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VOL. 6 NO. 273

ARRIVAL HONORS

Marines carry the coffins of 13 of their own who were killed in fighting terrorists in Marawi City on Friday as they arrive at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday night. President Duterte led the arrival ceremony and condoled with the families of the fallen soldiers.

GRIG MONTEGRANDE / PDI

Philippine flag raised on Independence Day in war torn city THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MARAWI, PHILIPPINES — Filipinos marked their country’s Independence Day by raising the national flag Monday in a southern city where troops pressed assaults to quell a three-week siege by Islamic State group-aligned militants that has left 270 combatants and civil-

ians dead.

Many were teary-eyed during the flag-raising ceremonies at the heavily guarded city hall and provincial capital building in Marawi, the heartland of the Islamic faith in the country’s south, where hundreds of gunmen went on a deadly rampage on May 23.

7

Philippines says it learned of city siege plans in advance

17 Celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day Reception by the Philippine Consulate Office in Vancouver ❱❱ PAGE 23

❱❱ PAGE 9 Philippine flag

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Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

Robredo: Duterte had good reason for skipping Independence Day rites

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer TAYSAN, BATANGAS — Vice President Leni Robredo made light of her appearance as President Duterte’s last-minute stand-in during Monday’s Independence Day rites, saying she was sure the latter had a good reason for not showing up.

“I was told the President would not be able to make it when I was around five to 10 minutes away from Luneta. So I was told the President could not make it and they asked if I could take his place,” she told reporters during a visit with a rural community here.

“To me it was not a problem.

I’m sure he had an important reason to be absent,” Robredo said of the President.

Although the attendance of the two officials had been of-

ficially confirmed at the June 12 celebration at Luneta in Manila, Mr. Duterte did not show up. No reason was immediately given though officials said he took a rest day.

Robredo ended up taking the commanding role, leading the flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies before performing a salute in front of the statue of Jose Rizal. By her side was Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Staff members from Robredo’s office told the Philippine Daily Inquirer they were taken by surprise when they were suddenly told to “take over from there” by Malacañang personnel, who, until the announcement of the President’s absence, had been calling the shots.

“Suddenly, the Vice President had the lead role,” one staff member said. ■

3

Gov’t to set aside P10B to rebuild war-torn Islamic City

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GOVERNMENT would set aside P10 billion to rebuild wartorn Marawi City after Islamic State (IS)-linked terrorists who besieged the city were wiped out or driven away, Malacañang said on Saturday.

The “Bangon Marawi” recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation program will be led by the Department of National Defense and will involve the Departments of Public Works and Highways, Education, Social Welfare and Development, Energy, and Trade and Industry, said presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

“We assure you that the President is deeply concerned for the city, the region and the island’s well-being and is very hands-on to ensure that normalcy will be restored at the soonest possible time and serve people’s aspirations for a comfortable life for all,” Abella said on state-owned

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Radyo ng Bayan.

An executive order to be is- sued by President Duterte would set aside the funds and assign the agencies that would be mobilized for the rebuilding of the Islamic city.

It is being reviewed by the Office of the Executive Secretary, according to Abella.

Large swaths of the city of more than 200,000 have been destroyed or severely damaged by gun battles, airstrikes and shelling since May 23 when Abu Sayyaf and Maute group fighters started their siege in what the military said was an attempt to turn Marawi into a wilayat, or a province, of the IS. The attacks prompted the President to declare martial law in the whole of Mindanao.

Reconstruction efforts would begin after fighting stops and the military clears the city to ensure it is safe for residents and workers.

The clearing operation would take about two weeks, and reconstruction and rehabilitation

work would run for at least six months, Abella said.

“Bangon Marawi will be undertaken by the engineering brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the auspices of the to be named undersecretary, with the expressed purpose of bringing back residents and normal everyday life as soon as possible,” Abella said.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla earlier said the military was preparing the units that could assist in rebuilding Marawi.

The fighting has killed 58 soldiers and police, 21 civilians and 138 terrorists as of Saturday. Nearly all of Marawi’s residents have fled the gun battles to nearby towns and cities with hardly any of their belongings.

Pictures and videos of parts of the devastated city showed bombed out and burnt buildings, pockmarked with bullet holes while concrete rubble littered the streets—scenes similar to the IS battlegrounds in the Middle East. ■

Philippine News

4

Tourists reach 1.8M in 1st qtr

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer NEARLY 1.8 million foreign travelers flocked to the Philippines in the first quarter of this year.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) made this statement as it expressed optimism that more visitors would come following the government’s massive investments in infrastructure, aggressive marketing efforts, the expansion of airline routes and lower crime rates.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo brushed aside concerns about the DOT not meeting its tourism arrival targets after foreign embassies issued travel advisories as a result of the incident at Resorts World Manila and the attacks in Marawi City that led to the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.

“There will always be travel advisories following incidents like these. But the tourists will come back eventually, they will

rebook,” Teo told a press conference.

“The Philippines is too enticing a destination to keep people away. People will still come,” she said.

In a statement, Teo said the Philippines remained a “perennial destination” for tourists, with international arrivals breaching the million mark as early as February of this year.

“A total of 1,784,882 visitors have come to the country in the first three months as we continue with our efforts to increase the country’s capacity under the National Tourism Development Plan 2017-2022,” she said.

Nearly half of the tourists came from South Korea, with the rest coming from the United States, China, Japan and Australia.

According to the DOT, about 98 percent of foreign tourists arrived by air and the expansion of air travel routes will result in a higher volume of travelers.

There were around 787,000 international airline seats added in the first quarter. ■

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Aguirre asks SC to order detention of arrested Maute members in Taguig

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer JUSTICE SECRETARY Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to order the detention of arrested Maute Group members in a prison facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, which was overran by detained Abu Sayyaf bandits in 2006.

In a two-page letter to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Aguirre sought a reconsideration of the high court’s resolution assigning the courts in Cagayan de Oro City to try the criminal cases filed against the terrorists behind the violent attack in Marawi City, which prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Mindanao under martial law.

“There is clear and present danger to the security of police escorts and detainees subject of the inquest proceedings for rebellion,” Aguirre said.

“Members of the judiciary and the National Prosecution Service fear for their safety in the conduct of inquest, preliminary investigation and trial of the cases involving the Maute group,” he added.

He said it would be best to designate the courts in Taguig to hear the cases to ensure the safety of judges and state prosecutors tasked to handle them.

In addition, Aguirre sought the high court’s permission to designate the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan as the detention facility for individuals arrested in connection with the May 23 Marawi siege.

Interestingly, the prison facility was seized by a group of Abu Sayyaf terrorists during a failed jailbreak in March 2006, which led to the killing of 23 inmates, among them notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot.

Aguirre noted that a police convoy transporting four arrested Maute members to Cagayan de Oro on June 10 was waylaid by unidentified gunmen, which resulted in the death of the detainees and the wounding of three policemen.

Besides, Aguirre said the courts in Cagayan de Oro were only temporarily occupying the City Tourism Office after the city’s Hall of Justice was razed by fire in 2015.

“The modest office space of the City Tourism Hall cannot accommodate the influx of detainees to be arraigned or to undergo preliminary investigation of trial. Moreover, the facility is not secured enough to be a venue of a high-profile, very dangerous group of individuals,” he maintained.

Last week, the police brought Cayamora Matute, the father of the leaders of the Islamic State-inspired terror group, to SICA after he was arrested in Davao City. ■

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Philippine News

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Gov’t alarmed

by IS group threat

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG ON Tuesday said it was concerned over reports that the Islamic State (IS) group had ordered more attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, including in the Philippines, as it disclosed that terrorists battling government forces in Marawi City had killed five more civilians.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the government would respond to any terrorist attacks “with continued decisiveness.”

An audio message purporting to come from Abi al-Hassan al-Muhajer, spokesperson for IS, on Monday called for followers to launch attacks in the United States, Europe, Russia, Australia, Iraq, Syria, Iran and the Philippines during Ramadan, which began on May 26.

Abella said the threat would be factored in as the government tried to meet its goal of freeing Marawi from the clutches of IS-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists as soon as possible.

The military campaign in Marawi entered its fourth week on Tuesday after missing a self-imposed deadline of June 12 to clear the city of the terrorists.

“The fight will continue. We will not stop until it’s finished,” Abella told reporters.

5 more civilians killed

”The President has been very supportive and is quite emphatic that Marawi should be totally settled, and not only Marawi but also the terrorist threats should be completely addressed [on] the entire island of Mindanao,” he said.

The military should be credited for the “great advances” it had achieved, he added.

Abella said five more civilians were killed by the gunmen in Marawi, bringing the civilian death toll to 26 as of Tuesday.

He said the five civilians were among 18 people hiding in a house in Marawi when gunmen knocked on the door.

Frightened, the civilians ran for it using the backdoor. But the gunmen went after them and opened fire, killing five.

Eight of the civilians were taken hostage, and five others were rescued by state forces, Abella said.

The number of civilians rescued from Marawi stood at 1,618 as of Tuesday.

There were reports that many more civilians remained trapped in parts of the city where terrorists were holed up.

Fifty-eight soldiers and policemen have been killed since the fighting started on May 23. www.canadianinquirer.net

Urban terrain

The military conceded on Tuesday that troops were struggling to loosen the grip of the terrorists on downtown parts of the city despite relentless bombing.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said the urban terrain was hampering the Army’s progress because the terrorists were hunkered down in built-up neighborhoods, many of them with civilians they had taken as human shields.

Asked when the fighting would end, Padilla said: “I can’t give you an estimate because of compounding developments faced by ground commanders.”

The military had set Monday, Independence Day, as a target date to flush out the terrorists, both local and foreign fighters who had pledged allegiance to IS, the jihadist group that is on the back foot in Iraq and Syria.

The national flag was raised in Marawi on Monday as gunfire rang out from parts of the city where government troops were locked in combat with the terrorists and OV-10 attack planes took turns dropping bombs on terrorist positions.

Mosques targeted

The military said on Tuesday it had been forced to target mosques in airstrikes because the terrorists had taken refuge in those places of worship.

“They are using the mosques. The sacredness [of the mosques] is gone as the Maute used these in their military activities,” said Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

“As you can see, they are making these (mosques) their logistical hubs and sniper’s nests,” he added.

As long as the terrorists use the mosques as cover, these will be targeted “to save lives” and “to protect our troops,” Herrera said.

He said the Maute group’s leaders, brothers Omarkhayam and Abdullah Maute, and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, said to be the “emir” of IS in Southeast Asia, were believed to be still in Marawi.

Sources said on Monday, however, that Abdullah Maute was directing the fighting. Hapilon, they said, was not in the war zone.

There was no word about Omarkhayam Maute.

The sources said Abdullah Maute went around in a pickup every morning to encourage his men to fight on.

IS claim

The terrorists control about 20 percent of Marawi, more than twice the area the military cited last week, according to IS Amaq news agency.

Asked to comment on how much of ❱❱ PAGE 10 Gov’t alarmed

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

7

Philippines says it learned of city siege plans in advance THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MARAWI, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine government learned days in advance of a plan by Muslim militants aligned with the Islamic State group to lay siege to a southern city, and staged an army raid on a militant hideout that prevented a bigger and deadlier attack, officials said Tuesday.

Solicitor General Jose Calida said in a report that the government received intelligence information at least five days before the militants prematurely launched their bloody assault on Marawi city on May 23 after government forces raided the hideout of militant leaders led by Isnilon Hapilon.

Army troops failed to capture Hapilon in the raid, which sparked a gunbattle in a Marawi village, but military officials said the assault forced the gunmen to prematurely start their attack aimed at occupying the Islamic city of more than 200,000 people. The rebel plan was to launch the attack on May 26 or 27, the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in the country’s south.

“Specifically, on 18 May 2017, intelligence reports revealed that the ISISinspired local rebel groups were planning to occupy Marawi city, and to raise the ISIS flag at the provincial capitol,” Calida said in a report to the Supreme Court, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.

“The said attack would have served as the precursor for other rebel groups to stage their own uprisings across Mindanao in a bid to simultaneously establish a wilayah in the region,” Calida said, referring to the southern Philippine region and the Islamic State province the militants aimed to create there.

Solicitor General Jose Calida.

PNA

Calida defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to declare martial law in the entire southern Mindanao region to deal with the Marawi crisis. Opponents have questioned the grounds cited

by Duterte for the martial law declaration and asked the Supreme Court to invalidate his action.

Asked why the government failed to stop the Marawi siege despite its advance knowledge of the plot, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the intelligence information was still being vetted, but the military nevertheless planned a raid on the hideout of Hapilon and other militants behind the plot.

“From our point of view, we were able to stop something that could have been much, much bigger,” Abella told a news conference.

Abella was also asked why top security officials led by Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. joined Duterte in a trip to Russia around the

time the government received information about the planned Marawi attack.

“They were all on top of the situation.

They were actually monitoring everything,” Abella said.

When the military managed to verify some of the details of the plot, it staged the raid on Hapilon’s hideout, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said. He acknowledged, however, that the military was unaware of the number of armed fighters the plotters could muster.

Where have you gone, Bato?

BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer PHILIPPINE NATIONAL Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa made his first public appearance since June 2 and claimed he had kept away from the public eye because of “special operations.”

“We have to be quiet about it. It is terrorism-related. I do not need to give out details,” Dela Rosa told reporters at the launch of the PNP’s “Mission Slimpossible” project.

Dela Rosa was last seen in public at Resorts World Manila before dawn of June 2 when a debt-ridden former government employee torched parts of the casino.

He has not been at his office in the

PNP’s Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City the past few days and PNP officials could only surmise that he was in Mindanao.

He was also noticeably absent at the traditional Independence Day celebration at Camp Crame and his message was read for him by Deputy Director General Fernando Mendez Jr., the PNP deputy chief for operations.

When he did make an appearance at the PNP activity on Tuesday, Dela Rosa spoke about intelligence matters.

He clarified that while the intelligence community had information that the Maute group was up to something, officials had no idea what it was.

Dela Rosa said he and other security officials would not have gone to Russia with President Duterte if they did. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

In his report, Calida said “about 500 rebels marched along the main streets of Marawi and swiftly occupied strategic positions throughout the city” on May 23, adding that the gunmen had “strong combat capability, and seemingly limitless firepower and other resources.”

Army Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, a regional military commander, said 150 to 200 gunmen have been isolated in four of Marawi’s 96 villages, and dozens of militant snipers have been killed, setting back the militants’ lethal firepower three weeks after the bloody siege began.

With the remaining gunmen contained in just a few villages, Padilla said “the worst is over” in Marawi, but added that it was difficult to say when the government could regain full control of the devastated city.

Perched on buildings, some connected by tunnels that gave them mobility, the snipers have made it difficult for troops to wrest back areas under the rebels’ control. The gunmen have also used civilian hostages as human shields, Galvez said.

Philippine officials say 191 militants, 58 soldiers and policemen and 26 civilians have been killed in the three weeks of clashes. ■

Philippine News

8

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Speaker vows to defy SC Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he would not honor any Supreme Court order that would require Congress to convene in a joint session to tackle the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. He even vowed, in jest, that he would tear such an order to pieces.

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Member

ANY ORDER from the Supreme Court for a joint session of Congress to review the declaration of martial law in Mindanao will end up in shreds.

“There would really be a constitutional crisis—and it wouldn’t be our fault,” Speaker Pantaleon Al- varez told reporters on Thursday.

The leader of the House of Representatives was asked by reporters to respond to the petitions asking the high tribunal to compel Congress to jointly deliberate on President Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 placing Mindanao under martial rule and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas cor- pus after Islamist militants laid siege to Marawi City on May 23.

The petitioners argued that a joint session of Congress was mandated under the 1987 Constitution.

The House and the Senate overwhelmingly approved separate resolutions declaring their support for the martial law declaration just before they adjourned their session last week.

“They should review their law books.

How can the Supreme Court dictate Congress what to do? We’re a coequal body,” Alvarez said.

Asked what he would do if the court issued a directive for a joint session of Congress, Alvarez said: “I would rip it up.”

“That’s a joke, right? Like I said, they should study again and review their law books,” said the Davao del Norte representative.

Alvarez said he did not understand the logic of the petitioners.

“The majority of the Senate has passed a resolution supporting the declaration of martial law. The House of Representatives has passed a resolution with the majority supporting the declaration of martial law,” he said.

All about grandstanding

“Now, if you convene, what else will we talk about? We already know the decision. Maybe they just want to do their grandstanding in that joint session,” Alvarez said.

On Monday, seven opposition congressmen who call themselves the “Magnificent 7” filed a petition in the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of Mr. Duterte’s martial law proclamation.

The high court, moving swiftly on Tuesday, directed the government to reply to the petition and set oral arguments for three days next week.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Later on Tuesday, Florin Hilbay, former President Benigno Aquino III’s solicitor general, along with other lawyers allied with the previous administration, filed a petition in the high tribunal seeking to compel Congress to hold a joint session to review Mr. Duterte’s proclamation, citing “the clear constitutional requirement for Congress to convene and vote jointly.”

Separate issue

On Wednesday, another group of petitioners, led by former Sen. Wigberto Tañada and Catholic bishops, likewise urged the high court to direct Congress to comply with the the constitutional requirement.

Theodore Te, the Supreme Court’s spokesperson, on Thursday said the two mandamus petitions separately filed by the groups of Hilbay and Tañada would probably be consolidated because they involved similar issues.

SPEAKER PANTALEON ALVAREZ / FACEBOOK

‘Fearless guess’

Sen. Panfilo Lacson told a news forum on Thursday his “fearless guess” was that the court would not issue such a directive to a “coequal branch of government.”

“If at all, the court could resolve the other issue, which is whether there was basis for the martial law proclamation,” the senator said.

Lacson was one of 12 senators who voted to junk the Senate resolution, filed

by Aquino allies, seeking a joint session to review the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao.

He also was among 17 senators who voted for another Senate resolution stating there was no need to revoke the martial law declaration for now.

Lacson said the Constitution was clear that Congress would only hold a joint session to discuss a martial law proclamation if the two chambers would revoke it.

Flexibility

Unconstitutional

But the two petitions would be treated differently from the one lodged by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and six other opposition congressmen, who said Mr. Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 was unconstitutional.

“They differ from the petition challenging the factual basis for martial law in Mindanao and will thus not be consolidated with the martial law petition,” Te said in a statement. “[They] will not be covered by the court’s instructions given last Tuesday for preliminary conference and oral arguments,” he added.

Te noted that the two petitions regarding the joint congressional session were filed after the magistrates had adjourned their weekly full-court session last Tuesday.

“The petitions will most likely be consolidated and will be dealt with separately,” he said.

www.canadianinquirer.net

He said that during interpellation of the Senate resolution seeking a joint session of Congress, it was pointed out that former Constitutional Commission member Christian Monsod argued in 1986 that the President should be given flexibility to exercise emergency powers under martial law unless revoked by Congress.

He said Monsod was one of the petitioners now in the high court. “Where is the consistency?” he asked.

Asked what would happen if the high court ruled that the proclamation had no factual basis and President Duterte refused to follow it, Lacson said there would be a constitutional crisis.

He said he did not think the President would disobey the court despite “all the bravado pronouncements.”

“We have seen how he would say things but in the end he will take a different action and follow the law,” Lacson added. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

9

DOT stands by controversial ad

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) and one of the world’s top advertising agencies on Tuesday defended the government’s latest video advertisement to promote the Philippines after it was criticized as a copy of South Africa’s tourism campaign.

“There has never been any intention to copy anyone’s creative work,” said McCann Worldgroup Philippines, which took responsibility for the 60-second ad.

“We acknowledge the feedback that the way this story was told may have similarities with the South African tourism campaign. It is unfortunate that the DOT has been called out and accused of plagiarism for work we have done to highlight the testimonial of [a] real retiree,” McCann Philippines director for corporate affairs Niña Terol told reporters.

“We take full responsibility, as all ideas and storyboards presented were conceptualized

by McCann,” Terol said.

Like in the South African ad, the Philippines’ “Sights” featured a foreigner enjoying the beautiful scenery and interact-

ing with locals although he was blind, which was only shown at the closing moments of the ad.

The ad concludes with the new tourism slogan, “Experience the Philippines.”

McCann Philippines is part of a New York-based global advertising network operating in more than 120 countries and territories.

Foreign retirees

The South African ad was commissioned by Brand South Africa (BSA), an agency under the South African communications ministry. An article on the BSA website said the agency also contracted McCann in 2013.

DOT spokesperson Frederick Alegre said the ad would not be pulled out or edited in the meantime, adding that it was “unique” and focused on a particular group—foreign retirees.

Alegre said the DOT had been promoting the country to specific markets and the latest ad’s target was the “seniors and retirees.” The country has issued more than 27,000 special retiree visas to foreigners, many of them Japanese, he said.

Alegre said the ad was coordinated with the Philippine Retirement Authority and was part of McCann’s contract un-

der the previous administration.

“We stand by McCann, we stand by the creative execution [of the ad],” Alegre said. “We know for a fact that the Philippines is a choice destination, a choice place to stay for retirees.

It’s all part of the series of ads to show the spirit of the Filipino.”

Sen. JV Ejercito, vice chair of the Senate committee on tourism, said it would be better for the DOT “to stick to ’It’s more Fun in the Philippines’ tourism campaign ad” of the previous administration as it has become recognized globally.

Distinctly Filipino

Ejercito underscored the importance of tourism campaign ads that were “distinctly Filipino.”

He recalled the DOT had also been accused of copying the logo for its ad campaign of “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” in the early days of the Aquino administration.

That logo was strikingly similar to Poland’s tourism logo, “Polska.”

The “more fun” ad also had been criticized for being a copycat of the 1950s Swiss tourism campaign “It’s More Fun in Switzerland!”

Alegre said the “more fun” ad

TOURISM PHILIPPINES / YOUTUBE

would not be “quite appropriate at this moment,” a reference to the fighting in Marawi City, which has left more than 200 dead.

1.7M Facebook views

The ad, which was released on Independence Day, had over 1.7 million views on Facebook and about 50,000 views on YouTube as of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

It featured Japanese retiree M. Uchimura mingling with Filipinos in the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan, the rice terraces of Ifugao, the sand dunes of Paoay and the heritage houses of Vigan.

“Here, you don’t have to see

the sun to discover radiance.

You don’t have to see colors to experience vibrance. You don’t have to see the smiles to know you are safe. You don’t have to see to feel you are home,” said Uchimura, who also was the narrator.

Toward the end, Uchimura, who wears a hat and sunglasses, takes out his walking stick to navigate the cobblestoned Calle Crisologo of Vigan, and viewers realize that he is blind.

The foreign tourist in the South African ad did the same thing, also at the end. ■ With a report from Christine O. Avendaño

Philippine flag... ❰❰ 1

Blasts from airstrikes thudded in the distance during the

events.

While the flag-raising was mainly to mark Independence Day, it also symbolized the reclaiming of city hall and other areas of Marawi by government forces. Policemen roamed a community that troops had wrested back from the militants and festooned abandoned houses with small flags.

Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra fought back tears as he thanked troops, police and volunteers in the crisis that has turned parts of the previously tranquil lakeside city of more than 200,000 people, most of whom have fled the fighting, into a smouldering battlefield.

Villager Janisah Ampao, who fled her home with her husband and two children when the fighting broke out last month,

felt a sense of relief and pride when she saw the flag being raised at the provincial capital building. She has been living with other evacuees in a nearby government building that has been turned into an emergency shelter.

“I don’t know how we can restart our lives after the fighting,” Ampao said by telephone.

“Our city is in ruins, all the people have gone and the stores are closed. I saw on TV that our village has been destroyed.”

Facing the worst crisis in his yearlong presidency, President Rodrigo Duterte cancelled an annual Independence Day diplomatic reception at the presidential palace and skipped a flag-raising ceremony in Manila.

“He doesn’t feel like giving a toast, even symbolic, when soldiers are dying and the evacuees and the displaced are in the provinces and in Marawi’s mar-

gins,” Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters.

Philippine flags were also flown at half-staff as the country mourned the killings of 13 marines in a fierce battle in Marawi on Friday. Some of the marines perished in a fire ignited by the militants at the height of the fighting, military officials said. They said 58 soldiers and policemen, 191 militants and 21 civilians have been killed in the three weeks of clashes.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson conveyed independence greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump and the American people, saying the U.S. stands as an ally with the Philippines as it confronts the attacks in Marawi and other terrorist threats.

The U.S. military has deployed a spy plane at Manila’s request to help provide surveillance to troops battling www.canadianinquirer.net

militants still holed up in a few buildings in Marawi with an unspecified number of civilian hostages. The tough-talking Duterte took an adversarial stance toward former U.S. President Barack Obama, who had criticized his bloody anti-drug crackdown, but his relations with Trump have been markedly better.

The Marawi siege unfolded after a May 23 army raid failed to capture a top terror suspect, Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State group as its leader in Southeast Asia. The raid pre-empted a plot by about 500 gunmen waving Islamic State groupstyle black flags to capture all of Marawi and kill as many Christians as they could, military officials say.

Duterte told reporters Sunday that he decided to declare martial law in the southern

third of the country to better stop the gunmen from escaping from Marawi or launching new attacks elsewhere.

While he has warned before that the Islamic State group has gained a foothold in the country’s south, Duterte said he was still surprised by the magnitude of the violence in Marawi, adding that he has been told that Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was behind the Marawi attack.

“I did not realize that it was that bad because now it appears that Baghdadi himself, the leader of the ISIS, has specifically ordered terroristic activities here in the Philippines,” Duterte said, without elaborating. ISIS is an abbreviation for the Islamic State group. ■ Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

10

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Patients for ‘mega’ 13 Philippine marines killed drug center, finally in fighting with militants

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer ARRESTED DRUG suspects may soon find a new, bigger home after the Supreme Court ordered all lower court judges to commit them to the 10hectare Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, a facility in Nueva Ecija that can accommodate up to 10,000 patients. As of February, only 127 patients have been brought to the center.

The country’s biggest drug rehabilitation center may finally be put to good use, especially by those who want to use it.

The Supreme Court has directed all lower court judges to issue commitment orders for arrested drug suspects to the “mega” rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija, which has been treating only a handful of patients since it opened in November last year.

Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez issued the order upon the request of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which had been complaining that the use of the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (MDATRC) at Fort Magsaysay had not been maximized.

Practicable

“Considering that most government drug treatment and rehabilitation centers are already overcrowded, the Office of the Court Administrator hereby enjoins all concerned judges to refer, as far as practicable, drug users and dependents to the MDATRC,” Marquez said in his order dated June 6.

The order covers “drug users and pushers who are ordered for treatment and rehabilitation by the courts.”

Huang Rulun, a Chinese real estate tycoon who donated P1.4 billion in support of President Duterte’s war on drugs, bankrolled the construction of the center.

The Department of Justice has been tasked with shouldering the operations and maintenance costs of the center, which is managed by the Department of Health.

Still under construction

The 10-hectare center could accommodate up to 10,000 patients, but parts of it are still under construction.

The Duterte administration has been boasting that the success of its antidrug war has led to the surrender of some 1.2 mil- lion drug dependents all over the country.

Authorities, however, have failed to recognize that not even 1 percent of those who had turned themselves in had been admitted for rehabilitation.

Only 127 patients

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that as of February, only 127 patients had been brought to the center, mostly from the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.

Mr. Duterte’s take-no-prisoners approach to the narcotics trade has left thousands of suspects dead, most of them killed in gangland-style executions by unknown gunmen.

Assistant Interior Secretary Ricojudge Echiverri earlier said the government had been “spending so much for the maintenance” of the rehabilitation center, but “nobody’s volunteering to treat themselves.”

“You can’t force someone to go there because it’s voluntary.

These are not prisoners,” he said. ■

Gov’t alarmed...

Marawi was still occupied as the siege entered its fourth week, Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, told Reuters it was 20 percent.

“Out of 90 barangays, they are holding portions in Marinaut, ❰❰ 6

Lulut, Mapandi and Bongolo commercial district, which only comprise 20 percent of the whole Marawi City …. and it’s getting smaller every day,” Galvez said. ■ With reports from Jeoffrey Maitem

BY TODD PITMAN The Associated Press ILIGAN, PHILIPPINES — Thirteen Philippine marines were killed in fierce fighting with Muslim militants who have laid siege to a southern city for nearly three weeks in the biggest single-day loss for government forces, the military said Saturday.

A U.S. Navy aircraft provided surveillance for the local troops as the battle raged in Marawi on Friday, confirming the involvement of the U.S. military in helping quell the urban insurrection at the request of the Philippine government, Philippine military officials said.

An Associated Press journalist and photographer saw a U.S. Navy P3 Orion plane hovering in cloudy skies above Marawi on Friday. The aircraft flew above rocket-firing Philippine helicopters that struck militant positions, causing plumes of smoke to billow skyward.

“We don’t have adequate surveillance equipment, so we asked the U.S. military for assistance. It’s noncombat assistance,” military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said by phone, citing aPhilippine government policy that bars foreign troops from local combat.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila said without elaborating that U.S. special operations forces were providing help to Filipino troops battling the Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants in Marawi.

“The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines, and we will continue to work with the Philippines to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries, including on counterterrorism issues,” the embassy said in a statement.

Philippine marines were conducting a house-to-house search for militants allied with the Islamic State group who are still occupying parts of Marawi when the battle erupted Friday, said Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesman for the Philippine army’s 1st Infantry Division.

About 30-40 militants used civilians as human shields, making it hard for troops to www.canadianinquirer.net

One of the 13 Philippine marines killed in fighting with militants on June 9.

RTVM / PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS VIDEO

operate, and also positioned themselves in the city’s many mosques.

Forty other marines were wounded, Herrera said.

Philippine military officials say the violence has left at least 138 militants and 58 government troops dead. At least 21 civilians have been killed, including a boy who was hit by suspected militant gunfire inside a Marawi mosque where his family had taken refuge, Padilla said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the city, parts of which were reduced to rubble by fighting and government airstrikes in an attempt to dislodge the rebels.

“This temporary setback has not diminished our resolve a bit,” said military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo. “It instead primed up our determination to continue our prudent advances to neutralize the enemy, save the innocent lives trapped in the fight, and set the conditions for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi.”

Filipino forces, meanwhile, captured on Friday the mother of two top militant leaders leading the siege. Ominta Romato Maute, who is also known as Farhana, was arrested with two wounded men and several woman allegedly with assault rifles and other weapons in Masiu town in Lanao del Sur province.

Maute’s husband, Cayamora, was arrested at a police checkpoint in the southern city of Davao on Tuesday. The two were detained on suspicion of providing financial and other support to their children who are involved in the fighting in Marawi, officials said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the Mindanao region, the southern third of the Philippines and home to a decadeslong Muslim separatist rebellion.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the designated administrator of martial law, has ordered the arrest of nearly 200 militants, politicians and other suspected civilian backers of the unprecedented uprising in Marawi, the mosque-studded heartland of Islamic faith in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

The Marawi siege followed a May 23 army raid that failed to capture a top terror suspect, Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State group as its leader in Southeast Asia. The raid, however preempted a plot by hundreds of militants waving Islamic State group-style black flags to capture Marawi and kill Christians, military officials say. ■ Associated Press writer Jim Gomez and photographer Aaron Favila contributed to this report.

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

11

Scope of martial law questioned

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer SUPREME COURT Associate Justice Marvic Leonen on Tuesday warned that the government might be falling for the propaganda campaign of terrorists by employing the “hardest, harshest solution” to terrorism, such as the imposition of martial law.

Leonen raised this caution as the Supreme Court opened the three-day oral arguments on the three petitions questioning the legality of President Duterte’s martial law proclamation and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao.

Mr. Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216, which he said “would not be different” from what the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed in 1972, after members of the Maute terror group occupied Marawi City on May 23.

The petitioners, led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, insisted that Mr. Duterte’s order did not have sufficient factual basis and violated Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, which authorizes the President to declare martial law “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”

Leonen, who once served as the government’s chief negotiator in peace talks with Moro secessionist rebels, asked lawyer Marlon Manuel, who represented a group of women from Marawi, if all the other provinces in Mindanao were also under threat from the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group.

Manuel said he agreed with Leonen that most parts of Mindanao were actually peaceful and that the area covered by martial law was “definitely not reasonable” and “too expansive.”

“Just because we see gory

details on television, just because atrocities can be committed by barbaric individuals, it does not necessarily mean that we should impose the hardest, harshest solution,” Leonen told the open court proceedings.

“If we do that, then we are playing into the hands of modern-day terrorists who use social media and want to elevate themselves to a stature that the world can see through the social media and [mainstream] media,” he said.

lice chief turned out to be erroneous.

Del Castillo asked Lagman if he and the other petitioners had been to Marawi for them to claim that the atrocities perpetrated by the Maute group could not be considered rebellion.

Lagman replied, “The petitioners need not be in Marawi City before, during and after the proclamation because the assessment and review [of the situation] is the presidential proclamation itself.”

Last resort

Safeguards

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella announced that after the Communist Party of the Philippines' statement that it would only cooperate with the government in the fight against the Maute Group if the latter would lift Martial Law and the all-out war policy, the cooperation between the government and the communist group would be unlikely.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Manuel argued that the terror acts committed by the Maute group were not tantamount to rebellion as defined under the law, pointing out that the 30-year-old Charter was actually an “antimartial law document” that was crafted to avoid a repeat of a dictatorial regime.

“In the context of the 1987 Constitution, martial law cannot be a precaution. It’s a means of last resort. It cannot be a psychological strategy to instill fear. It has to address a specific situation,” the lawyer said.

“We do not intend to dilute the violence and terror that exists in Marawi or the gallant sacrifices of our soldiers and police officers,” Manuel said.

“We assert, however, that military [power] can be exercised without the imposition of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus,” he added.

Grilled by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, Lagman said Mr. Duterte’s order was “ill-conceived” and that it was based on “false, inaccurate, wanting and flawed” incidents that the President used to justify the imposition of military rule.

For one, the lawmaker said Mr. Duterte’s claim that the terrorists took over a private hospital, burned down two schools and beheaded a local town po-

Del Castillo said he also could not understand why the petitioners were worried when the Constitution had put in place safeguards against government abuses like what happened during the Marcos regime.

But Lagman said the deaths of dozens of civilians and state forces actually happened after Mr. Duterte issued the martial law proclamation, which, he stressed, should not “in any way validate the continuance of martial law.”

“The Armed Forces has the capability to suppress this terrorism in Marawi without the President imposing martial law,” Lagman said.

Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro said terror groups had been sowing violence not just to kill people, but to promote their political agenda.

Solicitor General Jose Calida defended the President’s decision, saying the Maute group’s violent acts constituted a crime of rebellion.

“Who would believe that what is happening now in Marawi is not rebellion? All the elements of rebellion are there,” Calida said before the start of the fivehour proceedings.

“The IS-inspired local rebel groups have taken up arms against the Philippine government for the purpose of re-

www.canadianinquirer.net

moving Mindanao from its allegiance and of depriving the Chief Executive of his prerogatives therein,” he said.

Sen. JV Ejercito on Tuesday said that the Senate would request another round of briefing from defense and security officials before they met in a joint session to decide whether there was a need to extend beyond 60 days the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.

Ejercito said the briefing, initiated by the Senate leadership, would help lawmakers have a better assessment of the situation in Marawi.

“Before we decide on the extension of martial law in a joint session, at least we know the situation,” he said.

An extension is possible, he said, if the military has not gained full control of the predominantly Muslim city. Mr. Duterte’s proclamation is limited to 60 days.

“We will see after 60 days and if the situation has not yet improved we will assess. But personally, I would want another briefing from security officials so we know the real situation in case we need to extend or we need to revoke it because they can already handle the situation there,” Ejercito said.

Abdication

But Sen. Francis Escudero

said it would be presumptuous and an abdication of Congress’ powers and prerogatives for any of its members to volunteer an extension ahead of Mr. Duterte’s decision.

“Under the Constitution, it is only the President who can ask for an extension of martial law and Congress should approve it,” Escudero said in a statement.

“It is only the President who is in possession of intelligence information that, if at all, would necessitate such an extension,” he added.

Escudero also maintained that the fighting in Marawi was the “best proof” of the gravity of the situation, contrary to the position taken by critics of the proclamation.

“What is happening in Marawi ‘falls on all fours’ with the definition of rebellion under the Revised Penal Code,” he said.

“While it is now called or branded as ‘terrorism’ mostly by [the] media given that it is the current international norm in relation to similar incidents, it does not change the fact that it complies with all the elements of rebellion under [the law] and the Constitution when the word terrorism was not yet coined,” he said. ■ With a report from Jocelyn R. Uy

12

Philippine News

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Last texts from smoke-filled casino: ‘I have nowhere to hide… I love you all so much’

Robredo slams Aguirre for using fake news on Marawi conflict

BY DJ YAP AND PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer

AT THE close of Wednesday’s 11hour congressional hearing on the Resorts World Manila attack, lawmakers listened in silence to the last text messages sent by a dying RWM employee to her husband. “Bhie, may barilan dito sa loob ng RWM. Wala akong mapagtaguan (There’s a shooting here inside RWM. I have nowhere to hide).”

It was the first of a series of messages sent by the trapped woman starting at 12:19 a.m. of June 3—and read aloud by a congressman during the House inquiry into the tragedy that claimed her life and that of 37 others.

AT 12:26 a.m., she sent another message: “Bhie, naipit na ako dito sa second floor. May barilan na nangyayari. Please naman sumagot ka (I got trapped here on the second floor. There’s an ongoing shootout. Please reply).” About a minute later, the employee sent her last words: “Bhie, di ko alam kung makakalabas pa ako ng buhay dito. Pero ikaw na ang bahala sa mga bata ha? Mahal na mahal ko kayo (I don’t know if I can get out of this alive. But take care of the kids. I love you all so much).”

Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, the chair of the House games and amusements committee, entered the woman’s messages into the record as he adjourned the proceedings.

Tambunting declined to identify the woman.

The inquiry looked into last week’s deadly attack where a gunman, later identified as Jessie Javier Carlos, stormed the

Coworkers, relatives, and friends of the victims of the Resorts World attack stop by the entrance of the hotel — where flowers and candles were offered.

PNA

Pasay City casino, set gambling tables ablaze and engaged security guards in a gunfight before committing suicide in one of the rooms of an adjacent hotel.

The woman was one of the 13 Resorts World personnel who died of smoke inhalation along with casino guests.

“Imagine you were the husband of this person,” Tambunting said, directing his remarks at the Resorts World executives in attendance. “Would you just keep passing responsibility and say ‘it’s not our fault’? That’s why I understand the excitement, the intensity and the passion of the leaders of the House [in insisting] that we have to be more responsible.”

Gunman had only 1 wound

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory said DNA tests had confirmed that the charred remains of a man found at Room 510 of Maxim’s Hotel was that of Carlos, the gunman.

Chief Supt. Aurelio Trampe, the PNP Crime Lab head, also said Carlos’ remains showed that he had “no other wounds”

aside from the gunshot wound in the head.

“We got DNA samples from his parents (Teodora and Fernando) and then a muscle tissue from (the remains),” Trampe said on Thursday. “The DNA profile obtained from the unidentified male is consistent with that of an offspring of Teodora and Fernando. That is the conclusion.

The probability is 99.99 percent.”

“The doctor saw only one gunshot wound with the bullet exiting the head. We did not recover a slug in his body.

(The wound) was through and through,” he said.

According to RWM management, their security officers also wounded Carlos in his thigh after they shot it out with the gunman. However, Trampe said the doctor who autopsied Carlos found no other gunshot wound besides that in his head.

Trampe also said the autopsy of employees and hotel guests who died in the fire showed that the cause of death was “asphyxia by suffocation.”

A Korean national who was a guest at a nearby condominium died of a heart attack. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

TAYSAN, BATANGAS — Vice President Leni Robredo took a rare potshot at a member of President Duterte’s Cabinet on Tuesday, calling out Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre for spreading fake news and eroding the public’s trust in his department.

Elaborating on her Independence Day speech in which she warned of “weakening democratic institutions,” Robredo alluded to Aguirre’s recent media blunder when he used an old photograph to try to link opposition lawmakers to the terrorist siege of Marawi City.

“We have a Department of Justice whose head is saying things that are not true. I think it’s scary because it’s the Department of Justice that is supposed to lead in making sure justice will prevail over all of us,” she told reporters here.

“If he tells false things, the people’s trust in the institution is lost — not only in him but the institution,” said the former Camarines Sur congresswoman.

In making her point that democratic institutions were under threat, Robredo also made a vague reference to the President’s own propensity to challenge the co-equal branches of the executive.

“Lately, we hear a lot of [officials] challenging the powers of each other. We hear things like, ‘I won’t listen to this or that.’ I think that’s scary,” she said.

In May, Mr. Duterte said he would not listen to the Supreme Court or Congress on the implementation of martial law in Mindanao even though

both enjoyed a constitutional mandate to review his actions.

But last week, he backtracked, saying he would respect the Supreme Court’s decision on martial law.

Robredo said she found it “scary” that “when government agencies or government instrumentalities don’t believe in what’s written in the Constitution.”

“It’s democracy itself that is being challenged,” she said.

Robredo, the nominal leader of the Liberal Party who left Mr. Duterte’s Cabinet as housing secretary in December, said the nation has been facing too many troubles at present for its officials to be so preoccupied with politics.

“Now is not the time to talk of politics. It is not the time to be talking about whether one is my ally or not, or whether our politics is the same or not. We should be guarding democracy and all the institutions,” she said.

On her own role as an opposition figure, Robredo said she was not the type to oppose everything the administration would do or say.

“I don’t see myself as an opposition to all the policies of the government, because I always say we need to be supportive of the administration because that’s what the times call for,” she said.

“But on things I don’t agree with. I also need to give voice to my concerns. I think this is the more important partnership.

This is the more important role I should play,” Robredo said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

13

US spy planes help Philippine troops quell siege

BY TODD PITMAN The Associated Press ILIGAN, PHILIPPINES — American spy planes are helping Filipino troops quell a nearly three-week siege by Muslim militants in a southern city where 13 Philippine marines were killed in the biggest single-day loss for government forces, officials said Saturday.

A U.S. Navy aircraft provided surveillance for the local troops as the battle raged in Marawi on Friday, confirming the involvement of the U.S. military in helping to end the urban insurrection at the request of the Philippine government, Philippine military officials said.

An Associated Press journalist and photographer saw a U.S. Navy P3 Orion plane hovering in cloudy skies above Marawi on Friday. The aircraft flew above rocket-firing Philippine helicopters that struck militant positions, causing plumes of smoke to billow skyward.

“We don’t have adequate surveillance equipment, so we asked the U.S. military for assistance. It’s noncombat assistance,” military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said by phone, citing aPhilippine government policy that bars foreign troops from local combat.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila said without elaborating that U.S. special operations forces were providing help to Filipino troops battling the Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants in Marawi.

“The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines, and we will continue to work with the Philippines to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries, including on counterterrorism issues,” the embassy said in a statement.

Philippine marines were conducting a house-to-house search for militants allied with the Islamic State group who are still occupying parts of Marawi when the battle erupted Fri-

day, said Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesman for the Philippine army’s 1st Infantry Division.

About 30-40 militants used civilians as human shields, making it hard for troops to operate, and also positioned themselves in the city’s many mosques.

Forty other marines were wounded, Herrera said.

Philippine military officials say the violence has left at least 138 militants and 58 government troops dead. At least 21 civilians have been killed, including a boy who was hit by suspected militant gunfire inside a Marawi mosque where his family had taken refuge, Padilla said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the city, parts of which were reduced to rubble by fighting and government airstrikes in an attempt to dislodge the rebels.

“This temporary setback has not diminished our resolve a bit,” said military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo. “It instead

primed up our determination to continue our prudent advances to neutralize the enemy, save the innocent lives trapped in the fight, and set the conditions for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi.”

Filipino forces, meanwhile, captured on Friday the mother of two top militant leaders leading the siege. Ominta Romato Maute, who is also known as Farhana, was arrested with two wounded men and several woman allegedly with assault rifles and other weapons in Masiu town in Lanao del Sur province.

Maute’s husband, Cayamora, was arrested at a police checkpoint in the southern city of Davao on Tuesday. The two were detained on suspicion of providing financial and other support to their children who are involved in the fighting in Marawi, officials said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the Mindanao region, the southern third of the Philip-

pines and home to a decadeslong Muslim separatist rebellion.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the designated administrator of martial law, has ordered the arrest of nearly 200 militants, politicians and other suspected civilian backers of the unprecedented uprising in Marawi, the mosque-studded heartland of Islamic faith in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

The Marawi siege followed a May 23 army raid that failed to capture a top terror suspect, Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State group as its leader in Southeast Asia. The raid, however preempted a plot by hundreds of militants waving Islamic State group-style black flags to capture Marawi and kill Christians, military officials say. ■ Associated Press writer Jim Gomez and photographer Aaron Favila contributed to this report.

Parents of fallen soldiers true patriots – AFP Dignified acceptance of deaths, respect for Marines’ duty and pride over raising heroes admirable

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson hailed on Tuesday, the families of the fallen soldiers as the “true patriots” in the ongoing campaign to liberate Marawi City from terrorists who have allied themselves with the Islamic State.

“They are the true patriots,” Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said.

The resilience, fortitude, and their quiet, dignified acceptance of the deaths of their loved ones have been evident in every military family since the fighting in Marawi broke out three weeks ago, Padilla said.

Padilla was especially struck by the media interviews of the parents of the late Marine Lieutenant John Frederick Savellano.

“They said that people shouldn’t send them condolences but congratulations because they raised a hero for our

country,” Padilla said.

Savellano, 29, was killed on Friday, along with 12 other Marine soldiers, in an intense firefight with the Abu Sayyaf/ Maute group.

Just a few days before he was killed, Savellano led his Marine company in the recovery of P79 million in cash and stale checks at a house used as a sniper’s nest by the Maute group.

On Monday at the wake of his men, Marine commandant, Major General Emmanuel Salamat, said none of the fallen soldiers’ families questioned the deaths of their loved ones and the military campaign in Marawi City.

“They know the duty of the Marines. They know that sacrificing their lives for the country is part of that duty,” Salamat said.

Savellano’s sibling told reporters that their family was grateful that the Marines have been assisting them “every step of the way.”

Salamat said that the visits of President Duterte and Vice

Troopers take a wounded Marine soldier inside a medical facility in Iligan City as skirmishes between state forces and the Maute Group continued last June 9.

JIGGER J. JERUSALEM / PNA

President Leni Robredo at the wake to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers have also “given enough motivation to the families despite their dee grief.” www.canadianinquirer.net

Salamat also said that soldiers “always draw inspiration from our fallen heroes.”

“Their sacrifices and the bravery they displayed in their performance of their duties

as soldiers will always provide strong resolve to our soldiers to continue their selfless service to the nation,” he said.

On Monday, eight of the 10 Marines killed in Marawi, including Savellano, were given arrival honors at the Marines Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

They were met by Robredo, the Navy and Marine top brass, and their families.

The fallen Marines were posthumously awarded the military merit award for their gallantry in action.

Each of the medal with a bronze spearhead was placed on the top left hand side of the glasses of their caskets, as soldiers’ medals are traditionally pinned on their left breasts, by their hearts.

Salamat said the award could be upgraded based on the recommendations of their unit commanders.

Families of the slain soldiers will receive financial assistance and the soldiers’ children are also given scholarship grants, according to the military. ■

Opinion

14

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Speculative, Palace says of Aguirre’s ‘fake news’

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA, CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer JUSTICE SECRETARY Vitaliano Aguirre II was speculating when he linked Senators Bam Aquino and Antonio Trillanes IV to the siege of Marawi City by terrorists gunmen from the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group, Malacañang said on Thursday.

“Unless really fully vetted, they remain speculation as far as we’re concerned,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

“We go by what the President has said—that the troubles are directly due to the Isis,” he said, using the acronym by which the Islamic State (IS) group has also been called.

Aguirre has been doing an

and Ronald Llamas, the political adviser of former President Benigno Aquino III, were also present at the supposed May 2 meeting, Aguirre said, showing reporters a picture of the supposed meeting.

The picture was actually taken at the Iloilo airport two years ago.

makers prior to the Marawi siege. The said meeting never took place and no member of both families ever met with Senator Trillanes, Congressman Alejano and Ronald Llamas,” Aguirre said.

“I was unfortunately misquoted by some reporters as having said so,” he said.

However, even the staterun Philippine News Agency, quoting Aguirre, reported that the Marawi attack could be part of a plot to oust the President.

“I never said that they were successful in recruiting any local politicians and warlords. To the Alonto and Lucman families, my sincere apologies for any confusion about this issue,” he said.

Despite Aguirre’s apology to him, Aquino said he was considering taking legal action against the justice secretary. ■

continents, the free flow of capital unmatched glory, he has embarked alone and mind their own business. across national borders, the reloca- on an inward-looking policy that Given how we have welcomed and tion of factories and service cen- contradicts almost everything that seized the opportunities opened ters to places that assure higher America has hitherto stood for. up by the modern world system— profits and virtually unregulated He seeks, for example, to impose a sending millions of our own people operations, and the emergence of ban on immigrants from predomi- to take up employment in other a world society and global culture nantly Muslim countries—in total countries and hosting a thriving that threaten entrenched identi- defiance of timeless ideals that ani- BPO (business process outsourcing) industry that has transferred mate the American Constitution. ties and hierarchies.

Trump merely represents a form a broad range of jobs in the global Almost overnight, the vision of a world order founded on interna- of reaction that is rapidly spread- service economy to our shores—we tional solidarity, universal human ing in the West today. Threatened should be the last country to invalues, peace and shared prosper- by the massive inflow of immi- voke nationalist sensitivity in the ity, and the preservation of planet grants and refugees from the war- conduct of our affairs.

Having assumed our place in Earth for the generations to come, torn countries of the Middle East the community of has been replaced nations, we have by pessimism and no reason not to paranoia. InvokElsewhere in the world, nationalism is making a be mindful of the ing national sovercomeback—not as a progressive emancipatory force, but international coveignty and the duty as a movement of reaction and bigotry. enants we have to ensure the sursigned, and of the vival of their own peoples, populist politicians in the and North Africa, Europe is see- rights and responsibilities we have developed countries are turning ing a resurgence of racist politics willingly taken upon ourselves, untheir back on nearly all the evolu- that is hiding behind the banner der a global legal order. The South tionary achievements of a modern of nationalism. This is exactly the China Sea issue would have been “belligerent, aggressive, and chau- the perfect occasion to assert this world system.

America’s Donald Trump per- vinistic nationalism,” as the writer enlightened form of nationalism in haps best epitomizes this atavistic Horace Davis described it, that had a modern world society that is supregression. He is withdrawing his given the term its ugly connota- posed to be governed by mutually country from all the commitments tions in much of Western Europe agreed norms.

But, on this question, it seems made by his predecessor toward a during the postwar period.

But it is also this kind of nation- we have opted to act like a fearful global climate change agreement.

He has pledged to bring back the alism that we project every time we vassal state that is dutifully taking factories and jobs that have left tell other countries and interna- its subservient role in a premodern America as a result of economic tional organizations that express hierarchical order. Not only does globalization. With the promise their concern over what’s hap- this behavior go against the antito restore America to its previous pening in our country to leave us colonial ethos from which the Fili-

pino nation was sprung, it also runs against all the values that have undergirded the collective efforts of past generations to create a modern nation state out of the diverse ethnic communities that have long inhabited this archipelago.

That regional identities and perspectives continue to be asserted in the nation’s political discourse—in mindless disregard of the fact that this discourse is often conducted in a shared national lingua franca— attests to the ease with which local identities can easily be tapped in the service of an anti-global backlash.

The federalist move to carve out regional states from the existing unitary political system is consistent with this trend. It represents an attempt to manage the anxieties brought about by globalization—not by directly confronting the problems of weakened nationstates in a centerless world, but by retreating into the illusory comforts of smaller subnational systems.

It has taken us 71 years—82, if we include the Commonwealth period—to develop an independent modern state and nurture a citizenry imbued with national consciousness. It is an unfinished and fragile project. A reckless shift to federalism could spell its dissolution. ■

“excellent job” and still has the “full trust” of the President, Abella added.

The May 23 attacks in Marawi by IS-inspired gunmen prompted the President to declare martial law in the whole of Mindanao.

opponents.”

On Wednesday, Aguirre told reporters that Aquino and Trillanes met in Marawi with members of two prominent political clans—the Lucmans and the Alontos—days before the May 23 siege.

‘Like a troll’

Aquino said Aguirre had apologized to I’m not spreading fake news. The Media blamed photo did not come from me. him by phone Whacked by late on Wednesbrickbats for his day, but the opclaims, Aguirre position senabackpedaled, tor demanded a saying the media public apology for the serious “I don’t know why after they misquoted him during Wednesallegations made openly by the went there, the violence broke day’s press briefing. out after about two weeks,” justice secretary.

“I’m not spreading fake news.

Sen. Grace Poe also castigat- Aguirre said, adding that the The photo did not come from ed Aguirre as he “willingly ex- attacks could be part of a de- me,” Aguirre said in a text mesploits and amplifies such fake stabilization plot against Mr. sage to reporters on Thursday. news like a troll without a mod- Duterte.

“For the record, I did not say Another administration crit- there was a meeting between icum of effort to at least verify the same just to malign political ic, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, the two families and some law-

PUBLIC LIVES

Nationalism revisited

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer As we mark the 119th anniversary of the declaration of our people’s emancipation from Spain, it is worth revisiting the values and experiences that led us to that historic event. There are many forms of nationalism. In the light of what is happening in the world today, we should bear in mind where ours is rooted.

We know that Aguinaldo’s hurried proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, could not prevent the takeover of the country by American colonial power. Even so, the anticolonial struggles against Spain and the United States became the wellsprings of Filipino nationalism for subsequent generations. The remembrance of our elders’ aspirations and heroic sacrifices has helped unify our people, particularly in times of crisis. It has restored pride and confidence in ourselves as a nation, after centuries of subjugation.

Elsewhere in the world, nationalism is making a comeback—not as a progressive emancipatory force, but as a movement of reaction and bigotry. Its perceived enemies are the complex forces that globalization has unleashed: the migration of populations across

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Opinion

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

15

AT LARGE

We cry for Marawi

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer IF I were a reporter covering Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, I would stop attending his press conferences. Because I know my colleagues and I would end up holding a bag of sh_t, when the Wigged One denies the statements he has made, before TV cameras at that, knowing he would be recorded, and blames the “fake news” he had peddled on the media.

What? The reporters made up the words spewing from his mouth?

Aguirre has apologized to Sen. Bam Aquino, whom he linked to the Marawi crisis simply because the senator was in Marawi a day or so before the fighting broke out. He also alleged that other opposition figures, notably Sen. Antonio Trillanes and Rep. Gary Alejano of the party list Magdalo had met with members of

prominent Moro political clans to “plot” the destruction of Marawi. But while “Wiguirre” has likewise apologized to the Lucman and Alonto families for dragging their names into the mess, he has yet to issue an apology to Trillanes and Alejano.

News footage not only recorded Aguirre making his sly insinuations, but also holding up a cell phone that showed, he said, Trillanes, Alejano, former presidential adviser Ronald Llamas in a meeting to plot with the Moro terrorists.

While apologizing to Aquino, Aguirre supposedly excused his lapse by saying he was so “confused” by many conflicting reports surrounding the events at Marawi. But as Aquino, Trillanes and Alejano have shown, it should have been fairly easy for Aguirre or his staff to check their whereabouts on the dates he alleged they had been in Marawi plotting the Maute/Abu Sayyaf in-

cursion. He could have verified his “facts” before presenting them to the media. Instead, caught in a lie, Aguirre turned around and blamed the media for “misquoting” him. As I said, I’d boycott him from nowon, if I were assigned to cover him. *** Such stupidity, carelessness and dishonesty from the justice secretary himself, it must be said, is all of a pattern among administration officials. Especially, we might add, officials assigned (and paid by our taxes) to disseminate information, but who instead engage in reckless speculation and accusations and harebrained “symbolism.”

The photo peddled by Aguirre, it turns out, was taken more than a year ago and in a coffee shop at the Iloilo International Airport, according to Ace Cerilles who also appears in the picture.

It should have been enough

of a clue to Aguirre that he took the airport photo from a Facebook Duterte fan page, and the allegations about Aquino from other sites created by proDuterte trolls. Or is the secretary so enamored of administration propagandists that he takes their pronouncements as absolute truths without bothering to do basic checks before going public? If he still had a bit of honor and honesty in him, Aguirre should follow up his apologies with an offer to resign his post. After all, if we can’t trust his ability to deliver the most basic requirement of truth-telling and honesty, can we expect him to expedite the calls for justice? *** Still, we cry for Marawi. We cry with the women—the mothers, especially—who not only need to flee their homes but also expose their children and elderly to unknown dangers.

We cry for the spirit of harmony that marked life in Marawi

among Muslims and Christians both, as witnessed by the heroic efforts of Muslim employers helping their Christian workers escape by lending them Muslim garb and teaching them basic Maranao phrases.

We cry for the city itself, which I remember from a visit many years ago as a remarkable landscape of mosques and minarets, especially against the backdrop of Lake Lanao. I weep beholding photos of its now-devastated infrastructure, wondering how and when or even if the townsfolk lucky enough to return will be able to rebuild and start anew.

And I weep for the divisions this conflict has reopened, deepened, and allowed to fester. This precisely is what the terrorists wish to happen, and to which our own armed forces have been forcibly conscripted. We cry and pray for peace, for understanding. We cry for Marawi, and for all of us. ■

LOOKING BACK

Learning history from old pots

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer THE ROSITA Arcenas Collection of Oriental Ceramics in the University of San Carlos Museum in Cebu City may be small compared to those in bursting halls in the National Museum, or the Roberto T. Villanueva Collection that occupies the better part of one floor in the Ayala Museum. Nevertheless, and despite its size and the fact that individual pieces cannot compare in terms of quality and rarity with the collections in Manila, the Arcenas collection manages to tell a story—if the visitor is willing to see beyond the boredom of looking at old pots.

Visitors to museums often skip displays of Philippine earthenware because these look drab, crude, and unsophisticated compared to the elegant monochrome wares from the Song dynasty kilns in China or the visually appealing designs

of blue and white that were so valued in the 16th century that these were exported and copied worldwide. You can only appreciate Philippine earthenware in the context of prehistory, or the period before written records, to imagine life made livable by simple implements of wood and stone that made hunting and fishing more efficient.

Our ancestors ate their food raw until they tamed fire that provided light in the darkness of night and heat for cooking.

Thus they progressed to broiling or grilling raw meat over an open flame; from then it was a step to boiling food in vessels of clay forged in fire.

The palayok and banga that are still used these days to cook and serve Filipino dishes like kare-kare and sinigang have a long history. Color and design have changed little since prehistoric times. One of them, the Calatagan Pot, has an inscription in baybayin incised on its

neck—proof that pre-Spanish Filipinos were literate and had their own writing system. Another National Treasure, the marvelous Manungul Jar, was used as a coffin. On its body are incised designs that resemble waves known to seafaring people; on the cover are two figures in a dugout sailing peacefully into the afterlife.

That Philippine earthenware did not develop into high-fired ceramics or porcelain is often blamed on the introduction of Chinese ceramics into the country beginning in the 9th century, or the Tang Dynasty.

These early ceramics were brought by Arab traders together with Islam, long before the Spanish arrived and gave us the name Filipinas. These ceramics suggest that our ancestors had no need for roads and bridges introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century, because our ancestors travelled on water.

Swimming was second nature. www.canadianinquirer.net

Our highways and streets were the sea and various waterways.

They used boats and rafts instead of bridges to connect one island or bank to another.

While the 21st-century Filipino sees the Philippines as an archipelago of 7,100 islands separated by water, the prehistoric Filipino saw an archipelago connected by water.

If you compare the low-fired Philippine earthenware with the high-fired ceramics introduced from China, Thailand and Vietnam before the 16th century, you will understand why our ancestors were enamored of these “imported” wares that were: impermeable, glazed, ornamented with iron spots or freely painted with writing in Chinese or Sanskrit.

Many pieces are decorated with images of pine, peach, fish, twin Mandarin ducks, dragon chasing pearl, phoenix, and frolicking Fu dogs.

Aside from their pleas-

ing design, high-fired plates and bowls had one big difference from earthenware: When flicked with a finger they rang like a bell. It was so amazing a characteristic that these ceramics came to be used for ritual and became markers of social, economic and religious status. In time, and because of their design and utility, these imported ceramics became prestige objects that proclaimed their owner’s wealth, power, and social standing.

Preference for the imported— often described as a sign of “colonial mentality”—is not new to the Philippines. It was there long before the archipelago was colonized by Spain in 1565-1898, the United States in 1898-1941, and Japan in 1942-1945.

Undergraduate and textbook history did not teach me to read earthenware and ceramics like a text to understand the Philippine prehistoric world. But museum collections do. ■

16

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Canada News Canada is considering NATO request for Afghanistan police trainers

BY MICHAEL MACDONALD The Canadian Press

Brian Graff.

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Man loses bid to run for NDP leadership but parties subject to court scrutiny

BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press TORONTO — A federal New Democrat has lost his bid to force his way into the race to replace Tom Mulcair as party leader, but the wider ramifications might be the judge’s ruling that the inner workings of

Canada’s political parties are not immune to court scrutiny.

In his decision, Divisional Court Justice Ian Nordheimer ruled the party acted reasonably in rejecting a leadership bid from Brian Graff — in part over a 25-year-old criminal charge.

However, Nordheimer flatly rejected the New Democrats’ argument that the courts had no business taking the “extraordinary and unprecedented” step of meddling in “purely partisan political activity.”

A registered party, he said, is not just another private, voluntary club making its own membership arrangements.

“The decisions that political parties, especially the major political parties, make in terms ❱❱ PAGE 18 Man loses

HALIFAX — The federal government is considering a NATO request to send police trainers to Afghanistan, but Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Canada’s military focus remains in Iraq.

“As any good allied partner does, we will look at that request,” Sajjan said Monday after a news conference highlighting the Defence Department’s new, 10-year defence policy, which was rolled out last week.

“Our focus right now is on our mission in Iraq and the region.

We will be moving forward with that mission.”

Sajjan said even though Canada continues to provide funding for development and security personnel in Afghanistan, the military mission there ended three years ago.

The conflict claimed the lives of 158 Canadian soldiers, one diplomat and one journalist between 2001 and 2014. Thousands of those who served there continue to suffer from physical or mental injuries, an issue that continues to make headlines across the country.

However, the United States and NATO are reaching out for more help in Afghanistan now that the Taliban appear to be making a comeback in the region. As well, the arrival of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has complicated matters. During the past year, the group has launched deadly attacks across the country.

CIRCUMCISION NEWBORN

OLDER INFANTS

partment’s budget.

The money will be used to put another 5,000 troops in uniform and, among other bigticket items, offset the skyrocketing cost of buying new warships and fighter jets.

But much of the money won’t flow until after the next election, and it’s not clear whether the spending spike would mean bigger federal deficits or spending cuts in other areas.

Sajjan noted that two of Canada’s new Arctic patrol ships were under construction at the nearby Halifax Shipyard, and he said his new defence policy commits the government to spending up to $60 billion on building 15 new warships, which will replace much of the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging fleet.

“We are excited for the economic growth and development that this policy means for Halifax, Nova Scotia and the broader Canadian defence industry,” he said. More than 14,000 Nova Scotians are employed as part of a “defence team” that spends $1.3 billion annually in the province, he said.

Sajjan said the original budget for the Canadian Surface Combatant program in 2008 was set at $26.2 billion, which the Parliamentary Budget Office later determined was enough for only six ships.

“We need 15 and we are committed to 15 ships,” Sajjan said, adding that the policy also commits the government to maintaining the navy’s four problem-plagued submarines and to build two new support ships. ■

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As for Iraq, Sajjan says Canada remains committed to maintaining a long-term military presence in that country, but he followed up by suggesting some changes were in order.

“For Iraq ... we are in this as a reliable coalition partner, in for the long term,” the minister said as he answered questions from reporters gathered at Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard, along the west side of Halifax’s sprawling harbour.

“We’re going to make adjustments to the mission ... We have taken this year to review the evolution of the situation on the ground. We will be extending the mission, but we’ll be making the final decision on this very shortly to outline what our contributions will be.

One thing I can assure you: we will remain as a credible partner to make sure the coalition has all the right assets in place.”

There are about 200 Canadian special forces soldiers deployed in northern Iraq.

Though their mission is to train Kurdish fighters, they have engaged in gun battles in Iraq.

The federal government has confirmed that in March some of the special forces took part in the battle to reclaim the Iraqi city of Mosul from ISIL. In the defence policy overhaul, Sajjan has committed to adding 605 new elite special forces commandos.

Overall, the new policy commits Canada to spending an extra $14 billion over the next 10 years on defence matters — a 70 per cent increase for the de-

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Canada News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

17

Decaying hotels vital temporary answer to social housing in Vancouver: experts

BY LINDA GIVETASH The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — Despite the rats, roaches and clogged toilets at decaying rooming houses and hotels in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, activists and experts say they provide necessary affordable housing to the poorest people who would otherwise be pushed onto the streets.

The Balmoral Hotel recently became the focus of the housing crisis in the neighbourhood when the city issued an evacuation notice for about 143 tenants after it determined the building is at risk of collapse.

Vancouver’s bylaws define single room occupancy as hotels or rooming houses with non-market units of less than 320 square feet that typically come with shared bathrooms and don’t have a full kitchen.

There are 156 buildings with a total of 7,199 units that meet the categorization and 43 per cent are privately owned and managed. The rest are either owned or managed by nonprofits or the government.

Many of the buildings are more than 100 years old and were first established to house workers in forestry and mining, said Abi Bond, the city’s director of housing policy and projects.

Over the decades, low-income residents in need of affordable housing increasingly moved into the buildings and the city enacted a bylaw to preserve the buildings for that purpose.

Housing activist Wendy Pedersen said some tenants in the Balmoral have lived there for decades and most residents have a disability, mental-health issues or addictions. They have built a community and look out for each other, she added.

Single occupancy accommodations exist in cities around the world, but Bond said Vancouver’s system is unique and is typically compared with San Francisco.

Bond said the city has a policy to ultimately phase out the buildings in favour of social housing that has kitchens and bathrooms in each unit, but the process could take decades and requires funding from other

levels of government.

In the meantime, the city is encouraging more government or non-profit partnerships and the purchase of single room occupancy buildings that are privately owned in an effort to see them upgraded and provide social services to the tenants.

“The city can’t do all of this on our own,” Bond said.

The age of the buildings and rents as low as $375 a month mean some have fallen into disrepair.

A fire at the Pandora Hotel in 2010 led the city to step up enforcement of regulations and inspections particularly at the 10 highest risk buildings, said Kaye Krishna, the city’s general manager of development, buildings and licences.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a news release issued Friday that the city is consulting its prosecutor about taking the owner of the Balmoral to court for the 150plus violations related to the safety and security of the tenants.

Neither the owner of the hotel nor his lawyer could not be reached for comment.

The Balmoral Hotel.

The city has the power to conduct repairs and bill the owner if orders aren’t followed, but Krishna said the city doesn’t typically take that route, preferring instead to use the courts and other enforcement strategies to hold owners accountable.

“Overall, the city feels it’s really incumbent on the private owners to do the work and not necessarily at the expense of taxpayer dollars,” she said.

More recent inspections by engineers led the city to issue a warning to residents to evacuate the Balmoral by Monday because it is structurally unsound.

The city says in a news release that it has secured 131 housing units for the displaced

OZZY DELANEY / FLICKR

tenants and is working to help the remaining renters.

Jean Swanson, a volunteer and organizer with the Carnegie Community Action Project, said the problem stems from a lack of affordable housing.

In 2016, the city found 1,847 people were homeless and of them, 539 were not using any type of shelter. A preliminary report for 2017 says the number of homeless people grew to over 2,100.

Swanson said gentrification in the Downtown Eastside, with the development of more condominiums and market rentals, has made more people homeless “People feel like they’re being pushed out of their own neighbourhood,” she said. ■

Inquiry focuses on mental health of man who killed Alberta peace officer

BY BILL GRAVELAND The Canadian Press CALGARY — A fatality inquiry into the death of a peace officer in Alberta five years ago focused strongly on the mental health of the killer on its opening day Monday.

Rod Lazenby was a retired RCMP officer who was responsible for enforcing bylaws in the Municipal District of Foothills south of Calgary.

The 62-year-old died in 2012 after being sent to Trevor Kloschinsky’s rural property on a call about dogs. An autopsy found Lazenby was strangled and had 56 cuts and bruises to the face, head, neck, body and back. He also suffered numerous internal injuries.

Kloschinsky told officers he had apprehended a dog thief.

He was charged with first-degree murder, but was found not criminally responsible because a mental disorder meant he didn’t understand that what he was doing was wrong.

Doctors testified at his trial that they found him “actively psychotic.”

RCMP Sgt. Ryan Singleton faced a number of questions at the hearing, which included Lazenby’s sister and daughter as well as a representative of the Alberta Association of Community Peace Officers.

He testified that there was a note on Kloschinsky’s file indicating mental-health issues and the municipal district had made it clear that no one should go to the property with-

out RCMP backup.

“It was the MD of Foothills ... telling RCMP that they weren’t going to do this and therefore giving them the heads up that we may be requesting your assistance,” said Singleton.

“They weren’t going to go out and deal with Mr. Kloschinsky by themselves ... on a one-onone basis without RCMP presence.”

Singleton said there hadn’t been any previous indication that Kloschinsky was dangerous.

“We had no indication of him being violent. We were dealing with a person who believed his dogs were being stolen.”

Singleton said it’s probable that Lazenby, who wore hearing aids, may have turned them down before the attack because of the din created by the barkwww.canadianinquirer.net

ing dogs.

“I don’t think Mr. Lazenby knew what was coming.”

The Alberta Association of Community Peace Officers held a news conference Monday to call for more collaboration between police agencies, improved access to personal protective equipment and better training.

“The training that we get currently is based on different levels of community police officers,” said president Terri Miller. “The three levels that we have don’t get the same amount of training and we want to try and standardize the training.”

The group is also recommending officers be trained in how to deal with people experiencing mental-health problems.

Jamie Erickson, who was

vice-president of the association when Lazenby was killed, hopes the inquiry will push forward changes.

“We want to make sure our peace officers are safe.”

A fatality inquiry may recommend how to prevent similar deaths, but cannot make any findings of legal responsibility.

“The recommendations from the inquiry, although they’re non-legally binding, will provide an opportunity to make those necessary changes to ensure the safety of bylaw and peace officers in Alberta and in other jurisdictions across Canada,” said Dawn Rault from the Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University.

The inquiry is scheduled to run until Friday. ■

18

World News

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Tillerson, defending Trump policy, contradicted by his words

BY MATTHEW LEE AND JOSH LEDERMAN The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s plans to slash spending on diplomacy won’t be the only concern for lawmakers when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appears before Congress this week to defend his department’s proposed budget. They’ll likely question him about seemingly contradictory foreign policy messages coming from the State Department and White House.

Tillerson and his agency have repeatedly appeared out of sync with comments from Trump and the White House on critical matters, at the risk of sowing confusion and anxiety among U.S. friends and foes.

The secretary’s appearances Tuesday and Wednesday before House and Senate committees come days Tillerson and Trump issued divergent messages on the Qatar crisis received widespread attention. But that was only the latest example of conflicting messages.

Last month, Tillerson was overruled by the president after urging him not to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. In his Senate confirmation hearing, Tillerson said he supported staying in, to preserve U.S. leverage on other countries. His former company, Exxon Mobil, also support-

ed staying in the deal. When Trump chose to withdraw, Tillerson and the State Department remained quiet as other Cabinet agencies praised the decision.

And while Tillerson worked to allay NATO allies’ uncertainties about the U.S. commitment to the alliance, Trump alarmed them by refusing to commit to their mutual defence pact during his visit to NATO headquarters last month. Trump finally voiced a commitment last week.

The dissonance has raised concerns about whether Tillerson can be effective in executing a foreign policy that Trump sometimes seems to make up on the spot, often on Twitter without advance notice. But Tillerson has insisted he understands Trump’s objectives and has successfully clarified them with Trump when he does not.

“I understand I have to earn his confidence every day with how I go about those affairs and how I go about conducting the State Department’s activities consistent with the direction he wants to take the country,” Tillerson said last month on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The most glaring show of discord came Friday when Tillerson and Trump seemed to veer in opposite directions over the course of a mere afternoon about Qatar, the focal point of a diplomatic crisis that threatens stability in the Arabian peninsula and beyond.

At the State Department, officials had spent part of the week trying to refocus attention on the need for a mediated resolution, rather than on Trump’s tweets blaming Qatar for allegedly funding extremism. In a hastily convened press appearance, Tillerson called for calm and for “no further escalation,” urging Arab nations to ease their blockade on Qatar.

Shortly afterward, Trump added fuel to the conflict by ramping up criticism of Qatari authorities for funding extremism while saying the time had come for the region to take a stand. Tillerson watched from the front row in the Rose Garden.

The whiplash was jarring enough that both Trump’s team and Tillerson’s scrambled to try to smooth it over. The White House dispatched a senior administration official to tell re-

porters on Air Force One that the two men were “on the same page,” though, as is often the case, it refused to allow the official to be named. Meanwhile, the State Department compiled a side-by-side comparison of Tillerson’s and Trump’s remarks to try to show they’d referenced similar arguments.

R.C. Hammond, a senior adviser to Tillerson, downplayed suggestions of dissonance while acknowledging that the messages might not mirror each other.

“They each have different audiences that they are speaking to,” Hammond said in reference to Qatar. “The secretary was speaking to Gulf leaders on the need to de-escalate and the president was saying in a news conference with the Romanian president that ending terrorism is what is important to him.

Both were part of a concerted

tion, big parties receive millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded reimbursements for election expenses.

At the same time, the judge said, courts must be “very cautious” when it comes to reviewing decisions of voluntary associations and should not try to referee every membership dispute. Key to judicial reviewability, he said, is the larger public aspect of the decisions such associations take.

“While I have concluded that decisions like this, that are made by political parties, are subject to review by the courts, that review does not mean that the courts should readily secondguess those decisions or micromanage them,” Nordheimer

wrote. “Within the broad compass of fairness, political parties ought to be entitles to make their own decisions.”

Graff, 58, who ran unsuccessfully for a Toronto council seat in 2014, was a Liberal activist for most of his adult life. However, the self-described policy wonk said he became disillusioned with the Liberals after Justin Trudeau came to office in 2015, and joined the New Democrats last August.

Among the reasons for rejecting his leadership bid, NDP national director Robert Fox cited a conditional discharge Graff received in 1993 for a non-violent criminal stalking offence — watching and besetting — involving a woman.

Nordheimer said Fox had a legitimate role and broad discretion under the party’s leadership rules to screen out would-be candidates whose mere participation in the contest could damage the party.

Graff, he said, had failed to prove Fox or the party had acted inappropriately.

In response to the ruling, Graff insisted the real reason the NDP had rejected him in a process he called “unfair and Kafka-esque” was that it didn’t like his ideas on immigration and electoral reform.

“I pursued this case at great financial and personal expense to try to ensure that parties respect the rights of their members and are not micromanaged

US EMBASSY / FLICKR, CC BY 2.0

effort by us to calm things down.”

He noted that within 24 hours, both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain had taken steps to make humanitarian exceptions to the blockade.

Still, the discrepancies have been glaring enough that foreign policy experts have taken note. Jon Finer who served as chief of staff to Tillerson’s predecessor, John Kerry, said they weren’t just confusing U.S. friends and foes, but potentially counterproductive.

“If people are taking different public positions on big issues, then the world will begin to tune out everyone but the president, who ultimately makes the decisions,” Finer said Gerald Feierstein, a former U.S. ambassador to Yemen, called it a sign of “administration disarray.” He wrote for The Middle East Institute that the Qatar incident demonstrated an “apparent inability of the Trump administration to articulate a co-ordinated U.S. position.”

But Brett Schaefer, a fellow at the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation, said that Trump and Tillerson might sometimes be creating ambiguity as a strategy. He pointed to the fact that the Trump administration has remained intentionally vague about what steps the U.S might take in response ❱❱ PAGE 28 Tillerson, defending

Man loses... of the candidates they put forward, the policies they adopt, and the leader that they choose, do have a very serious effect on the rights and interests of the entire voting public,” Nordheimer said.

“The voting public, therefore, has a very direct and significant interest in ensuring that the activities of political parties are carried out in a proper, open and transparent manner.”

While parties are neither a public decision-maker nor government agent, Nordheimer said the court’s jurisdiction flowed from the key democratic roles they play. What they do impacts the public directly, he said, and their leaders can end up as prime ministers. In addi❰❰ 16

www.canadianinquirer.net

top-down by party elites or infringe on the rights of members to run for the most important positions in the party,” Graff said on Monday.

One of Graff’s lawyers called the ruling unprecedented.

“It sends an important message to all political parties that if they do not conduct themselves fairly and reasonably, their members may hold them accountable in court,” Nader Hasan said in a statement. “In a political system that relies so heavily on political parties, that’s good news for democracy.”

In a statement, the NDP said it was pleased the court found its rejection of Graff was reasonable, free of bias, and followed the rules. ■

World News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

19

Former NBA player Natural gas built Qatar, now Dennis Rodman may protect it in Gulf dispute arrives in North Korea

BY JON GAMBRELL The Associated Press

BY ERIC TALMADGE The Associated Press PYONGYANG, KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF — Dennis Rodman, the former NBA bad boy who has palled around with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, flew back to Pyongyang on Tuesday for the first time in Donald Trump’s presidency. He said he is “just trying to open a door” on a mission that he thinks his former “Celebrity Apprentice” boss would support.

Rodman, one of the few people to know both of the nucleararmed leaders, sported a black T-shirt advertising a marijuana cybercurrency as he talked to reporters briefly before his flight from Beijing to the North Korean capital.

Asked if he had spoken to Trump about his trip, he said, “Well, I’m pretty sure he’s pretty much happy with the fact that I’m over here trying to accomplish something that we both need.”

Rodman has received the redcarpet treatment on four past trips since 2013, but has been roundly criticized for visiting during a time of high tensions between the U.S. and North Korea over its weapons programs.

His entourage includes Joseph Terwilliger, a professor who has accompanied Rodman on previous trips to North Korea.

Rodman said the issue of several Americans currently detained by North Korea is “not my purpose right now.”

In Tokyo, a visiting senior U.S. official said Rodman is making the trip as a private citizen.

“We are aware of his visit. We wish him well, but we have issued travel warnings to Americans and suggested they not travel to North Korea for their own safety,” U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon told reporters after discussing the North Korean missile threat and other issues with Japanese counterparts.

In 2014, Rodman arranged a basketball game with other former NBA players and North Koreans and regaled leader Kim with a rendition of “Happy Birth-

day.” On the same trip, he suggested that an American missionary was at fault for his own imprisonment in North Korea, remarks for which he later apologized.

A North Korean foreign ministry official said Rodman would stay until Saturday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the ministry had not issued a formal statement.

Any visit to North Korea by a high-profile American is a political minefield, and Rodman has been criticized for failing to use his influence on leaders who are otherwise isolated diplomatically from the rest of the world.

Americans are regarded as enemies in North Korea because the two countries never signed a peace treaty to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War. Thousands of U.S. troops are based in South Korea, and the Demilitarized Zone between the North and South is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world.

A statement issued in New York by a Rodman publicist said the former NBA player is in the rare position of being friends with the leaders of both North Korea and the United States.

Rodman was a cast member on two seasons of Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”

Rodman tweeted that his trip was being sponsored by Potcoin, one of a growing number of cybercurrencies used to buy and sell marijuana in state-regulated markets.

North Korea has been hailed by marijuana news outlets and British tabloids as a pothead paradise and maybe even the next Amsterdam of pot tourism.

But the claim that marijuana is legal in North Korea is not true.

The penal code lists it as a controlled substance in the same category as cocaine and heroin.

Americans have been sentenced to years in North Korean prisons for such seemingly minor offences as stealing a political banner and likely could not expect leniency if the country’s drug laws were violated. ■ Associated Press journalists Mark Schiefelbein in Beijing and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Natural gas built the high-rises of Qatar’s capital, put the Al-Jazeera satellite news network on the air and a fleet of passengers jets for its state carrier in the sky. Now, it may be what protects Qatar as it is in the centre of the worst diplomatic crisis to strike the Gulf in decades.

As the world’s biggest exporter of liquid natural gas, Qatar’s supplies keep homes warm in the British winter, fuel Asian markets and even power the electrical grid of the United Arab Emirates, one of the main countries that has cut ties to the energy-rich nation.

So far, its supplies have continued uninterrupted since the diplomatic dispute began last week. Natural gas markets have yet to respond to the rift and prices have remained stable.

But Qatar wields a potential economic weapon if the crisis escalates and countries around the world that depend on its supply may find themselves needing to side with the tiny nation that is home to a major U.S. military installation.

“If Qatari gas exports were to be blocked, countries like Britain, Japan, South Korea and China would have an energy crisis and would have to scramble to get their energy elsewhere,” said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a Seattle-based research fellow at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University who has extensively studied Qatar.

“For any small country, particularly a small country in the Gulf surrounded by much larger and potentially expansionary powers, having international partnerships is a key tool of your external security,” he said. “I think that may be what the Qataris are banking on right now.”

Qatar, a country of 2.2 million people where citizens make up over 10 per cent of the population, discovered the offshore North Field in 1971, the same year it became independent. It took years for engineers to discover the field’s vast reserves, www.canadianinquirer.net

Natural gas power station at the coast of Persian Gulf in Qatar.

which shot Qatar to No. 3 in world rankings, behind Russia and Iran, with which it shares the North Field.

It began exporting natural gas in 1997, just after Qatari Crown Prince Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani seized power from his father, Sheikh Khalifa, in a palace coup. Sheikh Hamad used revenue from the natural gas to pursue a diplomatic path away from Saudi Arabia, long the heavyweight among Gulf countries. Qatar also secured hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, relying on that money to build stadiums and develop Doha, its capital.

But all that time, Qatar kept a wary eye on its neighbours.

Though both it and Saudi Arabia practice an ultra-conservative form of Sunni Islam called Wahhabism, Qatar allows women to drive and foreigners to drink alcohol. Qatar also has clashed with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain over territory in the past.

As a hedge, Qatar hosts some 10,000 American soldiers and the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command. Other nations also operate forces out of Qatar. Its military, numbering around 11,800 troops, is only bigger than Bahrain’s.

“They really began an effort to escape the Saudi shadow and to carve out an autonomous regional and foreign policy that would be distinct,” Ulrichsen said. “It took on much more of an edge in 2011 when they really backed different sides in the

Arab Spring. Qatar obviously made a bet that Islamists and the Muslim Brotherhood would be the group to back and clearly that over time failed to pay off.”

That support sits at the heart of Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE severing off diplomatic ties June 5 and cutting off Qatar from its land, sea and air routes. So far, Qatar has made a point of not retaliating against those nations.

Qatar’s shipborne exports of liquid natural gas have continued to travel unhindered out of the Persian Gulf as well, though they could be a target if the crisis escalates. Qatar’s biggest Asian clients are Japan, India and South Korea, according to energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. About a third of British gas supplies come from Qatar, which leads Europe.

Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar Petroleum’s president and CEO, said Saturday that he wanted to assure customers “of our determined efforts to continue uninterrupted supplies.”

A statement from the state-run firm also made a point to note that the UAE, Egypt and Jordan all rely on its natural gas.

Qatar could retaliate by shutting down the undersea Dolphin Energy pipeline, which sends about 2 billion cubic feet (56 million cubic meters) of natural gas a day into the UAE, about a third of its daily need. About 200 million cubic feet (5.66 million cubic me❱❱ PAGE 23 Natural gas

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Community News

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

23

In celebration of the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence Day, the Office of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver headed by Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer tendered a reception at Coast Hotel on June 12, 2017. Present to give greetings and participate in the celebration were dignitaries from different levels of the government and various community leaders. To give entertainment to the crowd were the UP Alumni Choir and Gerphil Flores, dubbed as Asia’s Golden Girl and second runner up in 2015 Asia’s Got Talent .

Natural gas... ters) ofthat goes onto Oman.

Dolphin Energy, owned by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund called the Mubadala Development Co., French oil giant Total SA and Houston-based Occidental Petroleum, did not respond to a request for comment.

Without that natural gas, ❰❰ 19

www.canadianinquirer.net

electricity plants in Dubai and the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi wouldn’t be able to power air conditioners to beat the brutal heat of summer now descending on the desert sheikhdoms, nor run its vital desalination plants producing water. It would take time to import that gas from another source.

“If Qatar was to do anything

like that, in Dubai the lights would probably go off,” said Christopher Davidson, a professor of Middle East politics at Durham University in Britain.

“If this were to happen, it would be such an escalation from Qatar’s side, the UAE and Saudi would up the ante even more. ...

If they were to do that, I think it would be no holds barred.” ■

24

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Entertainment What reunited Cherie Gil, Mike de Leon?

After over three decades, the actress makes a film with the master again

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer NO MATTER how “complex” the process is, actress Cherie Gil is determined to engage in a return bout with filmmaker Mike de Leon. She recently reunited with De Leon in the acclaimed director’s comeback movie, “Citizen Jake.” Their last collaboration was the pioneering video production, “Bilanggo sa Dilim,” in 1986.

“I am proud to be part of Mike’s return to film,” Gil told the Inquirer. “He guided me every step of the way.”

She found his hands-on approach quite refreshing. These days, she explained, most directors would leave actors to their own devices.

She missed the good old days when the director was truly the

captain of the ship, taking full creative control of the production—including the actors’ performances.

“Mike really directed me,” she recalled. “It was a five-page scene, and we shot from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. I truly yearn for those days … the second Golden Age of Philippine cinema, when we would do only two scenes a day.”

Welcome change of pace

On the set of “Citizen Jake,” they took their time and were not in a rush—a welcome change of pace from her usual grind in today’s high-pressure, breakneck teleserye landscape.

“Mike knewwhat he wanted.

He carefully studied the scene,” she related. “He really took care of us in that sequence. Babad talaga. Wewere fully immersed in the story. ”

Weeks before the shoot in Baguio, she had a script-reading session with the film’s lead actor, Atom Araullo, and later a sultry pictorial with photographer Mark Nicdao.

Her portrait (by Nicdao) was prominently displayed in her scene with Araullo, the film’s titular “Citizen.” (Between takes, the two let off steam by shooting videos that recreated the actress’ legendary waterdousing scene in “Bituing Walang Ningning.”)

Speaking of the “famous/infamous” portrait.

De Leon related that the portrait had caused a “major production upheaval.” “Knowing my emotional outbursts, I almost threw the whole film away.”

He volunteered that the actress had calmed him down during that stormy episode.

She looked back: “At the end of the day, I was just too happy we managed to pull through the scene that I had been waiting to do for so long. And he pulled through till the end.

It made it even more memorable. Now, I can say my bond with the Mike de Leon is even tighter—as a filmmaker and as a friend.”

She pointed out: “We are both Geminis. I get him.”

As for the portrait, De Leon had promised to give it to Gil “once it’s ready.”

High-class madam

In the movie, she portrays a high-class madam who procures nubile companions for filthy rich clients. “I play the leader of an escort service.”

Since it’s such an interestingly complicated character, she feels a tad “bitin” (unsatisfied),

wanting to do more for the director.

She playfully made not-sosubtle suggestions during filming. “I made parinig to Mike,” she recounted. “I told him that my character needs a flashback scene! We should know her backstory! He just smiled at me.”

De Leon described the scene on the film’s Facebook page as “tension-filled.” “I call it cerebral melodrama, surreal yet fascinating.”

Should De Leon decide to make another film, she insisted she’d be the first one in line to try out for a part.

“I really hope he makes more movies,” she asserted.

In any case, her reunion with De Leon, no matter how brief, would suffice for now.

“We produced an amazing scene,” she enthused. ■

Lea Salonga back to the Tonys

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer LEA SALONGA will join fellow celebrities who will be gracing “Broadway’s biggest night” on Sunday in New York. She was invited to the 71st Tony Awards to present the performance of “Miss Saigon,” which is nominated for best revival. It will not be her first time to appear on the Tony stage since her victory in 1991.

Like the true-blue Pinoy that she is, the first item on Lea Salonga’s Tonys to-do list is to snap as many selfies as she can with fellow celebrities who will be gracing “Broadway’s biggest night” on Sunday in New York (Monday morning in Manila).

A Tony winner herself, Salonga was invited to the 71st Tony Awards, to be held at the Radio City Music Hall, to present the performance of “Miss Saigon,” which is nominated for best revival.

It’s a sweet homecoming for the Filipino singer-actress, who won best actress in a musical for “Miss Saigon” in 1991.

It will not be her first time to appear on the Tony stage since her victory 26 years ago, though.

“In 2002, I was part of the opening number—a tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein, along with Marvin Hamlisch, Harry Connick Jr., John Raitt, Mos Def, Michele Lee and Peter Gallagher,” she recalled.

This year, she will be a presenter alongside such luminar- ies as Glenn Close, Sally Field, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Hamill, John Lithgow and Sara Bareilles.

Salonga is most excited about bumping into Hamill, aka Luke Skywalker of “Star Wars” fame.

Imagine: A photo of Luke and Lea “reunited”!

She also made Miranda promise a picture of them together on Twitterverse. (Her recent Twitter exchange with

the “Hamilton” creator had gone viral—primarily because of his tweets in Filipino, pare!)

Another precious reunion would be with Lithgow, who was Salonga’s costar in the 1995 TV-movie, “Redwood Curtain.”

Also scheduled to appear at the Tonys are Bette Midler, Josh Groban, Tina Fey, Anna Kendrick, Josh Gad, Taraji P. Henson, Scarlett Johansson, Orlando Bloom and Stephen Colbert. The show will be hosted by Oscar and Tony winner Kevin Spacey. Trivia: Spacey won the same year as Salonga.

More than a time for snapshot-hunting, the evening’s significance isn’t lost on Salonga, who sees in the Tonys a night for the theater community to show unity in a time of divisiveness and strife.

“Remember last year’s Tonys.

It came on the heels of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. So many LGBT young people perished that night. But the Tonys still pushed through,” www.canadianinquirer.net

LEV RADIN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

she told the Inquirer.

In these troubling times, making music and art is all the more vital. “If anything, these trying, confusing and interesting times bring out the fierceness and solidarity in a community of artists,” she asserted.

“We do what we do best: We create art—and we’ll be damned if we’ll be stopped from doing what we know we were created

by the Almighty to do.”

It’s one thing that’s constant in a world of variables. “We have been designated by the Universe to create, make people think, help empathize, and present a different perspective.

We’re not trying to change your opinion, only to show you a different side of things.”

Indeed. But do bring home lots of selfies, mare. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

25

Bill Cosby jury Canadian duo behind Wonder to hear more of his Woman comics buoyed by deposition testimony film’s box office success

BY MARYCLAIRE DALE AND MICHAEL R. SISAK The Associated Press NORRISTOWN, PA. — Bill Cosby’s sexual assault case has sparked debate over celebrity, race, power and gender, but the brisk story laid out by prosecutors at his trial has focused mostly on what happened one night in 2004 at his gated estate in suburban Philadelphia.

The jury, which starts a fifth hour of deliberations Tuesday, went straight to the heart of the case with its first question Monday night: Can we hear again what Cosby said he told accuser Andrea Constand when he gave her pills before engaging in sexual contact? They wanted to revisit the portion of a 2005 civil deposition where the comedian, now 79, talked about giving her “three friends.”

“She sat with her back to the kitchen wall,” Cosby said.

“And there was talk of tension, yes, about relaxation and Andrea trying to learn to relax the shoulders, the head, et cetera.

And I went upstairs and I went into my pack and I broke one whole one and brought a half down and told her to take it.”

“Your friends,” Cosby said he told her. “I have three friends for you to make you relax.”

Cosby later told police the pills were Benadryl, an overthe-counter cold and allergy medicine. Constand — then an athletic, 6-foot-tall college basketball staffer — said they made her dazed and groggy, and unable to say no or fight back when Cosby went inside her pants.

The defence insisted throughout the trial that Constand hid the fact they’d had a romantic relationship before the early 2004 encounter when she went to police a year later. Cosby, his lawyer said, never ran from talking to police, for better or worse.

“He never shuts up,” lawyer Brian McMonagle said of his client in closing arguments Monday morning.

Nonetheless, the comedian whose storytelling artistry fueled a $400 million fortune went quiet Monday when he had the

chance to take the stand. The defence started and ended its case Monday with six minutes of repeat testimony from a detective.

Cosby couldn’t risk taking the stand and being cross-examined about the 60 other accusers if he denied ever drugging or molesting anyone.

Constand, by contrast, testified for more than seven hours last week. She had waited 12 years for her day in court. Authorities had declined to charge Cosby when she first came forward in 2005. Then the other women started coming forward.

Her lawsuit against him had elicited four days of testimony from Cosby about his sexual conduct with some of them.

The testimony, unsealed in 2015, wasn’t pretty coming from the beloved TV dad.

“Think about that, in terms of the courage Andrea Constand has shown,” District Attorney Kevin Steele said in forceful closing arguments as Constand sat with detectives, her mother and other accusers in the front row.

The defence had tried repeatedly since Cosby’s Dec. 30, 2015, arrest to have the case shut down.

They said the charges were filed too late. They said the accusers were after money. They complained that prosecutors were improperly striking blacks from the jury chosen in Pittsburgh.

And all along, they said Constand was a willing romantic partner.

McMonagle cited gifts and phone calls between Cosby and Constand to show she was more than a college sports staffer trying to placate a powerful Temple University trustee.

“This isn’t talking to a trustee.

This is talking to a lover,” McMonagle said of one phone call that lasted 49 minutes. “Why are we running from the truth of this case — this relationship?

Why? I don’t understand it.”

Camille Cosby sat stoically in the first row behind her husband of 53 years at the defence table, about 30 feet from Constand.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done. ■

BY CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI The Associated Press TORONTO — Canadian comic book author Meredith Finch says she hopes the box office success of “Wonder Woman” will help open her traditionally male-dominated industry to more female writers like her.

The Windsor, Ont., writer is one of the few women to helm a Wonder Woman series for DC Comics, and was among a select group of insiders invited to the star-studded film premiere in Hollywood last month.

Finch says she’s not surprised the high-octane feature — starring Gal Gadot as the superpowered warrior princess — has gone on to wide acclaim and record-breaking ticket sales.

“I knew this was going to be a good movie,” says Finch, who was a stay-at-home mom with just a couple years’ writing experience when tapped by DC on the strength of her pitch.

“There really is a need and there’s a yearning out there for women to see movies that speak to them and for people to see movies that speak ... to their heart and that’s what this movie does.”

This is the first time the raven-haired heroine has gotten her own feature film, despite being among the most famous DC characters, which include Superman, Batman, The Flash and Green Lantern.

Finch attributes some of the film’s success to director Patty Jenkins, suggesting that female directors have an innate sense of what makes female characters tick.

“There is something about being a woman where you understand the nuances of femininity and female relationships that I think Patty brought to the table,” says Finch, nevertheless pointing out that male directors like Joss Whedon of “The Avengers” can get it right too.

“Otherwise, you’re just looking at it through a window if you’re not in that world.”

Finch is not the first female writer to tackle the 75-yearwww.canadianinquirer.net

Canadian comic book author Meredith Finch.

old character, but she did try to offer her own view of the longtime feminist icon for her monthly books, published from fall 2014 to spring 2016.

“She can be a very difficult character to write in that she gets written more as a superhero and less as a woman and that was really what I wanted to focus on for our run ... I really felt that Wonder Woman approached everything she did because she just had this enormous love for humanity,” says Finch, who teamed with husband and longtime DC illustrator David Finch for the 18-issue run.

The 43-year-old mother of three boys says she was heartened to see the Warner Bros. film take a similar approach.

“It’s just about being the best version of yourself,” says Finch, who considers the character more “humanist” than “feminist.”

“She’s one of those characters that can really evolve in a way that I think some other super-hero characters don’t. She changes with the times. She is the version of feminism that we need at that time.”

David Finch says stories can only improve when new perspectives are welcomed. He says the comic book industry

@ FINCHMEREDITH1 / TWITTER

has changed a lot in recent years and is often more radically liberal than mainstream feature films.

“We’re having to be much more aware of the fact that we’re playing to everyone’s sensibilities and not so much to young repressed men,” he says, chuckling.

“We’ve seen more and more stronger female co-stars and supporting roles and that’s been great, but this is really the first time, I think, where it’s been a completely femaledriven movie, female lead, super-hero movie that has done incredibly well. So it’s definitely a milestone.”

Meredith Finch credits bigscreen adaptations with helping the comics reach new audiences, and that in turn can help diversify both film and comic book characters, creators and storylines.

“This is really going to change things within the industry, especially for super-hero movies, because there are some great amazing female super-heroes,” says Finch, lamenting the lack of a Black Widow film.

“I do think they’re starting to listen and become more aware of the fact that female viewers don’t necessarily just want to see a romantic comedy.” ■

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FRIDAY

Lifestyle Kevin Kwan: ‘I’ve always been fascinated by Filipino society’ The celebrated author talks about ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ movie, his time in PH, but keeps mum about Kris

BY CHECHE V. MORAL Philippine Daily Inquirer HOW DID an up-and-coming Cebu brand wind up in “Rich People Problems”? Was there a formula to picking labels and designers mentioned in the “Rich” book trilogy? What is Kris Aquino’s role in the movie? Singapore-born American author Kevin Kwan, who is in the thick of filming “Crazy Rich Asians,” the big-screen adaptation of his novel of the same title (he’s an executive producer), is candid in parts, but also somewhat prudent in his reply to these queries when Inquirer Lifestyle reached him via email to discuss his new novel.

Manila subplot

Kwan recently released “Rich People Problems,” the third novel in the deliciously colorful and gossipy, and unapologetically camp bestselling “Rich” series, in which a subplot is set in Manila and Palawan—with Filipino characters.

“Rich People Problems” is the final chapter in Kwan’s debut book series, which began with the wealthy but famously discreet Young Shang-LeongT’sien fictitious clan of Singapore.

The series has spawned some of the most scandalously ludicrous characters in contemporary fiction, set in the gilded world of old- and new-wealth Asians.

In 2015, Kwan visited the Philippines to promote his second novel, “China Rich Girlfriend,” and has made good friends here. He also spent a few days of rest in Palawan, where he discovered the magic that was garlic rice, as he liked to say in interviews.

“When I began writing the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ series, it was always my intention for the books to be a showcase of Asia—to feature many countries and cultures throughout the region,” Kwan said.

“I’ve always been fascinated

by Filipino society, ever since my first visit back in 1997, and I had such a fantastic time during my trip in 2015. I became friends with so many wonderful people, and being in Palawan was so inspiring that I knew I had found that special place that I needed for an essential plotline in ‘Rich People Problems.’”

That Manila book tour “was one of the first times I truly realized how many people were actually reading my books,” he added.

“In the US these days, bookstores so rarely organize book signings and it’s so rare to actually get a chance to meet one’s readers. But coming to the Philippines, seeing how passionate the readers were—how they would stand in line for hours to attend my events and how some would bring me gifts or create drawings of my characters—it really moved me.”

Lavish lifestyles

It wasn’t just one of the country’s picturesque locales that earns a place in Kwan’s latest work. A young Filipino accessories brand, Neil Felipp, is also named in the mix of niche and known global labels. (In illustrating the lavish lifestyles of the super-rich, Kwan used designer- and brand-namedropping as a narrative device throughout the series.)

Given the series’ global success—the books have been translated to several languages—it’s a boost for an upstart brand to get that kind of shoutout. In naming the brand designed by Neil Felipp San Pedro of Cebu, 2013 Inquirer LOOK of Style winner for Accessories, Kwan said: “There’s no formula at all. I am just an admirer of great design, and when I see something that catches my eye, it may end up in my books being used by one of my characters.”

In 2015, Kwan attended a party hosted by the Asia Society at The Peninsula Manila. He noticed “a dramatically beautiful evening purse”—a black lacquered minaudiere called Suzy Wong that’s adorned with a sculpted gold dragon—carried by “a very chic lady,” the fashion entrepreneur and blogger Christine Dychiao.

“I asked her who designed it, and she told me. It was that simple,” said the author.

Casting process

On social media, Kwan updates his followers about the

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KEVINKWANBOOKS.COM

upcoming movie, including when Nico Santos, a FilipinoAmerican comic, was signed for the film. Which is likely the reason Filipino kibitzers have been wondering why Kris Aquino, who hinted in reports that she has been cast, has never been mentioned in Kwan’s posts or the official press statements.

“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss any of the casting for the movie,” Kwan said. “That being said, I was extremely involved in the casting process. I can’t begin to tell you how surreal and amazing it is to help cast a film based on characters you’ve created. It’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever been part of!” Closing this chapter in his writing career is bittersweet, as he begins work on his next book—“something completely different, that’s a bit out of my comfort zone.”

Never malicious

Kwan said he didn’t make enemies in the course of writing his novels. Instead of being guarded around him, for fear of becoming a laughable anecdote in his books, “People seem to want to tell me all their secrets, or share gossip about others. Then there are those that demand (italics his) I feature them in my books!” he said.

“My books are never malicious. I have no interest in exposing people or creating scandal. And let’s not forget—it’s comedic fiction. My only interest is in making sure readers laugh and have a good time.”

Kwan doesn’t have grand ideas about his readers’ takeaway from his work. “I think everyone has a totally different experience. I just hope that the books, at the end of the day, bring my readers joy and promote a greater understanding between people of all cultures and backgrounds.”

Old-rich family

The New York-based Kwan, who migrated to the US when he was young, comes from an old-rich Singaporean family.

Though they have been “tremendously supportive,” he said, “they are not the sort of people who are really impressed by much. I think they are a bit mystified by my writing career and wonder what all the fuss is about.”

While he will miss the characters he created, “there’s also a part of me that’s ready for them to leave for a while. They’ve consumed my life for the last seven years, and I’m ready for a break and to hear different voices in my head.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

27

PH peace monument rises in Israel

BY JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Philippine Daily Inquirer ASHER COHEN was 3 years old when he and his Jewish parents in Romania were taken by authorities to a Jewish ghetto north of the country.

It was 1941, Europe had plunged into another world war in less than a quarter of a century, and the conflagration was spreading to the Pacific and countries around it like the Philippines. The world was on fire. Ghetto life was difficult as the Romanian authorities, who had allied themselves with Nazi Germany in the war, severely restricted the movements of the Jews. It was a virtual prison life, a village arrest.

Cohen said food was scarce, and the family had to make do with the little provision the authorities allowed to be admitted to the ghetto. Men and women too were subjected to forced labor, financial penalties and discriminatory laws.

Of course, Cohen later realized that ghetto life was a holiday compared with the stark experience of others of his kind: elsewhere in Romania and Europe tens of thousands, even millions, were being herded into concentration camps and led into the gas chambers.

Some six million Jews were killed. But the number could be more, said Mendy Gonda, 67, a former businessman and now a tour guide, who pointed out that the number was based on casualties based on recovered records. The Nazis had destroyed records to hide their genocide, Gonda pointed out.

In Romania alone, more than 300,000 Jews were “murdered,” said Cohen. The number makes Romania, according to the Wiesel Commission, the country “[responsible] for the deaths of more Jews than any country other than Germany itself.”

Heroic efforts

Now 80, Cohen said the number could have been more had there not been heroic efforts by private individuals and even governments to come to the rescue of the beleaguered Jews.

One of the very few governments, said Cohen, was the Philippine Commonwealth of President Manuel Quezon; it issued 30,000 passports to the Jews

in 1939 when the United States had not yet entered the war.

The Commonwealth government also set up Jewish refugee settlements in Marikina and Mindanao.

But because the war broke out in Europe in September 1939, less than 2,000 Jews were able to avail themselves of the passports.

Just the same the humanitarian gesture made an impact on the consciousness of Jewish survivors who had to pick up the pieces of their shattered selves after the war. To the Jews and the Israelis, the Philippines was the only nation in Asia to run to their aid.

As a result, the Philippines has been numbered by Israel and the Jews among “Righteous Gentiles,” such as German industrialist Oscar Schindler, Japanese diplomat in Lithuania Chiune Sugihara, and Swedish diplomat in Hungary Raoul Wallenberg.

In 2007, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formal establishment of PhilippinesIsrael diplomatic relations, Philippine Ambassador to Tel Aviv Antonio Modena and Israeli authorities initiated the erection of a memorial to the humanitarian gesture of the Philippines.

After Modena’s death, the initiative was followed through

by Ambassador Petronila Pena Garcia. The result was “Open Doors,” an impressive modern public sculpture by veteran artist Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr. ‘Hand of welcome’

In the dedication to the monument is inscribed the immortal words of Quezon when he made the decision to help the Jews: “It is my hope and, indeed, my expectation that the people of the Philippines will have in the future every reason to be glad that when the time of need came, the country was willing to extend a hand of welcome.”

Also inscribed are the words of Jewish Manila refugee Frank Ephraim, whose 2003 book, “Escape to Manila,” published by the University of Iowa Press after several rejections by previous publishing houses, reminded younger generations of Jews of the humanitarian gesture of the Philippines during World War II: “The Philippines held out a promise of safe haven from Nazi oppression, offering sur-

Tel Aviv.

vival from the mass murder of the Jewish people in Europe.”

Philippine journalists along with top Manila travel operators were brought to Israel by Cathay Pacific, which has just opened a new four-times-aweek service between Hong Kong and Tel Aviv, a boost to devout Philippine Catholics and other Christians wanting to make a pilgrimage of the Holy Land.

The delegation was treated to a very informative, lively, and exhilarating tour-cum-pilgrimage by Mendy Gonda, a a very passionate and informative tour guide of Asia Tours.

Asia Tours brought the delegation to Rizhon LeZion, the fourth (after Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Jaffa), and, according to Annette Ben-Shazar, municipal head of foreign relations, soon to be the third, biggest city in Israel.

Located south of Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion, which means “first in Zion,” was founded by returning Jewish exiles in the late 19th century. It was thus a pioneering community and a prefigurement of the coming State of Israel.

Modern Israel

The founders of Rishon LeZion and the later State of Israel can look to the fruits of their hard work. Today Israel is considered the most advanced country in Southwest Asia and the Middle East in economic and industrial development, as well as in science and technology.

Often bedevilled by bad press because of troubles with its Muslim neighbors, as well as with the Palestinian population and their leaders, Israel offers visitors sounds and sights that are a pleasant contrast to its negative portrait by the media. www.canadianinquirer.net

Tel Aviv the capital is a commercial, financial powerhouse, a cosmopolitan hub. Jaffa is a sophisticated beach town that offers both leisure and healthy lifestyle options to residents and guests. The holy city of Jerusalem is just that and more.

Around its biblical walls are uptown shops. Inside the walls is a light-and-sound showcase that can beat anything concocted by Hollywood SFX. All of this progress and achievement will be highlighted this year when the State of Israel marks the 70th anniversary of its establishment (1947-2017).

In the face of this abounding optimism, Israel remembers and doesn’t forget.

‘Open Doors’

Rizhon LeZion hosts the Holocaust Park, where the Boulevard of the Righteous Gentiles is located. Amid a homey landscape of residential buildings, the park exudes an oasis of vitality and optimism. For parents and their kids, it is a place to contemplate history and its lessons, mostly painful, a few hopeful.

In the afternoon of June 6, it was Cohen, a retired teacher of history, who articulated some of those lessons before the Philippine delegation.

Yee’s geometric sculpture represents in the abstract open doors in metal sheets of varying heights standing on a base of Romblon marble. Triangular patterns represent the triangles of the Philippine flag and the Star of David, themselves symbols of the special friendship between Filipinos and Israelis.

“I want to connect my story with this memorial,” Cohen said while standing before the Open Borders monument. “No other

nation did the same like you did and we count you among the righteous non-Jews, Christians and Muslims—who helped the Jews in their hour of need.”

Cohen explained that the three pillars of the monument are a “three-angle symbolism” to represent the three historic events that constitute the “special relations” between Israel and the Philippines.

First was the decisive vote that the Philippines cast in the United Nations in 1947 that created the State of Israel, he said.

Second was the Philippine decision in 1957 to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, the first country in Asia to do so.

And third was “the generosity of Filipinos in helping others” during the Holocaust, and “even up to now” when as caregivers, nurses and other overseas Filipino workers, “they take care of our old people,” said Cohen.

On the floor of the monument are three sets of footprints of former Manila Jewish refugees: George Loewenstein (who sent his cast from Florida where he lives); Max Weissler, who grew up in the streets of Manila in the 1940s so that he knew “kanto boy” talk (he now lives in Israel); and Dorylyz Goffer, a young Filipino-Israeli born in the Philippines and a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors.

Searing episode

The Holocaust remains a searing episode that continues to traumatize and evoke powerful emotions among Israelis and Jews. But whatever feeling of hatred and revenge the episode may evoke, Cohen called for peace and reconciliation. “I hope we can come to a progressive agreement and come to peace with one another,” he said.

On June 15, when the Embassy of Israel in Manila will host a dinner in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, Cohen will be there to celebrate the long-standing friendship between the two nations.

It will be Cohen’s first time in the country. But since he’s always with other Rishon LeZion residents at Holocaust Park and sat at the base of Open Doors, it would be as if he had been to the Philippines before.

“This is one little Philippines in our Jewish hearts,” Cohen said. ■

28

Lifestyle

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Obesity rising in The new look in floral nations rich and poor, arrangements: wilder, seasonal, local especially in kids

BY MIKE STOBBE The Associated Press NEW YORK — The global obesity problem now affects 1 in 10 people in the world, it is rising in countries rich and poor, and in many countries it is increasing faster in children than adults, according to a new study.

The researchers estimated more than 107 million children and 603 million adults are obese.

The research found obesity has tripled in children and young adults in countries like China, Brazil and Indonesia.

Those numbers are particularly troubling because it means more young people are on track to become obese adults and develop problems like diabetes, heart disease and a range of cancers, some experts said.

The study was led by a team at the University of Washington in Seattle. It was published online Monday by the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a food science and policy meeting in Stockholm.

Researchers reported on 195 countries, although data was incomplete or nonexistent for many of them. They made assumptions and used mathematical modeling to fill in gaps.

Despite the limitations, “this is the best picture that’s out there for global obesity,” said Edward Gregg, a diabetes expert at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He wrote an editorial that accompanied the study.

Some of the findings: • Obesity rates doubled in 73 countries between 1980 and 2015. Countries where obesity did not increase significantly included Afghanistan,

Bulgaria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• Worldwide, about 5 per cent of children and 12 per cent of adults were obese in 2015.

In the U.S. about 17 per cent of children and 38 per cent of adults are obese, according to earlier CDC estimates.

• Among the 20 largest countries, the United States had the highest level of obesity among children and young adults.

• Egypt had the highest rate of obese adults. Vietnam had the lowest.

• But the United States had the largest number of obese adults in 2015, with 79 million. China came in second with 57 million obese adults — even though China has more than four times as many people as the U.S. • China had the largest number of obese children, with 15 million. India had 14 million.

• Globally, about 4 million deaths were attributed to being overweight or obese in 2014, from causes like heart disease and diabetes.

Some good news is that improvements in medications and other kinds of health-care seem to be helping people survive longer even if they have weight-related health problems. Researchers did not find an increase in weight-related rates of death and disability, Gregg observed.

But with obesity levels rising, there is a pressing need for better nutrition and other efforts to prevent unhealthy weight gain, said one of the authors, said Dr. Ashkan Afshin, the study’s lead author.

Unfortunately, “there is no single simple solution for the problem of overweight and obesity,” he said. ■

Tillerson, defending... to North Korea’s nuclear provocations.

“There’s some deliberate lack of clarity in some policy areas, and it’s inadvertent in other areas,” Schaefer said.

On one controversial topic — the State Department budget ❰❰ 18

— Tillerson and Trump have been united. Even as lawmakers from both parties push back on Trump’s proposal to cut the budget roughly one-third, Tillerson has firmly defended the need to trim his funding and streamline his agency. ■

BY KATHERINE ROTH The Associated Press LIKE A tiny green sprig reaching upward, it happened slowly at first. And then, suddenly, it was everywhere.

A wilder, more seasonal and local look in floral arrangement is replacing the stiffer, more formal arrangements of a decade ago. Bouquets featuring grass or clematis, loose arrangements of flowering or fruit-laden branches, spare displays of flowering purple basil, sweet peas or bearded irises, or surprises like towering fennel — the trend reflects changes in esthetics as well as in where flowers come from.

“It was initially a trendy thing, but now it’s just the way things are done. It really goes hand in hand with the food movement,” said Barbara Corcoran, vice-president of education at the New York Botanical Garden. The garden’s curriculum of courses has been modified over the past two years to adapt to the change in approach.

Just as foodies have gravitated toward organic and locally grown foods, so floral designers and growers are spreading the gospel of seasonal and even foraged blooms, through workshops, books and blogs.

“There’s a revolution taking place. Farmers are connecting with florists, and designers with farmers. And a lot of designers are starting to grow their own flowers. We’re still on the front end of the big upswing in seasonal, foraged and locally sourced flowers,” said flower farmer and designer Erin Benzakein, whose Floret Farm is in Mount Vernon, Washington, about an hour north of Seattle.

The trend toward local and seasonal flowers has really taken off in the last couple of years, she said.

“We’ve slowly created a global web of people doing this, and we’re finding that everybody now seems to be looking for roadside weeds, grandmother flowers — there’s a real desire for something real and local,” www.canadianinquirer.net

says Benzakein, who gives workshops and has written a new book, “Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms” (Chronicle Books).

The book is co-authored by Julie Chai, with photos by Michele M. Waite.

Another new book on the subject, “In Full Flower: Inspired Designs by Floral’s New Creatives” (Rizzoli) by Gemma and Andrew Ingalls, features the work of two dozen of the movement’s biggest names.

Especially popular now are delicate flowers, with blooms that last only a couple of weeks, Benzakien said.

“That really gives local growers an edge,” she said.

Floral designer Debra Prinzing created SlowFlowers.com, a blog and online directory of flower farms across the U.S. and Canada. She calls it the Slow Flowers movement.

As with the natural foods movement, this wilder floral esthetic has its roots on the West Coast, although some of its pioneers have taught or studied at FlowerSchool New York.

“Foraged materials are costeffective, seasonal — which is very important these days — and add new textures and colours to the designs for florists,” says the school’s executive director, Calvert Crary.

Ariella Chezar, a designer and flower farmer in upstate New York, is artistic director at the school, which has begun offering “foraging tours” of France

and Holland.

It’s a big step away from the imported, cut flowers still sold in many florists’ shops.

The concept is not entirely new, of course; weeds and seed pods found their way into arrangements for British royals in the 20th century, and the New York flower shop Madderlake and its bouquets of the ‘80s featured roadside weeds and dandelions. But the breadth of the change — partly due to growing environmental consciousness — is changing the entire landscape, experts say.

Nicolette Owen of the Little Flower School in Brooklyn, New York, says, “People really want to feel more connected to where their flowers are coming from, and I love the closer contact between florists and growers. In my work, I’ve always been interested in creating arrangements that are a little bit wild. Part of that is highlighting what’s best in the season and what’s around you.

“I want the beautifully imperfect, and don’t mind a few freckles on my rose,” she says.

Rachael Burrow, style editor of Coastal Living magazine, says she first noticed “the wilder and looser trend in flowers popping up at weddings and in centerpieces a couple years ago, and now it’s really everywhere.

“In our photo shoots now, we always go for more naturally arranged and locally sourced florals. It seems to flow better, and that’s the look everyone wants,” she says. ■

29

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

Sports Figure skaters Chua, Panlilio shine in 2017 SEA Challenge

BY JEAN T. MALANUM Philippines News Agency MANILA — Charmaine Skye Chua and Diane Gabrielle Panlilio have brought honor to the Philippines by winning their respective events in the 2017 Southeast Asian (SEA) Figure Skating Challenge held from June 3-4 at the SM Seaside City skating rink.

The two promising athletes graced the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City on Tuesday.

Chua (wearing black in photo), an incoming Grade 8 student at Saint Jude Catholic School, won the gold medal in the Basic Novice B category of the tournament that was sanc-

tioned by the Asian Skating Union (ASU) and jointly hosted by the Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand, Singapore Ice Skating Association, Ice Skating Association of Malaysia, Federasi Ice Skating Indonesia (FISI), and the Philippine Skating Union (PSU).

“I was nervous during the competition, I’m glad I won,” said the soft-spoken Chua, a towering 5-foot-8 athlete who will turn 14 next week.

The 13-year-old Panlilio (wearing white in photo), on the other hand, captured the gold medal in the Advanced Novice category over Malaysian Kyla Ichelle Ernest.

“Overall, I am happy with my performance. I did my best,” said Panlilio, a Grade 9 student from St. Paul’s College in Pasig

PNA

City.

The tournament in Cebu City was the third leg of the SEA Challenge. The first leg was held on Dec. 2-4, 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand while the second leg was held in Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia on April 13-15, 2017.

Chua, who started competitive figure skating when she was eight years old, bagged the silver medal in Thailand where local Napasakorn Boonnark won the gold and Filipina Skye

Frances Patenia pocketed the bronze.

Panlilio, who admires Russia’s two-time world champion Evgenia Armanovna Medvedeva, settled for third place in Thailand. Local Pantaree Sutcharit won the gold medal while Malaysian Hui Jeen Tan clinched the silver.

Chua made an impressive performance in the Malaysia leg by winning the gold medal, while Panlilio did not compete.

Chua’s first international tournament was the 2012 Skate Asia where she won the gold medal in the freestyle level 1.

Panlilio made her international debut in the 2009 Indonesia Open where she won the bronze in the pre-juvenile category and the best in choreography award. ■

Durant planned for this title months ago in picking Warriors

BY JANIE MCCAULEY The Associated Press OAKLAND, CALIF. — They made their group plea to Kevin Durant last summer, Stephen Curry and the core of the Golden State Warriors travelling cross-country to go at a prized free agent the only way they do it around here: with “Strength in Numbers.”

Durant didn’t really need a hard sell that day in the Hamptons. He chose Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and a chance at his first championship over returning to Oklahoma City. Scorned and scrutinized from every angle for that decision, Durant triumphantly raised his arms and an MVP trophy Monday night all these months later_ beaming as a first-time NBA champion, just as planned.

He hugged mother Wanda many a time. And Curry, too.

Even LeBron James, celebrating the fight and brilliance they each demonstrated during an entertaining back-and-forth basketball show in this Finals

had an amazing series, just trilogy. Golden State in 2015, close.

“The way that he embraced dominated. Everybody for the the Cavaliers last year, the Warthe opportunity in the Finals, last 10 years knew how good riors again this time.

“I hear all the narratives it was unbelievable,” Curry he was, but until you break throughout the season that I said. “It’s kind of crazy to think through and win that first was joining, I was hopping on about the conversations we had championship, there’s always bandwagons, I was letting ev- this summer and going into the still something there. I’m just erybody else do the work,” Du- year about how we can both so happy Kevin has broken rant said. “But then that was far mesh and do what we do and be through. And there’s more to from the truth. I came in and the players that we are and (to) come from him.”

Durant came back late in the tried to help my team. Like I see it come to life in this series, regular season from a 19-game said, tried to be myself, be ag- it was unbelievable.” absence with a gressive and sacleft knee injury, rifice as well.” then dealt with a For all that tender calf early chatter about in the playoffs. chemistry on a I’m just so happy Kevin has broken through. And there’s more to come super-team — Still, he insisted from him. he had another some called them notch to raise “supervillains” — how there might his game, and he certainly found not be enough shots for all the big-time scorDurant, an eight-time All- it. He dramatically drove and ers, the Warriors kept winning Star who only needed a ring to dunked on Cleveland’s defence, as the world watched the every cement his superstar status, knocked down big 3-pointers move of the East Bay franchise scored 39 points in a champion- and blocked shots while hanship-clinching 129-120 victory dling the load of defending King under the microscope.

Durant and Curry were al- and averaged 35.2 points and James.

Ten years after becoming the ways right in the middle, yet 8.4 rebounds in these Finals.

“I’m just happy for him. He’s No. 2 draft pick behind Greg they stayed loose and focused by building their own relation- had an amazing career, but he Oden, Durant has reached the ship — not to mention shooting just took it to the next level,” pinnacle. Whenever he is asked skills — through regular shoot- coach Steve Kerr said. “He was about his own accomplishing contests that were oh so incredible all season long. He ments, he is always quick to www.canadianinquirer.net

offer a reminder just as he did with a new NBA champions hat on his head: “It’s a team sport.”

He can’t do it alone.

“I can’t believe it, but I have to,” Durant said recently of where he is after a decade. “I’m really proud where I am right now as a player and being as consistent every year as I’ve been. That’s something I talked about coming into the league, wanting to do it year in and year out. I’ve been able to accomplish that individually. But this is not an individual sport.

So I’ve also realized that as far as becoming more of a team player, since my first year I’ve grown so much and I’m proud of myself in that area as well, but I’ve got a long ways to go.”

This is a major start. For those guys in the Hamptons recruiting Durant that day and all the others, they can’t wait for more.

“We felt like Kevin could come in and help us and, like I said, make it all complete,” Green said. “And he showed that. Finals MVP, 4-1, world champions. Doesn’t get much better than that.” ■

30

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Business British inflation rate rises to 4 year high as Brexit bites

BY DANICA KIRKA The Associated Press LONDON — The inflation rate in Britain has risen to its highest level in four years, as the drop in the pound since the Brexit vote pushes up the cost of living.

The Office for National Statistics said Tuesday that consumer prices were up 2.9 per cent on the year in May, from 2.7 per cent in April. That was mainly due to rising prices for recreational and cultural goods and services, such as games, toys and hobbies.

Inflation has been rising steadily in recent months, as the drop in the pound — by as much as a fifth against the dollar since Britain voted in June last year to leave the European Union — makes imports more expensive.

“The further increase in inflation — to its highest rate since June 2013 — primarily reflects retailers passing on higher import prices to consumers in earnest,” said Samuel Tombs, the chief U.K. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

The increases were partially offset by falls in motor fuel prices, as well as air and sea

Electronics industry aims to return to USD30-B revenue in 2017

BY KRIS M. CRISMUNDO Philippines News Agency

The Office for National Statistics (pictured) said that consumer prices were up 2.9 per cent on the year in May, from 2.7 per cent in April.

GEOGRAPH.ORG.UK

fares, which were influenced by the timing of Easter in April this year.

The increase comes as a surprise to many analysts, who had on average been expecting the rate to remain steady at 2.7 per cent in May. It will also be welcome news to Bank of England, which tries to keep inflation close to 2 per cent. The central bank faces the dilemma of supporting a weakening economy or pushing rates higher to combat rising inflation. On balance, most economists do not expect the Bank of England policymakers to raise rates from their record low of 0.25 per cent this week

amid fears of a shock to the economy from Brexit negotiations.

“The general mood on the economy has become one of caution over the past few weeks, with first-quarter GDP figures disappointing, consumer spending looking weaker and Brexit-related uncertainty looming large,” said Ben Brettell, senior economist at Hargreaves Lansdown. “However, growth is expected to pick up somewhat in the second quarter, and it looks like the election result could make for a ‘softer’ Brexit, which could prove positive for the economy.” ■

MANILA — The country’s electronics industry aims to return to the USD30-billion revenue this year, Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) president, Dan Lachica, has said.

Lachica told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that if the industry can maintain a growth of at least 5.0 percent throughout the year, the sector’s exports can again hit the USD30billion mark.

“It was in 2010 when we last hit USD31 billion,” he said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the industry’s total exports receipt in 2016 amounted to USD28.44 billion, a slight slip of 0.1 percent from 2015’s figure of USD28.90 billion.

For the first four months of the year, electronic goods’ revenues rose 11.6 percent to USD10.1 billion from USD9.0 billion in the same period last year.

Average growth of the sector is at 13 percent during the first four months of 2017.

“We’re hoping to go back to that (USD30 billion) level,” the SEIPI president said.

Revenue growth in April however slowed down to 6.8 percent after three consecutive months of double-digit expansion.

Revenues in January was at 10.4 percent, followed by a 15.9-percent increment in February, and hitting its highest growth of 19 percent in March.

Meanwhile, Lachica said SEIPI has yet to adjust its target growth for this year, despite the better performance of the industry in the first few months of 2017.

SEIPI is eyeing a 5.0 percent to 7.0 percent increase in revenues at the end of the year. The industry may finish 2017 with exports amounting to USD30.31 billion to USD30.89 billion.

The electronics industry accounts for about half of the country’s export revenues.

Data from the industry showed that the top export destinations for Philippine-made electronic goods in March were Hong Kong, China, United States, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Thailand. ■

BPI gets group’s ‘full support, confidence’

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE INFLUENTIAL Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) has thrown its full support to member Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) following a two-day technical glitch that resulted in erroneous account balances of some depositors.

In a statement on Saturday, BAP expressed “full support and confidence” in the efforts

of BPI to resolve the internal system issues as the bank now proceeds to fully restore normal service operations.

An internal data error on June 7 made some BPI depositors unduly richer while others complained about unauthorized withdrawals and debit transactions, in some cases resulting in negative bank account balances.

BPI had to shut down all its electronic banking channels—automated teller machines (ATMs), mobile and internet banking platforms—while addressing the internal data error until the

evening of June 8.

“BPI has advised that bank accounts are up to date and account holders can transact business at bank branches. BPI has also taken steps to extend banking hours to accommodate its customers. In general, while system glitches are not uncommon, banks are fully equipped to cope with such and continue business transactions. We do not believe that this incident will affect the bank’s ability to service its customers,” BAP said.

The consequent disruption of electronic banking services on www.canadianinquirer.net

Wednesday and Thursday last week caused a mix of confusion and uproar among clients. BPI extended banking hours until 7:30 pm on those days so that clients could transact over the counter.

As of Friday, BPI said it had reactivated all electronic banking platforms but acknowledged “intermittent difficulties” due to the high volume of transactions arising from pent-up demand during the last two days that its system went offline.

“We collectively remain vigilant and commit to continu-

ously harness technologies to better serve and protect the interest of the banking public,” BAP said.

“Suffice it to say, we believe that BPI remains a sound financial institution and that the public can remain confident in the banking industry's efforts to ensure delivery of secure services,” the association added.

BPI, the country’s third biggest bank in terms of assets, has a customer base of around eight million clients, of which only a “small portion” was affected by the technical glitch. ■

Business

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

31

Effects of revenue measures in tax reform ‘muted’ PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The effects of the revenue-enhancing provisions of the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) will be “muted” for ordinary Filipinos and will even provide for a family of four earning PHP25,000 a month — an annual windfall of more than PHP15,000, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said that contrary to the erroneous and bloated computations made by critics, the effects of the reforms proposed in the value added tax (VAT) and the excise tax system under TRAIN “will be minimal because complementary measures to mitigate any price increases arising from the tax adjustments are also provided under the bill.”

For instance, the claim that a house rental of PHP9,000 a month would increase to more than PHP12,000 under TRAIN is false because there would be no increase at all under the bill that was approved by the House of Representatives before the Congress adjourned sine die last May 31. This is because the far majority of lessors have revenues below the VAT threshold and are therefore exempted.

Also, electricity rates for households consuming around 200 kilowatts per hour a month will only pay an additional PHP70 a month or PHP840 a year, which is far less than the puffed-up estimate of PHP3,600 as claimed by TRAIN critics, Chua said.

House Bill No. 5636 or the proposed TRAIN, was approved on third and final reading on May 31 by a 246-9 vote with one abstention last May 31. It is a consolidation of the original tax reform bill — HB 4774 — filed

by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, and 54 other tax-related measures.

“The DOF expects potential price increases to be muted and complemented with programs to mitigate any price increases under TRAIN. All in all, a family with a head of household earning PHP25,000 a month and with two children can expect to benefit an additional PHP15,512 annually,” Chua said.

As for house rentals of PHP10,000 and below, Chua explained that while the VAT exemptions for this category were not explicitly removed under HB 5636, properties rented out by smaller property owners with annual revenues not exceeding the proposed VAT threshold of PHP3 million a year remain exempted.

“To illustrate how unlikely this is, a property owner with rental of PHP9,000 a month needs to own at least a 28-door property, which is equivalent to a small building, to breach the VAT threshold. Given how unlikely this is, renters who pay PHP9,000 a month will effectively not be paying VAT under the proposal,” Chua said.

Chua said public transport fares are also supposed to remain the same because “legitimate public transportation operators with valid franchises will be covered under the government’s Pantawid Pasada program.”

HB 5636 provides for this Pantawid program, in which drivers of public utility vehicles will be given cash cards, to “offset the potential price increase in fuel, hence there would be no need for fare increases,” Chua said.

For liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Chua said the increase per year under TRAIN will only amount to PHP548, significantly lower than the PHP776 estimate made by critics of the bill.

“A standard 11-kilogram tank of LPG contains around 20 liters. This is equivalent to a PHP60 peso increase per tank. According to a survey by the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority), an average family consumes around 9 tanks annually. This is equivalent to an additional PHP548 a year,” Chua said.

“For electricity rates, small power utilities groups, which supply power to majority of Filipinos, have heavily subsidized rates and only a fraction of the generation cost will be affected by the excise tax. The DOF estimates that a household consuming 200 kwh will pay an extra PHP70 a month, which is PHP840 a year, in contrast to some critics’ estimate of PHP3,600 annually,” he added.

In all, taking into account other expenses such as rice,

Department of Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua.

JESS M. ESCAROS JR / PNA

fish, sugar, coffee, milk and other food items and basic necessities, a family of four with two dependents will incur additional expenses of PHP4,488 per year, which will be offset by the PHP20,000 annual increase in their take-home pay or a net benefit of PHP15,512 as a result of the lowering of personal income tax rates under TRAIN, Chua said.

Chua made this clarification in countering the claim by certain TRAIN critics that the same family of four would have to cough up an additional PHP29,828.80 per year in expenses under HB 5636, adding that such calculations were made with computational errors like double counting.

He said the DOF estimates the inflationary impact of the oil excise only to be around 0.9 percent on top of the usual inflation.

“The DOF’s computation is even higher than the estimates of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas of 0.6 percent increase, the authority on prices and inflation. The critics’ estimate is much higher at 5 to 6 percent, that’s why their price increase estimates for food items are significantly higher,” Chua said.

HB 5636 was passed before the congressional recess after President Duterte had certified the bill as urgent, given its design to help provide a steady revenue stream to his government’s ambitious high—and inclusive—growth agenda anchored on record spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the poor and other vulnerable sectors. www.canadianinquirer.net

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the DOF will continue to hold dialogues with senators during the remaining weeks of the congressional break to explain to them the merits of tax reform package and convince them to retain the original DOF-endorsed version outlined in Cua’s HB 4774.

“I’m very confident that our legislators are very aware of what is needed in the country, and are very responsive to what the country needs. I’m very confident that we will all sit together, and reason together, and come to a bill that will be good for country,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez hopes that Senate will retain the original features of TRAIN under HB 4774 to optimize the bill’s revenue gains, which were trimmed under the House-approved version.

An increasing number of international financial institutions have lauded HB 5636’s approval as a positive step to reforming the country’s tax system and boosting revenue, and a testament to the Duterte administration’s decisive leadership and firm resolve to pursue broad economic reforms and ensure the financial viability of its ambitious public investment program.

Moody’s Investors Service said in a credit outlook that the House approval of HB 5636 will boost the Philippines’ credit rating because it will provide government with a fresh revenue stream and showed it can put reforms in place despite political controversies.

Fitch Ratings said the speed with “which the bill passed

through the House — and President Duterte’s intervention to give it a push over the line — suggests that tax reform is a priority for government.”

The tax reform package approved by the House, it said, will “widen the tax base and boost revenue.”

Deutsche Bank said that “Beyond its fundamental economic benefits, (the tax reform bill’s) passage would send investors a strong signal that the administration has the political will to pass unpopular laws to institute long-term structural economic reforms.

Nomura said “the timeliness of the vote and the decisive result again underscore the strong priority that Duterte places on the economic reform agenda and his strong control over Congress.”

In a sign of positive business sentiment for this tax reform package, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 90.37 points or 1.15 percent to close at 7,927.49 last June 1, or the day after the House had approved HB 5636 on third and final reading.

On June 5, the PSE closed at its highest level for this year at 8,001.38 points, and PSE president Ramon Monzon was quoted in media reports as saying that this breach of the 8,000 level was driven by “optimism over the developments in the DOF’s CTRP.” DOF estimates show that under HB 5636, the government expects to raise PHP115 billion in 2018 from the tax reform package, PHP219.2 billion in 2019, PHP257 billion in 2020, PHP235 billion in 2021, and PHP250.4 billion in 2022.

If the complementary measures such as the motor vehicle user’s charge and the proposed estate tax amnesty are included, the government is expected to raise PHP133.8 billion in 2018, PHP233.6 billion in 2019, PHP272.9 billion in 2020, PHP253 billion in 2021 and PHP269.9 billion in 2022, Chua said.

The revenues raised from HB 5636 will account for 0.7 percent of GDP in 2018, 1.1 percent in 2019, 1.2 percent in 2020, 1 percent in 2021, and 1 percent in 2022 without the complementary measures. ❱❱ PAGE 35 Effects of

32

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Technology Experts: Uber must make changes at top to fix culture woes

BY TOM KRISHER AND BARBARA ORTUTAY The Associated Press DETROIT — Uber must get rid of leaders who tolerate bad behaviour and hire people who don’t — including up to the chief executive — experts say, as the ride-hailing company gets ready to announce significant changes to its culture and management.

Uber’s board has adopted the recommendations of former Attorney General Eric Holder, who investigated its toxic culture of harassment and bullying. Those will be revealed to employees and made public on Tuesday.

Experts interviewed by The Associated Press say CEO Travis Kalanick should step aside or at minimum change his behaviour for the company to make progress. Uber’s board is discussing a leave of absence for Kalanick.

No decision has yet been made, according to a person briefed on the matter who didn’t want to be identified because board discussions aren’t normally made public.

A CEO’s behaviour sets the tone for the rest of the company, says Cindy Schipani, a business law professor at the University of Michigan who has taken part in investigations of corporate conduct. She says Kalanick should resign and save the board from having to oust him. “That’s where the culture comes from. It has to change at the top and he has to recognize what he does, his actions, speak

louder than anything put on paUber must hire people who per,” she says. It would be tough “don’t have the harassment for the board to remove Ka- state of mind,” Schipani said. lanick because of Uber’s stock On Monday, Uber said its ownership structure. chief business officer, Emil MiJennifer Chatman, a busi- chael, is leaving the company. ness professor at the University No reason was given for his deof California Berkeley who also parture. does corporate investigations, Uber Technologies Inc. has predicts that Kalanick will be been rocked by accusations granted a leave — but he won’t that it has fostered a workplace return in the top spot. environment that condones ha“He lacks the ability to set rassment, discrimination and an appropriate tone for this bullying. It’s also facing a federorganization,” she said. “He al investigation into claims that lacks the kind of presence that’s it used a fake version of its app Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. needed for a larger organiza- to thwart authorities. tion.”

Amid the turmoil at the It is common, Chatman says, world’s largest ride-hailing company says it’s still seeing for company founders to be ill- company, competitors such as ridership rise 3 to 5 per cent per equipped to lead an organiza- Lyft are trying to take advan- week. tion as it matures. “This may be tage, growing ridership and Kalanick has contributed to the moment for Uber where it inking technology deals and Uber’s recent woes, losing his needs to go to the next stage,” investments. On Monday, Lyft temper earlier this year in a she says. announced a $25 million in- profanity-laced argument with She expects an Uber driver Kalanick to come over pay. The back as a stratewebsite Recode. gist under a new net reported that It has to change at the top and he CEO or possibly Kalanick put out has to recognize what he does, his a board member a memo in 2013 actions, speak louder than anything who runs the advising employput on paper. company. ees attending a Last week, company party based on a report about having sex from a differwith each other. ent law firm that investigated vestment from Jaguar-Land Kalanick also has been facing employee harassment, bully- Rover. Earlier it signed a deal personal difficulties. His mothing and retaliation complaints, with Waymo, Google’s former er was killed and his father hurt Uber fired 20 people and sent autonomous car operation. Lyft last month in a boating accident another 31 into counselling. Ex- says it gave 70.4 million rides in near Los Angeles. perts say it’s an unprecedented the first quarter, up 142 per cent Experts say Uber’s renegade number of firings that shows a from the same period a year culture of fighting regulators pervasive problem, but also is a ago. Fasten, an Uber rival that and skirting laws may have strong step toward rehabilita- operates in Boston and Austin, contributed to its problems. tion. Who the company hires Texas, said it saw a 25 per cent “We do see sometimes a startas replacements will make or ridership increase the week af- up mentality in the early years break the effort, they say. ter an Uber boycott started. The of a company’s growth where

www.canadianinquirer.net

DEBBY WONG / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

they have difficulty sometimes adjusting to being a huge enterprise,” said Lisa Klerman, a USC law professor and employment law mediator.

Micah Alpern, principal at management consulting firm A.T. Kearney who helps companies change cultures suggests that Uber adopt something like the “see something, say something” slogan, encouraging employees to speak up when someone acts inappropriately.

Cases like Uber and Fox News show that sexual harassment isn’t lessening, especially with tech companies, said Tom Spiggle, founder of a law firm that focuses on workplace issues. Tech firms are male dominated and can have a fraternitylike “brogrammer” culture that values masculinity and intense competition, he says. ■ Ortutay reported from New York. Auto Writer Dee-Ann Durbin contributed from Detroit.

Technology

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

33

Apple CEO to MIT grads: Tech without values is worthless THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON DYNAMICS

SoftBank buys robotics leader Boston Dynamics from Alphabet

BY YURI KAGEYAMA The Associated Press TOKYO — Japanese internet, solar and technology company SoftBank Group Corp. is buying robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics from Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent.

Terms of the deal, announced Friday, including when it might close, were not disclosed.

Tokyo-based SoftBank, which offers the chatty childlike Pepper companion robot, said the purchase underlines how robotics is a key part of its business.

Boston Dynamics makes various robots, including Big Dog and Spot, which are complex machines that walk and trot on four legs. Another is Atlas, which walks on two legs like a human. Atlas has arms and can open doors and lift items. Some were designed for military purposes.

Under Friday’s deal, SoftBank is also buying from Alphabet a company called Schaft that develops biped robots.

Schaft’s roots are in a research lab at the University of Tokyo.

Pepper has expressive arms but wheels for legs and does little more than sing songs and answer basic questions, and can’t do any heavy lifting. Often it fails to understand even simple speech and will keep asking you to repeat sentences.

Speculation had been growing recently that Google might want to sell Boston Dynamics. Alphabet said it remains committed to robotics, such as connecting human-like motor skills, including hand-eye co-ordination, to machines so they can process images, speech, text and draw pictures.

It is also interested in research on helping robots learn from what they “experience,” Alphabet said in a statement.

“Robotics as a field has great potential, and we’re happy to see Boston Dynam-

ics and Schaft join the SoftBank team to continue contributing to the next generation of robotics,” it said.

SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son said robots will help solve problems that have been beyond human capabilities.

“Smart robotics are going to be a key driver of the next stage of the Information Revolution,” he said.

“I am thrilled to welcome them to the SoftBank family and look forward to supporting them as they continue to advance the field of robotics and explore applications that can help make life easier, safer and more fulfilling,” Son said of Boston Dynamics and Schaft.

Japan, with its longtime culture of cartoons like “Astro Boy,” has a soft spot for cute robots. Various companies, including automakers Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., have developed entertainment robots, designed to do nothing more than keep people company.

But interest around the world is growing in the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence for everyday products like safer cars and connected home appliances.

SoftBank bought British semiconductor company ARM Holdings, an innovator in the “internet of things,” last year. The first carrier to offer the Apple iPhone in Japan, SoftBank includes U.S. carrier Sprint and Yahoo Japan in its group business.

Son drew attention for hobnobbing with U.S. President Donald Trump late last year and promising to create jobs and invest in the U.S. Marc Raibert, CEO of Boston Dynamics, said he looked forward to working with SoftBank on creating technology for “a smarter and more connected world.”

“We share SoftBank’s belief that advances in technology should be for the benefit of humanity,” he said. ■

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — Science is worthless if it isn’t motivated by basic human values and the desire to help people, Apple CEO Tim Cook told graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday, urging them to use their powers for good.

In a commencement address, Cook — who as Apple’s chief executive since 2011 has overseen the rollout of the iPhone 7 and the Apple Watch — said the company is constantly looking for ways to combine tech with a sense of humanity and compassion.

“Whatever you do in your life, and whatever we do at Apple, we must infuse it with the humanity that we are born with,” said Cook, who previously served as chief operating officer and headed the Macintosh division.

“That responsibility is immense. But so is the opportunity,” he said.

Cook said Apple wants to make products that help people. As examples, he cited iPhone technology that can help a blind athlete run a marathon and an

www.canadianinquirer.net

iPad that connects an autistic child to the world around them.

“When you keep people at the centre of what you do, it can impact,” he said.

Cook said he isn’t worried about artificial intelligence giving computers the ability to think like humans.

“I’m more concerned about people thinking like computers without values or compassion or concern for the consequences,” he said. “That is what we need you to help us guard against. Because if science is a search in the darkness, then the humanities are a candle that shows us where we have been and the danger that lies ahead.”

Cook also urged graduates to resist becoming cynical.

“The internet enabled so much and empowered so many, but it can also be a place where basic rules of decency are suspended and pettiness and negativity thrive,” he said.

“Don’t let that noise knock you off course. Don’t get caught up in the trivial aspects of life. Don’t listen to trolls, and don’t become one. Measure impact in humanity; not in the likes, but the lives you touch and the people you serve.” ■

JUNE 16, 2017

34

CANADA

Wanted: PERSONAL ASSISTANT - HOME CARE Permanent – Full time $14.00/hour - for 40 hours per week Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Location: Scarborough, Canada (1 vacancy) Wanted homecare personal assitant to provide care to an 85 years old elderly female suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Duty includes administer bedside and personal care to client such as aid in ambulation, bathing, personal hygiene and administration of medication.

Prepare and serve nutritious meals. Perform routine housekeeping duties such as laundry and ironing clothes and linens, washing dishes, making beds and house cleaning. Taking the designated individual for walks, park, malls and doctors appointments and any other duties deemed necessary to assist the designated individual with day to day living. Preferably with 1 year to less than 2 years of work experience in elderly care. Must speak and write English.

Completion of highschool graduate equivalent in Canada.Optional accomodation available at no charge on a live-in basis. (This is not a condition of employment)

email resume to: eymard.lumbre@yahoo.com

Wanted: Real Estate Secretary

St. Louis Bar and Grill (Bolton Location) 301 Queen St. S

Now Hiring Line Cooks - Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the Kitchen staff - Clean up kitchen and stock inventory - Proven cooking experience - Accuracy and speed in executing assigned tasks We have an amazing group of people working here and we are currently growing very quickly! We are looking for the right team member(s) to join our fabulous team!

Please reply to our email and you will be contacted promptly.

Email at stlouisbolton@gmail.com

Wanted:

IN HOME CAREGIVER NANNY - ONTARIO

Permanent – Full time $26.50 hourly for 40 hours/week Work Setting: Property and Real Estate Law Employer: Event Tours Realty Location: Scarborough

Sudduf/Aaraz #2584 Valley Ridge Road Oakville ON L6M 5H5.6479962273 email:ahraaz.wyne@gmail.com

Dhona Ursua #05 Bay St. Blvd.Scarborough ON M1T3P4 647.937.2884 dhonarizaursua@yahoo.ca

Chirstopher/ Jennifer #08 Columbine Ave. Toronto ON M4L1P3 Email: jennifer.posnikoff@bell.ca

Jillian Tishman #226 Arlington Ave.York ON M6C2Z5 ph:416.277.8043 email:supremeccc@yahoo.com

Mark Polanco#77 Winter Ave.Scarborough ON M1K4M2.Ph.647.686.6341.email:polancomark@yahoo .com

Julie Mcewen #32 Leuty Ave Toronto ON M4E2R3 ph:4168011276 e: julieannemcewen@yahoo.ca

Caryl Morante @Toronto ON e:supremeccc@yahoo.com.6479962273

Knowledge of English language is a must; College graduate or other non-university certificate or diploma; work experience at least 2 years to less than 3 years; area of work experience –Statistics, Reports and records, Invoices, Financial statements, Correspondence, Contracts, Charts, tables, graphs and diagrams; knowledge of Business Equipment and Computer Applications - MS Excel; MS PowerPoint; MS Word; Electronic mail; MS Outlook is essential

Liza Sotto#51 Hawkview Blvd.Woodbridge ON L4H2E2 Email:lizavillanueva173@yahoo.ca.Ph.905.553.0681

Marlyn Fabros#201-12 Donora Dr Toronto ON M4B1B4 647.701.1392 e:supremeccc@yahoo.com Mayra Cosico #550 Steddick Crt Unit 37 Mississauga ON L5R3S8 Ph:647.998.8042 e:supremeccc@yahoo.com

Pays $11.54/ hour. Care for a Child/children. Permanent. Full time. 8hrs/day.40h/wk.

Benf:OHIP.WSIB Req:Completion of Canadian High Sch.At least have experience in 1-2 years as a Nanny or FT Caregiving Training Sch. JOB TASK: Look after child/children, meal preparation, inddor / outdoor companionship, light housekeeping.

Apply by email to: hr@eventtoursrealty.com

Wanted:

IN HOME CAREGIVER - ONTARIO Irene Kukuk #28 Grandriver Crt. Brampton ON L6S2J8 647.537.9844. Supremeccc@yahoo.com ph:6479962273

Marilyn Uniana #784 Arthur Park Ave.Woodstock ON N4T9G7 email:supremeccc@yahoo.com ph:6479962273

Aurora Bonaldi#67 Strathburn Blvd North York ON M9M2K8 dbonaldi@sympatico.ca Ph:6479962273

Supriya Gupta #68 Truman Rd Willowdale ON M2L2L6 Ph:6479962273 E:supriyagupta27@yahoo.ca

Delia Mercedes Dela Cruz #265 Wright Cres Ajax ON L1S5S5 647.2812774 E:merdela59@yahoo.com

Pays $14/ hr. Permanent.Full time.8 hrs/day.40h/wk.Benf:OHIP.WSIB Req: Completion of Canadian High Sch.At least have experience in 1-2 years as a FT Caregiving Training Sch. Companionship indoor/outdoor.meal preparation, cooking, household chores.help in handing the needs during the toileting, eating.

OLIGO SARMA CANADA IMMIGRATION SERVICES

call/sms: 647.996.2273

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

35

Travel Ever wanted to live in 2 nations at once?

Here’s your chance

BY WILSON RING The Associated Press BEEBE PLAIN, VT. — For sale: A 1782 fixer-upper with thick granite walls, 1950s decor, and armed 24-hour security provided by both Canada and the United States of America.

The almost 7,000-square-foot house, cut into five currently vacant apartments, is on a lot of less than a quarteracre that, along with the building itself, straddles the border between Beebe Plain, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec.

Selling a home in two countries is proving to be a challenge for the couple who owns it. The structure, which has an estimated rebuild cost of about $600,000, is on the market for $109,000.

It’s structurally sound but needs lots of work. And then there’s that international border.

“In the day, it was a normal and natural thing,” Brian DuMoulin, who grew up in the house and was accustomed to life literally on the border at a time when no one thought twice about crossing from one country to the other. “Now it stresses everyone out.”

The home, known locally as the Old Stone Store, was built by a merchant so he could sell to farmers in both Vermont and Quebec. Brian and his wife, Joan DuMoulin, inherited it about 40 years ago.

Now the couple, in their 70s, who have dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship and a home in nearby Morgan, Vermont, are hoping to sell it so they can move to Ontario to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Beebe Plain is a community in the Vermont town of Derby, which along with Stanstead, about 60 miles (96 kilometres) northeast of Montpelier, or 75 miles (120 kilometres) southeast of Montreal, have become the cliche of security changes on the U.S.-Canadian border brought on by the 9-11 attacks on the United States.

Residential streets that used to be open were blocked by gates. The back doors of an apartment building straddling the border in Derby Line village have been locked shut. The street next to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, deliberately built in both countries, is blocked by flower pots, although Canadians are still allowed to walk to the library’s U.S. entrance without going through a border post.

The DuMoulins’ house is directly across Stanstead’s Rue Principale from the port of entry staffed by agents of the Canada Border Services Agency and adjacent to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection post.

Troy Rabideau, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection assistant port director for the area that includes Beebe Plain, said the agents know who live there, but keeping track can be a challenge.

“It’s always a fine line,” Rabideau said.

“We do the best we can to keep an eye on it. We do what we have to do, security first, but we also want the support of the locals.”

The DuMoulins’ house has entrances from the United States and Canada.

Agents have come to know the people who live in the house, currently vacant, and allow them to move back and forth

Selling a home in two countries is proving to be a challenge for the couple who owns it. The structure, which has an estimated rebuild cost of about $600,000, is on the market for $109,000.

And then there’s that international border. The US and Canadian customs stations pictured are almost side-by-side in the tiny Vermont village of Beebe Plain.

freely as long as they stay in the house or the tiny front or backyard. There’s a small granite border marker just outside the front door.

There is a gate hidden in a backyard hedge. DuMoulin said U.S. agents wanted to be sure the gate was wired shut. It is.

Rosemary Lalime, their real estate agent, said that between the time the house was listed around the turn of the year and the end of May when a Canadian magazine noted its odd location she showed it 10 times. In the last two weeks she’s shown it six times and has six more appointments.

All but one person has come from the United States. One man called from Toronto.

“He was inquiring more about the bor-

Effects of...

With the complementary measures, the revenues raised from the bill will account for 0.8 percent of GDP in 2018, 1.2 percent in 2019, 1.3 percent in 2020, 1.1 percent in 2021, and 1.1 percent in 2022.

Under the original DOF-endorsed package in HB 4774, the government would have raised PHP91.4 billion in 2018 from the tax reform package, PHP185.7 billion in 2019, PHP223.8 billion in 2020, PHP200.7 billion in 2021, and PHP219.2 billion in 2022.

With the complementary measures,

❰❰ 31

which under the original package included the tax on sugar sweetened beverages (this was included in the final version of HB 5636), the total revenue take would have been PHP157.2 billion in 2018, PHP249.2 billion in 2019, PHP291.4 billion in 2020, PHP272.7 billion in 2021, and PHP295.7 billion in 2022.

HB 5636 will yield PHP1.163-trillion net revenues from 2018 to 2022 with the complementary measures, compared to PHP1.266 trillion under the original proposal, Chua said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

der situation and if he bought it, what are his rights,” Lalime said. “I put him in touch with the Border Patrol.”

Brian DuMoulin said that usually the agents from both countries know who they are, but he told of a time when a new Canadian border agent saw him, his wife and her sister standing in front of the house, “a good 18 feet into the States.” He demanded they report to the Canadian border post.

“He simply didn’t know,” DuMoulin said, noting it took about 45 minutes to resolve the situation after the agent called his superiors.

“That’s the awkwardness,” he said. “If there is an awkwardness, it’s that you can’t just go this way or this way, you’ve got to go through (the ports of entry) and then back through.” ■

36

Travel

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Tour of Montreal’s red light district highlights city’s notorious past

River pilgrimage takes paddlers on 400-mile spiritual quest

BY MORGAN LOWRIE The Canadian Press

BY KATHY MCCORMACK The Associated Press

MONTREAL’S ENTERTAINMENT district is now dominated by upscale condos and open-air festivals, but there was a time when it was home to the most notorious red-light district in North America.

From 1925 to the early 1960s, the area’s seedy streets of the “Paris of North America” were lined with brothels and gambling dens.

Taverns catered to thirsty American clients running north to escape prohibition, while stars such as the legendary Lili St. Cyr entertained guests with tantalizing burlesque shows in the many nightclubs and cabarets.

Now, a Montreal company is launching a new walking tour that highlights the city’s history of racy entertainment, traces of which are still visible tucked among the bars and restaurants of the city’s entertainment district.

“We have this Quartier des Spectacles, and yet we don’t talk about the amazing performances that occurred there in the past, and (the city) even demolished a lot of the old theatres,” said Donovan King, the tour company’s co-owner.

On a recent tour, burlesque artist Marlene Bottras — better known by her stage name, Lili Lollipop — led a group of visitors through the crowded downtown streets, holding a red lantern as she pointed out landmarks.

There’s the Ste-Catherine Street ice cream shop, once the annex to a hotel, which she said was the only building saved from a massive 1959 fire — reportedly because legendary gangster Al Capone used to like staying there.

Or the Monument National, described as Quebec’s oldest operating theatre, which once hosted a burlesque theatre called the Starland, as well as a wax museum in the basement.

In addition to a burlesque walking tour hosted by real performers such as Bottras,

CHARLES MONTGOMERY welcomed the challenge of hiking the steep terrain of the Connecticut River headwaters in remote northern New Hampshire, admiring the birds, the plants, the woods. He also loved the opportunity to pray.

For four days, the 82-year-old retired doctor was part of the first leg of a 40-day pilgrimage of canoeists and kayakers of all faiths along the 400-mile river, New England’s longest.

The group traded cellphones for paddles to partake in a spiritual journey, the first event of its size on the river, which flows from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound.

“You begin to let go of stuff,” said Montgomery, of Walpole, New Hampshire.

The Episcopal dioceses of New England and a group called Kairos Earth organized the “River of Life” pilgrimage. The idea came from Robert Hirschfeld, New Hampshire’s bishop. Hirschfeld, 56, an avid rower, sees the journey as a way for people to renew their relationship with God, connect with one another and with nature, and have fun.

“It’s become something far greater than I had imagined,” said Hirschfeld, who travelled the first leg and plans to get back on the river with his daughter next week in Hanover, New Hampshire. There are times, he said, when all you hear is the sound of loons and paddles hitting the canoes.

“It causes one to recalibrate one’s soul. You don’t use your cellphone; your laptops are nowhere to be seen,” Hirschfeld said. “You’re suddenly reconnecting on a totally different level with one’s being.”

Nine people started the first leg of the trip on May 31, hiking where it was too shallow to paddle at first, before venturing into bodies of water that eventually fill into the river. Participants can join in at any part of the trip, or follow a special prayer book at home with daily readings, reflections, and Scrip-

Café Cléopâtre.

the company is also offering a “haunted red-light tour” focused on ghost stories from the city’s sin-soaked past.

Montreal’s reputation as a “wide-open city” began in the early 1920s when it was illegal to consume alcohol in most parts of North America outside Quebec, according to King.

“The spinoff effect was that all sorts of people started coming here to take advantage of the flowing taps,” he said in a phone interview.

With the alcohol came organized crime, gambling and sex work, including 500 prostitutes working each day at one intersection alone, at the corner of Ste-Catherine Street and SaintLaurent Boulevard.

While people tend to romanticize the era, King says the tour doesn’t gloss over the difficult living conditions for many residents, not least the many young women who were forced into prostitution.

“It was almost like a shantytown, there was no running water, it would freeze in winter and frost would form on the walls,” he said.

“There was a lot of grinding poverty, crowding, and of course a lot of shenanigans.”

Montreal was also home to what King calls “the best burlesque scene in North Amer-

GUILHEM VELLUT / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

ica,” as personified by St. Cyr, whose wildly popular striptease acts led municipal authorities to arrest her for indecency.

The district’s slow decline began in the 1950s, but hastened in the early 2000s with the area’s rebranding as a cultural district, King said.

Today, many of the peep shows and strip clubs have closed, with a few exceptions.

There’s still the Cafe Cleopatra, which continues to offer strip shows and tranvestite performances after fighting off past expropriation bids from the city.

And then there’s Montreal’s vibrant burlesque scene, which nearly went extinct before being rekindled in the 1990s.

Part of the reason for the tour, King says, is to encourage that revival, and to make links between Montreal’s current festival-heavy entertainment and the city’s past.

“We’d love to see more burlesque, and remind people of the incredible performances that took place here in the past,” he said.

If you go:

Tours run every day of the week from June 23 to September 4, and are available in English and French. For more information visit secretmontreal. ca ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

ture passages.

There also are events on land.

In Vermont, some people are planning a mini-pilgrimage by car on June 17, following the Ottauquechee River from Killington to Hartford. A storyteller will share river tales, and a hydrologist will give a talk on the river’s environment and its watershed that day at the Montshire Museum in Norwich, Vermont.

The trip coincides with multicultural fiesta at a church in Hartford, Connecticut; and a concluding celebration in Essex, Connecticut on July 8. The pilgrimage ends the next day at Long Island Sound.

Most paddlers are expected to join as the pilgrimage reaches Massachusetts and Connecticut, bringing the estimated participation overall to several hundred people.

It rained a lot during the first week of the trip, but Elizabeth Stevens recalled one day when the sun finally came out.

“It was such a fabulous, moving moment that I started praying out loud,” she said. “I was just moved. ... That was what the pilgrimage was about, so that we could connect with nature and commit ourselves once again to doing a better job of taking care of this world that we’ve been given, and this river that we have been given.”

Participants, led by several guides, average about 10 to 12 miles per day, rain or shine.

They set up campsites and explore a different spiritual theme each week. The focus of the first part of the tour was people’s connection to the wilderness and water.

For Stevens, 67, the river already is part of her everyday life in Springfield, Massachusetts. So it was special to her to participate in the first leg of the pilgrimage and see its origin.

Stevens also plans to paddle again later, in Massachusetts and will be there on the last day of the journey near Long Island, where she was born.

“That has a personal meaning of going into the Long Island Sound, which has always been part of the story of my life,” she said. ■

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

37

Food Step aside, ribs: Leg of lamb can also be wood smoked THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA IT’S SUMMER in the Barbecue Belt of America, where the smell of slow-burning hickory never quite fades. In other regions, wood-smoking is left to the professionals because the technique is thought to be too challenging, time-consuming, and just overall intimidating for the home cook.

But at The Culinary Institute of America, we consider it our duty to find the chef inside every cook. And that doesn’t mean buying expensive equipment and tools, because with nothing more than a no-frills charcoal grill, wood chips, and some time, you can be the pitmaster of your own backyard.

Smoking meat — the technique behind favourites like barbecued brisket, ribs, and pulled pork — is the process of cooking an item at a low temperature, surrounded by smoke from burning wood.

Sometimes known as “low and slow,” cooking meat at a lower temperature for a longer period works to tenderize tough cuts of meat. For more tender cuts, like a pork loin, the cooking temperature is low, but not-soslow, since they are suited to a quicker slow-roast ( just like the oven), with the added flavour from the wood smoke.

Just about any meat or poultry can be smoked, and while there are classics that you should try (you’re going to be doing this a lot once you get the hang of it), less-traditional

items like prime rib and leg of lamb can also be smoked with unexpected results.

CIA chef-instructor Thomas Schneller says, “Lamb has a nice robust flavour that holds up well to all sorts of rubs that are meant for smoke roasting,” like the flavourful herb rub in this Greek-style Smoked Leg of Lamb. And compared to a big brisket, it takes a fraction of the time to cook, making it a terrific way to ease yourself into the technique.

Put simply, using your charcoal grill as a smoker is a matter of keeping it hot for longer than usual. Smoked items are ideally cooked at around 250 F and can cook for more than 10 hours.

There are many ways to do this, but we’ll discuss two.

First, you can simply start your fire with fewer coals than usual (you’ll top the burning coals with a handful of wood chips to make smoke), adding new hot coals as the day progresses. This works, but isn’t ideal for two reasons: if you’re smoking a large item, like pork shoulder, you could spend eight hours babysitting your coal chimney, plus, you’ll have to open the grill lid to add the hot coals over and over, making it hard to maintain a constant temperature.

Alternately, fill your grill with about 74 unlit coals spread out on both sides of the grill. Then light about 14 coals in your chimney starter, and when they’re hot, carefully divide them among the two piles of unlit coals. As the hot coals burn, they’ll slowly ignite the others.

Depending on your conditions, you can get six or more hours of cooking using this method.

Once your covered grill is holding temperature, it’s just a matter of control. The vents in your lid control airflow, so if your grill is too hot, close the vents. If it’s too cool, open them to provide extra air to the fire. It takes practice to get the hang of it, but you’ll quickly learn your grill’s quirks.

Many recipes will suggest how long your meat should cook.

This can be helpful for planning, but don’t put too much faith in it. Many variables influence the time it takes for your meat to reach the proper temperature, which is what really matters.

Keep a good probe thermometer in your meat for the entire time it cooks, and watch the temperature, not the clock.

Green-style smoked leg of lamb

Servings: 12 Start to finish: 12 hours (Active time: 35 minutes)

• 4 cloves garlic, peeled • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano • 2 teaspoons lemon zest • 2 teaspoons kosher salt • 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 5- to 6-pound boneless leg of lamb, tied In a food processor, combine the garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, zest, salt, and pepper.

Process until finely ground.

With the machine running, slowly stream in the olive oil.

Place the lamb in a large baking dish or roasting pan. Rub the garlic mixture all over the lamb. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Prepare a charcoal grill for smoking over indirect heat.

Place about 74 charcoal briquettes on the bottom rack of your grill, divided evenly along both sides of the rack. Place an aluminum pan filled halfway with water between the piles.

Meanwhile, soak about 2 cups of wood chips in water and set aside.

Fill your charcoal chimney starter with about 16 charcoal briquettes and light the chimney. Once the coals are hot and grey, carefully transfer them to the grill, dividing them among the two piles of unlit briquettes.

Top each pile of charcoal with about 1 cup of soaked wood chips. Set the top grill grate in place, then cover the grill. Bring the grill to about 275 F, using the top vents to adjust the temperature.

Insert a grill-safe probe thermometer into the thickest part

of the lamb. Transfer the lamb to the grill, centred above the water tray. Cover the grill and cook until the lamb has reached an internal temperature of 140 F (for medium-rare), about 2 hours (see note). Adjust the vents as needed to maintain a consistent cooking temperature of 275 F. Remove the lamb from the grill and carefully wrap in aluminum foil. Rest at room temperature for one hour before slicing and serving.

Chef’s Note: The cooking time will depend on a host of variables, including weather, size and shape of the lamb, and position of the coals. Two hours is only a guideline, and your lamb may take less or more time to come to the proper temperature. Monitor the internal temperature of the lamb, rather than going by the time. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 318 calories; 126 calories from fat; 14 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 145 mg cholesterol; 456 mg sodium; 0 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 48 g protein.

Green beans as the main dish for dinner? Stay with us

BY MELISSA D’ARABIAN The Associated Press SOMETIMES I just crave a big serving of. green beans. You too, right?

Hear me out. Green beans make one of my favourite veggie-based meals. They are loaded with vitamins, particularly C, A and harder-to-get K, and have only 30 calories a serving.

But here is the real reason why

I love green beans: They are a particularly filling vegetable, thanks to high fiber and a few grams of protein.

So that means that my kids can load up on green beans and add a couple of ounces of rotis-

serie chicken on the side for a quick dinner that doesn’t have them hungry again in an hour.

We’ll eat green beans tossed in a little olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted for 15 minutes at 400 F, or even simply

www.canadianinquirer.net

steamed with a little salt and pepper as a side dish.

But if the beans are the star of the show for a meatless meal, I like a little more fanfare, and ❱❱ PAGE 38 Green beans

38

Food

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

Next time on the grill, consider going big dinosaur big

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press BEEF RIBS are all the rage in the barbecue world these days.

I first saw beef ribs 20 years ago in Nassau, Bahamas. Looking for the best local food, I asked a taxi driver to take me to his favourite restaurant. He took me to a barbecue shack way off the tourist path and introduced me to the finest plate of beef ribs that — up to that time — I had ever eaten.

Not only were they the tastiest, but they were the biggest ribs that I had ever seen. He aptly called them “Brontosaurus Bones” because of their dinosaur size, and it stuck with me. The Bahamas’ road-side barbecue shack served the meaty-style, sometimes called “Hollywood,” beef back ribs.

The ribs come from the same place on a cow as the wellknown pork baby back ribs.

Today, the meatier short rib is the “Texas” beef rib of choice.

This rib was made popular by Wayne Mueller of Taylor, Texas, and perfected in New York by Billy Durney of Hometown BarB-Que in Red Hook, a Brooklyn neighbourhood in New York, who learned from Mueller.

Durney took the ethnic foods of his Brooklyn upbringing and re-made them using southern barbecue techniques. Think

pastrami-cured pork belly, jerk ribs, and a smoked lamb belly Vietnamese banh mi sandwich.

The beef rib that he is famous for is his interpretation of what he ate during his first visit to Mueller’s restaurant.

In a recent conversation, Durney told me that when Mueller started smoking short ribs, they weren’t used in restaurants for any other preparation than braising, and they were relatively cheap. These days, they have become so popular that they are very expensive and barbecue restaurants often lose money serving them.

Durney buys 123-A beef-plate short ribs in three-bone racks from his butcher. If you have a good butcher, you can request that cut. Each bone-in short rib can be cut into 6-8 pieces, which will serve 2-3 people, and will weigh around 1.3 pounds once it is cooked.

When I asked Durney why he thought that he was known for beef ribs, he modestly said that he figured out when to pull the ribs from the pit and how to rest them to maximize their tenderness and flavour. He very generously shared his secrets with me and you.

No. 1, you have to “feel” the ribs to know that they are done.

They are ready to come off the heat once the bones have receded from the meat. “The centre is soft and tender to the touch and

the top of the meat should also be wet and glistening because the fat and collagen from the beef has rendered,” explained Durney. “If the beef ribs are dry and crusty, you have overcooked them.”

And, they have to rest a good long while — 40-60 minutes on a rack set into a sheet pan so the air can circulate around the meat. “If you set the ribs on the surface of the pan, they will steam and continue cooking,” he warned. After the initial rest, “wrap them tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of butcher paper,” continued Durney.

Brontosaurus bones

Serves: 6 Start to finish: 2 1/2 hours This is a variation of the recipe that I created when I came home from the Bahamas, it is made with beef back ribs or “long bones,” but can be made

with short ribs as well. Use indirect or medium-low heat • 6-7 meaty-style beef baby back ribs, coming from the same place as pork baby backs (bones should be connected in a rack) • Olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half • 2 rosemary sprigs • Beef Rub: • 2 tablespoons butcher-grind black pepper • 1/2teaspoon cayenne pepper • 5 tablespoons kosher salt Mix rub ingredients in a small bowl, making sure it is well combined.

Meanwhile, build charcoal fire or preheat gas grill, setting it up for indirect heat. Take beef ribs out of refrigerator and rub all over with cut side of the garlic cloves and brush with a thin coating of oil. Set aside for

20 minutes to come to room temperature. Rub ribs liberally with spice rub.

Place ribs (bone side down) in the centre of the cooking grate making sure they are not over a direct flame. Grill covered (at about 325 F, if your grill has a thermometer) for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the meat has pulled back from the ends of the rib bones and the ribs are well browned and slightly crusty on the ends.

Individual beef ribs will be done before the full rack (connected rib bones) is done.

If grilling individual bones and the edges start to burn, stack them on top of one another in the very centre of the grill and lower your fire slightly.

About 30 minutes before the ribs are done, brush lightly with the rosemary sprig dipped in olive oil. Remove ribs from grill and let rest 15 minutes before serving or cutting into individual rib portions (if starting with a full rack). I recommend serving these ribs sauce-less with a sprinkling of the beef rub, if desired. But, if you love barbecue sauce, feel free to serve some warm on the side. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 143 calories; 68 calories from fat; 8 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 44 mg cholesterol; 2923 mg sodium; 2 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 17 g protein.

Green beans... do a simple glazed vegetable dish: Cook veggies and aromatics (such as onion, garlic, spices, or ginger) in a little oil in a large saute pan, add a little liquid — soy sauce, broth, or fruit juice work well — and cover the pan to steam for a couple of minutes, and then uncover to allow the liquid to evaporate into a glaze that coats the veggies.

The strategy works for all sorts of veggies, but start with my craveworthy Garlic Green Beans to get the hang of it.

Serve this bean dish with some quinoa or brown rice and you really may not miss the meat.

But if you want, add small cubes of chicken or tofu to the saute ❰❰ 37

pan first to cook through, or just add some leftover cooked chicken at the end.

Either way, I’ll bet you’ll be craving green beans too.

Garlic green beans

Servings: 4 Start to finish: 15 minutes

• 3 cups green beans, trimmed • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or half olive oil and half sesame oil) • 1/4 cup minced shallot • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less according to spice preference) • 2 tablespoons fresh minced ginger • 6 cloves garlic, minced (about

2 tablespoons) • 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce • 2 teaspoons honey Heat a large saute pan, heat the oil over high heat. Meanwhile, place the minced shallot, sesame seed and red pepper flakes in a small bowl, and have the ginger and garlic prepped and ready (separately), too. Add the shallot, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook until fragrant and sesame seeds are golden brown, about two minutes, stirring frequently with wooden spoon.

Lower heat to medium high and add the minced garlic and cook another minute. Add the www.canadianinquirer.net

green beans and the ginger and saute for two minutes. Add the soy sauce, honey and 2 tablespoons of water and cover to allow to steam for 2 minutes (or longer if you want softer green beans). Uncover the pan, and cook until the liquid reduces down to a glaze, coating the

beans. Serve. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 106 calories; 45 calories from fat; 5 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 444 mg sodium; 13 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 3 g protein.

39

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017

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40

JUNE 16, 2017

FRIDAY

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