Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #128 by Philippine Canadian Inquirer

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VOL. 8 NO. 128

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AUGUST 15, 2014

House to press SC on ‘misuse’ of JDF

Aquino ‘not worried’ about impeachment complaints

COA to 5 cities, town: Return unused PDAF

Fil-Can in Focus: Judith Gonzales

Wikang Pambansa

Embassy alarmed by rising number of Korean fatal victims of crime in PH

HEALING PROCESS

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Korean Embassy in Manila has expressed alarm over the rising number of deaths of its nationals who had become victims of crimes here and said that if this trend continued, Korean would be discouraged from coming to the Philippines. In a statement, the Korean embassy said that so far, nine Koreans have died in violent crimes since January.

BUDDHIST RITUALS turn a section of Quirino Grandstand into a golden shrine on Saturday, the first of two Days of Prayer set by Manila Mayor

Joseph Estrada (in barong) for the eight Hong Kong tourists killed in the August 2010 hostage crisis. The second day, set for Christian rites, is Aug. 23, the fourth anniversary of the tragedy." PHOTO BY JOAN BONDOC

❱❱ PAGE 6 Embassy alarmed

Aquino focused on work, not on 2016 politicking—Palace BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Give him a break. Malacañang asked politicians, on Sun-

day, not to “second-guess” President Benigno Aquino III on his choice as administration standard-bearer in the 2016 elections, saying politics was “not a priority” for him at this point.

Global Filipino: Jed Mabilog Regaining Iloilo’s moniker as the “Queen City of the South” ❱❱ PAGE 25

❱❱ PAGE 10 Aquino focused

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FRIDAY 2

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Philippine News

3 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Binay thanks Aquino sisters for support Family ties transcend politics, veep says BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THIS EARLY, the sisters of President Aquino have cast their lot with Vice President Jejomar Binay, the first among presidential aspirants who has declared that he will run for the highest post in the land in 2016. Acknowledging the gesture, Binay thanked the Aquino sisters, saying the ties between their families “transcended politics.” TV host and actress Kris Aquino declared her and her three sisters’ support for Binay as a potential successor of the President on her program with cohost Boy Abunda on Tuesday night. Kris was reacting to Binay’s statement that the ruling Liberal Party (LP) could adopt the Vice President as its standardbearer in the coming presidential election. “My sisters and I have been talking about it [LP adopting Binay], and we say that if this can bring about unity as ... we’re not enemies... and if he continues what Noy has started, why not?” the youngest of the Aquino siblings said in Filipino. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Mr. Aquino’s running mate in 2010, is the LP presumptive presidential candidate in 2016. A statement issued by Binay quoted Ballsy Aquino-Cruz’s interview in a news program the other night in which she also declared her support for the Vice President. In the interview, Ballsy said she wanted peace and was “grateful” to people who may be outside the administration party but were “thinking of ways to improve our country to improve the lives of the people.” Binay, a human rights lawyer during the Marcos regime, belongs to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), a group he formed with former President Joseph Estrada and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile a few months before the 2013 midterm elections. The eldest of the Aquino children, Ballsy said Binay was among those who fought the Marcos dictatorship that was why their families experienced

difficult times together. “That’s why I’m happy that he felt that way. If he wants to continue what Noy has started, the better,” Ballsy said in Filipino in her interview on TV Patrol. Humbled

Thanking the sisters for their trust and support, Binay said he was “humbled” that they would see him as someone who could continue the President’s “good programs.” “I share their view that the welfare of our kababayan (countrymen) should always come first and should not be compromised by partisan politics,” said the Vice President. Binay said the friendship between the Aquino and Binay families was a “bond that transcended politics.” Binay is a known staunch ally of the late President Corazon Aquino. In his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 28, Mr. Aquino noted that he and Binay were together during the worst military coup attempt in 1989 against his mother where he was also seriously wounded. Binay, then mayor of Makati City, earned the moniker “Rambotito” (small Rambo) for brandishing an Uzi submachine gun, ready to defend Cory Aquino against rebel soldiers. Estrada, now Manila mayor, said that Binay had assured him that he would reject any offer to be the LP guest candidate in 2016. “I told him (Binay) that there is no need for him to accept any invitation from the LP because he is already way ahead in the surveys. He (Binay) told me that all this talk of being invited by LP was just speculation,” Estrada said. “The media just got its news late.”

main stumbling block to the latter’s dream to be the next President. “I am the only candidate he (Binay) is afraid of,” the Manila mayor said. Binay and Estrada are banking on the support of the same base of Class C, D and E voters. His son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, was supposed to be Binay’s running mate in 2016 but the senator has been detained on plunder and graft charges in

‘Binay afraid of my candidacy’

Estrada said that Binay would be making a big mistake if he joined the LP. “UNA will be forced to field a candidate to replace him because there will be no opposition to run against the administration,” he said. Asked if he was interested in replacing Binay as UNA’s standard-bearer, Estrada replied: “I’m not saying that.” But Estrada told the INQUIRER that Binay himself had recognized that he was the www.canadianinquirer.net

connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam. Binay fueled speculations of an alliance with the LP when he volunteered “raw information” that he received that an LP faction was considering to adopt him as guest candidate in the 2016 elections. The LP’s presumptive candidate, Roxas, has lagged behind Binay in surveys and has reportedly been given up to the end of this year to boost his rat-

ings and prove he has a chance to win in 2016. Roxas, who lost narrowly to Binay in 2010, is now rumored as the running mate of Mr. Aquino should his LP allies succeed in getting Congress to amend the Constitution and allow the President to run for a second term. Under Section 4, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, a President is limited to only one six-year term. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 15, 2014

FRIDAY 4

‘We’re not going to be paralayzed by any survey’—Palace BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—Shunning away the president’s poor satisfaction ratings, Malacanang on Monday remained firm on its belief that surveys will not affect the power of President Aquino’s endorsement in the 2016 elections. “Everyone wants his anointment,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing. Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has earlier expressed his plans of running for president in the 2016 elections also said that he was open to talks on coalition between his party, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and the administration’s Liberal Party (LP). Lacierda remains confident that the surveys will not affect the strength of PNoy’s endorsements in the coming elections, despite the president’s poor rating performance in the results of a recent survey conducted from June 27 to 30 and published in the Business World. The survey showed that 26 percent of the respondents were dissatisfied with the government’s performance while 18

TIPID TAWAG

President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima during the courtesy call of the ASEAN Business Club at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (May 21, 2014). The ASEAN Business Club is an association of the chief executives of ASEAN’s most important business enterprises, who are committed to the advancement of the ASEAN agenda. PHOTO BY BENHUR ARCAYAN / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

percent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. “Is it insurmountable? No, of course not,” he said. “We’re not going to be paralyzed by any survey. Our commitment is there to protect the welfare of the Filipino people,” Lacierda said. ■

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Philippine News

5 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Mar still our man, says LP BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND GIL CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE LIBERAL Party’s (LP’s) endorsement remains Mar Roxas’ for the asking, that is if the interior secretary should decide to seek the presidency in 2016, according to Senate President Franklin Drilon. Drilon, the LP vice chair, said there was no truth to the claim that the ruling party was looking to adopt Vice President Jejomar Binay as its presidential standard bearer. Binay told reporters the other day that he had heard talk that the LP could decide to adopt him as its presidential candidate in the 2016 elections, and indicated his openness to the idea. Drilon said the LP had yet to discuss who to endorse for its standard bearer and was still waiting for the President’s decision on the matter. It had not talked about the possibility of adopting Binay, he said. If Mar wants it...

But if Roxas, the LP’s president-on-leave, would want to pursue the presidency, the LP would support him, Drilon said. “If Secretary Mar makes public his desire to run for president, the Liberal Party will support him and I assume the President will support him,” he said. Roxas gave up his campaign for the presidency in 2010 to give way to then Sen. Benigno Aquino III, whose ratings shot up after his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, died. Drilon said the President would want somebody who will continue his reforms and who has shown that he had supported his programs. Other LP leaders dismissed as “pure speculation” and the result of “impaired hearing” Binay’s claim that he was being eyed as a guest presidential candidate by the ruling party. “It is unfortunate that unfounded rumors have been circulated to perhaps boost the political stock of a presidential aspirant and to sow intrigue among the ranks of the Liberal Party and the allies of the administration,” said Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, one of the leaders

AFP: No one got US’ $5-M reward BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Roxas gave up his campaign for the presidency in 2010 to give way to then Sen. Benigno Aquino III, whose ratings shot up after his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, died. PHOTO FROM DILG.GOV.PH

of the Visayas bloc in the House of Representatives. ‘Baseless rumors’

“We, in the Visayas region, have dismissed such baseless rumors. As far as we are concerned, [Interior] Secretary Mar Roxas remains our strongest bet to continue the legacy of good governance of President Noynoy Aquino,” Treñas said. Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said Binay must be suffering from “impaired hearing” for claiming to have picked up the LP’s interest in getting him as a guest candidate. “Binay has no place in the LP because it is highly doubtful he will continue the ‘ daang matuwid’ of the President,” said Erice. He noted that the vice president has yet to fully explain allegations of irregularities in a P15 million earthworm project and a parking building worth P2 billion. “As President Aquino said, we should be wary of our ‘ kalaban na may maitim na balak’ (an enemy with dark intentions),” he said. According to Erice, Binay has been notably absent from the President’s major anticorruption reforms, from the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona to the prosecution of the pork plunder senators while being vocal in opposing the government’s

budget reforms. Batangas Rep. Sonny Collantes said he was surprised by Binay’s announcement as the subject was never discussed by the LP members and leaders. He said talk about 2016 was premature at this time and that the LP’s 2016 presidential candidate would be decided in a party convention. ‘Spin masters’

Drilon attributed to “spin masters” the report that Binay could become the LP’s bet for the top post. “All I can say is that the spin masters are having their day. There is no such thing. I am a member of the executive committee of the Liberal Party, and there has been no discussion on that,” he said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart. Sen. Antonio Trillanes said Binay’s willingness to team up with the Liberal Party in 2016 was a sign of weakness and has exposed his vulnerability. “If he [Binay] is really strong, why would he need to ally himself with the LP? Maybe he sees something happening to his candidacy which was why he is striking a deal with the LP,” Trillanes told reporters. Binay, who declared his intention to run for president in 2016 quite early, has been topping the voter’s preference surveys on presidential candidates. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

NO ONE collected the $5-million reward offered by the US government for the head of the Malaysian terrorist Marwan, whom the Philippine military reported killed in a US-backed Philippine air strike in Sulu province two years ago, the country’s chief intelligence officer said yesterday. “Nobody claimed the reward because it was never confirmed that Marwan was killed in the air strike in 2012,” Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año, chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp), said in a text message, answering the INQUIRER’s question yesterday about the bounty. The INQUIRER asked who pocketed the $5-million reward offered by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation following the publication of a police interrogation report quoting a captured Abu Sayyaf leader saying he met Marwan in a camp of the hardline Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao province last year. Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos, who was captured in Parañaque City on June 11, said Marwan, whose real name is Zulkifli bin Hir, was with a Singaporean militant named Muhamda Ali, who used the guerrilla name Muawiyah, and another foreign militant, Amin Baco. Hunted by gov’t still

The military reported that Marwan, a bomb maker for Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian affiliate of the global terror network al-Qaida, and Muawiyah were killed in a US-advised Philippine air strike on an Abu Sayyaf camp in Sulu on Feb. 2, 2012. “There was a report on Marwan’s death but it was not confirmed and validated. We therefore consider him still alive and [he] is subject to law enforcement operations, hunted by the government,” Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesperson, also told the INQUIRER by phone. “He is on the run and is in hiding. Sooner or later, we will neutralize him by capturing or killing him should he fight or

resist arrest,” Zagala said. “The report about his death was not confirmed and validated,” Zagala repeated, then added: “No reward was given.” Zagala explained that the only way to validate a kill report was to recover the body or get DNA. “That’s the only time that the US will give the reward,” he said. Body never recovered

Año said Marwan’s body was never recovered and the intelligence community had received reports that Marwan had been sighted in the Cotabato-Lanao area together with 11 other members of Jemaah Islamiyah, who advised the Abu Sayyaf on terror tactics. AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang did not like the news that Marwan was possibly still alive. Catapang said he told Año to verify the information and submit a report to him before talking to reporters. “I talked to General Año and I told him to submit a report so that we can act on it and we’ll make a public statement,” Catapang said. Bali bombings

Zagala said Marwan was a fugitive who gained notoriety because of his involvement in the bombings of two restaurants in the resort island of Bali in Indonesia on Oct. 12, 2002. More than 200 people, mostly tourists, were killed in the bombings, including 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, 27 Britons, seven Americans, six Swedes and three Danes. “Our operations against Marwan are going on. We will get him,” Zagala said. The military considers Marwan “ineffective,” Zagala said, because other Jemaah Islamiyah operatives in Mindanao were “neutralized” two years ago. He said Tekri, a Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah terror suspect, and Salusi, another member of the terror group who was higher in rank than Marwan, were killed in 2012. “Marwan is in Mindanao. I can’t reveal to you exactly where but there are ongoing operations,” Zagala said. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 15, 2014

Moro law delayed; MILF upset over revisions

Embassy alarmed... The latest case involved a Korean businessman who was killed last July 27 in a car-jacking, the embassy said. The man’s wife was also abducted but was later released unharmed and police have arrested the family driver “for possible involvement in the crime,” it said. The embassy also mentioned the abduction and murder last March of 21-year-old student named Lee Ji Won, noting that one of the suspects in his murder included a taxi driver. It also said the “brutal and senseless crime (against Lee) rattled the Korean community in the Philippines.” “The rising incidence of crimes committed against Koreans while in the Philippines either on vacation or on business is a trend that has alarmed the Embassy of the Republic of Korea,” the embassy said. ❰❰ 1

Gov’t help sought

It said Korean Ambassador Hyuk Lee has sought the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police and the Office of the President

FRIDAY 6

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Koreans in the Philippines during their winter vacation. PHOTO FROM TRAVEL.WIKINUT.COM

“in the hope that an intensified effort on the part of the Philippine government to curb criminality will lead to a safer environment for Korean nationals.” Ambassador Lee has asked law enforcement agencies to undertake measures to “prevent motor vehicles, taxi cabs in particular, from being used as means to commit crimes, or from being targeted for kidnapping or carnapping by organized criminal syndicates.” The implementation of these measures will help ease the

anxiety of Koreans “who have been coming to the Philippines in greater numbers either as tourists or as investors.” “With the favorable economic climate under the administration of President Aquino, more and more Koreans have been manifesting their interest to invest in the Philippines. It is feared that if crimes against innocent Koreans persist, businessmen will avoid the Philippines and seek safer places for doing business,” the embassy said. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

MALACAÑANG YESTERDAY acknowledged concerns coming from its allies that Congress might fail to meet the administration’s December 2014 deadline to pass a law that would establish a new Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. The Palace, however, did not say what exactly were the disagreements between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that delayed the submission of the proposed Bangsamoro basic law to Congress. But Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief peace negotiator, said about 70 percent of the nearly 100-page draft Bangsamoro law was either deleted or revised by the government’s lawyers, who reviewed the document for two months after it was submitted in late April for vetting. “We cannot accept this pro-

posed law as it is,” Iqbal said in an interview with Reuters. “We will lose face if we agree to this. Their version clearly departed from the letter and spirit of the peace agreement, which was the basis in crafting the proposed law,” Iqbal said. Reuters said it had seen a copy of the revised legislation, which showed entire sections of articles on territory, resources and government structure had been deleted or revised. Urgent talks

The two sides, who signed a peace deal in March to end four decades of conflict in Mindanao, are holding urgent talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this week to try to iron out the unexpected obstacles to what had been seen as one of President Aquino’s landmark successes. A breakdown would risk a return to violence and a blow to hopes for an economic revival for resource-rich Mindanao, ❱❱ PAGE 14 Moro law

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

House to press SC on ‘misuse’ of JDF BY GIL CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES— If Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno does not want to go to the House of Representatives, the chamber will confront her and other magistrates of the Supreme Court with their alleged indiscretions on their own turf. Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, vice chair of the House committee on justice, wants to personally hand over a letter to Sereno and the rest of the magistrates that would detail their misuse of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF) and other transgressions, such as the creation of another fund-raising office without congressional approval. “I’m still finishing it (letter) as I saw some other matters

that I’ll add. I hope to deliver it (Monday) or Wednesday at the latest,” said Fariñas in a text message. Instead of filing a certiorari with prohibition against the court itself which would be costly and time-consuming, Fariñas said it was better to file an administrative letter telling the justices to act on the issues because his constituents were demanding their impeachment. Fariñas said the main issue against the Supreme Court was its misuse of the JDF. “The law said the fund [was meant] to provide for the allowances of employees and [for the] purchase [of ] supplies and equipment. But the Supreme Court spent the funds on other things, such as a P30-million highyielding deposit in Land Bank,” he said. The congressman pointed

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

out that the mandatory 20-percent allocation for equipment

PHOTO FROM NEWSINFO.INQUIRER.NET

in the JDF had ballooned to P1.8 billion as of June.

He reckoned that the high court was the most powerful among the three branches of government because it was the only one that can overrule the Commission on Audit on disallowed expenses. Fariñas said he thought of suing the magistrates outright for abusing the JDF but he dropped the idea because it would mean filing the case in the Supreme Court itself. “But I would not allow it to reach that point. I have a letter to the CJ and the other justices seeking their attention on their various transgressions against the Constitution…. I believe that they committed a clear violation of the Constitution and a breach of the doctrine they laid down on DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program) and PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund),” he said. ■

Keep it simple, Church told, as plans for Pope visit get going BY JOEY GABIETA Inquirer Visayas TACLOBAN CITY—Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines is five months away, but preparations are already under way, including the widening of roads, in typhoon-stricken Leyte province, where he is expected to travel. Started three weeks ago, the road-widening project covers 11 kilometers from the San Jose area, where the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport is located, to the nearby town of Palo, where Palo Cathedral is located, according to engineer Dionisio de Paz, chief of the city engineering office. “We expect to finish the work by November,” De Paz said. He could not yet say how many houses and establishments are to be affected but added that the Pope’s visit had hastened the project’s implementation. The roads will have four lanes, enough to accommodate the expected influx of devotees and motorists, the city engineer said. Simple welcome best option

But a prelate from Palawan province said a simple welcome would be the “best option” for

both Church and government officials given the Pontiff’s propensity for austerity. Francis has been known for his humility and simplicity in manner and lifestyle. “The activities and programs to be prepared must be in keeping with the Pope’s personality. Let us avoid holding costly, wasteful and extravagant receptions,” Bishop Pedro Arigo, apostolic vicar of Puerto Princesa, said in an article posted on a Church website. “These, I think, will greatly displease him because they will not be consistent with his message of love and care for the poor,” he added. The Pope has expressed his desire to meet survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” considered the world’s strongest storm to make landfall in recent history, during his five-day trip starting Jan. 15 next year. Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) pummeled Leyte and other provinces in the Visayas in November last year, leaving some 6,300 people dead and 1,060 missing. Tacloban City was the worst hit, accounting for almost a third of the fatalities and more than P25 billion in damage to property and public structures. “We are all excited at the visit

of the Vicar of Christ. This will be a moment of joy and thanksgiving for us victims and survivors of Yolanda. The Pope’s visit will surely inspire us and give us hope,” said Fr. Amadeo Alvero, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Palo. Francis will be the third Pope to come to the Philippines after Paul VI in 1970 and John Paul II in 1981 and 1995. He will be the first Pontiff in nearly two decades to visit the Far East when he travels to South Korea on Aug. 14-18. Security reasons

Since Aug. 1, Masses for a “successful and meaningful” papal trip have been held in all churches within the Palo archdiocese, Alvero said. Archbishop John Du has asked all priests within the archdiocese to hold Masses up to January, in time for the Pope’s scheduled visit to Eastern Visayas, home to 4 million Roman Catholics. Alvero said details of the Pope’s itinerary, including where he would celebrate Mass, could not be divulged as yet for security reasons. “What is certain is that Pope Francis will visit us, victims of the supertyphoon,” he said. “And for this, we the faithful, www.canadianinquirer.net

are asked to prepare ourselves spiritually in prayer and in being merciful and compassionate to our brothers and sisters in need.”

and pictures of children from typhoon-hit areas, holding papers that carry their personal messages of welcome. Focus on message

CBCP website

The Catholic Church has launched a website dedicated for Francis’ upcoming apostolic visit to the Philippines after Sri Lanka. The website (http://papalvisit.ph), which was created by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) media office, contains information, including articles and statements, related to the much-awaited event. One of those posted is a pastoral letter on how to prepare the people for the papal visit. The website carries an icon showing a smiling Francis and the words, “mercy and compassion,” the central theme of the visit. “That has been the recurring theme of teaching, homilies, actions of the Holy Father,” Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle explained during a press briefing last week when he officially announced the dates of the visit. The website features a timer that counts down the remaining weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds to Francis’ arrival

Bishop Arigo stressed that an expression of hospitality— a trait Filipinos are known for worldwide—marked by ostentation and insensitivity would likely be an insult to the poor. He reminded the faithful to focus on the message that the Pope would be bringing instead of satisfying one’s personal “need” to brag about having met him in person. Tagle neither confirmed nor denied reports that the Pope would go to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on España Boulevard in Manila for a youth rally. “But UST always figured in previous [papal] visits to the Philippines. We’re coming from that historical datum. Whether or not that will happen, we hope for confirmation at the end of the year,” he told reporters. A video of “We are all God’s Children,” the official theme song of the apostolic visit, can be viewed in the website, as well as the National Prayer, which is said before the post-communion prayer of every Mass from Aug. 1 to Jan. 14, 2015. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 8

Luy: JLN employees posed as farmers Publisher Alan Yong Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula laarni.liwanag@canadianinquirer.net Community News Editor Mary Ann Mandap maryann.mandap@canadianinquirer.net Correspondents Ching Dee Angie Duarte Lei Fontamillas Frances Grace Quiddaoen Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Graphic Designer Victoria Yong Photographers Angelo Siglos Danvic Briones Solon Licas Operations and Marketing Head Laarni Liwanag (604) 551-3360 Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Jennifer Yen 778-227-2995 Jennifer.yen@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 400-13955 Bridgeport Rd., Richmond, BC V6V 1J6 Canada Tel. No.: 1-888-668-6059 or 778-8893518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer. net, inquirerinc@gmail.com, sales@ canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday. Copies are distributed free throughout Metro Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto. The views and opinions expressed in the articles (including opinions expressed in ads herein) are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editorial Team. PCI reserves the right to reject any advertising which it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement. Member

BY MARLON RAMOS AND GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer WHISTLE-BLOWER Benhur Luy testified in court yesterday that alleged pork barrel scam’s mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles ordered her employees to be photographed as farmers receiving livelihood kits and packages from dummy foundations that she used to embezzle P10 billion from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) that funded development projects in congressional districts. “Even the pictures in the (disbursement reports) were fake. The drivers and errand boys were told by Napoles to pose as farmers receiving seeds, chemical sprays and other items,” Luy said when asked by Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David about the documents used in their operations. The state witness, who consistently referred to Napoles as “Madam,” said the fake photo sessions were actually done in Pandi, Bulacan, where Napoles maintained a warehouse, and in one of her properties in AFPOVAI (Armed Forces of the Philippines Officers Village Association Inc.) Subdivision in Taguig City. Pictures used for inspection

“The pictures were used when there was an inspection [for] actual implementation of the projects. We just made up the distribution of the items,” Luy said, testifying for the third time in Sen. Bong Revilla’s bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan. Revilla, who was identified by his code name “Pogi” (goodlooking) in Luy’s records, is accused of plunder for pocketing P224.5 million of his pork barrel funds funneled to the Napoles-linked foundations from 2006 to 2010. Revilla received nearly P100 million in kickbacks from Napoles from 2008 to 2009, about a year before he topped the 2010 senatorial election, Luy said. Under questioning by David during the cross-examination, Luy said Revilla got half of the total cost of projects funded from his PDAF allocation. While the usual practice was to give the kickbacks of legislators in two tranches, Luy said Napoles agreed to give advances to Revilla through his then political aide and alleged bagman, lawyer Richard Cambe. ‘Sen. Revilla is kind’

“Senator Revilla is kind. He never hounded Madam about his rebates,” Luy said, drawing laughter from the people in the courtroom, including the senator’s lawyers. David tried to impeach Luy’s credibility, pointing out his failure to provide

Financial ledgers

Witness Benhur Luy: “Even the pictures in the (disbursement reports) were fake. The drivers and errand boys were told by Napoles to pose as farmers receiving seeds, chemical sprays and other items.” PHOTO FROM FILFIGHT.COM

some details of the financial transactions he handled for Napoles. David asked Luy about the dates on which he personally handed big amounts in cash to Cambe. He noted Luy’s failure to identify the person who gave him P9 million in cash, which Luy, in turn, allegedly handed to Cambe in October 2009. David also pointed out that Luy was unsure whether Napoles was present during the payoff delivery to Cambe or when the auditors inspected Napoles’ warehouse in Bulacan. Luy said Napoles kept the same rotting seeds, broken sprayers and stocks of fertilizer in the warehouse to prove that she was making deliveries for the multiple livelihood projects of her fake foundations. Bank papers

“Your answers are all so general. Do you have withdrawal slips of the supposed [bank transactions you had?” David asked Luy. Luy said the documents were with the branches of the banks where the money was withdrawn. David repeatedly asked Luy to cite the specific dates on which he met Cambe to give him Revilla’s kickbacks. Luy said he could not recall the exact dates because the meetings happened “several years ago.” “It’s now 2014. I cannot remember all the transactions we had in 2006 or 2007. But most of the time it was me who personally gave Richard Cambe the rebates of Senator Revilla,” Luy said. He said there were times that Cambe met with Napoles to collect Revilla’s share of the proceeds from the bogus projects outside Napoles’ office in Discovery Suites at Ortigas Center in Pasig City. “Madam would just call me and order me to record how much she gave to Cambe,” he said.

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When David tried to pressure the witness to provide specific dates and details of his meetings with Cambe, Luy answered in a raised voice: “I told you already, sir, that I cannot recall all the specific details because the transactions were done several years ago.” Raising his eyebrows, he told the lawyer: “My proofs are the financial ledgers that I myself prepared.” He said he personally prepared the ledger for the “rebates” for Revilla and Cambe, but he was assisted in the preparation by Napoles or one of her children and by her nephew, Ronald John Lim, and driver, John Raymond de Asis. Luy then narrated that he once gave money to Cambe, putting it in the trunk of the lawyer’s sport utility vehicle that was parked at a shopping mall in Ortigas. “So now you can remember the parking lot, but not the person who gave you the money,” David said. Associate Justice Efren de la Cruz, chair of the Sandiganbayan First Division, told David to just ask questions and stop making remarks in open court when Prosecutor Joefferson Toribio objected to the defense lawyer’s questioning of the state witness. Hearsay evidence

David argued that Luy’s files were “hearsay evidence,” as these were personal records of the transactions that he made as an employee at Napoles’ JLN Corp. and that these should be substantiated with formal documents. The lawyer tried to show the court that Luy could not produce any record that Napoles received or gave money to him, but Luy was consistent in stressing that all his transactions were dictated by Napoles. Luy’s testimony was practically turned into a lecture in mathematics when David asked the witness to compute the commissions and prove that Revilla indeed received 50 percent of the projects financed by his PDAF allocation This prompted De la Cruz to order one of the court staff to get a calculator to help Luy in adding the large amounts that were given to the senator. Between June 2008 and July 2008, Luy said, Revilla endorsed two projects worth P65 million and P15 million to Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation Inc., where Luy was the president. He said the projects were implemented through the National Agribusiness Corp., one of the state agencies that acted as conduits for the financing of Napoles’ ghost projects. Citing portions of his financial ledgers contained in nine folders, Luy said Revilla received rebates of P40 million in four tranches. ■

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Aquino ‘not worried’ about impeachment complaints—Palace

Gov’t workers ask SC to stop new taxes

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

ALREADY STRUGGLING to survive on their meager pay, government employees yesterday questioned in the Supreme Court new taxes on allowances, bonuses and other benefits of all state workers and officials estimated at more than 1 million. With former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. as their pro bono counsel, 12 employees’ associations and confederations representing an estimated 300,000 government workers across the country asked the court to stop the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from withholding taxes on their fringe benefits, saying this was unconstitutional and would further hurt their already drained pockets. “Today, we filed a petition to fight what we think is oppressive taxation that BIR is doing, collecting taxes on allowances, bonuses and fringe benefits of government employees and officials throughout the nation,” Pimentel told reporters after filing the petition at noon yesterday. “I think what the BIR is doing is wrong,” Pimentel said, describing allowances and bonuses as pantawid-gutom, or “cross hunger” measure. “And then you will impose additional taxes on that aside from the withholding tax,” he said. Hundreds of employees in red and black gathered at the Supreme Court yesterday, joining a protest initiated by employees in the judiciary last month that has spread in government offices across the country. The 73-page petition questioning Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) 23-2014 introduced on June 20 named BIR Commissioner Kim Henares and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima as respondents.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES— Malacañang insisted on Sunday that President Benigno Aquino III committed no impeachable offense as three impeachment complaints against him were set to move forward at the administration-controlled House of Representatives. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma claimed the Palace would not interfere with the proceedings, saying it “recognizes the principle of separation of powers” between the executive branch and the legislature. “The President is not worried about the proceedings because he knows that he has not committed any impeachable offense,” Coloma said in Filipino over Radyo ng Bayan. Congressmen belonging to the Makabayan bloc want Aquino removed from office over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation (EDCA) with the United States. All three impeachment complaints against the President are set to be referred on

Monday (Aug. 11) to the House committee on justice, which is tasked to determine if they are sufficient in form and in substance. The committee is chaired by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., a staunch ally of the President. Coloma sought to downplay the impact of the impeachment complaints on the President, saying they were “not a priority.” “The President has more important priorities focused on the country’s development and on pushing for the reforms that he has started,” he said. Neophyte Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon, who had endorsed one of the impeachment complaints, earlier urged the justice committee “to listen and consider the arguments we will present during the impeachment proceedings.” “They should not play blind, deaf, and mute to the travesties committed by the President,” Ridon said in a statement. Coloma said it would be up to House members to determine the outcome of the impeachment complaints. “They, the members of the chamber, are the ones who will decide on what they intend to do on the matter,” he said. ■

They are furious at BIR for taxing bonuses BY CATHY YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer

Clarifying what’s taxable

All three impeachment complaints against the President are set to be referred on Aug. 11 to the House committee on justice, which is tasked to determine if they are sufficient in form and in substance. PHOTO BY RYAN LIM / MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU

Asked for comment, Henares said: “We’re just clarifying what income is taxable. A lot of agencies were giving bonuses and allowances but they weren’t withholding taxes.” According to the Department of Budget and Management www.canadianinquirer.net

website, the number of government employees as of last year was 1,185,530 corresponding to “filled positions.” Petitioners include employees’ associations of the judiciary (the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, lower courts), Senate, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Water Districts Employees, National Housing Authority and Quezon City government. Among the lead petitioners, the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage), an umbrella of public sector unions, said simultaneous “red and black” protests were staged by government employees in the cities of Tuguegarao, Iloilo, Bicol, Cebu, Tacloban and Cagayan de Oro. DSWD employees in red and black shirts joined the national day of protest declared by some government workers’ groups against Henares’ order. The employees staged a rally at their main office in Quezon City during lunch break, the same time the petition was filed in the Supreme Court. Similar protests were held in DSWD offices nationwide. ‘They are bleeding us’

Manny Baclogon, national president of the Social Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines, said: “We are not against taxes but they are bleeding us, making us their scapegoat. If they have a tax deficit problem, why don’t they review their tax incentives system, go after big tax evaders, smugglers.” “We hope that she doesn’t take from us what she needs to fill her revenue quota. We have very little pay. But I don’t know, it seems she’s doing this just to prove that the executive is more powerful than other branches of government,” said Jojo Guerrero, president of the Judiciary Employees Association of the Philippines.

the memo was dated June 20 with immediate effect, the new tax was already reflected in the incentive pay of judiciary workers on June 15. Ferdinand Gaite, Courage president, cited how people’s taxes only went to programs such as the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program and the graftridden Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), discretionary funds both deemed unconstitutional by the high court. “The government keeps on imposing taxes and they just go to DAP and PDAF, even violating the separation of powers. We will continue to fight for a living wage and against oppressive tax measures of the government,” Gaite said. The petition for prohibition and mandamus with a prayer for a temporary restraining order asked the court to declare as unconstitutional certain provisions of RMO 23-2014. It seeks to prevent “the unlawful and unwarranted imposition of taxes, and their illegal and illicit collection thereof through the RMO concerned, on the nontaxable allowances, bonuses, compensations for services, and other benefits that had been enjoyed by the petitioners for some time now.” ‘Ruinous consequences’

“The RMO in question was probably hastily issued without much thought about its ruinous consequences upon the right of the petitioners to fully enjoy those allowances, bonuses, compensation for services, and other fringe benefits, thus necessitating the immediate intervention of the court,” the petition read. The assailed tax memo lays down the “obligations of government agencies, bureaus and instrumentalities as withholding agents,” including the duty to deduct taxes from all forms of compensation given to government employees, including benefits outside of their regular pay that were previously nontaxable. The petitioners argued that the RMO was “not reviewed” by the finance department. The implementation of the tax

Where the taxes go

Guerrero said that although

❱❱ PAGE 11 Gov't workers

Philippine News

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 10

12 Sino fishers nabbed in Tubbataha guilty BY REDEMPTO ANDA Inquirer Southern Luzon PUERTO PRINCESA CITY— Twelve Chinese nationals involved in the grounding of a fishing vessel at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park last year received prison terms ranging from five to 12 years on Tuesday after the Palawan Regional Trial Court found them guilty of illegal fishing and entry. Their conviction came after months of continuous hearings followed closely by both China and the Philippines in the face of a tense territorial dispute between the two countries over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Judge Ambrosio de Luna imposed the maximum penalty allowed by the special law for Tubbataha, a World Heritagelisted marine sanctuary famed as a pristine dive spot in the western Philippines. Also pending before De Luna’s court is a case of poaching involving 11 other Chinese nationals caught by maritime police near the disputed HasaHasa Shoal (Half Moon Shoal). De Luna has set a marathon trial through September. The Chinese fishermen were the first foreigners to be found guilty of violating the law, according to Herminia Caabay, legal officer of the Palawan Council for Sustainable De-

velopment, which helps the province protect its natural resources. “Finally, we have a conviction and we are very pleased with the decision,” Angelique Songco, Tubbataha marine park superintendent, told reporters. Immediately pardoned

She pointed out that a previous case involving Chinese poachers during the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “was frustrating because the government immediately pardoned the convicted Chinese.” No Chinese Embassy official was present during Tuesday’s promulgation, although the embassy had observed some of the hearings of the case during its trial phase. In Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs last night defended the court’s verdict as “based on applicable Philippine laws.”' Foreign Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, who is also department spokesperson, said in a text message that the Chinese fishermen were caught to be illegally fishing in a place considered “to be part of the Philippines’ internal waters where it has exclusive sovereignty.” China has remained mum about the grounding of the FV

Min Long Yu, which was found floundering in part of Tubbataha’s North Atoll by marine park rangers on April 8, 2013. After 11 days, the vessel was towed out, but 3,902 square meters of reef was obliterated. The incident happened less than three months after a US minesweeper, the USS Guardian, plowed into the reef while transiting through South Atoll of Tubbataha on Jan. 17, 2013, damaging 2,345 sq mof reef. The vessel was extricated after 73 days and at a cost of $45 million. The Philippines fined the United States P58 million for damaging the reef, but laid no criminal charges. On July 23, US Ambassador Philip Gold-

quently upset by then Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, who is now eyeing the presidency. Binay expressed openness on Saturday to tapping Roxas as his running mate in 2016, like he’s also willing to pick Sen. Francis Escudero. “Nothing is impossible in politics. Everything is possible,” the Vice President said, referring to a possible coalition between his United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and Aquino’s Liberal Party. Binay had also criticized calls for a term extension for Aquino, saying such proposals were “selfish.” “It was a selfish proposal to begin with, motivated more by personal rather than national interest,” he said in a statement.

But the President’s allies continued to pitch for another six-year term for him, one that would obviously require constitutional amendments. Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas said on Sunday now would be “the best time to change the Constitution because we may never have another chance to have a President who is proven not only as an honest and effective leader but also one who has no other ambition but to turn the Philippines into a great and progressive nation.” “We are sure that he will never abuse power. I think that we should not waste this opportunity,” he said in a statement. Coloma said the President “continues to listen to the voice

China silent

berg said his country was ready to pay the amount. The 12 Chinese listened intently as the court interpreter translated the decision into Mandarin, and displayed no emotion when the verdict was read. Found guilty were boat captain Liu Chang Jie, Fang Ren Yi, Qi Jian, Li Zhi Ming, Li Zhong Sheng, Wang Yu Zhen, Liu Wen Jie, Yuan Lianffe, Cheng Shouyun, Chi Liyong, WenHong Min and Tang Hai Ling. The poachers were also ordered to pay fines of $100,000 (P4.3 million) each, or face an equivalent amount in “subsidiary imprisonment.” Their boat was forfeited. Iwahig facility

De Luna has yet to issue a ruling on a motion filed by the provincial prosecutor, Herbert Dilig, to immediately commit the Chinese to the Iwahig prison facility. But the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), which is handling the defense, asked that they remain in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration pending the filing of a motion for reconsideration. “We believe the Chinese fishermen are innocent, they did

not intend to go into Philippine territory but was forced by bad weather,” PAO lawyer Jocelyn Fumera told reporters. In his 11-page ruling, De Luna rejected Liu Chang Jie’s claim that the boat, which originated from Indonesia, was merely passing through and drifted to Tubbataha when their global positioning system (GPS) instrument malfunctioned. “The testimony (of Liu Chang Jie) that he did not know where they were at the time of apprehension is highly incredible and unbelievable,” he said. The skipper received the stiffest penalty of 12 years imprisonment. Dead pangolins

The Chinese are still facing a separate case for illegal possession of wildlife in connection with the discovery of about 2,800 dead and frozen pangolins on their boat. The crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Pangolins, which are listed as endangered mammals, are widely hunted in parts of Asia, including Palawan, for their meat, skin and scales. In China, they are considered a delicacy and to have medicinal qualities. The 12, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, are among dozens of Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen who are detained in Palawan for illegal fishing. ■

Aquino focused... “Let us not secondguess him because the President is attending to so many priorities,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in Filipino over Radyo ng Bayan. Aquino has kept mum on who he prefers to succeed him two years from now. But in his last State of the Nation Address, the President called on voters to go for someone “who will, without a shred of doubt, continue the transformation we are achieving.” The presumptive standardbearer is Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, who had given way to Aquino and decided to instead run as his vice presidential candidate in the 2010 elections. Roxas was subse❰❰ 1

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Political rivals Vice President Jejomar Binay (left) and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas. PHOTO FROM RAPPLER.COM

of the people,” but maintained that Aquino has been “preoccupied with many other things” other than talk of a term extension.

“There’s no such talk [with the Cabinet] because we’re not devoting time on that because we’re preoccupied with so many priority programs,” he said. ■

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Gov’t workers... memo also amounted to the “over-stretched exercise of power and authority by the respondents (or, at least by the respondent commissioner) of what is justifiable under the law.” “By taxing those fringe benefits, the government actually engages in a juggling act that is better left to circus clowns. To use a more common cliché, under the circumstances, the government is picking funds from one of its pockets, and transferring them to another,” read the petition. In particular, the petition sought to nullify the following parts of the memo: Section 3, which laid down the obligation of withholding authorities to tax all forms of compensation across the bureaucracy. Section 4, which required bonuses above P30,000 to be taxed. Section 6, which required treasurers and accountants from provincial, municipal and barangay governments to deduct and withhold such taxes. ❰❰ 9

Section 7, which laid down penal provisions for authorized withholding officers who fail to make the tax deductions. Penalties

These include a fine amounting to the uncollected tax for those who fail to remit, “a fine of not less than P10,000 and... imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than 10 years” for those who file incorrect tax information, and “a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P20,000 and ... imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than three years” for those who pretend to have filed or withdraws a tax statement. The petition sought to raise the taxable amount of the 13th month pay (as stated in the memo’s Section 4), currently pegged at above P30,000 for 20 years despite inflation. Under current taxation rules, bonuses exceeding this amount are already subject to tax.

On the imperative imposed on local governments to collect the additional tax, the petitioners said: “Government officials, no matter how high or mighty ... cannot on their own steam order local government officials to do this, that or any other thing without the sanction of a law mandating such an act.” Citing the struggle of supporting his family on government pay, Supreme Court employee Albert Montinola showed his pay slip showing his P600 allowance under the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), shaved by P2,100 in loan payments. He said 80 percent of the roughly 28,000 judiciary employees across the country have resorted to loans to augment their pay. “Those deductions are burdensome for the rank and file. We are not rich, we are poor people. Huwag niyo po kami pag-initan,” Montinola said. ■

Cha-cha not for lifting term limits—Solons BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—Several lawmakers urged representatives coming from the Liberal Party to drop plans of extending the President’s term by introducing amendments to the Constitution. “Our Constitution provides for one term without reelection. That’s it,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. told reporters. The statement was made following a movement of proadministration lawmakers to push for Charter change and extend Aquino’s term to six years. Belmonte added that the current legislation seeking to amend several provisions in the constitution has nothing to do with extending the president’s term. The pending bill in the House only seeks to amend provisions

involving the restrictions in the economic provisions that may attract foreign direct investment. “This is just a simple change. The door (to investments) is still locked and we have to provide a legal key. I suppose all the countries around us in fact have always been ahead in the area of foreign direct investments, so we really have to start thinking about what we should do,” he earlier told reporters. Meanwhile, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, leader of the so-called independent bloc said in a Philippine Star report that the president is throwing away his principles, suppose he allows his term be extended. “Should the President support call for his second term, it means he disregarded his own principle because of the desire to stay in power,” Romualdez said. ■

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Philippine News

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 12

House moves vs Sereno hit; Palace hands off BY TARRA QUISMUNDO AND TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer EVEN AS Malacañang distanced itself from some of its congressional allies’ threat to impeach Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, court employees yesterday slammed the House of Representatives’ ouster move. Sen. Francis Escudero said it could be part of the Aquino administration’s retaliation against the high court. But still, there’s no excuse for Sereno and the justices not to explain the alleged misuse of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), said Escudero, chair of the Senate finance committee. “The executive [branch] has no participation in whatever move pertaining to impeachment,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told reporters. The court employees defended the JDF, a source of allowances that they said came from their own hard work through the collection of fees and even the bulk sale of excess copies of court documents to junk shops. Jojo Guerrero, president of the Judiciary Employees Association of the Philippines (Judea), said the impeachment threat seemed to be aimed at influencing how the high court would decide on Malacañang’s appeal to the ruling that nullified the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). The high court declared the program unconstitutional on July 1, prompting President Aquino to warn of a collision between the coequal executive and judiciary branches. Soon after, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. launched a probe of the JDF, which he described as the judiciary’s pork barrel, with the goal of abolishing the fund. Last November, amid public outrage over the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional. The PDAF was a source of kickbacks for lawmakers. “What we feel is that this (impeachment threat) is to indirectly or even directly pressure the Chief Justice, to influence how she will decide on their case, their MR (motion for re-

consideration),” Guerrero said. “They are saying they want her impeached even without data, without an investigation. We feel that if you’re saying that even without evidence, you’re threatening [the Chief Justice],” he told the INQUIRER. On Wednesday, several lawmakers said Sereno could be held accountable for corrupt practices and betrayal of public trust in connection with allegedly questionable disbursements of the JDF, including purchases of motorcycles, computers and handguns. The threat came a day after the Chief Justice declined an invitation to appear in the Tupasled House committee on justice’s inquiry into the JDF. Inappropriate

In a letter to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Sereno said it “might be premature” and “inappropriate” for her to appear in the hearing, reminding the House of judicial independence and what is supposed to be a harmonious relationship between coequal branches. At a Senate press forum, Escudero said the timing of the threat to impeach Sereno was bad. “Although that appears to be a retaliatory act, if there’s an issue that should be explained. After all, no one is above the law,” the senator said. “The issues and the principles of accountability and transparency apply to all even to the Supreme

Court, even to the Chief Justice as it does with the President and all of us.” Escudero, however, recognized Sereno’s prerogative to skip the hearing. The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), among the petitioners against the the DAP, said the impeachment threat was an “implementation” of Mr. Aquino’s July 14 speech, in which he defended the DAP and asserted good faith in enforcing the stimulus program. “Impeachment threats against Supreme Court justices over the JDF are an obvious attempt to arm-twist the Supreme Court to change its decision on the DAP... The system is so rotten that lawmakers who benefited from the DAP are now threatening the justices who voided the practices under the DAP,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. Employees jittery

As administration allies had the numbers in Congress, Guerrero said court employees were “jittery” and were preparing for the possibility that the articles of impeachment might be filed soon, with all the requisite signatures. The accusation that the JDF was misused apparently hurt court employees, who said that they worked hard to contribute to the fund. Amiel de Vera, president of the Associate of Court of Appeals Employees (ACAE), said www.canadianinquirer.net

they even sold their stockpile of unclaimed or archived court documents to junk shops (bid out of course) to save on judiciary resources and add to the fund. “If you notice, when you talk about alleged misappropriations in the JDF, nobody goes out to protest against it because people know that it is regularly audited,” De Vera told the INQUIRER. Source of allowance

The JDF, a source of allowances for court employees created through Presidential Decree No. 1949 in 1984, includes funds culled from court fees and other earnings, said ACAE officials. The amount is then divided among employees and released monthly, depending on the salary grade. Court employees who are paid less get higher allowances under the JDF, while higherranked officials with bigger salaries get less. Through Memorandum Order No. 01-2014 issued on Jan. 7, Sereno authorized the release of “additional cost of living allowance” for employees of the high court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals and lower courts amounting to P64.625 million. Up to P2,400 a month

Under the memo, personnel receiving a monthly salary of P14,000 or less were allotted P2,400; those receiving between P14,001 and P21,000 an

allowance of P2,300; and those receiving P21,001 and above, P2,200. De Vera joked that the JDF could not be taken away, as employees had already “advanced” these through loans in their cooperative. “We lend P24,000 payable in a year. So, that’s P2,000 a month. We have already promised our JDF to pay for that.” Virginia Ramos, a single mother serving as a stenographer at the appellate court, said every cent mattered for a parent raising a high school senior on her own. She lamented that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) wanted to tax even the allowances and fringe benefits of government employees, a measure that state workers’ associations questioned on Wednesday in the high court. “Our salary is really not enough. That’s why we have to take loans... It (the JDF) is supposed to augment our salaries... but now they want to deduct even more,” she said. Suit against BIR

Twelve employees’ associations and confederations representing 300,000 government workers on Wednesday asked the high court to stop the BIR from withholding taxes on their fringe benefits, arguing that this violated the Constitution. Escudero said Mr. Aquino should ask Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares to suspend the tax on allowances and bonuses of government workers. The senator said the BIR Memorandum Order No. 232014 imposing a withholding tax on all forms of compensation had come at the wrong time because there had been no increase in the pay of state workers. “It’s more prudent to do that,” Escudero said when asked if the President should prevail upon the BIR not to implement the memorandum. “Otherwise, there would be a clash, and the situation would worsen. There should be an understanding because their pay has not been increased, and then you reduce their take home pay.” After all, Henares “serves at the pleasure of the President,” while Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima is the “alter-ego” of the President, the senator said. ■

Philippine News

13 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Sandigan orders suspension of Revilla, aide BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE SANDIGANBAYAN First Division has ordered the suspension for 90 days of accused plunderers Sen. Bong Revilla and his senior staff, Richard Cambe, in line with the ongoing hearings on the pork barrel scam allegedly perpetrated by Janet Lim-Napoles. This means that all three senators in the pork plunder case— Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada—have been ordered temporarily stripped of their state functions nearly two months after the Ombudsman filed criminal charges against them in the antigraft court. “As prayed for, accused Revilla and Cambe are hereby suspended from their respective positions as Senator and Director III of Senator Revilla’s office, and from any other public positions they may now or hereafter be holding, effective for 90 days from notice. The President of the Senate shall

implement this order once he has been notified of the finality thereof,” according to the threepage document signed by First Division chair Efren N. de la Cruz and Associate Justices Rodolfo A. Ponferrada and Rafael R. Lagos. “In view of the arraignment of the accused and that validity of the information in the instant case is no longer in question, and invoking the clear mandate of the law, suspension of both accused pending litigation is now mandatory,” the court said. Revilla’s lawyer, Joel Bodegon, said his client would seek a motion for reconsideration during the allotted two-week period after which the court’s suspension order would be final. Senate President Franklin Drilon has already declared he would abide by the court order, which he stressed was different from the Senate’s power to suspend any of its members for 60 days. State prosecutors cited Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7080

Sen. Bong Revilla and his senior staff, Richard Cambe, were suspended by the Sandiganbayan First Division in line with the ongoing hearings on the pork barrel scam allegedly perpetrated by Janet Lim-Napoles. PHOTO FROM SOLARNEWS.PH

in seeking the suspension of Revilla and Cambe: “To prevent the accused from committing further acts of malfeasance, tamper with documentary evidence and intimidate or influence witnesses in the case, it is necessary that the accused be suspended from office while the case is pending in court.” Revilla has been accused of plunder and 16 counts of graft

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after allegedly amassing P224.5 million in kickbacks from Napoles, the biggest among the three senators. Estrada is alleged to have pocketed P183.79 million in kickbacks from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF); Enrile, P172.8 million. Both Revilla and Cambe are detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center

in Quezon City, along with Estrada, while Enrile has been allowed to stay at PNP General Hospital because of the 90-year-old’s frail condition. Cambe earlier asked the Supreme Court to stop his prosecution, claiming that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales committed grave abuse of discretion in issuing its joint order on March 28, which found probable cause to indict him for plunder and graft. Cambe, through his lawyer Remigio Ancheta III, said Morales totally ignored his counteraffidavits and evidence and even attributed to him statements and defenses he did not make in resolving the case against him. Both Revilla and Cambe have claimed that their signatures on the documents used by the Ombudsman for their indictment were forged, noting that whistle-blower Benhur Luy himself admitted to counterfeiting documents and signatures to facilitate the transfer of PDAF to nongovernment organizations owned by Napoles. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 14

Moro law... as potential investors in sectors such as agriculture and mining wait on the sidelines for the peace deal to be implemented. Malacañang has been saying the delay in the submission of the draft legislation to Congress is caused by the administration’s desire to ensure the proposed Bangsamoro law will meet constitutional standards. The draft was supposed to have been submitted to Congress on May 5, three weeks after the Bangsamoro Transition Commission submitted the proposed Bangsamoro law for the government’s review. After the review, the Palace sent the draft back to the commission with comments and statements of concern about how certain provisions were written by the panel. Both sides do not talk about the gaps, but that it is taking too long to close them suggests the differences are serious. As a result of the delay both House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon said they were unsure whether Congress could enact the proposal before yearend. “They are being realistic … on the timetable,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing yesterday, referring to Drilon and Belmonte. Lacierda acknowledged that the first quarter of next year was a better timetable, as suggested by Drilon. “Certainly, we would hope that we can expedite the process, but we realize that it has not yet been submitted to Congress,” he said. ❰❰ 6

Each provision scrutinized

In his State of the Nation Address to a joint session of Congress on July 28, President Aquino sought Congress’ “understanding” for the delay, saying “it is important to scrutinize each provision we lay down.” “To the best of our ability, we aim to advance a bill that is fair, just and acceptable to all,” he said. “If we are able to legislate the Bangsamoro basic law before the end of the year and conduct the necessary plebiscite, we will be able to give the Bangsamoro Transition Authority one-anda-half years to show positive change,” he said.

NOT TOO LONG AGO. The two sides, who signed a peace deal in March to end

four decades of conflict in Mindanao, are holding urgent talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this week to try to iron out the unexpected obstacles to what had been seen as one of President Aquino’s landmark successes. PHOTO FROM DZRHNEWS.COM

passage of the law, Abad said in reply to a question from Cebu Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, a vice chair of the committee.

P2.7B for implementation

In case of delay, the President said, “the period for proving that it was right to choose the path of peace will naturally be shortened.” The government has earmarked P2.7 billion for the implementation of the Bangsamoro law, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad told the House appropriations committee yesterday. Abad said the allotment was in anticipation of the passage of the Bangsamoro law at the end of the year or early next year. “We anticipate it. The President has made his appeal to Congress that if we can enact the organic act at the end of this year or early next year then the Bangsamoro Transition Authority will take over and begin to govern the Bangsamoro area,” he said. It will be difficult to scramble and provide for the necessary legislative requirements if the administration is to wait for the

Necessary support

“The appropriation is also an expression of willingness to help the executive to make provisions once the authority is there. This show of support is necessary. I think there will be discussions with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on how we will implement this program,” he said. Abad also stressed that the Bangsamoro budget is different from the budget for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). In his budgetmessage to Congress, President Aquino said a proposed budget of P2.7 billion was to be lodged in various agencies to implement the Bangsamoro law. The appropriation will be used for the disarming of combatants, the conversion of bases into productive economic hubs and other interventions, as agreed upon in the peace agreement between the government

and the MILF. “The regions that will be covered by the [Bangsamoro basic law] have a potential to become a new point of economic interest. These interventions, which will be undertaken through this law, will allow the people in the region to create the road toward their own prosperity,” Mr. Aquino said. Transition in ARMM

The ARMM is proceeding with the transition work in anticipation of the passage of the Bangsamoro law. “We are currently conducting an assessment of our progress and are planning our remaining months in office. These are the finishing touches to the transitional preparations,” ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said yesterday. He said the focus of the transition effort was the upgrading of infrastructure and social services in the region. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has maintained its momentum in developing projects, which are on time and with large savings, Hataman said.

“The DPWH has a target that the entire road network will be paved by 2016 if the allocation will continue. And we are giving you the assurance that there are no ghost projects and no graveling because these are all paved roads,” he said. Hataman said all the infrastructure projects as well as the projects of the Department of Health were geo-tagged for transparency and accountability. For investments, he said the Regional Bureau of Investments met its 2014 target of P2.5 billion in May. “We have agencies that have already surpassed their targets, like the [Board of Investments]. Another P1 billion was added to its target for the remaining months,” Hataman said. Data banking

The challenge now, he said, is obtaining and managing accurate data on the constituency and government programs in the region. “Our ultimate goal right now, most especially for the transition, is data management. The ARMM will celebrate its 25th year in November but to be candid, there are no clear information and data even on agriculture, health and education,” he said. The World Bank is helping the regional government develop data banking and management, he said. “I think we are still at 50 percent, but we will cover 100 percent of the data needed before we turn over this government to the [Bangsamoro],” he said. ■ With reports from DJ Yap in Manila; Karlos Manlupig, Inquirer Mindanao; and Reuters

Drilon urges Comelec to allow OFWs to register, vote online BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer SENATE PRESIDENT Franklin Drilon has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to fast-track the adoption of measures that would allow some 12 million overseas Filipinos to register and vote online for their favored candidates in the 2016 elections. Drilon said he was frustrated that only about 2.5 percent of

the 10 to 12 million Filipinos abroad were able to register and vote in Philippine elections in the past few years because polling centers in Philippine embassies and consulates were too far from their places of work and residence. The low turnout has persisted even if a lot of funds and other resources have been channeled to the endeavor, Drilon added. At present, overseas Filipino workers have to personally appear at embassies or consulates or

mail their ballots, in order to register and join the electoral exercise in the Philippines, he noted. Election officials should now ensure that programs would soon be in place to allow Filipinos abroad to use the Internet to register and vote, he said. “It is high time that the Comelec adopt all the necessary technologies that would empower the about 10 to 12 million overseas Filipinos to use the Internet to register and vote in 2016 and onwards, withwww.canadianinquirer.net

out leaving their jobsites or residences abroad,” he said in a statement yesterday. The Comelec must begin studying the technologies that other countries have used in Internet voting, he added. He noted as well that the Comelec Advisory Council had pushed for the use of new technologies, such as online voting and recent innovations in Direct Electronic Recording equipment. Security concerns could be addressed through sophisticat-

ed data encryption and other technologies, he said. He also pointed out that some 20 countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and Australia, practice online absentee registration and voting. Thus he said there was no reason the Philippines could not follow suit. In France, more than 1.5 million absentee voters cast their votes through the Internet, and this shows the task is doable, he said. ■

Philippine News

15 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

COA to 5 cities, town: Return unused PDAF BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered five cities and one town in Metro Manila to return to the National Treasury P340 million worth of unused pork barrel funds that had been rendered illegal after the Supreme Court’s ruling nine months ago. The local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila that were cited by the COA for not returning their unused Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) as of Dec. 31, 2013, were Mandaluyong City (P179.24 million in unutilized pork funds), Makati City (P54 million), Las Piñas City (P47.835 million), San Juan City (P27.373 million), Marikina City (P18.885 million) and Pateros town (P8.234 million). Based on these LGUs’ latest annual audit report released by the COA over the weekend, however, all of them except for Mandaluyong and Pateros had fully complied with the COA order over the last three months. During its audit in the second quarter this year, the COA found that Mandaluyong and Pateros were still holding on to their unused funds even though these should have been returned as early as December last year. The COA immediately ordered these unused PDAF allocations returned to the treasury along with the interest income earned on these funds that were lodged in the LGUs’ bank accounts during the period. “The Supreme Court, in an en banc decision promulgated Nov. 19, 2013, declared PDAF unconstitutional. The disbursement or release of remaining PDAF funds allocated for the year 2013, as well as for previous years, which are, at

the time of this decision is promulgated, not covered by notice of cash allocations (NCA) but only special allotment release orders (Saros) whether obligated or not, are hereby enjoined. The remaining PDAF funds covered by this permanent injunction shall not be disbursed or released but instead reverted to the unappropriated surplus of the general fund,” it said.

pork as these funds had already been auctioned off as of August 2013 or three months before the SC decision but these had not yet been awarded. Before returning part of the unused funds, the COA noted that the city’s management was contesting its computations.

Biggest allocation

“Management commented that PDAF releases for the year 2010 to 2012 for the city were not only covered by Saro but also with NCA, which do not fall within the ambit of the SC directive for the reversion of funds as contained in the dispositive portion of the SC decision,” said the COA, which stood pat on it original claim. Pateros s e e k s clarification

Mandaluyong had the biggest PDAF allocation among the LGUs audited by the COA as its sole representative, Neptali Gonzalez II, was a key member of the House coalition and majority leader in the 15th and 16th Congresses. The COA reported that the management team of Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. returned only P139.499 million as of June this year while retaining 22 percent, or P39 million, of the unused pork. It said the city management claimed that it was holding on to the P39 million unused

In the case of Pateros, Mayor Jaime Medina of the Nacionalista Party refused to refund the P8.234 million in unused pork funds. The COA said the Pateros management would seek clarification from the Department of Budget and Management on how to

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treat pork funds transferred to LGUs for projects that had not yet been implemented. Makati, under Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., was assessed to have P54.7 million in unused PDAF as of December 2013. But the city’s spokesman, Joey Salgado, claimed that the COA gave the order to return the funds in April this year and that the mayor promptly remitted back the entire amount in June. Binay’s sister, Marlem Abigail, is a representative of the city. Question of interests

The third-biggest refund was made by Las Piñas, which was the beneficiary of the pork funds of former Sen. Manuel Villar, Rep. Mark Villar and then Rep. (now Sen.) Cynthia Villar in 2010. The COA noted that the unused PDAF in Las Piñas yielded P3.628 million in interest earnings from the bank from 2008 and September 2013, which it also wanted returned. Las Piñas returned the P47.835 million on March 6 this year but asked for more time in determining how much of the interest should be returned since the unused PDAF money was mixed with other funds of the city. The fourth-biggest refund was made by San Juan City with P27.373 million as of May this year with a minimal balance left worth less than P1 million. Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, son of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, stressed that there was nothing newsworthy about this COA report. “What is important is that the money was returned. I’m sure the others did not.” Marikina returned P18.885 million in unused pork funds to the Treasury in May. ■

Opinion

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 16

THERE’S THE RUB

Dumb By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer FRANKLY, I don’t see why anyone should speculate on Mar Roxas’ motives for suggesting that P-Noy seek a second term. There’s really no mystery there. He doesn’t want P-Noy to have a second term, he wants to have a second term. You heard that right. But let’s begin at the beginning. At long last, it has dawned on him he cannot win if he runs for president in 2016. This is by far the clearest sign he has admitted it. If he had a crack at the presidency, he would not have thought to propose the idea of P-Noy running again, he would have done it himself. His proposition not quite incidentally doesn’t do his President a service not just because his President has already repeatedly rejected it, but also because his President only recently got into a row with the Supreme Court, which saw his enemies depict him as being prone to violate the Constitution. Roxas has less than a couple of years left to announce his presidential bid. The time for coyness is over, the opposition is rampaging all over the place. Of course the Liberal Party continues to say that Roxas is “their man,” there is no other. And of course Roxas himself insists that he is the only per-

son P-Noy could have been referring to when he exhorted the citizens to make sure they voted for the one candidate who will faithfully, resolutely, unswervingly, carry on his mission and vision of the daang matuwid. But all that sounds a lot like whistling in the dark. At the very least that is because P-Noy could very well have explicitly named him but did not. However P-Noy has dropped broad hints it is probably him, he has not named him. Which can only fuel speculation P-Noy himself is having second thoughts about him in light of his numbers, which are not only not rising but falling. In comparison in particular—which is the only comparison that matters—with his archrival, Jojo Binay. At the very most that is because P-Noy’s sisters clearly have a different referent in mind when he exhorted the voters to pick the one person guaranteed to pursue the transformation of the nation. They have indicated their preference for Roxas’ archenemy, Binay, in not very uncertain terms. Even allowing for the Binay camp turning P-Noy’s sisters’ comments into a categorical endorsement—thus far, only Kris Aquino has taken it to that level—none of it can be comforting to Roxas. That turns P-Noy’s silence about his anointed into a roar. Roxas is

banking solely on that endorsement to skyrocket him into contention. But the longer it takes for it to come, the wider the gap between him and Binay gets. He is not operating on a vacuum, life does not stop while he waits for his situation to improve. He is in competition with other people, and a lot can happen while he waits. The not-very-veiled preference of PNoy’s sisters for Binay over him is one of them. Others could, and probably would, follow, but I can’t imagine any

That puts the LP in a horrendously unenviable state. How do they get out of the quandary of having a standard bearer that has no stout shoulders to bear the standards? of them being more crushing than PNoy’s own kin’s rejection of him. That puts the LP in a horrendously unenviable state. How do they get out of the quandary of having a standard bearer that has no stout shoulders to bear the standards? How do they assure their continuity amid the specter of impending ruination? How do they avoid the historical trend of ruling parties ending up by the wayside since Marcos’ time?

That’s even truer for Roxas. By now, given the adversities pressing on him on all sides, he would have realized that his presidential cause is lost. How does he keep his party afloat, which is the key to keeping himself afloat? How does he keep his privileged, indeed pampered, position intact? How does he assure the salad days will not end soon? By getting P-Noy to run again. It’s not really that he wants P-Noy to have a second term, it’s that he does. It’s not an ungainly way to put it, is an accurate way to put it. More than anybody else, it is Roxas who stands to lose everything in a debacle at the polls. P-Noy himself isn’t interested in a second term even if he could have it. The reluctance he had running for president in 2010 is increased tenfold by the prospect of running again. He doesn’t need the power, he doesn’t need the glory, or at least the wealth. He can give them up. Not so Roxas. Roxas is the biggest beneficiary of P-Noy’s victory in 2010, not unlike Gloria Arroyo who was the biggest beneficiary of Edsa II’s triumph in 2001. Both did not deserve it, Arroyo simply happening to be vice president at the time, Roxas simply being the would-be president who slid to being a would-be vice president at that time. Alas, he would not be vice

president. But so only in name, not so in fact. Even before he officially became head of the Department of Transportation and Communications—he had to wait for a year before becoming part of the Cabinet—he was already second-in-command to P-Noy. He was there when the President visited the United States in his first year without any official function but somehow managed—the story is that he “borrowed” the , identity of Armin Luistro, the education secretary—to join the presidential entourage at the United Nations when P-Noy spoke. Subsequently, he would be on top of everything despite being just one of the secretaries. A thing he failed to capitalize on, scoring losses rather than gains in the Napoles case (“Ma’am Janet”), the Zamboanga siege (he was indecisive until P-Noy came over and ordered the army to attack), the aftermath of “Yolanda” (his handling of Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez). Little wonder his political stock hasn’t catapulted, it has plunged. Little wonder too he wants P-Noy to run again. That is the only way he can have a second term. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Alas, some desperate measures are more desperate than others. Some are even less than desperate, they’re just dumb. ■

AS I SEE IT

Why Aquino should be allowed a 2nd term By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer I HAVE no objection, personally, to giving President Aquino another term—if only to prevent Vice President Jejomar Binay from being elected president. The trouble is the Constitution prohibits a re-election for the president. And P-Noy himself has said more than once that he is against changing the Constitution that his own mother had caused to be written and promulgated when she was the president. The people, too, are wary of amending the Constitution. They do not trust the present crop of politicians touching the Constitution. We never know what other amendments they would sneak in to benefit themselves—such as institutionalizing the pork barrel, abolishing term limits, removing the limitations on their salaries, lifting the ban on political dynasties, etc. On the other hand, P-Noy is the first good president we have had in decades. His fight against corruption is bringing fruit, and the chances of him being succeeded by somebody

who is free from charges of corruption and will continue the reforms that he has started is very dim in Binay. The President himself, in his latest State of the Nation Address, asked the people to choose as his successor a candidate who would, without any doubt, continue his “straight path” policies. He could not have been referring to Binay who not only has two graft and corruption cases pending against him; members of his family, specifically his wife, son, and daughter, are also facing corruption charges. P-Noy could not have been referring to Binay when he said that. On the contrary, he could have been telling the people to choose anybody but Binay, who has been leading the opinion polls. And recent developments belie the results of those surveys. Binay’s recent actions hint that he is not too sure of himself despite the opinion polls. For weeks, he has been telling media that he was amenable to being adopted as the presidential candidate by the administration Liberal Party. When nobody took the

bait, he suddenly told reporters that he “has heard” (note: he only heard) that the LP is thinking of “adopting” him; a fact that was quickly denied by leaders of the LP. Senate President Franklin Drilon, vice chair of the LP, said that they never talked about it, and that the LP standard bearer would be Interior

The Binay at present is not the same poor human rights lawyer who supported their mother. He is very rich now, as shown by his statement of assets, Liabilities and net worth. Secretary Mar Roxas, titular head of the LP. In his latest statement to the press, Binay said he is amenable to having Roxas as his running mate in 2016. But Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, deputy chair of the LP Visayas parliamentary caucus, said there is no place for Binay in the ruling party and that Binay has to share the party’s straight path ideals for the party to even con-

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sider adopting him. Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice doubts P-Noy would endorse Binay. Binay would not meet the standards set by the LP, Erice said. “It is very doubtful that Binay would continue the President’s reforms,” Erice added. If he, Binay, “is really leading the surveys, then why is he desperately trying to get the support of the Liberal Party?” Erice asked. “Why is he desperately trying to get Mar Roxas into the picture. Why is he desperately trying to get the President’s anointment?” “It would be awkward for the President to be endorsing somebody whose party-mates and allies were indicted for plunder for the pork barrel scam,” when P-Noy’s program is to get rid of all forms of corruption, he added. Binay, apparently, had been able to get the ears of P-Noy’s sisters who endorsed him as their brother’s potential successor, which probably had Binay jumping for joy and turning somersaults. Family ties transcend politics, the Aquino sisters said. Do the sisters realize that they

have put the President in an embarrassing and awkward position? Do they realize the serious implications of their endorsement of Binay? They want their brother to renege on his commitment to the LP and Roxas who gallantly gave up the LP presidential candidacy to give it to P-Noy. Do they want their brother to be an ingrate? The legacy of their parents does not vest them the right or privilege to choose his successor. Kris, who has been wrong several times in choosing husbands, has gone overboard again. She is wrong again in choosing her presidential candidate. The Binay at present is not the same poor human rights lawyer who supported their mother. He is very rich now, as shown by his statement of assets, Liabilities and net worth. Binay’s income comes only from his salaries as a public official. He has no business where he could have gotten his riches. So where did he got those riches? Binay has not bothered to even try to explain them. That’s the man who wants to be the next president? ■

Opinion

17 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

ANALYSIS

Rumors of coup defy logic By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer COUP rumors swept Metro Manila last week side by side with calls generated in social media by sources identified with the Aquino administration for extending the President’s term. Why certain unnamed groups in the Armed Forces of the Philippines are plotting to topple the Aquino regime, while others in the political sector are seeking a term extension are contradictory tendencies that defy logic. They can’t coexist. There are no reasons for the mainstream military to be disgruntled with the regime that has lavished both the AFP and the Philippine National Police with resources for their respective modernization programs. Rather than be hotbeds of coup plots, the budgetary endowments for their assets should make them loyal bulwarks against destabilizing conspiracies. The coup rumors started from Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who was reported by a major TV news network that former generals associated with the

previous administration were plotting to overthrow the Aquino regime. Trillanes didn’t name the plotters. Neither did he disclose details, beyond saying that the ex-generals were still trying to persuade active duty generals to join their destabilization move and that their effort has not gone further. It is important to recall that Trillanes was a ring leader of the failed mutiny at the Oakwood business complex during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. The coup rumor has not appeared to rattle the Aquino administration, but since Trillanes has not produced any evidence that such a cabal of coup plotters and plot exist, it’s absolute waste of the public’s time to give the rumors any attention. The only thing that this rumormongering serves is to fuel a loyalty check of the military and police establishments. Flogging a dead horse Arroyo has been thoroughly discredited, and politically demolished, and is under detention, facing charges of plunder and graft. She is no

threat to this administration. It is absolutely pointless flogging a dead horse just to prove this administration’s endless protestations, reminding the public that it virtually has a monopoly of the virtues of clean governance in the disbursements of public funds. This claim has come under a cloud of doubt after the Supreme Court recently struck down as unconstitutional the Disbursement

The only thing that this rumor-mongering serves is to fuel a loyalty check of the military and police establishments. Acceleration Program (DAP) as the President’s own pork barrel fund in a power grab against the congressional power of the purse. After undermining the autonomy of the legislature, the President is on a war mode with the Supreme Court in retaliation for its decision to curb the executive’s abuse in the disbursements of pork barrel funds.

The President’s cohorts in the House of Representatives, which is controlled by a coalition of parties led by his Liberal Party, have threatened to impeach Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno after she rebuffed a House “invitation” to explain the alleged misuse of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF). The Supreme Court employees defended the JDF as a source of allowances that they said came from the collection of fees and the bulk sale of excess copies of court documents in junk shops. The Judiciary Employees Association said the impeachment threat seemed to be aimed at influencing the high court or putting pressure on the Chief Justice to influence how she will decide on the motion for reconsideration by Malacañang of the court’s decision on the DAP. No one above law Several lawmakers have said Sereno could be held accountable for corrupt practices and betrayal of public trust in connection with alleged questionable disbursements, including purchases of motorcycles,

computers and handguns. Malacañang was forced to disclaim it had anything to do with the impeachment threat. The high court found qualified support from Sen. Francis Escudero, who said the impeachment threat “could be part” of the administration’s retaliation against it. Still, the senator said there was “no excuse” for Sereno and the justices not to explain the alleged misuse of the JDF. He said the timing of the move was “bad.” “Although that appears to be a retaliatory act, if there’s an issue that should be explained. After all, no one is above the law,” Escudero said. “The issues and the principles of accountability and transparency apply to all, even to the Supreme Court, even to the Chief Justice as it does to the President and all of us.” In a letter to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Sereno said it “might be premature and inappropriate” for her to be at the House hearing, reminding it of judicial independence and what is supposed to be a harmonious relationship between coequal branches. ■

America’s tornado belt, focusing on the family of widower Gary Morris (Richard Armitage), the high school vice principal, and his two teenage sons assigned to shoot a documentary to be buried in the school’s time capsule that will be opened 25 years hence. At the same time, a team of meteorologists, storm chasers and videographers descend on the town to film an approaching tornado, hungry for spectacular footage they’ve been chasing for a year. I don’t know if it was deliberate on the filmmakers’ part, but “Into the Storm” has an amateurish feel about it, with dizzying hand-held camera shots that call to mind “The Blair Witch Project.” The tornadoes that beset the townsfolk of Silverton are meant to be awesome and frightening, but there is about the disaster something that feels contrived and low-budget. For instance, when the older son Donnie (Max Deacon) and his longtime crush are trapped in an abandoned paper mill destroyed by a tornado, their lives are suddenly in peril as water starts pouring into their location. It turns out the water is coming from a water spout, such a disappointing development! *** Part of the trouble, I think, is the lack of “connection” with the moviegoing public, especially in this part of

the world where denizens have had to cope with more dangerous weather disturbances like supertyphoons. Another cause for the disconnect is the lack of empathy with the characters. While watching “Into the Storm,” I couldn’t help harking back to a similar film, 1996’s “Twister,” directed by blockbuster maven Jan de Bont and starring Helen Hunt (still at the height of her popularity) and Bill Paxton. But it’s the film’s backstory involving the death of the father of Hunt’s meteorologist character and her consequent obsession with tornadoes that gives the story weight, credibility and wins the audience’s sympathy. Interestingly enough, writers Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin (with inputs from script doctors Joss Whedon, Steve Zallian and Jeff Nathanson), “won” the Raspberry Award for worst script. I wonder how the student judges now would rate “Into the Storm”? Still, if all you want to do is escape reality for two hours, then “Into the Storm” provides enough distraction. But just imagine how the money that went into this movie could be used to make a movie on “Yolanda,” the world’s record-holder among typhoons for severity, material damage and deaths. There’s enough human drama there to grip the world’s imagination! ■

AT LARGE

Chickens and disasters By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer ONLY in the Philippines, indeed, would the front page of the country’s biggest paper carry two stories about chickens on the same day. One is a story about “chicken sad,” wordplay on “Chicken Joy,” the brand of fried chicken sold by the country’s biggest fast-food operation, Jollibee. In the last few days, it seems, some branches of Jollibee have run out of not just Chicken Joy but other popular products as well. Some branches had even been forced to close their doors to the public because they had simply run out of food products. Jollibee explained that a computer glitch had been causing logistical problems ever since the company shifted to a new system. I’m a computer illiterate, and I can’t understand how this can be possible considering that most of the affected branches are in Metro Manila, which would have made emergency shipments of Chicken Joy and hamburger so much easier and faster to do. What was so difficult and complicated that a few phone calls could not solve? But I guess it’s a testimony to how deeply and widely Jollibee has penetrated the Philippine market that a shortage or lack of chicken and burgers becomes front-page news and makes

it to the evening TV news broadcasts. The news first spread through social media, which goes to show how Twitter and Facebook have been increasingly setting the news agenda, and this was where “chicken sad” was born. Other fast-food firms have sought to ride on the “sad” story, but their joining the fray only shows how popular and ingrained Jollibee has become among Filipino families and in Filipino culture. If I were Jollibee, I would offer free Chicken Joy to all customers for the next few days to “welcome back” its customer base which has proven so loyal and fervid that the absence of their favorite fried chicken is now a cause for national concern. *** The other “chicken” story is that of Mommy D, Dionisia Pacquiao, the PacMom herself, who reportedly has found love anew in a “spring chicken,” a man 25 years younger. Her children have expressed support or at least suspended judgment on the budding relationship, although the PacMom clarified that they are still getting to know each other and that marriage was not on the horizon as her “man toy” had plans to go abroad for work. But I must say that Mommy D is rocking the red gown she has on in the front-page photo of her and her man of the moment.

Which just proves once again that Dionisia Pacquiao is this era’s senior diva. She is a woman who manages to upstage her world-famous son whether it be marching down the red carpet of the State of the Nation fashion show, or twirling on the dance floor during her birthday party. I say, go for it, Mommy D! Things may not work out with your 40-year-old inamorato, but you have already proven that life and love (and dare I say, sex?) are

If I were Jollibee, I would offer free Chicken Joy to all customers for the next few days to “welcome back” its customer base which has proven so loyal and fervid that the absence of their favorite fried chicken is now a cause for national concern. within the reach of senior women, so long as they keep an open mind and a game attitude and don’t give a hoot about the opinion of others! *** As disaster movies go, “Into the Storm” isn’t exactly a disaster, but if it’s at all possible, it’s an underwhelming film. It tells the story of events that hit the small town of Silverton in

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FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Canada News

Canada is donating experimental Ebola vaccine to West African outbreak response

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY HELEN BRANSWELL The Canadian Press TORONTO—Canada is donating several hundred doses of a made-inCanada experimental Ebola vaccine to help in the West African outbreak response, the federal government revealed Tuesday. Though precise numbers still need to be worked out, the donation is expected to be in the range of between 800 and 1,000 doses, the government said. As well, Canada is giving the World Health Organization an extra $185,000—on top of earlier aid totalling $5.2 million—to help with the response to this long and challenging outbreak. Health Minister Rona Ambrose offered the vaccine to WHO Director General Margaret Chan in a telephone conversation Tuesday, the minister’s office said in a release. “Our government is committed to doing everything we can to support our international partners, including providing staff to assist with the outbreak response, funding and access to our experimental vaccine,” Ambrose said. The news came hours after the World Health Organization announced that a panel of experts it convened had decided that it would

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be ethical to use untested drugs and vaccine in this epidemic, which is several times larger than any previous outbreak and is proving hard to contain. That meeting followed the recent announcement that two infected American relief workers became the first people to be treated with an experimental therapy called ZMapp, a cocktail of three monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies—two of which were designed at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg—target specific sites on the Ebola virus. That use of a previously untested therapy broke a logjam that has long

bedevilled research into Ebola countermeasures. A number have looked good over the years when tested in primates—including the Canadian vaccine and ZMapp. In fact, in primates the Canadian vaccine seems not only to prevent infection, but to stave off severe disease if given shortly after exposure to the virus. But in order to know if these tools actually work in humans they would need to be given to people infected with Ebola. The notion of using untested Ebola drugs or vaccines in Africa was previously seen as a non-starter. So re❱❱ PAGE 42 Canada is

Ont. minister denounces ‘hateful’ antiimmigrant flyers; police investigating The Canadian Press BRAMPTON, ONT.—Ontario’s Citizenship and Immigration minister is denouncing what he calls “hateful” flyers that police say have been distributed in Brampton—the second time this year anti-immigration flyers have emerged there. Michael Chan says in a statement that he is “disgusted” by the flyers

in the city northwest of Toronto and that “there is no room in our province for intolerance, hatred or division on cultural or racial lines.” The document shows a crossedout picture of a man wearing a turban alongside text asking readers to “Say ‘No’ to the massive Third World invasion of Canada.” Peel Region Police spokesman Const. George Tudos says the force has received two complaints about the flyers

being handed out at homes in the city. He says officers are trying to figure out where the flyers came from and that the Ministry of the Attorney General has been made aware of them since they emerged last week. A similar anti-immigration flyer featuring a photo of Sikhs emerged in Brampton in April and was widely condemned, but police later said it don’t meet the Criminal Code requirements to be considered a hate crime. ■

CALGARY—The Alberta Securities Commission is warning investors of what appears to be an illegal scheme to sell securities by Europe-based TRID Pacific Investments. The provincial securities regulator says TRID has encouraged Alberta investors to place funds in offshore accounts in order to access a new investment product that promises high returns with low risk. The regulator notes that it’s more difficult, if not impossible, for investors to retrieve their money offshore if something goes wrong. This type of investment makes it highly unlikely for investors to be insured against loss, the regulator adds. The Alberta Securities Commission says TRID isn’t registered to sell securities in Alberta and is based in Monaco, but funds are sent to accounts in Spain. MORE THAN 1,000 DEAD FISH FOUND IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND’S NORTH RIVER CHARLOTTETOWN—For the fourth time in four years, the Prince Edward Island government says it’s investigating a significant fish kill in one of its waterways. Investigators suspect pesticides are the reason for the deaths of about 1,000 fish, said Wayne MacKinnon, a spokesman for the Environment Department. ‘PRINCE OF POT’ RETURNS TO CANADA WINDSOR—Canada’s self-styled “Prince of Pot” returned to a raucous welcome from supporters Tuesday after serving his U.S. sentence for selling marijuana seeds, vowing to continue his activism even if it means more arrests. Loud cheers and large clouds of pot smoke arose as Marc Emery, 56, arrived in this border city after completing his five-year sentence for selling marijuana seeds from Canada to American customers.

19 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

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World News

21 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Pope kicks off new effort to boost missionary spirit in Asia with trip to South Korea BY NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press VATICAN CITY—When Pope Francis was a young Jesuit, he wanted to follow in the great Jesuit tradition and become a missionary in Asia. Health problems kept him home, but he is finally getting his chance, travelling to Asia as the world’s most visible and popular Catholic missionary. During his visit to South Korea this week, he’ll bring a message of peace and reconciliation to the divided Korean peninsula and a call for young Catholics to take up the missionary charge themselves, spreading the faith on a continent where the Catholic Church is small but growing. Asia’s Christians have endured dramatic persecutions over history that echo attacks against Christians today in parts of the Middle East and Africa. While the pope is expected to reach out to Pyonyang during the visit, no North Koreans are expected to attend. The archdiocese of Seoul invited a delegation of Northern Christians, but Pyongyang authorities informed organizers last week that they wouldn’t come, the Vatican said. The Aug. 13-18 trip marks the first time a pope has been on the Korean peninsula in a quarter-century and the trip kicks off what is expected to be a very Asianfocused year for the 77-year-old pontiff: He will travel to Sri Lanka and the Philippines in January and there are rumours of a trip to Japan next year as well. Why Asia? Francis himself has said he must go because Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI never managed to get there during his eight-year pontificate. But more to the point, Asia is the future of the Catholic Church. Despite being a minority religion in every Asian nation except the Philippines, the Catholic Church baptizes more Catholics in Asia every year than in tradition-

Pope Francis.

ally Christian Europe, according to Vatican statistics. In 2001 there were 44,446 priests in Asia; by 2012 the number had soared to 60,042. While Africa saw a similar surge in vocations, the number of Europe’s priests shrank from 206,761 to 186,489 in the same timeframe. St. John Paul II said on several occasions that while Christianity was sowed in Europe in the first millennium and in the Americas and Africa in the second, the third millennium belonged to Asia. “The pope wants to refresh the evangelization of Asia, which was a major theme that John Paul II had very much in his heart,” said the Rev. Bernardo Cervellera, head of the Vatican-affiliated missionary news agency AsiaNews. “Going to meet the young people of Asia means to go find the future of Asia.” And Francis will find young people: The main reason for the trip is to participate in the Asian version of World Youth Day, the big Catholic youth festival. Young Catholics from some 23 Asian countries are expected to attend. While their numbers won’t approach the millions who turned out for Francis’ first World Youth Day in Brazil last year, organizers expect several thousand. In many ways, South Korea’s church is the model for the church on the continent and beyond: In fewer than 50 years, Catholics have gone from about 1 per cent of the population of 50 million to more than 10 per cent today. The local church estimates that it might count 20 per cent of the population by 2020. On average, more than 100,000 Koreans are baptized every year. Once a country that welcomed missionaries to help spread the faith, South Korea now sends its own priests and nuns abroad to evangelize other countries. Earlier this year, Francis himself tapped a Korean priest to be an auxiliary bishop in his native Buenos Aires, one of the nearly 1,000 Korean priests, nuns ❱❱ PAGE 39 Pope kicks

PHOTO BY EDGAR JIMÉNEZ / FLICKR

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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA—U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday described a photograph of a Sydney-born 7-year-old boy clutching the severed head of a Syrian soldier as “disturbing” and “grotesque,” and called for international co-operation against the terrorist threat posed by foreign fighters returning home from Iraq and Syria. The Australian newspaper reported Monday that the image was taken in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa and posted on Twitter by the boy’s convicted terrorist father, Khaled Sharrouf, an Islamic State fighter. Speaking after a U.S.-Australia bilateral security summit in Sydney, Kerry said the image showed why the Islamic State group posed such a threat to the world. “This image, perhaps even an iconic photograph ... is really one of the most disturbing, stomach-turning, grotesque photographs ever displayed,” Kerry told reporters. “Of a 7-year-old child holding a severed head up with pride and with the support and encouragement of a parent, with brothers there,” he said. “That child should be in school, that child should be out learning about a future, that child should be playing with other kids—not holding a severed head and out in the field of combat.” Sharrouf, 33, also posted a photograph of his three sons posing with him in matching camouflage fatigues and armed with assault rifles and a pistol with an Islamic State flag as their backdrop. Kerry proposed that the United States and Australia take the issue of foreign fighters to the United Nations next month so that countries could agree on ways to protect themselves from the threat posed by terrorists returning from Syria and Iraq. “We are going to work together to assemble a compendium of the best practices in the world today,” said Kerry, calling for support from both the countries where terrorism occurs and those to where the terrorists travel. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop described the severed head photograph as “truly shocking.” “A 7-year-old child is involved in this barbarous display of ideology and they’re Australian citizens,” she said, referring to the family. “Our fear is that

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they will return home to Australia as hardened, homegrown terrorists and seek to continue their work in Australia—and it’s not a concern just of this country.” Bishop noted that “a significant number” of convicted terrorists would soon be released from Indonesian prisons, raising fears in that country that they will remain radicals. “It’s a shared issue across Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Europe, in Pakistan, in Great Britain, Canada—there are a number of countries across the globe reporting instances of citizens becoming extremist fighters in the Middle East,” Bishop said. Australia last week announced plans to regulate travel to terrorist hotbeds such as Iraq and Syria as part of a raft of counterterrorism measures aimed at addressing the domestic threat posed by Islamic extremists. Under legislation to be introduced to Parliament in the next few weeks, it would become a criminal offence to travel to designated countries “without a valid reason.” The Australian government estimated in June that 150 Australians have fought with radical militants in Syria and Iraq. The domestic terrorism threat posed by homegrown jihadists was a focus of annual bilateral talks on Tuesday between Bishop, Kerry, U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and his Australian counterpart, David Johnston. Sharrouf used his brother’s passport to leave Australia last year. The Australian government had banned him from leaving the country because of the terrorism threat he posed. He was among nine Muslim men accused in 2007 of stockpiling bombmaking materials and plotting terrorist attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s largest cities. He pleaded guilty to terrorism offences and was sentenced in 2009 to four years in prison. Australian police announced last month that they had arrest warrants for Sharrouf and his companion Mohamed Elomar, another former Sydney resident, for “terrorism-related activity.” They will be arrested if they return to Australia. The warrants followed photographs being posted on Sharrouf’s Twitter account showing Elomar smiling and holding the severed heads of two Syrian soldiers. ■

23 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

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Immigration

AUGUST 15, 2014

FRIDAY 24

Silicon Valley North: Vancouver tech surges as U.S. immigration reform idles BY TAMSYN BURGMANN The Canadian Press VANCOUVER—Software engineer Pablo Guana nearly refused a job with Facebook when the company redirected him to Vancouver from Silicon Valley because his United States visa application was rejected. “I will not go to Canada,” said the 25-year-old from Argentina of his initial reaction. “Twenty degrees below zero, are you crazy?” Also stymied by the American immigration system—which meets only a fraction of the demand for economic green cards each year—was South African Jonathan Hitchcock, 34, who was at first disheartened that his “dream job” would be shunted to Canada. Their struggle to obtain entry for employment epitomizes how stalled immigration reforms in the United States, along with several other factors, may be galvanizing Vancouver’s tech sector into becoming Silicon Valley North. Ultimately, the two Facebook hires were separately convinced to give Vancouver a chance.

“One of the reasons (Facebook) does well in Silicon Valley is because all the other companies are in Silicon Valley. Apart from that, Silicon Valley is awful. It’s a terrible, terrible place,” said Hitchcock, eight months after relocating transformed his perspective. “Vancouver is a wonderful, beautiful place, and all the companies are here. There’s a thriving tech community here.” Facebook installed its downtown base for new engineering hires in May 2013. It joined a cluster of legacy and startup digital and tech companies like Electronic Arts, Hootsuite, Bench and Mobify, and preceded global heavyweights Microsoft, Sony Pictures Imageworks and incoming Amazon. Facebook said the employment of up to 150 staff in Vancouver from around the world is only short-term, and points to the obstructive U.S. immigration system that “makes it difficult, and sometimes impossible,” to bring talented engineers to its Menlo Park headquarters, south of San Francisco. A protracted political battle around overhauling U.S. immigration laws has included Silicon Valley firms’ warnings that meagre quotas will siphon coveted

John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, along with the Honourable Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice for British Columbia, who announced support to the Government of British Columbia to improve foreign credential recognition so that internationally trained professionals can get jobs in their fields faster. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

brain power. “This same immigration issue plays an important role in many other companies’ decisions to open international offices,” said a Facebook spokeswoman, who declined to be named. “Canada’s approach to immigration enables companies like Facebook to set up small operations such as this, and we plan to do so in a way that has a positive impact in our temporary home.” The federal government is aware of the issue and will “make no bones” about exploiting it to boost the domestic economy, said the federal employment minister. “We’re seeking very deliberately to benefit from the dysfunctional American immigration system,” Jason Kenney said recently, when asked about a yearold campaign that erected giant “Pivot to Canada” billboards in the San Francisco Bay-area advertising directly to foreign nationals blocked from obtaining H-1B visas. Offering permanent residency, the Canadian government launched a special “start-up visa” last year to facilitate the arrival of young entrepreneurs, and will open another stream this January. The American obstacle is just one among a suite of competitive advantages helping transform Vancouver into a world-renowned tech hub, said Ian McKay, CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission. The province boasts lower corporate tax rates than the U.S., as well as enticing personal income tax rates. A wealth of skilled workers already funnel into

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the city via top-rated post-secondary institutions, feeding already flourishing companies. And the glistening city of glass towers, green spaces and waterfront has been cited amongst the world’s most livable. “One of those arrows on its own probably doesn’t do a lot for us, but when you pile them on top of each other, it’s a pretty compelling story,” McKay said. B.C. boasts more than 600 digital media companies, employing about 16,000 people and generating $2.3 billion in annual sales, according to the commission. The developing critical mass is also evidenced by business incubators, such as GrowLab, a range of tech-wizard social gatherings and massive job fairs. Starting Sunday, SIGGRAPH, a prestigious computer graphics research forum with exhibitors from 60 countries will be held for five days at Vancouver’s Convention Centre. Motivated in large part by tax rebates, Sony Pictures Imageworks, the visual effects and animation unit of its parent company, is relocating its Los Angeles headquarters north, said its Vancouverbased vice-president of production operations. Jason Dowdeswell said the move, slated for April 2015, comes with 500 job openings. Fewer than 20 per cent of the company’s current staff, several hundred already in Vancouver, are Canadian, he said, largely because talent is scarce. “When we talk about the potential for Silicon Valley North, a lot of the pieces ❱❱ PAGE 39 Silicon Valley

25 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

GLOBAL FILIPINO: JED MABILOG

Regaining Iloilo’s moniker as the ‘Queen City of the South’ BY MARY ANN R. MANDAP Philippine Canadian Inquirer ARMED WITH a dogged determination and unmatched energy to revive Iloilo’s place in history as the “Queen City of the South,” Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has always believed that his beloved hometown can become a highly urbanized premier city by year 2015. Reasons abound for his supreme confidence. He has succeeded in making Iloilo City a banking hub in Western Visayas. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the city has the most number of banking and financing institutions in the region. Iloilo is also dubbed the “university city.” Mabilog said there are more than 10 universities in the area, which produce about 20,000 college graduates each year. “All these 10 universities and state colleges have been existing for more than a century,” he said. Mabilog managed to transform the city’s laid-back character and made it more aggressive in the pursuit of his trademark womb-to-tomb public service. “From the time the child is in the womb, the local government provides a socialized program on maternity, pre-natal clinics, vitamins and immunizations for the baby. Then when the child goes to school, there’s day care, nursery, elementary, high school and college education. We also provide mass weddings and support the jobless. The underprivileged are given monthly financial support.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog (center) has succeeded in restoring prestige to the city of Iloilo and placing it on the world map. He is the only mayor in the Philippines to be included in the top 25 finalists of the World Mayor award. Support his candidacy by emailing your reasons why he should win the 2014 World Mayor Prize. (Please insert ‘Iloilo Mabilog’ in the subject line and provide your name at the end of your testimonial. It can be your full name, first name or initials. Also, indicate where you live.) iloilo@worldmayor.com.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

We provide free housing, seed money and trainings for livelihood. When the people grow old, the city government gives them allowances, and even when they die, they get free embalming, free coffin and free church services,” he elaborated. Mabilog said the satisfaction level is higher in Iloilo city because of all these. Then, there is the foreverchanging city landscape. Iloilo is now home to big businesses like the Ayala Group of Companies, Injap Properties, Megaworld, Gaisano Capital, and SM City. Also new to the city’s infrastructures are the Iloilo City Community College, Iloilo City Hospital, the soon-to-be completed Iloilo Business Park, Uptown Residences and Diversion 21 Hotel. Mabilog wanted to complement improvements of the past decade like the new airport, flood-control measures and bridges. Other developments

within the city include the construction of the roll-on-roll-off and fast craft wharves near the mouth of the Iloilo River. But for locals and tourists alike, the best urban improvement in Iloilo is the Esplanade, which showcases Iloilo River, now one of the cleanest rivers in the country. Mabilog had to reach out to the national leadership and private entrepreneurs to undertake this multimillion-peso resuscitation and facelift of the once murky waters. According to the energetic and youthful mayor, the 1.2 kmEsplanade is now a haven for joggers and walkers. It is now an entertainment and tourism destination in itself, aside from being a transportation artery of the city. Faye Joanna Jainga, local economic and investments promotion officer, said they plan to add a river cruise, cultural and food tour at the Esplanade.

The city government is also building the modern Iloilo Convention Center costing P450 million sourced from the national government. Construction of the convention center is timely since Iloilo City has been chosen as the site of two high-level ministerial meetings during the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) conference to be hosted by the Philippine government and participated in by 21 countries in Asia and the Pacific rim. An estimated 700 delegates will participate in the Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting to be held from Sept. 21 to 25, 2015, in Iloilo City. The city will also host 900 delegates of the Food Security Week meeting tentatively slated on Sept. 28 to Oct. 6, 2015. Meanwhile, Mabilog was cited by President Benigno Aquino III during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 28, as one of a new breed of emerging dynamic leaders. The President praised Mabilog, a finalist in the World Mayor Award. The Iloilo chief executive is the only mayor in the Philippines, and one of two in Southeast Asia, to be included among the top 25 finalists of the international award. Established in 2003 by the City Mayors Foundation, the World Mayor Project is award-

ed every two years to a mayor who has made outstanding contributions to his or her community and has developed a vision for urban living and working that is relevant to cities across the world. The award encourages city leaders from across the world to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to long-standing urban problems such as mass housing, public transport, education and employment. Organizers are on the lookout for city executives who possess qualities like leadership and vision, management abilities and integrity, social and economic awareness, ability to provide security and to protect the environment. A mayor’s ability to foster good relations between communities from different cultural, racial and social backgrounds is considered a plus factor. (Voting is now taking place and will end October 2014 for the winner and runners-up of the 2014 World Mayor Award). In his profile, Mabilog once wrote, “I am an Ilonggo by birth and by heart. I grew up as a simple child with a simple dream.” He continued, “I’ve once thought of an Iloilo that is progressive and globally competitive, and now, I am part of the realization of this dream,” he said. ■

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Seen & Scenes - Vancouver

AUGUST 15, 2014

FRIDAY 26

NEW OFFICERS MAKE COURTESY CALL The new set of officers of the Philippines Canada Trade Council (PCTC) for year 2014-15 made a courtesy call on Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer last Aug. 8, at the new Philippine Consulate office at Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. PCTC’s new president, Wilfred S. Victoria, discussed accomplishments of the group last year and the plans for 2014-15. Shown in photo (L-R) are PCTC directors Mary Tecson, Gigi Astudillo, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, PCTC president Wilfred S. Victoria, vice-president Ray Lino, and directors Gerry Reonisto, and Gary Manansala. For more information about PCTC, please visit www. pctcnet.org.

DIMASALANG ARTISTS MOUNT EXHIBIT Dimasalang III International Group of Artists led by Sym Mendoza, mounted an exhibit entitled, “Dimasalang Expressions” at the Vancouver Moat Gallery. The show will run till August 30. Below are highlights of the opening night on August 7. Photos by Laarni Liwanag

VANCOUVER CELEBRATES 'PINOY FIESTA'

Lenore Lim, mother of Claire, with VIP guests during the book launch.

MLA Mable Elmore speaks before crowd.

Marie Claire (center) with friends Treenee Lopez (L) and Laarni Liwanag (R).

Marie Claire Lim-Moore

Senator Tobias Enverga (4th from L) and MP Alice Wong (5th from L) join members of the Conservative Party at the Unang Hirit Festival. With them is Alan Yong (far right), PCI publisher and CEO.

Senator Enverga and wife with PCI’s Alan Yong.

Liberal party revelers join the outdoor parade.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson with Vision Vancouver’s Sammie Jo Rumbaua.

NDP MP Don Davies

For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net.

PARENTING BOOK RE-LAUNCHED Amazon's No. 1 bestselling book on parenting, “Don’t Forget the Soap,” authored by Vancouvernative Marie Claire LimMoore recently had a book launch and signing at Metrotown Chapters. Here are some scenes from the well-attended event. Photos from FB accounts of Lenore Lim and Laarni Liwanag

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Marie Claire (center) and family.

Seen & Scenes - Toronto

27 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

SUMMER GATHERING OF FILIPINOS IN ONTARIO Angelica Tait's 12th birthday at the Tait Estate, Aurora, Ont. (Front row, L-R) Juliet Dela Cruz, Kristin Dela Cruz, celebrant Angelica Tait, Baby Julia, Kristina Dela Cruz. (Middle row) parents Iean & Josie Tait, Brandon MacLean, Sonia Dela Cruz, Shirley Rosales, Joy San Juan, Jenny MacLean. (Back row) Eddie Dela Cruz, Rudy Rosales, Diego Linan, Minda Sayoc, Susan Llanera, Andrea San Juan, Tony San Juan and Marty MacLean.

Grace and Bing Sison (center) with kids (from L) Miko, Paul (in barong tagalog) and Jeremy (R).

Scenes from the Katbaloganon Association of Canada (KAC) gala night in celebration of the feast of St. Bartholomew, The Apostle.

Best of friends from Aurora, Ont. (from L) Tony San Juan, Shirley Rosales, Joy San Juan, Sonia Dela Cruz, Minda Sayoc, Diego Linan, Susan Llanera, Andrea San Juan, Eddie Dela Cruz and Rudy Rosales.

KATBALOGANONS HOLD FEAST FOR ST. BARTHOLOMEW

TEACHERS TALK ABOUT CHANGE AND CHALLENGES Photos of the Toronto District School Board teacher-hiring consultation session held recently in Toronto, Ont. Photos from Tony San Juan www.canadianinquirer.net

AUGUST 15, 2014

FRIDAY 28

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS: JUDITH GONZALES

Caring for the country from miles away BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer FOR JUDITH Gonzales, a proud mother, caregiverturned-educational-director, a community leader and an advocate of supporting caregivers in Canada, and a Filipino who loves her country fiercely, having a brave heart—despite many difficulties—was what enabled her to achieve success. There are many Judiths— they who had to leave the country to search for jobs in foreign lands because of rampant corruption, unemployment, economic downturn and confronting a host of the country’s problems. But there are a few Judiths who succeed. And even fewer who do not forget that they are Filipinos; those who will always be proud of where they came from. “I love my country, and I am still quite proud to be a Filipino,” she said. She reasons, however, that there was no security for her children in the country—either financial, or physical, hence her decision. Because being a mother is her top priority; her children's welfare, primordial. “If I turn back the time, I will still do what I did, leaving our home country. [S]eeking greener pastures is fighting for my children's future,” she said. Live-in caregiver

In her past life, Judith was working in the business and education industry. Not very happily, however, because come pay day, it becomes apparent to her that her income is not enough to sustain her growing family’s needs. Then came the opportunity to become a live-in caregiver in Canada in 2001. “The short [period for the] process[ing] of documents and being accepted in the program attracts women to apply and leave the country. It was around this time as well that Philippine was in severe economic downturn. I was one of them who pursu[ed] opportunities Canada can offer.” She will be the first to say she had a lot to learn when she first

came to Canada. "When I first arrived here, my first bus ride experience was very funny. In the Philippines we have the liberty to stop anytime [or anywhere] we want. Here you have to stop in a designated bus stop. I got mad at the driver when he did not stop the bus in the area where I needed to get off. One of the Filipinas who was in the bus told me that I cannot stop anytime and anywhere I wanted; that it has to be in the designated bus stop and to just walk to where I wanted to go. I ended up apologizing to the bus driver," she says. Indeed, living in Canada was a welcome and fun experience; however, it was also a painful one. “LCP [Live-in Caregiver Program] has a price to pay. Families fall apart, long separation, triggers betrayal of trust between husband and wife. I was one of those.” She says her separation from her husband was a bittersweet experience but it was one she took positively. Because more painful was her separation from her children. But this too came to pass. "It was in 2008, when I was able to get reunited with my children... I was lucky most of them are grownups when they got here. We lived, in a 3-bedroom apartment which cost us $1,800 a month including all utilities.” When her children came, Judith had to double her efforts spending each day working part-time. “Being a single parent, it was difficult for me to cope with the expenses at first. I have 4 kids, Xymon eldest was 18, Xyrus was 17, Benz was 16 and April was 10. “I was working as a bookkeeper weekdays and I accepted cleaning jobs on the weekends." Opportunities for advancement came, but she said no. “My employers in the manufacturing business were offering me to get trained as an office manager during my employment with them. I was not happy with my job, though I have a BBA degree, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Accountancy as my major field, I [found that it was] not the career I wanted to pursue.

Gonzales family photo.

“I quit my job and went back to school.” Judith focused on her passion to help the vulnerable segments of Canadian society. In 2010, she decided to take a Diploma Program in Social Services. She says of this experience and her family's support, "I am so fortunate that my son grew up with family values. They are the source of my strength, my motivation to continue dreaming and achieve a better life that we all can enjoy. It was painful to see that my son of 18 years old was not in school and [was] working full time as a factory [worker] to support the entire family. I was on OSAP [Ontario Student Assistance Program], his three siblings were all in school. He was the only one paying all our expenses." Her decision to focus on school and her advocacies has proven correct, however. She said, "I was hoping to land a job in a non-profit organization as a counsellor. However, 3 months prior to my graduation, I got a job offer from an employment agency as Educational Director of the company. It challenged me as the job descriptions perfectly suit[ed] my BBA and my social work skills. As I promised to my eldest son Xymon, we bought a house in 2011 and move out from the apartment where we lived." Caring for the Filipinos, a symbol of nationalism Since 2003, Judith was involved in helping her kababaywww.canadianinquirer.net

ans, her way of showing how much she still loved the Philippines though she was miles away. “I have passion in helping people, that’s why I was able to lead the Fil-core Support Group since 2003 and saw the progress of the organization for it was built with humble leadership, cohesiveness of group members and true sisterhood. This organization is a refuge to live-in caregiver participants.” The Fil-Core Support Group is a non-profit organization which aims to support caregivers and new immigrants who wanted to pursue their careers for a better life in Canada through contributing to their educational development and social advancement. “This organization grows and progresses; [it is] known by the community for its consistency in empowering live-in caregiver participants in their pursuit of developing themselves personally, professionally and giving back to community. The programs and events held by the organization trains and mentors leaders as well as supports caregivers and communities in need,” Judith says. Following her path

To those who want to follow Judith's path, she will be the first to say that it is not an easy one, and definitely not one that she will recommend. The experience will definitely test the strongest of families; and render asunder the most noble of

intentions. "I would recommend to leave a family only when its needed and when strong family values are practiced within. No matter where you are [and if strong family values are intact], you will be confident that your kids will not be [led] astray. My family took over when I left [for] Canada. My sisters and parents helped look after my children. It never [occurred] to me, that my kids will do something that will ruin their lives, although there were also fears [of that] when my family was falling apart. I thought that will affect my children's perspective. Thank GOD, they were very supportive to us—to both myself and their dad. They understood the situation. Despite what happened, I managed to keep my children's respect for their dad [in the acknowledgment that] there is no perfect family in this world." For her professional success, she credits her Fil-Core Support Group. "Where I am right now, career-wise, [my] credibility and integrity are because of my hands on training in leading the Fil-Core Support group. "Being an advocate, meeting lots of people helped me broaden my network. [It helped] me make connections and use them in a manner that benefitted my marketing skills professionally. Marketing is building relationships. This is my strength, HUMBLE LEADERSHIP. No matter where I go, which company I work for, I make sure that I am an integral part of their company." She also says that her vast experience in the marketing field made her a better person. "I enjoy my work. Being in an education industry helps me tap different communities. I learned to understand and respect each culture. I know I am making a difference in [the lives of ] each person I meet." For Judith, one thing is for sure: “Success comes so natural if you work by heart." challenges are opportunities." Judith, the woman for whom challenges are opportunities, leaves us all this piece of advice: "Just be who you are, keep the feet on the ground. Challenges can be very taxing, do not give up!" ■

FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Wikang Pilipino

I-push mo yan! BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IMAGINE A world without communication: devoid of speech, language, and other means of connecting with one another. It would be dismal, desolate, and downright depressing; to say the least. Language—by large, the most commonly used tool of communication—is undeniably of primary importance in a person or people group’s life. It enables us to express our desires, opinions, and emotions in a clear and distinct manner. The use of language affords us an excellent medium of expression, and a fundamental outlet of our innate creativity, emotions, and intellectual capacities. Indeed, language is so much a part of our lives, that to be without it—whether in spoken, written, or bodily form—is simply inconceivable. Brows down, please!

One facet or phenomenon of language which is perhaps as ever-evolving as society itself is the mutation we know as slang. Slang is defined by Webster’s as “an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech.” Some may consider slang an inappropriate or bastardized use of language, deeming it improper or relegated to the back streets of less respectable society. Contrary to this opinion (or perhaps despite it), slang is reflective of how a society adapts and tweaks language to enhance communication. Oddly, it is a reflection of creativity, apropos or otherwise. So let’s keep those cultural highbrows (and snobbish eyebrows) at bay, please. “Hello!?! Carry mo ‘yan, ano? Push na lang ng push!” And with that, I just admonished you to just keep trying (or, “i-push mo ‘yan!”) because you

can do it—you, too, can appreciate slang (of the Pinoy kind, in particular) and be no worse for the wear. Gets gets din, pag may time (Translated as, “you will understand it, if you take the time”.) Kebs (“Okay lang,” or” Whatever”)? Street, Konyo, Sward, Jeje: What’s your poison?

In Pinoy slang, specifically, there appear to be main categories. Other forms exist, but they are derivations or combinations of these categories: • Salitang Balbal or Salitang Kalye—Slang of the streets. As in “Pare, dehins ako Kano, Noy-pi ako!” (Buddy, I am not an American; I am a Filipino.), “Yosi muna tayo!” (Let’s have a smoke.), “Olats ka! Bomalabs mo naman, eh!” (You’re a loser! You’re so unreliable!)” • Coño / Konyo Speak—Supposedly used by the moneyed or more elite youth. As a side note, the word coño, literally, is Spanish for female sex organ. Yep. It really is. Being of Spanish descent, I find it quite unfathomable that this word has integrated into mainstream slang to mean “rich” or “mixed breed.” Tsk, whatever. Or should I say, Kebs! This kind of slang involves the use of Taglish, and the abuse of the word “make.” For example, ”Make kwento to me what happened,” instead of just saying “Tell me what happened”. Or the now infamous “Let’s make tusok-tusok the fishballs!” • Salitang Bakla / Sward Speak / Gay Speak—Used by gays in Manila, and largely in the circle of show business, as well. “Pagoda Cold Wave Lotion na ako!” (I’m so tired!—Pagoda referring to “pagod”), “Thunder Cats na yan!” (That person is old!—Thunder, a derivation of “tanda”); “Jowa ko siya.” (He is my boyfriend —“jowa” is a derivation of “asawa” plus the letter “j”). • Jejemon / Jeje / Jejespeak— Commonly used in SMS texting

and social networking sites, it is viewed as a phenomenon of Pinoy pop-culture. Ur ban Dictionary says a Jejemon is a person "who has managed to subvert the English language to the point of incomprehensibility." Examples would be: "3ow ph0w, mUsZtAh nA?" (Filipino :"Hello po, kumusta na?, English: "Hello, how are you?"); "i wuD LLyK tO knOw moR3 bOut u. crE 2 t3ll mE yur N@ me? jejejejeje!" ("I would like to know more about you, care to tell me your name? Hehehehe!"); “powh / poh” (variations of the Filipino word of respect, “po”). Slang and structure

In my college days, way back when (although, mind you, I am not too much of a “Thunder Cats!”), I wrote a mini-thesis for my Linguistics class on slang and how the words are generally formed. As free-wheeling and non-sensical slang may seem, there is a semblance of structure involved in the formation of the words. This is where we get a tad technical so hold your horses. Carry natin ‘toh, go lang ng go! Some categories used by experts to delineate the origins of slang words or phrases are as follows (I will mention a few of the more relevant ones, as this is not a thesis. I have likewise indicated a few examples, as applicable to Pinoy slang): 1. Derivation—involves the attachment of various affixes (prefix, suffix, infix, combining form) to the original word; thereby altering its meaning, function, or use. Also involves manipulating the word itself. A. Reversing the syllable order • Ermats / Erpats (derived from Mother / Father, to mean the same) • Dabarkads (Barkada, a group of friends) • Bomalabs (Malabo, someone who is vague, unclear, unreliable) • Yosi (Sigarilyo, cigarette)

• Dehins (Hindi, no) B. Repeating the word • Party-Party (a gimmick) • Trip-trip lang ( just mucking around) • Pa easy-easy lang ( just taking it easy / chilling) C. Prefixes, Suffixes, Infixes • Pinoy (shortened Pilipino + “oy") • Jepoy (from Jeproks + “oy” to refer to a hippie-type person) • Cheapipay (Cheap + “ip” + “pay”, to refer to an easy or loose woman) D. Letter replacement. In Gay Speak, for instance, the letter “j” or the combination of the letters “ny” or “ky” replace the first letter of a word • Jowa (Asawa derivative, first letters replaced by “j”) • Nyorts (Shorts, “Sh” replaced by “ny”) • Kyota (Bata derivative, first letters replaced by “ky”, means child / children) E. Derivations from definition. The meaning of the word is stretched to apply to something else. • Carry mo ‘yan / ‘to (means “you can do it” or, “you can pull it off”, from the meaning

of “carry,” i.e., to pick something up). • Push mo ’yan (means “keep trying” or “keep doing it”, from the action of exerting a forward effort, as the word “push” connotes) • In fairness… (as in “Maganda naman siya, in fairness.” Which means, “To be fair, she is pretty.” Comes from the meaning of “fair”, which means “to be appropriate, legitimate, or just.”) • Peg (as in “Magnanakaw siya. Pork barrel lang ang peg?”, which means “He/ she is a thief; just like those involved in the pork barrel scam.” The word “peg” is used to insinuate or connote a characteristic, mood, or style. It refers to the meaning of the word in the context of being “patterned after something.") 2. Cutting or Clipping—involves taking part of the natural word. • Teh (from Ate, means sister) • Sis (from sister) • Takits (from kita-kita, means see you) ❱❱ PAGE 31 I-push mo

Wikang Pilipino

AUGUST 15, 2014

FRIDAY 30

Sariling Atin Para Sa Mundo BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

to the English language. “Dat’s prom Tagalog, you know?”

IN MANY ways, Filipinos have wowed the world. Some are bad, some are good, and some are great. When it comes to the bad stuff, the Philippines has been name-dropped more than a few times when it’s about corruption and short-of-abusive labor standards. I can no longer count the many times American sitcoms have referred to the Philippines or Filipinos when the punchline is about sweatshop workers. Perhaps the most notable thing about being Pinoy is our unending roster of talents, especially when it comes to performing arts and sports—internationally acclaimed singers, world champion athletes, world class artists, and breakthrough scientists and inventors. Onli in da Pilipins

To say that the Philippines is culturally rich is an understatement. We are culturally lavish. Or lavishly cultural, whichever way you prefer. The thing is: with over 7,000 islands, it is impossible not to develop a certain way of living— including an effective way of communication. You might have heard or read of the question “Bababa ba?,” which to some maybe nothing but pure gibberish. But to us Filipinos, it is asking someone if they’re going down. If you grew up or lived in the Philippines, chances are one of your friends or family members have asked you to translate the following question into English: “Pang ilang presidente si [insert president]?” And to be completely honest, I’ve Googled the answer so many times already, but I still have a hard time remembering the closest translation. In the Philippines, much like in many countries, we have a unique word for some things that are quite impossible to translate to English: Like that rush of joy and nervousness you get when you see your crush down the hallway and you try to stifle a schoolgirl-like shriek. That’s “kilig.” Or that stubborn piece of meat or vegetable that’s stuck between your teeth that refuses to let go no matter how far you reach into your mouth with a toothpick. That’s “tinga.” Or that uncontrollable need to squeeze and coo that you get when you see a really cute baby with chubby cheeks or an unbelievably adorable dog that you want to cuddle. That’s “gigil.” I could go on and on about the nuances and joy of the Filipino language, but today with this article, let me pay homage to the wonderfully beautiful yet indubitably tongue-twisting language that is Tagalog and it’s humble contribution www.canadianinquirer.net

According to Danica Salazar, a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in English Language Lexicography of the University of Oxford who is currently conducting research on Philippine English and the Oxford English Dictionary at Oxford University Press and the brains behind the linguistics website Pinoy Words, “there are of course the dozens of Webster words, which are borrowings from Philippine languages and Spanish, but there are also hundreds of words that may not be entirely characteristic of Philippine English, but are illustrated by quotations taken from Philippine sources, ranging from the very old to the very new.” ❱❱ PAGE 32 Sariling Atin

Wikang Pilipino

31 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Uniting Filipinos’ Islands of Languages BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

PHOTO FROM TRAVELMAN1971.HUBPAGES.COM

I-push mo... • Fren (from friend) 3. Blending—a combination of two words to mean something new • Chibog / Tsibog (from “tiyan” which means stomach, and “busog” which means full. The word formed means “to eat”) • Ansabe / Ansaveh? (from “anong” and “sinabi”, which means “what did he/she / they say?) • Anyare? (from “anong” and “nangyari”, which means “what happened?”) O, ano? Gets mo na ba? Do you get it? If not—or maybe you simply could care less / could not be bothered with it—Boom ❰❰ 29

Panes! Chos lang! Lest I leave you scratching your heads in confusion…Boom (explosion) Panes (spoiled food), but when combined (popularized by TV show host, Vice Ganda), the word is a reaction to something or someone boastful; almost as if to say “you got schooled!” Don’t ask me why; the less we know, the better, perhaps. Although I do have my own theories as to the origins of the phrase. Chos means joke; Chos lang, just joking. And if that last bit left you EVEN MORE confused …Sorry na powh, tao lang! Smile! ■

BEING A nation geographically divided into thousands of islands, the Philippines has developed a variation of native languages—a legacy that evolved along with the development of its diverse cultural heritage. Could you imagine that the country has a total of 170 languages individually listed in an Ethnologue report? While this number may vary depending on the methods of language classification, one thing is for sure— the country has more than a hundred languages all over the diverse ethnolinguistic groups in the country. And of these almost 200 languages, four—Dicamay Agta, Katabaga, Tayabas Ayta and Villaviciosa Agta— are extinct while ten of those living languages are in danger of dying. Barbara Dacanay, Gulf News Bureau Chief, once noted that

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the Philippines is one of the world’s richest source of ethnolinguistic diversity which according to her is somewhat surprising despite the growth and dominance of the English language. The National Language Commission even noted in a report that the country is tenth in linguistic diversity compared to all the countries around the globe. Spoken by more than 90 percent of the country’s total population are the 13 indigenous languages including Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, Kapampangan, Bikol, Albay Bikol, Pangasinan, Maranao, Maguindanao, Kinaray-a, and Tausug. Of these indigenous languages, Paz Belvez, in her article “Development of Filipino, The National Language of the Philippines” published by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, identified eight major languages in the country including Ilokano, Pangasinan

or Pangasinense, Pampango, Tagalog, Bicol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray-Samarnon. Omniglot, the online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages and Ethnologue provides the following description for each of the languages: Ilokano

Ilokano, the third-most spoken language in the country is classified under the Austronesian language and is spoken by about 10 million people in the Philippines. It was originally written in a Baybayin syllabary and was among the native languages used to publish the first publications of the Doctrina Cristiana. Pangasinan

The province of Pangasinan, located at the west side island of Luzon, also has their own official regional language, Pangasinense spoken by about 1.5 ❱❱ PAGE 32 Uniting Filipinos'

Wikang Pilipino

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 32

Uniting Filipinos’... million people. It belongs to the MalayoPolynesian languages and is closely related to Ibaloi, another native language in Benguet and Baguio City. ❰❰ 31

Kapampangan

Kampampangan, also known as Pampango, Capampangan, Pampangueño or Amanung Sisuan is another native language under the MalayoPolynesian branch of the Austronesian language family. It is spoken by about 3 million people and was also written in a Baybayin alphabet before the arrival of the Spanish in the Philippines. Tagalog

Tagalog, a name for the language spoken by about 57 million speakers mostly in the country’s capital city, and in several areas in the central and southern parts of Luzon, was derived from the word “taga ilog” which means “resident beside the river.” The language which is also classified under the Austronesian language is written in Baybayin and was also among the first language used to publish Doctrina Cristiana, in 1593. Bikol

The Bikol language, clustered under the Central Philippine group of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language is commonly spoken by about 2.4 million people Filipinos in the fifth region and in several nearby islands including the islands of Catanduanes, Masbate, Burias and Ticao. Bikol was written in a syllabic script similar to Tagalog, but

was eventually changed to the Latin alphabet when the Spaniards came.

uplift a unified Filipino identity and would bind all the languages in more than seven thousand islands in the country, emerged during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon, who is called the “Ama ng Wikang Pambansa.” Quezon, the Father of the Philippine’s National Language, was the first ever lawmaker to get elected in the presidency and was also first to get a re-election for a second term. Though born of Spanish parents and of a family who was known to be loyal to the Spanish government, Quezon was a strong advocate of unifying the languages and having a single, national Filipino language. During his term, the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa or the National Language Institute was created. It was tasked to study all the languages in the country and identify a base that will standardize the country’s

national language. Of the three contending languages, Tagalog, Visayan and Ilokano, Tagalog was chosen as the national language of the Philippines. “This conclusion represents not only the conviction of the members of the Institute but also the opinion of Filipino scholars and patriots of divergent origin and varied education and tendencies who are unanimously in favor of the selection of Tagalog as the basis of the national language as it has been found to be used and accepted by the greatest number of Filipinos not to mention the categorical views expressed by local newspapers, publications, and individual writers,” reads the NLI statement explaining their decision in a resolution passed on November 9, 1937. By virtue of Executive Order No. 134, the Filipino, the standardized name for the Tagalog language, was declared the country’s national language. Quezon addressed the people in Filipino, for the very first time since its official declaration, in a radio broadcast where he said: “Nagdudulot sa akin ng di matingkalang kasiyahan na maipahayag ko sa inyo na ngayong ika-41 anibersaryo ng pagmamartir ng nagtatag at pinakadakilang tagapamansag ng nasyonalismong Pilipino, ay naging karangalan kong ilagda, bilang pag-alinsunod sa utos ng Konstitusyon at ng umiiral na batas, ang isang Kautusang Tagapagpaganap na nagtatalaga sa isa sa mga katutubong wika na maging batayan ng wikang pambansa ng bayang Pilipino.” ■

Carabao - water buffalo, from the Tagalog word kalabaw Cooties - from Austronesian and Tagalog word kuto, which literally means “head lice” Machin - a grayish brown long-tailed macaque (Macaca philippinensis), from matsing meaning monkey or ape Ylang-Ylang - type of flower known for its fragrance; used for perfumes, from the plant ilang-ilang Yo-Yo - the toy, from Ilokano word yoyo In many ways, Filipinos have

wowed the world, especially when it comes to language. Most tourists love the Philippines because of the almost non-existent language barrier. Go to the city or the barrio and you will find someone who can speak ‘Carabao English.’ Still English, some might say. Perhaps this time, we can wow the world by showing how much we appreciate our Mother Tongue. Maligayang Buwan ng Wika. Ipinagmamalaki ko na ako’y isang Pinay. ■

Cebuano

Spoken by the about 20 million Bisaya people all over the country, Cebuano is a language belonging to the Philippine branch of the Malayo-Polynesian languages. It is spoken not just in Cebu, but in many parts of the country including provinces near Cebu like in Negros Occidental province, in southern parts of Masbate, in most of Leyte and Southern Leyte, in western portions of Guimaras, in parts of Samar, Bohol, Luzon, the Biliran islands, and in most parts of Mindanao. The language, which was named after Cebu, was said to have been first documented by Italian explorer, Antonio Pigafetta, when he came to the Philippines during the 1521 expedition of Magellan. Of all the native languages in the country, Cebuano was among the languages highly influenced by the Spanish languages. Waray-Waray

Waray-waray is a language classified under the branch of the Malayo-Polynesian languages spoken by 3 million people in the Philippines. Most speakers of the Waraywaray language are from provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Biliran.

Manuel L. Quezon.

language which belongs to the Austronesian language family, are commonly coming from the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Meanhwile, the language is also spoken by people from the provinces of the Panay Island group, such as Capiz, Antique, Aklan and Guimaras. Since these native languages are totally different from each other, they do not have mutual intelligibility, which means that a Cebuano talking to a Kapampangan speaker may not understand what the other is saying. Hence, the need for a single language to bind all that will promote beyond better understanding and communication, a single symbol of national identity.

Hiligaynon

Hiligaynon is spoken by about 11 million speakers in the western part of the country’s Visayas region. Speakers of this

“Ama ng Wikang Pambansa” and the Unification

The thought of a single national language, that would

PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA

Sariling Atin... For example, the most common Tagalog-turned-English word is ‘boondock,’ which means ‘mountain.’ Today, more people use the even shorter slang for it: ‘boonies.’ Obviously, the origin of that word is the Tagalog word ‘bundok.’ Americans picked up the word during their stay in the country in the 1940s and evidently brought the word back to the States. Here are some of our mother tongue’s contributions to the English language. ❰❰ 30

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FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Entertainment

Robin Williams, Oscar winning comedy star of stage and screen, dies in apparent suicide at 63 BY HAVEN DALEY AND HILLEL ITALIE The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO—Robin Williams, the Academy Award winner and comic supernova whose explosions of pop culture riffs and impressions dazzled audiences for decades and made him a gleamy-eyed laureate for the Information Age, died Monday in an apparent suicide. He was 63. Williams was pronounced dead at his San Francisco Bay Area home Monday, according to the sheriff’s office in Marin County, north of San Francisco. The sheriff’s office said the preliminary investigation shows the cause of death to be a suicide due to asphyxia. The Marin County coroner’s office said Williams was last been seen alive at home at about 10 p.m. Sunday. An emergency call from his house in Tiburon was placed to the Sheriff’s Department shortly before noon Monday. “This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken,” said Williams’ wife, Susan Schneider. “On behalf of Robin’s family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless mo-

ments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.” Williams had been battling severe depression recently, said Mara Buxbaum, his press representative. Just last month, he announced he was returning to a 12-step treatment program he said he needed after 18 months of nonstop work. He had sought treatment in 2006 after a relapse following 20 years of sobriety. From his breakthrough in the late 1970s as the alien in the hit TV show “Mork and Mindy,” through his standup act and such films as “Good Morning, Vietnam,” the short, barrelchested Williams ranted and shouted as if just sprung from solitary confinement. Loud, fast and manic, he parodied everyone from John Wayne to Keith Richards, impersonating a Russian immigrant as easily as a pack of Nazi attack dogs. He was a riot in drag in ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,” or as a cartoon genie in “Aladdin.” He won his Academy Award in a rare but equally intense dramatic role, as an empathetic therapist in the 1997 film “Good Will Hunting.” He was no less on fire in interviews. During a 1989 chat with The Associated Press, he could barely stay seated in his hotel room, or even mention the film he was supposed to promote, as he free-associated about comedy and the cosmos. “There’s an Ice Age coming,” he said. “But the good news is there’ll be daiquiris for every-

Matt Damon (left), Robin Williams and Ben Affleck at the 70th Academy Awards for Good Will Hunting. PHOTO FROM FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

one and the Ice Capades will be everywhere. The lobster will keep for at least 100 years, that’s the good news. The Swanson dinners will last a whole millennium. The bad news is the house will basically be in Arkansas.” Following Williams on stage, Billy Crystal once observed, was like trying to top the Civil War. In a 1993 interview with the AP, Williams recalled an appearance early in his career on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” Bob Hope was also there. “It was interesting,” Williams said. “He was supposed to go on before me and I was supposed to follow him, and I had to go on before him because he was late. I don’t think that made him happy. I don’t think he was angry, but I don’t think he was

pleased. “I had been on the road and I came out, you know, gassed, and I killed and had a great time. Hope comes out and Johnny leans over and says, ‘Robin Williams, isn’t he funny?’ Hope says, ‘Yeah, he’s wild. But you know, Johnny, it’s great to be back here with you.”’ In 1992, Carson chose Williams and Bette Midler as his final guests. Like so many funnymen, Williams had dramatic ambitions. He played for tears in “Awakenings,” ”Dead Poets Society” and ”What Dreams May Come,” which led New York Times critic Stephen Holden to write that he dreaded seeing the actor’s ”Humpty Dumpty grin and crinkly moist eyes.” But other critics approved, and Williams won three Gold-

en Globes, for “Good Morning, Vietnam,” ”Mrs. Doubtfire“ and ”The Fisher King.“ His other film credits included Robert Altman’s “Popeye” (a box office bomb), Paul Mazursky’s “Moscow on the Hudson,” Steven Spielberg’s “Hook” and Woody Allen’s “Deconstructing Harry.” On stage, Williams joined fellow comedian Steve Martin in a 1988 Broadway revival of “Waiting for Godot.” More recently, he appeared in the “Night at the Museum” movies, playing President Theodore Roosevelt in the comedies in which Ben Stiller’s security guard has to contend with figures that come alive and wreak havoc after a museum closes. The third film in the series is in post-production, according to the Internet Movie Database. In April, Fox 2000 said it was developing a sequel to “Mrs. Doubtfire” and Williams was in talks to join the production. Williams also made a shortlived return to TV last fall in CBS’ “The Crazy Ones,” a sitcom about a father-daughter ad agency team that co-starred Sarah Michelle Gellar. It was cancelled after one season. “I dread the word ‘art,”’ Williams said in 1989 when discussing his craft with the AP. “That’s what we used to do every night before we’d go on with ‘Waiting for Godot.’ We’d go, ‘No art. Art dies tonight.’ We’d ❱❱ PAGE 36 Robin Williams

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Matteo admits: “Sarah fought for me” BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—When asked about the origins of his relationship with girlfriend Sarah Geronimo, Matteo Guidicelli matter-of-factly said: “Pinaglaban din niya po ako, kaya I’m very, very proud of her.” Guidicelli said In an interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday that he is proud of Geronimo for standing up for herself and their relationship, although he was quick to add that he respects the opinions and feelings of the singer’s parents. “I guess she felt it was time,” he said. “So when I saw it, in a way, I was very proud of her. Not because she said I was her boyfriend—I don’t really care about that—I’m more proud because she stood up as a woman and said what she wants in life,” he said. “I think Sarah’s parents, like all par-

ents, they’re very protective for every child… So, I understand them,” he added. By Guidicelli’s admission, his relationship with Sarah began about a year ago, though he noted that Geronimo was initially cautious about having a “showbiz boyfriend.” “Honestly, at first, she didn’t want because she didn’t want a showbiz guy and all that stuff… [but] I always tell her follow your heart. I always tell her, we’re not doing anything wrong. You know we’re loving each other purely and truly,” he shared. The actor-race car driver-model said he was very happy when Geronimo decided to finally make their relationships public; as she announced their status a few months ago at a Thanksgiving party for “Maybe This Time,” her film with Coco Martin. “I was the happiest person in the world,” he said. ■

PHOTO FROM ENTERTAINMENT.INQUIRER.NET

Mark Bautista: ‘A little pressure’ in playing Marcos BY ALLAN POLICARPIO Philippine Daily Inquirer MARK BAUTISTA, one of the lead actors of the coming West End staging of the musical “Here Lies Love,” knows only too well that portraying a controversial and polarizing figure like the late President Ferdinand Marcos is bound to generate mixed reactions, especially in social media. Mark told a group of reporters recently, “There’s a little bit of pressure because some people like Marcos and others don’t. As early as now, I’m getting comments on Instagram, asking why I’m doing the role. They say Marcos was corrupt, a womanizer, this and that…” Unfazed

He remains unfazed by discouraging feedback, saying that what he is preparing to do is “for the arts, entertainment.” He said “Here Lies Love”—which follows First Lady Imelda Marcos’ “meteoric rise to power, and then to her descent into infamy”—would not be delving too much into politics. “Imelda’s shoe collection will not even be tackled,” said Mark, who tried out for the role during the Manila auditions in July (he sang the Tom Jones hit, “Kiss”). “The play is more about the couple’s personal lives and colorful love story.” Created by David Byrne of the new wave band Talking Heads and DJ-record producer Norman “Fatboy Slim” Cook, the musical received critical acclaim when it premiered in New York last year. The West End production runs from Sept. 30 to Jan. 8 at the Dorfman Theatre, housed in The Royal National Theatre complex. Music mix

The production features dance numbers set to a mixture of disco, rock and electronic music, and a 360-degree staging. “It’s not your usual two-hour show www.canadianinquirer.net

with an intermission; it runs continuously for 90 minutes,” Mark said. “It has a concert vibe and involves a lot of dancing, so I’ve been working out.” Portraying Imelda is Filipino-Australian actress Natalie Mendoza. Dean John-Wilson, a British performer of Chinese descent, is cast as Marcos’ political rival, the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino. Other Filipinos in the cast, according to Mark, are Jim Ferrer, Gia Macuja Atchison and Aaron Jan Mercado. “I don’t think I was the best out of those who auditioned for the part,” Mark said. “I just feel that when something’s for you, you will get it, no matter what.” Though he has starred in the local plays “Noli Me Tangere” and “The Full Monty,” Mark said his West End stint could be the most physically-demanding for him yet. “We get only Sundays off; on Fridays and Saturdays, we do two shows,” he said. “I’m not so sure I will have an alternate.” Off this week

Mark, who finished runner-up to Sarah Geronimo in the talent search “Star for a Night” in 2003, is set to fly to London on Saturday, Aug. 16. Despite experiencing theater at a young age, Mark never considered it a lucrative, or even practical, career path. His only dream was to become a successful recording artist. When he was 16, Mark—after interschool auditions— made it into a community-based theater group called Pasundayag Theater Company in his native Cagayan de Oro. His first theater job, however, wasn’t onstage—he sold tickets. “I was okay with that. Soon after, I was asked to sing ‘Lupang Hinirang,’ and then ‘The Lord’s Prayer,’” he told the Inquirer. “I eventually became a substitute for actors who were absent. My first acting stint was for ‘Adios Papa.’” ❱❱ PAGE 38 Mark Bautista

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Marian and Dingdong are officially engaged! BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—After years and years of waiting, ‘DongYan’ fans finally witnessed the moment they were all waiting for when Dingdong popped the question to Marian on Saturday, August 9. Kapuso heartthrob Dingdong Dantes proposed to fellow Kapuso star Marian Rivera on her live birthday celebration on her name-sake dance show. Marian is turning 30 on August 12th. Her long-time boyfriend Dingdong was one of the night’s special guests. At one part of the program, a video presentation showed special moments in Marian’s life with friends and family. But when the video montage showed a dome-like structure, Marian can’t help but burst into tears. Dingdong shared how they celebrated Marian’s birthday in 2012 at the MGM Butterfly Pavilion in Macau–with actual footage of her celebration. In the 2012 footage,

Dingdong whispered something to Marian, which then drove the Kapuso Primetime Queen to tears. At this point, Dingdong asked the video to be paused. He then turned to Marian and said, “May kailangan akong aminin, may kailangan akong sabihin sa iyo. Alam ko na nung nangyari ‘yon, meron akong importanteng bagay na hindi nagawa. Maraming bagay na hindi ko nasabi dahil sobrang overwhelmed ako… hindi ko alam kung papaano. Pero allow me to do it right this time.” (I have something to confess, I have something to tell you. I know when that happened, I have something important that I wasn’t able to do. A lot of things I wasn’t able to say because I was so overwhelmed… I didn’t know how. But allow me to do it right this time.) Dingdong then got down on one knee and Marian let the waterworks flow. “Yan, whenever I pray, tuwing nagdarasal ako, alam mo, ito ang isa sa parati kong hinihil-

Derek Ramsay: Move to TV5 was the right thing BY ALLAN POLICARPIO Philippine Daily Inquirer WHILE DEREK Ramsay’s “Trophy Wife” (Viva Films) costars Cristine Reyes and John Estrada got to freely promote the movie on ABS-CBN, the actor couldn’t do as much because of an alleged ban which, he admitted, bothered him. “It saddens me because I came from ABS-CBN, which helped me become who I am today. I made lots of friends over there,” Derek said during a recent press con. “They teamed me up with Judy Ann Santos [in “Ysabella,” 2007] when I was just starting.” Business decision

But the actor said he realized that the supposed restriction was “a business decision—and I respect that.” Derek is currently a TV5 talent and his contract

runs until next year. In 2012, Anne Curtis admitted that ABS-CBN had instructed her to omit Derek’s name when promoting their movie, “A Secret Affair,” in the noontime program “It’s Showtime.” The conflict was deemed a result of Derek’s unexpected transfer to TV5 that year. Not ready

Derek said he hoped to someday sit down with ABS-CBN execs to iron things out. “I’d really like to understand why there should be such a problem,” said the 37-year-old hunk, adding that things could still change for the better. “But obviously, they’re not ready.” Meanwhile, Derek maintained that he made the right decision in jumping ship. “I did what I thought was best for my career,” he said. “I’m happy to be with a network that I can grow with.” ■

The proposal.

ing, na sana bigyan Niya ako ng isang taong makakasama ko sa kalokohan, sa kalungkutan, sa kasiyahan… Isang taong alam kong ibibigay ko ang buong buhay ko sa kanya. Right now, wala na akong mahihiling pang iba. There’s nothing that I want and to ask for, but to settle down and have a family.” (Yan, whenever I pray, you know, I always ask Him to give me someone who will be there with me to have fun, in sorrow,

SCREENSHOT FROM GMA

in joy… A person I know I will devote my entire life to. Right now, I can’t ask for anything else. There’s nothing that I want and to ask for, but to settle down and have a family.) “Yan, sa tagal ng pagsasama natin… may isang bagay na malinaw sa akin—that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Kaya ngayon, saksi ang mga mahal natin sa buhay, gusto kong ipagsigawan sa buong mundo, na ikaw ang sagot sa aking mga dasal. I offer

you this gift on your birthday, something that’s beyond any material thing or tangible want, but I offer myself, my love today and all the days of my life.” (Yan, we’ve been together for so long… There’s only one thing that’s clear to me–hat I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So now, with our loved ones as witnesses, I want to declare to the whole world that you are the answer to prayers. I offer you this gift on your birthday, something that’s beyond any material thing or tangible want, but I offer myself, my love today and all the days of my life.) “So please, Marian,” Dingdong said. “Marian, will you be my wife?” The studio erupted with cheers from the audience. Instead of saying something, Marian kissed Dingdong and said, “I love you.” He then carefully slipped the ring to Marian’s finger. ■ With report from Erwin Santiago, PEP.ph

Ciara Sotto expects first child BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—TV and theater actress Ciara Sotto shared that she and her husband of four years Jojo Oconer are expecting their first child. During the recent gala screening of Carlos SiguionReyna’s “Hari ng Tondo” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in which Sotto plays a battered girlfriend, the 34-year-old daughter of Sen. Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa revealed that her first child is a blessing that she things she does not deserve. “I know I don’t deserve this blessing because I have not really taken good care of myself. I’m always working out,” said Sotto referring to the active lifestyle that she leads. She is an active teacher of pole fitness (pole dancing). “And then God gave me this gift. Perfect timing from God talaga. It’s a blessing,” she added. Sotto’s husband is an executive at TAPE Inc. (producer of “Eat Bulaga”). They opted to defer parenthood so they could www.canadianinquirer.net

Ciara Sotto.

enjoy each other’s company. The couple only decided to try for a baby last year, and their wish was granted as Sotto is currently in her 11th week of pregnancy. While she is having a difficult time adjusting and coping up with her condition, Sotto shared that she does not mind the morning sickness and all the dizzy spells all for the love of her first child. “Sometimes I’m really dizzy all the time. Sometimes I vomit for no reason, but the point that I hate the most is I can smell everything,” she shared. What makes the pregnancy

PHOTO BY RAPHAEL YU / FLICKR

journey for Sotto enjoyable and somewhat bearable is the presence of her ever supporting husband, who Sotto claimed easily gives in to her demands even in the dead of the night. Given that Ciara is still in the early stages of her pregnancy, the baby’s gender is still a mystery. But Sotto shared that she and her husband are praying for a baby girl. “We’re praying kasi ang dami kong pamangkin na boys, isa lang yung niece ko. Yung niece ko sobrang favorite ko siya so gusto ko ng sarili kong ganun,” shared Sotto. ■

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Canadian comics and political leaders remember Robin Williams as influential stand up icon BY WILL CAMPBELL The Canadian Press TORONTO—Canadian comedians are mourning the death of American comic and actor Robin Williams as the loss of one of comedy’s greats. Williams was pronounced dead at his home in California on Monday. He was 63. “Very sad to hear the news about Robin Williams. Big loss for not just the entertainment world but for the whole world,” stand-up star Russell Peters said on Twitter. “Sad to hear about Robin Williams. A very funny and lovely man,” tweeted TV-comic Colin Mochrie. Brent Butt tweeted he was “stunned” at the news and remembered how Williams would show up at Vancouver comic clubs and got the crowd roaring with laughter. “He used to drop in & do spots (at) UrbanWell & Punchlines in Vancouver. Big laugher, lots of fun.” Comic and TV actor Shaun Majumder said in an email that Williams helped mould his comedic instincts from a young age. “There is no doubt that he was a huge influence on me in my early days as a comedian... in fact he was an impact on me well before I was a comedian or actor which made me the

Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted that he and his wife, Laureen, were “saddened to hear of the passing of Robin Williams.” ROBIN WILLIAMS' PHOTO FROM FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

most annoying 7 year old on the planet.” Bruce Hills, the chief operating officer of the Just for Laughs international comedy festival in Montreal, calls Williams’ death “so sad on so many fronts.” “Most importantly he leaves a wife and three kids behind but also millions of fans worldwide that will miss this very special artist, comedian and genuinely good person.” Stand-up comic Gerry Dee remembered Williams for his ability to start off as a touring comedian who then make it big as a Hollywood star. “He did what we’re all trying to do... take our stand up career into TV and movies. And he did it more than anyone and bet-

ter than anyone. And he did it in drama, he did it in comedy,” Dee said in an interview. Dee said Williams was a courageous comic who put so many “out there” styles in his stage act, such as his machine-gun speaking and stream-of-consciousness delivery. “He just took chances. And I think any comedian will tell you that’s one of the hard parts of trying to be different. When you try to be different you fail a lot of times and you bail on it,” he said. “But he never bailed on it. He always stayed true to himself.” Stand-up Frank Spadone said it was a “sad day” for comedians everywhere. “You’ve lost a very iconic, important person in your commu-

nity,” he said in an interview. “He was inspirational. He was funny, the way he committed himself to the characters (he played). The way he did everything.” Spadone remembered catching Williams perform at a Toronto club while he shot a film in the city, and said the joint was packed with people for Williams’ impromptu open-mic gig. “That place was just buzzing because he was in the place. That’s the kind of influence and that’s the kind of respect and reputation he had,” he said. “Just everyone wanted to see him and be in the same room as him. And as a comic, everyone was just so excited that he was there.” Even Canadian political leaders were touched by the news of

he told the AP that people were surprised he was no longer clean. “I fell off the wagon after 20 years and people are like, ‘Really?’ Well, yeah. It only kicks in when you really want to change,” he said. Born in Chicago in 1951, Williams would remember himself as a shy kid who got some early laughs from his mother—by mimicking his grandmother. He opened up more in high school when he joined the drama club, and he was accepted into the Juilliard Academy, where he had several classes in which he and Christopher Reeve were the only students

and John Houseman was the teacher. Encouraged by Houseman to pursue comedy, Williams identified with the wildest and angriest of performers: Jonathan Winters, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, George Carlin. Their acts were not warm and lovable. They were just being themselves. He unveiled Mork, the alien from the planet Ork, in an appearance on “Happy Days” and was granted his own series, which ran from 1978 to 1982 and co-starred Pam Dawber as a woman who takes in the interplanetary visitor. “I am completely and totally

devastated,” Dawber said in a statement. “What more can be said?” Following his success in films, Williams often returned to television—for appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” for “Friends,” for comedy specials, for “American Idol,” where in 2008 he pretended to be a “Russian idol” who belts out a tuneless, indecipherable “My Way.” Williams could handle a script, when he felt like it, and also think on his feet. He adlibbed in many of his films and was just as quick in person. During a media tour for “Awakenings,” when director Penny Marshall mistakenly de-

“I will wear my rainbow suspenders and remember the great artist and man that he was,” wrote Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.

Williams` death. Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted that he and his wife, Laureen, were “saddened to hear of the passing of Robin Williams.” Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau tweeted that to him, the actor-comedian will “always be Mork. “I will wear my rainbow suspenders and remember the great artist and man that he was,” wrote Trudeau. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne posted a tweet calling Williams a “brilliant talent lost. British Columbia Premier Christy Clark tweeted: “Robin Williams brought hours of joy to countless families— ours included. Rest in peace.” Police said Monday that a preliminary investigation indicated Williams death was a suicide due to asphyxia. ■

scribed the film as being set in a “menstrual hospital,” instead of “mental hospital,” Williams quickly stepped in and joked, “It’s a period piece.” Winner of a Grammy in 2003 for best spoken comedy album, “Robin Williams—Live 2002,” he once likened his act to the daily jogs he took across the Golden Gate Bridge. There were times he would look over the edge, one side of him pulling back in fear, the other insisting he could fly. ■

Robin Williams... try to give it a life, instead of making ”Godot” so serious. It’s cosmic vaudeville staged by the Marquis de Sade.” His personal life was often short on laughter. He had acknowledged drug and alcohol problems in the 1970s and ’80s and was among the last to see John Belushi before the “Saturday Night Live” star died of a drug overdose in 1982. Williams announced in 2006 that he was drinking again but rebounded well enough to joke about it during his recent tour. “I went to rehab in wine country,” he said, “to keep my options open.” The following year, ❰❰ 33

www.canadianinquirer.net

Italie reported from New York. Associated Press writer Lynn Elber also contributed to this report.

FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Lifestyle

Questions and answers about experimental Ebola drug as debate over who gets it intensifies BY LAURAN NEERGAARD The Associated Press WASHINGTON—An experimental Ebola drug has been used to treat two American aid workers and a Spanish missionary priest. Could Liberian doctors be next? The Liberian government said Monday that it will receive doses of the drug to treat two doctors in the country. They would be the first Africans to receive it. The manufacturer, Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc., said in a statement posted Monday afternoon on its website that the supply of the drug is now exhausted. The announcement came as the World Health Organization considered ethical questions about who should get access to an experimental drug in an emergency. Some questions and answers about the Ebola drug: Q: What is this drug? A: Called ZMapp, it is a cocktail of specially engineered antibodies designed to target and inactivate the Ebola virus. Q: What do we know about whether it works? A: Very little. Various antibodies have been tested in small numbers of monkeys, but not people. In one study, 43 per cent of treated monkeys survived when the drug was given after the animals showed symptoms. Mapp Biopharmaceutical now is developing a combination of three antibodies that seemed most promising in those animal studies. Q: Why isn’t ZMapp being tested more widely to find out if it works in people? A: There’s not enough available. The antibodies are grown inside tobacco plants, and then

PHOTO BY SERGEY URYADNIKOV / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

extracted and purified, a slow process. U.S. officials have estimated that only a modest amount could be produced in two or three months, unless some way to speed production is found. Q: What does it mean that the two American aid workers who received the drug are reported to be slowly improving? A: Top U.S. health officials stress that there’s no way to know if the drug really helped, or if those two patients would have been among the 40 per cent of people who are surviving this outbreak anyway. Without human studies, there also isn’t any way to know if the drug might harm instead of help. There is no proven treatment for Ebola. But basic supportive care— things like keeping patients hydrated, maintaining their blood pressure and treating any complicating infections— can make a difference in survival, says Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two U.S. patients, both

infected in Liberia, are being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Q: How were the Americans and Spanish priest chosen to get some of those limited doses, rather than Africans? A: The international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse and Emory University Hospital requested that the manufacturer provide some of the drug for the two Americans, and the manufacturer agreed. As for the Spanish missionary priest, it wasn’t clear exactly how Spanish officials obtained a dose that apparently was in Geneva. The priest also was infected in Liberia and is in isolation at a Madrid hospital. Typically, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate shipments of unapproved drugs for emergency use in individual patients outside the U.S. The World Health Organization is debating if any further limited supplies of experimental drugs should be used during

the outbreak, and under what conditions. But the agency cannot force a manufacturer to go along. Indeed, using an experimental drug outside of a research study isn’t just a gamble for patient safety. What if a drug might benefit patients early in the disease, but doctors can’t tell because it was given only to the most gravely ill? Q: How is Liberia getting the drug? A: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it had helped connect Liberia with the manufacturer. ``Since the drug was shipped for use outside the US, appropriate export procedures had to be followed,’’ the statement said. Q: Are any other drugs in the pipeline? A: Canada’s Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp. is developing a drug that targets Ebola’s genetic material. The FDA had halted a small safety study with questions about a reaction in healthy volunteers. Last week, Tekmira announced that FDA

had modified its restriction, clearing a roadblock to possible experimental use in infected patients; the company said at the time that it was ``carefully evaluating options.’’ A handful of other companies are in earlier stages of drug development; a possible vaccine to prevent the disease is expected to begin first-stage safety studies sometime in the fall. Q: If experimental drugs won’t stop the outbreak, what will? A: Frieden and other experts say old-fashioned public health measures: rapidly finding and isolating the sick, quarantining those exposed and educating the public on how to avoid the risk of infection. Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of sick patients. Frieden said the two main drivers of the outbreak are improper infection control during patient care and traditional but risky burial practices that have mourners handling bodies that are still infectious. ■

Lifestyle

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 38

Spiritual guru Deepak Chopra leads Guinness World Record meditation attempt BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO—Famed spiritual teacher Deepak Chopra sought to unite a mass global audience in quiet moments of personal reflection as he led a Guinness World Record group meditation attempt. Chopra was joined by hundreds at the Westin Harbour Castle in downtown Toronto on Friday and countless more logging online to take part in A Global Meditation for Peace. The event coincided with the tail end of Seduction of Spirit, Chopra’s signature meditation retreat. A publicist said there were four Guinness observers on hand as they attempted to achieve the largest synchronized online meditation. To successfully take the Guinness title, the meditation would have to draw 15,000 participants, according to a release sent out in advance of the event. As of Thursday night, there were about 93,000 participants registered. Motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein led a Q&A session with Chopra in the leadup to the global meditation,

while Grammy-winning singer-songwriter India Arie performed for the captive crowd. While many see meditation as an act of solitude, Chopra said there are benefits to engaging in the quiet, introspective practice as part of a larger collective. “There is a lot of good information and scientific evidence that when you have a large group of people doing meditation that the effect is magnified,” the bestselling author said in a brief interview prior to the event. “They feel subjectively that the effect is much more powerful. And if you believe some of the new theories around consciousness as a field that transcends space and time, then that can have an effect on the rest of the world as well.” Chopra said he usually recommends meditation at least once daily, and that taking on the practice early in the morning is great as it helps set the tone for the rest of the day. For those who don’t feel they have the time to meditate, he recommends double the dose—twice daily— “because they’re the ones that need it most.” “Even five minutes of sitting down INSET PHOTO BY S_BUKLEY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

quietly, watching your breath and setting your intention for a joyful, energetic body, a reflective, inert mind, lightness of being that’ll organize the day around those intentions.” On Monday, Chopra is reteaming with

longtime collaborator Oprah Winfrey with the launch of their new 21-Day Meditation Experience called “Expanding Your Happiness,” which offers daily guided audio meditations through an online interactive program. ■

Mark Bautista... Back then, Mark didn’t think he had the talent for musicals, so this next chapter in his life is something he has yet to fully grasp. “I didn’t have much confidence; I didn’t trust myself. But now, finally, things are starting to sink in. Perhaps our director (in Pasundayag), Mozart Pastrano, saw something in me,” said Mark, who landed his first lead role in “Kaaway sa Sulod.” He continued, “Who knew that I’d go from Cagayan de Oro to the West End? I never even thought I would do a play in Manila. God is good.” ❰❰ 34

London trip

When Mark and fellow singing contest alums Sarah, Christian Bautista and Erik Santos heard last year that Rachelle Ann Go had made it to the cast of the West End revival of famed the musical “Miss Saigon,” they all thought of going to London to watch their good friend perform. But they all had very tight schedules www.canadianinquirer.net

and Mark, for one, was worried about saving enough money for the trip. But like Rachelle, Mark is a firm believer in destiny. Now he is going to London, not to just merely watch, but to be watched. A bit disappointed

“I was in Hong Kong when I got the news—my heart leapt, my knees shook,” he related. Asked what message his and Rachelle’s feats send to other local talents, Mark simply said, “That anything’s possible.” In fact, he said, he felt a tinge of regret that he did not try out for “Miss Saigon,” despite constant encouragement from friends and colleagues. “I was scared, when I shouldn’t have been,” he admitted. “When ‘Here Lies Love’ came along I didn’t think twice.” These days, Mark’s mind is still filled with what-ifs—the good kind, this time. “What if I try Broadway after? What if I try out for a foreign film?” he said, laughing. ■

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Chori burger tops New York’s ‘Battle of the Burger’ 2014

PCI WORD SEARCH

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—A longtime Pinoy favorite, the Chori Burger has won the palates of diners in New York, as well. The chorizo-based burger concoction came out on top at the Big Apple’s annual burger showdown, Battle of the Burger held last Thursday. Filipino-themed gastro pub Jeepney entered the decidedly Pinoy take on the American classic in the 2014 competition, and their efforts were well-received by diners. Their version of the chori burger bested other burger entries and took first place in the contest. Described by the event host, Time Out magazine, as “shellacked in banana ketchup and Maggi aioli, and topped with chorizo-esque longganisa,” Jeepney’s delectable entry was awarded the golden burger tro-

Pope kicks... and religious brothers currently on mission outside of Korea. “On this continent, the church may be small but it grows four to five per cent a year,” Cervellera said. “There are abundant vocations, people who are decided in their faith, so it could be in some way a model for all the other churches.” But South Korea also represents a remarkable anomaly in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic faith. Unlike most countries where missionary priests brought Catholicism and spread it, South Korea’s church is uniquely homegrown: Members of Korea’s noble classes discovered the faith in the 18th century reading books by the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci that they brought back from China. Their interest spread, until finally the first Korean was baptized in Beijing in 1784. “The Gospel in Korea wasn’t brought by conquerors or missionaries,” noted Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican No. 2, in the introduction of “Young People and Martyrs in Asia: Pope Francis’ Mission in Korea,” a book about the church’s unique history. “This is valid for other Asian countries, where ❰❰ 21

the Christian faith often finds trouble and obstacles and is still seen as a foreign faith.” It’s an important point that Francis is expected to stress during the trip, with an eye to countries such as China where the Catholic Church in general and the Vatican in particular are still viewed with skepticism. Despite its homegrown Korean roots, Catholicism wasn’t immune in Korea from the persecution that was waged against Christians across Asia in the 18th and 19th centuries. An estimated 10,000 Korean Catholics were killed by the Joseon Dynasty. “They were considered to be in opposition to the social system of Korea at the time,” said the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman. Francis will beatify 124 of these martyrs during his trip. Another 103 were canonized by John Paul during a 1984 visit. Aside from the Asian youth festival, the other key event of the visit is a Mass for peace and reconciliation that Francis will celebrate on his final day, Aug. 18 in Seoul’s main cathedral. Among Koreans with a history of persecution in attendance: a small number of women who were used as sexual slaves by Japan’s military during World War II. ■

Jeepney’s winning Chori Burger.

PHOTO FROM JEEPNEY FACEBOOK PAGE

phy, to the approving nods of satisfied New York foodies. Coming in second and doing Filipino cuisine proud, as well, was a burger from the Pork Slope; a Filipino-American restaurant by former “Top Chef” contestant Dale Talde. Astoria Sports Bar’s Twist & Smash’d burger placed third. “WE DID IT! 1st Place at Time Out New York’s Battle of

the Burger!!!!! Thank you to all who voted!” enthused Jeepney on its Facebook page. Located in New York’s East Village, Jeepney is a sister restaurant of the raved about Maharlika Filipino restaurant, also in New York. Other acclaimed items on Jeepney’s menu are the bulalo, pinakbet salad, adobo wings, arroz caldo, and puto’t dinuguan. ■

joy a formidable concentration of capital and talent, it hardly has a monopoly on ambitious ideas and capable entrepreneurs,” he said in an email, adding investors can get in on the

ground floor. “In a few years’ time, Vancouver will be flush with tech capital and brilliant people will be gunning to build the next Facebook, Twitter and Hootsuite.” ■

Silicon Valley... to that story are already here,” he said, though noting players are still getting acquainted. “We’re messaging out around the world ... that if you want some stability in your passionate work environment, Vancouver is a destination.” But the road to Silicon Valley North is not all paved in gold. Last year, hundreds of jobs evaporated when Disney shuttered Pixar Canada’s Vancouver studio in favour of California, and video game maker Electronic Arts transferred some offices to Ontario. A panel discussion that took a hard look at the challenges was hosted by social media platform Hootsuite in late July. Canada is suffering “a desperate and growing shortage” of computer developers and software engineers, said CEO Ryan Holmes. He lamented a “lost generation,” whereby Silicon Valley has claimed an estimated 350,000 Canadians over recent decades, adding that if Facebook closes its Vancouver office, that “doesn’t help our cause.” Holmes remains optimistic about the local industry’s future. “While Silicon Valley may en❰❰ 24

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PCI and Sprott Shaw College is in need of a pool of part time Tagalog teachers for their Vancouver and New Westminster Campus. Submit resume to info@canadianinquirer.net. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

Business

AUGUST 15, 2014 FRIDAY 40

The myths and realities Stop fretting about investments of the Canadian and enjoy your holiday banking system BY ROBYN K. THOMPSON, CFP, CIM, FCSI

MORE THAN half (56 per cent) of newcomers to Canada mistakenly believe that you need a credit history to qualify for a mortgage, according to a recent poll by the Royal Bank of Canada. The poll asked newcomers a series of questions to dispel some myths and provide realities around the topic of credit in Canada. The poll, conducted by Environics Research on behalf of RBC, revealed that almost three quarters of respondents (72 per cent) agreed that a credit card can be useful for new Canadians to build a good credit rating, but there still are some myths that require clarification. These myths which over 40% newcomers incorrectly agree include: • Myth 1 - You need a Canadian credit history to get a mortgage in Canada • Myth 2 – Newcomers to Canada must have Canadian credit history before they are eligible for a vehicle loan at a car dealership • Myth 3 - Someone with a lot of assets in their home country will have a better credit rating in Canada.

• Myth 4 – New Canadians must have a Canadian Credit history in order to get a credit card. “The poll revealed some interesting findings, and it shows us that we still have some work to do when it comes to educating newcomers on different products available to them in Canada,” said Christine Shisler, director of multicultural markets at RBC. “At RBC we have new no-credit-history-required products, including credit cards, auto loan financing, and mortgages that are specifically designed for newcomers that will help them get their first card, car and home. The best way to change these myths is through education, so I encourage every newcomer to speak to a financial advisor in a local RBC branch.” Access to credit remains an important priority for all newcomers to Canada, and RBC has recently changed their policies to address the needs of newcomers , putting them ahead of their competitors in a number of areas. For more information, please visit any RBC branch or online at rbc.com/welcomecanadacredit. ■

WHEN YOU’RE relaxing at the beach or cottage, or doing the grand tour somewhere, you don’t want to spend much time fretting about your investments. If you’re continually worried that stock markets are on the verge of a major correction, you’re doing something wrong. Here’s how to stop fretting and start relaxing. Markets will fluctuate…

Markets fluctuate and regularly experience periods of volatility. Except recently they haven’t. Over the past few months, stock markets have in fact touched record highs, as the S&P/TSX Composite Index did again last week. And that’s got a lot of market watchers predicting imminent catastrophe. They point out that stock markets have risen since May 2012 without a major correction—that’s a broad market slide of at least 10%. They also point out that volatility has been low—the markets just haven’t been swinging up and down as much or as frequently as they have in the past. And this has happened despite all sorts of troubles around the world, including the assorted crises in the Middle East and the Ukraine, slower growth in China, as well as lukewarm economic recovery in the eurozone. All this, they say, adds up to the potential for a fall. They just don’t know when. …We just don’t know when

This sounds a lot like the “even a stopped clock is right twice a day” argument. Eventually the doomsayers will be right. Eventually, the markets will pull back. They always do! And we never know when they will. This essential truth is at the heart of my money management philosophy at Castlemark Wealth Management. Once you understand that, and accept it, everything else falls into place. The key is to ensure that your investment portfolio aligns with your tolerance for risk. Even after years in this business, I’m still amazed at the number of new clients who www.canadianinquirer.net

come to me with a wildly inflated sense of their tolerance for risk. How much can you stand to lose?

They’ll often ask me, “Why not a portfolio allocated 100% to stocks? Markets are on a high. I can live with the risk.” But can you really? A high net worth portfolio of, say $500,000, invested in a broad equity index ETF would plunge by $60,000 dollars if the market sustains a 12% correction. Your portfolio would have to climb 13.6% just to get back to breakeven. Could you live with that? Instead of committing your portfolio to assets based on what you’ve heard or read in the news on any given day, it’s far more prudent to accept the reality of financial markets (they fluctuate unpredictably) and allocate assets in a way that aligns with your real tolerance for risk. So, for example, with a moderate risk tolerance, your portfolio would likely be weighted 60% equity and 40% fixed income. The equity component is designed to generate growth (and perhaps some dividend income); the fixed income component is designed for safety and a regular income stream. A moderate-risk approach

If you are looking to make your portfolio more defensive against the possibility of a stock market correction, you can deploy two strategies. First, in the fixed-income component, look to a strategy using fixed-

income funds that have a common goal of generating steady income while maintaining safety of principal. This can be achieved by investing in Canadian bond funds (I would recommend only short-term funds, given the current state of the market), high yield bond funds (investment grade only), Canadian mortgage bond funds, or Canadian income trust funds. Browse Fund Library by Fund Classification to search for these types of fixed-income funds. To bolster income though the equity component of your portfolio, look to Canadian dividend equity income funds and real estate investment trust funds, which are also inherently defensive equity assets. I’d focus on low-MER passive, exchangetraded funds to keep overall costs down. Keep calm, and stay educated

Remember, this is only a broad-brush example I’ve used to illustrate a principle. Investing takes knowledge and patience. Be calm, stay educated, and make decisions only when you have weighed the pros and cons and are ready to be accountable for the outcome. If you are not sure you are holding the right asset mix, consult a qualified advisor. And then enjoy your vacation. ■ Courtesy Fundata Canada Inc. © 2014. Robyn Thompson, CFP, CIM, FCSI, is president of Castlemark Wealth Management. This article is not intended as personalized advice.

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Players try to come back to the NFL after taking a season off acting, coaching or on a mission BY DAVE SKRETTA The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, MO.—Professional football is not a career that encourages sabbaticals. Hundreds of fresh rookies arrive every summer ready to grab a roster spot from any veteran who wanted to take a season off. A handful of players—some who took religious missions, others who tried coaching, journalism or acting—are trying to make the comeback this season. “When you get out, it’s so hard to get back in,” said offensive lineman Ryan McKee, one of a handful of players trying to get a second chance in Kansas City. “Really hard.” McKee was so fed up with football after getting cut by the Rams two years ago that he spent last season coaching at North Carolina. When he decided to give the game another chance, he realized that earning a job would be more difficult

the second time around. “The NFL really is about once you’re with a club, doing everything you can to stay with that club,” he said. “A lot of it is timing, staying healthy and making the most out of a chance.” Players who spend a season off a roster are often forgotten. And rookies are easy to find and less expensive than veterans. “You need to go somewhere where someone is going to give you a legitimate chance,” said safety Husain Abdullah, who along with his brother Hamza left the NFL two years ago to embark on Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca required of all able-bodied Muslims. Husain, who had been starting at safety in Minnesota, managed to earn a job last season in Kansas City. He started out as a nickel back and on special teams, playing more as the season progressed, and now is in line to be the starting free safety. Meanwhile, his older brother Hamza—who had been a backup defensive back in Arizona—

never received another opportunity to catch on with a team. “The biggest thing is putting in the work, proving you want to be there,” Husain Abdullah said. “You can’t lose faith, and you have to be confident in yourself.” Joe McKnight was released by the Jets last season, spent a year away, and now is trying to catch on in Kansas City. Brandon Lloyd was cut by the Patriots and is trying to make it with the 49ers, the team that originally drafted him. Fellow wide receiver Derek Hagan spent a year away doing radio work and is trying to earn a job with the Titans. “I put the same amount of pressure on myself as I did when I was younger,” said Lloyd, who dabbled in acting during his hiatus. “There’s always been a couple things that I say to myself— not to let the playbook defeat me, to give maximum effort every time and to make the plays.” Danny Lansanah played five games for Green Bay in 2008. After spending time in the UFL, he

began working for a rehabilitation program for troubled teens, and had nearly given up on playing in the NFL again. When the Jets called out of the blue last season, he gave it a shot. It didn’t work out in New York, but he was signed by Tampa Bay and appeared in one game last season. Now, he’s listed as the Buccaneers’ secondteam linebacker. “When I got that second chance, I just made the best of my opportunity. Now I’m here,” he said. “I’m just enjoying the game of football, enjoying my teammates. They’re all great guys. I’m coming out here and giving my all every day.” Packers defensive tackle Johnny Jolly also made the most of a second chance. After serving a prison term for narcotics possession, he managed to earn a job in training camp after three full seasons away. He started eight times and played in 13 games last season before getting hurt.

Not all comebacks work out nearly as well, though. After playing for three teams in 2010, former All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss was out of the league for a year. He came back in 2012 with San Francisco but was hardly the same player, playing in 16 games but catching only 28 passes for 434 yards. “Truly, it’s a case-by-case basis,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said. “Once you know athletically where they are, can they get to where they were? That’s what you have to ask. “There’s so much, ‘What-haveyou-done-for-me-lately,”‘ Dorsey said, “but if you’re fine with them, you’re comfortable with the person, you did the research, then I think that’s the ultimate deciding factor. How much does he really have left?” ■ AP Sports Writers Antonio Gonzalez in Santa Clara, California, and Fred Goodall in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Driving may cause you to feel too

The stars are telling you that today’s

Nothing is so wrong with hearing a

You have been keeping a lot of things

much exhaustion. But don’t ever

best way to attain inner growth is

friend’s advice. In fact, the stars are

inside, that you can no longer hold it

let the lengthy path take you down, Aries. Remember

to go back, scan the pages of the past chapters and

saying that their voice will serve as your guiding light

in. That’s not healthy. Even the deepest secret needs to

that you are getting a pot of gold and a view of the

reflect.. By being aware of the decisions you have made

during the gloomy days of the week. But just be careful

be said when the right time comes. Just like a bottle when

beautiful rainbow at the end of the road. So no matter

and the consequences of those actions, you will be one

not to let their criticisms turn you down or do you worst.

filled with water, let all your emotions flow and turn the

how stressful your days may be, just keep driving,

step closer in achieving mental and spiritual growth. So,

Try to think hard before acting on an advice. Remember

bottle upside down to make sure its empty. When there’s

pushing forward. Soon enough, you’ll get the reward

gather all the events that happened in the past days

that it’s always you and no one else when you’re making

no more in there, that’s the best time to start again! So

of a lifetime – something only you can treasure.

and take some time to reflect on them today.

a decision, especially a greater one.

today, start unloading and recharging for the next phase.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Now is the best time to stop the

Be sensitive to the feelings of the

Someone with a hidden agenda

You will learn acceptance the hard

talking and do more of the listening

people around you. Now is the

may seem to be really dear and

way today. There is this something

part. You may have been dragging the people around

best time to check on how you have been treating your

friendly to you. There is no harm in trying to keep

that you have been trying to dismiss all your life, and now

you to listen to your views, in the past days, which may

friends lately. You have been working so hard that you

yourself at a safe distance. But always make sure that

is the right time to face it. You probably know by now that

not be healthy in a working environment. Keep in mind

might have forgotten your personal relationships. Re-

you don’t let doubts get in your way of developing

there are really things in life that you can never change.

that the best speakers are still the best listeners, and

member that having people who will always be there for

good friendship and better partnership with the people

But once you have opened up yourself to acceptance, you

nothing will make you more effective than by listening to

you is also a great achievement in your journey, so take

around you. Too much may not always be safe enough

will realize that you just got exactly what you really need.

what others have to say and considering their thoughts.

some time to prioritize them today.

so try to enjoy things with moderation.

All you have to do now is embrace that thing and accept.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

You will rock the coming days with

Do not bother yourself about the

If you play your cards right, every-

Being too oversensitive may not do

positivity! And your key: ACCEPT-

consequences you might be getting

thing related to love will turn out

you any good this week. A certain

ANCE. Accept what you can’t change and change what

in the future because of the actions you did yesterday.

well today. You might not be the most romantic person

friend may not take your oversensitivity lightly, which

you can’t accept. Let it all out today and you will rock the

Remember that there are things you can never undo

in the world but If you only try listening to your heart,

may lead to a prolonged argument and worst, you

coming days with positive thoughts and a peaceful mind!

once done. So instead of getting so depressed, why

you might just be the next lucky lover to charm the

may end up adding that person to your list of foes. You

End the confusion and the mental unrest that has been

not think of ways to ease the impact and focus on

most important person in your life. All you have to do

need to keep an eye on the words you say. Learn to

troubling you for quite some time now by releasing all

mitigating the risks. Sometimes, all you have to do is to

is keep holding on to that feeling, listen to it and all

ignore petty mistakes that need not be taken as a big

the negative emotions you have been hiding inside.

focus on what needs changing.

the great “moves” will follow.

deal.

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FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Travel

Ancient ruins of Pompeii continue to cast a spell in the 21st century BY MICHELLE LOCKE The Associated Press POMPEII, ITALY—Pompeii is the city of the long goodbye. In A.D. 62, a major earthquake toppled buildings, causing severe damage, harbinger of what was to come. Seventeen years later, in A.D. 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii in a swift and terrible destruction. Today, Pompeii is under threat of a new extinction brought on partly by exposure to the elements and the burden of foot traffic, 2.5 million pairs of feet per year to be exact. But although death is Pompeii’s calling card, it’s the glimpses of everyday life from long ago— including ancient frescoes from a brothel—that truly fascinate. You can wander down streets and stride across the stepping stones that kept the ancient residents’ feet dry during floods (no need to soak those Roman sandals). You can see firstcentury mosaic floors that put modern kitchen vinyl to shame, or peer at faded frescos on a living room wall and imagine the house filled with the sound of a lively dinner party. It’s even possible to come face to face with the horror of long ago via the famous body casts of volcanic victims. After the disaster, bodies were encased in volcanic ash which hardened. Meanwhile, the corpses decayed, leaving voids. In the mid-19th century Italian archaeologist Giuseppi Fiorelli, a key figure in the excavation and preservation of Pompeii, saw the voids and figured out how to pour plaster inside. The shell was cracked open and the dead revealed. Many of Pompeii’s artifacts,

including several body casts, can be found in the Naples National Archaeological Historical Museum. Also in the museum is the infamous “Secret Cabinet,” a collection of erotic art, mostly from Pompeii, which was censored for decades. Some erotica can still be found at the ruins, including the wall paintings of the House of the Mysteries. A poignant exhibit is the Garden of the Fugitives, where body casts of victims who were overcome as they fled are displayed behind glass. Other highlights of the ruins include Lupanar, a brothel—wall frescoes here depict what was on offer back then— and the House of the Small Fountain, which features a gracious design. The amphitheatre is generally a less-crowded spot if you’re looking for a break. What lies ahead for Pompeii is uncertain. The European Union has earmarked millions to protect and repair the site as part of the “Great Pompeii” rehabilitation project, but progress has been slow. About onethird of the city is believed to be still buried, but a moratorium has been declared on new excavations as a conservation measure. Earlier this year, about

$2.7 million was approved for routine maintenance after heavy rains caused a wall to collapse and some stones to fall at the Temple of Venus. A few tips for your visit: • Pompeii is on the Circumvesuviana train line, about 30 minutes from Naples, and the Pompei Scavi stop will take you to an entrance. Admission is 11 euros; for 20 euros you can get a three-day pass to Pompeii and four other excavation sites, the best known being the nearby seaside town of Herculaneum. • Pompeii covers 163 acres (66 hectares), so a guidebook, map and comfortable shoes are good ideas. Guided tours are available at the entrance for an additional fee (guides should display a license from the Region Campania), but be aware tours vary in quality. Audio guides are also available for rent. • Two millennia ago, taverns were liberally represented in Pompeii. Today, there’s just one place: Autogrill cafeteria near the Forum. Not exactly Lucullan feasting, but they do sell passable panini. ■ If You Go...

POMPEII: http://www.pompeiisites.org/

Canada is... search agencies like the Public Health Agency or the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have assumed they would need to do initial safety testing of the products in North America before they could be used in Africa. To that end, the Public Health Agency got a German vaccine production facility to make doses— somewhere around 1,500—of the experimental vaccine earlier this year. The vaccine, which is not linked at this point to a major drug company, goes by the name VSV-EBOV. Canada owns the intellectual property. The cost of producing the vaccine illustrates why supplies of experimental Ebola products are in such limited supply. Taylor said the price for producing this batch was between $1,000 and $1,400 per dose. Just how much vaccine Canada has is a bit of a guess at this point. Because the product hasn’t been tested in people, it’s not known how much vaccine an individual would need to be protected. For the time being, the size of a dose is being extrapolated from the research that has been done on primates. The supplies were to be used for clinical trials. But as this outbreak has raged on, spreading from Guinea to Sierra Leone and Liberia and now—alarmingly—to Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, the Public Health Agency’s ethics committee concluded that some of the experimental vaccine should be made available to the response effort, said Dr. Gregory Taylor, the agency’s deputy head. “We see this as a global resource and we need to have some conversations to figure out what the best use of this experimental vaccine is,” Taylor said in an interview. He acknowledged the number of available doses is small in terms of the overall need. Taylor said the agency would ❰❰ 18

be discussing options with international partners, the WHO and the affected countries over the coming days to try to come up with a plan for the best use of what is a limited number of vaccine doses. “It’s tough to be speedy. But we’re trying to make this as speedy and fast as we possibly can, because of what’s going on in Africa.” The early thinking is that it should be offered to healthcare workers caring for the infected. They have paid a heavy toll in this outbreak, making up close to 10 per cent of all cases. But even if the supplies are targeted at health-care workers, there won’t be enough vaccine to protect all who are at risk. Ten doses of the vaccine have already been sent to a Geneva hospital, on the request of the WHO and the relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). That vaccine is an emergency supply that could be used if a response worker became infected, Taylor said. The agency will hold back some doses to do toxicology studies on the vaccine and other small studies, Taylor said. As well, Canada would want to have some doses on hand to offer health-care workers if someone with Ebola travelled to Canada and turned up in a hospital here. He said the agency hopes that people in the field who get the vaccine can be studied, so something is learned from this unprecedented use of experimental Ebola therapeutics. The Canadian vaccine is one of two main candidate vaccines for Ebola. The other, designed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is set to go into initial human safety trials in the U.S. in September. The institute’s director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has said he hopes the study could be completed by January. If all works well, supplies of that vaccine could be available in late 2015, Fauci says. ■

Travel

43 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

Take a ride to Nova Scotia this summer for Canada’s largest motorcycle rally BY ALY THOMSON The Canadian Press THE TYPICALLY quiet streets of a small Nova Scotia fishing town will soon be rumbling with the sound of thousands of motorcycles. The Wharf Rat Rally will see a legion of bikes blaze into Digby for the 10th annual event that’s set for Aug. 27 to 31. Motorcycle clubs from across Canada, the United States, Switzerland and Germany have travelled to the event in past years, and this year will be no exception, says the event’s executive director, Andy Kerr. “What it is, even for the nonbiker, is a family friendly spectacle of bikers, of vendors of all sorts, music and entertainment,” says Kerr. The free event bills itself as Canada’s largest outdoor motorcycle rally. Last year, about 25,000 bikes drove into the coastal town on

Nova Scotia’s southwestern shore over five days, with about 64,000 people attending rally events, says Kerr. That’s nearly nine times the population of Digby. Kerr says Digby’s main road, Water Street, will be fundamentally transformed, with thousands of bikes and vendors lining the curb. “It’s usually pretty empty, a fishing town. Not a lot of business goes on in the other months,” he says. “But the creep into town of the bikes and the vendors every year, it’s incredible. “It’s just a sea of bikes and people.” But the rally isn’t just for motorcycle enthusiasts. Just ask Kerr, who doesn’t own a bike. “I’m not a biker,” he says with a laugh. “The people that come here that are non-bikers, they come to look at these very expensive and very beautiful customized bikes. They come to see the biker culture and there’s

motorized sort: BMX bikes. Top-end custom motorcycle builders from across North America will be on hand to display their custom-made bikes. On the Friday night of the event, one of Nova Scotia’s most popular blues-rock singers, Matt Minglewood, will take the main stage for a free concert. Performance artist Joshua Moonshine will also show off his quick-draw spray painting. Kerr says what started 10 years ago by locals as a way to boost the economy has transformed into a mainstay event that draws people from across the globe. ■ If You Go...

also something for everybody.” This year’s rally will feature time trials at the Digby airport, demo rides, a custom motorcy-

cle competition and motorcycle stunters on the wharf. Those events will counter performances with bikes of the non-

Register your bike for $10 at http://www.wharfratrally.com/ plan-your-visit/rally-registration Apart from the bike registration fee, all events at the Wharf Rat Rally are free. Wharf Rat Rally headquarters: (902) 245-5924, info(at) wharfratrally.com

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Mary Ann Belmes

OpenRoad Honda Burnaby 6984 Kingsway, Burnaby (5 minutes East of Metrotown)

604-525-4667

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Seen and Scenes

AUGUST 15, 2014

FRIDAY 44

PRECIOUS MOMENTS OF CRISTIE AND EN-EN TAYDE

(From R) former Vancouver Labor Attache Bernie Julve, Me-Ann Mandap, Jhynet Juanillas Yong and PCI Publisher and CEO Alan Yong.

The newlyweds with the bride’s family Photo by Prima Luce Photography

Ninongs Atty. Bernie Julve and Tirso Cruz III.

Friends shower the newlyweds with confetti and rice after the ceremony at Jaro Cathedral Photo by Prima Luce Photography

Cristie and Genilo ‘En-en’ Tayde with Baby Nathaline. Photo by Prima Luce Photography

Special guest is 2013 TFC Canada grand champion and Vancouver Powerhouse Station Entertainment Artist Ana Jenessa Escabarte (L) who wowed the audience with her powerful vocal performances. With her is Juan Radio’s EVP Socorro ‘Babes’ Newland.

Wency Cornejo shares a fun moment at dinnertime with concert producer Annette Dumlao-Beech.

Wency singing his immortal hit, “Hanggang” at the First Metropolitan United Church in Victoria, B.C.

The production team of Wency Cornejo’s Victoria concert.

For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net

Events

45 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014

PiM’s Local Charity Launch By PiM Foundation and Calgary Dream Centre WHEN/WHERE: August 17 at the Dream Center 4510 Macleod Trail South, Calgary

CANADA EVENTS

YUKON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events

A Ba Ka Da atbp By the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., August 16, at the Tahanang Rizal, 8 Rothwell Drive, Ottawa MORE INFO: A day of fun and learning for Filipino-Canadian children. Orientation on Filipino language, history, dance, songs, games and food. Open to Filipino-Canadian children aged 6 to 13.

NUNAVUT

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Filipinas Expo & Multicultural

ALBERTA

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN Dimasalang Expressions By Dimasalang III International Group of Artists WHEN/WHERE: August 1 to 30, at the Vancouver Moat Gallery, Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, BC Empowering Women Through Self-care By Multicultural Helping House Society and Citizenship and Immigration Canada WHEN/WHERE: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Multicultural Helping House Society, 4802 Fraser St., (cor. 32nd Ave.) MORE INFO: Facilitator: Sheela Sainju, former broadcast journalist (Nepal) The Dynamics of Modern Korea By Korean Heritage Society WHEN/WHERE: August 16, Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, B.C. JIL Church British Columbia Anniversary Celebration By JIL Canada WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m., August 17, at the Massey Theatre MORE INFO: Visit www.JILCanada.com Summer Sunday Concerts By TD Canada WHEN/WHERE: August 17 – Incognito; August 24 – Brickhouse, at Rocky Point Park MORE INFO: www.summersundays.ca Latin Summer Fest By Latinos in Action WHEN/WHERE: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., August 17, at Trout Lake Park, 15th Ave. /Victoria Drive MORE INFO: Free Admission. Visit www. latinsummerfest.com

Trade Show NEWFOUNDLAND

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

The Fair at Pacific National Exhibition Vancouver By Port Metro Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., August 19, free gate admission for all guests. MORE INFO: Re-entrance hand stamps will only be given after 1pm. Guests are welcome to re-enter the gates prior to 1p.m. without hand stamp. Employment Skills Workshops (Burnaby South) By Mosaic Settlement Services WHEN/WHERE: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., August 21, Burnaby Public Library, 6100 Willingdon Ave., Burnaby, B.C. Seniors Club Picnic By Mosaic Settlement Services WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 23 at Central Park (Meet at Patterson SkyTrain Station) MORE INFO: Registration required 604 438 8214 ext 115 or 604 292 3907 Elder Abuse: Workshop Series for New Westminster Seniors By Seniors Brigade Society of B.C. with Phil. Bagong Pag-asa Society of B.C. and Filipino Seniors Club of B.C. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., August 23 and 30. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., Douglas College, Room 1640, 700 Royal Ave., New Westminster, B.C. ANCOP Walk 2014 By Ancop Canada WHEN/WHERE: 8 a.m., August 24, at Burnaby Central Park www.canadianinquirer.net

By Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto in collaboration with Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., August 16, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Hall A, North Bldg. MORE INFO: General Admission $12. Kids 10 & under are free. Gala Dinner Dance Fundraising By the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) WHEN/WHERE: August 16 at La Gondola Banquet Hall, 227 Bowes Road, Vaughan, On. MORE INFO: For the renovation and beautification of Patricia Kemp Community Centre, home of FCAV and many other local community groups. Mabuhay Philippines Festival 16th Anniversary By the Philippine Independence Day Council and TD Canada Trust WHEN/WHERE: August 23 to 24, at the David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West, Toronto MORE INFO: Call 905-257-1069 or visit www.pidctoronto.com Coconut Festival Canada 2014 WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., August 24 at Artscape Wychwood Barns – 601 Christie St., Toronto, On. MORE INFO: Health lectures, talks and cooking demos, food and health vendors, artisan merchandise and many more.

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