`k`ZXc YXkkc\ c`e\j [iXne `e 9X^l`f BAGUIO CITY—After the December 21, 2012 deadline for withdrawals and replacements, the Commission on Election now has a final list of candidates, which will be in contention for the different elective positions for this city.

Among those who filed their candidacies for the representative of the lone district of Baguio: Nicasio Aliping, Independent; Miguel Arvisu, Independent; Marquez Go, Liberal Party (LP); Roly Manuel, Independent; Bernardo Vergara, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA); and Richard Zarate, Independent.

For the mayoralty post: Mauricio Domogan, UNA; Guillermo Hernan-dez, Independent; Ramon Labo Jr., Independent; Junior Mina Jr.; Independent; Jose Molintas, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); and Peter Puzon, Independent.

For vice-mayorship: Dwight Nicolas Bello 3rd, Independent; Van Oliver Dicang, NPC; Daniel Fariñas, Nationalista Party (NP); Francis Padawil, Independent; and Jeffrey Pinic, Independent.

Those who filed their certificates of candidacies for the position of city councilor are: Joel Alangsab, NP; Arthur Allad-iw, LP; Gerardo Antolin, independent; Anthony Araos, NPC; Fred Bagbagen, NP; Evelyn Pit-og, Independent; Rocky Balisong, NP; Rizalino Banta, Independent; Anna May Baquirin, Independent; Paul Batnag, Independent; Joderek Bautista, NP; Edison Bilog, LP; Emmanuel Carantes, Independent; Richard Cariño, NP; Isabelo Cosalan Jr., LP; Robin Coteng, Independent; Elmer Datuin, UNA; Mario de Guzman, Independent; Jeffrey Dimas, Independent; Frisco Domalsin, LDP-Laban; Rebecca Dulawan, LDP; George Dumawing Jr., UNA; Laliane Estolas, Independent; Peter Fianza, Independent; Basilio Fongayao, NPC; John Glenn Gaerlan, Independent; Zandro Ico, Independent; Perfecto Itliong Jr., Independent; Richard

Asked about politicians who may seek gun ban exemption, Comelec said their request may be considered but tapping police personnel to protect them could also be an option.

Philstar.com photo

Jimenez, Independent; Orlando Lardizabal Jr., Independent; Bruce Limmayog, LP; Federico Mandapat Jr., UNA; Mabini Maskay, UNA; Roberto Ocampo, NPC; Faustino Olowan, LP; Roberto Ortega, UNA; Ambrosio Palafox Jr., Independent; Rudolfo Paraan, LP; Ronald Perez, NP; Ramon Ramos Sr., Independent; Loida Soriano, Independent; Elaine Sembrano, NP; Betty Lourdes Tabanda, NUP; Edilberto Tenefrancia, Independent; Romeo Umali, Independent; Michael Uy, Independent; Peter Wasing, LP; Wegan-Allan Philian Louise, NP; Leandro Yangot, LP; and Lilia Yaranon, LP. Two candidates of the Liberal Party withdrew their certificates of candidacies (CoCs) and were substituted by party members.

The Liberal Party is now in coalition with the National Peoples Coalition.

Without any candidate for the mayoralty and vice-mayoral post, LP Baguio chairman and coalition spokesman Marquez Go announced the formal coalition between the Liberal Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition earlier.

Go is the coalition’s candidate for the lone congressional district seat.

The NPC, on the other hand, is bannered by lawyer Jose “Jomol” Molintas, who himself is a former member of the Liberal Party.

Go, announced earlier that the coalition will banner the President’s battle cry of matuwid na daan as its campaign advocacy.

Aside from Go and Molintas, Van Dicang is the coalition’s official candidate for the vice mayoral post.

Also, the coalition’s candidates for councilors include, incumbent councilors Edison Bilog and Isabelo Cosalan, with former councilors Faustino Olowan and Lilia Yaranon, also included in the line up are: Art Allad-iw, Bruce Limayog, Rudy Paraan and Peter Wasing from the Liberal Party and Anthony Araos, Basilio Fongayao and Roberto Ocampo who filed their COCs under the NPC.|

The LP-NPC coalition will be facing mostly incumbents from the Timpuyog ti Baguio Coalition. (Manilatimes.net)

CG Y\kj c`b\cp n`ee\ij `e 9XkXXe Æ >XiZ`X BALANGA City, Bataan—A landslide victory for the administration’s senatorial bets is seen in Bataan despite major political hopefuls in the province clashing against each other, Gov. Enrique Garcia said .

The governor said opposing candidates for congressman, governor, vice-governor, provincial board members and majority of the municipal contenders are one in supporting the senatorial bets of the Liberal Party.

Garcia said his faction and that of Chairman Felicito Payumo of the Bases Conversion Development Authority are in full support of the administration candidates.

Under the group of Garcia are second district Rep. Albert Garcia for governor, Vice Gov. Efren Pascual for reelection, first district Rep. Herminia Roman also seeking reelection and the elder Garcia to replace his son Albert as congressman.

The Garcias are under the National Unification Party while Pascual and Rep. Roman belong to the LP. At the opposite political fence are Felicito Payumo who resigned as BCDA chair for congressman in the first district, Dinalupihan Mayor Joel Jaime Payumo for governor, Jay Consunji for vice governor and former governor Leonardo Roman for congressman in the second district.

The two Payumos are LP stalwarts in Bataan but filed their certificates of candidacy last December 20 and 21 under the Nationalist People’s Coalition that Roman chairs in the province. Consunji, a lawyer, is also from the NPC. (Ernie Esconde/ManilaTimes.net)

CDC: 1 in 24 admit nodding off while driving Fil-Am chosen HI senate president NEW YORK—This could give you nightmares: 1 in 24 US adults say they recently fell asleep while driving.

And health officials behind the study think the number is probably higher. That’s because some people don’t realize it when they nod off for a second or two behind the wheel.

“If I’m on the road, I’d be a little worried about the other drivers,” said the study’s lead author, Anne Wheaton of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the CDC study, about 4 percent of adults said they nodded off or fell asleep at least once while driving in the previous month.

Some earlier studies reached a similar conclusion, but the CDC telephone survey of 147,000 adults was far larger. It was conducted in 19 states and the District of Columbia in 2009 and 2010.

CDC researchers found drowsy driving was more common in men, people ages 25 to 34, those who averaged less than six hours of sleep each night, and — for some

unexplained reason — Texans.

Wheaton said it’s possible the Texas survey sample included larger numbers of sleep-deprived young adults or apnea-suffering overweight people. Most of the CDC findings are not surprising to those who study this problem.

“A lot of people are getting insufficient sleep,” said Dr. Gregory Belenky, director of Washington State University’s Sleep and Performance Research Center in Spokane.

The government estimates that about 3 percent of fatal traffic crashes involve drowsy drivers, but other estimates have put that number as high as 33 percent.

Warning signs of drowsy driving: Feeling very tired, not remembering the last mile or two, or drifting onto rumble strips on the side of the road. That signals a driver should get off the road and rest, Wheaton said.

Even a brief moment nodding off can be extremely dangerous, she noted. At 60 mph, a single second translates to speeding along for 88 feet—the length of two school buses.

To prevent drowsy driving, health officials recommend getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, treating any sleep disorders and not drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel. (AP)

Clinton to return to work next week WASHINGTON—The State Department says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to return to work next week after being treated for a blood clot in her head.

Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says Clinton is resting at home but is speaking with senior staff and is, quote, “sounding terrific, upbeat and raring to go.”

She says Clinton looks forward to returning to her Washington office next week, although a date hasn’t been set. Doctors have advised her to avoid international travel for now.

Clinton was discharged last Jan. 2 from a New York hospital, three days after doctors diagnosed a blood clot during a follow-up exam stemming from a concussion she suffered in December.

Doctors are treating the clot with blood thinners and say they expect she will fully recover. (AP)

I’m humbled to receive the conHAWAII—Filipino-American fidence and support of my colHawaii State Senator Donna Merleagues,” said Senate President cado Kim (D-Moanalua, Aiea, KaKim, who was first elected to the lihi Valley) has been selected as senate in 2000. the new senate president of the Kim becomes the first Fil-Am Hawaii legislature. to head Hawaii’s senate. Ronald The state’s upper house reorKouchi takes over Kim’s old post ganizes, after the death of longas the new Senate vice presitime Filipino champion and US dent. Brickwood Galuteria is the senator Daniel Inouye. majority leader.

Kim, the former vice president Kim has long been active in of the senate, will now preside the state political scene having during the 27th Hawaii State served as a former representaLegislature in January, replacing tive of the Hawaii State House Senator Shan Tsutsui, who was of Representatives from 1982 sworn in as Lieutenant GoverSen. Donna Mercado Kim to 1985 and as a Honolulu City nor.

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercombrie chose for- Councilwoman from 1985 to 2000. In 2000, she mer lieutenant governor Brian Schatz as Inouye’s was elected to the state’s senate.

Kim is one of three Filipino-Americans in the successor to the US Senate.

“We are solidified in dealing with the pressing state senate. Others include Will Espero (19th Disissues facing our State. The Senate continues to be trict); and Donovan Dela Cruz (22nd District). (Joorganized in a cooperative and focused manner. seph Pimentel/AJPress)

School sets up memorial fund...

PAGE A1 “No parent should have to bury their young child; his teenage sister, Kristell, should not have to grieve the loss of her little brother. We - their extended families and friends through OLM - want to lighten their heavy burden through this fund. We thank you in advance for you kindness and heartfelt generosity,” added Pasamonte.

According to Pasadena police, Williams, a known felon, and Brittany Michelle Washington, 21, and two other passengers inside a Dodge Durango failed to stop for officers on a routine traffic stop and led police on a high speed chase which ended when the SUV crashed into the minivan driven by Ong Tan near the Foothill (210) Freeway ramp and Marengo Avenue. Ong Tan and Kendrick Ng were killed on impact.

The LA County DA office have charged Williams and Washington with two counts of murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both are believed to be gang members, according to prosecutors.

If convicted, each face life in prison.

Prosecutors declined to charge the other two passengers inside the SUV. Williams and Washington are scheduled to be arrainged on January 7.

Family shocked Kathleen Ong Tan, the sister of crash victim Tracey Ong Tan, said on Facebook that the family is working on obtaining a visa to the US. She hopes the US Embassy in Manila “would sympathize with us and grant us visas” so “we can be together with her for one more time,” she wrote.

Kathleen said the whole family is still in disbelief.

“They can’t do anything Kendrick Ng but cry and sob,” Kathleen wrote name is Kenric, which, (you can in tagalog on Facebook on De- imagine) would get a bit confuscember 26. ing at home,” she said. “I was “I received a call at 5 p.m. It one of the room parents and I rewas my uncle. I happily greeted member the Ng family at graduhim a Merry Christmas. I thought ation – always smiling, always the line was choppy. It was after together. My daughter is 11 now a few seconds that I realized that and I haven’t seen them for a few he was crying,” Kathleen wrote. years. But I cried when I found “’Patay na si Mei Mei (Tracey), out about Kendrick because they tska si Isiah (Kendrick).’ I was are a good, kindhearted family. shocked.”

Seeing that the Ng family will Kathleen said she had to break need the support of the commuthe news to the family. nity, the OLM school and comTracey Ong Tan would have munity set up an online memorial turned 26 on December 31. fund for Kendrick and his family.

“Happy happy birthday to my It is with hope that this will help beloved sister. Wish you were to ease the financial burden on here. I hope you’ll be happier the Ng family, as well as make there. We will miss you.” them feel that the love, prayers A young boy’s life cut short and support of the community Kendrick, a 6th grader at Our are with them, said Pasamonte.

Lady of Mercy School in Daly The memorial fund has already City, was a star student. Pas- received more than $3,000 in doamonte Henry, whose daughter nation from the community. was once a schoolmate of KenTo donate to the Kendrick Ng drick, fondly remembers the Ng Memorial Fund, log on to www. family. gofundme.com/lovekendrick.

“His parents fondly call him (Joseph Pimentel and Malou ‘Isaiah,’ because his father’s Bledsoe/AJPress)

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Dateline Philippines

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • january 4-10, 2013

A5

Sea tensions test PH foreign policy

by Pia Lee -Brago Philstar.com

MANILA—Tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) simmered in the year just past with the ongoing territorial disputes between the Philippines and China.

The dispute occurred as the two countries were to highlight the deep friendship and close cooperation following the launching of the 2012-2013 Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges (YFE).

In April, the Philippine Navy was locked in a standoff with Chinese government vessels in Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc and Scarborough Shoal, located 124 nautical miles off Zambales. The shoal is well within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.

The Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest over the intrusion of Chinese fishing vessels and maritime surveillance ships in the country’s territory and vowed to defend its sovereignty if challenged

by China.

Beijing exerted pressure on Manila by discouraging tourism and imposing additional inspections on imports of Philippine bananas.

Protests were staged by Filipinos and civic groups in the Philippines in May against China’s claim over Panatag Shoal, an exercise of the “right of freedom of expression.”

China also exerted heavy pressure on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its annual meeting last July in Phnom Penh to reject any statement regarding the South China Sea. The 10-nation bloc for the first time in its 45-year history failed to issue a joint communiqué because of tensions over the maritime disputes. China’s close ally Cambodia, the ASEAN chair, consistently opposed any mention of the Panatag Shoal at all in the joint statement and announced that a joint communiqué “cannot be issued.”

The Philippines deplored the non-issuance of a communiqué.

The Philippines maintained that Panatag Shoal was an important topic discussed with concern by a majority of ASEAN member states because of the developments in the area which pose a threat to the peace, stability, freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in

the region.

The DFA summoned then Cambodian Ambassador to Manila Hos Sereythonh to explain remarks accusing the Philippines and Vietnam of playing “dirty politics” over the issue of ASEAN and the South China Sea. In August, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio handed a note verbale to Cambodian embassy Second Secretary Tan Chandaravuth containing the protest against Hos’ serious accusations against the Philippines. Hos did not show up at the DFA despite being summoned to explain his accusations against his host government, citing health reasons. Basilio asked Tan to convey to the Cambodian ambassador the need to explain the accusations. Hos, who did not heed the DFA summons, ended his tour of duty a year ahead of schedule and left Manila last August as bilateral tensions flared over the West Philippine Sea. The non-issuance of a joint communiqué was then followed

by China’s announcement that the Nansha (Spratlys), Xisha (Paracels), and Zhongsha (Macclesfield Bank) territories would all be administered by a new, prefecture-level political entity called Sansha City.

The new Sansha prefecture has a military garrison headed by a senior colonel. China earlier announced its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would now be mounting regular combat-ready patrols of the Spratlys, an indication that Beijing is prepared to militarize its claims within the so-called “9dash line.”

In July, the DFA summoned Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing and presented her a note verbale where the Philippines protested Beijing’s establishment of a new “prefectural-level” city of Sansha to administer three disputed islands in the South China Sea and future development of the islands. The US said China’s upgrading of the administrative level of Sansha City and the establishment of a new military garrison there covering disputed areas of the South China Sea run counter to collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve differences and risk further escalating tensions in the region.

The State Department said the US is concerned by the increase in tensions in the South China Sea and is monitoring the situation closely.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing concerning US accession into the United Nations Convention of the Law on the Sea (UNCLOS) that China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea exceeded what was permitted by UNCLOS. Beijing reminded Washington not to get involved in the dispute. The US has been pushing for a multilateral resolution to the territorial claims.

During the first ever 2+2 meeting with Del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and their US counterparts Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in Washington, Clinton said the US is deeply concerned about the events in the South China Sea, including the tensions surrounding Scarborough Shoal. Clinton emphasized Washington opposes the threat or use of force by any party to advance its claims and “we will remain in close contact with our ally, the Philippines.”

Del Rosario emphasized the Philippines-US alliance “does not aim to confront or contain anyone” and that “the last thing (that) the Philippines wants to do is to heighten tensions (in the West Philippine Sea) and drag our allies into it.”

New ambassador to China The Commission on Appointments confirmed last month the nomination of Undersecretary Basilio, replacing Ambassador Sonia Brady, as the country’s next top diplomat to China. Brady, a retired career foreign service officer, suffered a stroke in August. Basilio had no problems hurdling her confirmation hearing because of her extensive experience as a former ambassador to China and undersecretary for policy of the DFA. She breezed through the CA unlike the President’s original nominee, businessman Domingo Lee, who underwent three hearings without getting the nod.

The urgency of sending an official representative of the country to China amid a tense standoff between the Philippines and China over Panatag Shoal was well under-

stood by CA members.

The DFA is counting on the seasoned senior diplomat to play a major role in achieving the Philippines’ defined objectives, relying on her experience and expertise in dealing with all current matters pertaining to Philippine relations with China.

China is hopeful the appointment of the new ambassador may facilitate communication between

Philstar.com photo

the two sides.

Sending a strong message, Del Rosario admitted resolving the territorial dispute with China would not be easy as he called for a position of “patriotism” among Filipinos and sacrifice if the Philippines is tested.

The Philippines should continue to stand up and defend its sovereign rights over the shoal and the West Philippine Sea in general,

he said.

“We need to defend what is ours.

We need to stand up even as we look for ways to solve the disputes peacefully. We need to stand for what is ours. In order for us to do this I think it is not going to be easy and as you see it is not easy,” Del Rosario said before the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines last May.

Residents want peaceful co-existence in Kalayaan town MANILA—Despite the mounting tension in the hotly contested Spratly archipelago, the town of Kalayaan is looking forward to peaceful co-existence among foreign citizens of claimant-countries now permanently residing in the region.

“Out there, we co-exist peacefully. We’ve been neighbors for so long. Why should we be fighting each other when we can find a peaceful solution to our territorial disputes” said Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., whose four-boat convoy from Palawan was harassed twice by a Chinese amphibious warships five hours away from Pag-Asa Island last October.

Bito-onon is referring to the Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Malaysian nationals who are also occupying islets, reefs, cays, shoals and sandbars adjacent to the country’s Kalayaan Island group (KIG).

Except for Brunei, all claimant countries—China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia—have troops on forward deployment on their occupied islets and reefs.

At present, the country’s regime of islands is composed of seven islets and two reefs. Pag-Asa island, the second biggest in the region, is now the seat of Kalayaan town, a fifth class municipality of Palawan.

The town used to be a military garrison but is slowly transforming into a community with 270 registered voters, mostly civilians.

Nearby Pag-Asa is a Vietnamese occupied island, which Bito-onon said could be a very close trading and business partner of Filipinos living in Pag-Asa island.

“We may not be already around to witness this, but there’s no way for all claimant-countries but seek and explore a peaceful solution to all these disputes,” Bito-onon said.

He added that one of the most viable options is the joint development of the region.

As to the aggressive behavior of China in pressing its territorial claim covering almost the entire region, Bito-onon described it as plain and simple posturing.

He said China is fully aware that if it will resort to military might to press its territorial claim, it will trigger a major backlash in the international community.

Bito-onon’s view is also shared by several USbased think tanks, who all say that China, while it will continue its “creeping invasion” in the region, will not resort to the use of arms, unless attacked.

(Philstar.com)

A6

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January 4-10, 2013 • oc/ie ASIAN JOURNAL

Opinion

Features

Subsistence

2012 was generally a good year for Filipinos.

Triumphs were made, losses were faced, and lessons were learned.

Filipinos are starting the year right, looking forward to 2013 with hope.

In its recent survey, Social Weather Station (SWS) revealed that nine out of ten Pinoys are hopeful rather that fearful in the new year. This was the predominant sentiment among respondents in Luzon (96 percent), Metro Manila (93 percent), and the Visayas (93 percent).

“At home and around the world, the Philippines has become recognized as a bastion of stability and good governance. Through hard work, deft decision-making, and intense political will, the President has laid down the foundations of justice and inclusive growth. Through it all, he continues to clean house, eliminate waste, and put primacy on restoring public trust in our institutions,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Lacierda said 2013 can be a banner year with ““more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause.”

“In 2012, we turned the corner, fixed the damage wrought by the crooked ways of the past, and established further that the straight path is the only way forward. Despite the tragedies that have visited the country in 2012—from natural disasters

to the untimely demise of a beloved reformist—the Filipino people have shown that their spirit cannot be broken. As the administration embarks on 2013, there is all the more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause,” he added.

The past year witnessed the Philippines posting an economic growth as high as 7.1 percent in the third quarter.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised the country’s economic growth forecast to 4.9 percent in 2013. The country’s growth path IMF says, backed by sound policy management, enjoys a “solid momentum.”

Likewise, the government assured Pinoys that the growth will soon be felt by everyone through job generation and pro-poor programs.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also expressed optimism that the country will finally reduce its poverty level with the expansion of government’s investments in social services, alongside respectable economic growth and stable inflation.

However, the impact of such growth has not been the same for everyone.

While some Pinoys have fared well, the poor

Editorial

seem to lack behind and have not been able to capitalize on the potential created by the economy.

Economic growth should jobs and industries, people will benefit from. A 7.1 percent growth should lead to millions of new jobs, and higher wages for those already employed.

Our situation is far from dire. Yes, we can do

better in terms of inclusive economic performance, but since most of the problems are self-inflicted, the solutions are not too far.

To start the year right, everyone is held responsible to address priorities that not only ensure a solution to the current crisis, but also to prevent its recurrence. (AJPress)

Arming good guys: Solution to gun violence?

WITH several mass killings in the past years, finally, the demand and push for solutions to solve gun violence in America has reached a tipping point.

More than two weeks ago, twenty young innocent first graders and six school personnel were brutally slaughtered by a lone young gun man in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

The gunman was 20-year old Adam Lanza, who used his mother’s two pistols and a Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle -- a civilian version of the military’s M-16 that is legal to own in many states.

After killing 26 victims and his own mother at their house, Lanza committed suicide. Adam reportedly learned how to shoot from his gun-collecting mom.

President Barack Obama pledged to “use all the powers of this office” to identify and promote new policies to address the scourge of gun violence.

He tapped Vice President Joe Biden to head a task force composed of Cabinet members, members of Congress and outside organizations, which would submit a “very specific” set of proposals to Congress in January.

In the wake of the Newtown massacre, more Americans now favor stricter gun control laws.

Gallup Poll conducted a survey from December

Embarrassing stumbles happen even to big guys. At last year’s London Olympics, a sloppy baton change by the favored Brits caused their relay team to be disqualified. At previous Games in Beijing and Athens, America’s top-rated sprinters dropped the baton and ruled themselves out of the medals.

So perhaps we should cut Cambodia some slack for repeatedly dropping the baton during its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over the past year. At key meetings and summits, Phnom Penh’s kowtowing to Beijing and its failure to back fellow members in their positions on the South China Sea territorial disputes led to a rare open discord tarnishing Asean’s once-sacrosanct consensus.

So it was at the November summit when Cambodia falsely declared that Asean leaders had agreed not to “internationalize” the conflicting maritime claims.

Half the group’s members rebutted that assertion, and when Cambodia fought to keep the communiqué language favored by its Chinese patrons, its Asean colleagues resisted and expunged such wording from the final declaration.

ers from both parties (Yes, not just Republicans).

As TIME Magazine reported, there are still those who are “beholden to the gun lobby or at least lack the will to challenge it.”

One such pro-gun lobby group is the National Rifle Association (NRA). As Balitang America reported, instead of the public clamor for less guns, the NRA has put forward a solution that is asking for more guns.

In fact, NRA Executive Director Wayne LaPierre recently said: “The thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” To achieve this, his plan is to hire armed guards for every school in America.

Others propose that teachers and other school personnel should be trained and allowed to carry guns in school, in order to be equipped to protect school children from bad guys with guns.

Where will this renewed passion and mission to end gun violence in America take us? What should President Obama do to attain this goal, while still protecting the “right to bear arms,” as mandated by the US Constitution? Will arming good guys be the solution to gun violence? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely thoseoftheauthor andnotofAsianJournalandABS-CBN-TFC.For comments,gotowww.TheFil-AmPerspective.com,https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Happy New Year: Time for change in Asean Globalization in retreat

Commentary

Roger Mitton

and make gun trafficking a fed19-22, 2012 which found that eral crime, including real penal58 percent of Americans are in The Fil-Am ties for ‘straw purchasers.’” favor of strengthening the laws Organizers say more than covering the sale of firearms -- Perspective 300,000 Americans have signed up from 43 percent in 2011. the petition on their website, Several state and federal lawwww.demandaplan.org. makers have already announced Balitang America further rethat they will seek to ban both ported that popular personalities semi-automatic rifle and high- Gel Santos-Relos (like Ellen Degeneres, Julianne capacity ammunition magazines Moore, Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth from the commercial market.

However, the same poll by Gallup also revealed Palthrow, Brooke Shields, Conan O’Brien and that Americans’ views on the sale of assault rifles many more) have used their celebrity status to are unchanged. The slight majority (51 percent) help the organization in furthering the cause.

They took turns saying the lines: “How many still opposed the idea of making assault rifles ilmore? How many more? Enough. Enough. legal to manufacture, sell, or possess.

One of the many groups who demanded that Enough. Demand a plan. Right now… as a mom, President Obama and Congress come up with a as a dad, as a friend, as a husband, as a wife. As an American. As a human being. For the children plan to end gun violence is Demand A Plan.

As Balitang America reported, this is a group of Sandy Hook.”

Despite the broad public outcry favoring the which is composed of more than 800 mayors and passing of stricter gun-control laws, President 800,000 grassroots supporters.

Organizers of Demand a Plan say that “they Obama faces formidable forces from Congress cannot bring back the people lost in Newtown, and pro-gun groups that may still keep the legisnor the 33 people murdered with guns everyday lation process dormant.

Republicans still hold majority in the House in America,” but together, they say America can prevent future tragedies “by passing common for the next two years. While Democrats rule the sense legislation that will require a criminal back- Senate, there are still enough gun-rights votes ground check for every gun sold in America, ban to stall a bill. It may still be a big challenge for assault weapons and high-capacity magazines President Obama to win the support of lawmak-

The episode was so shameful that the group’s Secretary-General Surin Pitsuan admitted that it had caused Asean to suffer a crisis of confidence. After all, unity is key to its regional clout.

Only as a united grouping spanning vast lands and waters from Myanmar to Mindanao, Laos to Papua, with 600 million people generating a combined economic output in excess of $1.8 trillion, tenth-largest in the world, can Asean stand tall in Asia.

Recently, the International Crisis Group’s regional director Jim Della-Giacoma said events of 2012 have laid bare the deep fault lines running through Asean’s diverse membership. Well, at least the annus horribilus is almost over. And to the relief of all, the baton passed from Cambodia to Brunei this year.

Although tiny, Brunei has more experience of Asean affairs and a wiser understanding of the group’s consensual credo than Cambodia, having joined the grouping in 1984, fully 15 years before the latter’s entry.

And in Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Second Minister Lim Jock Seng, Brunei has a veteran duo who are actually liked by other members.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong is also experienced, but at 77 and after 14 years in the job, many believe he is past his sell-by date as an effective diplomat. Plus the reality that Phnom Penh’s dependence

on Beijing’s largesse constrains its actions even in the company of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Those things cannot be said of the quiet but warm Mohamed, the avuncular Lim, or oil-rich Brunei. It is alleged that Mohamed has the job only because he is the Sultan’s brother, and that Lim is the brains behind the twosome. But true or not, few dispute they form a competent and likable team, so there is less chance of internal squabbling or the non-issuance of communiqués under Brunei’s chairmanship. That is something to welcome.

Yes, there is a trade-off in that little Brunei will not actively push for any major initiatives, but that is all well and good: what Asean needs now is a year of quietly restoring group amity and solidarity.

That process will be aided when the talented but rather excitable Surin was officially replaced yesterday by Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh, a grey and cautious apparatchik.

Typically, Surin has urged that Minh be given a greater mandate to act on behalf of the entire group, but there is little chance of that happening— doubtless much to Minh’s relief.

During his five-year term, Minh has said that talks on a code of conduct for the South China Sea and the implementation of a regional nuclear-weapons-free zone will be his top priorities.

Good luck to him on both counts. There is no way the United States, China or India will agree to the latter goal. All three have atomic weapons on a good number of their naval vessels and would never say which ships and subs carry nuclear warheads just to comply with a no-nukes policy.

Nor would China accept limits on its military moves in the South China Sea, not only because it claims nearly all of it, but also due to the increased deployment of US naval and air forces in the Philippines, within striking distance of Chinese trade traversing the South China Sea, including 80 percent of the country’s oil imports.

Still, as long as such talks are even-handed and do not descend to the depths of rancor encountered in Phnom Penh over the past year, most people will be happy.

One more thing: Given their friendly ties with the Americans, Brunei and Vietnam should avoid doing for the US the summit tricks Cambodia tried to do for China this year. Let Asean also have a respite from big-power meddling by proxy.

Said Della-Giacoma: “As the new secretary-general settles in, Asean watchers are not expecting as much public reflection in the coming year, especially with taciturn Brunei taking over the rotating chairmanship.”

Let’s hope he is right. (ManilaTimes.net)

ONE fateful question for 2013 is this: What happens to globalCommentary ization?

For decades, growing volumes of cross-border trade and money flows have fueled strong economic growth. But something remarkable is happening; trade Robert J. Samuelson and international money flows are slowing and, in some cases, declining. David Smick, the perceptive editor of The International Economy magazine, calls the retreat “deglobalization.” What’s unclear is whether this heralds prolonged economic stagnation and rising nationalism or, optimistically, makes the world economy more stable and politically acceptable.

To Americans, some aspects of deglobalization will seem delicious.

Take manufacturing.

Globalization has sucked factory jobs from the United States. Now, the tide may be turning.

Just recently, Apple announced a $100 million investment to return some Mac computer production home. Though tiny, the decision reflects a trend.

General Electric’s sprawling Appliance Park in Louisville, Ky., once symbolized America’s post-World War II manufacturing prowess, with employment peaking at 23,000 in 1973. Since then, jobs have shifted abroad or succumbed to automation. But now GE is moving production of water heaters, refrigerators and other appliances back to Appliance Park from China and Mexico. Year-end employment is reckoned at 3,600, up 90 percent from a year earlier, writes Charles Fishman in an excellent article in December’s Atlantic.

Nor is GE alone, Fishman notes. Otis is moving some elevator production from Mexico to South Carolina. Wham-O is shifting Frisbee molding from China to California.

The changes are harbingers, contends the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which predicts a manufacturing revival. China’s labor cost advantage has eroded, it argues. In 2000, Chinese factory wages averaged 52 cents an hour; but annual double-digit percentage increases will bring that to $6 an hour in high-skilled industries by 2015. Although wages of US production workers average $19 an hour, BCG argues that other non-wage factors favor the United States. American workers are more productive; automation has reduced labor’s share of expenses; and cheap natural gas further reduces costs. Finally, higher oil prices have boosted freight rates for imports.

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RH fight moves to High Court

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (right) called 2012 a “colorful and historic year” for the 15th Congress.

RH, Sin tax are PH House’s ‘legacy’ MANILA—Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday called the passage of controversial legislative measures such as the Sin Tax and the Reproductive Health (RH) bills a “legacy” of the House of Representatives as the year comes to a close.

“Through all the controversies and challenges, this 15th Congress has left a legacy and laid the groundwork for reforms and responding to the more urgent concerns of majority of our people,” Belmonte said in a statement summing up the past year for the lower house of Congress.

A co-author of the House version of the divisive RH bill, Belmonte said that Congress “stood up and fought for” its passage through “countless debates” that took 14 years of re-filing and re-writing.

He also said that the approval of excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products under his leadership was a sign that lawmakers are “paying heed to the social welfare concerns” of Filipinos.

“A total of 972 vital measures have been passed, many of which are truly significant and directly address matters close to the heart of each sector,” the speaker said, adding that the “Kasambahay” bill granting benefits to household helpers is among these measures.

Belmonte, the fourth highest government official, also regarded a highlight of a “colorful and historic year” the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona, which arose from a complaint from the representatives.

“Best remembered was the impeachment of then Chief Justice Renato Corona which was an endeavor that entailed a lot of challenges ... The House was at the forefront of this historic move to end corruption in the country,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that the lower house had been responsive to situations of urgency such as the floods by Habagat in August and the ravages of typhoon Pablo in southern Philippines.

“I am proud to say, lawmakers responded quickly not just by way of financial and relief assistance but through bills and resolutions filed in an effort to prevent casualties and damage from such disasters should they occur again in the future,” Belmonte said.

The former Quezon City mayor promised 2013 as another year for Congress to make a mark as “the most responsive” in representing each solon’s constituents. (Camille Diola/Philstar.com)

PH population expected to hit 97.7 million this year MANILA—The country’s population is expected to reach 97.7 million this year due to the 1.7 to 1.8 million Filipino babies born every year, the Commission on Population (PopCom) said .

“This is just an unofficial estimate made by PopCom. Our population in 2010 was 92.3 million in absolute number. So based on that, we may estimate that by May 2013, our population will be 97.7 million,” said PopCom executive director Tomas Osias.

The National Statistical Coordination Board is the agency mandated to make an estimate of the Philippine population but it has not released a projection so far.

According to Osias, PopCom made the computation based on the annual population growth

rate of 1.9 percent. This translates to some 1.7 million to 1.8 million babies being born every year.

Asked if the passage of Republic Act No. 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 will slow down the country’s population growth, Osias refused to make the connection.

“The law does not have demographic targets,” he said.

Instead, the legislation will only empower couples, especially the women, to make an “informed choice about their reproductive health.”

Osias added that the law would just provide couples with access to services and information about family planning and their reproductive health. “ They will know that bir th

spacing will be good for the mother’s and the baby’s health.

Because of that, they will evaluate their capability (to raise a family).

So in the process, the number of the children will be based on the health and future of the family,” he said.

Osias maintained that there is no provision in the law that will mandate couples to limit the size of their family.

“You will not be told not to have a child anymore after two k ids or something like that.

There are no demographic or family size targets. What we are saying is, they will be the ones to determine what is good for the family in terms of health and the capacity to give the children a better future,” he added. (Philstar.com)

Pinoys urged to ‘throw away’ negativity MANILA—Senior administration lawmakers called on Filipinos to “throw away all negativity,” turn to prayer and strengthen positive values of discipline, hard work to allow the country to progress faster and peacefully.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said “it has been repeatedly proven that no financial difficulty, natural calamity, or even a defeat of boxing hero Manny Pacquiao can ever dampen the spirit and sense of optimism of Filipinos.”

“We have always managed to come back, to courageously conquer temporary defeats and setbacks. These are the things in life that indeed test one’s faith and resiliency in the midst of adversity,” Angara said.

“Let us throw away all negativity, as we sail on to continue the journey towards true prosperity that will put all of us out of poverty,” he said.

He urged Filipinos to look at the coming New Year with a “positive mindset” and “renewed confidence,” even as he expressed optimism that 2013 will be a better one for Filipinos.

Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco said the country’s peace and prosperity hinges on Filipinos themselves, who need to learn to imbibe the values of self-reliance and love for country.

“We can rely only on ourselves, and minimize ‘aid-seeking’ mentality. We Filipinos can use more discipline, hard work, and love for country, and more prayers, and if all of us have that within us, it would be impossible to stop the Philippines,” Haresco said.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, president of the Centrist Democratic Party, also urged Filipinos to be more optimistic and prayerful, saying “prayers give unimaginable powers and strength.”

Meanwhile, Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong wishes for a “better” and lasting peace in Mindanao in 2013.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, for his part, said Filipinos should not be ashamed to “roll up their sleeves and do what is necessary for the welfare and prosperity of our families and our country.”

(Philstar.com)

Globalization in retreat

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By 2015, China’s overall cost advantage will shrivel to 7 percent, BCG forecasts. As important, it says, the United States will maintain significant cost advantages over other developedcountry manufacturers: 15 percent over France and Germany; 21 percent over Japan; and 8 percent over Great Britain. The United States will be a more attractive production platform. Imports will weaken; exports will strengthen.

BCG predicts between 2.5 million and 5 million new factory jobs by 2020. (For perspective: 5.7 million manufacturing jobs disappeared from 2000 to 2010.)

Because the United States is the world’s largest importer, this shift would dampen trade.

Similarly, cross-border money flows (“capital flows”) have abated. Banks, especially in Europe, have reduced foreign loans to “deleverage” and strengthen their balance sheets. From 2011 to 2012, bank loans to 30 “emerging market” countries fell by one-third, says the Institute of International Finance, an industry group. “It’s the most decisive case of ‘home bias’ [in lending] being re-established,” says

economist Philip Suttle of the IIF. Government regulators encourage the shift, he says, suggesting that “if you’re going to cut lending, cut there and not here.”

Of course, globalization won’t vanish. It’s too big and too entwined with national economies.

In 2011, total world exports amounted to nearly $18 trillion.

The same is true of capital flows.

Despite banks’ pullbacks, those same 30 emerging market countries in 2012 received an estimated $1 trillion worth of investment from multinational companies, private investors, pensions, insurance companies and other lenders—a still-huge total, though down from its peak.

But globalization’s character may change.

For years, the world economy has been wildly lopsided: China and some other countries ran big trade surpluses; the United States was perennially in massive deficit. Similar imbalances existed in Europe. Now, slumps have dampened the American and European appetite for imports. The upshot is that “China and others are recalibrating their export-led economic strategies”

to focus more on domestic demand, argues economist Fred Bergsten of the Peterson Institute. That’s good, he says; the world economy will be more balanced. Likewise, erratic capital flows have triggered past financial crises. Slower flows may promote stability.

Not everyone is so optimistic. Smick of The International Economy sees globalization as “the proverbial goose that laid the golden eggs.” The search for larger markets and lower costs drove investment, trade, economic growth and job creation around the world. That’s weakened, and there’s “no new model to replace it.” Domestic demand will prove an inadequate substitute. Central banks (the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan) have tried to fill the void with hyper-easy money policies.

Smick fears damaging outcomes: currency wars as countries strive to capture greater shares of stagnant export markets; and burst “asset bubbles” caused by easy money.

These visions clash. In 2013, we may learn which is right. (ManilaTimes.net)

A couple last Jan. 2 asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the implementation of the Reproductive Health Law two weeks after it was signed by President Benigno Aquino III. James and Lovely Imbong said that Republic Act 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, which seeks to improve public access to reproductive health services, including natural and artificial family planning options, is illegal.

The couple filed the petition in behalf of their minor children and the Magnificat Child Development Center. Magnificat is a pre-school based in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Imbongs named as respondents Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas 2nd, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Health Secretary Enrique Ona. The petitioners claimed that the new law violates the Constitution. “[This case] will present the illegality of the Act as it mocks the nation’s Filipino culture—noble and lofty in its values and holdings on life, motherhood and family life—now the fragile lifeblood of a treasured culture that today stands solitary but proud in contrast to other nations,” the couple said.

According to them, “the life of the mother is equally important as the life of the unborn and rightly so.”

“The charge is against the State itself—that it shall do one thing when it comes to the potential of human life: to protect it from the moment of conception.”

They argued that some provisions of the new law reveal its intentions to bring reproductive health care services within easy reach of the poor.

“By doing so, the poor become the primary targets of the State’s planned-parenthood policy—a subtle way of telling the poor that the State will subsidize their right to have access to modern methods of family planning simply because they are poor,” the petitioners said.

Despite strong opposition from the Catholic Church, Congress passed the reproductive health bill on December 20. President Aquino quietly signed it into law on December 21.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had earlier threatened to question the new law before the Supreme Court

after it failed to block the approval of the RH bill in Congress.

In a pastoral letter, LingayenDagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who is also the vice president of the CBCP, said that the reproductive health law “will lead to greater crimes against women.”

“The poor are being promised a better life through the RH Bill.

It will not be so. The poor can rise from their misery through more accessible education, better hospitals and lesser government corruption. Money for contraceptives

can be better used for education and authentic health care,” Villegas said.

“The youth are being made to believe that sex before marriage is acceptable provided you know how to avoid pregnancy. Is this moral?

Those who corrupt the minds of children will invoke divine wrath on themselves,” the bishop warned.

He said that the free and wide dissemination of contraceptives will destroy family life and lead to more violence against women.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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