CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER VOL. 9 NO. 132
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SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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PH peacekeepers defied UN order to surrender
SC ruling sought to demolish tower
DOH eyes 390 for MERS testing
Plans for Arctic naval base scaled back as costs soar
Larger iPhones, wearable devices at Apple show
Philippine president, rebel chief secretly meet and agree on contentious autonomy bill THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Canada accredits first female Philippine ambassador 3 SEPTEMBER 2014—Presiding over the presentation of credentials of six (6) newly-arrived Ambassadors to Canada, His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, warmly received today Her Excellency, Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia in a stately ceremony at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Ambassador Garcia handed over to Governor General Johnston her letter of credence and the letter of recall of her predecessor, Ambassador Leslie B. Gatan. In his welcome address, the Governor General recognized the knowledge
and skills that Ambassador Garcia will bring to bear on Philippines-Canada relations, which are largely shaped by people-to-people ties fostered by some 660,000 Filipinos in Canada. He expressed confidence that the Philippines and Canada will benefit from the Ambassador’s dedication to building a better world. Noting that he and the Ambassador find common ground in their legal education, the Governor General hoped to discuss their common interest when time permits
❱❱ PAGE 15 Philippine president
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❱❱ PAGE 24 Canada accredits
MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Philippine president and a Muslim rebel leader secretly met last week and helped resolve thorny differences over a proposed autonomy law that threatened to stall
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Revilla’s lawyers ask court to cite Luy for contempt BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer THE LAWYERS of detained Sen. Bong Revilla have asked the Sandiganbayan to cite primary whistle-blower Benhur Luy for contempt of court for his alleged failure to comply with its order allowing them to copy the contents of Luy’s external hard drive. According to Luy, the external hard drive contains the records of the financial transactions that suspected pork barrel racket mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles had with several legislators. In a seven-page motion, Revilla’s defense team also moved to strike out the testimony of prosecution witness Joey Narciso, the National Bureau of Investigation special investigator who conducted the digital forensic examination of Luy’s hard drive. Not altered
Narciso had testified that Luy’s external drive were not “altered or changed” since the last time they were saved. Revilla’s defense team also assailed Luy, Narciso and Director Joefferson Toribio of the Office of the Special Prosecutor for their supposed high-handedness to “subvert, obstruct and defeat the rights” of the senator. “Clearly, there is here a conscious, deliberate and purposive intent by the prosecution... to subvert, obstruct and defeat the rights of the accused to a fair trial and frustrate justice,” Revilla’s lawyer said in their petition dated Sept. 2, a copy of which was obtained by the INQUIRER yesterday. 13-part series
The external hard drive was the same device which Levito Baligod, Luy’s former lawyer, gave to the INQUIRER during a visit to its Makati City office on April 27, 2013. With Luy’s consent, Baligod allowed the INQUIRER to copy its contents which became the basis of the newspaper’s 13-part series of articles on how Napoles and erring public officials skimmed off some P10 billion from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allotments of several legislators.
The 500-gigabyte device contained over 20,000 files which were saved in more than 2,000 digital folders. Citing the constitutional right to privacy, Luy’s lawyers said the hard drive also contained information which were not related to Revilla’s pending cases. “It bears stressing that [Luy’s] personal hard drive contains sensitive information that are not only irrelevant to the instant case, but are also personal in character and therefore, protected under the constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy,” Luy’s three-page manifestation read in part. In their petition, the defense lawyers recalled that during the hearing of Revilla’s bail petition on Aug. 28, the court allowed them to access Luy’s hard drive and directed Narciso to help them make an “image” or exact copy of the digital contents of the device. But instead of giving a copy of the hard drive’s contents, the defense lawyers said Narciso presented a letter from Luy “claiming that the external hard drive is his private property and access thereto should be limited” to the files which were the subject of Narciso’s testimony. As this developed, the lawyers of Napoles yesterday sought the reversal of the Sandiganbayan’s decision which barred the opening of the bank accounts of Luy and other witnesses in the fund scam. In seeking a reconsideration of its Aug. 28 ruling, Napoles’ counsels told the antigraft court’s First Division that scrutinizing the witnesses’ accounts was crucial in uncovering the truth behind the alleged misuse of the PDAF allotments of Revilla.
In junking the request of Napoles’ lawyers to subpoena Luy et al.’s bank accounts, the court agreed with the witnesses’ contention that opening their bank records would violate Republic Act No. 1405, or the bank secrecy law. It also upheld their argument that the defense lawyers failed to specify which bank accounts would be covered by the subpoena. ■
Mother’s bank records
Besides Luy’s bank transactions, the lawyers of Napoles also wanted to examine the bank records of his mother Gertrudes Luy, his brother Arthur Luy, and fellow witnesses Marina Sula and Merlina Suñas. The defense lawyers argued that opening the witnesses’ bank records would help “all of us to be enlightened who really benefited” from multibillionpeso fund scam. www.canadianinquirer.net
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‘Mad’ plan for educating kids BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer THEY ARE in the business of giving, where the return on investment cannot be measured by digits in a bank account but by the brightness in the eyes of children given a chance to have a future. Taking children off the streets and into quality, caring schools has been the mission of The Citizens Foundation (TCF) of Pakistan, a nonprofit organization committed to investing in something “priceless”—raising generations of well-educated Pakistani children, the future of their nation. TCF founder and director Ateed Riaz drew a sharp contrast between children who have benefited from schooling and those who have not. “Children who are out of school … their eyes are not as bright, [their] faces are slightly sad. [But] inside the school, [their faces are] happy, the eyes are bright. [The donors] see what education can do, how being in school can change a person,” Riaz said in an interview with the INQUIRER. “What we’re doing is we’re helping open windows in their (children’s) minds, windows through which fresh air and light are coming in. Once that happens, children start feeling relaxed and happy.” Businessmen with vision
TCF is among this year’s six recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, selected for “successfully pursuing their conviction that … quality education made available to all is key to Pakistan’s brighter future.” The foundation was established by six businessmen in 1996, with a vision that Riaz could only describe as “mad.” Involved in industries such as chemicals, plastics, dairy and steel, the group was looking for a new enterprise—one beyond
just an exercise of corporate social responsibility (CSR). “This is their passion, their life—to work in the foundation,” Riaz said of his cofounders. “It’s to put hours into it, it’s to carry bags and go all over the world and make presentations [to potential donors]. It’s more than CSR.” In putting up the foundation, the businessmen had been drawn to the sight of children on the streets, left out of opportunities others were fortunate to receive. “This is the future of any country—these children …. What drove us is that we used to see children on the street and we wanted to know where did they come from and why they didn’t go to school,” Riaz said. In a country where nearly half of the population live below the poverty line, education is a luxury to many and a burden to a government grappling with limited funding. Riaz said about 5.5 Pakistani children are unable to go to school—among the highest outof-school levels in the world. Annually, Pakistan spends about 2.2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on education, Riaz said. This represents only a third of the recommended spending levels per standards of the United Nations (6 percent) and, per a CNN report last year, just about oneseventh of Pakistan’s military spending. Venture without money
Riaz’s group decided to take action. “The five of us thought, ‘Let us invest in a new business.’ This was the mindset. So we invested in a new business and a new venture. The only difference was that this venture will not give us any money,” he said. The goal when they began 18 years ago was to build 1,000 schools, kick-started with an initial five schools funded out
of their own pockets. “We thought we were mad because we wouldn’t be able to get to a thousand schools. We started with five schools built from our own money. We built some more and we showed them to people, showed them what dedication, desire and passion can do,” Riaz said. Employing a corporate-style approach, the founders run TCF like a business, marketing the cause to potential “investors” (donors) through what the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation called “a wellconceived” fund mobilization scheme. Ateed Riaz from the Citizens Foundation of Pakistan.
A charity model
Securing such funding involves “coffee mornings and afternoon teas” with Pakistan’s can-afford-a-lot, including corporations, individuals and TCF chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. “Our model is a charity model. We work not for profit; we work on donations, what we call a ‘zakat,’ the Islamic form of charity. It is a charity that you must give, like a purification tax of your wealth. Every year, you must part with some money to purify your wealth. It’s part of the Islamic ethos,” Riaz said. TCF is now reaping its rewards—profits measured by one less child on the street. “Our net profit is, we say, how many children have graduated? Have their grades improved? That is more profit. Are the buildings clean, well-maintained? That is net profit. “Are the teachers being picked up by transport on time? Is transport clean? Are the drivers well-mannered? Are the children looked after? Are the rooms well-painted? That is net profit. “So we write all these down and that is our net profit. And every year, we get more and
more profit. It’s priceless.” 1,000 schools Today, TCF has 1,000 schools across Pakistan hosting some 145,000 students. “We admit a child no matter what religion, what color, what caste, what creed. We just want to take small children in and teach them, open doors, windows for them,” Riaz said. This means running the schools with about 7,700 teachers and principals, all of them women. It was a conscious choice for TCF to attract female students. Currently, nearly half of the school attendance comprises girls—considered a feat in a country where a conservative culture would prevent parents from sending their female children to class, Riaz said. Students now teachers
TCF’s teaching pool includes 300 of its own former students who have finished their education. “Now, 300 have come back and become teachers. It’s like a cycle. Give us another 15 years and we’ll probably have 3,000,” Riaz said. TCF offers education from kindergarten to Grade 10 (equivalent to high school in
the Philippine education system), and supports qualified students through college. TCF schools charge less than a dollar a month, a “token fee,” Riaz said. Total spending per child from kindergarten through Grade 10 is roughly $1,500. Staggering rate
The foundation also boasts of a 92-percent passing rate, a staggering improvement from the national average rate of 56 percent. It has been so successful that the Pakistani government has tapped the organization to help improve the state education system. Having made headway since the mad plan began, TCF sees a future where the somber story of Pakistan’s out-of-school children will be no more. “When we dreamt 19 years ago, we dreamt of 1,000 school units. We have that 1,000 now. The future is to reach a million children in some form or another,” Riaz said. “We are taught that one of the best ways of gratitude is to develop other people. It’s to teach. So we’re actually only reaping the debts that we owe. We’re not doing anything special,” he said. ■
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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS Every week, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer celebrates the unwavering Filipino spirit through a feature called “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.” The feature recognizes the achievements of Filipinos living in Canada who have shown concern for the community, success in spite of trials, and the uniquely Pinoy practice of “bayanihan.” This year, we are welcoming nominations for the next subject of “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.”
MECHANICS: - All nominees must have (a) Filipino heritage/ancestry - All nominees must be residing in Canada at the time of nomination - Nominees from all industries are welcome (e.g. medical/health, politics, community service, business, entertainment, charity institutions, etc.) - Who can nominate? Anybody.
Fill up the nomination form online by scanning the code with your smartphone or by visiting InFocus.canadianinquirer.net.
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PH peacekeepers defied UN order to surrender BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The 40 Filipino peacekeepers who escaped a massacre on the Golan Heights early on Sunday defied an order from the United Nations ground commander to surrender their firearms, deciding instead to fight the Syrian rebels before fleeing their besieged camp, the military said on Monday. Armed Forces of the Philipines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang defended the decision of Capt. Nilo Ramones, the Filipino ground commander, to defy a valid order from the United Nation Disengagement Observer Force (Undof ) commander to the peacekeepers to wave the white flag and surrender their weapons while negotiations for the release of 44 captured Fijian peacekeepers were going on. Ramones cleared his decision with defense and military officials who were monitoring the crisis from Manila, Catapang said. Catapang said the Undof commander gave vague and inconsistent orders to the peacekeepers, prompting Ramones to call Manila for consultations. The military chief said Undof’s rules were not clear about the authority of the force’s commander to order peacekeepers to surrender. “The Undof commander wanted to save the Fijians at the expense of the Filipino peacekeepers. But it’s not our fault that the Fijians were taken hostage,” Catapang said. “What I mean is, our commander [wanted to] save the Filipinos first and then we would help the Fijians later,” he said. Catapang said there was no assurance that the Filipino peacekeepers would not end up as hostages, too. Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, a former AFP chief of staff, asked the House of Representatives on Monday to investigate the Golan Heights standoff to determine when UN peacekeepers could use force in self-defense. “Although the incident turned out well
for our peacekeepers, there are matters [that] should be looked into in order to come up with remedial measures or legislation to ensure their safety and security,” Biazon said in introducing House Resolution No. 1429 seeking an inquiry into the standoff in aid of legislation. Al-Qaida-linked rebels
The Syrian rebels, believed to be from the al-Qaida-linked Nustra Front fighting the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria, spilled into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria on Wednesday last week and surrounded Undof Area Position 27 manned by the Fijians on the Syrian side of the armistice line. The rebels demanded the peacekeepers surrender their weapons. The Fijians turned in their firearms then were seized by the rebels. After seizing the Fijians, the rebels laid siege on Area Position 68, manned by 40 Filipino peacekeepers, and Area Position 69, held by 32 Filipino Blue Helmets on the Syrian side of the UNcontrolled zone. Standoff with rebels
The rebels demanded that the Filipinos hand over their weapons, but the peacekeepers refused and stood their ground, triggering a standoff. At 6 a.m. on Saturday (noon in Manila), the rebels attacked Area Position 69. With help from Syrian troops and Irish peacekeepers, the Filipinos fought back then fled to safety on the Israeli side of the armistice line. The rebels also opened fire on Area Position 68, prompting the Filipinos to return fire. They battled the rebels for seven hours, the military said. The rebels called in reinforcements, but Syrian troops gave the Filipinos a hand by firing artillery rounds from a distance to weaken the siege. Night fell and the rebels, unable to bear the low nighttime temperatures on the Golan Heights, retired to houses in the area. The Filipinos seized the opportunity and slipped out of their camp at midnight carrying their weapons. They
reached the Israeli side of the territory at 1:40 a.m. (about 5 a.m. in Manila) on Sunday. Less problem for Undof
Catapang said that by defying the Undof commander, Ramones eased the UN command’s problem by avoiding a second hostage situation involving Philippine troops. “For the Nustra Front rebels, weapons are symbolic. I said that for us Filipinos it was our honor that was at stake. I told the Philippine battalion commander that if he liked, he could donate the weapons of the Fijians. There are 400 Fijians there so they have more weapons than us,” Catapang said. Catapang said the Philippine troops were asked to explain why they defied a valid order but he also wanted the Undof Force commander to explain his conflicting instructions that compromised
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the safety of the Filipino soldiers. He said it was still “being sorted out” in the United Nations whether what the Philippine contingent did was right or wrong. Catapang said that Philippine national policy should prevail over any rules of engagement. “I think [our decision was right] because [all of our troops] are safe now,” he said. The Filipino peacekeepers are now in Camp Ziouni, the Philippine contingent’s headquarters near the Israeli side of the territory. ❱❱ PAGE 10 PH peacekeepers
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SC allows biotechnology group Wash SyCip: to intervene in Bt eggplant case—BCP I want Grace Poe
to seek presidency
BY CIELITO M. REGANIT Philippine News Agency MANILA—The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP) to intervene into the Bt eggplant case as the Bt eggplant “ban” threatens other genetically modified (GM) crops that contribute to food security, the biotechnology group announced Tuesday. In a statement released to media, BCP said that in a resolution signed by the clerk of court, the SC allowed their group to be a party to the Bt eggplant case involving the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and the Europe-based activist group Greenpeace. The case before the SC stemmed from a legal victory of Greenpeace which somehow managed to secure a decision from Court of Appeals (CA) stopping UPLB scientists from completing field trials for a biotech eggplant variety called “Bt Talong.” The CA issued on May 17, 2013 a ban on the development and commercial release of Bt eggplant through its issuance of a writ of Kalikasan, supposedly a protection against grave adverse effects of an activity to the environment. It was along with a Temporary Environmental Protection Order or TEPO. With this, UPLB, along with several government agencies, have gone to the SC to appeal the CA decision. The BCP then filed an “urgent motion for leave to intervene as petitioner” in the Bt eggplant case, asserting its members will be adversely affected by any permanent decision to ban the genetically-modified (GM) eggplant. Since the technology used in Bt eggplant is virtually the same as in Bt corn and other GM crops, BCP stakeholders fear the threat of a similar ban in the entire GM crops sector. In its urgent petition to the High Court, BCP said that “the CA decision and resolution certainly pose a ‘clear and present danger’ to the biotechnology sector and threatens BCP and its members with direct and immediate injury.”
BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer
It asserted its legal standing to intervene as its members are into the development of GM products that resolve perennial problems on food security. These are the pro Vitamin Arich Golden Rice; GM papaya ring spot virus and delayed ripening papaya; Bt cotton which is resistant to the highly-infesting bollworm; GM abaca, eyed to be resistant to viral diseases bunchy top, mosaic, and bract mosaic that threaten Philippines USD 100 million abaca fiber export. GM technology uses modern techniques of inserting into crops, including eggplants, a DNA from other organisms that has the desired trait. In the case of the Bt eggplant, it was developed by UPLB through the use of modern biotechnology techniques by introducing a gene from a naturally occurring soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis, to the common eggplant that made it resistant to the fruit and shoot borer (FSB). UPLB scientists led by Dr. Desiree Hautea, project leader of the FSBR/Bt Project under UPLB’s Institute of Plant Breeding, said that countless field tests have shown that while the protein in Bt eggplant is only lethal to FSB, it does not affect humans, farm animal or other insects and have shown no adverse effects to the environment. In the meantime, BCP told the SC that “the entire biotechnology community simply cannot afford to allow the CA decision to stand as this will pave the way for future attacks against other GM products
such as Golden Rice, Bt cotton, GM papaya and GM abaca.” The biotechnology group likewise asserted that respondent Greenpeace does not experience injury from the CA decision. “Greenpeace does not have assets or properties affected by the Bt talong field trials. Greenpeace has no actual, direct and immediate stake in the subject of the litigation,” the BCP petition stated. Like Greenpeace, another anti-GM group MASIPAG “failed to show in the Kalikasan petition how it or any of its members suffered concrete prejudice as a result of the Bt talong field trials.” “They merely alleged in the Kalikasan petition that they were ‘citizens’ suing in the exercise of their constitutionally guaranteed rights,” stated BCP. The Kalikasan writ issued by CA appeared to show that there was immense destruction brought about by the Bt eggplant field testing. But never had this been evident in the field trials of Bt eggplant which had been successfully completed for some two years now. Greenpeace also skipped on the authority of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). “The power to issue biosafety permits for field trials of GMOs is lodged with the BPI,” said BCP. BCP said that BPI has issued a permit for the Bt eggplant field testing—proving that BPI never found the field testing to have “significant risks to human health and the environment.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
A MAN who knows how to count, one of the earliest supporters of Fernando Poe Jr. when he ran for President in 2004 but was believed to have lost in the counting, is interested in seeing his daughter Sen. Grace Poe run for the same office. Washington SyCip, founder of accounting firm SGV & Co., yesterday asked Poe at the Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility in a hotel in Makati City about her running for President. Poe, however, told SyCip that she still had no intention of seeking higher office. But she was nevertheless grateful to have his trust. “Of course, especially coming from Washington SyCip, it’s an honor to have his trust and for him to consider me as somebody who can probably give more by serving in higher office,” Poe said when asked in the Senate about SyCip’s statement. She said she “really admires” SyCip, 93. “He’s a captain of the industry. More importantly, he inspires many also because of his contributions and positivism,” she added. The senator also said SyCip had connections to her grandfather. Her grandfather, Fernando Poe Sr., was one of SGV’s first clients, she said. And SyCip had been quick to support her father’s bid for the presidency in 2004. “Washington SyCip was one
of the first supporters of FPJ when he ran for President, so maybe he has a soft spot. That’s all,” she said. Still, she was not convinced about running for President. “I told him I have no plans. Right now, I’m barely over a year in office and I have yet a lot to prove. But again, it’s an honor especially coming from him,” she said. Poe said she did not want to make a big deal about the matter, when asked by the INQUIRER about SyCip’s question to her. Though she has not declared any plan to run for President in 2016, Poe has been ranking second in surveys on voters’ preference for the country’s next Chief Executive. She ranks behind Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has early on announced his plan to run for higher office. Poe was the top-ranked candidate during the 2013 senatorial election. It was the first time she ran for public office. Poe has been known for championing the freedom of information bill, which was already passed in the Senate but is still floundering in the House of Representatives. She has also spoken out against electoral fraud, recalling the fate of her father who ran and lost to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004. The 2004 presidential election, however, was allegedly marred by cheating as shown by the “Hello Garci” scandal in which Arroyo was recorded asking an election official about her a million vote lead in the polls. ■
Senator Grace Poe has said she will not run for president. PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
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SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
Palace stands by courage of PH peacekeepers Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Managing Editor Earl Von Tapia earl.tapia@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 Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos 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 sales@canadianinquirer.net 1-888-668-6059 PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin 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 NIKKO DIZON AND CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG YESTERDAY defended the decision of Filipino peacekeepers on the Golan Heights to defend themselves against attacking Syrian rebels after the United Nations peacekeeping chief denied that the soldiers had been ordered to surrender their weapons to the Islamic militants. “We are not contradicting what they (Filipino troops) said. Of course, we are standing by the courage and skill of our troops [on] the Golan Heights,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters yesterday. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang told a news conference on Monday that the 40 Filipino peacekeepers manning UN Position 68 on the Golan Heights defended themselves last weekend in defiance of an order from the UND is engagement Observer Force (Undof ) commander to surrender their weapons, a move that would be highly controversial in the sixnation, blue-helmeted force. Catapang said that at one point, the Undof commander ordered the Filipino soldiers to surrender their weapons to prevent harm from befalling 45 Fijian peacekeepers who had surrendered their firearms and were seized by the rebels from the al-Qaida-linked Nustra Front. Don’t shoot order
On Wednesday UN Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous denied that any such order was given. Asked by Reuters at the United Nations what order was given to the Filipinos, Ladsous replied, “Never to hand over weapons.” The order was simply “not to shoot,” Ladsous said. He said no force commander would order his troops to hand over weapons to rebels. If that were to happen, he said, the commander would “be out of a job,” as countries that supply weapons and materiel to the Undof would be reluctant to resupply the mission. In a post on the UN News Center website, Ladsous defended and commended the Undof commander, Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singh Singha of India. “The situation on the ground is a fluid one and the decision was to launch the Quick Reaction Force to extract the peacekeepers. General Singha exercised good, solid judgment [throughout] the process,” Ladsous said. On the same day, Catapang told reporters that during his monitoring of
Officials from Malacanang Palace defended the decision of Filipino Peacekeepers to defend themselves against Syrian Rebels. PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
the crisis he demanded that Singha put his order to the Filipino peacekeepers to surrender in writing precisely because he knew that it could later be denied. Catapang said there was no assurance that the Filipino peacekeepers, who were trapped in their encampment, would not end up as hostages like the Fijian peacekeepers. The United Nations is negotiating the release of the Fijian peacekeepers through known supporters of the rebels who are fighting the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. (See related story on this page.) ‘Blow by blow’ account
Catapang said he had submitted a “blow by blow” report on the standoff to the President, including an account of Capt. Nilo Ramones, the leader of the Filipino troops at Position 68, but Coloma said he had yet to check if the President had received the report. He added that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was also coordinating with the United Nations “as this is a UN matter.” “It is (still) important to know the whole situation ... We want to complete our tour of duty and wind down our UN commitment in the proper way,” Coloma said. Catapang said Singha’s order compromised the safety of the Filipino peacekeepers and that Singha’s Filipino chief of staff, Col. Ezra Enriquez, defied the order after consulting with defense and
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military officials in Manila. Enriquez later resigned and filed a leave of absence. Singha rejected Enriquez’s resignation because he did not have authority to accept it, but approved his leave, which is effective up to the end of the Philippine contingent’s tour of duty in October. Singha also denied that he ordered the Filipinos to surrender their weapons and said their leaving their post was an act of cowardice and was unacceptable. Who’s the coward?
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, spokesperson for the AFP, yesterday countered that the Philippine troops’ mission was to separate Israel and Syria in the ceasefire line and to keep the peace. “It was never our mission to do offensive operations but what is part of our mandate also both the United Nations and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Republic of the Philippines, is the ability to defend ourselves, and what we did there was we defended ourselves from attack after a seven-hour fire fight with Syrian rebels,” Zagala said. Zagala said that instead of bringing his troops to safety, Singha even allowed the fire fight at Position 68 to last seven hours when he could have repositioned them earlier together with the other Filipino peacekeepers at Position 69. “But he did not. He left us there. [We were running low on ammunition] and ❱❱ PAGE 12 Palace stands
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Comelec bent on leveling field for rich, poor politicos BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer THOUGH DISAPPOINTED by the Supreme Court decision junking its rule on stricter airtime limits, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said it would craft a new resolution with a similar purpose of leveling the playing field between rich and poor candidates in the 2016 balloting. Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said the commission en banc would ensure that the new resolution would be in accordance with the high court ruling so it won’t meet the fate that befell the one that the poll body issued for the 2013 elections. Despite the resolution being struck down, the Comelec still has the power to control exces-
sive public exposure of election candidates through strict monitoring of campaign expenses, Brillantes said. “There may not be a limit on airtime of political ads but there is a limit on spending. So we can still go after these candidates through their campaign expenses,” he said. Currently, candidates could spend just P3 to P10 per registered voter. Broadcast stations had questioned the “restrictive” regulations, arguing that the drastic reduction in allowed airtime would deprive the public of the right to information. “I feel bad because the limitation we wanted was just to equalize the playing field. Now, the rich politicians are free again ... but the Supreme Court knows better so we can’t do
anything about it,” Brillantes told reporters yesterday. But he said that he still found it wrong that wealthy candidates would benefit more from the court ruling on political ads. “It’s not good, in my opinion. Nanghihinayang talaga ako,” he said. On Tuesday, the high court declared unconstitutional a portion of a Comelec resolution limiting airtime on political advertisements to an “aggregate total” of 120 minutes of TV ads and 180 minutes of radio ads for national candidates, and 60 minutes of total TV airtime and 90 minutes of total radio airtime for local candidates. In ruling against the restrictive section of the Comelec resolution, the high court said the provision breached basic freedoms and lacked prior consultation before its implementation.
“Among the reasons relied upon by the court in striking down Section 9 (a) were: (a) the arbitrary manner by which Comelec changed the previous regulation from “per station” to “aggregate total”; (b) the violation of freedom of expression, speech and of the press; (c) the violation of the people’s right to suffrage; (d) the absence of prior hearing before adoption,” Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te said in briefing notes sent to the media. Brillantes said the Comelec would abide by the ruling, noting that it had no effect “legally” on the Comelec resolution (issued in April 2013) because the high court had issued a temporary restraining order that barred the poll body from enforcing it in last year’s elections. “It wasn’t implemented at
all,” the Comelec chief said. “The Supreme Court said it is unconstitutional ... It is not yet clear to us. We have not yet read the decision but what we are going to do is we will study the content and make another resolution for 2016, which will be compliant with the ruling,” he added. He said the Comelec en banc could still salvage some provisions of the resolution, including the “right to reply” of a candidate accused of exceeding the allotted airtime for TV and radio ads. “The Supreme Court said that provision is OK so we can develop that,” Brillantes said. He said the Comelec was not planning to file a motion for reconsideration in the high court. “We will just see what we can implement in 2016.” ■
SC ruling sought to demolish tower BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer GROUPS PROTESTING the construction of a towering condominium that they say ruins the people’s view of Jose Rizal’s monument are gearing up for a legal battle to get the building demolished. As the construction of the 46-story Torre de Manila continued, the Knights of Rizal told the Senate on Thursday it would file a petition for injunction in the Supreme Court against the building. Wrapping up a hearing on the condominium’s impact on the country’s heritage, Sen. Pia Cayetano recommended that the groups consult acting Solicitor General Florin Hilbay on possible legal options. The options, she said, could involve getting the condominium demolished. “Within the next two weeks, we will file the case to permanently stop the construction,” lawyer Willie Jasarino, member of the Knights of Rizal, said in an interview. Pressed if this was geared to its eventual demolition, he said: “We’re shooting for the moon. We will ask for that.” Consensus favors demolition
Elizabeth
Espino,
execu-
tive director of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), said the view among the groups favored demolition. “That seems to be the consensus,” she said in an interview. Cayetano recommended this should be one of the options of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), NPDC and the Knights of Rizal, among others. Cayetano advised them to consult the solicitor general. “My recommendation to them is explore (their) options,” she said. “If our cultural heritage, these national treasures, are desecrated or the ... vista points ... cannot be secured and protected unless it’s demolished, then that is an option,” she told reporters. ‘Terror de Manila’
But she added this was an option they had to study “on their own,” saying she could only make recommendations. “That’s outside my territory.” Isidro Consunji, chair of DMCI Homes, builder of the condominium, did not respond to the committee’s invitation to attend the hearing. The Senate committee on education, arts and culture, chaired by Cayetano, opened
an inquiry into the issue after netizens and conservationists raised a hue and cry about it. The condominium is being built right across Rizal Park. An online Change.org petition and netizens had opposed the condominium, derisively calling it “Terror de Manila” and “Pambansang Photobomb” because it would ruin the iconic sight line of the national shrine. 28 more floors
At the hearing, Espino of NPDC, which oversees Rizal Park and Paco Park, asked the committee what could be done to stop the building’s continued rise at the rate of three stories a week. She said that DMCI had 28 more floors to build. Cayetano suggested that the NPDC, NHCP, NCCA and the Knights of Rizal meet with the solicitor general soonest and “discuss options how to find a way to stop this.” After all, the solicitor general would represent the interest of the government, she said. It was at this point that Jasarino of the Knights of Rizal disclosed that they would file a petition for injunction with a “prayer” for the issuance of a temporary restraining order. Political will
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Torre de Manila under construction. PHOTO FROM DCMIHOMES.COM
Gemma CruzAraneta, a descendant of Rizal, said she was perplexed why the builders could not apply their appreciation for heritage sites abroad here in the country. “The owners of these big companies, they went to the best schools in the Philippines and abroad. They’re the ones who travel abroad very often. And they’re the ones who marvel at the conservation works done in Europe, even in China, in Malaysia, Singapore. Why can’t they apply it here?” she said. Cayetano said this was a matter of “political will.” Limited to 7 floors
At the hearing, Cayetano observed that DMCI committed “bad faith” when it continued to build the condominium from 2012 to 2014 when its zoning permit limited construction to seven stories in terms of floor area.
Citing the testimony of resource persons, she said DMCI secured a zoning permit in June 2012 that allowed them to build only up to seven stories if the gross floor area were computed. And DMCI was allowed to deviate from its earlier permit in an exemption granted by the Manila Zoning Board of Adjustments and approved by the city council last January, she said. “So that means that from June 2012 to January 2014, they were in bad faith. So to me the law is very clear, if you are in bad faith, you pay for the damages of whatever cost you incurred and whatever further damages to the environment are and to other persons,” she told reporters. Asked if she would recommend the prosecution of DMCI, she said: “If I recommend prosecution, which most likely I will, I will cite existing laws to that extent.” ■
Philippine News
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SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
For that Pinoy taste, caterer plans chicken adobo on papal menu BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer ALTHOUGH THE dining details for the muchawaited visit of Pope Francis in January have yet to be planned, a caterer is planning to delight the papal palate with various versions of the popular chicken adobo identified as being Filipino. “Of course, the timeless chicken adobo will be included in the menu. It has many versions,” said Steve Tamayo, who was most likely to be tasked, as in previous big Church events, with serving food for the Pope during his five-day visit to the country next year. Tamayo is the owner of Tamayo’s Catering Services and Restaurant, conveniently situated just behind Manila Cathedral in the historic Intramuros, one of the many destinations of the Pope in the capital. The Pope is expected to arrive in the Philippines on Jan. 15. He is scheduled to fly to Leyte province to be with survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) on Jan. 17. The
rest of his visit will be spent in Metro Manila. Tamayo said that while nothing was official yet, friends from the clergy had advised him to prepare for the coming of Pope Francis. “Actually, everything is still in the planning stage. But I was already advised to get ready because usually when there is a big event in the Church, I am tasked to cater food,” Tamayo told reporters. He said he had already spruced up the family-owned Villa Immaculada, an events place and catering services in Intramuros, just in time for the papal visit.
A caterer is planning to serve Pope Francis the popular Filipino dish “Chicken Adobo” when The Pope visits the Philippines next year.
Kitchen renovated
The caterer said the kitchen had been renovated and that he bought a brandnew walk-in freezer to ensure the high quality of food for the Pope. “My kitchen is now bigger in preparation for my catering services because we serve food up to 10,000 people a day. This is to make sure that when the Pope comes, food will be delightful and of quality,” he added. Tamayo said serving Pope Francis
PHOTO BY DBGG1979 / FLICKR
chicken adobo might be “the way” for Filipino cuisine to achieve international stature, which has been a longtime dream of many hotel managers and restaurateurs in the country. “I am on the board of directors of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines and we are really pushing for Filipino food to gain international stature. So, this might be one way,” he said. Fusion cuisine
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Aside from adobo, Tamayo said he was also prepared to come up with a fusion cuisine for the Pope, which would
include Italian dishes. Lechon (roasted pig) will also be an item on the menu, he added. “It will really depend on what the organizers will request. Villa Immaculada is just behind Manila Cathedral so definitely, food orders will come. That’s why I am always prepared,” he said. Tamayo said he has been providing food for the past 17 years every time the Church has big events, the most recent of which was the World Meeting of Families, when he fed 28,000 people. “So even if nothing is official yet, I am already preparing for the coming of the Pope,” he said. ■
PH peacekeepers... ❰❰ 6
PH standing in UN
Catapang acknowledged that the Philippine defiance could affect the country’s standing in the United Nations. “They have to understand that the safety of our soldiers is of primordial importance. It prevails over and above the Fijian situation,” he said. Catapang talked to the Filipino peacekeepers via Skype on Monday and praised them for a job well done and for highlighting the “world-class courage and professionalism” of Filipino troops in the service of global peace. Col. Roberto Ancan, chief of the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center, defended Catapang’s decision, saying that national interest should prevail over the Fijian situation. “We can do that because as a member state, we are just loaned by the Undof and with that, we can take orders from our national government, from the capital,” Ancan said. Weapons PH property
He explained that the peacekeepers’
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weapons are Philippine government property and they are part of the troops’ uniforms. “As peacekeepers, they are dutybound to defend themselves and [UN] facilities, in that order,” Ancan said. He said it was the paramount duty of the commander on the ground to ensure the safety of the peacekeepers. Ancan said the contingent’s tour of duty ended in June this year but it was extended up to October this year on the request of Undof. President Aquino has ordered the repatriation of the peacekeepers after the end of their tour of duty. Ancan said Filipino troops were manning another UN encampment on the Golan Heights, Area Position 80, located at the middle of the southern part of the buffer zone. It is believed to be safe, as the camp is near the water gate on the Israeli side of the territory. ■ With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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‘Building contracts rigged’ Ex-Makati official: That’s our practice BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer MAKATI PROCUREMENT officials trapped a rival of a favored supplier in an elevator for 20 minutes to ensure that the competitor would be late in submitting bid documents, a former head of the city’s General Services Department told the Senate hearing on the alleged overprice of the Makati City Hall Building II yesterday. Mario Hechanova, who worked for the Makati government for 19 years and was involved in procurement, recalled that this supplier, whom he did not name, was with his mother at the time and was pale and “shaking in fear” after the elevator ordeal. Hechanova said he felt sorry for the supplier and regretted what he had done. “But I was just a soldier who had to follow orders.” He said none of the procurement personnel had questioned the practice of rigging the bidding. “That’s our practice in Makati. That is what we do,” he said. He also said officials fixed the bidding for the controversial P2.3billion Makati parking building and other projects to favor Hilmarc’s Construction Corp. on the instructions of then Mayor Jejomar Binay, now Vice President. Even the contractor of the allegedly overpriced P2.28-billion Makati parking building on Thursday admitted it was not claiming it was world-class. Hilmarc is the general contractor of the 11-story building that was constructed from 2008 to 2013. “The contractor doesn’t make a claim it’s world-class,” Hilmarc’s assistant vice president for legal Rogelio Peig said when asked by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to define world-class. Cayetano asked the most meticulously researched and merciless questions during the hearing. He praised Pieg for his honesty and said the latter’s admission flew in the face of claims by Vice President Binay, who was mayor when the building began construction, that this was
world-class. When Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, blue ribbon subcommittee chair, pressed him to be more categorical if Hilmarc’s built a worldclass building, Peig said: “As I said, we can’t make that claim.” Pimentel then said: “If you don’t make that claim, you’re saying it’s not world-class.” Makati Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. had justified the cost of the parking building, asserting that this was worldclass and the city’s version of a “green building.” Binay coursed the instructions to the bids and awards committee (BAC) through then city engineer Nelson Morales, said Hechanova, who graduated from the Technological Institute of the Philippines with a degree in electrical engineering. As for the supplier trapped in the elevator, Hechanova said the tactic was resorted to because procurement officials had received orders that the contract for fire-fighting equipment must be won by a friend of then Councilor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, now the mayor. He did not name the favored contractor for this particular project. Monthly allowance
Binay, through Morales, also allegedly gave Hechanova and other BAC members P200,000 as a monthly allowance to ensure the bidding would be fixed. To show some semblance of bidding, Makati procurement personnel sought competitors for Hilmarc’s and prepared their bidding documents, according to Hechanova. But their proposals would be more expensive than the offer of Hilmarc’s, he told the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee. For the Makati parking building, Hechanova said Morales had told him to ensure that Hilmarc’s would win the contract for the project. But while it was Morales who gave the order, Hechanova believed the instructions came from Binay. Morales was killed on Sept. 7, 2012, in an ambush in Malinao, Albay province where he was planning to run for mayor. ( See In the Know on this page.) “Before this project was bid out, the city engineer called me
to his office and told me, ‘Mario, as before, you know who must win this project,” Hechanova told the Senate subcommittee, quoting the official. “He told me it was clear that Hilmarc’s Construction must win the project,” he said. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV asked: “So, in other words, the bidding was rigged so Hilmarc’s would win?” To which Hechanova replied: “It is true, senator, we rigged it.” Alter ego
Trillanes asked who directed Morales to give that order. Hechanova said Morales was the alter ego of the mayor. “If he (Morales) gives the order, we know that the order came from the mayor,” Hechanova added. Upon further questioning, he said Morales had been with Binay for a long time and had his trust. “If Engineer Morales would do something anomalous, I don’t think that will happen because I am sure the mayor will find out and he will be removed from the job if he does that,” he said. Mayor knew
Hechanova also said Binay, as the mayor, knew everything that was going on in his city. “He knows all of that. Being the mayor, he knows what’s happening in his government,” he said. Asked if he received kickbacks for the parking building project, Hechanova insisted he did not but that he and other BAC members had received a monthly allowance of P200,000. The allowance was handed out by Morales, who told the BAC members it came from Binay, Hechanova said. Asked what the allowance was for, he replied: “Maybe senator, that was for us to do what we had to do. Which is, on my part, to fix the bidding.” All bids fixed
Trillanes asked if this meant that all bidding exercises in Makati were rigged to favor certain contractors. “That is true, sir. Everything is rigged,” Hechanova reiterated. But since the invitations for www.canadianinquirer.net
MAKATI RIGGING WHISTLE-BLOWER. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, beside Sen.
Antonio Trillanes IV, grills witnesses, including Mario Hechanova (right), during a Senate hearing on the allegedly overpriced Makati City parking building. PHOTO BY RAFFY LERMA / PDI
bidding have to be published, other suppliers not in on the alleged racket tried to win the contract. Hechanova said that to ensure the favored contractor would win, the procurement officers would disqualify the other bidders on technical grounds during postqualification evaluation. For Hilmarc’s Construction’s contract, he said the BAC asked Hilmarc’s to submit bid documents and checked to see if the documents were in order before sealing these. After this, the BAC sought competitors for Hilmarc’s and prepared their documents to ensure their bids would be higher than that of Hilmarc’s. Hechanova also said it was Hilmarc’s that recommended its supposed competitors to the BAC and that these companies knew they were part of the farce. “We would just prepare their papers and then they would sign these,” he said. Hilmarc’s bagged other infrastructure projects in Makati, including the Makati City Hall, Ospital ng Makati and Makati Science High School. Cayetano asked if the mayor would sign anything the BAC gave him. Hechanova said that under the procurement law, the head of the procurement entity or local chief executive could choose not to sign the BAC resolution if he found evidence of collusion. Cayetano said that in the end, the mayor was accountable, which was why there was a requirement that the mayor sign certain documents. Hechanova said he resigned from the Makati local government after Binay supposedly reneged on his promise to support then Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado’s bid for mayor.
Witness protection
Trillanes recommended that Hechanova be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP). He was seconded by Cayetano. Pimentel also said the Senate would provide security to Hechanova while the request to include him in the WPPwas being processed. But Peig said Hilmarc’s did not tolerate the practice of giving kickbacks. He denied that the company had given kickbacks to Binay when he was mayor. Earlier, Mercado, an ex-Binay ally, admitted that he received kickbacks in connection with the parking building project. Mercado said that if he received kickbacks, then Binay must have received the same as well since that was the practice in the city government. The Vice President has denied the allegations. Comparing costs
Peig said the cost of the parking building, at P69,549 per square meter, or a total of P2.28 billion for some 32,783 sq m, was comparable to the construction cost of other government infrastructure projects of Hilmarc’s. Some of these projects include the House of Representatives’ Mitra Building that it built in the same period as the parking building. It cost P74,000 per sq m. The House’s south lounge extension and north lounge extension cost P65,000 and P67,000 per sq m, Peig said. Hilmarc’s vice president for legal also said contracts for government buildings tended to be more expensive than those for private buildings because the former usually represented 100 percent of the cost. ❱❱ PAGE 14 'Building contracts'
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Philippine News
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
Malacañang calls for understanding amid NLEX traffic miseries BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—Monster traffic jams on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) have prompted Malacañang to appeal to disgruntled motorists and commuters for understanding and cooperation as government agencies aim to bring resolution to the disconcerting situation, especially in crucial areas like the Port of Manila. “Hinihiling natin ang dagdag na pag-unawa at kooperasyon ng lahat ng sektor upang masolusyonan ang problema ng congestion sa Port of Manila. Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Aquino at ng Gabinete, binuo ni MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) chairman Francis Tolentino ang Task Force Pantalan kahapon upang pabilisin ang daloy ng mga sasakyan sa labas at patungo sa Port Area, Manila,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in an interview over radio dzRB. Coloma likewise solicited the patience of the business community, as well, given the detrimental effect the road congestion bears on commerce and trade. “Lahat ng mga nagpapaantala sa daloy ng komersyo, kalakal, at negosyo ay tinutukoy po ng ating pamahalaan dahil sa pagbibigay ng halaga natin sa kabuhayan ng ating mga mamamayan. Kinakailangan pong maging maayos ‘yan para hindi
MANILA—The Commission on Elections will not be suspending the ongoing voters’ registration for the 2016 elections, even during the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls set in February next year. “We are trying to come out with a consensus not to sus-
he told us that if we were attacked again, for us to lay down our arms and raise the white flag. Now [which is cowardly], his orders or [our taking] the best option to save Filipino soldiers’ lives?” Zagala said. He said the AFP was not bothered by Singha’s denial because “we have all the records, all the reports needed to support the actions of our troops [on] the Golan Heights.” He added: “We will make all these reports and manuscripts available to the Department of National Defense, Department of Foreign Affairs, and they will coordinate with the United Nations on what actions should be taken.” ❰❰ 8
Unacceptable order Massive traffic coming from the Port of Manila has motorists disgruntled and officials concerned. PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
mabalam ang daloy ng komersyo at ng kalakal dahil ito ang pinanggagalingan ng kabuhayan ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said. In prior reports, Chairman Tolentino of the MMDA said that the impasse at the NLEX was due to the massive volume of cargo trucks loading container vans out of the Port of Manila. Congestion at Manila’s Port Area brought traffic to a virtual standstill, in recent days, hindering the flow of vehicles for up to nine kilometers from the port. A group composed of personnel from the MMDA, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and the Philippine National Police’s High-
way Patrol Group was recently created by the MMDA to help address the problem. Dubbed “Task Force Pantalan” the group will lead the decongestion campaign, for two weeks beginning Sept. 6 to Sept. 21. For the duration of this period, a counterflow lane on NLEX shall be enforced for all Class A and D vehicles, including shuttle buses. The Balintawak toll plaza will be temporarily closed to give way to private vehicles. A counterflow lane will also be created at Del Pan Bridge in Tondo, Manila, while two lanes along R-10 road, the length of which stretches across Navotas, Caloocan and Manila, will be opened to trucks. ■
No suspension of voting registration for 2016 polls BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer
Palace stands...
pend the registration,” Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said, as quoted in a Philippine Star report. This is despite the mandate given to Comelec to suspend the registration of voters90 days before a special election and 120 days before a regular election. The chairman also added that the voters may not be able to register on time if they suspend the registration for three
months. “At this time, we have yet to reach one million and that’s only for the biometrics. What more of the new registrants,” he said, adding that they are targeting a total of 9.6 million registrations. Meanwhile, the Comelec is also considering an option to register voters who have been deactivated after failure to vote in two successive elections. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
Catapang, in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province yesterday to distribute M4 rifles to troops from the 56th and 79th Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army, refused to give anymore statement to rebut Singha. It appeared that his report on the standoff had not yet left his office, as he said: “We will just submit [a] report and it’s up to higher headquarters to decide. We don’t want this to be a blame game.” “Our problem is over and I think it’s now up to the Department of Foreign Affairs to answer all the queries that’s why we will also copy furnish the DFA,” he added. Catapang said that he maintains in his report to President Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that all of Singha’s orders were relayed by Enriquez to Manila. “We would not have made an appropriate decision if there was no order,” he said, referring to Singha’s unacceptable order and the Filipino peacekeepers decision not to surrender their weapons and defend themselves. The controversy underlines a rise in tensions in the UN peacekeeping force following weekend skirmishes with Islamist militants in the Israelicontrolled territory on Syria’s southeastern border. Islamist fighters battling the Syrian army last Wednesday overran the Quneitra crossing in the line that has separated Israelis from Syrians on the Golan Heights since a 1973
war, the most recent escalation of Syria’s civil war, now in its fourth year. The rebels then turned against UN peacekeepers who have patrolled the ceasefire line since 1974. After capturing the 45 Fijian peacekeepers who manned Position 27, the rebels laid siege on Position 68, manned by 40 Filipino peacekeepers led by Ramones, and Position 69, held by 35 Filipino troops, and demanded that the Blue Helmets surrender their weapons. The Filipinos at both encampments refused, sparking a standoff. The rebels attacked Position 69 at midnight last Friday (5 a.m. Saturday in Manila). The Filipinos fought back and with help from Syrian troops and Irish and other Filipino peacekeepers fled to the Israeli side of the ceasefire line. At Position 68, the rebels attacked after noon, meeting stiff resistance from the Filipinos. Ramones and his troops fought for seven hours, aided by Syrian artillery support fire that kept them from getting overwhelmed. At midnight (about 5 a.m. Sunday in Manila), as the rebels sought refuge from the chilly winds in houses on the plateau, the Filipinos slipped out of their encampment with their weapons and walked more than 2 kilometers to the Israeli side of the ceasefire line. Repositioned
All the Filipino peacekeepers have been repositioned in Camp Ziouani, near the gate to the Israeli side of the ceasefire line. Coloma said the 346 Filipino peacekeepers would remain on the Golan Heights until the end of their tour of duty in October. Before the crisis, President Aquino had ordered the withdrawal of Filipino peacekeepers from the Golan Heights due to the volatile security situation on the plateau caused by Syria’s worsening civil war. The peacekeepers’ vehicles had been caught in cross-fires and some of the soldiers had been injured. Last year, Syrian rebels abducted Filipino peacekeepers on a logistical run in two separate incidents. The Filipinos were all released unharmed. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
13
Batangas, Subic to be used as extension ports BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—A Cabinet official said that the government is set to assign Subic and Batangas as extension ports in a bid to decongest the port problem in Manila in time for the holiday season. Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will sign a memorandum of agreement with Subic and Batangas. “So if you bill of landing specifies Manila, it could be dropped off in Subic,” said Abaya. He also mentioned that the port of Batangas will also have the same arrangement with Subic. Shipping companies could call the two ports and offload either in Subic or Batangas and load shipments in Manila.
“Most of the cargo being offloaded in Manila are bound for Batangas or Southern Luzon. So I think we could make arrangements that these shipments could be offloaded in Batangas, in the same way, those who are northbound could be offloaded in Subic,” Abaya added. The PPA only gave importers and brokers until today to move their customs-cleared cargoes in the congested ports of Manila. The importers, exporters, and brokers currently have five-day grace period after Customs provided them with clearance. Failure to do so gives the government the right to seize the cargo after 15 days. “We are giving them five days to ship out their goods effective Sept. 8. If they don’t we’ll ship them out to Subic. They are using the ports as their warehouse instead of investing in
Subic and Batangas will soon be accepting cargo ships to ease the load at Manila Port.
their own warehouse so we are removing them,” he said. On October 1, Abaya mentioned that the government will increase storage fees to decongest Manila ports. From P500, the fees for unclaimed cargo will increase by ten-fold for P5,000 for 20-
foot containers; from P842 to P8,750 for 35-foot containers, P962.60 to P10,000 for 40-foot containers, and P1,082.90 to P11,250 for 45-foot containers. The congestion was caused by the daytime truck ban imposed by the local government of Manila last February 24 to
end of May. This move practically halted the movement of cargo. Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian filed a resolution to conduct an inquiry to immediately use the ports of Subic and Batangas as a long-term solution to solve the problem of congestion in Manila. Both Subic and Batangas have a combined capacity of 600,000 TEUs. “Goods heading to Northern and Southern Luzon may instead be assigned to the Subic and Batangas ports, thereby easing the congestion in Manila ports. Those ports have a huge potential in contributing to the economy. They just have to be fully utilized,” he said. Gatchalian is a majority member of the committee on trade and industry and a senior vice chairman for the House committee on Metro Manila. ■
Gov’t taking all measures to rehabilitate ‘Yolanda’-hit areas—Palace PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Lucio Tan regains full control of Philippine Airlines PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA—The Group of Dr. Lucio C. Tan formally sealed the deal with San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to buy back Philippine Airlines (PAL), SMC and PAL Holdings, Inc. disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Tuesday morning. In their disclosures, the companies said that, “The two biggest stockholders of Philippine Airlines—San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and the Group of Dr. Lucio C. Tan—signed a joint agreement whereby SMC expressed willingness to sell its
49 percent stake to the Group of Dr. Lucio C. Tan, and the latter has expressed willingness to buy the said 49 percent stake, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions.” SMC has acquired 49 percent share in PAL since 2012 and Tan has kept 51 percent share on the country’s flag carrier. With the agreement, Tan will regain full control on PAL. In second quarter of this year, the national flag carrier’s parent company—PAL Holdings—posted a net income of Php1.5 billion which reversed the Php1.1 billion net loss in the same period last year. ■
MANILA—Malacanang on Tuesday said the government is taking all appropriate measures to rehabilitate areas affected by last year’s super typhoon “Yolanda”. Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. was reacting to a proposal to provide each family who survived Yolanda’s fury P70,000. “Ginagawa ng pamahalaan lahat ng mga nararapat para isagawa ‘yung rehabilitation at ‘yung build back more resilient communities doon sa mga naapektuhang lugar,” he said in a Palace press briefing. Coloma said the government continues to provide “care” to disaster victims. The Philippines is fast tracking the implementation of Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) for Yolandaaffected communities as it hopes to achieve at least 80 percent completion of priority projects until the end of the term of the Aquino administration in 2016. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
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Philippine News
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
DOH eyes 390 for MERS testing BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer HEALTH AUTHORITIES are tracking down a total of 390 passengers of an international airline and a domestic flight that carried a 37-year-old Filipino female nurse who tested positive for the deadly Middle East Respiratory SyndromeCoronavirus (MERS-Cov) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Health Secretary Enrique Ona said yesterday that the nurse, along with a female colleague, returned to the Philippines on Aug. 29 via Saudi Airlines Flight No. SV870 at 1:40 p.m. without symptoms of the virus. The flight had 247 other passengers. The nurse went home to General Santos City on Aug. 31 via Cebu Pacific Flight No. SJ997, which carried 143 passengers, after spending the night at her colleague’s house in Bulacan. Ona said the copassengers of the nurse must have themselves tested and undergo a throat swab examination to make sure that they were not
infected with the virus. “The chance of being infected, especially those on the planes, although possible, is very slim. But we are now contacting all the passengers of Saudi Airlines and Cebu Pacific just to inform them and advise them to undergo examination,” Ona said in a press briefing. The passengers may contact the Department of Health (DOH) through these hotlines: 6517800 local 2206 to 2207; 0922-8841564; 0920-9498419 and 0915-7725621. As a precautionary measure, both nurses underwent a test for the virus in Dammam on Aug. 25 but did not wait for the results, Ona said. The nurse was located by health authorities on Tuesday and was immediately put in isolation at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao after the DOH got a call on the same day from her 49-year-old colleague, who was informed by their supervisor in Dammam about the test results. The colleague was negative for Mers-Cov, considered a deadlier but less-transmissi-
ble cousin of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus, while the 37-year-old nurse tested positive for the disease, said Ona. Her specimen was sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City for retesting and confirmation, according to DOH-spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy. He said the results would be known late Wednesday.
of steel affect the cost or not?” Pieg: “Probably.’’ Cayetano: “A while ago you said it did not. What’s your answer?’’
PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
But the patient continued to be asymptomatic. “This means she is not exhibiting symptoms of the disease. She has no fever but her test [in Dammam] was positive, which means she was exposed but not yet sick,” Ona explained. As for the colleague, she went to the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City along with 10 relatives, including two grandchildren who fetched her at the airport last Friday, upon learning of her coworker’s test results. She and her two grandchildren developed fever but eventually all of them tested nega-
tive for the disease, said health officials. The symptoms of MERSCov are similar to the common flu, which includes fever with cough, cold and sneezing. The incubation period of the virus is usually 14 days. “We have activated a task force that includes the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Interior and Local Government to help us right away in looking for these passengers,” said Ona. The health secretary referred to the team that was created in April to track down more than 400 passengers of an Etihad Airline flight that carried a returning Filipino male nurse from Abu Dhabi who had tested positive for MERS-Cov.
All of the Etihad passengers were tested and showed negative results. The male nurse also tested negative, with health officials saying that he might have overcome the virus. Ona yesterday assured the public that despite the two incidents, the Philippines remained MERS-Cov-free. But he appealed to returning overseas Filipino workers, especially health workers who had contact with patients infected with the virus in the Middle East, to wait for their medical results before hopping on a plane back to the Philippines. “We will leave no stones unturned to make sure the country remains free of the virus,” he said. ■
She said the new equipment had to be up and running in the new office before the old data center could be shut down. But for Trillanes, what Makati was doing was giving “loose change” to Makati’s people, and spending huge sums in this manner behind their backs. Cayetano noted that in the experience of Taguig City, where his wife is the mayor, transferring the data center was not an expensive task. He questioned why the data center was not using the cloud storage system when Makati claimed it was world-class. Panganiban said that using the cloud storage did not mean a city was world-class. She also said Makati was using servers. When Cayetano said servers were cheaper at this time, Panganiban said this would depend on the server’s specifications. Cayetano said there was no need for Makati to buy something “outrageously expensive” when something cheaper and as good would do. Panganiban said the city had
not bought anything yet but Cayetano said it had allotted a huge amount for this. “Your budget for your one department that will be transferred is a budget already for a 10-story or an 8-story building in other places that are complete. That’s why we’re a little bit aghast,” he added. On Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito’s prodding, Peig said a senator approached him and Hilmarc’s president Robert Henson in last week’s hearing, requesting that they withhold their presentation until after former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado had dropped his bombshell. This happened on Thursday last week at the Senate plenary gallery, Peig said. Peig said they told the senator that they would accede to his request if they were not called to testify that day. Toward the end of the hearing, Henson testified. “He said something to this effect: ‘Don’t blame me later on. I already cautioned you. We will pour everything…,’” Peig said,
quoting Trillanes. While his name wasn’t mentioned, Trillanes volunteered that he was the senator, but denied exerting any pressure on the Hilmarc executives. “Attorney Peig, did I ask you to concoct a story? Did I ask you to pin anybody down?” Trillanes asked the Hilmarc executive. Peig nodded in agreement and said that their exchanges with the senator had been “very friendly.” “What I told you, I was trying to save you. I was trying to save all of you. If you will tell the truth, we will protect you. We will make sure of it. But if you join the coverup, we can’t do anything about that,” Trillanes said. “Now, if you’re betting on Vice President Binay becoming President someday, and if he wins, then you’ll get all the contracts of infra projects. “It’s also a gamble on your part. It’s a risk if you’re willing to take that risk. And if it comes out you’re part of the cover-up, then we will pour all the penalties of the law on you,” he added. ■
Asymptomatic
‘Building contracts’... In the private sector, he said it was a matter of practice that the contract of the general contractor be just 35 to 45 percent of the entire cost, and usually, the developers provided the materials, such as cement, steel and tiles. Cayetano: “Did the price of steel affect the building?” Peig (Hilmarc’s lawyer): “The fluctuation of prices could already be imputed…” Cayetano: “That’s irrelevant to us. What’s relevant to us here is why the building is expensive. Either you’re using that as a reason why it’s expensive or not. But if you absorbed it, then good. If you didn’t, good. My question is, why is the building tremendously expensive? The Vice President, his spokesmen, his children, the BBC—the Binay Broadcasting Corp., all those people writing for him said it’s world-class, it’s green and the prices of steel went up. So we will take them to task. Let’s go through it one by one.’’ Cayetano: “Did the prices ❰❰ 11
P350M for office transfer
Senators also questioned a P350-million allocation made in 2011 for the transfer of Makati’s Urban Development Department to the parking building. Trillanes said the amount was too big for the transfer, which would entail a move from one building that was just adjacent to the parking building. “You won’t even need to spend for fare. Do you not see a problem there?” he asked. Makati Urban Development officer Merlina Panganiban said the P350 million was for the transfer of the entire office to the parking building. The bulk of the amount would be used to transfer the data center, which handles all transactions, and which Panganiban said would not be a simple task since it did not consist only of moving equipment from one place to another.
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Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
DOJ: Malversation easier to prove than plunder raps BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer IN A MAJOR shift in legal strategy, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is planning to file malversation instead of plunder charges against the next batch of senators, representatives and fake nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to be charged in the pork barrel scam. A DOJ official, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity for lack of authority, said a malversation case did not require a whistle-blower and did not have the stringent P50-million threshold for theft, unlike a plunder charge. But just like plunder, the source said, malversation was a nonbailable offense. “Plunder is just much better to hear than malversation, but both have the same results. And malversation is much easier to prove than plunder,” the DOJ official said. The DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation have filed two sets of cases in connection with the pork barrel scam. Accused in the first set were 38 individuals led by Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. and alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. They are under detention in police jails, except for Enrile who is in the Philippine National Police hospital. The second set involves 34 individuals including former Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, former Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, former Davao del Norte Rep. Arrel Olano, former Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas IV, former Ilocos Sur Rep. Salacnib Baterina, former South Cotabato Rep. Arthur Pinggoy Jr. and former Davao del Sur
The Philippine Department of Justice building. PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Rep. Douglas Cagas. Prosecutors’ difficulty
The source said malversation cases would likely be filed in the next batch of pork scam cases involving transactions with Napoles’ NGOs during the Aquino administration. The source said the change in legal tactics was being mulled in view of the difficulty being experienced by state prosecutors in proving plunder, which has a more stringent standard than malversation. The source said the prosecutors would have to prove that the accused repeatedly received kickbacks of not less than P50 million through the misappropriation of government funds. But in malversation, the source said, the burden of proof is shifted to the public official to prove the funds under his keeping were properly spent, and the amount could be as small as P22,000 to get the maximum penalty. Also, the source said, a malversation case would primarily require documentary evidence compared to plunder where whistle-blowers, like Napoles’ employees who turned on her, were essential.
“It’s like a murder case. If you can’t prove treachery, you can always charge the accused with homicide which involves a jail penalty too,” said the source. The DOJ official said that in case the accused in the pork barrel scam would not be charged with plunder, they would likely be nailed on graft charges. “The senators’ main defense is to blame the implementing agencies for failing to ensure that the NGOs implemented the projects properly, noting that this was the reason why they took management fees from the PDAF transactions. The implementing agencies, however, contend that the senators themselves endorsed the specific NGOs as recipients of their pork and that their [memorandums of agreement] had a provision wherein the senator would be responsible for seeing to it that the projects were properly implemented,” the source said. “The senators may be right based on COA rules that they have no obligation on the implementation of projects, but they negated this when they signed the MOAs taking on this responsibility,” said the source. ■
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Philippine president... efforts to end decades of rebellion in the south, officials and the insurgents said Monday. President Benigno Aquino III and Al Haj Murad Ebrahim of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front agreed to endorse a draft of the proposed legislation after meeting for more than two hours at the presidential palace Thursday, presidential adviser Teresita Deles said. Aquino will submit the bill to Congress on Wednesday, bringing efforts by the government and the 11,000-strong insurgent force to end one of southeast Asia’s longest-raging Muslim insurgencies a step closer. The rebellion has killed thousands and hampered progress in a resource-rich frontier region that is home to minority Muslims in this largely Roman Catholic nation. The government and the Moro insurgent group, the largest of at least four in the south, signed a new deal in March that aims to establish a more powerful and potentially larger Muslim autonomous region to be called Bangsamoro. Under the deal, the rebels agreed to eventually disband their guerrilla forces in exchange for broader autonomy. ❰❰ 1
Differences, however, threatened to stall the drafting of the autonomy bill. Aquino’s top aides met behind closed-door with rebel commanders to try to patch up differences, including the extent of power and territory of the Muslim region and wording of the draft legislation. The president and Murad met to resolve the final issues. “It was like a championship boxing match,” said rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. “And there are more bouts to come.” Deles, however, said both sides have committed to overcome major disagreements. Several Asian and Western governments, including the United States and the European Union, have backed the Malaysian-brokered peace process in the south partly to prevent the Muslim insurgency from becoming a sanctuary of foreign extremists. In 2008, the government and the rebels were close to signing a preliminary peace deal but Christian politicians questioned the legality of the pact, which eventually fell apart, igniting rebel attacks. Major fighting resumed, killing scores of people and displacing tens of thousands of villagers. ■
Al Haj Murad Ebrahim (pictured above) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front agreed to endorse a draft of the proposed legislation after meeting with President Aquino. PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Opinion
16
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
THERE’S THE RUB
Reality check By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GOOD news is that we showed heroic effort. Puso, or heart, has been Gilas’ battle cry at the Fiba International World Cup, a battle cry echoed by their countrymen, and that was just what Gilas showed, a lot of puso, a lot of heart. Of course, as of this writing, we’ve lost for the third time in as many games. But it’s the quality of the losses that puts the effort on a heroic plane. Two of these were hard-fought games, with Gilas almost snatching a victory in both. Only our match against Greece proved a little lopsided, but not until toward the end. The ones against Croatia and Argentina were not, the first going into overtime and the second a golden opportunity that slipped away. If you watched the game last Monday night, as I did, you would have shouted yourself hoarse too. Jimmy Alapag was particularly magnificent, almost singlehandedly keeping Gilas within arm’s length of Argentina after it threatened to pull away in the last quarter. He dropped four of his five three-point bombs in that stretch, some of them well past downtown. That’s shooting more commonly associated with Stephen
Curry and Klay Thomson. He was supposed to take the last shot, which would have tied the score or given the Philippines the lead. Alas, Argentina built a Great Wall around him, forcing Jayson Castro to make the attempt instead, and fumble. But none of this was supposed to happen. Happily, the Gilas players did not get the memo, the one that said they were just saling pusa, they were supposed to lose by a mile. Croatia is a basketball powerhouse, having sent a dozen or so players to the NBA over the years. And Argentina ranks third in the world, after the US and Spain. Yet the Philippines battled them to near-victory. These were heroic defeats, these were victories in defeat. That took a lot of courage, that took a lot of heart. That’s the good news. The bad is not that we lost three in a row. The bad comes from the fact that much of our respectable showing owes to Andray Blatche, an NBA player who last played with the Nets. His sudden conversion into a Filipino—the Senate was all for it and gave it its blessings—was near miraculous. It was more miraculous than Ronnie Nathanielsz’s becoming Filipino by presidential, or dictatorial, fiat during martial law. Nathanielsz at least invested a great deal of time, and heart, in the Philippines and would
prove true to his national preference by remaining a Pinoy body and soul to this day. I don’t know if Blatche’s desire to be Filipino will last a minute longer than the games in Spain. The tradeoff—citizenship in exchange for a crack at the Games, or at least not being unduly embarrassed there—raises all sorts of questions about how we value citizenship. If we
The tradeoff—citizenship in exchange for a crack at the Games, or at least not being unduly embarrassed there—raises all sorts of questions about how we value citizenship. ourselves do not take it seriously, how can we expect others to? Hell, how can we expect our own citizens to? Quite apart from that, Blatche of course proved to be the critical, if not decisive, difference in the Philippine cause. He was a huge presence in the paint, literally, his height and heft preventing the taller opposition, like Luis Scola, from running the local crew ragged. Of course in the heat of battle, you forgot that he was an ersatz Pinoy. But you wondered what the sentiments would be, here and
abroad, once the smoke cleared. The far more sobering thought is the future of Philippine sports. Our team’s sterling showing in Barcelona is not going to expose our limits in basketball, it is going to highlight our possibilities in it. It is going to spark some sort of resurgence, reinforcing our belief that our national pride, sports-wise, lies in it and is extended by it. The problem with that you see in Blatche carrying our team. There is one irrefutable truth in basketball, and that is that height is might. Of course speedier small players can always beat lumbering tall ones. Which not quite incidentally makes for great drama, and we are nothing if not fans of great drama, particularly of the kind that has us battling nearimpossible odds. But speedy small players can never beat speedy tall players. All other things being equal, height rules. And things have been equalizing over the years. As basketball goes global, so the skills of basketball players in other countries go global. You need no further proof of it than that other countries, including China, have produced NBA players. The equation is simple: Other countries can improve their basketball skills, we cannot improve our height—short of genetic engineering.
That’s what has given me two minds, or hearts, about watching our exploits in Spain these last few days. On one hand, like every other Pinoy here or abroad, I’ve been cheering Gilas lustfully and feeling the pangs of their painful losses. On the other, I’ve been wondering what the future holds in store for us in sports. Unfortunately, which brings the question past sports to national character, basketball is the national passion. It is to Filipinos roughly what football is to Brazilians. You see that in impromptu basketball courts standing in the middle of streets in Sampaloc and other densely populated, and impoverished, areas. You see that in the ferocity with which colleges contest the NCAA and the UAAP, if not the PBA which has waned in popularity over the years. You see that in the millions upon millions poured into the sport by companies and taipans, not least in La Salle and Ateneo. The gritty showing by the Philippine squad, such as you can say “Philippine” without reservation, will reignite the conviction that heart, and not height, wins basketball games. Arguably, it makes for high drama, battling impossible odds. But it would really be nice to win now and then. It would really be nice to have a future to look forward to. ■
AS I SEE IT
DOTC ignored 3 MRT proposals to buy more trains By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer (Concluded from last issue) *** AT THE Senate hearing on the frequent MRT breakdowns, Sen. Chiz Escudero asked Undersecretary Jose Lotilla why the government has not sued Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) or MRT Holdings, the owner of the trains, for defaulting on its duty to buy more trains as the present number has exceeded its rated capacity. “Don’t you have any plans in your pipeline to sue MRTC?” Escudero asked. “Why do you allow them to [bombard] the government with litigations left and right by way of [temporary restraining orders] when clearly they did not perform [according to] their contract?” Lotilla answered, “We hope to go in that direction.” When Escudero pressed why the matter was still being studied, Lotilla said the maintenance records were still with MRTC and the government was loath to file a case unless it had gathered sufficient evidence. Either Lotilla was lying or was
wrongly informed. Records show that since the Department of Transportation and Communications awarded the maintenance contract to PH Trans-CB&T, and later to APT Global (without any public bidding as required by law), MRTC was no longer furnished copies of the maintenance records. These were given to the DOTC. So the maintenance records are with the DOTC, not the MRTC. When Sumitomo/TES was the maintenance provider of the train system, MRTC was furnished with the maintenance logs every month. On the failure to buy additional trains, records show that it was the fault of the DOTC, not of the MRTC. Records show that the DOTC received three proposals—in 2004, 2008 and 2010—to buy additional trains, upgrade the systems and back-to-zero-hours works, at no cost to the government. The DOTC never acted on these proposals. The reason: The DOTC wanted to buy the trains itself. But the build, lease and transfer (BLT) agreement gives the owners the right of first refusal. Apparently, to get around this provision, the DOTC asked the opin-
ion of the Department of Justice on whether it can, on its own initiative as the operator of MRT3, proceed with the procurement of additional Light Rail Vehicles under its emergency relief measure. The DOTC also asked the DOJ whether MRTC, by its actions, has waived its right of first refusal on the procurement of additional trains
As can be seen, it is MRTC that should sue the DOTC for numerous violations of the BLT agreement. In fact, it has done that. It has sued the Philippine government in the arbitration court in Singapore for nonpayment of numerous obligations. and has unreasonably withheld its consent in contravention of the BLT agreement. The DOJ replied that in the past it has had occasion to pass upon the same issues. According to that opinion, the provisions of the BLT agreement are clear and sufficiently explicit. Which means that MRTC’s right of first refusal remains and
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cannot be presumed to have been waived. Why does the DOTC want to assume that MRTC had waived its right of first refusal? Because the DOTC wants to buy the additional trains itself. Why? I do not have the answer to that, but what happened recently—when an ambassador accused the manager of MRT3 of trying to extort $30 million from him in exchange for buying the additional trains from his country—may be an indication of the reason. At any rate, the government has already ordered 48 new coaches from China without the consent of MRTC, in violation of the BLT agreement. The trains made in China are cheaper, the government said. Maybe, but that poses risks to the riding public. The new trains may not be compatible with the rails, the signaling system, and other specifications which were made for the original trains made in Czechoslovakia. If that is so, the danger of more accidents increases. As can be seen, it is MRTC that should sue the DOTC for numerous violations of the BLT agreement. In fact, it has done that. It has sued the
Philippine government in the arbitration court in Singapore for nonpayment of numerous obligations. It has also petitioned for a temporary restraining order from a Makati court to stop the DOTC from buying the new trains from China as it is a violation of MRTC’s right of first refusal. In February last year, the Office of the President issued Executive Order No. 126 to buy the remaining shares of MRT Holdings in MRTC to avert the arbitration case and assume control of the MRTC board. Earlier, the President ordered the Land Bank and the Development Bank of the Philippines to acquire shares of stock and other securities (including MRT3 notes and preference shares) representing economic interest in MRTC. It is estimated that the government now owns 70 percent of MRTC. It wants to buy the 30-percent shares remaining with MRT Holdings. However, it is not willing to pay the correct price. So the owners are not selling. The government said that it wants to own the train line and that it would privatize it. That does not make sense. Why privatize something when it is already privately owned? ■
Opinion
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
17
PUBLIC LIVES
Peacekeepers in a changing world By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer FOR MANY Filipinos, peacekeeping work for the United Nations may be just another form of overseas employment. But, for the Philippine government that deploys its nationals to serve as peacekeepers in many conflict zones across the world, it is a noble mission, a fulfillment of an obligation, and a fundamental expression of commitment to the idea of a unified world society. Danger, as we know, has never deterred the Filipino from working abroad. But no government in its right mind will knowingly put its people in harm’s way without giving them the capability to protect themselves. Mind-boggling changes in the world system are putting in question our basic assumptions about the nature and scope of UN peacekeeping. The Philippine decision to withdraw its forces from the Golan Heights after they came under siege by rebel groups— telling them to defend themselves or leave their post at the first opportunity rather than heed the order of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (Undof ) commander to surrender—only reflects the complex conditions that have arisen in the region since the advent of the Syrian civil war.
UN peacekeeping forces were first sent to the Golan Heights in 1974 to monitor ceasefire violations and maintain the buffer zone separating Israel from Syria. The ceasefire ended the 1973 Yom Kippur War between Israel and the Arab states. Apart from supervising the buffer zone and reporting ceasefire violations, the UN contingent marks minefields in the disputed territories, and conducts regular inspections of the Israeli and Syrian military forces in the area. Similar provisions for a UN observer force also exist on the Egyptian side. No major problems were encountered for most of the last 40 years that the ceasefire agreement had been in place. But things began to rapidly change when the Syrian Uprising against the dictatorial regime of President Bashar al-Assad exploded in the spring of 2011. Much of the democratic world supported the uprising, which began in the form of mass protests echoing the libertarian voices of the Arab Spring that was then sweeping across the entire Arab world. But, unlike Egypt’s Mubarak and Libya’s Gadhafi, who were overthrown, Syria’s Assad has resisted powerful pressures for him to step down. The United States lent support to the Free Syrian Army that spearhead-
ed the armed uprising. Russia took the side of Assad, and so did Iran and the Shia-Islamist Hezbollah in nearby Lebanon. Turkey joined the other Sunni-dominated countries in the effort to bring down the Assad regime that is identified with the ruling minority, the Alawite sect, a largely secularist group with close links to Shiite Muslims. This complex tapestry of religious and ethnic loyalties became even more intractable with the entry
No major problems were encountered for most of the last 40 years that the ceasefire agreement had been in place. But things began to rapidly change when the Syrian Uprising against the dictatorial regime of President Bashar al-Assad exploded in the spring of 2011. of militant jihadists from all over the world. Their objective is not just to bring down Assad but to establish an Islamic caliphate in the whole region, beginning with Iraq and Syria. These Islamic fighters, originally part of the al-Qaida network, have virtually taken over the war against the Syrian regime. Notorious for the brutal beheadings it carries out on its
enemies, one group calls itself the Islamic State (IS). Alongside them is the al-Nusra, which also sprang from alQaida, but, unlike the IS, it has kept its affinity with al-Qaida. In the struggle for supremacy, these two groups have pointed their weapons at each other. The Nusra militants hit the news recently after they claimed responsibility for the abduction of UN peacekeepers from Fiji, and demanded the surrender of the Filipino peacekeepers as a condition for the release of the Fijians. Unlike the Syrian Army they are fighting, the jihadists are not components of any state; they exist beyond the reach of the UN. They are fighting Assad, but they are also fighting their long-term enemy, Israel. They are not bound by the ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel. Assad himself feels no responsibility for any incursions these rebel forces may commit against Israel. Indeed, the complications created by the foreign jihadists who have turned his country into a vast battlefield and training ground for global terrorists suggest that overthrowing Assad at this time may have become the least of the world’s concerns. The map of the Middle East is clearly being redrawn. The old boundaries established by Europe’s
colonial powers are being erased. The secular regimes that came to power in the post-colonial era by drawing on nationalist impulses are coming down one-by-one. With globalization, nation-states gradually lose their ability to steer their societies. Finding nationality increasingly irrelevant and unresponsive to their needs, their citizens seek other sources of identity, and it is to this quest that religious fundamentalism has effectively responded. This is how al-Qaida and the Islamic State recruit adherents across national borders—by offering them an entirely new vision of life in a world that has shed off its familiar coherence. It is this new reality that the United Nations seems unable to grasp. The world has sprung new players without nation-state affiliations, who cannot be made accountable by merely calling on the governments of the countries from which they may happen to be operating. Their presence on the world stage, plus their ability to play off nation-states against one another, has undermined the unity that has been the basis of the United Nations’ authority to take legitimate action on behalf of humanity. The erosion of that unity can only be experienced as a loss of order. ■
AT LARGE
Boy Saycon’s latest venture By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer FROM RACE car rally driver and navigator to political gadfly and now restaurateur, Pastor “Boy” Saycon has lived, and lives, many lives and identities. Most of his time and energy these days seems to lie in running “Pastor’s Gastro Pub,” a casual dining establishment that is casual only in terms of interior decor (dark wood furniture, brick walls, Iberian art and posters on the walls including the ubiquitous tourist-y bullfight posters), and the ambience and attitude of its staff. But in terms of the food, Pastor’s is deadly serious, as in seriously hazardous to one’s health, as one bite of any of the top-of-the-line Spanish hams is bound to lead to another, and another, and another… And we’re not even talking about the rest of the menu that consists of such classics and favorites as callos, rabo de toro, bacalao, and two kinds of paella. Boy Saycon’s son JJ is executive chef. Educated at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and trained in New York City’s top restaurants, JJ tries to put his own “touch” on the classic dishes that Filipino foodies have grown up with and come
to love. But it is Boy’s enthusiasm for the dishes he serves that gives the added sheen, the shine to the diner’s enjoyment of the flavors. “We wanted a casual, friendly atmosphere, but at the same time we wanted to serve really good, quality fare,” says JJ. He tells of a regular customer who one day walked in with his wife. “She discovered that her husband had been going to a ‘bar,’ and when her husband protested that he was coming here for the food, she said she had to go and try it herself.” Needless to say, the visit restored marital harmony and perhaps even enhanced it. They have since become regular customers. *** OPENED just recently, Pastor’s Gastro Pub isn’t located in a prime spot. It lies at the rear end of Hobbies of Asia Complex, behind the Gloria Maris restaurant along Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay. But the parking attendants can readily tell you where to find it. Although this is Boy’s first restaurant venture, it is not his first time to enter the culinary field. A self-taught gourmet and enthusiast, he has been supplying friends in the food trade with his specialties like buro, and regularly puts on a chef’s apron during Holy Week at the Baguio Country
Club because patrons tend to look for his specialty bacalao, the salted-codfish dish that is a staple of our Holy Week tables. During a trip to Spain, he recounts, he approached a butcher and asked to sample some jamon Serrano, which to Filipinos is already some kind of status symbol. “Señor,” the Spanish meat shop proprietor replied, “you have come all the way from the Philippines only to eat the ham of the poor?”
But Saycon and most political observers apparently know that in politics, especially Philippine politics, anything is possible—including former enemies turning into bosom friends, and vice-versa. That was the beginning of his education not just in the many varieties of Spanish hams, which are classified according to the breed of pig the ham comes from, the area of Spain where these pigs are bred (and what they’re fed), and the method followed in butchering and curing. Drop by Pastor’s to sample the hams and see if you can tell the difference! *** OF COURSE, no conversation with Boy Saycon can be considered com-
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plete without local politics entering the equation. He makes no bones about supporting Vice President Jojo Binay, whose long-announced and anticipated run for the presidency in 2016 he enthusiastically supports. Who would make for an ideal running mate for Binay? “I like Alan Peter Cayetano,” he ventures, perhaps because the senator’s image is splashed on the huge TV screen in the private dining room as we speak. “He is straight and is capable,” Saycon adds, “and no hint of scandal has touched him or even his wife” (Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano). Ironically, we are watching, between bites, the Senate blue ribbon committee’s hearing on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall parking building, where Cayetano has been playing a provocative role, trying to ensnare the Vice President in the accusations of overpricing and corruption. But Saycon and most political observers apparently know that in politics, especially Philippine politics, anything is possible—including former enemies turning into bosom friends, and vice-versa. So I agree with him, a Binay-Cayetano pairing is still within the realm of the possible. *** WHAT about the first-termer Sen.
Grace Poe? “She is a good person, intelligent and sensible” is Boy’s judgment. “But she has been upfront in declaring that she is not interested in running for president just yet. People should just let her be, to ripen in politics and grow into her role in the future.” Maybe Grace Poe will indeed ripen into “presidentiable” material in the years to come. She certainly has been showing keen instincts for what appeals to public sensibilities, such as joining the queue for the MRT and enduring the same heat, crowding and impatience that ordinary commuters go through. So then again, I find myself nodding in agreement with the proprietor of Pastor’s Gastro Pub. Grace Poe has plenty of time to explore a bigger political role if she so desires. This is a time for learning, for building experience, for developing her own brand of gravitas. And as he did in previous political regimes, Boy Saycon will be around, perhaps as a gadfly, or a secret operative, or a consultant. Of course, he will have Pastor’s Gastro Pub to distract him, but I suspect that politics, and the art of sensing and manipulating public consciousness, is as much a personal predilection for him as cooking and eating. ■
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Canada News
Military gets new operations commander as fight against ISIL ramps up BY MURRAY BREWSTER The Canadian Press OTTAWA—A former combat commander has been selected to oversee Canadian military operations both at home and abroad. Lt.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, who twice led the army’s task force in Kandahar, will be sworn-in Tuesday as the country’s joint operations commander. He replaces Lt.-Gen. Stuart Beare, also a veteran of the Afghan war, who says the one thing his successor can expect is the unexpected. With parts of the Middle East, South Asia and African perpetually on fire, Beare said the region he could always count on to remain stable was Europe. Not anymore. The annexation of Crimea and the involvement of Russian troops in the fighting in eastern Ukraine has upended the security status quo. Beare is retiring after 36 years and one of his last acts has been overseeing the deployment of special operations troops to northern Iraq to provide advice to forces battling the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an al-Qaida offshoot. Beare says the military’s tendency to plan for things to be the same as
last year has been thrown out the window over the last few years. The rapid unravelling of stability along Europe’s eastern frontier is a significant shift for the Canadian military, which has not had a continuous presence in the region since early 1990s and the end of the Cold War. Beare was called upon to rapidly deploy a flight of CF-18 jet fighters and their ground crews to take part in patrols and an air policing mission over the Baltic states. Under his watch, a frigate was redeployed to join a standing NATO task force, which is taking part in an exercise in the Black Sea over the next few days. He was also in charge of the with-
drawal of training forces from Kabul, ending more than 12 years of Canadian military involvement in Afghanistan. Events there, especially the political turmoil following the presidential elections, have been a personal preoccupation for Beare, who served as deputy commander of the NATO police training mission. He remains optimistic despite the fact there was no clear winner, allegations of vote rigging and threats of civil war. “It’s not done yet,” Beare conceded in a recent interview with The Canadian Press. “The political transition has to happen. I’m still an optimist (because) there’s always brinkmanship that seems to go on in Afghanistan. Things always seem to get to the 11th hour.” Cooler heads will likely prevail, said Beare, who worked along one of the presidential contenders, Ashraf Ghani. “One thing I know him to be is smart and he knows, none of them want the downside of a failed political transition,” he said. One point of pride was the fact that security for the election was almost “non-news,” something that was a marked departure from 2009, when NATO and Afghan forces were under almost continuous attack. ■
With lockout lifted, Minister asks BCTF to suspend strike BRITISHCOLUMBIANEWSROOM VICTORIA—Minister of Education Peter Fassbender has issued the following statement: “On Aug. 27, 2014, I met with the lead negotiators for the BCTF and BCPSEA and asked them to suspend any strike and lockout activities if the parties entered mediation so students could start school and teachers
could go to work. “The BCTF refused to suspend their pickets and declined to even canvass their members on the proposal. “Today, I asked BCPSEA to confirm with the union that even though mediation has not yet commenced, BCPSEA will unilaterally extend its commitment to forego all lock out activities until further notice. “I am once again asking the BCTF
to lift their pickets and suspend all strike activity while we try to negotiate an agreement. Even though we are not yet in mediation, we need to get students back in the classroom and teachers back to work. “If the BCTF agrees, schools could reopen within two days. Let’s get students back in school and teachers back in classrooms while the parties work towards mediating an end to this dispute.” ■
NEWS BRIEFS
FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS
FORMER GM DEALERS SUE FOR MORE COMPENSATION TORONTO—General Motors of Canada heads to court Tuesday to defend itself against a class action suit launched by 182 former dealers. The dealers contend they should get more compensation for agreeing to shut down in 2009 when the automaker slashed its operations to qualify for billions of dollars of government bailout money. FIGHT OVER PROSTITUTION BILL REACHES ROUND 2 OTTAWA—The second stage of the federal government’s race to pass a bill governing prostitution by the end of the year begins today. The Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee is set to start hearings into Bill C-36, which proposes to change the rules that surround buying and selling sex in Canada. SCIENTISTS PICKET CHALK RIVER OVER PENSIONS OTTAWA—Nuclear power researchers and other employees at a laboratory in Eastern Ontario say they’ll picket the facility today over potential changes to their pensions. Workers at the site in Chalk River, Ont., say they’re worried that their defined benefit pensions could disappear under a plan to privatize the lab’s operations. SENTENCING ARISES FOR POLICE THREATS CASE MONCTON—A New Brunswick judge will hear a joint sentencing recommendation today for a 24-year-old man who has pleaded guilty to uttering threats to kill police officers. Jasper John Stam pleaded guilty in June for an incident that occurred between May 10 and 18, but details of what happened have not been presented in court.
Canada News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Plans for Arctic naval base scaled back after costs soared BY STEVE RENNIE The Canadian Press OTTAWA—The Defence Department balked after the cost of a long-delayed docking and refuelling station in the Arctic ballooned to more than twice its original estimate, a newly released document shows. The soaring price tag is the reason federal government decided to scale back its original plans for the Nanisivik naval base, at the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage. A December 2013 briefing note to Defence Minister Rob Nicholson says the Royal Canadian Navy in 2010 approved a $258 million plan to build the base. That was a huge jump from an estimate of $100 million made in 2007, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper made his “use it or lose it” speech about the Arctic. The new cost proved too steep for the department. The budget for the base is now $116 million. The Canadian Press obtained the briefing note under the Access to Information Act. The government has never before revealed just how much the Nanisivik base would have cost if the navy’s original plan had gone ahead. The minister’s office has in the past cited the facility’s remote location, the shorter Arctic construction season and permafrost as reasons for the delays and downgrade. The base was supposed be operational by 2015. That date has since been pushed back to 2017. Original plans for the base called for office, accommodation and workshop buildings as well as improvements to the wharf. The base would have been staffed year-round and there would have been accommodations for up to 15 people. Those plans have now been reduced to minor upgrades to the aging 1970s-
era jetty, an unheated warehouse and a smaller tank farm that can store only one year’s supply of fuel instead of two. Trailers will house up to six people— double that in an emergency—but only during the summer. The Arctic base “will have no functional use during winter,” says the briefing note. Gone, too, are plans for the “jet-capable” airstrip mentioned seven years ago in a news release. Instead, the military will have to either come in by sea or fly to nearby Arctic Bay, land on a gravel runway and then drive 33 kilometres to Nanisivik. The Defence Department did not immediately respond to questions about the naval base. The $258-million figure didn’t come as a shock to one observer. “It’s in line with what I’ve seen,” said Rob Huebert, an Arctic expert at the University of Calgary. “I do not turn around and say, ‘It’s totally out of the picture.’ That is the price of doing stuff in the North.” Russia, he added, is spending heavily to increase its military presence in the Arctic. Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has been busy rebuilding Soviet-era military bases in its north that were abandoned at the end of the Cold War, while a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and icebreakers patrols its waters. During his recent northern tour, Harper said Russia’s growing military presence in the Arctic is a concern and Canada should not be complacent about it. Canada’s defence budget has faced cuts in recent years as the Conservative government looks to balance the books by 2015. The Defence Department has seen its allocation slashed by more than 10 per cent since the end of the Afghan war and recent figures show spending is forecast to decline by $2.7-billion in anticipation of a balanced budget. ■
A Canadian naval vessel moored at the future site of the Nanisivik Naval Facility. PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Rights group says mandatory minimums cost billions but don’t reduce crime BY JAMES KELLER The Canadian Press VANCOUVER—Ottawa’s push to implement mandatory minimum sentences is potentially adding billions of dollars in costs to the criminal justice system without reducing crime or making the public safer, says a report released Monday by a British Columbia-based rights group. Instead, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association’s report says longer prison sentences can actually make inmates more likely to re-offend while disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. The report adds to criticism that has followed the shift to mandatory minimums. The Conservative government has doubled the number of offences that carry compulsory sentences in less than a decade as part of its tough-on-crime agenda. “The research shows that mandatory minimum sentences are ineffective at deterrence, they have no demonstrated effect on reducing crime and they do nothing to enhance public safety,” the
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report’s author, Raji Mangat, told a news conference in Vancouver. “A just, proportionate sentence cannot be one-size-fits-all.” In fact, Mangat said research has found offenders who serve longer sentences in prison are more likely to commit crimes once they are released. The Conservatives have added dozens of mandatory minimum sentences, from drug and gun crimes to sex offences. The Canadian Bar Association says there are now at least 57 offences that carry mandatory minimums, up from 29 in 2005. An omnibus bill passed in 2008 added three-year minimum sentences to several gun offences, including possession of a loaded firearm and gun trafficking. More mandatory sentences were imposed in 2012 with the passage of the Safe Streets and Communities Act, which added minimums for growing small numbers of marijuana plants and added or increased minimum sentences for offences related to child exploitation. With each addition of new mandatory ❱❱ PAGE 28 Rights group
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SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
FRIDAY
Accident board takes up fatal cargo plane crash, focus of pilot fatigue dispute BY JOAN LOWY The Associated Press WASHINGTON—A federal accident investigation board is deciding the cause of a fatal cargo plane crash that has become the focus of dispute between UPS and its pilots union over whether work schedules are causing fatigue and jeopardizing safety. The National Transportation Safety Board was also expected Tuesday to make safety recommendations stemming from the predawn crash, which occurred on Aug. 14, 2013, during a landing approach at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport in Alabama. UPS Flight 1354 descended too rapidly, clipped the tops of trees and then slammed into a hillside just shy of the shorter of the airport’s two runways. Capt. Cerea Beal, 57, of Matthews, North Carolina, and First Officer Shanda Fanning, 37, of Lynchburg, Tennessee, were killed. Beal and Fanning had dis-
cussed their work schedules during the flight from Louisville, Kentucky, complaining that the Federal Aviation Administration exempts cargo airline pilots from the more stringent scheduling rules that apply to pilots for passenger airlines, according to a cockpit voice recorder transcript. Beal also had complained to colleagues that the airline’s schedules were “killing” him, investigators said. The day before the crash, Fanning sent several text messages describing her fatigue and saying she had fallen asleep during flights. The Independent Pilots Association has filed a lawsuit to force the government to apply the same work schedule regulations to cargo pilots that apply to passenger airline pilots. UPS officials have said Beal was rested and Fanning had opportunity for rest before the flight. The company also noted that the pilots’ schedules through the time of crash didn’t
exceed FAA limits on pilot hours. UPS has lobbied strongly against inclusion of cargo pilots in the more stringent work schedule rules. Besides possible pilot fatigue, the crash has also raised questions about pilot professionalism, the safety of one of the airport’s runways and the adequacy of cockpit equipment intended to warn pilots when they are flying dangerously low. Testimony at an earlier hearing indicated the pilots made a series of errors, including incorrectly programming the twin-engine Airbus A300’s flight management computer. As a result, the computer was unable to help them with the landing, but the pilots didn’t attempt to abort the landing. The pilots also didn’t call out important altitude levels as they descended. A ground warning system in the plane didn’t issue an alert until one second after the plane struck the trees, just moments
UPS and its pilots union are in a dispute over whether work schedules are causing fatigue and jeopardizing safety. PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
before the crash, according to a lawsuit filed by Fanning’s husband against Honeywell Aerospace, the system’s maker. Honeywell has said the warning system wasn’t responsible for the crash. The airport’s main runway, which is 12,000 feet long, was closed for repairs. The UPS pilots were trying to land on the airport’s second runway, which is 7,000 feet long and has hills at either end. The short runway also lacks complete guidance equipment, making landings
there trickier. Southwest Airlines has since barred its pilots from landing on the shorter runway, and ExpressJet, one of the nation’s largest regional airlines, has urged its pilots to avoid landing on the runway in favour of the main runway whenever possible. An ExpressJet analysis of landings by its own planes on the shorter runway concluded that they come “dangerously close” to nearby hills if they’re only a few feet below their target altitude. ■
Cease-fire holds, Ukraine leader to visit East BY LAURA MILLS The Associated Press KIEV, UKRAINE—A cease-fire between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government troops appeared to be largely holding Monday in eastern Ukraine, a day after shelling and clashes rattled nerves and imperiled the peace deal. In a surprise announcement, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko was traveling Monday to the embattled coastal city of Mariupol, the regional administration of Donetsk said. That trip would be a symbolic show of strength in a strategic government-held area that has come under rebel fire in recent days, and proves Kiev is unlikely to willingly loosen what remains of its grip over the rebellious east. The city council of Donetsk said there had been no reported casualties overnight and it expected public transport to be running on Tuesday. No shelling or explosions were heard
Best-rated Ukrainian presidential candidate, politician, businessman and millionaire Petro Poroshenko during a election meeting in Kyiv. PHOTO BY MARK III PHOTONICS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
overnight in downtown Donetsk. Col. Andriy Lysenko, a
spokesman for Ukraine’s National Security Council, told reporters Monday there had www.canadianinquirer.net
been about half a dozen rebel violations of the cease-fire. But he said no servicemen had been killed in the past day and rebel forces had stopped using heavy artillery, only mortar and rifle fire. “That’s a big achievement,” he said. “We understand that the cease-fire imposes some discipline to our enemies and also allows our military to bring its reserves closer.” A successful cease-fire would be a landmark achievement for all sides in a conflict that has dragged on for nearly five months and claimed at least 3,000 lives, according to a U.N. estimate issued Monday. But despite the cease-fire, there has been little agreement between Kiev and the separatist rebels on a political settlement that would permanently end the standoff in eastern Ukraine. The southeast has been a key hotspot in the last two weeks. The area around Mariupol had remained relatively untouched by violence until then, when
rebel forces pushed toward the city, shelling the city’s outskirts as recently as Saturday. The port is strategically located on the Sea of Azov coast, raising fears that if it fell, Moscowbacked rebels could link up mainland Russia with Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in March. In other developments, 15 Ukrainian soldiers were released by rebel forces, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Monday. Lysenko said a prisoner exchange with the rebels was “task No. 1” for the government during the ceasefire. The cease-fire was imposed late Friday, but was thrown into peril over the weekend by the shelling of Mariupol and fighting near the airport of the rebel-held city of Donetsk. A previous 10-day cease-fire in June was riddled by reports of violations on both sides. ■ Peter Leonard contributed to this story from Donetsk, Ukraine.
Immigration
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS
Have You Looked for a Group to Join? BY BOLET AREVALO YOU ARE where you should be. That, I believe, is your destiny. But finding people and circumstances in this destiny requires that you be able to perform your role. And primarily, your role is to go out and believe that, somewhere out there, you will meet the right people who will be instrumental in fulfilling the purpose of this destiny and in realizing your dreams and plans in this new life. Canada, as a land of immigrants, has evolved through the years. Its society and environment have developed to respond to the needs and expectations of the people it attracts. This is happening both in the public and private sectors, including non-profit and community organizations. As such, you will find it heart-warming that many of these organizations are structured to welcome new settlers and smoothly integrate them into a multicultural society. It is not bad that the natural tendency of new immigrants is to look for people or organizations made up of their own ethnicity or religion. If it will be the best and quickest way to integrate into a new area, then why not? You will not be surprised to find out that there are many organizations made up of your own people, sometimes as many as there are ethnic groupings within your own home country. One of the very firsts groups that you may find yourself affiliated with could be your own church or place of worship. Religion is probably the biggest communal commonality there is. When we think of other countries where the practice of
your own religion might be prohibited or banned, we should be grateful at the freedom of religion in a country like Canada. All denominations of religion are aptly represented and allowed to be pursued as a basic human right, even the practice of no religion at all. Remember, however, that when you migrate, you will inevitably live in a multi-cultural society. As such, it is good to join groups that are multi-cultural. The sooner you decide to integrate yourself this way, the better you will understand other people and the better you will be able to harmonize with them when you find them in the workplace. We are spending an increasing amount of our waking hours with people at work. This spells the importance of learning how to deal and mingle with other cultures. Then there are professional organizations specific to your career, like those for accountants, marketers, IT experts, lawyers, nurses, doctors, and caregivers, to name a few. It is wise to join these types of groups, especially if you want to rub elbows and meet new people in the very industry where you intend to build your career. Local community affiliations are another thing to get involved with. Coming to Can-
ada made me realize how one’s quality of life can be enriched by your community. Community centers are amazing. The line up of activities and the facilities that are open to you for free or with a minimal fee cater to building up a very healthy and wholesome life. In these community centers you will meet all kinds of people, like future friends, and maybe even future employers. Whether it is for social, cultural, religious or professional reasons, you will soon realize that it does not matter. Just join. Inevitably, your mission of finding the right job might be accomplished by joining one of these organizations. And How Do You Approach People for a Job?
Prior to my migration, I never had any experience in looking for a job. My very first job came to me immediately after graduation from university as an honour graduate recruit of the then-state bank in my country. The next one after that was a result of being poached by another bank, and the last one before I immigrated was through a merger acquisition. Resume writing was not something I was an expert at. It just so happened that my resume, modesty aside, was
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power-packed. I was fortunate enough to have gotten the best education and had been given very challenging assignments that helped build up my career in marketing and communications. Finding myself in the real job jungle out here after immigrating, I have already lost count of the number of versions of my resume I have sent out. In a resume writing workshop I attended, my classmates and I would email each other and joke about the hundredth version of resumes we were in the process of writing. I know the rule about being able to customize your resume to the position and job description you are responding to. But because it does seem like a miracle to find a job that exactly fits your skills and qualifications when you first arrive, you appear to have no choice but to apply for jobs that may only touch on one or two of the skills that you have, and maybe not even the best skills that you have. Whether you are reaching for that dream job or simply hoping to get any job, the number of people who know you will certainly open more doors for you and will make a difference in your job search. The math is simple. The wider your network, the more opportunities
you will know about, and the higher the chances you will have of getting a job. Some companies even prefer to hire referrals from present employees because they want referrals from people they can trust. But finding work through networking is not as easy as the people you meet having the jobs in their hands and handing it to you. I believe in waiting to ask someone for a job referral until you have been able to prove yourself as a reliable, hardworking and trustworthy person to work or deal with. It will take a few meetings and projects worked on together, and your sincerity and genuineness must be felt by those people around you. Even if you need a job badly, keep your dignity intact, especially if that is all that you have for now. The manner and the occasion with which to ask for a referral still calls for a lot of tact and prudence. There is another job search technique where your aggressiveness can work well for you if you have the luxury of not minding what the other person thinks momentarily, and that will be covered in a future article. Networking is a powerful strategy for finding a job. Networking will only be effective if you have been able to convince people that you have the right skills and attributes to be recommended for a job. If all goes well, you may not even have to ask for a job referral, as those referrals will be given to you. ■ Bolet is a marketing communications practitioner. She is author of The Most Practical Immigrating and Job Hunting Survival Guide, proven simple steps to success without the fears and the doubts. Please check out https://www.amazon.com/author/boletarevalo
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FRIDAY
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
FILIPINO-CANADIANS IN FOCUS:
Elisa Zantua, Marianne Jermias, and Luisa Badillo Co-founders of MTG Healthcare Academy
BY EARL VON TAPIA Philippine Canadian Inquirer FOR MANY Filipinos, immigrating into Canada and establishing a new life is a difficult enough task. Yet for a trio of Filipino ladies in Calgary, not only did they find a way to overcome the obstacles they faced as immigrants, they also managed to overcome the obstacles of starting a successful business. Elisa Zantua, Luisa (Lulu) Badillo, and Marianne Jermias are the co-founders of the MTG Healthcare Academy. Started in 2011, the school is an accredited Healthcare Aide training center that produces around 100 graduates each October to become registered Healthcare Aide Workers. PCI spoke with two of the cofounders, Lulu and Marianne, about their journey through Canada, the challenge of setting up their business, and their plans for the future of MTG Healthcare Academy. PCI: When and why did you immigrate into Canada?
Marianne: My father had planted in my head from a young age that I had to go abroad, and I chose Canada because it’s a land of opportunity. I came to Canada in 1994, first based in Toronto, where I was sponsored by my ex-husband. In the Philippines, I was a registered nurse. Since I had credentials and a little bit of experience, I was confident that I would be able to find a good job quite easily. After 2-3 weeks, reality sunk in, and I had to find work. My first job was in a fast food chain. Lulu: [My husband and I arrived] in Canada in 2008. We were working in Saudi Arabia for almost 10 years while our boys were being taken care of in the Philippines. We thought of migrating here to get the boys and come to Canada to live together. PCI: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as immigrants to Canada?
Lulu: Once we arrived here,
Elisa Zantua, Marianne Jermias, and Luisa Badillo.
Classes at MTG Healthcare Academy.
I wanted to pursue my profession. I’m a dentist back in the Philippines, but when we came here, I started in a cable manufacturing company—using a soldering gun, making wires for telephone and internet— while my husband was working in Safeway as a night stocker. Pursuing my dream to be a registered dentist here in Calgary was so impossible because when my international school credentials were assessed, I was told to go back to university to take a program for another 3-4 years. It was really hard to get into the university, so I had to let go of the dream of being a dentist here. Marianne: Usually, the challenge of any immigrant is [establishing] a career here. Our diplomas and experience [acquired] back home weren’t enough to get us ahead in Canada. They have a different standard for accepting our diplomas here. So we ended up working odd jobs just to have food on our tables and [a roof ] over our heads. We have a couple of medical doctors who come to our office just to take the Healthcare Aide program, and it’s very sad to see a well established doctor, a cardiologist in the Philippines, come to Canada and work as a Healthcare Aide.
the idea of a partnership, and from there we found out a similar goal of helping immigrants through teaching because we know what immigrants go through in starting here in Canada. Our business planning started in a food court, right after our shifts, with our scrubs on, tired and filthy. But we had something we wanted to pursue. And that was to help immigrants through the program. That’s where it all started. Lulu: We saw the demand for healthcare aides. The schedule at Bethany Care Society was constantly calling us to demand more shifts, so that’s how we knew. We did a lot of research because we didn’t know the laws in Alberta for starting up businesses, and we didn’t know anything about setting up a business plan.
PCI: What prompted the three of you to start the MTG Healthcare Academy?
Lulu: My cousin asked me if I would like to be a helper aide, and said she would help me become one. She got me into Bethany Healthcare Society. It’s a long-term care facility here in Calgary. That’s how I started being a helper aide. Marianne: I left Canada to go back home in 2009, and I came back to Calgary two years later. In Calgary, I was looking for a job, and that’s where I met Lulu. We worked at Bethany together. I felt Lulu’s frustration of not being able to pursue her profession here in Canada. She was talking about opening a business, any kind (of business) as long as she’s out of a nursing home. I listened to her for a few weeks, and finally I said okay, I have something to put on your table if you want to do something about it. I mentioned a training program because I had experience running a training program in Toronto, and told her, “If you want, I can help you start a training school.” Then Lulu brought along a good friend of hers who is also an established dentist back home, struggling to start up here in Alberta. That was Elisa. The three of us came up with www.canadianinquirer.net
PCI: How big is MTG Healthcare now?
Lulu: My husband works for us, Elisa’s husband works for us, we have a receptionist, and we have 4 instructors. That’s 10 employees total, including the three of us co-founders. Marianne: As for students, last year we had 96; and on our second graduation, we had 94. We will have similar numbers
for our coming graduation this October 3. PCI: What’s next for MTG?
Lulu: We want to have more programs added aside from the Healthcare Aide program. But we have to create our own curriculum and [have it] approved by the licensing body here in Alberta. We’re still doing research on that because we only have a little bit of knowledge on that stuff. We’re almost starting from scratch. Marianne: We started with one program back in 2011. We are creating more programs. Two of the programs that we are really working on are the Medical Transcriptionist and the Cardiologist Technologist program. We are still awaiting approval on those. If those will be approved, they will be the first programs of their kind in Alberta. We are also looking to branch out to other cities where we view a need for our service. We are looking at cities in Saskatchewan and possibly in Edmonton, too. We are also looking for strong Filipino communities. We really want to help out our fellow Filipino immigrants because we know their struggle. ❱❱ PAGE 30 Filipino-Canadians in
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Community News
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Canada accredits... and looked forward to new and exciting partnerships between Canada and the Philippines. During her tête-à-tête with the Governor General, Ambassador Garcia summarized her priorities for growing bilateral ties with Canada, among them more educational partnerships in the fields of agriculture, engineering, environmental protection, educational technology and information technology. The Philippine Ambassador took the occasion to convey the Filipino people’s gratitude for Canada’s tremendous disaster relief assistance in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan last year, including the deployment of Canada’s Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART) by Canada to the island of Panay. The conversation also dwelled upon the recent designation of the Philippines as a Country of Focus for Canada’s development assistance and high-level official exchanges, such as the visit of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to the Philippines in 2012 and the planned reciprocal visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Canada in 2015. “Today, I carried to the Governor General not only my credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary but also the good wishes of President Aquino and the affection of the Filipino people for the entire Canadian nation. My mission is to ensure that Philippine-Canadian friendship will continue to flourish on the back of healthy political and economic relations with the large Filipino diaspora in Canada providing a rich context to pursue our goals,” Ambassador Garcia remarked. Ambassador Garcia was accompanied at today’s ceremonies by the Philippine Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Uriel Norman R. Garibay, Minister and Consul General Eric Gerardo E. Tamayo, Minister and Consul Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, First Secretary and Consul Porfirio M. Mayo, Jr., Consul General Junever M. Mahilum-West of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, Labor Attachés Leonida V. Romulo and Jaime P. Gimenez as well as the Ambas❰❰ 1
sador’s sons Angelo Victor Garcia and Jose Gabriel Reyes. ■
Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia presents her credentials to His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. ALL PHOTOS BY SGT RONALD DUCHESNE, RIDEAU HALL © HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA / REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
Governor General Johnston welcomes Ambassador Garcia.
Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) Chief of Protocol Angela Bogdan introduces Ambassador Garcia.
Governor General (center) with the newly-accredited Ambassadors of Slovenia, the Philippines, Iceland, Belgium, Togolese Republic and Swiss Confederation.
Ambassador Garcia, the Governor General of Canada, Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr. pose with the Ambassador’s entourage.
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Community News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Ambassador Garcia launches winter tour to PH SIGNALLING HER priorities for bilateral relations, Amb. Petronila P. Garcia reached out to Filipino community representatives from Ottawa and Montreal within days of her assumption of post as the Philippines’ top envoy to Canada. At a ‘meet and greet’ activity on Aug. 29, at the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Ambassador Garcia laid bare her mission to build on the strong foundation of Filipino-Canadian friendship to expand existing cooperation between the Philippines and Canada while facilitating commercial ties between the two countries. The ambassador recalled recent milestones in bilateral relations, such as the designation of the Philippines as a country of focus for Canadian development assistance and as priority market for trade, the high level exchanges including the visit of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to the Philippines in 2012, and how bilateral ties have been transformed over the years by Filipinos in Canada, now 660,000-strong. Ambassador Garcia also called attention to important activities where community support will be productive such as Winter Escapade 2, Team Philippines-Canada’s flagship tourism project, the ongoing registration of Filipino overseas voters, and the campaign
for Vigan to be named one of the Seven Wonder Cities of the World. The ambassador seized the occasion to launch the Winter Escapade 2, a unique group tour which she herself will lead on Jan. 30 to Feb. 6 2015, in the islands of Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Bohol and Cebu. Riding on the success of the first Winter Escapade in January 2014, next year’s Winter Escapade eight-day, seven-night package is expected to attract hundreds of Filipino-Canadian and mainstream visitors as inquiries have been pouring in even before the launching of the tour. Throughout September, details of the tour package will be presented by the embassy and Philippine ConsulatesGeneral to various audiences across Canada. The meet-and-greet likewise provided the opportunity for the blessing of the embassy’s new multi-purpose hall and showroom by Fr. Pedro Arana of the Assumption Church in Ottawa who also prayed for the success of the ambassador, her team and mission. “I come to Canada at a time we are enjoying a renaissance in our relationship and the promise that our shared values will form the basis of creating value—for a better quality of life for all concerned. Let us make it so,” Ambassador Garcia said. ■
Camarines Norte group holds 7th anniversary gala BY TONY A. SAN JUAN AUTUMN BREEZE and falling leaves are now almost upon us after a brief bearable warm summer. Proudly and greatly encouraged, the Camarines Norte Association OntarioCanada (CNAC-O) is celebrating its 7th foundation anniversary with a gala dinner on Oct. 18, 6 p.m. at the Rembrandt Banquet Halls, 930 Progress Ave., Scarborough, Ont. CNAC-O, with its masquerade-themed event, will also hold a formal induction of its new set of officers and directors for the 2014-2016 term. Led by president-elect Susan SJ. Llanera, among those to be sworn to office are officers : Merle Canlas, 1st vice-president; Pong Ostonal, 2nd vice-president; Nely Lopriego, treasurer; Jocelyn San Juan, auditor; Carlito Cruz, public relations officer; Liwayway Nabus, business manager; and directors Lourdes Balce, Elizabeth Cruz, Sonia Dela
Cruz, Diego Linan, Eva San Andres, Andrea A. San Juan, Marie A. San Juan, Virginia G. San Juan, Minda Sayoc-Mendoza, Rey Senes, Homer Senson, Faye Silvio and Rommel Yanto. Invited as guest speaker and inducting officer is the Philippine Consul General – Toronto Junever Mahilum-West. GTA FilCan leaders attending include PIDC's Norma Carpio and her officers, FCT's Rosalinda Javier and her directors, BicolCCA's Rafael Nebres and other notable community personalities. The event will be hosted by Ramon Carretas and Karen Pascual-Binaday. Other local radio, stage and musical talents who will grace the event include Martha Joy, Chyrell Samson, Scott Dion Brown and Nicole Samantha Huff. The only Tagalog-Bikol speaking organization from Bicol Region, CNAC-O is composed of natives from the 12 towns of Camarines Norte, namely : Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo,
Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Sta. Elena, Talisay and Vinzons .The empanada-shaped province is widely noted for its sweet palmsized pineapples, beach resorts and gold and iron mines. Organized in April, 2007, it has developed initiatives and delivered ongoing projects which include: a scholarship program in Camarines Norte State College for 12 deserving freshmen students from each of the province's 12 municipalities; a calamityrelief assistance scheme; outreach food- and -in kind donation to town parishes and needy beneficiaries; books and learning materials donation to targeted schools; and continuing partnership and collaboration with FilCan community-based organizations in the GTA. ■ For dinner-dance tickets and souvenir programme ad placements, please contact Susie Llanera at susanllanera@yahoo.ca or Lito Cruz at ce_cruz@ sympatico.ca
Game Philippines joins the 2014 External Development Summit in Vancouver THE PHILIPPINES, represented by its industry leaders and top-notch game development providers, through the Game Development Association of the Philippines (GDAP), joined the 2014 External Dewww.canadianinquirer.net
velopment Summit (XDS) held at the Vancouver Convention Center, Vancouver, Canada from Sept. 10 to 12. The first participation of the country, GAME Philippines is organized by the Philippine De-
partment of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Board of Investment (BOI), Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and the Philippine Trade and Invest❱❱ PAGE 28 Game Philippines
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Seen & Scenes: Vancouver
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Below: In photo are Mike Gonzales, Annette Beech, Mary Jetko and Chandler Grieve.
FUN AT WHITE ROCK MOON FESTIVAL CTV PERSONALITIES SERVE PASTA AT FUNDRAISER Personalities Pasta Night at Spaghetti Factory, a Victoria, B.C. fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Tour.
The highly popular Moon Festival, when the moon was at its brightest and fullest, was celebrated in White Rock, B.C., where 500 traditional Chinese lily lanterns lighted up the pier and promenade. The three-day long event featured Western and Chinese cultural performances, martial arts demonstration, workshops and fireworks display.
Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap draws the lucky winners of concert tickets courtesy of SMBrokers during the first info session on dual citizenship organized by One Alumni Association of B.C.
Lucky winners Eugene and Celine Piezas and Florina Tobias won two tickets to “The Singer and Songwriter” concert of Ms. Joey Albert and Dennis Lambert.
Members of the One Alumni Association of BC with speaker on dual citizenship Consul Anthony Mandap.
For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net.
Another concert ticket winner, Florina Tobias, proudly shows off her prize.
ONE ALUMNI HOLDS DUAL CITIZENSHIP TALKS
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Seen & Scenes: Toronto
MORE SCENES FROM ‘TASTE OF MANILA’ The newest festival in town, Taste of Manila, attracted both mainstream and Filipino communities in Toronto, to the best of Filipino cuisine, arts and culture. Below are more scenes from the latest street fest. (Photos by Joe Damasco).
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Community News
Asean holds teambuilding activity in Ottawa IN ONE of her first official functions, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Petronila P. Garcia opened the annual get-together of members of ASEAN resident missions and their familiesw at the Vincent Massey Park on Aug. 30. Assigned by the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO) as event coordinator, the Philippines organized the annual ACO picnic for over 200 participants with a program designed to foster a sense of common identity and solidarity within the ASEAN community in Ottawa. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Garcia thanked the ACO Heads of Mission for extending arrival courtesies to her on Aug. 25, and appreciated the close-knit ASEAN Committees in Third Countries (ACTs) in capitals around the globe that typify the close friendship among ASEAN member nations. “In all my previous postings, my dearest friends invariably hail from ASEAN countries,” she observed. The ambassador also acknowledged the Embassy of
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Rights group... ❰❰ 19
❱❱ PAGE 33 Asean holds
minimum sentences, advocacy groups and political opponents warned the federal government was moving in the wrong direction. Critics of such sentences have included the Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Psychological Association, among others. Provincial governments such as Ontario and Quebec have also raised concerns about the increased costs to courts and provincial jails. Mangat said the federal government has never provided a detailed accounting of just how much mandatory minimum sentences are costing taxpayers as more offenders spend longer periods of time in custody. She said the total cost is likely in the billions, particularly when such sentences are combined with other changes that have reduced credit for time served before trial and eliminated conditional sentences for some offenders. Adrienne Smith of Pivot Legal Society, which participated in the release of the report, said mandatory minimums eliminate the ability of judges to use their discretion to ensure a sentence fits the crime. “Judges are expert, front-
line justice workers,” she said. “They hear all of the evidence and they are best placed to consider the circumstances of the offender and the offence to craft a sentence that is just in all of the circumstances.” She also said such sentences have a disproportionate affect on groups such as aboriginals, the mentally ill, people with addictions and women. Justice Minister Peter MacKay did not make himself available for an interview. His press secretary, Clarissa Lamb, sent an emailed statement that defended the government’s use of mandatory minimum sentences, though she ignored questions about the findings of Monday’s report. She noted previous Liberal governments have also introduced mandatory sentences for some crimes. “It is our job to give guidance to the judiciary on maximum penalties, as well as on minimum penalties that address the sentencing objectives of denunciation, deterrence, and incapacitation and, therefore, contribute to both public safety and improved confidence in the justice system,” the email said. “For certain offences, our government firmly believes
that a minimum period of incarceration is justified. Canadians lose faith in the criminal justice system when they feel that the punishment does not fit the crime.” Lamb did not respond to the report’s conclusions that mandatory minimum sentences do not deter crime or that they disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups. The Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear a pair of cases related to mandatory minimum sentences this fall. The cases stem from Ontario Court of Appeal decisions last year that found government changes to mandatory sentences for unlawful gun possession are constitutional. Eric Gottardi, a lawyer who chairs the criminal section of the Canadian Bar Association, said if the federal government is determined to press ahead with its mandatory minimums, the law should at least include provisions to handle cases in which a minimum sentence is clearly not justified. “In my view, that’s a more realistic option for a political party that wants to make the criminal justice system a bit more rational than it is now,” he told Monday’s news conference. ■
pines. Foreign companies that are now outsourcing programming and business processes to the Philippines estimate their business cost savings at 30 to 40 percent with 15 to 30 percent in call center services and application systems, and 35 to 50 percent in software development. Also, one of the most compelling advantages the Philippines has over other Asian countries is its large pool of talented, highly-equipped and trainable game developers, graphic artists, and IT professionals.
Game Philippines invite international and Canadian animation and game development professionals, companies and studios to their Pavilion at
Level 200, Vancouver Convention Center, 1055 Canada Place. Business matching opportunity were arranged with Philippine game development service pro-
viders. Consultations on investments and doing business in the country were also conducted by representatives of the Philippine DTI. ■
Myanmar for organizing the volleyball tournament and the Embassy of Vietnam for coordinating the children’s games and tug of war. As the Philippines takes over the role of country coordinator for the ASEANCanada dialogue next year, Ambassador Garcia expressed confidence that ASEAN-Canada relations will continue to grow as Canada deepens its engagement in the ASEAN region according to the host country’s foreign policy priorities. Team-building exercises themed, “We Are All Connected”, a mixed volleyball tournament, soccer and children’s games as well as a buffet of traditional ASEAN fare were among the activities programmed to instill an awareness of the region’s cultural affinity. Awards were also given to winners of the ACO volleyball, badminton and bowling tournaments organized this year by Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively. “I look forward to contributing to the work of the ACO and
Game Philippines... ment Center (PTIC) – Silicon Valley. It will showcase Philippine game development offerings in art, technical, and operational support services, as well as a viable investment location of international companies for gamerelated services and offshore studios. Over the last years, animation and game development are among the fastest growing sub-sectors of the information technology enabled creative services segment in the Philip❰❰ 25
Y. NOW ONLINE, DAIL
S IP T R E G IN F R U O NEWS AT hiYlippineCanadianInquirer @PhilCanInquirer • F/P
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Real Estate
Qualifying for a mortgage BY ANDREIA BRAZIL What will a lender look at when qualifying me for a mortgage?
Most lenders look at five factors when determining whether you qualify for a mortgage: 1. Income; 2. Debts; 3. Employment History; 4. Credit history; and 5. Value of the property you wish to purchase. One of the first things a lender will consider is how much of your total income you’ll be spending on housing. This helps the lender decide whether you can comfortably afford a house. A lender will then look at your debts, which generally include monthly house payments as well as payments on all loans, credit cards, child support, etc. A history of steady employment, usually within the same job for several years, helps you qualify. A short history in your current job shouldn’t prevent you from
ANDREIA BRAZIL
Mortgage Broker Specialist in Mortgage Programs for New Immigrants Cell 778-928-0406 andreia.guariento@gmail.com www.andreiabrazil.ca
getting a mortgage, as long as there have been no gaps in income over the past two years. Good credit is also very important in qualifying for a mortgage. The lender will also want to know that the house is worth the price you plan to pay. What’s the best rate I can get?
Your credit score plays a big part in the interest rate for which you will qualify. The riskier you appear as a borrower, the higher your rate will be. What happens if my credit score isn’t great?
There are several things you can do to boost your credit fairly quickly. Following are five steps you can use to help attain a speedy credit score boost: 1) Pay down credit cards. The number one way to increase your credit score is to pay down your credit cards so they’re below 50% of your limits. Revolving
HOW CAN I HELP YOU? • No cost information and more competitive rates • One stop shopping, with all of the major banks, credit unions and over 100 Canadian lenders • Professional negotiations and credit protection on your behalf, I work for YOU! • Time saving processes, in order to obtain your mortgage faster. • Expert advice, so you can make confident decisions
Think big! Everything is possible!
• Ongoing support and education, my intention is to become your mortgage broker for life.
Call me for your free consultation: (778) 928-0406
credit like credit cards seems to have a more significant impact on credit scores than car loans, lines of credit, and so on. 2) Limit the use of credit cards. Racking up a large amount and then paying it off in monthly instalments can hurt your credit score. If there is a balance at the end of the month, this affects your score – credit formulas don’t take into account the fact that you may have paid the balance off the next month. 3) Check credit limits. If your lender is slower at reporting monthly transactions, this can have a significant impact on how other lenders view your file. Ensure everything’s up to date as old bills that have been paid can come back to haunt you. Some financial institutions don’t even report your maximum limits. As such, the credit bureau is left to only use the balance that’s on hand. The problem is, if you consistently charge the same amount each month – say $1,000 to $1,500 – it may appear to the credit-scoring agen-
cies that you’re regularly maxing out your cards. The best bet is to pay your balances down or off before your statement periods close. 4) Keep old cards. Older credit is better credit. If you stop using older credit cards, the issuers may stop updating your accounts. As such, the cards can lose their weight in the credit formula and, therefore, may not be as valuable – even though you have had the cards for a long time. Use these cards periodically and then pay them off. 5) Don’t let mistakes build up. Always dispute any mistakes or situations that may harm your score. If, for instance, a cell phone bill is incorrect and the company will not amend it, you can dispute this by making the credit bureau aware of the situation. ■ Andreia Brazil is a Mortgage Broker specializing in mortgage programs for new immigrants. This article is not intended as personalized advice.
Filipino-Canadians in... ❰❰ 23
PCI: What advice would you give to other Filipinos and immigrants who have that entrepreneurial spirit?
Lulu: My advice is to take the risk. There is a big risk in starting a business here. You can never tell if you’ll be approved for this or that license. But you have to go for it. Never stop. Sometimes, there are lots of hindrances on your plans [like] financial issues, but if someone really wants to put up a business, go for it, and face the barriers ahead, and over-
come those barriers are you go along. Marianne: I would, for sure, encourage them to pursue their dream, and to put passion in their dream. Once they put passion and heart into something they do, regardless of the challenges they face, they can overcome that. It’s the passion that will push them toward their goal. ■ To learn more about MTG Healthcare Academy, visit the website at www.mtghealthcare.com.
Real Estate
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Own, Sweet Home! BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer OWNING YOUR first home is one of the highest goals one can aspire to. Whether you are a single man or woman with ambitions of your own pad, or a newlywed couple dreaming of your first love-nest, or a growing family wanting out of that now-toosmall rental and into a goodsized place of your own, nothing quite beats the deep satisfaction of finding the right place, closing the deal, and turning the key into the front door of your new home. Of course, beyond that initial thrill, there are monthly payments to think about. But hey, your OWN HOME! Location, location Of course, the process of owning your first home could be easy or difficult, depending on which part of the world you live. The power of your country’s currency, inflation rates, interest rates, property value in your area; these all have an impact on the ease with which your dream-home can become reality. But hang in there. Dreams do come true, especially for the fearless and the frugal who know how to save up and budget their money with the dream in mind, and then know when the time is right to step out and pursue it. Buying boom
According to recent reports from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), in recent months more and more people in Canada have been pursuing their dream of owning a home. The association’s figures indicate that the month of July 2014 saw the highest rise thus far of sales of existing homes in Canada since March 2010. This escalation marked the sixth straight monthly increase, coming out of a winter characterized by sluggish sales. Existing home sales rose by 0.8% in July from June’s 0.6% increase. Actual sales for July 2014, on the other hand, rose 7.2% from July 2013. Meanwhile, the home price index went up by 5.3% from July 2013. Homes sold in July went for an average of $401,585; a figure which increased 5% from
July 2013. Gregory Klump, CREA’s chief economist, explains that “low mortgage interest rates continue to bolster home sales a c t i v i t y. With the Bank of Canada widely e x pected to hold intere s t rates steady until next year, mortgage financing will remain attractive over the second half 2014 and continue to support Canadian economic growth, while waiting for Canadian exports and investment to improve.” So maybe—just maybe—now is your time to step out into your dream, as well. From dream to reality
If and when you decide to take that leap of faith, here are some helpful tips to bring you closer to the reality of owning your first home: 1. Weigh the benefits. Consider your financial situation versus mortgage and loan payments, and your income against your monthly obligations. There are far more benefits to owning your home than you realize, but it’s always best to approach your dream with both feet on the ground, simply so that you are aware of the commitment you are getting yourself into. Much like marriage, no one should buy a home on a whim. 2. Know what type of home suits your needs. There are several options to choose from: traditional single-detached home, an apartment unit, a townhouse, a condo, or a duplex. Every option has its pros and cons, and you will have to consider your budget, needs, and home ownership goals. How long will this be your first home? Do you see this as your first and only home forever? As well, keep in mind that in choosing a home type, although “fixer-uppers” may be cheaper
in terms of initial price, you need to carefully consider the amount of money and effort that will go into the “fixing-upping.” 3. Manage your expectations. After you’ve weighed the benefits, proceed with your selection of a home, but keep your financial capacity in mind and manage your expectations accordingly. Do not get yourself so far into debt that you can’t emerge from it at some point. Prior to setting out, it is always a great idea to know how much mortgage you qualify for. Know how much a lender is actually willing to lend you, based on your income and credit standing, and proceed from there. Some things to consider: • your income • your mortgage qualification • the total cost of the house • the monthly payments • the property taxes in the specific neighbourhood • insurance costs • cost of upgrading / fixing the house • closing costs (i.e., the expenses over and above the cost of the property, including all costs that will be incurred in the transaction; for example, appraisal fees, taxes, title fees) After you examine all of these items then go ahead and get the process started of securing your financing. You want to be prepared when the perfect home comes around. 4. Narrow your search. Begin on the Internet, and end at the realtor’s office. Do all your priwww.canadianinquirer.net
or research online, as this will save you time and money. Check out property listings. Do your research on the different neighbourhoods and communities, including the public amenities, facilities and services of each. Take a virtual tour of the property. Be as well-informed as possible before you head to the realtor’s office. 5. Find a good real estate agent. Find a real estate agent who will help you through the entire process and act on your behalf. A good realtor, one with vast experience and connections in the field, can help you avoid much of the headache that can occur with purchasing your first home. Ask for credentials. Seek out people you know who have purchased homes and ask them for referrals to good agents. 6. Visit the property. Have a digital camera on hand, and snap a photo of the exterior before taking photos of the interior, so that you will know which interior photos belong to which home. Take notes of any of your thoughts and observations, especially if you intend on shopping around for a bit. Things to take note of: colour scheme, out-of-the ordinary design elements (unusually positioned posts, and other things of that nature), and things that need fixing. Check out the surrounding neighbourhood. On your notes, rate the home from 1-10 (10 being the highest)
based on your findings. Keep in mind, though, that most home buyers say they “just know” when they find the perfect home. Do not ignore your gut feeling. 7. Make an offer. When you’ve found the home that is ideal for you, with the help of your real estate agent, make an offer to the seller. Don’t be afraid to negotiate based on how much you are willing to pay, how much the home is worth for its condition, and w h a t w i l l be included in the c o s t ( f o r example, who will should e r the closing costs.) The seller or their agent will then make a counter offer, which you can counter or accept. If neither side seems close to an agreement, then it may be best to move on and look elsewhere. 8. Ask for a home inspection. The home may seem perfect to your eyes, but trained professionals will look for things we normally would not see: termites, leaks, rotting floorboards, hidden defects, faulty wiring. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Whatever deals you may have gotten into can always be rescinded if the home inspection turns up something serious. 9. Close the deal, or move on to another property. All things considered, decide if this is the property for you. If it is, close the deal. If it isn’t, then continue with your search. 10. Keep on saving. You’ve worked out your finances. You’ve found your home. You’ve closed the deal. NOW KEEP SAVING! You don’t want to your monthly financial commitments to turn into a burden and rob you of the great joy of being in your brand new home, so set your priorities straight and save your money wherever you can. And then there’s the moving process, but that’s for another article… Enjoy your own, sweet home! ■
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Entertainment
Save the date: 2 weddings in island paradise mix-up BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer TELEVISION PERSONALITY Cesca Litton, who said on Tuesday that her wedding plans with cager Tyke Kalaw were dashed in favor of the coming Escudero-Evangelista nuptials, posted on her Twitter account later that same day that she was off to find an “awesome” place outside of the exclusive island resort in Quezon province. Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday confirmed that he and actress Heart Evangelista were set to wed on Feb. 15 next year in Balesin Island Club. Litton and Kalaw had their sights on the same weekend, in the same resort. Actually, Litton said, she and Kalaw had made arrangements last May for nuptials, cocktails and a reception based on an assurance made twice by resort managers that the date sought, Feb. 14, was “available.” The case caught fire in social media last week, after one Ria Gamboa chided Balesin Island Club on Facebook for bumping off a friend’s wedding “to accommodate a celebrity-politician couple.” On Tuesday, Litton came out on television via a statement confirming that she was the “friend.” She provided details of discussions with the resort that, she said, had gone as far as “rooming,” food tasting and table layouts. Second round of oculars
The talks started in May, she
Tyke Kalaw and Cesca Litton (left) said that their wedding was bumped from an exclusive resort in favor of the wedding of Senator Francis Escudero and Heart Evangelista (right) INSTAGRAM PHOTOS
recounted, when she and Kalaw visited the island. “We went back last month with our [wedding] coordinator and stylist for a second round of oculars … and sat down with the managers to discuss logistics.” On Saturday, Aug. 30, Litton related, she got a call from her coordinator saying that Escudero and Evangelista had spoken to the resort owner to have their event booked for the dates that included Feb. 14. “I honestly don’t know why there are [people] dragging us into this,” Escudero told the INQUIRER in a text message. “We decided our wedding date, Feb. 15, only yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. “Whatever problem they may have with Balesin ... is a matter that is solely between them.” But with the new date (Feb. 15), the Escudero-Evangelista
couple may have given way to the Litton-Kalaw couple nuptial. In an earlier interview with the INQUIRER, Escudero said that Feb. 14 was a tentative date. Roberto Ongpin, owner of the island and chair of the developer Alphaland, learned about the commotion from a daughter and a nephew, who had read the Facebook post. He issued a statement from Europe yesterday, denying that another wedding was bumped off. In his statement, posted on the Balesin website, Ongpin said he personally invited his friends Escudero and Evangelista to hold their wedding in his resort, over dinner, shortly after they returned from a trip to Paris. This was before Escudero and Evangelista announced
their formal engagement ( the senator proposed on Aug. 23), Ongpin added. When the couple confirmed the date, Ongpin said, he checked with the resort’s reservation desk and was told that Feb. 14 had not been booked. Thus, he said, he instructed the staff to block off that weekend.
gelista and Escudero) knew Ongpin and we did not. That is what it came down to.” Ongpin, in his statement, hinted at a possible compromise: As long as the wedding parties consisted of just a few hundred guests, more than one could be held in the resort, “even during the peak season.”
Reserve entire village
‘Stop bugging my fiancée’
On Instagram on Tuesday, Kalaw had posted his own account. After what he called “a pencil booking” in May, he said, they tried to make a down payment to reserve “the entire Balesin village.” The down payment was not accepted, Kalaw said, instead, they were told to wait for Ongpin’s approval. “They said he [had been] informed. I was furious … when I [learned why] we were disapproved. They (Evan-
On Instagram on Tuesday, Kalaw said all that he wanted was for everyone to “stop bugging my fiancée, so we can plan our amazing wedding.” Litton said, on the same Instagram page, where she also posted a snapshot of herself and Kalaw: “I think God has better plans for [us] outside of Balesin. I don’t care where we get married. I just want you by my side for the rest of my life. I love you so much.” ■
Entertainment
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Four PH films in Busan, three in competition BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer FILIPINO FILMS will be shown at the 19th Busan (South Korea) International Film Festival, to be held Oct. 2 to 11. Two of the films are products of last month’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Milo Sogueco’s “Mariquina” has been fielded in the main competition, the New Currents section. Top- billed by Ricky Davao, Mylene Dizon and Bing Pimentel, “Mariquina” won Best Supporting Actress for teen star Barbie Forteza in the New Breed section of the Cinemalaya fest. Forteza and Dizon play the same character— as a teenager and as an adult, respectively— a daughter who must come to terms with a strained relationship with her late shoemaker father ( Davao). Greatest happiness
Sogueco told the INQUIRER: “It’s overwhelming and humbling. The shoot was fraught with challenges that never seemed to end. It was through a lot of inspiration, dedication and commitment that our team prevailed. Representing the country in Busan fills me with so much pride and joy. All the hard work has paid off. A filmmaker’s greatest happiness is to touch people’s lives. Hopefully in Busan, where the audience is bigger (and international at that), we can make this happen.” Francis Xavier Pasion’s “Bwaya” will be shown in the exhibition section, Windows on Asian Cinema. “Bwaya” won Best Film, Best Cinematography and Musical Score in Cin-
Enchong Dee chooses to finally go public about “mystery” girlfriend BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer
Screenshot from the trailer for Francis Xavier Pasion’s “Bwaya.”
emalaya’s New Breed section. The movie stars Angeli Bayani, Karl Medina, Jolina España and RS Franciso. Bayani and Medina play parents to a school girl ( España) who is killed in Agusan’s only recorded crocodile attack. Said Pasion: “I feel like a suki ( regular customer) of Busan. My two previous films (‘Jay’ and ‘Sampaguita’) were screened there, too. This is a big honor for my cast and crew. We are reaping the fruits of our hard work. Joining an international film festival is a precious opportunity, not just to showcase our cinema before a global audience, but also to keep abreast with the latest [ trends in the industry].”
children who perished in the tragedy. Martika Ramirez Escobar’s “Stone Heart” is competing in the Asian Short Film section. The 20- minute movie revolves around a 1970s actress who is stuck in the past, reliving her lost glory by watching her old movies. Region’s stars
Cha Escala and Wena Sanchez’s “Nick and Chai,” a docu on the destruction caused by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” is vying in the Documentary section. The docu follows Nick and Chai Quieta, parents of four
Italian filmmaker Leonardo Cinieri Lombroso’s documentary “Southeast Asian Cinema: When the Rooster Crows,” is featured in the section called Documentary Showcase. The Italian- Singaporean docu spotlights four leading filmmakers in the region: Singapore’s Eric Khoo, Indonesia’s Garin Nugroho, Thailand’s Pen- Ek Ratanaruang and the Philippines’ Brillante Ma. Mendoza. The docu also features interviews with Filipino actors Eddie Garcia, Rustica Carpio and Cherry Pie Picache, among others, and excerpts from Mendoza’s past movies. ■
echoed Ambassador Garcia’s hopes for deeper friendships among the ASEAN missions for a stronger ASEAN community in Ottawa. The ACO is composed of the resident missions of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam which
meets regularly in Ottawa to raise the region’s profile in Canada and to collaborate on the strengthening of ASEAN’s three pillars, namely, the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). ■
A docu and a short
MANILA—Actor Enchong Dee has finally revealed his mystery girlfriend, after keeping her identity a secret for several months, The Kapamilya star chose to break the secrecy at the 8th Star Magic Ball held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel on Saturday , where he showed up with model Samantha Lewis at his side.
to supporting ACO initiatives and activities,” Ambassador Garcia stated. Minister Nantana Sivakua, Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy which currently chairs the ACO, thanked the Philippines for spearheading the picnic every year and
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When asked what prodded him to finally go public about his girlfriend’s identity, he stated that it was futile to try to keep it private, in the first place. “Nung na realize ko na wala namang nakikinig na I want it private and I want to be quiet, sabi ko I don’t care anymore,” he said. Dee also shared how proud he felt about bringing Lewis to the biggest showbiz event in the country, adding that he and the model have nothing to hide. ■
Cristine Reyes walks out after pregnancy question BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—Cristine Reyes walked out on an interview during the premier night of her latest movie “The Gifted” which she stars together with Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay. Seems like Reyes did not like it when one reported asked the question about her rumored pregnancy. And when another reporter asked if her non-showbiz boyfriend will be attending the premier night, Reyes replied “No, excuse me,” and left in a haste. During her last interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday, Reyes
Asean holds... ❰❰ 28
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Cristine Reyes.
confirmed that she is already thinking of settling down with her current boyfriend. “Hindi pa po [ako engaged], pero may mga plano na po. Hindi ko pa alam, hindi ko pa masasagot ‘yan ngayon. Next time na lang,” said the 25-year-old actress. (I’m not engaged, but there are plans. I still don’t know, I can’t answer that right now, maybe next time.) She also added that she and her boyfriend are already at the right age to start thinking of building a family. Moreover, they both share the same faith, which Reyes believes is vital in keeping the relationship strong. ■
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Entertainment
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
Juday’s promise BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer ACTRESS JUDY Ann “Juday” Santos has vowed not to accept any more television projects that would go head-tohead with programs hosted by her husband, Ryan Agoncillo. Santos’ defunct program on ABS-CBN, “Bet on your Baby,” aired in the same time slot as Ryan’s “Picture! Picture!” on GMA 7. “That was just a coincidence,” Juday told the INQUIRER. “Plus, we found it fun to say hi and good-bye to each other on our shows. If we allow that to happen again, it may seem like we’re competing.” (Her new Sunday show, “I Do,” started airing on Aug. 30.)
Staying grounded
Like any couple, Juday said, she and Ryan have petty fights. “It’s almost always my fault— like, I’m not able to get to a certain place on time, or I forget to do something.” They keep regular date nights and travel together, she said. “It keeps us grounded. It’s nice to just be with each other sometimes, without thinking of our responsibilities at home. However, we can go without the kids for just a maximum of five days. If a trip takes longer than that, we get cranky because we miss them.” She revealed that they have started discussing having another child. “I’m 36,” Juday said. “Postponing pregnancy will only make it difficult and dangerous for me. But ... no
pressure!” They have two kids— Lucho, 3, and their adopted daughter Yohan, 9. She was challenged when her ABS-CBN bosses asked her to host “I Do,” Juday admitted. “It looked exciting to me. I said yes without knowing exactly what I was getting into. I just know I will learn a lot from this.” Drawing the line
Although mindful that ABSCBN takes good care of her career, she draws the line at live hosting. “That’s Ryan’s expertise,” she said, stressing that he gives her valuable TV hosting pointers. In “I Do,” nine couples take on challenges that test their relationships, with Juday, life coach Pia Acevedo and psychologist/marriage counselor
Juday Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, with their children, on the set of Santos’ defunct show “Bet on your Baby!”
Julian Montano, guiding them. The contestants live in three houses inside the “I Do” Village—with the men and women sleeping separately. Each week,
a couple will be eliminated. Winners will be determined by public votes. At stake are P1 million in cash, a house and lot, and a grand wedding. ■
Kris says: Boy Abunda’s return to TV won’t be soon
Anne stuns in sexy pictorial
BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer
BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer
MANILA—Fans of TV show host Boy Abunda may be disappointed to learn that his return to television will not be anytime soon, according to colleague and good friend Kris Aquino. On an episode of “The Buzz”, Aquino—who is one of the show’s hosts—disclosed that Abunda is scheduled this week for a follow-up check up at the hospital; after which he is off to a private place to get some much needed rest. “Tomorrow he has another check-up to see how the procedure went; how he’s healing. On Tuesday, upon the advice of a very good friend na itatago natin sa pangalang Kris Aquino, aalis siya para magbakasyon somewhere where there’s privacy, there’s a lot of sun, there is sand, there is beautiful water. Sabi niya huwag ko daw sabihin [kung saan], but it’s private,” she said. “He’ll be gone for huwag ko din daw sabihin kung ilang days. He lost more than 20 pounds. Kailangan talaga magpalakas, ibalik ang sustansya sa katawan. Sinabi din niya na huwag ko sabihin ‘yung date kung kailan siya babalik. Let it be fluid,”
MANILA—Viva Films, the producer of comedy film “The Gifted,” released a series of photos in their official Instagram account showing Anne Curtis in full-seductress mode, depicting “Zoe,” the character which she will play in the said movie. Curtis will play the obese Zoe, who undergoes a surgery as a play to outsmart Aica (played
by Christine Reyes). Aica, on the other hand, will go through cosmetic surgery to appear more beautiful. According to Curtis, moviegoers should look forward to the twist to the story aside from the war of looks and brains between her and Reyes. The movie is set to hit the big screen on September 3. Directed by Chris Martinez, it also stars Sam Milby who plays the character of Mark, and the love interest of both girls. ■
Boy Abunda on “The Buzz.”
she added. According to a statement from Abunda’s doctor, the TV host’s physical condition has greatly improved, and that he is slowly regaining his strength and appetite. Abunda was diagnosed with a liver abscess, a
condition which required aspiration of the abnormality two weeks ago. Additionally, there will be no further need for invasive procedures if Abunda continues to show signs of improvement, the doctor said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
Anne Curtis’ revealing photo that went viral on social networking sites. PHOTO FROM ANNE CURTIS’ OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Entertainment
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
‘How I Met Your Mother’ star Neil Patrick Harris marries David Burtka in Italy BY MARK KENNEDY The Associated Press
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate Middleton) visit Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour during their New Zealand tour on April 11, 2014 in Auckland, New Zealand. PHOTO BY SHAUN JEFFERS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
British royal couple expecting second child BY GREGORY KATZ The Associated Press LONDON—Prince George is not going to be an only child for long – the toddler will soon have a baby sister or brother to share his fancy digs at Kensington Palace. British royal officials said Monday that Prince William and the duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, are expecting their second child. For the second time, Kate is being treated for acute morning sickness in the early phases of her pregnancy. The first time she was so ill she required hospitalization. This time, she is being treated by doctors at her residence in Kensington Palace. She canceled a planned engagement in Oxford to rest and receive medical care. The new baby, boy or girl, will become fourth in line to the throne, pushing Prince Harry to fifth. George, who is 13 months old, is third and likely to become Britain’s monarch one day. William is second in line, while his father, Prince Charles, is first. Britain had changed its laws before George’s birth so that the couple’s first born would be in line for the throne regardless of its sex. Before the change, a girl would have lost her place in
line if a boy was born later. William and Kate have often expressed an interest in having a larger family. The royal couple and their families are “delighted” with the baby news, said officials at Clarence House, the couple’s office. The announcement follows months of speculation in the glossy British and American press about a possible baby brother or sister for George. After hospital treatment for severe morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, Kate recovered and gave birth to George in July 2013 without further complications. The current illness means the 32-year-old duchess may need extra hydration, medication and nutrients. Britain’s Press Association reported that Kate’s pregnancy hasn’t passed the 12-week stage, which is when she became ill in her first pregnancy. Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “delighted by the happy news that they’re expecting another baby.” Royal officials said it wasn’t clear if the duchess will be able to carry out planned official engagements, including a trip to Malta on Sept. 20 and 21 that would mark her first overseas solo trip. Decisions on events would be made on a “case-by-case” basis, officials said. ■
NEW YORK—Kim Kardashian and Kanye West aren’t the only ones who tied the knot this year in Italy. So did Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. The “How I Met Your Mother” star and his actor-chef groom were married Saturday in Italy. They’d been dating for 10 years and are parents to 3-year-old twins, Gideon and Harper. The grooms wore custom Tom Ford tuxedos and Elton John performed at the reception. “Yup, we put the ‘n’ and ‘d’ in ‘husband,”‘ Harris tweeted Monday. His publicist later confirmed the news. Harris, 41, just won a Tony Award for his role in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” He has
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.
been in several Broadway productions, including “Assassins,” “Proof” and as the exuberant master of ceremonies in “Cabaret.” Burtka, 39, played Tulsa in the Bernadette Peters-led revival of “Gypsy,” was seen offBroadway in “The Play About the Baby” and is also a chef. “How I Met Your Mother”
PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
producer Pam Fryman officiated at the wedding. Same-sex marriages are not allowed in Italy so it was not legally binding in that country. The next celebrity couple to pick Italy to marry is George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who will tie the knot in Venice in a couple of weeks. ■
Assault charge against Bieber withdrawn in Toronto limo driver incident THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO—An assault charge against pop star Justin Bieber has been withdrawn in connection with an incident involving a Toronto limousine driver. The Crown says the charges were withdrawn because there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. The charge stemmed from an early morning incident on Dec. 30, when Bieber and five other people were picked up by a limousine from a Toronto nightclub. Bieber was charged with one count of assault after police alleged one of the passengers hit the limousine driver during an altercation. It is one of a series of legal troubles faced by the 20-yearold singer. Bieber was arrested in Florida in January after what police www.canadianinquirer.net
alleged was an illegal street race involving the pop star and his friend. In August, Bieber pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving and resisting arrest in that case and in a plea bargain was sentenced to an anger management course, a $500 fine and a $50,000 charitable contribution. On Aug. 29, Bieber was ar-
rested and charged with dangerous driving and assault following a collision between a minivan and an ATV in a rural area northeast of Bieber’s hometown of Stratford, Ont. The driver of the ATV and an occupant of the minivan “engaged in a physical altercation,” according to police. Bieber is to appear in court on those charges on Sept. 29. ■
Lifestyle
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Rift emerges over Broadway’s honouring Joan Rivers, with only some theatres dimming lights BY MARK KENNEDY The Associated Press NEW YORK—Joan Rivers will be memorialized by the dimming of Broadway’s lights, after all. But just some of them. The Broadway League, which represents theatre owners and producers, said Monday that Rivers did not meet the criteria for the honour, but several theatre owners said they would turn off their marquee lights Tuesday anyway. Rivers, who died Thursday at 81, was known primarily as a TV actress and comedian, though she often attended Broadway and off-Broadway shows and earned a Tony Award nomination. Disney Theatrical Productions will dim the lights of its New Amsterdam Theatre marquee, as will all five Jujamcyn Theaters, including the Hirschfeld Theatre, where
the Rivers family will gather Wednesday night for the dimming. An online petition by theatre producer Tom D’Angora asking the league to reverse its decision had reached 5,000 signatures as of noon, less than 24 hours after it was put up. “I promise you, the majority of the community wants to thank and honour her,” said D’Angora, who has produced “NEWSical” and “Naked Boys Singing.” “She did so much. She was such an outspoken champion.” “I can’t believe we can be denied the last chance to show respect and thank her. I also think if you watch her interviews and documentaries, this would hurt her feelings,” he added. “Plus, how hard is it to hit a dimmer switch?” A spokeswoman for the league did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Joan Rivers.
A spokeswoman for the Rivers family said they were in mourning and didn’t want to comment. Some celebrities who have
been recently granted the honour—a one-minute dimming of all 40 Broadway theatre marquees—include Philip Seymour Hoffman and James Gandol-
fini, whose TV and film careers often overshadowed their theatre contributions. Rivers wrote and starred in the 1971 quick-to-close “Fun City,” was in Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound” in 1988, and wrote and starred in “Sally Marr ... And Her Escorts” in 1994, where she earned her Tony nod. In a statement on its decision about Rivers, Jujamcyn president Jordan Roth said that “when not on stage herself, she was often seen in the audience on opening nights, cheering for all and championing the Broadway she so loved.” Broadway stars came out in force for Rivers’ funeral on Sunday, including Audra McDonald, who sang “Smile,” and Hugh Jackman, who sang “Quiet Please, There’s a Lady On Stage.” In attendance were theatre stars such as Bernadette Peters, Alan Cumming and Tommy Tune. ■
Owner of Trump casinos in Atlantic City files for Chapter 11, threatens to close Taj Mahal BY WAYNE PARRY The Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for bankruptcy Tuesday and threatened to shut down the Taj Mahal Casino Resort, which would make it the fifth Atlantic City casino to close this year. The company owns Trump Plaza, which is closing in a week, and the Taj Mahal, which has been experiencing cashflow problems and had been trying to stave off a default with its lenders. The company said the Taj Mahal could close Nov. 13 if it doesn’t win salary concessions from union workers. It’s the fourth such filing for the struggling casino company or its corporate predecessors. The company filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware, saying it has liabilities of between $100 million and $500 million, and assets of no more than $50,000.
It missed its quarterly tax payment due last month, and says it doesn’t have the cash to make an interest payment to lenders due at the end of the month. It also says both its Internet gambling partners have taken steps to end their contracts with Trump Entertainment. It said cost-cutting negotiations with the main casino workers’ union have stalled, and that the company is preparing notices warning employees the Taj Mahal may close on Nov. 13. “Absent expense reductions, particularly concessions from their unions, the debtors expect that the Taj Mahal will close on or shortly after November 13, 2014 and that all operating units will be terminated between November 13, 2014 and November 27, 2014,” the company wrote in its bankruptcy filing. If the company makes good on its threat to close the Taj Mahal, it would further rock an already shell-shocked casino
market in what just a few years ago was the nation’s secondlargest gambling market after Nevada. Now, New Jersey has fallen behind Pennsylvania. Three other Atlantic City casinos have closed this year, as the industry struggles with competition in nearby states. Atlantic City began the year with 12 casinos, but could end it with seven if the Taj Mahal closes. So far this year, the Atlantic Club, Showboat and Revel have gone out of business, with Trump Plaza closing next Tuesday. The bankruptcy filing came a day after Gov. Chris Christie’s administration told the state’s casinos and horse tracks that they can legally offer sports betting—a move that defies a federal ban on it and is sure to be challenged in court by the professional and amateur sports leagues which have fought it thus far. Trump Entertainment has struggled since the day it emerged from its last bankwww.canadianinquirer.net
ruptcy in 2010, having filed the year before. It came out of bankruptcy with $350 million in debt, and currently has more than $285 million in debt. As of the end of July, the company employed 2,800 people. The company has been trying to reduce expenses and debt, including selling its former Trump Marina casino for $38 million to Landry’s Inc., which now runs it as the Golden Nugget Atlantic City. It also sold the Steel Pier for $4.5 million; a warehouse for $1.9 million, and its former corporate offices in a converted firehouse for $3.1 million. That building now houses the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. It has been trying for years to sell Trump Plaza. A deal to sell it to a California firm for $20 million last year fell through. The company also said it has been in negotiations with Local 54 of the Unite-HERE union on cost-cutting measures it says it needs to survive, but that the
union has rejected them. Bob McDevitt, the union president, said that Trump Entertainment wanted union members to surrender their health insurance and pension plans, something he rejected. McDevitt said that even if the union agreed to those concessions, they would only total $11 million per year, which would hardly make a difference in the company’s finances. The concessions would be on top of a separate $4 million round of union concessions the company won in 2011. Donald Trump owns a 9 per cent stake in the firm, but neither controls it nor has any involvement in it. He is suing the company to remove his name from the properties, which he says have fallen into disrepair and do not meet agreed-upon standards of quality and luxury. If the Taj Mahal closes, Trump Entertainment would have no remaining properties and would presumably go out of business. ■
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Lifestyle
2 Larger iPhones, wearable devices unveiled at Apple show BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE AND ANICK JESDANUN The Associated Press CUPERTINO, CALIF.—For the first time in years, Apple’s iPhones aren’t the star of the show. Apple unveiled a smartwatch called the Apple Watch on Tuesday, a wearable device that marks the company’s first major entry in a new product category since the iPad’s debut in 2010. The move is significant because of recent questions about whether Apple still has a knack for innovating following the 2011 death of co-founder Steve Jobs. The device’s introduction upstaged the company’s two new, larger iPhones, which won’t just have bigger screens; they’ll have a new, horizontal viewing mode to take advantage of the larger display. The iPhone 6 will have a screen measuring 4.7 inches, while the iPhone 6 Plus will be 5.5 inches. In both cases, app developers will be able to design apps that can be viewed differently when the phone is held horizontally. Apple also introduced a system for using the phone to make credit card payments at retail stores. Apple is turning to the past as it lays out its future. The company is holding the event at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts, the same venue where Jobs unveiled the industry-shifting Mac computer 25 years ago. The Cupertino, California, venue is near Apple’s headquarters. As for the iPhones, which still represent the main source of Apple’s profits, larger models should help the company compete with Android devices. Here’s what’s coming out of Tuesday’s event: Larger iPhones
Now, Apple is increasing that. The iPhone 6 will have a 4.7inch screen, while the iPhone 6 Plus will be 5.5 inches. The screen resolution on the Plus
version will be sharper than previous iPhones, at 401 pixels per inch rather than 326. With the larger screen comes a new horizontal view of the home screen. Usually, icons are stacked vertically, even when the phone is turned horizontally. App developers will also have new tools to rearrange their content to take advantage of that larger screen. The new phones aren’t as big as Samsung’s latest flagship phones—5.1 inches for the Galaxy S5 and 5.7 inches for the Note 4—but they will be large enough to neutralize a key advantage Samsung and other Android manufacturers have had. Notably, Samsung’s Note phone isn’t getting bigger this year. Last year’s Note 3 was 5.7 inches. Instead, Samsung is emphasizing other hardware features, such as a sharper screen. It’s also releasing a model with a curved edge to display weather, time and other information on the side of the phone. Apple says the new phones will be faster and have better battery life than previous versions. The phones will also have a new sensor, the barometer, to estimate how much you’ve climbed stairs, not just how far you’ve walked or run. Of course, some people still use their phones to actually make calls. When there’s poor cellular reception, people will be able to make regular calls over Wi-Fi. The handoff between the two networks will be seamless. In the U.S., this feature will initially be available through T-Mobile. The resolution on the camera is staying at 8 megapixels, while rival Android and Windows phones have been boosting that. The S5, for instance, is at 16 megapixels. However, the megapixel count is only one factor in what makes a good photo. Apple says it is putting in new sensors for better shots. Apple is also improving a slowmotion video feature by allowing even slower shots. The camera
The new iPhones feature bigger screens.
will be able to take 240 frames per second, double what’s in last year’s iPhone 5s. Normally, video is at 60 frames per second. The new phones will start shipping in the U.S. on Sept. 19, with advance orders to begin this Friday. Starting prices will be comparable to those in the past—$199 with a two-year contract for the iPhone 6 with 16 gigabytes of storage. However, the step-up models will have double the memory than before—$299 for 64 gigabytes and $399 for 128 gigabytes. The iPhone 6 Plus phones will cost $100 more at each configuration. Mobile payments
Apple is calling its new payment system Apple Pay. You’ll be able to use your phone’s camera to capture a photo of your card. Apple will verify it behind the scenes and add it to your phone’s Passbook account so you can make payments at a retailer. Apple announced several merchants that will accept this system, including Macy’s, Whole Foods, Walgreens and Disney stores— and of course, Apple stores. Many companies have tried to push mobile payment services, but none has caught on widely. Cook says that’s because the business models have been centred around companies’ self-interest instead of the user experience. The latter, Cook says, is “exactly what Apple does best.”
For security, the card number is stored only on the device. Each time you pay, a one-time card number is created to make the transaction. A smartwatch
The audience erupted with cheers as Cook proclaimed that he had, “one more thing.” It was how Jobs used to close his keynote addresses. That one more thing was Apple’s smartwatch. It’s called the Apple Watch, rather than the iWatch that many people had been speculating. Cook says Apple had to invent a new interface because simply shrinking a phone wouldn’t work. Much of the interaction would be through the dial on the watch. You use that to zoom in and out of a map, for instance, so you’re not blocking the screen, which would have occurred if you were pinching in and out to zoom. New software
Though much of the attention has been on new gadgets, the software powering those gadgets is getting its annual refresh. Apple considers iOS 8 to be its biggest update since the introduction of the app store in 2008. Existing iPhone and iPad users will be eligible for the free upgrade, too. Apple takes pride in pushing existing customers to the latest software, allowing app developers to incorporate new features without worrying
about abandoning existing users. With Android, many recent phones can’t be upgraded right away because of restrictions placed by manufacturers and wireless carriers. Among other things, iOS 8 will let devices work better in sync. For instance, it’ll be possible to start a message on an iPhone and finish it on an iPad. With an upcoming Mac upgrade called Yosemite, it’ll be possible to continue working on that same message on a Mac computer as well. The new iOS software will also let people do more things without jumping from app to app. For example, if a text message comes in as you’re composing an email, you’ll be able to pull down the text from the top edge and send a reply, all without leaving the email app. A new keyboard aims to predict what you’re about to type, going beyond standard spell-checking. You can install keyboards from outside parties, too, something Android already allows. In fact, Apple is opening up more of its features to outside developers than in the past. The fingerprint sensor on iPhones won’t be restricted to Apple’s own services, for instance. The new software will be available to existing users on Sept. 17. Home and health
Apple is rolling out the HomeKit and HealthKit systems. The idea is to turn Apple’s products into a suite of digital servants that do everything from monitoring a person’s eating habits and exercise routines to turning on the coffee maker in the morning. Again, Apple isn’t first in offering home and health monitoring systems. But consumers haven’t rushed to buy those systems partly because products from various manufacturers don’t always work with one another. With HomeKit and HealthKit, Apple is seeking to create some unity—with Apple’s devices serving as a hub. ■
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Nuisance animals or plant partners? How to handle wildlife in your yard BY DEAN FOSDICK The Associated Press COMPETITION AND conflict have existed between people and animals since the first gardeners began sowing seeds on the ground. The critters just as quickly carried them away. But coexisting with wildlife in farm fields or gardens can be a winning proposition if you’re willing to alter your habitat. Even nuisance animals can become plant partners with a little planning. “You can steer your way around a lot of the usual wildlifeproperty owner confrontations,” said Robert Pierce, an extension fisheries and wildlife specialist with the University of Missouri. “Do some homework about animal behaviour,” Pierce said. “Know where raccoons or deer traditionally utilize cover or use traffic lanes. It’s common sense that you wouldn’t want to
plant gardens in those areas.” And sharing property with wild birds and animals doesn’t necessarily mean reducing the size of your harvest, said Tammi Hartung, author of the new “The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener” (Storey Publishing). “Welcome pollinators into the garden,” Hartung said. “Invite animals that can do your pest management. That will actually increase your yields in many cases.” Almost any wildlife species can become a nuisance, Pierce said. Canada goose droppings are messy and potential health hazards. Moles damage lawns. Squirrels eat freshly planted bulbs. Small rodents like voles will strip the bark from grapevines. Feral hogs damage pastures. “Tolerance levels vary,” Pierce said. “Lots of folks just enjoy wildlife and like having them around. Much depends upon whether you have the money to invest to keep them away from your plants.”
The most benign ways to keep wildlife away from the garden include repellents, frightening techniques, rotating crops, decoy plants, fencing, netting and other barriers. Consider: • Being proactive. “Before the raspberries ripen, put up some tape or nets so the birds will never taste them and won’t know what they’re missing,” Hartung said. • Modifying food and cover. “We have 30 deer coming through our property every day,” she said. “The deer wouldn’t leave my tulips alone, so I don’t grow tulips anymore. I grow (deer-resistant) daffodils instead.” • Distractions. “Parsley redirects rabbits from salad greens,” Hartung said. “Plant some sunflowers next to your berry patch. Many birds prefer their seeds to the fruit.” • Growing a surplus for sharing. Add hedgerows outside the
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garden that include fruiting trees and shrubs. • The hose. “We use a motiondetector apparatus that hooks up to a hose,” Hartung said. “It sprays water when it detects motion. When raccoons come at night, they get a hard spray of water. It doesn’t do them any harm but they stay away.” Wildlife-friendly gardening has its challenges, but you can coexist for the most part, she said. “Something like a bear may show up and you’ll have to deal
with it,” Hartung said. “Maybe then it’s as easy as picking up some fallen fruit and discarding it someplace else. “You don’t really need to trap animals, use toxic chemicals or shoot them,” she said. “You can find other solutions.” ■ Online
For more about coexisting with wildlife in your yard, see this University of Missouri Extension fact sheet: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G9425
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Business
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY
Building permits up 11.8 per cent in July, reports Statistics Canada THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA—Statistics Canada said Monday that municipalities issued building permits worth $9.2 billion dollars in July, up 11.8 per cent from June and topping expectations. The federal agency said it was the fourth month in a row that the value of building permits increased. Gains in building permits were posted in five provinces in July, led by Ontario, followed by British Columbia and Manitoba. Economists had expected a drop of 6.8 per cent, according to Thomson Reuters. “After two blistering months
earlier this summer, the consensus view was that Canadian building permits were poised for a breather,” CIBC economist Nick Exarhos wrote in a note to clients. “However, underestimating the resiliency of the Canadian building sector is becoming a dangerous game for forecasters.” Statistics Canada said the increase in July resulted primarily in a boost in plans for multi-family buildings in Ontario and British Columbia, as well as institutional buildings in Manitoba. The value of non-residential building permits was up 5.2 per cent to a record high $4.2 billion in July, the fourth consecutive monthly gain.
Meanwhile, the value of residential building permits was up 18.0 per cent to $5 billion in July, up for the fifth month in a row. The value of building permits for multi-family dwellings rose 43.4 per cent to $2.5 billion in July, after a 4.5 per cent drop the previous month, driven by apartment and condominium projects in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Single-family homes totalled $2.4 billion in July, a decrease of 0.5 per cent, after three consecutive monthly increases. Statistics Canada said the value of permits was up in 21 of the 34 census metropolitan areas in July. ■
US stocks decline as lower oil price drags down energy companies; Yahoo gains on Alibaba IPO BY KEN SWEET The Associated Press NEW YORK—THE U.S. stock market fell Monday, pulling back from a record high reached last week. Energy stocks fell the most as the price of oil slumped. Campbell Soup declined after the company said its 2015 income would miss analysts’ expectations. Yahoo, which owns a stake in Alibaba, rose in anticipation of the giant Chinese technology company going public.
Ukraine took hold, easing concerns that supplies of oil from the region could be disrupted. While lower oil prices are good for consumers, energy companies could be looking at lower profits if the price of oil remains this low. Seven of the 10 biggest decliners in the S&P 500 were energy companies, primarily smaller oil exploration companies who rely more heavily on high oil prices to justify drilling for oil in remote, expensive places. Newfield Exploration, EOG Resources, Pioneer Natural Resources and Anadarko all fell 3 per cent or more.
Keeping score
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 51 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 17,084 as of 1:41 p.m. Eastern. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 11 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 1,996 and the Nasdaq composite fell eight points, or 0.2 per cent, to 4,575. Energy
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for October delivery fell $1.15, or 1.2 per cent, to $92.16 a barrel, its lowest level since January. Oil prices have fallen for three days straight as a cease-fire in
per cent, to $43.48 after the company reported sales that were weaker than analysts were expecting. Campbell also expects its earnings to be slow next year. Britain in focus
The British pound sank to $1.616, its lowest level since November. A YouGov poll showed rising support for Scottish independence, which has made investors nervous. Stocks in London, particularly those with links to Scotland, fell. Britain’s FTSE 100 index lost 0.3 per cent. Analyst’s take
Ali-buster
China’s Alibaba Group is seeking to raise up to $24.3 billion from its initial public offering, which would be the largest of all time. Alibaba Group is expected to make its long-awaited debut on the New York Stock Exchange later this month. Yahoo was an early investor in Alibaba and owns 23 per cent of the company. Yahoo rose $1.90, or 5 per cent, to $41.51. Lukewark soup
Campbell Soup fell $1.01, or 2
“A vote for independence or fear of that outcome may roil financial markets over the next two weeks with the added uncertainty,” said Bill Stone, chief investment strategist at PNC Asset Management, in an email. Bonds, metals
Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.47 per cent. The price of gold fell $13 to $1,254.30 an ounce, silver fell 20 cents to $18.96 an ounce and copper was flat at $3.17 a pound. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
Home Depot confirms data breach, says it affected customers in Canada, U.S. BY DAVID PADDON The Associated Press TORONTO—Home Depot has confirmed that security at its payment system was breached and that customers who made credit card purchases at its Canadian and U.S. stores could be affected. The Atlanta-based retailer (NYSE:HD) said Monday that there was no evidence that the breach affected customers who shopped online at HomeDepot. com or at its stores in Mexico, or that debit card PINs (personal identification numbers) were compromised. It wasn”t immediately clear whether the breach affected credit cards with chips and PINs, which are common in Canada but not yet rolled out universally in the United States. News reports of the breach at North America”s largest chain of home improvement stores emerged last week but the company disclosed little at the time, beyond saying on Sept. 2 that it was investigating. The company is offering identity protection services and credit monitoring to any customer who used a payment card at a Home Depot store since the beginning of April. “We apologize for the frustration and anxiety this causes our customers,” the company said on its Canadian website, homedepot.ca. “We also want to emphasize that you will not be responsible for any fraudulent charges to your accounts, and we”re offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to any customer who has shopped at a Home Depot store in 2014, from April on.” “It is important to closely monitor your payment card accounts and report unusual activity to your issuing bank,” Home Depot”s message to customers says.
A spokeswoman said in an email that Home Depot does have EMV, the standard chip protection in Canada, but that only the details in the news release were being disclosed Monday. “Most importantly, we want customers to know our commitment to them and what the next steps are they should take. We continue to work around the clock with leading IT security firms, our banking partners and the (U.S.) Secret Service to rapidly gather facts and provide information to customers,” said spokeswoman Paula Drake. More detail is being posted on https://homedepot.allclearid.com/ and through a toll-free number at 1-800-466-3337. Home Depot has a total of 2,264 stores in North America, including a total of 287 in Canada and Mexico. A statement issued from its head office on Monday afternoon said that it will roll out chip-and-pin point of sale capabilities to all its U.S. stores by the end of 2014, ahead of an October 2015 deadline established by the U.S. payments industry. Hackers have broken security walls for many retailers in recent months, including Target—which also has stores in Canada and the United States. Security experts have said that chip-and-pin credit cards are less vulnerable to certain types of breach, particularly in stores, but hackers may used other techniques such as grabbing information off online transactions where the card number and password is entered by the consumer. Cross-border shoppers from Canada who visit U.S. retail stores may also make purchases using the magnetic strips that are still included on credit and debit cards with embedded chips. ■
Sports
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Philippines’ encouraging showing at basketball worlds reflects sport on the move BY OLIVER TEVES The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Philippines may have beaten only one of its five opponents and been eliminated at the group stage of the Basketball World Cup but they have won over a country that can sense the rapid progress of the sport in the nation. The Filipinos defeated Senegal 81-79 in overtime Thursday in their last game in Group B to end the tournament on a high, though just qualifying for the trip to Spain was satisfying enough. “Being there is a mini victory for the country already,” former captain Chris Tiu told The Associated Press. “It means that we belong to the elite of Asian basketball.” One of the most successful coaches in Philippine professional basketball, American Tim Cone, shared Tiu’s sentiments. “What a moment,” he said in commentary on local television as the Filipinos geared for the opening battle last Saturday against Croatia. “No matter what happens today, just the fact that we are part of this is a phenomenal thing.” It has been 36 years since the country played in the world championship, in 1978,; 40 years sinice it last won a game;
and 60 years since winning a medal. The breakthrough win over Senegal was no less than the ‘Gilas Pilipinas’ deserved after a succession of narrow defeats. In the opening game, the forced an extra period against Croatia, having tied 71-71 and lost 8178, with some satisfaction that they had given one of Europe’s top national teams a genuine scare. “What a message we sent today. In a word, awesome! I mean, wow!” Cone said after watching the game in Manila. That was followed by an 8270 loss to Greece, and 85-81 defeat by Argentina and then a 7773 reverse against Puerto Rico. Tiu said the undersized team had played with “the biggest heart” and its performance “shocked the world by coming too close to juggernauts like Croatia, Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico.” “That to me is our victory,” he said. The Filipino passion for the sport can be seen in the ubiquitous presence of basketball courts in both poor and wealthy communities—some built by local residents and others donated by politicians trying to leverage the sport’s popularity into votes. Neighborhoods that don’t have real courts would block off the best paved roads where they hold village basketball tournaments.
PHOTO FROM SMART GILAS BASKETBALL'S FACEBOOK PAGE
One of the country’s biggest lovers of the sport is boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who plays basketball with his entourage during breaks in his training. The country’s wealthiest athlete also has joined the professional league as playing coach of the newly-formed KIA Sorentos. His team will see action for the first time in October. Basketball, along with baseball, was introduced by the Americans a century ago when they arrived to colonize the country as the Spanish rulers were close to total defeat by Filipino revolutionaries. Baseball was more popular in the early days but basketball slowly eased it out with more followers and players after the Philippines won Asian com-
petitions in the early 50s and early 60s. Sports analyst Eddie Alinea said that basketball is now more popular than other sports because it is the cheapest game and can be played virtually anywhere. “Even if you are just wearing slippers, you can play,” he said. “You only need a pail or a basket that you can nail to a wall and ask for a donation for a ball.” Unlike baseball or football, it doesn’t need wide open fields, which are at a premium in a country with a small land mass and burgeoning population. Basketball, like boxing, has become the road to riches for aspiring college players seeking to be drafted into the professional league where “people
of joy—the joy of giving and charity—may help you ease the stress brought by your professional load. The kind of happiness that giving brings is still greater than any kind of material bliss. Libra (September 23-October 22) Have a bountiful harvest by playing the cards right this week! Do not let temptations distract you from growing wiser in handling financial matters. Remember to save today to gain success tomorrow! Scorpio (October 23-
the form of leisure and unnecessary pleasures, which may slow you down from achieving what you want. Sagittarius (November 22-
are earning in the millions” of pesos (tens of thousands of dollars) Alinea said. Professional teams recruit NBA players to boost their lineups. Pacquiao’s new team is eyeing NBA All Star Metta World Peace, the former Ron Artest who had stints with the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. World Peace currently plays for the Sichuan Blue Whales in the Chinese Basketball Association. Tiu said he is against drafting imports, especially for college teams. He said it would take away opportunities for local players and may deprive “our big men” who play centre or power forward from reaching their “full potential.” “When schools seriously recruit foreigners and give them very attractive packages, you tend to question the underlying values of the game and the school as well. What’s more important? Academics or basketball? Is it always about winning? Or is it about developing student-athletes?” said the former college basketball star. Imports in the pro league can take away livelihood opportunities for Filipinos, he said, but the Philippine Basketball Association has done “a decent job in balancing this” by providing an all-Filipino conference and requiring only one import per team in the other conferences. ■
HOROSCOPE Aries (March 21-April 19) The stars want you to free yourself from thinking about the worst, which may never happen. Instead of blaming yourself and the people around you, why not try keeping a positive note in your mind? Taurus (April 20-May 20) Straighten the crooked beginnings by apologizing to those you have hurt in the past days. You can only be happier if you forgive and forget. Gemini (May 21-June 21) Let go of all the pride you’ve been keeping inside and take a step towards greater peace of mind. Do not forget that the only way to reach the happiness that you desire is by being self-
less. Giving without asking for something in return is the ultimate key. Cancer (June 22-July 23) Letting the opportunity pass is the biggest mistake you’ll be making this week. Be on guard of the wonderful chances that will be coming your way. Great things come only once, so when it’s finally there, grab it and never let go Leo (July 24-August 23) Investing in your wardrobe today to spray some extra confidence in your work might be a good move to build-up a successful career. Now is the right time to pursue the kind of style that will make your clients say "Yes." Virgo (August 24-September 22) Exploring a different king
November 21)
Stay focused on driving towards the path that will lead you and your family to the end of the road. Avoid stopovers in www.canadianinquirer.net
December 21)
There are a few conflicts at work or at home that will really test your patience. Learn to tame that beast inside and always look at the brighter side of things. Capricorn (December 22January 19)
Depending on facts and sound logic may help you make the best decision today. Relying on baseless and unproven doubts and feelings may not do you any good this week and the days to come.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18) The stars are telling you that it is not wrong to be friendly and to be open to building new relationships. Just be very careful in picking the ones you’ll trusty. Be cautious of the people around you, especially those that you haven’t known for a long time. Trouble will follow you if you are not vigilant, so never let your guard down. Pisces (February 19-March 20) Try to be extra sensitive of the way you act today. You may not know it, but the people around you may have been keeping a grudge against you for always bossing around and nagging at them in ways that you may not have noticed.
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Travel
Blueberries, chocolate and biking make for sweet mix on Quebec’s Route Verte cycling trails BY ALVIN WOODWARD The Associated Press ALMA, QUE.—I had wondered whether Lac-Saint-Jean, a twoday drive from home in Virginia to the edge of the Quebec wilderness, might prove to be a trip too far as a bicycling destination. A sublime moment on the lake’s Veloroute des Bleuets, the Blueberry Trail, put that question to rest. Yes, this was worth it, I thought, rolling through PointTaillon park on a fern-lined trail with solitary beaches and deep blue waters sparkling through trees on one side of the trail. On the other side, wild blueberry patches spread out like throw rugs on the forest floor. Icing on this cake: bear poop in the briars. Quebec has over 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometres) of bikefriendly roads and trails in its Route Verte (Green Way) cycling network and selecting which segments to ride can be bewildering. In making a plan months earlier, I decided to follow the food. Napoleon famously said an army marches on its stomach and that’s what I did in seeking the conquest of New France, on a bicycle. I ventured boldly into the heart of Lac-Saint-Jean blueberry country. I stayed in a chocolate factory overlooking the magically moody St. Lawrence River. I rolled in the territory of fine cheese-makers in storybook villages topped with spires, shrines and other icons of the faithful. I knew I might come back plump and Catholic. But nothing ventured, nothing conquered. Over two weeks, I cycled on two separate sections of Route Verte: the 160-mile (256-kilometre) circuit around LacSaint-Jean, and a collection of country lanes and bike paths
"Axe 1" of the Route Verte between Bishop's University and Lennoxville, used in the winter for walking.
"Axe 5" of the Route Verte along the canal Lachine, in Montreal.
PHOTO BY NICK / AV1978 / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
on the eastern shore of the St. Lawrence between sunsetkissed Kamouraska and the Gaspe Peninsula. This was my second year sampling Route Verte and it confirmed an impression from the first: Quebec reserves prime real estate for cycling. If you’re biking in lake or river country, often nothing separates you from the water except a palette of sand, rock and wildflowers. This makes for arresting vistas. Veloroute des Bleuets
Stitched together from bike trails, country byways, village pathways and occasional paved shoulders, this is a beautiful ride along a lake so big it resembles the sea. Cyclists on Veloroute des Bleuets are treated to candy for all of the senses—the sight and sound of waterfalls, the crispness of the air, the tiny taste-explosions of those wild blueberries, ripe in late summer and better than any berry in captivity. People generally take three to five days to circle the lake. The longer the trip, the more time to see places such as Zoo
Sauvage, where great wild spaces are given to animals, and ValJalbert, a historical 1920s paper mill town dominated by a towering waterfall, dramatically illuminated at night in changing colours. One tip: Ride counterclockwise to fare best with winds. Another tip: Equinox Aventure will drive luggage from inn to inn for $9 to $18 a bag per day, plan itineraries, book lodging and retrieve you if needed. Day 1: 35 miles (56 kilometres) from Chambord on the southern lakeshore to Alma. Sweeping lake views, treed pathways, then condo lodging at Dam-en-Terre. Day 2: Same distance. That memorable romp along PointeTaillon beaches. Here, be sure to divert from the Blueberry Trail and bike the park’s full length, taking a quick ferry at the end, for a spectacular ride. Lodging: a very cool yurt at the Peribonka campground. Day 3: After 26 miles (41 kilometres), a hard rain that promised to last. Time to request an Equinox van, find the nearest Tim Hortons coffee shop and end the lake conquest. This option was probably not
PHOTO BY COLOCHO / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
available to Napoleon’s troops when it rained on them. But it made time for an unrushed visit to Zoo Sauvage in Saint-Felicien, where bears, caribou and many more beasts of the boreal wild roam and people are caged—in trams that place you smack in the middle of the menagerie. Tip: Trappist monks make amazing chocolate-dipped blueberries off the trail in Dolbeau-Mistassini; the trailside tourism office also sells them seasonally. St. Lawrence
A nearly three-hour drive places you in the commanding Saguenay fjords and town of Tadoussac, a playground for hikers, whale-watchers, kayakers, nature lovers, artists and cyclists, more from Europe than the U.S. Then it’s 90 minutes by car ferry to the St. Lawrence’s eastern shore, land of world-renowned sunsets, wild rose-hip bushes, fragrant bakeries and more great biking. Over five days, these proved among the best in a series of day rides: a loop in magnificent Parc Bic, where seals sun
on rocks; village lanes and Route 132 from Notre-Damedu-Portage to Saint-Andre; and a trail between La Pocatiere and Saint-Roch-des-Aulnais. Along Route Verte 1, as this stretch is signed, it’s hard to go wrong. Especially when you end up for the night in that little chocolate factory, Auberge La Fee Gourmande. ■ If You Go...
SAGUENAY-LAC - SAINTJEAN: http://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/en or 877-2538387 ROUTE VERTE: http://www. routeverte.com/rv/home BLUEBERRY TRAIL: http:// www.veloroute-bleuets.qc.ca/ en/ ZOO SAUVAGE: http://zoosauvage.org/en/ EQUINOX AVENTURE: http://equinoxaventure.ca/en/ index/ VAL-JALBERT: http://www. valjalbert.com/en/ PARC BIC: http://www. s e p a q. c o m / p q / b i c / i n d e x . dot?language_id AUBERGE LA FEE GOURMANDE: http://www. lafeegourmande.ca/en.html
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Seen and Scenes
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
FRIDAY
PH SPEARHEADS ASEAN COMMUNITY PICNIC
Various games and teambuilding activities made for a day of fun at the recent ASEAN Picnic at the Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa.
The ASEAN Committee in Ottawa Heads of Mission get together the ASEAN way (L-R): Amb. and Mrs. Anh Dung To (Vietnam), Chargé d’Affaires Nantana Sivakua (Thailand), Amb. Petronila Garcia (Philippines), Amb. Dienne Hardianti Moehario (Indonesia), Acting High Commissioner Sukri Sharbini (Brunei Darussalam) and Counsellor Soe Myint (Myanmar)
TOP ENVOY LAUNCHES WINTER TOUR
Fr. Arana blesses the new multi-purpose hall and showroom of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.
Ambassador Garcia introduces Deputy Chief of Mission Uriel Norman Garibay.
Some members of the audience immediately signed up for the winter tour.
Ambassador Garcia invites the Filipino community to join the Winter Escapade 2.
Deputy Chief of Mission Uriel Garibay
WEDDING IN WINNIPEG
Filipino-Canadian couple Candice Eisma and Marc Lester Ferrer recently wed at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church in Winnipeg, MB.
Marc Lester with parents Joji and Anita Ferrer.
For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net
Relatives have fun at the reception.
Events
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
CANADA EVENTS
YUKON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
NUNAVUT
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View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting
http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events
It’s Showtime Canada Live in Edmonton By TFC and 3J Event Services WHEN/WHERE: 5 to 8 p.m., September 21 at the Shaw Conference Centre, Halls ABC 9797 Jasper Ave., Edmonton, AB. MORE INFO: Call 780-440-4282 ext 3 (Zed); 780-938-7373 (Girlie) Tickets at $50, $85, $100, $125, $250
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Bamboo World Tour
ALBERTA
MANITOBA
SASKATCHEWAN Game Philippines at 2014 External Development Summit By Game Development Association of the Philippines WHEN/WHERE: till Sept. 12, Level 200, Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place Beginners’ Computer Class By Mosaic Settlement Services WHEN/WHERE: 9:30 to 11 a.m., Sept. 12 to Nov. 7, Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C.
By MCY Entertainment NEWFOUNDLAND
ONTARIO
QUEBEC
Filipino Canadian New Era Society 12th Anniversary By FilCanes WHEN/WHERE: 12 noon to 6 p.m., Sept. 21, Capri Hall, 3925 Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C. 29th Annual Aids Walk for Life By Scotiabank WHEN/WHERE: Sept. 21, at Sunset Beach, Vancouver, B.C.
Nanaimo Teen Fest By Teen Fest Canada WHEN/WHERE: 11-5:30 p.m., Sept. 13, Maffeo Sutton Park, 50 Arena St., Nanaimo, B.C.
Bamboo World Tour Live in Canada By Great Smile Denture Inc., MCY Entertainment and TFC WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Sept. 26 @ Massey Theatre, New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Sept 27 – Calgary; Sept 28- Winnipeg; Oct. 3 – Saskatoon; Oct. 4 – Toronto; Oct. 5 - Edmonton
Peer Support Training By Immigrant Women’s Peer Support Program WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m., to 4:30 p.m., from Sept. 13 to Dec. 13 at the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. #200C- 504 Cottonwood Ave. Coquitlam B.C. MORE INFO: Contact Liza @ 604-395-8000 ext. 1706
The Singer & The Songwriter featuring Ms. Joey Albert and Mr. Dennis Lambert By MediCard Philippines Intl.. in cooperation with Harana Entertainment & St. Clare of Assisi Parish WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., September 27 @ Michael J. Fox Theatre, Burnaby B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets at $40, $50 and $100. Call Harana Entertainment 604-763-2590
Disability & Employment Insurance Workshop By Mosaic Settlement Services WHEN/WHERE: 2 to 4 p.m., Sept. 17, Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver. B.C.
Food Safe Course By Victoria Filipino Canadian Association WHEN/WHERE: 2 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 28, Bayanihan Community Center, 1709 Blanshard St., Victoria, B.C.
Workshops for Youth: Life After High School: Being Labour Market Ready By Mosaic Settlement Services WHEN/WHERE: 4 to 6 p.m., Sept. 18, Mosaic Vancouver Language Centre, 3rd Floor, 2730 Commercial Dr.
WHEN/WHERE: Sept. 27, Century Casino, Calgary
4th World Poetry Canada Intl. Peace Festival By World Poetry Reading Series Society WHEN/WHERE: Oct. 6 to 26, grand opening 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 19, at Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Room 7000,www.canadianinquirer.net Vancouver, B.C.
The Hotdog Concert & Dance Party By Primetime Events Group WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., September 12 and 13, at Rembrandt Banquet Hall, 930 Progress Ave., Scarborough, ON. MORE INFO: with special guest Elaine Evangelista-Virata Linda Modern Thai By Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 14, Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto, ON The Filipino Comedy Tour By Apl de ap Foundation WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Sept. 19, Macmillan Theatre, Toronto
To have your events featured on PCI, please email events@canadianinquirer.net
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