Philippine Canadian Inquirer #159

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CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER VOL. 3 NO. 159

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MARCH 20, 2015

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Peña takes over as Makati City Mayor

Senate report to fill gaps in PNP probe

Vancouver sends off first PAL flight to NYC

Ex-Side A frontman Joey G wows crowd in Alberta

Mayweather and Pacquiao play nice for media

THE MAMASAPANO REPORT Responsibility

for Mamasapano shouldn't be all on Aquino: De Lima

BY PERFECTO T. RAYMUNDO JR. Philippines News Agency

PNP-OIC PDDG Leonardo Espina accepts from PNP Board of Inquiry Chairman PDir Benjamin Magalong the finished BOI report on the Mamasapano incident on Thursday at the PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Office in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Tales of courage, heroism retold in Mamasapano Report

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer THE HEART-WRENCHING tales of courage and heroism of the Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who were

sent to a daring covert mission in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, on Jan. 25 were retold in the 128-page report of the Philippine National Police board of inquiry.

PNP-PIO / PNA

Fil-Can in Focus: William Orsua

MANILA — Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila M. De Lima said on Wednesday President Benigno S. Aquino III should not be held responsible in every aspect of the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25 that resulted in the death of 67 Filipinos, including 44 police commandos.

This was the reaction of De Lima on the report of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs about the incident where President Aquino was even mentioned as ultimately responsible in the aftermath of the “Oplan Exodus.”

De Lima said she would like to know the basis used by the senators in their conclusion, although in the previous speeches of the President he claimed responsibility for the incident.

The DOJ secretary did not agree with the position of the Senate Joint Committees on some issues regarding the

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FRIDAY

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

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About 60 hectares to China’s land grabbing

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer CHINA’S LAND reclamation in four of the Philippine-claimed atolls and reefs in the West Philippine Sea area of the South China Sea, estimated to have reached more than 60 hectares, may have already changed the physical features of these disputed areas, which one lawmaker warned could indicate that the Philippines was starting to lose its territory to its bigger and more aggressive neighbor.

Magdalo Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo said Chinese reclamation and construction in the South China Sea region might have already changed the status quo in the disputed regional waters.

“Definitely, upon the completion of these reclamation activities by China, they would have been physically altered from reefs and shoals to habitable islands. As islands, furthermore, they are now able to host structures for military and other personnel as well as support naval and aircraft operations therein,” said Acedillo, a former military pilot.

Going, going, gone …

He predicted that the Philippines could lose Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to China “in a year’s time or two … when China steps up air and navy patrols based out of Mischief Reef.”

The Philippines had control of Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef ) until 1995 when China began putting up what it claimed was a shelter for Chinese fishermen, but then ultimately claimed the reef for itself.

Alarmed Philippine authorities moved to guard the neighboring Ayungin Shoal, allowing a disused hospital ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, to run aground on the shoal. Ayungin is about 22 nautical miles (41 kilometers) from Panganiban Reef.

Acedillo warned that “within two to three years” after China takes Ayungin Shoal, Scarborough Shoal, or the Bajo de Masinloc, off the coast of Zambales province would be next.

“Within a decade from next year, we will be forced to relocate residents of Pagasa, which is now part of Palawan province and abandon our second largest island in the Spratly group,” Acedillo said.

Already a small city

Aerial photos of Mischief Reef taken last Jan. 29 and 30 showed that dredging activities have begun in the area.

A well-placed government source described the dredging in Mischief Reef as “the most unsettling” of all because it is only 41 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal.

The INQUIRER learned that the Chinese had reclaimed some 24 ha of land

cal proximity to some of its claimed territories that, it says, falls within its exclusive economic zone as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

The Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China), claimed by the Philippines and China, is little more than 220 kilometers ( 118 nautical miles) from the Philippines and 650 kilometers (350 nautical miles) from China.

Lack of COC

China's efforts at building artificial islands in the disputed areas of the South China Sea have already had a dramatic effect on how the dispute are playing out as the Philippines is slowly losing ground due to the advancement.

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on Calderon Reef, the biggest of the artificial islands in the disputed waters.

On it, the Chinese have built a massive building surrounded by several smaller structures.

On Mabini Reef, China has reclaimed 12.14 ha of land; on Gaven Reef, some 10.9 ha, and on Kennan Reef, 8.09 ha.

“If you put all those structures together, it would be like a small city,” the source said.

Forward operating bases

Acedillo said these Chinese built-up territories functioned as forward operating island bases that could sustain 24/7 naval and air patrols, “virtually allowing China to stake their claim to at least 80 percent or even the entire South China Sea area consistent with their ninedash line claim.”

“This will be to the detriment of the other claimants,” he said.

The dispute over territory and sovereignty over the South China Sea region involves for the most part the Spratlys and Paracel island chains, which are claimed in whole or in part by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines. Apart from these two chains, there are dozens of uninhabited rocky outcrops, atolls, sandbanks and reefs, such as the Scarborough Shoal claimed by the Philippines and China.

China claims by far the largest portion of the South China Sea territory, an area defined by the “nine-dash line” that stretches hundreds of miles south and east from its southernmost Hainan province, its claim based on 2,000 years of regarding the Paracel and Spratly chains as part of China.

The Philippines’ main basis for its claim to the Spratlys (it has no claim to the Paracels) comes from its geographi-

Acedillo warned that China’s “preeminence over the Spratlys and the South China Sea” as a result of its unhampered building of facilities on the disputed territories that could become operational by year’s end or early next year, it would be very hard to forge a Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea that would be fair to all parties and not skewed in China’s favor.

“China has gained the most from this seeming lull provided by a lack of COC with teeth,” he said.

“The fallout versus China generated by these violations will make it even harder to redraft an enforceable COC that is binding to China, not so much the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,” he said. ■

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Philippine News

MARCH 20, 2015

FRIDAY

Trust still there, says government panel

BY GIL C. CABANCUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer

Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” Basit Usman and Amin Baco.

The commandos killed Marwan during the operation, but Usman and Baco THE AQUINO administration is forging got away. As they withdrew from Mamaahead with its quest for peace in Mind- sapano, the commandos were set upon anao even though Moro Islamic Libera- by guerrillas from the MILF, its splinter tion Front (MILF) chief Murad Ebrahim group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom sounds less than optimistic about the Fighters (BIFF), and armed residents of passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law the town.

(BBL) after a bungled counterterrorism Forty-four commandos, 17 MILF mission in Mamasapano, Maguindanao guerrillas and three civilians were killed province, on Jan. in the gun battle that 25 backfired on the lasted 12 hours. peace process.

Murad conceded “The fact that the there was a possibiliceasefire was immediThe fact that the ty that the BBL would ately restored and we ceasefire was not be enacted on continue to work on immediately time with President the other confidencerestored . . .

Aquino’s dwindling building measures indicate that the political capital. indicate that the trust trust between the Senate President between the parties parties and the Franklin Drilon and and the hope are still hope are still there.

Speaker Feliciano there,” said governBelmonte Jr. have ment chief negotiaagreed to pass of the tor Miriam CoronelBBL in June, before Ferrer, who signed an Congress adjourns. agreement with the MILF for the decommissioning of the group’s armed force in No time to lose Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, just five days “I hope legislators will see the wisdom after the Mamasapano incident. in immediately resuming the deliberaCoronel was reacting to a published tions on the draft BBL. We cannot lose report from Reuters in which Murad ex- time in helping Mindanao recover from pressed pessimism over the fate of the the impact of decades of armed conflict.

BBL. Peace is every one’s right,” Ferrer said “Trust has been affected. We are yesterday in a text message. studying to see if the approval of the Communication Secretary Hermino police operation came from the highest Coloma Jr. declined to comment on Mulevel of government,” Murad said. rad’s statements.

“Based on our findings, it was not a “What we know is that both sides conmistaken encounter. They attacked our tinue to work for the best possible BBL community and our forces,” he said, re- that may be enacted by Congress within ferring to the results of the MILF inves- the time frame set by the leadership of tigation of the daylong clash between both houses. [The] government remains Special Action Force (SAF) commandos firmly committed to establishing endurand Moro rebels in Mamasapano. ing peace,” Coloma said.

The SAF commandos sneaked into In the House of Representatives, DepMamasapano to capture terrorists uty Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao said Mu-

rad’s remarks “would chafe, especially at this time when the President is trying hard to rally support for the BBL.” Aggabao said he remained optimistic that the BBL would be approved, but he added that the Mamasapano incident and Murad’s statement have pushed back the peace process.

“My sense is Congress would eventually pass the BBL if constant handwringing from the Palace is applied,” he said.

Aggabao raised a valid point since the government launched the SAF mission inside MILF territory without going through the process for territorial access under the peace agreement.

“This was a massive violation of the ceasefire. Yes, there was overkill in the response of the Mamasapano Moro contingents and it should not be condoned, but it should be put in the larger picture of a massive surprise intrusion,” Bello said. ■

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Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

‘Majesty of the law’ is PH weapon vs China in sea row

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer “WHAT KIND of people do they think we are?”

Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza stressed that the Philippines was no pushover as he asserted the country’s claim to a South China Sea territory and its right to seek international arbitration to resolve its dispute with China.

In a keynote speech at the forum on “Borders and CrossBorder Enforcement” at Harvard Law School, Jardeleza reiterated the Philippines’ resolve to follow the rule of law against China’s excessive claims in the resource-rich waters.

“To that question, we Filipinos have a ready answer: We may be a small nation, but we come from a proud race. We may have less in armament, but we have a mighty weapon, the majesty of the law. With this self-defense instrument, we thus have sought to bring China to arbitration,” said Jardeleza, who addressed the forum at his alma mater on Feb. 27.

At the time, Jardeleza, who was the solicitor general before being appointed to the Supreme Court, was still the Philippine agent in the arbitration case before the United Nations tribunal.

He relinquished this role on March 2, passing it on to Acting Solicitor General Florin Hilbay.

The government will be filing on Monday a supplemental submission to the UN body, in response to the tribunal’s request for a “further written argument” from the Philippines after China issued a position paper on the case even as it refused to formally take part in the proceedings.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, overlapping with ownership claims of Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines, which part of the ocean waters the West Philippine Sea. Illegal claim

In his speech, Jardeza reiterated that China’s claim was illegal. "China's grand claim to cover almost the entire South China Sea, and all the maritime

Philippines submits 3,000-page, 12-volume documents to tribunal to bolster case against China

BY MICHAELA DEL CALLAR Philippines News Agency

Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza.

features therein, has no basis ininternational law,” he said.

In contrast, he said, the Philippines bid for arbitration, which invoked a remedy under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), was an act that was faithful to international law.

“Our decision to turn to arbitration, as a remedy provided by international law, proceeds from our unshakeable belief in the rule of law even on crossborder matters. If we have a written constitution governing the use of our oceans, then surely, we, as nations using principled argumentation, can peacefully settle differences in interpretation and application,” he said.

Jardeleza criticized China’s insistence to be excluded from the arbitration process.

“China has so far refused to participate in the arbitration proceedings despite continuous and many invitations from the tribunal. Again we ask: Under a regime of law, wouldn’t the world be better off if China contributed to the argumentation, so that by its reasoned elaboration, it could enlighten everyone on the legal bases for its ambitious claim over almost all of the South China Sea?” he

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said.

Beijing must comply

Jardeleza said the arbitration case was a “rare opportunity” for China to engage in dialogue not just with the arbitration panel “but, in a larger sense, with all of mankind.”

Addressing the question of whether China would comply with a ruling favorable to the Philippines, Jardeleza said the largest of the claimant nations in the South China Sea dispute was “legally obliged to comply with the ruling.”

He reminded Beijing that ignoring such a ruling would be a “clear and open violation of its international legal obligations.”

“This, with all due respect, is a matter China should consider, mindful of its international prestige and influence. We would, of course, prefer China to present itself as a responsible and law-abiding member of the international community, and thus abide by an international arbitral award,” he said.

“This decision should be viewed by the rest of the world as fair and just. More particularly, the award will be reflective of the established rules of international law,” Jardeleza said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

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tribunal has jurisdiction over the case and that the Philippines’ claims including its particular claims concerning the MANILA — The Philippines nine-dash line are well-foundhas conveyed on Monday ad- ed in fact and law.” ditional volumes of maps, legal Jose said the submission conarguments and charts to the sists of 12 volumes and totaling Netherlands-based tribunal to over 3,000 pages. further bolster its arbitration Volume one consists of 200 case against China. pages of written argument, Manila’s “supplemental sub- Jose said, while volume two mission” was in compliance consists of 200-page atlas conwith the tribunal’s Dec. 16, 2014 taining detailed information requirement for the Philip- about pertinent islands, reefs pines to reply to 26 questions and other features in the South seeking additional argument China Sea. and information “Preparing on its case, said such extensive Department of submission in Foreign Affairs such short order (DFA) spokesrequired subman Charles stantial effort Jose on Tuesday. and coordina“The question from reltions relate to isevant concerned sues concerning The agencies,” he both the tribuPhilippines’ said. nal’s jurisdiction claims Jose said the and the merits of including its Philippines “apthe Philippines’ particular preciates the claims including claims evident care and the...lawfulness concerning attention the of China’s sothe tribunal is givcalled nine-dash nine-dash ing to this case as line,” Jose said. line are wellreflected by the Philippine founded scope and detail diplomats said in fact and of the tribunal’s the submission law. questions.” is vital as it will Manila also determine if the praised the tricountry’s combunal for its plaint against “utmost proChina has legal fessionalism” merit or not. despite “the Manila, which difficulties creinitiated arbiated by China’s tration against decision not to Beijing in March 2013, is ques- appear” in the proceedings tioning the legality of China’s and for making sure that “both nine-dash line, a U-shaped sides are not prejudiced by massive enclosure of its claim that decision.” of the disputed South China Ignoring the claims of other Sea, including areas that fall parties like the Philippines, within Manila’s territory.

China, which does not recog“The Philippines has sub- nize the country’s case, insists mitted detailed responses and indisputable historical and sovextensive additional informa- ereign right to the vast waters tion,” Jose said, adding the gov- and its resources. ernment is confident that the Manila says China’s claims answers to the tribunal’s ques- are baseless and violates intertions “leave no doubt that the national law. ■

Philippine News

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MARCH 20, 2015

FRIDAY

Scattered debris indicates underwater blast tore apart Japan battleship found in Philippines

BY MARI YAMAGUCHI The Associated Press TOKYO — Debris scattered over a large area at the bottom of sea in the Philippines indicate that the massive Japanese World War II battleship Musashi had blown up in an undersea explosion after it sank beneath the surface 70 years ago.

Experts from a research team analyzing a live feed from an unmanned submersible Friday said they believe the Musashi suffered at least one explosion while sinking to the 1,000-meter (3,280foot) deep seafloor, which wasn’t known previously. The 2 1/2-hour feed provided the first detailed images of the ship, which sank in October 1944.

The research team, sponsored by Microsoft co-founder and entrepreneur Paul Allen, first found the remains of the ship in early March after searching for it for eight years.

The Musashi, one of Japan’s biggest and most famous battleships, sank in the Sibuyan Sea in the central Philippines during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, losing half of its 2,400 crew. It was last seen disap-

pearing into the water in one piece after and some survivors that this was indeed former electrical technician on the being struck by torpedoes, but what hap- the remains of the Musashi.

Musashi, one of only a few hundred pened subsequently was never known.

Historian Kazushige Todaka, head of aboard who made it safely back to Japan, “The wreck is actually very damaged,” the Yamato Museum and an expert on told the AP he was deeply moved by the said David Mearns, a marine scientist warships, told The Associated Press on footage he saw Friday at a community on the team. “It appears she suffered at Wednesday that he was “100 per cent centre near his home in Kashiwa, near least one, if not two, magazine explo- positive” the ship is the Musashi.

Tokyo. sions which would have sheered off the He said the upright bow section and “The captain and those who went bow and the stern, and its entire middle the upside-down stern mean the ship down (with the Musashi) must be desection of its super-structure.” had an explosion. lighted in heaven by the news of the disThe footage covery,” he said. showed fish and other The team says it is marine creatures occollaborating with casionally swimming the governments of by the rusted debris The captain and those who went Japan and the Philipscattered over a wide down (with the Musashi) must be delighted pines over the wreckarea, some chunks in heaven by the news of the discovery. age. Experts here say covered by coral. it would be difficult There were holes to pull up the ship, in the bow area, apthough technically it parently made by U.S. torpedoes, and the “It shows there was a tremendous im- may be possible. Some people consider ship’s stern is upside down. A propeller pact that tore the ship apart,” he said. the wreckage as a place where the spirits is torn off from a shaft and gun turrets Closer examination of the video would of the victims rest and should be left at and catapults are broken off. help explain what happened to the ship peace.

The feed also showed a round teak as it sank to the sea bottom, he said. He The timing of the discovery, coming base on the bow that held the Imperial also hoped this would lead to discovery shortly before the 70th anniversary of chrysanthemum seal that only a few bat- of other sunken warships that are unac- the war’s end, is particularly significant, tleships were allowed to carry — a key counted for. said Todaka, “as if telling us not to forget finding that convinced Japanese experts Shigeru Nakajima, a 94-year-old the tragedy of the war.” ■

You Are Invited this Holy Week, Easter & All Year Long To the Anglican Church of Canada Churches of The Diocese of New Westminster In Full Communion with Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan Church) & the Episcopal Church in the Philippines holy communion services 2015 St. Mary’s, South Hill • The Reverend Fr. Expedito Farinas

808 East 50th Avenue, Vancouver • 604.324.3365 • www.stmarysouthhill.com

holy week & easter (semana santa) • March 29 • 10:30am • Palm Sunday (Domingo Ramos) • April 2 • 7pm • Maundy Thursday (Huwebes Santo) • April 3 • 10:30am • Good Friday (Biyernes Santo) • April 4 • 7pm • Holy Saturday (Sabado Gloria) • April 5 • 10:30am • Easter Sunday (Domingo Alleluia)

St. Michael’s, Surrey • The Reverend Fr. Louie Engnan

12996 – 60 Avenue, Surrey • 604.591.8323 • www.stmichaelschurch.ca

holy week & easter (semana santa) • March 29 • 10am • Palm Sunday • Blessing of Palms • Liturgy of the Passion • April 2 • 6:30pm • Maundy Thursday • Ceremony of the Washing of Feet • April 3 • 12noon • Good Friday • April 5 • 10am • Easter Sunday • Renewal of Baptismal Vows St. Michael’s Multicultural • The Reverend Fr. Wilmer Toyoken

409 East Broadway, Vancouver • 604.876.8191 • www.stmikes-church.ca

holy week & easter (semana santa) • March 29 • 10am • Palm Sunday • April 2 • 6pm • Maundy Thursday • April 3 • 10am • Good Friday • April 5 • 10am • Easter Sunday

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!

DOJ orders more members of Ampatuan clan to explain involvement in Maguindanao massacre

BY PERFECTO T. RAYMUNDO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday ordered 14 more members of the Ampatuan clan to explain their participation in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

The massacre claimed the lives of 58 civilians, including 15 women and 32 media practitioners in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.

During Tuesday’s preliminary investigation, the DOJ’s panel of investigators, led by Assistant State Prosecutor Niven Canlapan, gave the new sets of respondents up to April 16, 2015 within which to submit their respective counter-affidavits.

The 14 respondents are facing a complaint for 58 counts of murder for the death of 32 journalists and 26 others on Nov. 23, 2009 which included Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, his sister Eden, cousin Rowena and auntie Manguba, respectively.

Gov. Mangudadatu, who appeared before the DOJ on Tuesday to affirm the complaint,

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said that the new batch of respondents will not affect the 58 counts of murder already pending before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221.

“The new case will not cause a delay in the on-going trial of the first batch of the Maguindanao massacre case filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC),” Mangudadatu told reporters in an interview after the preliminary investigation.

Mangudadatu said that the complaint was based on testimonies of witnesses during the trial as well as testimonies of new witnesses.

“It took time because we need to collate the testimonies of the witnesses and sort it out before we file this second wave of complaint,” he added.

There are currently a total of 196 accused in the Maguindanao massacre case, including the head of the Ampatuan clan Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr., sons Datu Zaldy “Puti” Ampatuan, Datu Akmad Ampatuan, Sr., Anwar Ampatuan (husband of Sahara Ampatuan) and Sajid Ampatuan.

Sajid Ampatuan was recently released on an Php11.6-million bail. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Marcos may subpoena MILF report submitted to Malaysia

BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is ready to subpoena, if necessary, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) board of inquiry report on Mamasapano incident even if it has been submitted to Malaysia. ”If I’m forced to, I’ll subpoena,” Marcos said when asked by the media how the Senate can get the copy of the BOI report amid the MILF’s refusal to provide copy to the Philippine government.

Marcos, however, said his Senate committee on local government would be facing dilemma as to where the subpoena will be sent to obtain the copy of the MILF report. ”But how can we subpoena a report that is in Malaysia? But we will try. I’m trying my best to get a copy of the MILF report,” Marcos said.

Marcos said if his committee will be able to get the MILF report, the Senate will resume hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on April 13. ”I have just scheduled a hearing for April 13 to specifically look at the ceasefire mechanisms in case of encounter like the Mamasapano,” Marcos said.

The Mamasapano encounter has lasted for almost 11 hours due to the delay implementation of the ceasefire between the government troops and the MILF combatants who joined the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in attacking the Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.

”It took 11 hours from the time that the MILF commanders were first informed.

We want to reduce that if it (firefight) will happen again. If we can, let’s reduce 11 hours to 11 minutes,” Marcos said.

Marcos said his committee has already sent letters asking the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Department of Justice, MILF and Malaysia as monitoring team for a copy of the MILF’S BOI report. ”Until now, there was no response yet.

To proceed on that hearing, on that subject, I really need to see the MILF report which they mysteriously sent to Malaysia instead of the Philippines. Until now I can understand why,” Marcos said.

Marcos said he might also ask Senate President Franklin Drilon with the concerns of majority of his colleagues to ask Malaysia to provide the Senate with the MILF report. ”It would be better if the whole Senate. Without the MILF report, it would not be as a thorough and informative,” Marcos said.

Marcos, however, said the hearings on the BBL in Mindanao will continue even without the MILF report. ”We will resume hearings in Mindanao with or without the MILF report.

We’ll just wait for the fighting (between the government troops and the BIFF) to subside in Zamboanga and Sulu,” Marcos said.

The Senate temporarily suspended the BBL hearings to give way to the investigations by the Senate and other concerns government agencies on the Mamasapano incident that left 44 SAF troopers and 18 MILF combatants dead. ■

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MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

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Member

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, holds a copy of the Senate Committee Report on the Mamasapano Incident Investigation during a press conference on Tuesday (March 17, 2015) at the Senate Bldg. in Pasay City.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

BOI pours blame on Napeñas

BY AMANDO DORONILA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Responsibility

The administration is embroiled in the issue of the President’s responsibility for authorizing the PNP to carry out Oplan Exodus, designed to arrest “high-value” terrorists who were given sanctuary by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano, an area controlled by the MILF, in Maguindanao.

As head of state, who is deemed Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippine Republic, Mr. Aquino faces broad public clamor to take responsibility for the fiasco. He has been

no administration its gravest crisis of confidence on its competence in running a democratic republic threatened by dismemberment stemming from the secessionist challenge of the Bangsamoro insurgency.

THE PHILIPPINE National Police board of inquiry (BOI) report on the Jan. 25 massacre of the 44 police commandos in Maguindanao prov2 central issues ince by Moro separatist guerrillas The BOI report highlights two central has concluded that President Aquino issues: First, the command responsibilgave the green light for the launching ity of the President; and, second, it pours of “Oplan Exodus”—aimed at flushing most of the blame for the massacre on out most-wanted Islamic terrorists Napeñas in the government’s apparent from Mindanao—but laid most of the overkill action to cover up for its perblame for the bungled operation on ceived lapses in preventing the slaughsacked PNP Special ter of the commanAction Force (SAF) dos in Mamasapano.

Director Getulio It has found that Napeñas.

Mr. Aquino violated Napeñas has beNapeñas has become the scapegoat of an the PNP chain of come the scapegoat overkill effort by the Aquino administration to command when he of an overkill efdeflect public indignation from the heavy allowed his close fort by the Aquino fallout over the slaughter. friend, suspended administration to PNP Director Gendeflect public ineral Alan Purisima, dignation from the who subsequently reheavy fallout over the slaughter. The washing his hands of responsibility for signed, to direct Oplan Exodus.

BOI report that delved into which the bloody outcome of the antiterrorist level of national authority should police action.

Conclusions be held responsible/accountable for In political terms, the violent encounThe conclusions of the BOI included: the miscarriage of the plan that led ter in Mamasapano has pushed a threeThe President gave the goahead and to a fire fight in which a badly out- month peace process on the compre- allowed the execution of Oplan Exodus, numbered elite commando unit sur- hensive peace agreement between the after the concept of the operations was rounded by up to a thousand guerril- government and the MILF, the main presented to him by Napeñas. las was butchered in an unprotected secessionist rebel group, on the verge of The President allowed the participacornfield in the midst of a ceasefire collapse as the Philippine Congress has tion of Purisima in the planning and period under a peace agreement now suspended legislative hearings on execution of Oplan Exodus despite the calling for the establishment of an the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law imple- suspension order of the Ombudsman. autonomous Bangsamoro region in menting the peace agreement.

The President exercised his prerogaMindanao.

The massacre has presented the Aqui- tive to deal directly with Napeñas inwww.canadianinquirer.net

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FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

stead of the PNP officer in charge, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

While the President has the prerogative to deal directly with any of his subordinates, the act of dealing with Napeñas instead of Espina bypassed the established PNP chain of command.

Under the Manual for PNP Fundamental Doctrine, the chain of command runs upward and downward. The manual requires the commander to discharge his responsibilities through a chain of command.

Violations

Purisima violated the preventive suspension order issued by the Ombudsman when he participated in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus.

He also violated the special order of Dec. 16, 2014, issued by Espina, directing him and other suspended PNP officers to “cease and desist from performing the duties and functions of their respective offices during the pendency of the case until its termination.”

In the same meeting where the President instructed Napeñas and Purisima to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Purisima said to Napeñas, “Ako na ang bahala kay (I will take care of ) Catapang,” referring to Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., AFP chief of staff.

The PNP Ethical Doctrine Manual cites, “Word of Honor—PNP members … word is their bond. They stand by it and commit to it.”

The statement of Purisima may be construed as an assurance of providing the coordination instructed by the President.

lished and acceptable PNP concepts and protocols.

The protocols of the established peace process mechanism, through the Coordination Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), were not observed during the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus.

Defective planning

The mission planning of Oplan Exodus was defective due to: poor analysis of the area of operation; unrealistic assumptions; poor intelligence estimate; absence of abort criteria; lack of flexibility of the concept of operations; in-

appropriate application of the TOT; and absence of prior coordination with the AFP AHJAG. Napeñas “way-in/way-out by foot, and night-only strategy was high risk.”

Artillery support (for the SAF mission) from the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army was not delivered when needed because Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, division commander of 6th Infantry Division, “considered the ongoing peace process and protocols in the use of artillery.”

The lack of situational awareness, limited cover and concealment, ineffective communication and sustained enemy fire prevented the 1st Special Action

Inaccurate info

Purisima provided inaccurate information to the President about the actual situation on the ground when he sent text messages to the President stating that SAF commandos were pulling out, and that they were supported by mechanized and artillery elements.

Despite his knowledge of the suspension order issued by the Ombudsman on Purisima, Napeñas followed the instructions of Purisima not to inform Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas about Oplan Exodus. This violated the PNP chain of command.

Napeñas failed to effectively supervise, control and direct personnel, which resulted in heavy casualties of SAF commandos. Under the Manual on Fundamental Doctrines, command responsibility means that a commander is responsible for effectively supervising, controlling and directing his personnel.

Under the same doctrine, a commander is responsible for what his unit does or fails to do.

Napeñas followed his time-on-target (TOT) coordination concept despite the directive of the President to coordinate with the AFP prior to the operation.

The TOT coordination adopted by the SAF does not conform with the estabwww.canadianinquirer.net

9 Battalion (SAB) and 4th SAB containment forces from reinforcing the beleaguered 55th Special Action Company.

Finally, to sum up the flaws of the operation, the BOI report said: “There was a breakdown of command and control at all levels due to ineffective and unreliable communication among and between the operating units.”

While the BOI inquiry was harsh in blaming Napeñas, the lowest officer in the hierarchical pecking order of the PNP, it allowed the President, at the apex of command responsibility pyramid, to go unscathed in this vast coverup of players on the summit of the power structure. ■

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MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

Cayetano eyes continued legislative inquiries on Mamasapano incident

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE LEGISLATIVE inquiries on the Mamasapano incident should continue considering its implications on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), according to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Cayetano, who has questioned the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a partner in the peace process, said he believes that the Senate’s own report on the incident would not be whitewashed and would be comprehensive.

“It can only solve the case if it’s complete,” Cayetano said in a phone interview yesterday.

The Senate committee on public order is expected to come out with its report on the incident this third week of March. It had conducted five lengthy public hearings on the matter and five executive sessions.

Committee chair Sen. Grace Poe had vowed there would be no sacred cows in the report.

Cayetano also noted the Philippine National Police’s board of inquiry (BOI) report does not include interviews with the President, the MILF, Purisima, armed forces chief of staff Gen. Pio Catapang and other military officials.

Save for the President, the MILF, Purisima, and Catapang had appeared in the Senate, but he said more questions had to

be asked, particularly with regard to the MILF’s alleged ties with terrorists.

“That’s why I feel both the House and Senate should continue [the investigation]. It’s not a matter of time spent on the investigation, but whether you have all the relevant facts,” he said.

According to Cayetano, he wants to determine first if the MILF is really sincere in the peace process. Confidence and trust building should be done by both sides, he said.

For Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, the BOI report is incomplete and indicates a “cover up” because, as pointed out by Cayetano, it did not include interviews with the President, Purisima and top AFP officials.

The much-awaited Mamasapano Report prepared by the board of inquiry has been submitted to Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, but there’s no word yet about its release to the public.

MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / PDI

Osmeña thinks the President should have told all he knows and admitted to his responsibility early on.

“The people are not expecting presidents to be perfect, but they

want the President to tell the truth. They appreciate it when their leader says, ‘Boss, I made a mistake. Boss, I apologize.’

They’re willing to forgive and start all over again,” he said. ■

COA questions P3.4-B PNP purchases

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer STATE AUDITORS have found irregularities in the procurement by the Philippine National Police and its Special Action Force (SAF) of various supplies and equipment worth nearly P3.4 billion during the tenure of PNP Director General Alan Purisima, who resigned last month over the Mamasapano debacle.

In the Mamasapano operation where 44 SAF members were killed on Jan. 25, the PNP board of inquiry found, among other things, that several 40mmgrenades for M203 grenade launchers were defective and some radios were unreliable.

The Commission on Audit (COA) said in its annual audit report for 2013 that the PNP national headquarters (NHQ), the SAF, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and other police regional offices had violated the government procurement law, “casting doubt on the validity of the procurement transactions.”

The COA said there were “deficiencies” in the PNP procurement program as it did not comply with the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Govern-

State auditors have found irregularities in the procurement by the Philippine National Police and its Special Action Force of various supplies and equipment during the tenure of PNP Director General Alan Purisima (pictured) who resigned last month over the Mamasapano debacle.

transactions uncovered by the government auditors was the purchase of P91.7-million worth of goods and services without a public bidding by the NHQ, SAF and Police Regional Office (PRO) 13. “[The] 113 purchase orders/ work orders each exceeding P500,000 were not done through public bidding but through the alternative method of ‘shopping’ in violation of RA 9184,” the COA said.

“Also, the PRO 13 procurement for the supply of military and police equipment and its payment through cash advances were not in accordance with [the] COA circular,” it added.

It said that Camp Crame, the NCRPO, SAF and eight other PROs failed to submit copies of contracts, purchase orders and work orders covering almost P2.2-billion worth of projects within the required period of five working days.

The state auditors also noted that the police officials tasked with receiving the purchased supplies failed to inform the COA of the scheduled deliveries within a 24-hour period.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

ment Procurement Act. The COA, however, did not specifically mention the defec-

tive items and supplies that the PNP units had purchased.

Among the questionable www.canadianinquirer.net

Incomplete vouchers

The COA said the PNP-NHQ’s purchases in the amount of P463 million were covered by

654 disbursement vouchers that were “not complete.”

It also found deficiencies in 68 purchase orders for P47million worth of equipment bought by Camp Crame, which raised “doubts on the validity of the transactions.”

The COA said various police units also bought “common-use supplies” amounting to P112 million from private suppliers, instead of acquiring them through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

In their reply to the COA’s audit observations, the PNP units pledged to strictly comply with the provisions of RA 9184 as recommended by the state auditors.

For its part, the NCRPO said it would conduct a bidding when buying supplies worth more than P500,000.

“As to the transactions done by shopping, they (NCRPO) explained that the procurement was done due to the urgency of the need for the procured goods and services,” the COA said.

The NCRPO also explained that “not all items of commonuse supplies are available from the Procurement Service– DBM and that is the reason why they have to purchase from local dealers.” ■

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FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

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Smartmatic protests disqualification to Comelec

BY NIKKO DIZON AND JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer

Then Vice Mayor Romulo ‘Kid’ Peña (left) with Mayor Jejomar ‘JunJun’ Binay of Makati City PHOTO COURTESY OF PEÑA’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Peña takes over as Makati City Mayor

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — in lieu of Makati Mayor Jejomar ‘JunJun’ Binay’s preventive suspension, Makati Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña has taken over as acting mayor on Monday morning.

Peña was sworn in as acting mayor at the Baranggay (Village) Hall of Poblacion as staff from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) attempted to serve the 30-page suspension order to Binay at the Makati City Hall.

Tension rose when Binay’s supporters barricaded and blocked the entrance of the city hall. Members of the DILG had no choice but to post the suspension order on the wall instead.

Binay refuses to leave his office in protest to the preventive suspension order issued by the

Office of the Ombudsman on March 11. His camp believes DILG Sec. Mar Roxas is behind the suspension for politicially motivated purposes.

Sen. Nancy Binay, Mayor Binay’s sister, delivered a short speech afterthe DILG members left the City Hall. She asked Roxas to respect and observe the legal process in dealing with her brother.

After being sworn in the presence of DILG and a judge, Peña appealed to (JunJun) Binay to respond to their constituents.

“Sundin po sana natin ang kagustuhan ng taumbayan (Let us follow what the people want [us to do]),” Peña said.

Peña, a member of the Liberal Party, will remporarily use the Barangay Hall of Poblacion. He also plans to “cleanse” the Makati City Hall and meet with the department heads to get government offices back to work as soon as possible. ■

Board (GPPB).

“The BAC disqualifies a consultant if it provides for a required item but does not indicate a price for it and is thus ELECTION TECHNOLOGY deemed as non-compliant, provider Smartmatic-Total except that if it specifies a ‘0’ Information Management (zero) or a ‘—’ (dash) for the Corp. has filed a protest with said item, it would be deemed as the Commission on Elections having offered the item for free (Comelec) seeking a reversal to the government,” Smartmatof its disqualification from the ic quoted the GPPB as saying. bidding for the lease of new votIt also noted that Blas-Perez ing machines for the 2016 elecsaw the “totality” of the bid tions. of Smartmatic as the detailed The protest came after the costing of the items supposedly Comelec bids and awards comleft “blank,” but which showed mittee (BAC) denied the mothat “zeros” had been placed. tion for reconsideration filed “Based on the financial proearlier by Smartmatic on its posal breakdown of each comdisqualification from the secponent, the respondent BAC ond stage of the bidding for can easily confirm the Smartboth the direct recording elecmatic joint venture’s pricing, tronic (DRE) and optical mark which is consistent with the reader (OMR) machines. overall summary,” Smartmatic Even as it sought a reversal of said. its disqualificaLast week, the tion, Smartmatic BAC issued sepalast week asked rate invitations the Comelec to to bid for the blacklist its only Indra’s statements and submissions second round of rival in the bidare heavily laden with inexplicable bidding for the ding for the poll discrepancies and inconsistencies, lease of 410 DRE transmission thereby casting serious doubts on its units and 23,000 services for alcredibility.

OMR machines. legedly making Smartmatic false statements is seeking the and misrepreblacklisting of sentations. used the dissenting opinions Indra so it would be disqualiSmartmatic filed a petition in of BAC members Divina BlasP- fied from participating in any the poll body for the blacklist- erez and Charlie Yap in the dis- government procurement proing and suspension for a year of qualification ruling. cess.

Spanish company Indra Siste“Indra’s statements and submas.

Dash means free missions are heavily laden with The two companies are comAccording to Smartmatic, inexplicable discrepancies and peting in bidding for the lease Yap’s position should be re- inconsistencies, thereby castof 23,000 OMR machines to considered after Yap said that ing serious doubts on its credsupplement the older precinct placing a “—” (dash) for an item ibility. This is surely contrary count optical scan (PCOS) ma- should mean that it was being to the self evident purpose of chines to be used in the 2016 offered for free to the govern- a public bidding, which is to polls. ment. promote transparency and preThe company said the opin- clude suspicion of favoritism ‘Non-responsive’ proposals ion of Yap was consistent with and anomalies in the execution Both, however, were dis- the issuances of the Govern- of public contracts,” Smartmatqualified by the Comelec BAC ment Procurement Policy ic said in its petition. ■

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on Feb. 25 after they submitted “non-responsive” financial proposals for the P2.5-billion lease project.

In its protest, Smartmatic asked the Comelec to overrule the BAC decision and declare it a qualified bidder for the lease of the two projects.

“Smartmatic respectfully prays that this honorable committee reverse respondent BAC’s resolution and declare the Smartmatic joint venture as qualified to participate in the second stage of the two-stage competitive bidding for the lease of the [OMR and DRE],” said Smartmatic.

The BAC disqualified the Venezuelan company after it submitted a bid that had several items or price offers left “blank” in the financial proposals.

In its protest, Smartmatic

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Philippine News

MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

Senate report to fill gaps in PNP probe

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINE National Police board of inquiry report on the bungled counterterrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, on Jan. 25 left yawning gaps that Sen. Ralph Recto said yesterday could be filled by the Senate’s report on the mission that cost the lives of 44 police commandos.

The board of inquiry found that President Aquino broke the PNP chain of command by allowing suspended police Director General Alan Purisima, a personal friend, to take part in the planning and execution of the Special Action Force (SAF) mission to take down terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” Basit Usman and Amin Baco.

The report said it was Mr. Aquino who gave the go-signal for the mission, but it did not provide answers to such vital questions as to what orders the President issued to the military to save the police commandos who were surrounded by Moro rebels and what was the extent of the involvement of the United States in the mission.

“Hopefully, the Senate will be able to fill in the gaps,” Recto said in an interview on dzBB radio.

In the House of Representatives, lawmakers also want to know more about the President’s role in the military’s failure to help the pinned down SAF commandos and the involvement of the United States in the operation.

More than a third of the House members want to resume the Mamasapano inquiry, which was suspended to give way to the PNP investigation, but the probe, according to Cagayan Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, will be pointless because the House cannot compel President Aquino to appear and speak about his role in the SAF operation.

Rodriguez, chair of the temporary committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), said it would be unnecessary for the House committees on public order and safety and peace, reconciliation and unity to resume the Mamasapano probe

impeachment of Mr. Aquino may be filed in the House, but Recto said he did not think an impeachment complaint would prosper because the next presidential election was only months away.

Recto said that for him, it was more important for Mr. Aquino to take responsibility for the Mamasapano incident.

The disaster in Mamasapano is the “biggest challenge” to Mr. Aquino’s presidency, but it is not too late for him to fix things, Recto said.

House probe

The National Police board of Inquiry report on the Mamasapano incident left yawning gaps, such as what orders the president issued to the military to save the police commandoes who were surrounded by Moro rebels and what was the extent of the involvement of the United States in the mission. The Senate is preparing a report that could fill in those gaps.

PNA

because the police report was tion Front (MILF) and its splinOn Saturday, after weeks of “comprehensive and clear.” ter group Bangsamoro Islamic telling the public to wait for the He said the Senate would Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and PNP board of inquiry report to soon release its own report other armed residents of the find out the truth, Malacañang and the Department of Justice town. rejected the police findings, (DOJ) would also wrap up its Forty-four SAF commandos, saying the President was not investigation on the criminal 17 MILF rebels, not 18 as earlier part of the chain of command aspects of the incident and file reported, and three civilians, and could deal with any official charges against those respon- not five as reported before, in the executive branch. sible for the deaths of 44 SAF were killed in a 12-hour gun commandos. battle.

Senate report “The House probe will be a The sacked SAF commandThe Senate joint committee useless duplication. The House er, Director Getulio Napeñas, that investigated the Mamasacannot require the President blamed the unit’s biggest sin- pano clash will submit its reto appear before port this week. it. This is part of Recto said he the respect for a liked the way coequal branch the PNP board Hopefully, the Senate will be able to of government,” of inquiry wrote fill in the gaps. said Rodriguez, its report but whose commitwished it had tee will resume “given more anexecutive sesswers than quessions on the tions.”

Bangsamoro autonomy law by gleday combat loss on the miliOne of the questions that April 6. tary’s failure to provide artil- went unanswered, he said, was Early on Jan. 25, SAF com- lery support for his surrounded what the military and the pomandos infiltrated into Moro troops. lice hierarchy immediately did rebel-controlled Mamasapano Exactly when President to respond to the emergency in to capture the three Jemaah Aquino learned that the com- Mamasapano, he said.

Islamiyah-linked terrorists. mandos needed military help Another, he said, was the The commandos killed the and what orders he gave are un- question of the accountability Malaysian-born Marwan in an answered in the police board of of the government and MILF exchange of gunfire, but Us- inquiry report. ceasefire panels. man, a Filipino, and Baco, also a Mr. Aquino has refused to Recto said, however, that the Malaysian, escaped. take responsibility for the Ma- President erred by allowing As they withdrew from Ma- masapano debacle, and he has Purisima to participate in the masapano, the commandos come under heavy public criti- planning and execution of the were ambushed by guerrillas cism for it, with calls for him to SAF operation. from the Moro Islamic Libera- step down.

For that, complaints for the www.canadianinquirer.net

The House held just one hearing, on Feb. 11, on the Mamasapano incident. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ordered the suspension of further House hearings on Mamasapano until the release of the police report.

Even before the report was uploaded to the government websites last week, Belmonte had already hinted that the House might resume the Mamasapano probe when Congress returned from Lenten break on May 4.

At least 109 representatives have signed a letter to Belmonte demanding an inquiry to fill the gaps in the police report.

“While the [board of inquiry] report contained undeniable facts that point to Aquino’s accountability, it failed to investigate deeply the role of the US, and whether the statements of Gen. [Gregorio Pio] Catapang [Jr.] and Gen. [Edmundo] Pangilinan that they held back in consideration of the peace process actually came from an order by President Aquino himself,” Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said.

“The [board of inquiry] report remains incomplete because the main players in the operations, namely President Aquino, Purisima and the United States refused to participate in its investigation. The Mamasapano incident is not over. It will continue to fester as long as Malacañang refuse[s] to admit the truth and face the consequences of its acts,” he said.

House obligation

Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, who will step down as member of the House by the end of this month, said the House was obligated as an oversight body to

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FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

conduct a public investigation.

“I think it might not break new ground on the chain of command issue, but there is a big gap on the dimensions of US involvement, and here is where the House investigation can shed muchneeded light,” Bello said.

In an interview on dzBB radio, Magdalo Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo said the President could have “overridden” the reasons cited by Pangilinan in wavering on providing artillery support to the surrounded SAF troops—the doctrine on the use of artillery fire; and the impact on the peace process.

“He has override authority on these two conditions as the Commander in Chief. These are not constitutional provisions that could not be broken. It’s a doctrine, not a law. The peace process has a policy on how to override this condition,” Acedillo said.

“The President was in the best and the right position to break the impasse for the AFP to act,” he said.

Bello said Pangilinan should not have been placed in such a position in the first place since the decision to help the SAF was “a political decision, a presidential responsibility.”

“Given the abdication of responsibility on the part of the President, General Pangilinan was forced to fill the gap.

General Pangilinan may have made the wrong decision in hindsight, but for him there are extenuating circumstances.

This is not the case when it comes to the

President,” Bello said.

P-Noy’s orders

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said Pangilinan was merely acting on the orders of the President to give primacy to the peace process.

“The President’s glaring silence on this point, noted as well by the [board of inquiry] report, is one of the key questions that remain unanswered—all the more reason for the House to resume its inquiry, as it can provide a public and transparent venue for raising these unanswered question,” Tinio said.

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop criticized the President for undermining the police finding that he broke the chain of command.

“The Palace statement is putting into question the credibility of the police force. He should just wait for the DOJ to determine his liability instead of questioning the [board of inquiry] findings,” Acop said.

Bello said the President’s reaction to the police report betrayed his determination to evade responsibility for Mamasapano.

“He is already in lawyer’s mode rather than presidential mode, maybe preparing for criminal cases that may be filed against him once he leaves office. It is sad that he is acting not as a President but as a defendant. He has been in this mode since Day 1 and it has severely eroded his credibility as our national leader,” Bello said. ■

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MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

Tales of...

Supt.

Raymond Train, commander of the 84th Special Action Company (SAC), recalled hearing his wounded men shouting “I love you, mommy!”

“I love you, baby” and “I love Seaborne” while fighting for their lives under heavy fire from unknown enemies.

In his own narration of encounter, Train said they reached the lair of Jemaah Islamiyah bomber Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,’’ at about 4 a.m. of Jan. 25, or some six hours after negotiating the “unfamiliar terrain” of muddy river and vast cornfields.

The board said the area where Marwanwas hiding was a “territory shared” by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its breakaway faction, the Bangsamaro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Mindful of their plan to get Marwan before the break of dawn, Train told members of the 84th SAC “Seaborne” to immediately carry out the mission whoever arrived first in the target site.

As Train’s group approached Marwan’s hut, an improvised explosive device, which the Malaysian bomber had set up in the perimeter, exploded and sparked the 15-minute firefight.

During the exchange of gunfire, Marwan was hit in his chest and died on the spot.

The group then immediately entered the foreign terrorist’s abode to check his identity.

Senior Insp. Gednat Tabdi immediately cut off Marwan’s right index finger (other re❰❰ 1

ports say left index finger to get DNA samples in confirming his identity. The Malaysian bomber’s severed body part was eventually delivered to waiting US federal agents in General Santos City.

Train knew that other armed men in the area were roused from their sleep by the initial firefight as he ordered his men to quickly leave the place.

“True enough, as the team went out of the enemy’s lair, they were eventually met with gunfire from armed men. Initially, Train recalled that he and his men tried not to engage the enemies to avoid compromising their locations, but they were forced to return fire in self-defense,” the report said.

He said their enemies fired mortars and used automatic rifles as they waylaid the outnumbered SAF commandos.

“The sniper fire came from all directions,” the board quoted Train as saying.

Like the members of the 55th SAC, Train’s group was pinned down by Moro rebels at around noon as they started to incur more casualties.

At around 11 a.m., Train was able to contact SAF Director Getulio Napeñas as he asked for reinforcement and artillery fire support. But nothing came.

As the gun battle continued, the Seaborne had started to run out of ammunition, prompting them to “exercise maximum fire discipline.”

Two hours later, 24 of the 84th SAC troopers “were pinned down by enemy fire

In recognition of the courage and gallantry of the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers, the Senate provides PhP5.1 million worth of financial assistance to the SAF troopers who were killed, wounded and survived the Mamasapano incident last Jan. 25. Senate President Franklin Drilon (right) announced the financial assistance before the Senate ended its session .

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

as most literally hugged the ground in a bid to dig from the bullets.”

and ‘I love Seaborne’ from his comrades in the hours that followed,” the board said.

Gunfire stopped at 6 p.m.

Moments away from death

Said the report: “Under the hail of bullets, Train said he called Napeñas for reinforcements and artillery fire, but received none despite assurances that the reinforcements were on (their) way.”

It said hostile gunfire only stopped at about 6 p.m. when the military dropped white phosphorous in the area in preparation for artillery fire.

By then, more than 30 SAF commandos had already been killed and many had suffered bullet wounds.

“From time to time, Train would hear groans and cries from his wounded men. He recounted screams of ‘I love you, mommy,’ ‘I love you, baby’

“At one point, he even thought Tabdi, who was beside him at the front line of defense, was loading ammunition. It was with great grief that he found him dead from a head shot,” it added.

The battle-scarred commandos accepted that they could be moments away from their death as they bade goodbyes and asked each other to take care of their families if anyone of them would survive.

“They (were) all resigned to their fate that it would probably be their last stand,” the report said.

Train said some of them could have extricated themselves to safety as they maneuvered

away from the battle zone.

But they remained true to their pledge not to abandon any of the commandos behind enemy lines.

‘Dont leave us’

“(T)hey did not want to leave the 13 wounded and nine dead (SAF commandos) behind.

Train recalled a comrade begging him, ‘Huwag nyo kaming iwan (don’t leave us), Sir.’ They never did,” the board said.

Like in many war movies, the SAF commandos gallantly held their ground in the bloodsoaked cornfields of Mamasapano, repelling the enemies who were just as determined to obliterate them.

The greatly outnumbered police commandos arrived in Mamasapano virtually unknown.

Now many regard them as real-life heroes. ■

China lashes out at US ‘pirate style sense of insecurity’ in latest comment on South China Sea THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIJING — China’s state news agency accused the U.S. on Saturday of having a “pirate-style sense of insecurity” in response to recent comments from Washington expressing concern over Beijing’s territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea. The Xinhua News Agency took issue with remarks by U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Monday that

Chinese land reclamation and construction work on disputed South China Sea islands were “fueling greater anxiety within the region about China’s intentions.”

Washington said it will continue to raise its concerns with China and urged all parties to avoid destabilizing activities.

“As we’ve said many times, we encourage all claimants to pursue peaceful and diplomatic approaches to maritime and territorial disputes in the South

China Sea,” Psaki told reporters at a daily briefing.

In its response, Xinhua labeled Psaki’s comments “strikingly biased and by no means conducive to solving the disputes and bolstering peace and stability.”

“The United States has once again violated its commitment to not holding (a) position or taking sides on the South China Sea issue, and its so-called concerns about China’s ‘threat’ serve only to reveal its piratestyle sense of insecurity,” said www.canadianinquirer.net

the commentary, signed by Xinhua reporter Zhang Ning The language used exemplified the more caustic tone taken over recent months by the Communist Party controlled media in defending China’s territorial claims and rejecting Western concepts of democracy and civil liberties.

The commentary appeared only on Xinhua’s English-language service directed at foreign audiences.

China says it has historical claims to a huge swath of the

South Sea China that overlaps with the claims of several neighbours including Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines, and constantly accuses the U.S. and its powerful navy of meddling in the dispute.

The U.S. says it takes no sides on the sovereignty issue, but has a national interest in ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes and safety of navigation through the crucial shipping routes that crisscross the region. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

15

Responsibility for...

Mamasapano incident as well as in the conclusion of the Philippine National PoliceBoard of Inquiry (PNP-BOI) that the President has “bypassed” the “Chain of Command” of the PNP. De Lima clarified that they can still use both reports in the investigation by the DOJ-National Bureau of In❰❰ 1

vestigation (DOJ-NBI) pertaining to the criminal aspect of the bloody incident.

She pointed out that the findings of the PNP-BOI and the Senate about the Mamasapano incident should be supported by pieces of evidence because the case would not stand trial in court if the allegation has no basis. ■

Philippine troops capture militant who sheltered US hunted terror suspects, officials say THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mohammad Ali Tambako (in first photo), former Vice Chairman for Military Affairs of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and his four companions Datukan Sato Sabiwang, Ali Valley Ludisman, Mesharie Edio Gayak and Abusahma Badrudin Guaimil aka Hansela Omar, arrive at Villamor Airbase on board a PAF plane Monday afternoon for presentation to the media. They were arrested by combined elements of the AFP and PNP in a law enforcement operation in General Santos City Sunday.

AFP PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Philippine troops have captured the leader of a Muslim rebel group in the south who has been linked to bombings and a beheading and accused of protecting two terror suspects wanted by the United States, officials said Monday.

Army and police forces arrested Mohammad Ali Tambako and five of his men late Sunday while the militants were travelling in a motorcycle sidecar taxi to a seaport in southern General Santos city.

Three grenades and two guns were seized from the militants, who did not put up a fight, according to a police report.

Tambako, who formed the group Justice for Islamic Movement with about 70 armed fighters last year, has been suspected by the military of giving refuge in his southern stronghold to top Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, and long-wanted Filipino bombing suspect Abdul Basit Usman.

The United States and the Philippines have offered huge rewards for the capture

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and prosecution of Marwan and Usman.

Marwan was reportedly killed in a Jan. 25 raid by Filipino police anti-terror commandos in the marshy heartland of the country’s south. The FBI said in February that DNA analysis suggested that Marwan was the militant killed by the Filipino commandos but it added additional tests were needed to confirm his death.

Tambako’s former armed group, the hardline Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, expelled him last year after his men beheaded a farmer in an attack on a Christian community in the south.

That prompted him to form his own rebel band, which has been linked to several deadly bombings and attacks, including the clashes with police commandos, military officials said.

Insurgents involved in that skirmish were also from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest insurgent group in the south which signed a peace accord with the government last year. The Moro rebels said the clash was accidental because the police commandos did not co-ordinate their anti-terror raid with their group as provided under a longstanding truce. ■

Opinion

16

MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

LOOKING BACK

Truth stranger than fiction

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer AUCTION RESULTS for art and antiquities have blown off the roof in the past few years, which may be a good thing for the market but bad for art and artists. When people start to buy names instead of pictures, that is a bad sign. When people go to Art in the Park, a venue for young and aspiring artists, guided by potential returns on investment rather than an appreciation for the artworks, that is a bad sign.

There seems to be a lot of liquidity in Manila these days—banks cannot offer even modest interest rates on savings and time deposits just to cover inflation—that have been funneled into art. The prices have been so exaggerated as to generate a lot of questions: Is art really worth that much? Do these prices reflect a trend in collecting or investing? Are people unloading art to generate funds for the coming elections? Is it possible that tainted money is being laundered? There are enough angles in the overheated art market to make a good novel or an exciting movie.

Then there is the underbelly of the art market. With high prices come forgeries and sometimes theft. The Vatican

has just confirmed having received a demanded in 1961. “Tell P.I. Govern- undertaken as a publicity stunt by an ransom demand for the return of two ment to Pay P1,400,000 for Rizal individual or group meant to dramaautographed letters by Michelangelo manuscripts or I will send them to tize the five-day International Conthat were stolen from the archives two the fire” was the threatening message gress on Rizal ongoing at the time; it decades ago! Then there is the case of written using letters from newspaper was done by “diehard Rizalists” who an electrician who worked for Picasso headlines pasted on bond paper. This wanted to own the manuscripts, or for many years and claimed that the was later discarded by the police as those who worshipped Rizal as a god; artist’s wife had given him a box to take a prank because the fingerprints on it was done by people who wanted to home that contained 91 drawings and the display cases from which the sell the manuscripts or demand ran180 other works: paintings, lithographs manuscripts were stolen did not som for their return; it was part of a and collages—all estimated to be worth match those on the ransom note. plan to destroy all of Rizal’s original 50 million euros. He had these since Rereading the newspaper reports works.

1970 and only reMeanwhile, in cently decided to sell Congress, Speaker Makes me wonder how much the original “Noli,” the works, so he conDaniel Z. Romual“Fili” and “Ultimo Adios” will be worth today, and whether tacted the adminisdez filed a bill prothe theft would have been solved as easily and with flair by trators of the Picasso viding for a firesomeone other than the flamboyant Alejandro R. Roces. estate who then proof, bombproof, informed the police and theft-proof safe and questioned him for possession of on this sensational theft makes for that would preserve all the historical stolen goods. Picasso’s son declared a rib-tickling hour. Police investiga- manuscripts precious to the nation. that the artist would not have given tors regaled the press with a multi- What was to be revealed in early 1962 away such a large number of works to plechoice set of hypotheses on the was a negotiation between the thieves anyone for free. crime: It was an inside job by culprits and Education Secretary Alejandro All these reminded me of the theft familiar with the Library building; it R. Roces, who was able to retrieve, of Rizal manuscripts from the Na- was done by “mentally deranged per- without paying a centavo of ransom, tional Library in 1961. Taken from sons” who wanted to project them- the original “Ultimo Adios” that he glass display cases were the original selves into the limelight by stealing presented to Diosdado Macapagal as manuscripts of “Noli Me Tangere,” the manuscripts; it was done by “an his early Valentine’s gift to the presi“El Filibusterismo” and “Ultimo expert international thief”; it was the dent and the nation. Roces recounted Adios.” These were not insured, and work of a prankster who wanted to that when he met the thieves to coneven if so, the policy would not have copy or outdo reported thefts of im- firm that they had the manuscripts, covered the P1.4-million ransom portant paintings in Europe; it was they brought with them, like proof of

life in kidnap situations, the original “Ultimo Adios” rolled in ruled pad.

He asked to examine the document and when it was handed to him, he put it in his shirt pocket and calmly walked off. When the thieves protested, he replied that they still had the “Noli” and “Fili” anyway, so this was a token of goodwill.

In February 1962 the ransom for the “Noli” and “Fili” was set at P100,000. To cut a long story short, Roces was able to retrieve the “Fili” first and haggled the “Noli” price down to P5,000, yet the government refused to pay. Roces got the “Noli” back and in time the police arrested a certain Nilo Cabrido y Deza, 47, of 75 Sergeant Mariano Street, Pasay. He was a clerk at Swan, Culbertson and Fritz Brokers; a JRNCC laborer in April-May 1959; a high school graduate; married with six children. He was eventually convicted of the crime.

Makes me wonder how much the original “Noli,” “Fili” and “Ultimo Adios” will be worth today, and whether the theft would have been solved as easily and with flair by someone other than the flamboyant Alejandro R. Roces. The story is truth being stranger than fiction and deserves to be made into an indie. ■

PUBLIC LIVES

The Mamasapano Report

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINE National Police’s board of inquiry (BOI) released the other day the result of its six-week investigation of the Mamasapano incident. Masterfully blending the somber tone of an academic paper with the narrative arc of a war movie script, the 125-page document, tersely titled “The Mamasapano Report,” is a fascinating read.

The report offers answers to many questions in the public mind, and draws conclusions about the Mamasapano affair that are as bold as they are instructive. Most importantly, it defines the applicable norms, and unhesitatingly allocates blame for the operational failures and lapses that marked this tragic police mission.

Although written primarily from the perspective of police and military science, the report can be read in many different ways. The legal aspects of this incident understandably dominate the public outlook. This is due in large measure to the insistent demand for justice for the 44 police commandos who died in this mission. People want to know why they had to wait vainly to be rescued, and who is at fault.

The report is likewise of immense value from a political standpoint. Some

will obviously be interested to know if notes this lapse but puts it quite dip- the security cluster of his Cabinet—on President Aquino might have commit- lomatically: “As Chief Executive of the so important a mission as this? Here, ted an impeachable offense when he Philippines, the President could have the BOI report offers no answer, and continued to rely on former PNP direc- given strategic guidance to Napeñas does not dare to speculate. But the tor general Alan Purisima for direction on the implications of conducting a explanation for this lapse is as clear of this sensitive mission despite the law enforcement operation within the as day. The President saw no need to fact that the latter had lost the author- [Moro Islamic Liberation Front]con- consult anyone else about this misity to do so following his suspension. trolled communities.” (p. 53) sion because, in his mind, this was Others will look for further ammuniSecond, did the President not fore- Purisima’s project, and he had full tion in this report to undermine the see the implications of conducting trust in his friend’s judgment. credibility of P-Noy and the viability of such a delicate police operation in Fourth, did the President not anhis political influence beyond his term. MILF-held communities on the fragile ticipate the complications of allowing My own interest is slightly differ- peace process in Mindanao? Again, the the then already suspended Purisima ent. By asking the kind of questions I answer is no. It is either of two things: to play an active role in this operaraised in a previous tion, while keeping column (“Questions PNP OIC Leonardo Did the President not foresee the implications of confor P-Noy,” INEspina and Inteducting such a delicate police operation in MILF-held comQUIRER, 02/19/15), rior Secretary Mar munities on the fragile peace process in Mindanao? Again, I seek to draw from Roxas uninformed? the answer is no. this experience imThis is as perplexing portant lessons on how, as a society, The question of protecting the peace as the previous question. There is only we struggle to navigate the complex process was entirely absent from the one possible answer: On the matter of terrain of modern governance.

President’s mind, or he was made to getting Marwan, the word of Purisima My first question was: When the believe that the risk of escalation was was more valuable than any other. The President received Purisima and then minimal because the joint ceasefire President authorized the final plan Special Action Force commander mechanism could be easily activated presented by Napeñas mainly because Getulio Napeñas on Jan. 9 for the if necessary. The BOI’s observation of Purisima’s endorsement. That also briefing on “Oplan Exodus,” did he, at is quite telling: “All involved SAF ele- explains why he communicated with any point during that meeting, com- ments interviewed by BOI stated that Napeñas through Purisima. municate the need to coordinate with they did not recall any instance where Fifth, what actions did the Presithe people in charge of monitoring the peace process was factored in the dent take to save the trapped SAF and maintaining the cessation of hos- planning process.” (p. 58) commandos? The BOI report inditilities in Mindanao? The answer is Third, what reasons did the Presi- cates that the President could not clear: The peace process never figured dent have for not consulting his im- have taken any decisive action bein that conversation. The BOI report mediate political family—for example, cause, like everyone else outside the

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Tactical Command Post on Jan. 25, he was grossly misled about the situation in Mamasapano. The lack of urgency in the response to the SAF commandos’ cry for reinforcement was the tragic outcome of a series of miscommunications.

And finally, what role did the Americans (who were first seen by media members in the company of the medical evacuation team) play in the Mamasapano affair? Here, the BOI confirms what everyone has suspected all along: that US personnel were with Napeñas at the Tactical Command Post throughout that fateful day, monitoring the battle on the ground (clearly with the aid of drones), and providing “real-time information on the actual movements of friendly and enemy forces in the area of operations.” (p. 78) The report does not ask whether this foreign participation is covered by any existing agreement, nor does it comment on the irony of a Filipino police operation making room for foreign operatives while shutting out the Philippine military. Indeed, it pays full credit to the Americans: “It is worth noting that because of the U.S. [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] support, the 84th SAC was able to elude large enemy formations, thereby avoiding further casualties.” ■

Opinion

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

17

AS I SEE IT

VP Binay muffing his chance to appear presidential

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer BINAY has holed up in his office on the 21st floor of the City Hall building and supporters have blocked all entrances to City Hall to prevent the suspension order from being served on the mayor. But the Binay camp has taunted Interior Secretary Mar Roxas—perceived to be a rival of the older Binay for the presidency—to serve the suspension order himself. Vice President Jojo Binay even warned of a “misencounter,” a term used by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to describe the Mamasapano gunfight that killed 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force.

Is it a threat that the Binay camp would start shooting if the Department of Interior and Local Government tries to serve the suspension order?

Roxas should not fall for the trap.

Why should he debase himself and stoop to their level when he has the whole PNP to do it for him? Roxas described the taunt as “high school mentality.”

Besides, a piece of paper need not be served on Binay personally. That’s a mere formality. Binay already

knows that he has been suspended be acquitted and restored to the may- graft case against the Binay wife and by the Ombudsman for six months orship—that is, if he is innocent. mother Elenita, who is a physician by to prevent the possible tampering of But if he is guilty, he would try every- profession, for overpricing of hospievidence at City Hall. In fact, he has thing to stop or delay the trial. Which tal equipment when she was mayor, already questioned it in a petition means, his guilt or innocence can al- has been frozen in the Ombudsman for certiorari and for the issuance of ready be suggested by his actions. and now the Sandiganbayan.) a temporary restraining order by the When the Senate subcommittee But now that the Ombudsman is Court of Appeals. was investigating charges of over- doing it, Junjun refuses to obey its If the appellate court does not is- pricing in the construction of the suspension order. It seems that they sue a TRO, the suspension order of City Hall parking building, which trust an order only if it is favorable to the Ombudsman takes effect and was started during the term of Binay them.

Binay loses all authority to run the the father as mayor, the two Binays, What’s so scary about being susMakati City govpended anyway? It ernment. He canis only temporary. what is Binay afraid of if he is innocent of the charges? not sign documents He would be back He would be acquitted in the end. And the sooner he submits and he cannot withas mayor when it to a trial, the sooner he would be acquitted and restored to the draw funds from expires. And during mayorship—that is, if he is innocent. the banks to pay the the time that he is salaries of City Hall suspended, he can employees. The banks would have father and son, refused to accept invi- concentrate his time and efforts in been already told not to honor his tations for them to testify and defend defending himself. Doesn’t he appresignatures. Binay would be occupy- themselves. Junjun testified once, ciate that? If he has no intention of ing City Hall, but he would be doing but he refused to show up again. tampering evidence, what’s so scary it as a squatter. The acting mayor can They said they would present their about being away from City Hall temtransact business elsewhere. side “at the proper forum and the porarily?

Without a TRO, Binay would be in right time.”

Junjun’s lawyer told a press forum a no-win situation. Other officials had Now is the right time and the prop- that they are afraid that he would no tried the same tactic before but they er forum. It is the Ombudsman that longer be allowed to reassume his powere nevertheless ousted in the end. will hear their defense, not the Senate. sition as mayor.

And what is Binay afraid of if he is During the Senate hearings, the How can they do that if he is not innocent of the charges? He would be Binay camp repeatedly demanded a guilty? The courts will surely order acquitted in the end. And the sooner he halt to the Senate investigation. Let his return to the mayorship. submits to a trial, the sooner he would the Ombudsman do it, they said. (The But if you know you are guilty, you

would be afraid of a trial. That’s common sense.

Junjun’s lawyer said that the administration is “persecuting” the Binay family because it wants a Liberal Party member, the vice mayor, to be the acting mayor. So why doesn’t the Binay family join the LP in the hope that Binay the elder would be anointed as its presidential candidate? Anyway, the Binay patriarch, Vice President Jojo Binay, pretends to be a friend and supporter of the administration party.

But with all the graft cases against the Binays, how can the LP, whose program of government is to battle corruption, have a candidate who is himself accused of corruption? And not just one case of corruption but several.

VP Binay missed a chance to appear presidential and thus boost his chances of being elected president. He could have told his son to obey a legal order like a good law-abiding citizen. Now, that would have been true statesmanship. But theVP missed the chance of being viewed as a true statesman by making the “misencounter” threat and even by sleeping at City Hall with his son in a show of support for disobedience to a lawful order.

That’s the man who wants to be president? ■

GET REAL

Why the Comelec needs Gus Lagman

By Solita Collas-Monsod Philippine Daily Inquirer THE ELECTORAL Integrity Project, as well as its 2014 Report which I talked about last week in this column, puts paid to any and all claims by the Commission on Elections and its erstwhile chair, Sixto Brillantes, that it has done a good job in improving our election system. With our country in the bottom third of all elections held between June 2012 and December 2014, and also in the bottom third of all countries surveyed, it is safe to say that all that vaunted money spent for computerized elections was a monumental waste.

The Philippines’ lowest scores among the 11 categories in the electoral cycle were in campaign finance (36), voter registration (41) and the voting process (53). We received a score of 68 for vote count, a 61 for vote results, and a 64 for electoral authorities. A score of 100 is the theoretical best, but the highest scores achieved by any country for any election were, respectively, 79 for campaign finance, 95 for voter registration, 88 for voting process, 99 for vote count, 96 for vote results, and 98 for electoral authorities. So we’ve got a long way to go.

I submit that making sure our election system accurately reflects the voters’ choices is the first priority

of our country. Ranking higher than Are the President’s sins of omis- tions” and to “keep away from the erthe Mamasapano controversy and sion or commission in Mamasapano rors committed in the May 2010 comhigher than the Binay investigation more important than his sin of omis- puterized election.” Well, when Gus (important only because the justice sion vis-à-vis the vacancies in the was sacrificed on the altar of political system in this country sucks and will constitutional commissions? Which accommodation, no IT expert was not give us timely information on has potentially more impact on the ever appointed to replace him, and it presidential wannabes).

Philippine polity and economy? seems clear that the errors commitI also submit that having three of Last week’s column had three sug- ted in the May 2010 elections were our four constitutional commissions gestions with respect to our elections. repeated, if not magnified, in the 2013 (the Comelec, Civil Service Commis- I’d like to concentrate on the first one: elections. The 2014 Electoral Integsion and Commission on Audit) head- Reappoint Gus Lagman to the Come- rity Report bears witness to that. less these past six weeks—especially lec. He was appointed on April 27, 2011, Are we going through the same since the administration was fully and served for less than a year before thing for the 2016 elections? Or will aware that these positions would be he was unceremoniously booted out, we correct our mistakes? We’ve been vacant and could have done a proper reportedly because of the objections of ceaselessly talking about good govsearch—is a more egregious lapse then Senate President Juan Ponce En- ernance and the right leaders, about than those for which voter education and the President is now training. Are we ...that making sure our election system accurately rebeing attacked. willing to sacrifice flects the voters’ choices is the first priority of our counThe Philippine all this because we try. Ranking higher than the Mamasapano controversy and National Police’s don’t have the right higher than the Binay investigation. board of inquiry repeople at the Comeport (PNP website) lec? unambiguously states that the Presi- rile. Apparently, then Comelec Chair Why Gus? Why not some other IT dent bypassed the OIC-PNP and dealt Sixto Brillantes didn’t like him either expert? Let me quote lawyer Isabelle directly with the since sacked Getulio (Gus was too ethical, I think).

Ereñeta, who wanted Gus’ interim Napeñas and with the suspended Alan What was so frustrating at the appointment renewed three years Purisima in planning Oplan Exodus. time was that Gus did not have the ago: “Gus Lagman has been working Thus, he violated the chain-of-com- chance to face his accusers in the towards ensuring the integrity and mand principle. To soften the blow on Commission on Appointments: His credibility of our electoral process the President, the BOI says Purisima ad-interim appointment was just not for nearly 30 years. He has been emmisinformed the President about the renewed. battled in Comelec since Day 1. He presence of military and artillery supMay I remind the President of what was the only commissioner with IT port, and that the President had asked his spokesman said when Gus was ap- expertise yet his recommendations Napeñas to coordinate with the mili- pointed: “We need his IT expertise to on the Automated Election System tary, and Napeñas did not. help ensure smooth automated elec- were constantly disregarded. His

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ouster is our loss. We need people like Gus in government.” How much more straightforward can you get?

In a last-ditch effort to keep him in the Comelec, I wrote in this column on April 21, 2012: “Why should the renewal of Gus’ appointment to the Comelec serve in the interest of safeguarding the country’s electoral system? Let me count the ways.

“First of all, Gus is arguably the most experienced among the present Comelec members in working for clean, honest and fair elections. He was active with the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections practically from its inception at the end of 1983 and was in charge of Namfrel’s Operation Quick Count (OQC), a parallel unofficial count based on official precinct results. He remained a Namfrel volunteer in charge of OQC for at least nine separate electoral exercises.

“Second, Gus was at the forefront of the move to automate elections, together with the local IT community, of which he was an acknowledged leader. He studied the systems, their advantages and disadvantages, the safeguards necessary, and the financial resources that were required. So if anyone knows the ins and outs of automation, Gus is it.”

Please, Mr. President. ■

18

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Canada News

A rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday, March 14, protesting bill C-51, introduced by the Conservative Government this past January. Dozens of such rallies took place across Canada that weekend.

Supporters of the bill say that it is meant to crack down on the rising terrorist threat, but critics say that it could lead to overreaching by police and CSIS, Canada's spy agency.

RICHARD ERIKSSON / FLICKR

Rallies held across the country denounce Conservatives’ anti-terror legislation

BY MORGAN LOWRIE The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Thousands of Canadians came together to loudly denounce the Conservative government’s proposed anti-terror legislation in rallies held across the country this past Saturday.

In a park in Montreal’s north end, a few dozen of the hundreds of demonstrators taped their mouths shut in protest of the bill, which opponents say would allow the government to stifle protest and dissent.

As they marched toward the office of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, many of the large contingent waved signs bearing messages such as “Stop Harper,” and “Activism is not a crime.”

The Conservative government introduced the legisla-

tion, known as Bill C-51, in January.

The wide-ranging bill would give police much broader powers and allow them to detain terror suspects and give new powers to Canada’s spy agency.

The organizers of the nationwide protest say the bill would infringe upon Canadians’ civil liberties and right to privacy, especially online.

Groups such as Amnesty international have also argued that the bill’s powers to limit “threats to the security of Canada” are too broad and may allow the government to shut down legitimate dissenters and protest groups who do not go through official channels.

In Ottawa, hundreds of chanting protesters clogged the street outside Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office. They then marched onto the grounds of Parliament Hill. A protest in

Edmonton similarly drew hundreds of angry marchers.

In Vancouver, a crowd of about 700 to 800 people according to a police estimate gathered in front of the city’s art gallery. Aboriginal leaders and civil liberties groups spoke to the crowd through a megaphone, while onlookers cheered and waved signs.

Protester Larry Johnny said he feared that First Nations protesting mines in the province could be labelled “terrorists” for speaking out if the bill is passed.

“These rights affect me today, but they’re also going to affect my grandnephews and nieces,” he said. “I’m here for them, because they’re the ones that are going to be growing up with these bills.”

In Antigonish, N.S., protesters marched past the constituency office of federal justice

minister Peter MacKay. Other rallies targeted the offices of Labour minister Kellie Leitch and Industry minister James Moore.

In Montreal, the demonstrators were joined by New Democratic party leader Thomas Mulcair, who climbed onto a milk crate and reiterated his intention to vote against the bill.

“C-51 is a bill that could seriously endanger our right to protest peacefully, to stand up against a government or an infrastructure or an economic policy,” he said. “Mr Harper has never been able to give a single example of why this bill is necessary.”

Protesters in Montreal also directed criticism at Trudeau, shouting “Harper terrorist, Trudeau complicit,” as they marched toward the Liberal leader’s constituency office.

Trudeau has said that his party

will support Bill-C51.

The Conservative government has said that the bill will make Canadians safer and give police and security forces the tools they need to meet terrorist threats.

But many of Saturday’s protesters remained unconvinced by the government’s assurances that the bill would not infringe upon Canadians’ civil liberties and right to protest.

“I’m really worried about democracy, this country is going in a really bad direction,” said Toronto protester Stuart Basden.

“Freedom to speak out against the government is probably at jeopardy ... Even if you’re just posting stuff online you could be targeted, so it’s a really terrifying bill.”

Protest organizers say there were 70 events that took place across the country. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

19

B.C. raises minimum wage 20 cents to $10.45; future increases tied to inflation

BY TAMSYN BURGMANN The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — British Columbia announced plans Thursday to increase its minimum wage by 20 cents — the first change in three years — while introducing a system to manage the perennial debate over how much the province’s lowest-paid workers should receive.

The minimum wage will increase in September to $10.45.

The figure was determined by indexing the rate to B.C.’s consumer price index, which will now be used to set future increases.

A separate minimum wage for workers who serve alcohol will rise to $9.20, up from $9.

The province last increased its minimum wage in 2011 after a decade without any changes, and just as they did then, labour unions and anti-poverty advocates dismissed the announcement as paltry.

Business coalitions, on the other hand, commended the government for providing them with predictability for years ahead.

The new plan is revealing substantial differences between how both sides believe poverty should be alleviated in the province Last fall, an all-party finance committee recommended the government specifically examine the minimum wage to address poverty.

Bond said the wage as just one among a list of government announcements aimed at raising the standard of living for low-income earners.

Last month’s budget ended the practice of clawing back income assistance payments to some single parents. Earlier this week, the government in-

The minimum wage in BC is set to rise up 20 cents to $10.45 an hour in September, a figure determined by indexing the rate to B.C.'s consumer price index, which will now be used to set future increases.

creased the amount someone on welfare can earn and introduced a program to allow single parents to stay on income assistance while training for a job.

“We are also doing a number of other things that will support these families moving forward,” she told reporters in Victoria, noting the move was more designed to inject certainty for the business community.

“So it was in the context of the bigger agenda.”

Bond said the government is implementing policies it expects will help the economy over the next several years, which she predicted would mean the consumer price index would increase and the minimum wage would continue to rise.

B.C. Federation of Labour president Irene Lanzinger, whose group has called for a

$15 minimum wage, described Thursday’s announcement as “pathetic.” She said the new rate equates to thousands of dollars below the poverty line and will only serve to index poverty.

“It will entrench it,” she said, noting B.C. remains among the only provinces without a comprehensive poverty-reduction plan.

“Your salary should be enough to pay rent, buy nutritious food and have enough left over to enrol your kids in sports.”

She said many studies have dispelled the notion that raising the wage will hurt the economy, because instead it puts money in workers’ pockets to spend in their community.

Labour historian Mark Leier said the increase might buy a couple sandwiches per week in

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the Vancouver area, which has one of the highest costs of living in Canada.

“This does nothing, really, to help people cope,” said Leier, who teaches at Simon Fraser University.

“It’s typical of this Liberal government and typical of this premier ... that they are paying attention to a very small segment of this province, people who run businesses.”

The government says about 110,000 people currently earn minimum wage. Leier said that doesn’t account for swaths of the population earning only incrementally higher salaries, or service industry workers whose tips may not be distributed fairly.

But Richard Truscott, the vice-president of Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said he lobbied the

government to “reframe the debate” about dealing with poverty.

The minimum wage is a “very blunt instrument” for helping people at lower income levels, said Truscott. He repeated a common argument that boosting the rate too far and fast would slash jobs and earnings.

“There are things we can and should be doing to help those people find better paying jobs.

That’s the real way that you lift people out of poverty.”

The province’s minimum wage sat at $8 for a decade before the government increased in three phases beginning in 2011.

Minimum wages across the country range from $10.20 in Alberta and Saskatchewan to the Northwest Territories’s planned increase to $12.50, which is set for June. ■

20

Canada News

MARCH 20, 2015

FRIDAY

Deporting alleged terrorist instead of prosecuting him ‘absurd,’ lawyer says

BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press TORONTO — The public should be outraged that Canada is planning to deport a Pakistani man accused of plotting terrorist mayhem in the heart of Toronto rather than prosecute him, his lawyer said last week.

Sending Jahanzeb Malik back to Pakistan is illogical and counterproductive given the accusation that he is an Islamic State sympathizer who aimed to bomb the financial district and U.S. consulate, lawyer Anser Farooq said.

“This is a phenomenally serious allegation and you’re just going to send this guy away?”

Farooq told The Canadian Press. “Isn’t that more dangerous? It’s absurd.”

Canada Border Services Agency arrested Malik, 33, in Toronto on March 9. The permanent resident, who came to Canada as a student in 2004 and became a permanent resident in 2009, remains in detention pending a hearing on whether he has become inadmissible to Canada and should be removed.

Farooq said he had no doubt of the outcome.

“The way the system is structured, he’s getting a one-way ticket out of Canada. That’s what’s going to happen. The end result is guaranteed,” Farooq said.

“We’ll never know whether the case would have been made out against him in a criminal court.”

In fact, Farooq said, the government is sending a message to those who might want to commit terrorist acts in Canada that all they need to do is ensure they aren’t citizens.

So far, Canadian authorities have refused to discuss the de-

Jahanzeb Malik, a Pakistani man accused of plotting a terrorist attack in Toronto, is being sent back to Pakistan instead of facing a criminal trial here in Canada, an absurd move according to lawyer Anser Farooq. The move could send the message that potential terrorists need only to ensure that they aren't Canadian citizens so they face deportation and no jail time if they are caught.

cision to go the immigration Lorne Waldman, a defence route. However, they have not lawyer who has handled nabeen shy about branding Malik tional security cases, said the as a terrorist who planned to standard of proof and rules of build remote-controlled bombs evidence in immigration proto attack his targets. ceedings are much lower than Public Safety Minister Steven in criminal court.

Blaney said Malik was “willing to commit a terrorist attack on Canadian soil.”

This is a phenomenally serious Justice Minallegation and you’re just going ister Peter send this guy away? . . Isn’t that MacKay refused dangerous? It’s absurd. to weigh in on Thursday, saying he didn’t want to compromise proceedings. He did say “there’s “It’s safe to say that if they still discussions happening” had enough evidence to charge, when asked if a decision to de- they would do so,” Waldman port Malik had already been said. made.

“The only reasonable conclu-

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sion to draw is that the evidence is not evidence that could be admitted in a criminal trial, and it is not strong enough to meet the higher burden of proof.”

Farooq said he had few details about Malik, a married flooring contractor, but said his client approached him for advice about two years to ago because more agents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service had been “bothering” him.

Those contacts ended, so he “seemed to be OK,” the lawyer said.

Malik, who is detained the jail in Lindsay, Ont., is to appear for another detention hearing

on Monday. Farooq said there’s little doubt the detention will continue.

“He has no support structure, so it’s going to be impossible to get him bail,” the lawyer said.

While Canadian authorities have gone the immigration route in other suspected terrorism cases, they have not been shy about prosecuting non-citizens or permanent residents for such offences. One example is the current Via Rail case in which a Tunisian student living in Montreal and a permanent resident of Palestinian descent were accused of plotting to blow up a passenger train.

In other cases, they have used a national security certificate to introduce secret evidence as a way to detain or limit the freedom of suspect foreigners. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

21

Canada, U.S. sign new border agreement to speed crossings

BY ALEXANDER PANETTA The Canadian Press WASHINGTON — Travel to the United States by road, rail and sea could undergo a major revamp as the result of a new agreement between Canada and the U.S. Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson have signed a customs preclearance agreement that was years in the making.

The arrangement would allow customs agents work in each other’s countries, which means they could screen passengers away from the border and ease the choke points.

That process already exists in air travel, at eight airports. People can clear U.S. customs in cities such as Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal and then, when they land, skip lines in U.S. airports.

The countries had signalled their intention to expand that arrangement to land and sea travel as part of the 2011 Beyond the Border deal between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama.

But they missed a late-2012 deadline to reach a legal agreement that would let law-enforcement officials operate inside the neighbouring country.

A little more than two years later, they have finally reached that deal.

“This historic new agreement builds on decades of successful pre-clearance operations in Canadian airports,” Blaney said in a statement distributed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“It will enhance the security at our border and create jobs and growth in Canada by improving the flow of legitimate goods and people between our two countries.”

Maryscott Greenwood of the Canadian American Business Council said the agreement will use modern technology

to speed up things at the border.

“It’s dramatic, it’s historic, it’s a big day in Canada-U.S. relations,” she said.

The statement says the agreement applies to all modes of transport, which could include passenger vehicles.

It also says customs agents will be allowed to carry firearms in each other’s countries.

What’s not clear is how easily the plan might be implemented. The agreement does not guarantee several developments that would be crucial: • Legislation is required. In Canada, government-supported legislation almost always passes Parliament. In the U.S., even routine legislation can mean protracted drama.

• Budgeting for new customs infrastructure away from the border is yet to come.

• Participation of the private sector in places such as bus and train stations has to be nailed down.

The governments have expressed a desire to open the border to legitimate travellers, while still screening for criminals. In a recent speech, Johnson described the chilling effect of the 2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. border security.

The statistics bear that out.

Land travel into the U.S. declined in 2001, and it never recovered. Data from the U.S. Bureau on Travel Statistics shows 34 per cent fewer vehicle passengers entered the U.S. last year across the northern border compared with 2000, with the biggest drops occurring in 2001 and 2003.

A study by Deloitte four years ago pointed to several reasons for a decline in Americans making the back-andforth trip — one was border wait times, but the study also cited currency fluctuations and the opening of casinos on the U.S. side. Also, the U.S. imposed tighter travel-document rules in the wake of the 2001 attacks. ■

A line of cars approaching Canada Customs at Surrey, BC in Canada from Blaine, WA in the U.S. Under a new agreement between Canada and the US, the customs agents from each country would be given the authority to screen passengers away from the border and ease choke points.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Number of foreign workers in Canada tripled between 2002 and 2012: PBO THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — The number of foreign workers in Canada tripled between 2002 and 2012 — although they still made up less than two per cent of the overall labour force, the parliamentary budget office reported Thursday.

It said more and more foreign workers are filling skilled positions today as the percentage of low-skilled jobs has declined.

The PBO study looked at the role foreign workers played in the economy between 2002 and 2012.

Foreign workers can enter the labour market through either the international mobility program or the temporary foreign worker program, which came under fire last year after allegations surfaced about some employers — particularly restaurants — abusing the program.

Employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers must get govern-

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ment approval under what is called a local market impact assessment. The assessment means the government generally knows the skill levels of the workers.

However, almost 70 per cent of foreign workers are exempt from these assessments under the mobility program.

“Since 2002, their number has grown at a faster pace than workers requiring an (assessment),” the report said.

“Moreover, in 45 per cent of the cases in 2012, the government was not aware of the occupational skill level of foreign workers, up from 22 per cent in 2002.”

The PBO report said 85 per cent of the foreign workers in low-skilled positions were in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and were concentrated in smaller communities.

“Alberta’s share has increased significantly since 2002, while Ontario’s has declined by almost 15 percentage points,” the report said. “Interestingly, ❱❱ PAGE 37 Number of

22

Canada News

MARCH 20, 2015

FRIDAY

Vancouver transit vote ‘case study’ in national transportation funding crisis

BY TAMSYN BURGMANN The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — Ballots for an unprecedented plebiscite begin arriving in mailboxes on Monday asking Vancouver-area residents whether they’re willing to foot the bill for a massive public transportation overhaul.

The vote gives citizens the option of paying a 0.5 per cent sales tax in exchange for a vastly upgraded rapid transit system, hundreds more buses, additional ferries and a new bridge — a mammoth package projected to cost $7.5 billion over a decade.

Experts say the transportation problems faced by the region’s mayors are emblematic of a dilemma for many big Canadian cities: crumbling infrastructure threatening to buckle under growing populations and no money to fix it.

“It’s a huge problem everywhere,” said Prof. Patrick Condon, chair of the urban design program at the University of British Columbia.

“At the same time, the costs of maintaining the infrastructure are increasing proportionately, the taxpayers’ ability and their willingness to pay for that increase is decreasing. The current plebiscite is very good case study of that problem.”

The Vancouver area faces the same conundrum as Toronto and Calgary, which are both plugging away at expensive transit improvements, and several U.S. cities such such as Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles.

On its face, the Vancouver plebiscite appears to be a stop-or-go decision between tax and transit.

Vancouver area residents are set this week to receive mail-in ballots to vote on a transit referendum on whether or not they are willing to increase the PST to pay for future transportation infrastructure upgrades.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

But proponents — ranging from mayors to big business to police chiefs — argue the vote is actually a pivotal choice.

A Yes vote, they say, will allow them to transform deteriorating infrastructure into their vision for economic and environmental prosperity; a No vote would mean an unsustainable crush of cars on roads.

“This is about the future of the region — how it’s going to be shaped,” said transportation expert Gordon Price, director of the city program at Simon Fraser University.

The transit champions say upgrades are crucial for accommodating an estimated influx of one million more residents into the Vancouver region over

the next 30 years.

Opponents have vilified TransLink, the agency that operates the region’s transit system, as wasteful.

Residents must mail in their vote by May 29, with the result expected in June.

Funding infrastructure projects in Canada, and elsewhere in North America, is a perennial challenge that’s been most commonly answered by taxpayers, said Fiona Crofton, a sustainability professional and former University of British Columbia professor.

“There are various ways, and people will fall in various camps about what we should do, and how we should do it,” she said.

“That’s where the big crux

comes of course, in terms of the diversity of perception and access and power.”

Big city mayors congregate regularly to brainstorm about tackling their funding issues, and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robinson specifically raised the transportation concern at their meeting in Toronto last month.

Mayors have also rallied to coax more funding from the provincial and federal governments, where the standard formula has traditionally divided the cost into thirds.

“Municipalities don’t have that many options for funding, unfortunately, under our system,” said Brent Toderian, a global city planning consultant and former chief planner for

Vancouver.

B.C. municipalities have nonetheless offered several solutions to the transit crisis since the early 2000s, but the province repeatedly rejected proposals from vehicle levies to parking taxes, to carbon taxes.

The current plebiscite is considered a last-ditch effort. Rather than using the only formal fundraising tool at the mayors’ disposal — the politically unsavoury option of hiking property taxes — they asked the premier to green-light a new sales tax.

Legislation governing TransLink specifically allows for taxes to generate the projected $250 million funding per year the new plan would require. But in 2013, Premier Christy Clark promised a vote as the path to securing any new funding.

The mayors seized the chance to break the impasse.

But several observers contend a plebiscite is no way to set policy in Canada.

“It definitely frightens me when I hear other parts of the country speak positively about the fact we’re having a referendum,” said Toderian.

“That perception doesn’t understand the politics of what’s been going on here.”

Price, the Simon Fraser University professor, said that if the plebiscite fails, it will deliver a “devastating” blow to the made-in-B.C. vision of “cities in a sea of green” that’s shaped the region for the past 40 years.

“If we’re not going to tax ourselves anymore for these collective goods that deliver services broadly across the community?

That’s a different kind of Canada.” ■

Beyond bombing, critics ask: What’s the plan to defeat the Islamic State?

BY MURRAY BREWSTER The Canadian Press OTTAWA — A decision by the federal cabinet on renewing Canada’s combat mission against the Islamic State is expected soon, but calls are

getting louder for the Harper government to present a comprehensive war strategy beyond the military campaign.

It’s widely expected that the federal government will deliver a motion to the House of Commons within the next couple of weeks, to renew and possibly

reshape the commitment of warplanes and special forces against extremists in northern Iraq.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has recently cast the conflict in wider terms, saying the terrorist organization and its affiliated jihadists have “dewww.canadianinquirer.net

clared war on Canada specifically.”

But analysts and opposition critics say he and his ministers rarely discuss what diplomatic, development and humanitarian measures are needed to tackle the instability and sectarian divisions that feed the

conflict.

Harper is not alone in facing that criticism.

In the U.S., Barack Obama receives the same strident calls for clarity as his war resolution grinds its way through Con❱❱ PAGE 47 Beyond bombing

Community News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

23

Culture Philippines of Ontario celebrates 30th anniversary CULTURE PHILIPPINES of Ontario (CPO) is celebrating its milestone 30th pearl anniversary – not with a generous pat on the back, nor with private celebrations, expensive dinner galas, or the like. True to its nature, vision and mission, CPO wants to mark its 30th year by showcasing its culture with an inexpensive treat at Mississauga’s finest Living Arts Centre.

Ticket costs are affordably low at $10 to $15. Tickets are available by calling the Living Arts Centre at 905-306-6000.

The aim is to allow community members to make this occasion a family event and bring the entire family, officemates and friends to an evening of appreciation of our culture. The event will be on Mar. 21, at 6:45pm.

For their 30th anniversary presen-

tation aptly titled, “Perlas ng Silangan - Pitong Alay,” CPO will be joined by Lilac Cana, soprano, and assisted by choreographer and technical director, Jay Loyola.

CPO’s low priced presentation is made possible by the continuing support of it sponsors who have been supporting CPO all these years because they themselves are committed in the service of our community. Since 1985, CPO is the tireless host of the Philippine pavilion in the three-day annual Carassauga Festival of Cultures in the City of Mississauga. This festival allows the residents of this fast growing community the opportunity to see the diversity in music, history, art displays, crafts, food and entertainment of different countries. ■

Calgary police charge 17-year-old male in ‘random’ attack on man walking dog THE CANADIAN PRESS

Radio program airs this spring

He said he and his small dog were out for a walk that afternoon when a group of about 12 youths approached him and CALGARY — A Calgary man says he’s quickly became aggressive. lucky to be alive after being attacked “He uttered direct threats to at least with a machete and swarmed by a group harm, let alone terminate, my little budof youths while he was out walking his dy,” Dirvin said of his dog, Django. dog in northeast CalHe tried to get gary. away but felt the Nick Dirvin sufblade of the machete fered gash wounds on hit his back, then his his face, head, shoulface. der and back and the Police say people top of his left ear was The motive nearby heard him cut off in what police of why this scream and called have termed a “ranhappened 911, and the group dom attack” on Feb. remains left before police ar13. unknown. rived.

On Sunday, police “This was a ranarrested a 17-yeardom attack,” Det. old male and charged Dan Guenette said him with aggravatTuesday. “The moed assault, possestive of why this hapsion of a dangerous weapon, carrying pened remains unknown.” a concealed weapon and two counts of Dirvin said the trauma of the attack breaching current conditions. has left him nervous about being out“I have migraines, headaches, the en- side. tire left side of my face is numb because “I have a hard time dealing with they severed the nerve in my cheek,” groups, and kids,” he said, adding he and Dirvin said Tuesday.

Django are staying close to home. ■

THE WAIT is over and the spring season is in the air!

After several months of careful planning, series of negotiations and talent preparations, the radio program that everyone had been waiting for will be heard on the air.

Dubbed as "CCR's Culture Trend of Philippines" is in English language and will be translated to Chinese language by host Janet Leong who has loads of experiences at C.C.R. and a popular Masters of Ceremony at organized events in Ontario.

Topics to be discussed at "CCR's Culture Trend Of Philippines" will include the arts, culture, travel, leisure, food, entertainment as well as community festivities.

The Ambassador of the Philippines to Canada Petronila P. Garcia will provide greetings, encouraging words, important announcements and shared thoughts to all radio listeners.

Success stories of Filipino-Canadians in Ontario including Alberto Rodil (The 2014 RBC Top 25 New Immigrants In Canada, immigrant seniors settlement worker), Marlene Mogado (vice chair York Catholic District School Board in Markham, Ontario), Lyle Edward De Juan (actor/director - film/entertain-

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ment), Joey Abrenilla (occupational therapist/youth will be featured.

Some amateur and professional performances from the world-renowned International Professional Entertainment Network (IPEN) headed by Edgar Sulit, Superstar N Company Inc. headed

by Julie Suen - president/CEO of C.C.R., upcoming local artists and singers like Meaghan Lyz Garvida - 2014 MiFi/Mi TV Karaoke grand champion, Monica Labuguen (music teacher), Josephine Paul and Cheryl Malanum (both preteen sensations) will add color to this program.

Corporate sponsors, advertisers, supporters and volunteers of "CCR's Culture Trend Of Philippines" are most welcome since this radio program will be in a 13-week episodes starting in April 6th, Monday from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Anyone who is interested to be part of the program either for interview or to perform may contact: C.C.R. 416-4969633 or email at adm.ccradio@gmail. com or event coordinator : ebongfccr@ yahoo.ca. Please check Canadian Chinese Radio web site and tune in Mondays at www.ccradio.ca, Mobi.ccradio. ca/iphone or You Tube for more listening pleasure. ■

24

MARCH 20, 2015

William Orsua in his home, in front of some of his photographs.

FRIDAY

William, Vanessa, and their children.

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

William Orsua Soul Mates Production

BY EARL VON TAPIA Philippine Canadian Inquirer FOR MANY immigrants, the journey to Canada from their original country can be as straightforward as applying and coming over if and when they're approved.

For William Orsua, his journey to Canada was quite the opposite. It took many years, and along the way he ended up in several different countries for years at a time. It is a journey that now finds him here in Canada, with a firmly established career, a thriving side business, and a growing family.

William Orsua was born in 1976 to parents Francisco and Virginia in Quiapo, Manila. Virginia owned a dress making and tailoring shop in Manila. Francisco was a foreman working

overseas in places such as the US, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, before coming home and setting up a business (a rice field and a fish pond) that was unfortunately completely destroyed in the Mount Pinatubo eruption of 1991. Despite the disaster, they found a way to survive and move on.

William described his family as middle class and hard working, an attitude that has stayed with him up to this day. He went to Emilio Aginaldo College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, and started working at Saint Luke's Medical Center in Makati afterwards.

It was shortly after that William started his journey out of the Philippines.

"I bumped into this Australian guy, he's married to a Filipino, and they met me on the job.

He was representing a college in Australia, and he invited me to a seminar regarding people who want to study overseas. So I listened to it and said oh this is something quite interesting.

So I told my parents and said I want to try this. I want to go to Australia," he said.

So in 1999, with the blessing of his parents, he set off for Australia as a working student to study Information Technology.

For a year and a half he studied, working as a care aide and teacher for children with intellectual disabilities on the side.

Another challenge presented itself in 2004. William went home to the Philippines for a holiday. During that time he took the opportunity to marry his long-time girlfriend, Vanessa. While in the Philippines, the company in Australia he was working for shut down, which

derailed his efforts at permanent residency there. The timing was also bad in that Vanessa was pregnant with their first child, so he went and got a job at Saint Luke's again. But the low salary made life difficult, so he went and searched for a new job.

That search led him to Saudi Arabia, where William was offered a job by a company as a Respiratory Therapist in 2006.

He remained there for twoand-a-half years.

While in Saudi Arabia, William would routinely seek out other job opportunities online. His search eventually led him to contacting the Rising Sun Venture Society in Prince George, inquiring about a position as a program manager for their disability programs. The Society liked him so much that they fast-tracked him to Cana-

da in 2008. Nine months later, he was a permanent resident under the Provincial Nominee program.

William was there in Prince George by himself for about a year, until in January 2010 when he brought his family over to Canada. Seeking to further his career as a Respiratory Therapist, they moved down to Vancouver for more opportunities, despite having no family in the city and William having only one job interview lined up.

Shortly after arriving he got his job at Vancouver General Hospital, where he has been ever since.

Since arriving in Canada William and Vanessa have had two more children, and they now have a home in Vancouver.

Soul Mates Production "Before I left Prince George, I sold my car, and the guy who

Y. NOW ONLINE, DAIL

S IP T R E G IN F R U O NEWS AT hiYlippineCanadianInquirer @PhilCanInquirer • F/P

CANADIANINQUIRER.NET www.canadianinquirer.net

Community News

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

was buying it didn't have enough money. and lifestyle shots. Through Soul Mates But he offered his camera to make up Production, William has honed his craft the difference, a DSLR (Nikon D90), and and expanded his network.

I got curious. I liked photography, not William and his photographer friends seriously, just taking photos here and would produce workshops, where they there," he said. bring in well-known photographers After finding out how much the cam- from the Philippines to impart their era was worth, William accepted the knowledge to local photographers. He trade. would take photos of community Filipi"So then I took it, I moved to Van- no events for free. When Typhoon Haicouver, I started playing around with it, yan/Yolanda hit in 2013, he and his pholooking at what a DSLR is on the inter- tographer friends organized a special net. I noticed that there's a lot of things photography session where they raised you can do with it," he said. $2600 to go directly to the victims in the William started Philippines. shooting landscape Ever since his days photos and pictures in the Philippines, of his kids. He got his first journey out into it a little more to Australia, then seriously, studying Saudi Arabia, and articles on the ineventually in Canaternet and shooting da, William has been more photography. a risk taker, and he He spent money getIf you really says it is something ting better gear and want to do that has consistently investing in worksomething, I brought him success shops. He connected think you can in his life. with other Filipino do it, and it will "I'm the type of guy photographers in always work out. who takes a lot of risk.

Vancouver.

If I want to do someThe time and monthing, and it's what ey William spent on I really want to do, I photography started will take the risk and getting him in troujust do it. And someble with his wife. how, I always believe Something needed to in that because if be done. you really want to do "I started taking something, I think the challenge and just taking some jobs. you can do it, and it will always work So I started doing portraits, and then I out. It's always been a value that I have started shooting events," he said. in me. That's why I guess I got to do a lot William started photographing wed- of things even though I have a very busy dings, something that he found he really lifestyle," he said. enjoyed. It was going so well that in 2011 And indeed William does have a very he opened up his own company: Soul busy lifestyle. He is the primary breadMates Production. winner in the family, working full time Soul Mates Production is a profes- at VGH and Soul Mates Production on sional photography company that spe- the side. Vanessa stays at home to raise cializes in weddings, events, portrait, the children until they're old enough for

school.

"One big mistake that I notice for a lot of people living here, especially a lot of the immigrants, is both of them working so hard that they don't have time for their family . . . because when both of you are working full time, stressed out at work, and you come home, you have to spend time with the kids, do the chores, and of course because you are both so

Wreck Beach landscape photo by William Orsua.

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25

tired and stressed out, you can often end up in some fight or argument," he said.

William also added that they would need to pay for daycare for their kids if Vanessa worked, and it just wouldn't be worth it overall.

It's a system that is working well for the family. Sitting in his home, where this interview was conducted, the children were running around playing, laughing and happy, and pictures of his smiling children adorned the walls.

It has allowed him the extra energy to put towards Soul Mates Production, of which he has big plans for.

"There's so many photographers nowadays . . . I want to be different. I want to be an inspiration in photography, to be regarded as a great photographer who does an exceptional job," he said.

In two years or so, William hopes to expand Soul Mates Production enough that it can become his full-time work.

His dream is that within five years, Soul Mates Production will be known across North America as an organization that produces exceptional photography.

And William hopes that by his actions, he will inspire other Filipinos to be their very best too.

"I want to inspire most of us Filipinos to step out of our comfort zone and try and do something that will make is the best, not just be ordinary citizens. To make a difference," he said. â–

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

26

MARCH 20, 2015

MAIDEN FLIGHT

FRIDAY

Craig Richmond, President and CEO of Vancouver International Airport, Tourism Director Purificacion Molintas, Deputy Consul General Anton Mandap and PAL Country Manager Allan Coo send off PAL’s inaugural flight to New York (Photo

by Laarni Liwanag).

Eric Santos, who flew in from Manila, provided entertainment by belting out Broadway hits, among others, during the inaugural reception (Photo by Laarni Liwanag).

PAL Senior AVP Genaro Velasquez (L) and Tourism Assistant Secretary Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo (3rd from L) hand the round-trip business class ticket Vancouver- Manila plus accommodation and RT to any domestic destination to the grand prize raffle winner. Alan Coo, PAL Country Manager (R) looks on (Photo

by Laarni Liwanag).

TEAM MIKE Candidate for Conservative Party nomination for Member of Parliament-Burnaby South Mike Calingo meets his campaign team and supporters.

PAL Chairman Lucio Tan

PAL President Jaime Bautista

I-REMIT SURREY I-remit Surrey Kabayan opening promo iPad winner Djellanie Rodriguez with Minh Ngo, Hen Long owner, and iRemit Provincial Head Gigi Astudillo.

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

Seen & Scenes: Toronto

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

27

OPM LEGENDS OPM legend Rico J. Puno together with Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison and Eva Eugenio, performed in Toronto to the delight of Pinoy fans (Photos

by Amelia Insigne).

FOND FAREWELL The Toronto Filipino-Canadian community held a series of fond farewells to the much-loved Toronto Consul General Junever Mahilum West as she embarks on another phase in her diplomatic journey, this time as ambassador to Jordan (Photos from Congen Jones’ FB).

www.canadianinquirer.net

28

Community News

MARCH 20, 2015

FRIDAY

Vancouver sends off first PAL flight to NYC

Molintas.

Tourism director kicks off ‘Visit the Philippines Year’ PHILIPPINE TOURISM Director Purificacion SuandingMolintas started a more aggressive drive to market the Philippines to tourists in North America.

Molintas recently unveiled fresh reasons to visit the Philippines in 2015. “This is a sustaining campaign to freshen, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines.’

We will make sure that our foreign visitors will visit more, explore more and fall in love with the Philippines more,” Molintas said.

The upbeat audio-visual presentation was made during the reception at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver to celebrate the inaugural flight of Philippine Airlines from Vancouver to New York.

With various sets of big events set to happen in the country this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has declared 2015 as “Visit the Philippines Year” (VPY). The campaign banners five themes, namely: business meetings; history and culture; lifestyle and entertainment; music and the arts; sports, adventure, and eco-tourism.

The year-long tourism campaign also aims to highlight a

series of international events, which will be hosted by the country, beginning with the January 2015 arrival of Pope Francis.

These include: 1. Business. In November 2015, the country will host Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meetings and Leaders’ Summit, expecting 25,000 international delegates.

2. History and culture. January 2015 was highlighted by Pope Francis’ visit. Philippines will also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the final battles of World War II in September.

3. Lifestyle and entertainment. Philippines is set to host the biggest culinary event in the world, the Madrid Fusion Manila in April 2015. Molintas said that the event promises to bring together national and international chefs, journalists, and food companies from all over the world–challenging local tourism industry players to level up on culinary offerings.

4. Music and the arts. According to Molintas, some of the biggest acts in the entertainment world are already scheduled to visit the country in 2015 for live performances and shows.

Performances by Bastille, One Direction and Justin Timberlake are scheduled sometime this year.

5. Sports, adventure and ecotourism. Lastly, the country will attract big athletes as Molintas said that international sporting events such as triathlons, martial arts, eco-marathons, yacht races, beach volleyball tournaments, and tennis exhibition matches. Events like the Siargao International Surfing competition and Philippine International Dive Show will be one of the highlights.

Besides the colorful festivals, VPY will likewise focus on natural wonders particularly the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines such as the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

To peek at the long list of events to be held in the Philippines, DOT has created a onestop portal at visitph2015.com.

Meanwhile, Molintas also encouraged travelers to twin the Philippines with other Asian destinations via the country’s national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. - MM www.canadianinquirer.net

THE PHILIPPINE Consulate in Vancouver, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), held a reception and send-off ceremony in Vancouver on Mar. 15, for PAL’s maiden flight from Manila, with a layover in Vancouver, en route to its final destination, New York City.

The program, hosted by officials of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), capped months of drum-beating for PAL’s much-awaited expansion into the US eastcoast in over a decade. It also coincided with PAL’s 74th anniversary.

PAL’s Chairman and CEO, Lucio Tan, President Jimmy Bautista, accompanied by their key officials and public relations staff, touched down in YVR at about 8:30 p.m., via PAL flight 126 from Manila.

Also on the flight were DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, DOTC Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo de Vega, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Assistant Director-General Beda Badiola, singer Martin Nievera and other guests.

The group was welcomed by local PAL officials and staff, San Francisco-based DOT Director Purification Molintas, Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap, and members of the Fili-

pino-Canadian media of Metro Vancouver.

Tan and Bautista briefly spoke of PAL’s new plans, programs and services, including the four-times-a-week service to New York, and the increase in the number of flights weekly between Manila and Vancouver from seven to 11 flights.

Mandap thanked PAL for expanding travel options for the Filipino flying public and opening new routes and opportunities for travelers to visit and be acquainted with the Philippines.

Earlier in the week, on March 11, PAL and DOT had staged a dinner program for travel agencies, media and guests, where PAL also laid out its plans and new services, courtesy of Allan Coo, PAL country manager for Canada, and Ryan Uy, vice-president for sales. Also present during the event was Senior Asst. Vice President for International Passenger Sales Genaro Velasquez.

DOT Director Molintas, joined by a delegation from DOT Manila, meanwhile kicked off the new Visit Philippines Year campaign, a fresher take on ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines campaign.’

Meanwhile, balladeer Eric Santos was flown in from Manila to provide dinner entertainment, while Vancouverbased singer Joey Albert hosted the program. - MM

PAL Chairman Lucio Tan (4th from R) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony of PAL’s inaugural flight to New York City. He is joined by Philippine government and airport officials.

LAARNI LIWANAG

29

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

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 by scanning the code with your smartphone or by visiting InFocus.canadianinquirer.net.

www.canadianinquirer.net

30

Immigration

MARCH 20, 2015

FRIDAY

TANONG MO KAY KUYA BOY

How to Become a Child’s Guardian KUYA BOY, I want to become the guardian of my 6 year old grandson. His parents cannot take care of him. Can I be the guardian even if the parents are still alive? What do I need to know and what should I do?

- Lola Leoning from Kelowna, B.C. LOLA LEONING, I want to refer you to a guide published by the Legal Services Society, “How to Become a Child’s Guardian”.

This guide is being reprinted with their permission. See www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca.

Who is a guardian?

If you and your child’s other parent live together, you’re both the child’s guardians. This means you’re equally responsible for your child’s care and upbringing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re married.

If you stop living together, you both continue to be guardians. It doesn’t matter who moves out or who your child lives with. Guardianship can only be removed by a court order, or if both parents agree that one of you will no longer be a guardian.

If you never lived with your child, you won’t be a guardian unless: • You have regularly taken care of your child, or • There is an agreement that says you’re a guardian.

If you’re not a parent, the only way you can become a guardian is by a court order or under a will. You can’t become a child’s guardian because someone puts it into an agreement.

Who can become a guardian?

Anyone can apply to the court to become a guardian. This includes: • parents who aren’t guardians, • grandparents, • step-parents (step-parents don’t automatically become guardians no matter how long they live with a child),

• siblings (brothers and sisters), • other family members, or • people who aren’t family members.

The court will look carefully at anyone who applies. It doesn’t matter who they are and what their relationship to the child is.

How do I apply?

You can use one of the self-help guides on the Family Law in BC website about how to apply for a family order. See www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca Important: If you want to temporarily look after a relative’s or friend’s child because the Ministry of Children and Family Development is involved with their family, the Extended Family Program might be a better alternative. This program is an alternative to foster care. It gives resources and financial support to eligible caregivers. But people who are or become a child’s guardian can’t participate.

Affidavit

There’s one extra form you must fill out when you’re applying for guardianship.

This form is called a special Affidavit (Form 34 in Provincial Court and Form F101 in Supreme Court). Before you fill it out, you must arrange for the background checks listed in that affidavit.

What information does the affidavit require?

The affidavit includes the following information: • the nature and length of your relationship with the child, • the child’s living arrangements, • a detailed plan for how you’re going to care for the child, • information about any other children in your care, • information about any incidents of family violence that may affect the child, and • information about any family or child protection court proceedings you’ve been involved in.

You must also get three background checks: • a Ministry of Children and Family Development records check, • a Protection Order Registry records check, and • a criminal records check.

To get the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Protection Order Registry background checks, you must fill out: • a Consent for Child Protection Record Check, and • a Request for Protection Order Registry Search.

Give them to the court registry where you file your application. To get a criminal records check, ask at the police station or RCMP detachment in your community.

Can I get a temporary order without the affidavit?

If you want to get an order quickly and you don’t have time to get all the background checks first, you can apply for an interim (temporary) order.

This order will last 90 days. During this time, you must get the background checks and fill out and file the affidavit.

Where can I find the forms?

You can find the forms online: • Affidavit (Provincial Court Form 34): www. familylaw.lss.bc.ca. (Under Shortcuts, click Court forms. Then click Provincial Court.)

• Affidavit (Supreme Court Form www.canadianinquirer.net

F101): www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca. (Under Shortcuts, click Court forms. Then click Supreme Court.)

• Consent for Child Protection Record Check: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts. (Under Resources, click Forms. Then click Provincial family. Then click PCFR. Scroll down to Section 51 — Consent for child protection record check.)

• Request for Protection Order Registry Search: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts. (Under Resources, click Forms. Then click Provincial family. Then click PCFR. Scroll down to Request for Protection Order Registry Search.)

Who can help?

Family duty counsel can help with your application. They’re lawyers Legal Aid pays to help people with lower incomes with their family law matters.

They can give you free legal advice. But they can’t take on your whole case or represent you at trial. See www.legalaid. bc.ca. (Under Legal aid, click Advice.) ■ We invite you to tune in to our weekly legal advice program “Tanong Mo Kay Kuya Boy” every Saturday from 130 pm on JUAN RADIO 96.1 FM. Every week, we will feature various professional lawyers who will discuss and give advice about different legal topics.

If you have any legal questions, send an email to kuyaboycanada@gmail.com

31

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Entertainment MISS B’S ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWS

Ex-Side A frontman Joey G wows crowd in Alberta

BY BABES NEWLAND

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — It was Joey Generoso’s first international solo act after 25 years of being Side A’s lead vocalist. Side A as we all know was the premium recording group responsible for producing eponymous hits most notably, “Forevermore”. The band’s career spanned from mid-80s up to current millennium. Joey G, as he is fondly called, took Canada’s “energy province” by storm earlier this month. The two-city (Calgary and Edmonton) prairie tour produced by Connie Kriaski of Pinoy Times Entertainment, gave Joey the validation that he has, indeed, taken the right track to go solo. Both shows were well supported and attended by our fellow kababayans who were nothing short of ecstatic. The crowd went wild as Joey G sang some of Side A’s most memorable hits and covers like Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”, amongst others.

Though a topic he prefers not to discuss openly, Joey G tendered his official resignation from Side A in January this year. It was the most excruciating decision that he has made, he narrates. After all, Side A gained unprecedented successes in Philippine music industry for more than 2 decades. But,

Pia Wurtzbach bags Miss Universe Philippines 2015 crown

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

as an old adage goes, all good things must come to an end. His sold-out solo concerts in Alberta gave him realization that there is life after Side A band.

Joey G was joined in to perform in Alberta by a pack of high caliber session musicians named, Stand Band. While former Color It Read lead vocalist, Cookie Chua, provided pizzazz and pop rock diversity to the crowd’s delight and attention.

Joey has proven to one and sundry that he can potentially sustain his own longevity as solo artist. And just like a good bottle of vintage wine, Joey G’s voice has that intense nose of red fruits and herbaceous undertones. One can never have problems gulping up one bottle after another… bottoms up. Cheers!

This writer was given a copy of Joey’s first solo album aptly entitled, Stand, produced and released by the now-defunct, Warner Music Philippines. It has 9 original tracks including

one penned by Grammy-award winning songwriter, Dianne Warren. When interviewed on a radio program (Vancouver’s Juan Radio FM96.1) hosted by this writer, Joey proudly explained the significance of his solo album’s carrier single, “Stand”. The title delineates having to stand alone for the very first time. Countering mixed emotions of fear, bewilderment and determination, Joey says he is adamant in pursuing his evolvement as artist to the next level. He emphasized mediocrity as his worst pet peeves. Just by imagining himself becoming stagnant terrifies him. So what’s next for Joey G? Immediate stops would be concerts in the UK and Australia. Plans are also underway for him to come back to Canada for concert particularly here in British Columbia towards 3rd or 4th quarter of the year. ■ babescastronewland@gmail.com

MANILA — Pia Wurtzbach, of Cagayan de Oro City won the prestigious Binibining Pilipanas Universe 2015 crown on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Wurtzbach, a culinary arts graduate, won over 33 other contenders from across the country.

The 25-year-old professional

model was tearful as she received the crown and sash from the outgoing Bb. Pilipinas Universe Mary Jean Lastimosa.

Wurtzbach was uploaded by the crowd when she was asked

by Rep. Leni Robredo about her thoughts on internet censorship during the question and answer portion of the competition.

“I think that we should be careful with what we post on❱❱ PAGE 32 Pia Wurtzbach

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32

Entertainment

MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

Kiesza, Weeknd, Arkells win multiple Junos, but Alanis Morissette steals show

BY NICK PATCH The Canadian Press HAMILTON — At the 2015 Juno Awards, Kiesza skipped into the spotlight, Arkells were hailed as hometown heroes, the Weeknd worked and an 80-year-old Leonard Cohen snagged the biggest Juno of his career — and then Alanis Morissette was here to remind us she still knows exactly how to steal a show.

The 40-year-old Morissette was ushered into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and closed the show Sunday at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre with a powerful medley of “Uninvited,” “You Oughta Know” and “Thank You” that melted a grateful Steeltown audience.

“I am deeply appreciative of this country,” she said after a standing ovation. “A lot of people around the planet ask me what is about you Canadians that make you so expressed and so compelling.

“And I say, ‘There’s definitely something in the water other than fluoride.”‘ Morissette’s serene presence steadied another breathlessly efficient show in which several decorated artists could stake rightful claim to the status as the year’s most distinguished victor.

There was the absent Cohen, Montreal’s bard of blackness whose gold-certified “Popular Problems” took the evening’s top prize for album of the year, thus giving him six career Junos and continuing his unlikely latecareer creative renaissance.

Or perhaps the year’s crown jewel was Calgary’s Kiesza, winner of her first three career Junos after her irrepressible one-take, Brooklyn-shot video for “Hideaway” — a throaty ode

to ‘90s house — catapulted her to unlikely worldwide success.

Before she claimed her award for breakthrough artist of the year, she took a moment to console 16-year-old fellow nominee Shawn Mendes (backstage, she called him “such a sweetheart” and testified he was a deserving winner: “That kid did it all on his own.”)

“I’m shaking. I’m a little nervous,” she said as she accepted her award. “Thank you for all the support this past year — it hasn’t been a full year yet, which is crazy.”

The Junos also proved to be believers in Magic!, the evening’s leading nominees whose reggae-redolent smash “Rude” landed the Toronto quartet awards for single of the year and breakthrough group of the year.

They performed the song too — married as it was to new single “No Way No” — and frontman Nasri Atweh was airconditioner breezy both while singing and speechifying.

“We really didn’t think that ‘Rude’ would become a big hit around the world and we’re very thankful that it’s a hit in our own country,” said Atweh calmly, flanked by his identically clad bandmates.

Magic! and Kiesza weren’t the only Juno newcomers to make their presence felt.

Although Toronto’s the Weeknd (the moniker for master of grim seduction Abel Tesfaye) had won two awards in prior years, he performed for the first time — crooning his pitch-black “50 Shades of Grey” tune “Earned It” on a stage illuminated by spare lightbulbs — and claimed the biggest Juno of his career for artist of the year, in addition to R&B/soul recording of the year.

The typically publicityaverse 25-year-old allowed his

speaking voice a rare cameo when he accepted the showclosing award.

“I want to thank Canada man — thank you guys,” he said softly.

“I wouldn’t be here without you.”

And in performances, electro-pop songwriter Lights teamed with Sam Roberts to flash through her “Up We Go” and his “We’re All In This Together,” mega-popular producer Deadmau5 and Colleen D’Agostino grooved through a laser-focused (and enhanced) “Seeya,” and Kiesza performed “Hideaway” with fleet-footed fury, surrounded by acrobatic dancers.

Hamilton’s Arkells, meanwhile, were boosted by both the comfort of home-court advantage and the swell of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada. They performed “Come to Light,” appropriate since they were basking in the glow of winning rock album of the year and group of the year.

“This is an embarrassment of riches,” marvelled frontman Max Kerman. “I covered a Sam Roberts song when I was in Grade 12 and to be in his company is always an honour.

“Our first show was about 10 minutes away from here at McMaster University,” he added, pausing as the crowd roared.

“Our second show was at the Casbah about two blocks away — that was very cool.

“And to be here on this stage is, yeah, totally overwhelming.”

Host and Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard opened the show with a brisk comedy bit featuring taped contributions from Michael Buble, the Trailer Park Boys and Prime Minister Stephen Harper before struggling through “Anything” backed by a drum squad and a hail of sparking pyro.

Later, he joked that it was a

fore you click,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Bb. Pilipinas Internationol crown was bagged by Janicel Lubina of Palawan, who also won the Best in Long Gown and Best in Swimsuit awards.

Bb. Pilipinas Tourism was

awarded to Ann Lorraine Colis, a BS Management Accounting graduate and the BB. Pilipinas Supranational award was given to Rogelie Catacutan.

Hannah Ruth Sision was declared first runner-up while Kimverlyn Suiza was second

Alanis Morissette at the 2015 Junos.

FACEBOOK PHOTO

“total honour that everybody else said no” and cracked: “Millions of viewers are tuning in right now and they’re all thinking the same thing: ‘Russell Peters looks sick and white.”‘ But with due respect to a game and seemingly comfortable Hoggard, it was Morissette whose formidable presence threaded the show together.

She accepted her award at the halfway point and closed the evening with three hits still indelibly etched into the memories of most Canadians.

Beyond the usual gratitude, Morissette in her speech mused on what it means to be Canadian.

“I moved to Los Angeles and

I waited six months for someone to ask me a question — so I listened,” she said. “And then I realized I had to adopt a whole other approach to life because Canadians are very engaging, very curious, very self-deprecating, very funny.

“So I took advantage of the cloth from which I was cut and continued to tell stories and feel so touched by how people interpret my songs.

“As an artist, I write for myself in a very self-indulgent way,” she added. “I love you, and I thank you, and I thank all people who have supported me in Canada for the many decades.” ■

runner-up.

Both the Best in Talent and Best in National Costume and the She’s so Jag 2015 awards were awarded to Teresita Ssen Marquez, the daughter of actor Joey Marquez and actress Alma Moreno.

The top 15 contenders of the

longest-running beauty pageant in the country includes Princess Joy Camu, Brenna Cassandra Gamboa, Teresita Ssen Marquez, Maolin Yalung, Alaiza Flor Malinao, Justine Beatrice Felizarta, Anja Vanessa Peter and Kylie Versorza. ■

Pia Wurtzbach... line especially our thoughts and our opinions that we don’t hurt anybody,” she said.

“Especially selfies, we have to be careful with what we post, especially with our bodies and our faces. So always think be❰❰ 31

www.canadianinquirer.net

Entertainment

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

33

Quality over quantity: CRTC to lower quotas on Canadian content on the tube

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The country’s broadcast regulator is cutting decades-old quotas that govern the volume of Canadian content on TV, a significant shift it hopes will boost the quality of programming that originates north of the border.

Under the changes, broadcasters will no longer be forced to air Canadianmade TV programs during the day, but they will still have to set aside at least half of their prime-time schedules to Canuck content, the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission announced Thursday.

The CRTC expects the change to bring positive side effects for viewers, including fewer repeats of Canadian shows during the day.

The regulator also said it intends to take steps to ensure stations invest more cash into Canadian shows.

The goal, said CRTC chairman JeanPierre Blais, is to help the industry enter into the brave new world — across multiple platforms — of on-demand programming, where the active viewer is “emperor.”

“Today there is a fundamental shift in the television landscape,” Blais said in prepared remarks of a speech he delivered Thursday in Ottawa.

“We’re tearing down barriers to innovation that have hampered broadcasters and producers.”

The measures will drop existing Canadian content requirements for daytime programming from 55 per cent to zero.

The CRTC will continue to enforce the prime-time minimum of 50 per cent between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The changes will also require that at least 35 per cent of the programs aired on specialty channels are made in Canada. Currently, specialty channels must broadcast between 15 and 85 per cent Canadian content.

The suite of new CRTC measures announced Thursday also opened the door for Canadian video-on-demand services to offer their own exclusive content — as long as it’s also available online, across the country and without a cable or satellite subscription.

Blais said he believes removing some of the CRTC’s content shackles will free up Canadian creativity.

“Some may balk at the suggestion that Canadian programming can reach the same heights as shows created in the other major global markets,” his speech said.

“If it’s possible for Britons, Australians and Danes to create world-class

television programs and films, why not the creation of new programming such cil chair Randy Kitt also criticized the us?” as local news and entertainment.

CRTC for failing to force the foreignNot everyone based, video-on-deagrees that the mand service Netflix changes will help imto follow Canadian prove the quality of content rules.

Canadian television.

We’re tearing down barriers to innovation “Netflix isn’t shy Unifor, a union that that have hampered broadcasters and producers. about collecting subrepresents 13,000 scription fees in Caworkers in the media nadian dollars and industry, warned that repatriating them to cutting the daytime, the U.S., so why do Canadian-content minimums could kill In a statement, Unifor media coun- they continue to get a free pass?” ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

Entertainment

34

MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

Justin Bieber is the butt of the joke, apologizes at Comedy Central roast for recent behaviour

BY SANDY COHEN The Associated Press CULVER CITY, Calif. — Justin Bieber really wants you to like him again. After being the butt of the joke for hours during the taping of his Comedy Central roast, the 21-year-old Canadian singer gave a contrition speech.

“I turned a lot of people off over the past few years, but I know I can still turn out good music and turn everything all around,” said Bieber, whose music has been overshadowed by his offstage antics, which include reckless driving, public urination and throwing eggs at a neighbour’s home.

“I’ve lost some of my best qualities. For that, I am sorry,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being someone who you guys can all look at and be proud of.”

It was a sweet ending to a night of sharp barbs aimed as much at Bieber as the rest of the roasters. Hosted by Kevin Hart, the “Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber,” taped Saturday at Sony Studios, also features Snoop Dogg, Shaquille O’Neal,

Justin Beiber (left) sitting and listening to Will Ferrell making him the butt of some jokes at the recent taping of his roast.

Martha Stewart and Ludacris.

It’s set to premiere March 30.

“This is like suicide. Why would you do it?” Hart asked the singer, whom he described as a “huge success that confuses everybody over 14.”

“The name Bieber has become so offensive, the Washington Redskins think you

should change it,” quipped comic Jeffrey Ross.

The roasters — including a surprise appearance by Will Ferrell’s character Ron Burgundy — jabbed at Bieber’s bad behaviour, his relationship with Selena Gomez, his music and his appearance.

Perhaps the harshest re-

marks came from comedian Chris D’Elia.

“You have it all,” he said, “except love, friends, good parents and a Grammy.”

Stewart offered Bieber tips for his eventual trip to prison.

Snoop Dogg appeared to smoke a joint onstage after telling the singer his next album should be

TWITTER PHOTO

called “Straight Outta Talent.”

Bieber, who was lowered from the ceiling to the stage wearing white angel wings, gently swiped back.

“What happens when you give a teenager $200 million?” he asked. “You get a bunch of has-beens calling you a lesbian for two hours.” ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Find sometime to appreciate the good things others have done for you today. You might now know it but taking them for granted might have been causing them to keep ill feelings against you. It’s the best day to express gratitude.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

The past weeks have been a little tough because you have been prioritizing your ‘wants’ over your ‘needs.’

The stars would like to remind you that this is not the best way to deal you’re your priorities in life especially in your career. Keep a straight eye on your main goal.

Deadlines, homework, personal errands and a lot of stuff at work and at home will be bothering you today.

Do not let time control you, so do the opposite.

Get hold of your schedule and consume every moment wisely.

SCORPIO

LEO

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22) You can only be truly happy when you are free, and you can only be truly free when you let nothing but the truth into your life. Be true to others and to yourself. White lies may be convenient at times but there is nothing better than being true and living with nothing but the truth.

Do not forget that your confidence is still the best armour you’ve got to continue fighting. Good things will come your way if you are convinced that you deserve to receive them, so don’t stop believing.

Today, you must not let your emotions get in your way to showing off the best in you. This is a crucial moment of developing a better personality so never let your temper bring you down. Remember that “patience” is your keyword to survive this day.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20 - FEB 18)

You might be having a hard time convincing people around you about the changes you want to create.

Some may even try to oppose your decision and convince you to change your ways. Try considering their opinions but don’t let them change what you think is right.

Instead of worrying too much about things that won’t make you any better, try focusing on positive thoughts. You hold the future at the palm of your hands and you have the power to control it, so better stop worrying.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

Today is the best day to finally let go of that painful memory.

Forgive yourself and other who might have caused you that pain. It is never healthy to keep on bearing that grudge.

Do not limit yourself to the opportunities you have at hand.

There are still greater possibilities waiting for you, Virgo. To get to the real journey, you have to learn how to take risks.

This week, you need to listen to what your heart is saying.

Whatever happens in the end, it is still better to regret because you have failed rather than regret for never trying at all.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Doubting others will not bring you any good. The stars are telling you that the only way to avoid conflicts today is to learn how to develop faith and trust by freeing yourself from unnecessary doubts

35

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Lifestyle

Study questions heart imaging; CT scans and older tests prove equally effective for chest pain

BY MARILYNN MARCHIONE The Associated Press SAN DIEGO — People checked with a heart CT scan after seeing a doctor for chest pain have no less risk of heart attack, dying or being hospitalized months later than those who take a simple treadmill test or other older exam, finds a big federal study.

The results are a surprise: CT scans, fancy X-rays that give 3-D images of heart arteries, were expected to prove best and instead turned out to be just a reasonable alternative. Doctors have used these scans for a decade without knowing whether they are better than traditional tests. The federal government funded the $40 million study — the largest ever of heart imaging — to find out.

But the study also wound up exposing how much medical radiation most patients like this — 4 million in the United States each year — are getting. Radiation can raise the risk of developing cancer, yet few doctors are choosing heart tests that do not require radiation, the study revealed.

“It’s such a bad reflection on American medicine,” said one independent expert, Dr. Eric Topol of the Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California. “Look at how much radiation they gave these poor people,” equivalent to 500 to 700 regular X-rays, he said. “That is despicable.”

If more patients were told the radiation dose before agreeing

to a test, more would end up with safer alternatives, he said.

The study involved more than 10,000 patients in the United States and Canada. Results were revealed Saturday at an American College of Cardiology conference in San Diego and published online by the New England Journal of Medicine.

Chest pain can stem from something as serious as a clogged artery or as harmless as indigestion. CT scans are widely used to diagnose heart problems in emergency rooms.

But their value isn’t known for people who go to a doctor with new but stable, less severe symptoms suggesting hidden heart disease.

In the study, half of the patients were given CT scans. The rest got whatever other test their doctor chose to evaluate how well their heart was working — a sign of whether it is getting enough blood from heart arteries.

Only 10 per cent of doctors chose the simplest test — monitoring the heart with an electrocardiogram (ECG) while the patient walks on a treadmill. It involves no radiation.

About 23 per cent got an echocardiogram — an ultrasound, which uses sound waves instead of radiation. A whopping two-thirds got nuclear stress tests, in which radioactive dye is injected to make the blood vessels show up on pictures. It’s the most costly test, and it involves more radiation than a CT scan.

The aim of the study was to see which test led to the best di-

A study found that CT scans were no better at reducing the risk of heart attacks in patients than other alternative checks, such as a simple treadmill test, and instead unnecessarily exposes patients to massive doses of radiation.

agnosis and treatment, thereby preventing the most deaths, heart attacks and hospitalizations for heart-related reasons over the next two years.

Only 3 per cent of patients had one of these problems regardless of what kind of test they got. It suggests that many of them may not have extensive testing at all, just medicines to address risk factors such as high blood pressure or cholesterol if their treadmill test was OK, Topol said.

CT scans had one advantage: more accurately guiding who needed appropriate follow-up

testing and artery-opening procedures.

CT scanning “more accurately detects blockages and also more accurately excludes them,” said Duke University’s Dr. Pamela Douglas, who led the study. Deciding on a test is “a choice that doctors and patients should be making together.”

Radiation doses are falling as CT equipment improves, but the study “does expose that there are risks to many of these tests,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kuvin, one of the cardiology conference leaders and cardiology

chief at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

CT scans cost roughly $400; a treadmill test, $175; echocardiogram, $500 and nuclear imaging, $946 to $1,132. But a financial analysis found total costs, including follow-up testing, were about the same.

That result also may have been due to how many doctors chose nuclear imaging for patients not given CT scans. No information was available on how many doctors owned or had a financial stake in the machines they chose for patients’ tests. ■

36

Lifestyle

MARCH 20, 2015 FRIDAY

Studies boost hopes for new cholesterol medicines; hints of side effects need more research

BY MARILYNN MARCHIONE The Associated Press SAN DIEGO — New research boosts hope that a highly anticipated, experimental class of cholesterol drugs can greatly lower the risk for heart attacks, death and other heart-related problems. The government will decide this summer whether to allow two of these drugs on the market.

People taking one of these drugs had half the risk of dying or suffering a heart problem compared to others who were given usual care — typically one of the statin drugs such as Lipitor or Zocor, doctors found.

Many people cannot tolerate statins or get enough help from them, so new medicines are badly needed.

The results are “really impressive and very encouraging” for the new drugs, said one independent expert, Dr. Judith Hochman of NYU Langone Medical Center.

The studies were published online Sunday by the New England Journal of Medicine and discussed at an American College of Cardiology conference in San Diego.

They are fresh analyses from older studies designed to look at how much the drugs lower cholesterol, so they can only suggest that the drugs also lower heart problems, not prove

New research boosts hope that a highly anticipated, experimental class of cholesterol drugs can greatly lower the risk for heart attacks, death, and other related problems.

that point. Definitive studies will take about two more years, so the federal Food and Drug Administration will be deciding the drugs’ fates with only results like this in hand.

The drugs are evolocumab, which Amgen Inc. wants to call Repatha, and alirocumab, which Regeneron Pharmaceu-

ticals Inc. and Sanofi SA have named Praluent.

They lower LDL or bad cholesterol more powerfully and in a different way than existing drugs, by blocking PCSK9, a substance that interferes with the liver’s ability to remove cholesterol from the blood.

Side effects remain a ques-

tion, though, especially on thinking, confusion and memory — problems the FDA has already voiced concern about and asked the companies to track.

The problems affected only 1 or 2 per cent of patients and may be temporary, but they were twice as common among people taking one of the new

drugs and need to be closely monitored as studies continue, said Dr. Anthony DeMaria, a University of California at San Diego heart specialist and past president of the American College of Cardiology. As a patient facing potential side effects, “the last one I want” is one that affects the brain, he said.

Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California, said the new results show “an unquestionable signal” of a potential safety issue. More side effects typically turn up once a drug is approved and used in a wider population, he said.

Two other heart experts — Drs. Neil Stone and Daniel Lloyd-Jones of Northwestern University in Chicago — wrote in the medical journal that “it would be premature to endorse these drugs for widespread use” until the definitive studies are done in a couple of years. Other drugs that initially seemed good failed when put to the most rigorous test, they wrote.

Still, the results so far suggest that the drugs “appear to be on track” to be important new medicines, they wrote.

Dr. Clyde Yancy, cardiology chief at Northwestern University in Chicago and a former American Heart Association president, agreed.

“Science has revealed a brand new approach to treating cholesterol,” and there is “reasonable enthusiasm” it will be a big boon to patients, he said. ■

Health Canada tweaks guidelines on radiofrequency exposure THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Health Canada says input from the public has led it to make a few tweaks to guidelines on radiofrequency exposure.

The agency revised the guidelines, dubbed Safety Code 6, last April after reviewing scientific research on the effects of radio waves emitted by cellphones, Wi-Fi and other popular wireless technologies.

A panel with the Royal Society of Canada signed off on the proposed new guidelines, saying only that Health Canada should pursue research into possible links between radiofrequency wave exposure and cases of cancer.

Health Canada also launched a two-month consultation process during which members of the public could offer comments on the scientific aspects of Safety Code 6.

“The updated code includes

slightly more restrictive reference levels in some frequency ranges to ensure even larger safety margins to protect all Canadians, including newborn infants and children,” Health Canada said in a statement.

Health Canada said public input prompted it to revisit its guidelines for low frequency magnetic field reference levels, which some suggested were too restrictive. Health Canada said it has eased those guidelines. www.canadianinquirer.net

Some advocacy groups, such as Canadians for Safe Technology, felt the draft regulations weren’t rigorous enough and ignored some recent scientific literature.

Health Canada refuted those claims.

“It is important to note that when thousands of research studies are conducted on any test agent (e.g. radiofrequency fields), statistical chance dictates that a small number of studies (even if conducted

properly) will demonstrate a ‘false positive’ or ‘false negative’ result,” Health Canada said in its summary of findings from the public consultation.

“While some studies have reported biological effects or adverse health effects of radiofrequency fields at levels below the limits in Safety Code 6, these studies only form part of the dataset and do not represent the prevailing line of scientific evidence in these respective areas.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

37

Aspirin users with common genes may get less colon cancer; pills as prevention not advised yet

BY LINDSEY TANNER The Associated Press RESEARCHERS HAVE identified common genetic traits that may explain how aspirin can help protect against colon cancer.

It’s too soon to recommend aspirin for colon cancer prevention and the needed genetic tests aren’t available outside of research. But they might be someday if future studies confirm the results.

Here are five things to know about the study: How did they do it?

The researchers pooled genetic and lifestyle data from 10 studies involving more than 17,000 people, about half had colon or rectal cancer. In those studies, participants were asked about various habits; more than one-third used aspirin frequently. They also had blood tests from which genetic material was analyzed. Previous studies have suggested aspirin might be protective but this one offers additional evidence of which genes may play a role.

Main results

Aspirin users were less likely than nonusers to get colon or rectal cancer if they had genetic traits found in about 90 per cent of the participants.

Overall, frequent aspirin use reduced chances of developing colo-rectal cancer by an average of about 30 per cent, compared with nonusers. The studies used different definitions of frequent use, but in most it was at least twice weekly for

more than a month.

The results were published in Tuesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association.

No aspirin benefit?

In about 4 per cent of the participants, frequent aspirin use did not appear to reduce risk and may even have had the opposite effect. These people had uncommon genetic traits and because the potentially risky markers were so uncommon, the researchers said additional studies are needed to confirm those results.

Overall, cancer patients were less likely to have the protective traits and less likely to be frequent aspirin users.

The biology

The genetic traits that seem to be protective are related to inflammation and the production of prostaglandins.

Both are linked with cancer risk; aspirin reduces inflammation and is known to block prostaglandins, said senior author Dr. Andrew Chan of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Chan said that result means there’s likely a biological explanation for how aspirin might protect against cancer in people with those traits.

The limitations

Frequent use of aspirin may cause intestinal bleeding and it is not generally recommended to help prevent colon or rectal cancer. Genetic tests that would show who has the potentially beneficial traits — or the possibly risky ones — are not yet available for regular use but they may be in coming years, Chan said. ■

Number of... the relative importance of “Since then, the number of workers foreign workers in the labour in low-skilled positions has declined by force appears to be higher in 20 per cent, while the number in skilled small centres than in large census met- positions has increased 20 per cent. ropolitan areas.”

As a result, by 2012, The study said a the majority of forsignificant number eign workers were in of foreigners work on skilled positions.” farms, in restaurants The Conservaor as babysitters or The number of tive government innannies — jobs on workers in lowtroduced new rules the low end of the pay skilled positions in June to limit the scale. has declined by 20 number of foreign Employers don’t per cent, while the workers that largeseem to want to raise number in skilled and medium-sized wages in these areas, positions has companies are perso they are forced increased 20 per mitted to hire. to rely on either uncent. As a result, by It says the changes employed domes2012, the majority are aimed at ensuring tic workers with of foreign workers Canadians are first in few skills or foreign were in skilled line for jobs. workers, the report positions.

Liberal critic John said.

McCallum said the But the report said report confirms that the number of lowthe program has drivskilled Canadians in en down middle class the work force shrank by 26 per cent be- wages and displaced Canadian workers. tween 2002 and 2013.

“We must restore the program back The characteristics of the foreign to its original purpose: to fill acute job work force have also changed since the shortages when qualified Canadian 2009 recession. Before then, most of the workers absolutely cannot be found,” growth was in low-skilled jobs.

McCallum said in a statement. ■ ❰❰ 21

www.canadianinquirer.net

38

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Business

Philippine Coffee farmers, entrepreneurs challenged to raise output Domestic coffee output eased by 4% in 2014 to about 75,000 metric tons, according to gov’t data

BY RONNEL W. DOMINGO Philippine Daily Inquirer DOMESTIC OUTPUT of coffee beans is shrinking, but coffee evangelists see this as an opportunity for farmers and entrepreneurs to find their niche and move up the value chain.

The volume of production is dropping as destructive typhoons that ravaged the country over the past two years continue to exact a toll on farms.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), domestic output eased by 4 percent in 2014 to settle at about 75,000 metric tons.

The lingering effects of the devastation will also cast a shadow on farm output in 2015, which the Philippine Coffee Board Inc. (PCBI) said would see a further reduction in coffee output.

A 2014 yearend report from the PSA show that the total area of farms planted to coffee increased to 117,300 thousand hectares from 116,460 thousand hectares in 2013.

However, the number of coffee bearing trees decreased to 79.87 million from 80.28 million previously.

The PSA blamed this on the cutting or pruning of old and less productive trees and the effects of heavy rains and strong wind during fruit development in Sultan Kudarat as well as in Talipao, Sulu.

In Kalinga, trees are still recovering from stress brought

Coffee output in the Philippines has dropped recently due to a string of devastating disasters, but coffee evangelists see this as an opportunity for farmers and entrepreneurs to find their niche and move up the value chain by producing gourmet or specialty coffees.

about by Typhoon “Labuyo” that struck in August 2013. The situation is similar in Capiz and Iloilo, which were in the path of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in November of the same year.

Crop-shifting also pushed down output in Cavite, where farmers turned to pineapple. In Compostela Valley and Davao City, farmers shifted to bananas.

In Batangas, coffee farms endured a long dry season that coincided with the flowering of trees, while some productive trees were infested by scale insects. PCBI chair Nicholas Matti said the expected lean harvest this year was exacerbated

by extreme weather conditions such as drought and typhoons, depending on where the farms are.

The PCBI has thus urged farmers and entrepreneurs— especially those based in Cavite—to produce higher-value gourmet or specialty robusta, to make up for the decreasing volume.

Gourmet coffee beans will attract specialty roasters and command a price higher than the prevailing P90 to P100 per kilo for the regular robusta or barako, the PCBI added.

Matti said the PCBI determined that the quality of coffee

EXCHANGE RATES

made from locally grown beans had been consistent for many areas due to a lack among many farmers of technical knowledge on primary processing— especially with regard to the correct fermentation of beans that are processed through the washed method.

“There is also a lack of the right processing equipment like pulpers and hullers,” Matti said. “Farmers have to do manual hulling to be able to sell the green beans.

In a bid to remedy the situation, PBCI has partnered with the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), which has available

financing packages for nonprofit organizations who have already started a coffee growing business.

Affiliate Peace and Equity Holdings, for its part, has a similar program for coffee growers who are ready to transition into commercial production.

Each of the two lenders has a kitty of P500 million for activities related to five crops, including coffee.

Roberto Calingo, PEF executive director, said coffee farmers currently represented a small part of their borrowers.

However, the group is actively searching for more qualified coffee-based clients, who can borrow up to P10 million.

Meanwhile, Nestlé Philippines Inc. (NPI) has expanded its network of coffee bean buying stations with new sites in Batangas, Cavite and Iloilo, which together are expected to benefit some 5,500 farmers.

Edith de Leon, senior vice president and head of corporate affairs at NPI, said that the move was part of efforts to give smallholder farmers an efficient farm-to-market route as well as local training for better plant propagation and production.

“By sourcing directly from local farmers, we are not only assured of long-term supply of the right quantity and quality of green coffee [beans] on which our brands depend, but it also [provides] a robust coffee livelihood for our small farmers,” de Leon said. ■

As of March 18, 2015, from finance.yahoo.com PRICE

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CND / USD

1.2815

+0.0024

+0.1837%

CND / PHP

34.9737

+0.0223

+0.0638%

CND / EUR

1.3586

+0.0038

+0.2786%

Business

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

39

Canada’s food safety watchdog suspends Costco Canada’s fish import licence THE CANADIAN PRESS

Parking spots for condo owners, once deemed mandatory, are falling out of favor, thanks to the proliferation of car-sharing services and a greater emphasis on transit and walkability.

Condo buyers shifting away from parking, realtors and developers say

BY ALEXANDRA POSADZKI The Canadian Press TORONTO — When Barbara Lawlor first joined Baker Real Estate, a Toronto firm that markets and sells new condo developments, over two decades ago, selling a condo unit without an accompanying parking spot was a Herculean feat.

Today, only about a quarter of Baker’s clients are looking to buy parking spots.

“It’s an enormous shift in the buyer’s attitude,” says Lawlor, who is now Baker’s president.

“People don’t want parking as much as they used to.”

Parking spots are falling out of favour with many condo buyers, thanks to the proliferation of car-sharing services and a greater emphasis on transit and walkability — “If you’re on a really good transit route, you would certainly think twice about whether you need to buy a parking space,” Lawlor says, noting that a parking spot in a downtown Toronto development can cost around $50,000.

Louie Santaguida, president and chief executive of Stanton Renaissance, had planned to build up to four levels of underground parking at his On The GO Mimico project, a condo development under construction in the west part of Toronto.

However, Santaguida says most buyers snatching up the

units pre-construction aren’t keen to shell out for parking, given that one of the building’s selling points is that it’s situated right next to a GO Train station that can transport residents downtown in minutes.

Santaguida is planning to apply to the city to have the building’s parking requirement reduced.

“We’re hearing more and more about developments that are coming up along good transit nodes that are actually asking for leniency around no parking, or minimal parking,” he said.

“The trend is moving away from vehicle ownership, especially in urban centres like downtown Hamilton, downtown Montreal, downtown Toronto and downtown Vancouver. Because there’s adequate infrastructure to get you where you need to go on a timely basis and quite frankly, in most cases, sooner than you can using a vehicle.”

Vancouver developer Jon Stovell, president of Reliance Properties, says the city of Vancouver has been encouraging developers to reduce the amount of parking that they build, in order to reduce traffic congestion and encourage other forms of transportation including walking, biking and public transit.

“The parking ratios have been going down steadily for

a long time, and they’re getting to some really low levels now,” Stovell said, nothing that developers used to build up to two parking spots per unit.

Now, many are only building one parking stall for every two condo units.

In Toronto, Tribute Communities has erected a 42-storey condo tower with no permanent resident parking — just nine spots reserved for a carshare service. Knightsbridge Homes is proposing a similar development in Calgary.

Most municipal governments are coming to terms with the change and relaxing parking minimums, but some developers have faced resistance.

Santaguida’s planned 30-storey condo project, rising out of the historic James Street Baptist Church, stirred up controversy, partly on account of not having a parking spot available for each unit.

The developer was challenged by trying to build an underground garage without disturbing the foundations of the former church.

After some deliberation, the city agreed to a proposal that will see Stanton Renaissance build 122 parking spots for the building’s 259 units — but the decision has faced some criticism.

“Some people are resistant to any type of change,” Santaguida said. “But you can only buck a trend for so long.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

EDMONTON — Canada’s food safety watchdog has suspended Costco Canada’s fish import licence.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the retail giant is not following food safety controls on a consistent basis.

The agency says Costco is in violation of federal fish inspection regulations and the suspension of its licence went into effect on Feb. 26.

It says there is no product recall associated with the licence suspension.

“The CFIA has determined that adequate controls for food safety are not being reliably implemented by the company on a consistent basis, which is in violation of the Fish Inspection Regulations,” the agency says on its website.

The CFIA says Costco can’t import fish products into Canada until is takes corrective action and the agency is satisfied that the chain can effectively manage food safety risks.

Costco Canada said the im-

port licence was used to import a limited number of loads of canned tuna products. The company said the suspension does not affect any other fish sold in Costco Canada warehouses.

“As part of its corrective action plan, Costco is currently updating and strengthening its standard operating procedures to ensure full compliance with CFIA’s fish inspection regulations and reinstatement of its fish import licence,” the company said in an email Monday.

“This issue did not present any risk to Costco’s members nor was there any recall associated with this licence suspension.”

Costco said its licence was suspended for not following three administrative issues in the last two years. Twice the store failed to properly notify the CFIA about a load of canned tuna being imported. On another occasion canned tuna was transported directly to Costco’s depot for distribution rather than to a warehouse for CFIA inspection. ■

40

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Travel

Start Trek: Mountains you should have gone this summer

BY KRIS M. CRISMUNDO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Getting tired of hitting the beaches during the dry season? Why not try to trek mountains this summer?

So instead of just being in the beach for this summer, start trek where you’ve never gone before! (Yes, it sounds like the famous line from sci-fi movie Star Trek, “Where no man has gone before.”)

Most of the mountains listed here are perfect for hiking activities but will make you sweat first and give you a different view of nature atop mountains before pulling off your summer wear.

Here are the five must-trek mountains this summer to offer you hiking activities with side trips best for this season.

These mountains are far from the stressful city but quite near to home: 1. Mt. Pundaquit + Anawangin Cove in San Antonio, Zambales

Zambales is one of the top summer destinations in Central Luzon because of its proximity to Metro Manila. Beaches and island hopping are the best activities here.

To add worthwhile experience in your visit to Zambales, come to Anawangin Cove via Mt. Pundaquit. Yes, that’s correct. Pass through first the summit of the 464-MASL (meter-above-sea-level) mountain before enjoying the beach of Anawangin. You will enjoy the view of the West Philippine Sea

and its islands from its peak.

A day is not enough to make the most of this trip. So you may try to camp out in Anawangin Cove after your Mt. Pundaquit trip and enjoy the beach. The next day, you may still want to visit other islands like Capones Island before calling it a day.

How to get there? From Metro Manila, ride a bus bound for Iba, Zambales, then alight at San Antonio Public Market.

From the wet market, ride a tricycle going to Pundaquit. Then from Anawangin Cove, rent a boat going to Pundaquit and then a tricycle going to the bus station bound for Manila.

How to get there? Coming from Metro Manila, ride a jeepney or SUV Express going to Tanay in front of Starmall in Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.

From Tanay market, you can take a tricycle going to Barangay Daraitan.

5. Mt. Pulag in Bokod, Benguet

2. Pico de Loro in Maragondon, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas

Pico de Loro is one of the best mountains to climb this summer. With its lush forest trail, it will protect you from heat during this season. The trail is beginner-friendly but climbing to the summit and the monolith will require a lot of courage. From the monolith, see the breath-taking Nasugbu beach and other mountains in the Calabarzon region composed of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

When descending, instead of going back to the jump-off point in Ternate, Cavite, traverse to Nasugbu, Batangas and hit the beach.

How to get there? From Metro Manila, ride a bus going to Ternate at the Coastal Mall bus terminal in Parañaque City.

From Ternate, ride a tricycle to DENR jump-off area to Pico de Loro.

The monolith at Pico de Loro.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

On the other hand, it’s just a tricycle ride going to Nasugbu beach.

3. Mt. Daguldol + Laiya beach in San Juan, Batangas

The trek to Mt. Daguldol starts and ends in beach. You’ll be walking at the seashore of Laiya beach on your way to the mountain.

Admittedly, Mt. Daguldol is one of my toughest climb experiences though it’s only a minor climb with a difficulty level of 3 out of 9 and trail class of 1 to 3. Maybe because it was a long walk of up to six hours. But, the scenery is worth the effort! Laiya beach is a great reward after

the tiring trek, by the way.

How to get there? Take a San Juan (Batangas)-bound bus from the Cubao Central Bus terminal. Then, you may choose to take a jeepney or tricycle going to Barangay Hugom.

4. Mt. Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal

There’s no beach near Mt. Daraitan, but this mountain can offer an unforgettable and unique summer getaway. Enjoy your summer doing activities such as spelunking, rock climbing, river swimming, and camping. Inside the Tungtong Cave in Daraitan, which is just across the campsite, is a nature-made pool — they call it jacuzzi.

Like Mt. Daraitan, Mt. Pulag in the Cordilleras may not have nearby white-sand beaches but its single-digit temperature is a good trip to escape the summer heat. It can’t offer a sea but its sea of clouds is worth climbing for.

Climbing Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon and the third highest in the Philippines, can give you bragging rights in your entire life as climbing this mountain is really a challenge, requiring you two to three days for this trip and surviving the single-digit temperature. It’s best to climb Mt. Pulag during summer so you can’t experience the chilling negative-degree-Celsius temperature during the cold season and the wet trail during rainy season.

How to get there? Take a bus bound for Baguio City. If you’re travelling in group of 10, it’s better to rent a jeepney to registration point for Mt. Pulag. If travelling alone or in smaller group, better avail of a tour package for this adventure.

So instead of just being in the beach, add an extra challenging activity this summer — start trek. ■

Travel

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

41

Whale watching now year round activity in San Diego, with guaranteed sightings

BY BERNIE WILSON The Associated Press SAN DIEGO — Once limited to the winter months, whale watching off San Diego is now a year-round activity that comes with a guarantee of a sighting.

On a recent day on the Pacific Ocean, it took just less than an hour away from the dock for Capt. Troy Sears to spot two juvenile grey whales meandering south toward Baja California.

By the time the cruise aboard the 139-foot (42-meter) yacht America ended four hours later, the passengers had seen 12 whales, were fully briefed on their migration from Alaska to Mexico and back, and learned a bit about the America’s Cup. “It was beautiful and it was original,” said Tracy Chavous of Augusta, Georgia.

“It was a lot more than I was expecting,” added her husband, Emory. “It was a lot more enjoyable.”

In town for a conference, they stayed over an extra day for a cruise. They chose to go out on America, a replica of the schooner that beat a fleet of British ships around the Isle of Wight in 1851 to win the trophy that became the America’s Cup. “I started out wanting to sail

and then I saw there was a sail“There are lots of whales off December, and there’s been an boat that took you whale watch- Antarctica but you’re not going increase of about 50 per cent ing,” Tracy Chavous said. “That to like the conditions,” Sears this season. The last greys will was awesome. And then there said while steering his two- be northbound cows and calves was a guarantee of seeing the masted boat, with 6,000 square around the middle to end of whales. It was traditional and feet (557 square meters) of May. By then, fins and humpwe wanted to see people sailing. sails, onto the ocean. backs have come into the area.

That’s what we got.”

Sears grew up in San Diego and The first blue whales will show A trip aboard America is a remembers when whale watch- around the middle of April, unique way to watch whales ing was just during the winter. with an abundance of fins and and dolphins on the Pacific, alAn international moratorium blues through the summer. The though cruises are also available on whale hunting in the 1980s, last blue whale departs around through several other compa- honoured by most nations, the time the first grey whales nies. All guaranreach Southern tee a sighting. If California. there isn’t one, “Blue whales passengers can are game-changreturn for a free We stopped hunting these animals ers,” Sears said. trip. Only Sears, and guess what? They’ve come back.

“They’re the bigwho owns Next They are recovering and we get the gest animal to Level Sailing, ofbenefit of that. live, bigger than fers a no-seasickany dinosaur. ness guarantee.

They’re fantastic Joe Terzi, to look at because president and CEO of the San helped change that. they’re beautiful animals.”

Diego Tourism Authority, re“We stopped hunting these As many as 20 can be seen in cently said San Diego should animals and guess what? one trip during the peak season. be considered the world’s No. 1 They’ve come back. They are Every day provides a differdestination for whale watching. recovering and we get the ben- ent scenario, Sears said.

Sears, who estimates he’s efit of that,” he said.

Heading out to the Corospent 7,000 days on the water, Grey and blue whales pro- nado Canyon, a deep ridge line backs it up. vide the most sightings off San about 9 miles offshore that grey The probability of seeing Diego, followed by humpbacks whales follow while heading whales is near 100 per cent, he and fins, Sears said. Pilot, orcas, north, Sears spotted two whales said, and eight different spe- minke and sperm whales are off the starboard bow. cies can be seen throughout less common.

“I bet they haven’t seen a boat in the year, almost always in ideal Tour operators started see- a while,” Sears told the passengers. weather and sea conditions. ing greys around the first of Shortly after, he noticed

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three more whales. With Sears keeping his boat the required 100 yards away, the five whales eventually linked up.

San Diego is a Navy town, so passengers see a lot more than whales.

They got a close-up look at the 844-foot (257-meter) amphibious assault ship America, which was taking on weapons at Naval Air Station North Island.

Navy helicopters constantly fly overhead. At one point Sears noticed that the submarine USS Jimmy Carter had surfaced in the distance and was heading into San Diego Bay while a destroyer sailed out to sea.

“Whale watching trips are much more than whale watching,” said Sears, an America’s Cup aficionado who drove a support boat for Oracle Team USA when it trained in San Diego before the 2010 Cup. “It’s a chance to see what’s going on out on San Diego Bay and the ocean.” ■ If You Go ...

SAN DIEGO WHALE WATCHING GUIDE: http:// www.sandiegowhalewatchingguide.com . Prices vary by operator, day of the week and length of trip from around $40 up to around $90.

Long term forecast taken from: www.weathernetwork.com

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42

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Sports

Mayweather and Pacquiao play nice for men who beat people up for a living

BY TIM DAHLBERG The Associated Press MANNY PACQUIAO and Floyd Mayweather Jr. were both exceptionally well dressed for their appearance together in Los Angeles, not terribly surprising given the number of cameras focused on them.

Exceptionally well behaved, too, which was also no surprise.

No need for trash talk when the $1,500 seats in the upper reaches of the MGM Grand Garden will be snapped up the minute they go on sale and people at home won’t think twice about spending $100 or so on the payper-view.

Just two men who beat people up for a living acting like perfect gentlemen. Not a new role for Pacquiao, but certainly one for Mayweather, who has made most of his millions by getting a lot of people to buy his fights just to see him lose.

He was once Pretty Boy Floyd, then became Money Mayweather. Now he’s Floyd Mayweather the businessman, working hard to earn his $120 million payday.

“No different than WWE,” Mayweather said. “It’s all about reinventing yourself. That’s what we did. And it’s worked so far.”

It has, in ways that seem unimaginable for any fighter, much less one who doesn’t knock people out. Mayweather is perennially on top of the highest paid athlete list, and this year it will be no contest.

He’ll do it this time with a new persona that would make anyone in pro wrestling proud.

It was barely two years ago that Mayweather sat in a jail cell, serving a domestic battery sentence while wondering if he would ever fight again. Now no one mentions his checkered past because they’re so eager to see him in the fight that will break all records.

He’s still got more pricey cars than the average Bentley dealership, lives in the Big Boy

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. were cordial to each other at last week's media event for the upcoming mega fight between the two legendary boxers on May 2. It is the only press event being held by them before the week of the fight itself.

MANNY PACQUIAO FACEBOOK PHOTO

Mansion on a golf course in Las Vegas, and has a team of bodyguards that tower over him wherever he goes. The entourage is still around, too, eager to please his every whim.

But the new Floyd Mayweather is all business. And right now business couldn’t be better.

“Floyd Mayweather is a winner when it’s all said and done,” Mayweather said.

Pacquiao is a winner, too, of course, and maybe a bigger one than Mayweather. He made it out of the depths of poverty in the Philippines to become a multimillionaire fighter and a congressman from the Sarangani province. He’s a national hero at home, where everything stops anytime he steps into the ring.

Like Mayweather, Pacquiao has reinvented himself in recent years. He’s trimmed his

huge entourage, given up the late night partying and gambling, and turned to religion to guide his life.

Along the way he learned English as a second language and is comfortable enough with it that he spent the entire day Wednesday speaking confidently to hundreds of media, even managing to get in a slight — though very polite — dig at Mayweather.

“I’m not worried about this fight,” Pacquiao said. “I was more worried about my last few fights with (Oscar) De La Hoya, (Antonio) Margarito and (Miguel) Cotto than this.”

They have contrasting styles in the ring, and they are a stark contrast outside of it. It’s what makes this fight so intriguing, almost irresistible.

The fight that doesn’t need any promoting will still get

some, of course. There was a frenzy in downtown Los Angeles this week, where some 700 media members were credentialed for what was billed as the only joint appearance of the two fighters before the week of the fight.

And there will surely be a steady trickle of news from the camps before the craziness of fight week finally arrives.

But it isn’t business as usual, as evidenced the other day when trainer Freddie Roach threw comedian Dave Chappelle and his family out of Pacquiao’s workout at his Hollywood gym. Roach and Chappelle are friends, but there were things to attend to, and they were getting in the way.

“I felt really bad,” Roach said, “but that was four bodies that didn’t need to be there.”

Mayweather is also showing

signs that this fight is different.

The usual crowds at his Las Vegas gym, insiders say, are being thinned out by security. There’s too much at stake here, for a fighter who has never lost in 19 years as a pro.

Yes, Mayweather has a new persona. He’s still hanging with Justin Bieber, though you probably won’t see him before this fight counting out big stacks of $100 bills, or bragging about the score he made betting on the NBA playoffs.

But he’s got the same burning desire, magnified even more by what is at stake in the Fight of the (Young) Century.

Yes, Pacquiao has the weight of a country on his shoulders.

But Mayweather has his entire legacy on the line.

“I’ve never wanted to win a fight as bad in my life,” Mayweather said. ■

Seen and Scenes

FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

PAROKYA NI EDGAR CONCERT Parokya ni Edgar rocked the house during it’s recent concert in Calgary, AB (Photos by Evelyn Lopez.)

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

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AMBASSADOR'S VISIT Highlights from Ambassador Petronila Garcia and Consul General Neil Ferrer’s Calgary visit.

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Sports

MARCH 20, 2015

FRIDAY

Fight of the century?: Mayweather, Pacquiao declare big stakes as they begin countdown

BY TIM DAHLBERG The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao was out walking the red carpet by the time Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrived, fashionably late for their first appearance together to promote a fight that really needs no promoting.

But it didn’t take long last Wednesday for Mayweather to put the fight into perspective in a way that only a fighter nicknamed “Money” can.

“You get to this level where you’re making nine figures in 36 minutes,” Mayweather said, “and you have to be a winner.”

Mayweather had the math right, though he declined to say just how much he will make in the May 2 fight that has stirred excitement far beyond the boxing community. He will get 60 per cent of the purse in what is expected to be boxing’s richest fight ever, a haul that could exceed $120 million for Mayweather alone.

Pacquiao won’t do badly, either, in a fight that was five

years in the making and will break records in another way — it will cost fans more than any other fight in history to watch both at the MGM Grand arena or in the comfort of their living rooms.

At the only press conference the fighters will do prior to the week of the fight, promoters announced that tickets would range from $1,500 in the upper reaches of the MGM Garden to $7,500 at ringside. The pay-perview price wasn’t announced, but is expected to be in the $90100 range.

They may have to reach deep into their pockets to afford it, but there’s little doubt that boxing fans will buy it. They want to see what Mayweather and Pacquiao say they are eager to show — the two biggest draws in boxing settling things between them once and for all in the ring.

“We don’t want to leave a question mark in the minds of fans of boxing,” said Pacquiao, from the Philippines.

“It’s also very important this fight is for the honour of my country.”

If the interest in the press

conference at a downtown theatre was any indication, the fight is already on its way to record business. More than 700 credentials were issued for the event, and both fighters walked a red carpet lined by photographers and video cameras that was worthy of the Academy Awards.

Mayweather came late, though he could walk over from his condo next door. The pay-per-view king was businesslike and relatively subdued, with nothing bad to say about Pacquiao or anyone in his camp.

“It’s always good to have the best fight the best,” Mayweather said. “That’s what’s so intriguing about this match up.”

Mayweather said he was adamant about making the fight, pestering manager Al Haymon to get it done. But the biggest bout in recent history still may not have happened if not for a chance meeting between Mayweather and Pacquiao at a Miami Heat basketball game in January — a meeting that took place only because a big storm on the East Coast delayed Pac-

quiao’s flight.

Mayweather went to Pacquiao’s hotel suite afterward and the two talked and decided the fight had to be made.

“I didn’t say a lot of words because I didn’t want to say a mistake,” Pacquiao said. “He said there’s an A-side and a B-side and the purse would be 40-60.

That’s enough to put me in the B-side.”

Mayweather said the fight reminded him of when he was young and Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard fought in a huge middleweight title match in 1987. Mayweather said he wondered then how there could ever be a fight as big as that one.

Now he’s in a fight that will be bigger, if only because technology has advanced far enough to sell it to almost every home in the country.

“It’s all about timing and I think we couldn’t choose a better time,” Mayweather said.

“This is a fight the world can’t miss. This is an unbelievable matchup.”

Both fighters went out of their way to be polite and respectful to each other. May-

weather also had good things to say about Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, who he often said he would never work with again after being promoted early in his career by Arum.

About the only one not following the script was Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, who said his fighter will have an easier time against Mayweather than he would have if the fight was made five years ago because Mayweather’s legs are slowing and he can’t move as well as he used to.

“We have to dominate him in the first round and take him out of his comfort zone right away,” Roach said. “Our game plan is to win each round, one at a time.”

Like his fighter, Roach will earn some big money from the bout. He may need it, because Pacquiao is charging him $5 for using a certain swear word that the trainer can’t stop using.

Before the press conference began, Roach was already down $30.

“Salary reduction,” Pacquiao said, laughing as he patted Roach on the knee. ■

‘Hockey Wives’ hope show will ice perception that their lives are all glam

BY VICTORIA AHEARN The Canadian Press TORONTO — Emilie Blum is a former intelligence specialist for the U.S. military, Maripier Morin is a TV host in Montreal, and Kodette LaBarbera is a social activist.

They’re among the cast members of “Hockey Wives,” premiering Wednesday on W Network, and they hope the eight-part series will show that their lives aren’t necessarily what fans might expect.

“I thought it was really important to show that not every hockey player makes millions of dollars and there is that kind of fringe player that really struggles and is trying to make it in the NHL,” says Blum, who is married to defenceman Jonathon Blum, who has played for the Minnesota Wild but is cur-

rently in the minors.

“We have a lot of uncertainty in our lives, we go back and forth between the minor leagues and the NHL, and it’s not glamorous. We live out of suitcases and I really wanted to show that it’s not about mansions and millions of dollars.

“I’m in it for love, and it’s not just a bunch of girls that spend a lot of money. We all have our own aspirations and dreams and there is a struggle there.”

Morin, who is dating Montreal Canadiens winger Brandon Prust, notes the two live in a “super tiny” apartment in Montreal.

“I work every day, I have a super busy schedule, so I wanted to show that,” she says.

LaBarbera, who is married to Anaheim Ducks goalie Jason LaBarbera, says their eldest son has autism and she was happy to be able to showcase her char-

ity work on the series.

“I just hope that everyone understands that we’re all pretty much the same as everyone else,” she says.

“Or that we’re just relatable, I guess. That we’re trying to make it, too.”

Seven other women are featured in the show, including Nicole Brown, who’s married to Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown, and actress Noureen DeWulf, wife of Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller.

The cast also includes model Martine Forget, a new mom who is engaged to Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier, and choreographer Brijet Whitney, wife of recently retired all-star Ray Whitney.

The roster is rounded out by fashion designer Tiffany Parros, wife of recently retired George Parros; realtor Wendy Tippett, wife of Arizona Coywww.canadianinquirer.net

otes head coach Dave Tippett; and athlete and communications expert Jenny Scrivens, wife of Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens.

The WAGs (wives and girlfriends) of the NHL, as they’re affectionately referred to in their circles, say they’ve had to support the players in unique ways while they’re on the road.

LaBarbera says she feels “like a single mom” when her husband is away for the whole season, and Blum says she tries to take as much burden as she can off her husband so he can focus on hockey.

“I feel like I’m a maid, a massage therapist, an actual therapist,” says Blum.

“We just want to do everything that’s possible to make them win,” adds Forget.

Says Blum: “Because if they don’t win, then you think: ‘What could I have done differ-

ently to make him score that game or take the burden off of him so that he could have no pressure?”’

Then there’s the constant worry of the players getting injured on the ice, or getting traded and having to uproot their families.

“Every day I live in the fear of him being traded,” says Morin, co-host of “Menage a trois” on the V French-language network.

The cast members say they were grateful producers simply wanted to document their lives and not put a catty spin on the show, a la “The Real Housewives” franchise.

“I think that’s what people are expecting, but that’s just not hockey and that’s not hockey girls,” says LaBarbera, a Nelson, B.C., native.

“There’s no drink tossing.”

“Hockey Wives” airs at 10 p.m. ET/PT ■

Events

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New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre

By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, Ont. MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355 Tagalog Class

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Homework/Tutorial Class

By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto MORE INFO: For registrations, call 416-9289355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Congen Junever Mahilum-West Dinner, Dance & Entertainment

By Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. to 12 mn, Mar. 21, St. Ohrid Clement Macedonian Banquet Hall, 76 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ont. MORE INFO: $40

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View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

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Lea Salonga with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. Mar. 21, at Club Regent Casino, 1425 Regent Ave. W. Winnipeg, MB

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

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QUEBEC

Parokya ni Edgar Bente+ North America Tour WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Mar. 28, Club Regent Casino Event Centre, 1425, NEWFOUNDLAND Regent Ave. West, Winnipeg MORE INFO: With special guest Wency Cornejo

NEW BRUNSWICK Parokya ni Edgar Bente+ North AmericaTour WHEN/WHERE: Mar 27, TCU Place Centennial Hall, 35-22nd St., E. Saskatoon, SK MORE INFO: Call 306-716-9906; 306-380-0818

Team Jojo Fundraising Event WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Mar. 21, at St. Patrick’s Gym, 2881 Main St., Vancouver, B.C.

WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m., till Mar. 21, at Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Ave., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-292-3907 for details.

735 8th Ave., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Kuya Alvin Relleve 604-7736641. For the Benefit of Barangay North Vancouver Filipino Community Centre Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership Community Forum WHEN/WHERE: 8 to 12 nn, Mar. 24 at Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, B.C.

Winter-Spring Training 2015

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: 14 Saturdays till Apr. 18, at the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., Royal City Centre – Rm. 280 610 – 6th St., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Contact Liza at 604-395-8000 ext.

1706 or email: liza.delarosa@issbc.org

Burnaby Seniors’ Club Free Activities for Immigrant Seniors

By Mosaic Settlement Services WHEN/WHERE: (Burnaby North) Taichi – Till Mar. 27, Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

English Conversation Circle – Till Mar. 27, Fridays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Ave., Burnaby B.C. (Burnaby South) Upper Beginners’ English Practice – Till Mar. 23, Mondays, 9:30 to 11:30 Beginners’ English Practice – till Mar. 27, Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Knitting Club – till Mar. 27, Tuesdays, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Drop-in Conversation Circles for Work Permit Holders (Burnaby)

By Mosaic

Jose Mari Chan: A Timeless Romance Post-Valentine & Spring Concert WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Mar. 21, Massey Theatre,

Vancouver International Dance Festival WHEN/WHERE: Daily up to Mar. 28, 600 Hamilton St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-662-4966 or go to vidf.ca Spring Break at the Cannery-Richmond WHEN/WHERE: Daily up to Mar. 29, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Ave., Richmond B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-664-9009

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Meet & Greet Dinner and Dance

By Luzvimin Bisaya Association WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m., Mar. 28, Victoria Drive Community Hall, 2026 E. 43rd Ave. Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: For ticket call 604-771-8145.

Spring Clean UP Garage Sale

By UP Alumni Association of B.C. WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mar. 28, 1528 W. 57th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Proceeds will go to UPAABC Scholarship Fund.

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FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2015

Beyond bombing... gress.

Washington, the Gulf States, “Warfighting is and even in Canada, to the innecessary, but it is creasing role Iranian-backed only a means to an end and can militia are playing in pushing only provide marginal benefits back the extremists in Iraq. unless there is some meaning- Cordesman warns there must ful strategy to bring broader be a functioning government in stability in politics, governance, Baghdad that provides security and development,” said Antho- and the ability to move toward ny Cordesman, of the Center some workable path of developfor Strategic and International ment.

Studies in Washington.

“A Shiite-led occupation of In Iraq, he says that “any Sunni areas may be better than meaningful and lasting form an Islamic State occupation, of victory means that it must but it will not solve Iraq’s politiemerge from the current con- cal, governance, security, and flict with some solution to the stability problems,” he said. deep divisions between Arab Nipa Banerjee, who ran and Kurd, and Sunni and Shi- Canada’s aid program in Afite.” ghanistan, says The marginpost-war planalization of the ning needs to be Sunni in the done now and post- Saddam not — as in both Hussein Iraq is Iraq in 2003 and one of the factors Afghanistan — that contributed after the fighting to the rise of the Syria is far ends.

Islamic State. worse and “There has to Dave Perry, a presents be a very, very insenior analyst the tensive analysis at the Canadian additional of the situation Defence and problem before you get inForeign Affairs as to volved, and that Institute, said whether Iraq was not done (in the extremist can ever be Afghanistan),” organization is secured said Banerjee not gobbling up if Syria who now teaches more territory, remains at the University has been turned caught of Ottawa. back in some up in one of Canada’s inplaces and pothe modern volvement in the litical pressure world’s Afghan war was needs to be apcivil wars. dominated by plied to the root the military miscause of the consion until a blue flict. ribbon panel, led “So, this is the by former depupoint at which ty prime ministhere is the need ter John Manley, to have a coset some clear herent thought goals and expecabout how you actually do that,” tations. he said. “Trying to bridge the While the Harper governsectarian issue needs to be part ment may not be able to drive of that. Seriously increasing the coalition strategy against the capacity of local security forces Islamic State, analysts say it needs to be part of that too.” can diplomatically set the tone Across the border, it’s a dif- and encourage thinking and deferent story. bate.

“Syria is far worse and presBanerjee said it’s important ents the additional problem that Canada set itself apart as to whether Iraq can ever be from the U.S.-led coalition in secured if Syria remains caught the eventual postwar Iraq beup in one of the modern world’s cause American credibility is civil wars,” Cordesman wrote in still deeply undermined by the a recent paper.

2003 war and occupation.

“Unlike Iraq, however, Syria “What the U.S. had done in shows no signs of moving to- Iraq, that is not forgotten by the ward any military progress or people and they don’t distinsolution.” guish between U.S. and Canada There is rising concern in that much,” she said. ■ ❰❰ 22

Put the skatearounds to bed?

Evidence suggests more sleep may be better than morning practice

BY PAT GRAHAM The Associated Press DENVER — Jarome Iginla draws the blackout curtains and keeps his room at a cool temperature. He silences his cellphone and sometimes reads a relaxing book to drift off.

Although he’s an 18-year veteran, the Colorado Avalanche forward only recently happened upon this simple eye opener: Quality sleep really does matter. Especially to athletes.

The closer Iginla comes to nine hours of slumber on any given night, the better his production seems to be on the ice.

That is why Iginla is not a big fan of early morning practices before games, even though those skates are as much a part of hockey tradition as playoff beards and the handshake line.

There is evidence that sleep restriction curtails adequate rest and recovery for athletes, which can impact performance.

Some NBA teams have even dabbled with eliminating the traditional shootaround.

Cheri Mah, a researcher at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Laboratory, tracked the sleep habits of the men’s basketball team at Stanford for a study released in 2011. By extending their sleep, the Cardinal players increased their 3-point and free throw shooting by 9 per cent.

Iginla sees how the evidence can come into play on the ice, too.

“When you’re tired, it doesn’t seem like the game comes as quick,” said Iginla, who began working with sleep coaches while with the Calgary Flames a few years ago. “You want to keep things fresh, kind of like a kid, where you can’t wait to get on the ice, can’t wait to go out there and expend that energy.

The more you capture that the better.”

Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette actually www.canadianinquirer.net

scrubbed the morning skatearound when he was with Carolina in 2008-09. But he was fired that December and didn’t get to see the experiment through. The Hurricanes went to the Eastern Conference final after he was let go, and Laviolette is convinced the lack of a skatearound early in the season played a role.

“I think it’s because they had a lot of energy left,” Laviolette said, smiling. “I think right now (skatearounds) are more habit than anything else. I don’t necessarily think it’s good for you.”

Still, players are creatures of habits. Maybe decades ago, skating or shooting around before games was a necessary ploy — a way for players to loosen up after a late night.

Nowadays, players are more conditioned.

“I’m all for that, getting rid of those,” Anaheim forward Ryan Getzlaf said. “It’s just kind of been instilled in some guys that they need to go on the ice.”

Dr. Charles Czeisler is known around NBA circles as the “sleep doctor.” As the chief of the sleep and circadian disorders division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Czeisler has worked with several professional teams and believes more emphasis should be placed on monitoring the body’s internal clock.

A few seasons ago, Czeisler consulted with the Portland Trail Blazers to curb their trend of struggling on East Coast trips. His biggest advice? Keep everyone’s schedule on Oregon time and not, say, New York time. That three-hour difference is huge to the body.

“So the coach told them, ‘OK, your curfew is 2 a.m.,”’ said Czeisler, who’s worked with the Boston Celtics and Red Sox. “The players were all very excited about that. Trying to adjust is just going to degrade your performance.”

Czeisler would like to see sleep taken just as seriously as strength programs or nutrition.

“Would you starve yourself before a game and say, ‘Ok, I’m not going to eat for 24 hours?’

That would be crazy,” Czeisler said. “There’s no reason to sleep-starve yourself before a game.”

In Mah’s opinion, elite athletes need between 8-10 hours of sleep.

“So often sleep is the first thing to go when there’s a busy schedule and a lot on the plate,” said Mah, who recently offered sleep guidance to the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors. “Making it a priority is essential for players and coaches.”

NBA teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets have experimented with cutting down on the traditional shootaround approach.

Instead of having their players show up at the gym early in the morning, go home around lunch and then return that night for the game, they’re having them arrive closer to game time.

Recently, though, and by a 6-5 player vote, the struggling Nuggets decided to go back to the early morning shootaround just before coach Brian Shaw was fired.

Not everyone is a big fan of getting up early.

“I notice when we had no shootaround, everyone is more upbeat when they got to the gym,” Denver guard Ty Lawson said. “It sticks better and it’s fresher (later in the day).”

Lawson prefers to break his sleep into chunks — five hours at night and then a three-hour nap during the day.

“When I get back from shootarournd now, that’s all I do is nap,” Lawson said. “If I don’t get that nap, I’m done.”

Iginla certainly wouldn’t mind being done with morning skates. But it might take a Stanley Cup champion to usher in that sort of change.

“That’s what it will probably take to get it to catch on big time,” Iginla acknowledged. “I’d rather get a little more sleep.” ■

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MARCH 20, 2015

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