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APRIL 24, 2015

VOL. 4 NO. 164

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Deadly milk tea shop helper went home

EQ: The President who forgave

Lower Mainland Filipinos rally for Mary Jane

Canada ranked first Globally for Opportunity

Pacquiao to Mayweather: "We call this boxing"

Surprise: Mar tells party he will run in ’16

WAR GAMES

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer

An American Special Forces Soldier (center) conducts Security Assistance Training for members of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division. More than 11,500 American and Filipino military personnel launched into their annual combat exercises this week. These exercises will include live-fire and search and rescu drills, as well as civic work in other areas.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

US, Philippines start combat drills amid China’s massive land reclamation in disputed seas

BY JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — More than 11,500 American and Filipino military

personnel launched one of their largest annual combat exercises Monday amid growing alarm over massive land reclamation by China in disputed South Chi-

❱❱ PAGE 8 Surprise: Mar

Irish woman first person to get Canada PR through Express Entry ❱❱ PAGE 32

❱❱ PAGE 6 US, Philippines

INTERIOR SECRETARY Mar Roxas has told party mates that he is interested in running for president, according to Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Roxas made his sentiments known to his colleagues in the ruling Liberal Party, Drilon told Radyo INQUIRER in an interview last week.

“As of now, Mar Roxas has expressed interest internally that he wants to offer his candidacy to the public, and the party will probably endorse that. So as of now, it’s Mar Roxas,” Drilon told host Jake Maderazo.

Drilon, the LP’s vice president, said he does not know yet who the party is considering for its standard-bearer’s vice-presidential running mate.

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Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

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AFP to release images of China building projects

BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines is releasing this week photographs of China’s building projects in the South China Sea, warning that the construction of a Chinese airstrip and other military facilities could have adverse global economic and military repercussions.

Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., AFP chief of staff, will make public satellite photos of the Chinese activities in the disputed waters, according to Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.

“The chief of staff wants to show the latest images of the Chinese reclamation in the West Philippine Sea. He is concerned about the aggressiveness of China because it has adverse effects economically and militarily,” the AFP spokesperson said yesterday.

Cabunoc said the Chinese structures on the international sea-lanes could affect world

Photo shows China's reclamation project at Mischief Reef in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES / PNA

trade.

“We want to tell the whole world, not only the Filipino people but the whole world, that these issues, particularly the tensions caused by China’s massive reclamation activities, have significant impact on all of us,” he said.

The spokesperson of the De-

partment of National Defense pointed out that the Chinese activities had sparked concerns not only in the Philippines and the United States but also the Group of Seven nations.

“We hope they wake up to the truth before irreparable miscalculations and untoward

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incidents occur that will adversely affect not only our region but [also] the community of peaceloving nations,” Peter Galvez said.

He said Beijing’s actions could likewise have repercussions on the Chinese people.

“The adverse effect of their leadership’s decisions will

cause them regretful setbacks if they do not deviate from their present actions. This is what we have learned from history lest they repeat it and relearn the hard way,” Galvez said.

Cabunoc said the military was also concerned about the irreversible destruction the Chinese activities could cause to the country’s marine resources.

“How many years will it take for coral reefs to grow? They should take responsibility and answer for this massive destruction and its effects on marine life,” he said.

Cabunoc stressed the need for concrete actions to emphasize to the world that the Chinese reclamation activities were not just a Philippine concern but the concern of everyone using the sea-lanes in the disputed area.

“We don’t really know their next steps once they’ve taken these islets, reefs. We don’t know if they will block the international shipping lanes,” he said. ■

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Philippine News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Partylist solon says China’s reclamation activities in West Philippine Sea is ‘forcible encroachment’

BY CEILITO M. REGANIT Philippines News Agency

mation is outright invasion and its continuing harassment of Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea forms part of this appalling MANILA – A Partylist lawmak- occupation. It is not a reclamaer on Monday said the Chinese tion with legitimate cause; it is government has no business an occupying force bent on anreclaiming territories, which nexing Philippine territory,” he has no basis before the interna- said. tional law, much less harassing Because of this, the Akbayan Filipino citizens who have le- lawmaker is urging the Philgitimate rights over the area. ippine government to draw Akbayan Partylist Rep. Ibarra strength from the growing ciGuttierez said that China’s so- vilian constituency asserting called “reclamation activities” and defending Philippine sovin the West Philippine Sea is ereignty as response to China’s “forcible encroachment, which unchecked incursions in the is just one step short of out- region. right invasion” and deplored “We urge that the Aquino the actions of a Chinese vessel government support a resilient that allegedly civilian compowater-cannoned nent in the asserand aggressivetion of national ly drove away sovereignty over some 80 Filipino China the West Philipfishermen from resorted to pine Sea. We may Panatag Shoal off occupying be militarily inthe coast of Zamour reefs, ferior to China bales. destroying but we are not “Lest China marine life lacking in resoforgets, terriand other luteness in demtorial disputes resources onstrating, on cannot be sepain order to both the national rated from intransform and internationternational law, them into al arenas, our because its basis garrisons resolve to assert is on the law of and manand defend our government bormade country’s soverders, and since islands. eignty,” Gutierits resolution rerez said. lies on the interGutierrez said national law and the government court. However, must partner instead of going to the Inter- with social movements, civil national Tribunal of the Law of society groups and other demothe Sea (ITLOS) and challenge cratic forces to realize the full the legal case the Philippine potential of “citizen diplomagovernment filed against them, cy” for peace and against reChina resorted to occupying gional bullying. our reefs, destroying marine “The presence of broad, mililife and other resources in or- tant and nonviolent actions led der to transform them into gar- by the people on the national risons and man-made islands" and international stage will be Gutierrez, a former University to the nation’s advantage as we of the Philippines law professor draw in stronger international and Director of the Institute of public opinion to our cause to Human Rights, said. counter China’s growing and “There is no other way of unmitigated impunity in the looking at this. China’s recla- region,” Gutierrez said. ■

A Republic of China Navy Kang Ding-class frigate with S-70C helicopter. The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific said that China's land reclamation efforts at outposts in the South China Sea will allow it to exert more influence over contested areas as well as deploy military assets.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

US commander: Land reclamation enables China to deploy more military assets in South China Sea

BY MATTHEW PENNINGTON The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific said last week that major land reclamation by China at outposts in the South China Sea could allow it to exert more influence over the contested area and deploy military assets such as long-range radar and advanced missile systems.

Adm. Samuel Locklear also told the House Armed Services Committee that Russia has escalated military activity in the Asia-Pacific in recent months to a near Cold War-level.

Locklear’s area of command straddles a vast area of land and ocean where the Obama administration has tried to elevate America’s presence, and where other major powers jockey for influence. He was addressing a hearing on U.S. military strategy and posture in the region.

In the past year, China has conducted massive land recwww.canadianinquirer.net

lamation at previously submerged reefs in the South China Sea despite a U.S. call for a freeze on such construction to give time for diplomacy to work between China and its neighbours in Southeast Asia.

Locklear said China has aggressive reclamation and construction projects at eight outposts in the Paracel and Spratly island chains, including what appears to be an airfield at Fiery Cross Reef, which is also claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan. It’s one of many disputed, tiny land features in that ocean.

Locklear said the artificial islands would allow China to provide basing and resupply for its large and growing fleet of maritime security vessels.

He said China eventually could deploy missiles and radar on them, providing a platform for enforcing an air defence identification zone if it tried to establish one in the South China Sea. "It allows them to exert basically greater influence over what’s now a contested area,”

Locklear said.

China claims much of the South China Sea, and Beijing has asserted its right to undertake any activity in territories it claims. In late 2013, China unilaterally declared an air defence zone over disputed, Japanese-held islands in the East China Sea. The U.S., Japan and others have refused to recognize the move.

Locklear also noted an increase in Russian military activity in the Asia-Pacific, with long-range manoeuvrs toward the U.S. in the past few months.

He said Russia is improving its strategic nuclear deterrent on its east coast in the northern Pacific, and its submarine forces, which operate in the Arctic and in Northeast Asia.

He said there was a greater Russian military presence in Southeast Asia this year, too.

U.S. ally Japan said Wednesday that the number of scrambles by its warplanes has surged to levels nearly matching the Cold War era amid growing activity by China and Russia. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

5

VP accused of taking P1B from housing project, hosting LGUs

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer A HOUSING project for Makati’s homeless was turned into a hotel or “friendship suites” for political allies and local government officials who head the 670 “sister cities” of Makati. They use the friendship suites for free.

The supposed beneficiaries ended up in a squalid resettlement site in deals that allegedly earned Vice President Jejomar Binay P1 billion in kickbacks when he was mayor of the city, his political opponents claimed last week.

At the resumption of the longrunning investigation by the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee into allegations of corruption against Binay, former Makati barangay captain Renato Bondal estimated the amount of the purported kickbacks from reports of city engineers and his own computations of alleged overpriced projects.

Bliss for sister cities

Bondal testified that the renovation of the three, fivefloor buildings into “friendship suites” amounted to P242 million, which he said was “13 times the purchase cost” of the building. Since there were already buildings standing that only needed to be renovated, the project should have cost much less, he said.

“There was no foundation that had to be laid, and there was hardly any roofing that had to be installed. What was done was turn it into rooms,” he said.

Based on the Davis Langdon and Seah Construction Cost Handbook, the renovation cost of the buildings should have been P10,000 per square meter or a total of P47 million, but Makati spent P51,700 per square meter, he said. Thus, the suites were overpriced by P195 million, he further alleged.

“They are using the friendship suites for pure political gain. That hotel has no income that goes into Makati coffers,” he said.

Bondal later told reporters that he did not believe P1 billion was actually spent for the 40hectare Makati Homeville relocation project in Calauan, Laguna province, for Makati

person, of former Makati residents sent to Laguna who complained about their treatment at the hands of Makati officials.

The relocated residents had to build their makeshift homes using the materials they saved from the demolition of their houses in Makati.

They also said their relocation site in Laguna offered them no livelihood opportunities.

Bondal cited a report saying young women in the area were even forced to turn to prostitution to put food on the table.

“You will wonder. Makati spent a billion for a relocation site that should have been something to be proud of,” he said.

No land titles

The Senate blue ribbon sub-committee into allegations of corruption against Vice President Jejomar Binay when he was mayor of Makati city continues on. The most recent claim by Binay's opponents include a housing project for Makati's homeless that was turned into "friendship suites" for political allies and local government officials to use for free, a move that supposedly earned Binay P1 billion in kickbacks.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

City’s informal settlers. He said have gotten housing in the city of Makati’s 670-strong “sister the site lacked even the basic should not have had their hous- cities,” and the informal setnecessities like water and elec- es demolished and should not tlers were sent to Calauan intricity. have been thrown to another stead.

JV Bautista, a Binay spokes- area,” Bondal said. person, dismissed Bondal’s Bondal told the panel that the Prostitution claim. “Overprice is something Makati Friendship Suites cost Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, that has to be technically deter- P242 million to renovate and chair of the subcommittee, mined. Overpricing can’t be ar- were overpriced by P195 mil- asked Bondal for data on how rived at after speculative com- lion. much Makati spent for the opputation,” he said.

In 2002, Makati City, under eration of the suites. Bondal, in Bondal, who is also a lawyer, Binay, approved a resolution to turn, asked for help from the said about half of the P1 billion buy three shell buildings in the senators in getting the docuin payoffs was a ments. result of overAs for Makaprice. He said he ti Homeville, was seeking the Bondal said Senate’s help to They are using the friendship suites Makati spent inspect the site, for pure political gain. That hotel P120 million to get relevant has no income that goes into Makati purchase the documents, and coffers. land in Laguna, invite public and allocated works engineers P900 million for to determine the construction the actual overof phases 1 and 2 price. He did not say how Bi- Guadalupe Bliss Project which of the project. nay received the supposed it had planned to turn into There had been good plans kickbacks. housing for the poor. It pur- for the relocation site, but these “We have a pretty good feel- chased the buildings for P17.23 did not materialize, he said. It ing that there is an overprice in million. was supposed to be a low-cost the Calauan project,” he said in “The city plans to purchase subdivision with underground an ambush interview. three buildings in the Guada- drainage, a water system, elecBondal presented to the Sen- lupe Bliss Project to comple- tricity and commercial stalls ate two residents from the Ca- ment the existing City Pabahay that would provide jobs. lauan site. The two testified projects and informal settlers’ He presented pictures taken that the good living conditions relocation program,” the reso- in March showing makeshift that Binay promised them did lution stated. houses constructed of light not materialize.

But, Bondal alleged, this proj- materials. He also presented “The poor people who could ect became a hotel for officials the testimonies, in video and in www.canadianinquirer.net

The residents also complained that the promised land titles for their land in Calauan were not given to them. Instead, they were just handed entry passes to the area.

Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, a former Binay ally, alleged that he made sure the land titles would be given to the relocated settlers before he left his post.

Mario Hechanova, former Makati general services director, confirmed that Mercado gave him the titles, numbering some 200, and was instructed to hold on to them and wait for instructions from Binay. The titles were in the office up to the time Binay stepped down, he said.

Mercado surmised that the land titles were not distributed to the relocated settlers so that they would have to keep on voting for Binay. Mercado also clarified that he turned over 2,000 titles.

Mercado, ditched in the mayoralty race in Makati in 2010 by Binay who instead fielded his son, Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., is the main witness in the investigations into corruption allegations against the Binays that began with a supposedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano noted that a 150-hectare Batangas hacienda being linked to Binay, and which had a lot of amenities, supposedly cost P500 million to develop, while a 40-hectare relocation project with a P1-billion allocation lacked even the basics. ■

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Philippine News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

US, Philippines... na Sea territories.

Philippine military officials said the "Balikatan,” or shoulder-to-shoulder, manoeuvrs, which involve more than 90 aircraft and ships, were not directed at China. But the venue of some of the war games in waters facing the disputed region and a focus on territorial defence appear to link the exercises to the long-simmering conflict.

More than 120 Philippine and U.S. Marines deployed from an amphibious attack vessel Tuesday to simulate the retaking of an island occupied by enemy forces in northwestern Zambales province, Filipino officials said. There will be live-fire and search and rescue drills as well as civic work in other areas.

China seized control of a shoal off Zambales after a standoff with Philippine ships three years ago. Incensed, the Philippines challenged the validity of China’s vast territorial claims before an international arbitration tribunal in 2013, straining ties.

Shortly before overseeing the start of the military exercises, Philippine military chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. held a news conference to release surveillance photos showing Chinese reclamation of eight previously submerged reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands, saying Beijing’s actions increase the risk of an accidental confrontation. ❰❰ 1

Members of the Philippine Army help U.S. Marines and Sailors unload meals from a helicopter as part of relief efforts during a mudslide. The Philippines and the U.S. military forces regularly cooperate with each other, and each year they undergo joint training exercises to reinforce the relationship.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

"We have compelling reasons to raise our voice to tell the whole world the adverse effects of China’s aggressiveness that has created tensions not only among the countries who have overlapping claims in the area,” Catapang said.

Washington has expressed concern over China’s actions. U.S. Sen. John McCain and three other top-ranking senators overseeing U.S. defence and foreign policy have called for a comprehensive strategy to deal with China’s territorial moves, including the massive reclamation, warning that American interests and those of its al-

lies stand at considerable risk.

Adm. Samuel Locklear, the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, warned last week that the artificial islands could serve as resupply bases for China’s large fleet of maritime security vessels. China eventually could deploy missiles and radar on them, providing a platform for enforcing a possible air defence identification zone similar to one it declared over disputed Japaneseheld islands in the East China Sea in 2013.

The reclamation has destroyed large swaths of coral reefs, Catapang said, adding that Filipino fishermen have

been driven away from the construction sites, denying them of their livelihood.

Catapang said some of the reclamation projects were just several kilometres (miles) from a Philippine-occupied island it calls Pag-asa and Second Thomas Shoal, raising the possibility that Chinese military patrols could cut off Manila’s access to those areas.

Philippine government agencies were meeting to determine how to respond to the situation, Catapang said, adding that Manila wants a peaceful resolution based on international laws.

Chinese officials have defended the land reclamation by saying it is Beijing’s territory, adding that the buildings and infrastructure are for public service use and to support fishermen.

But the Philippine military has said the massive scale of the reclamation and the emergence of runway-like facilities raise the possibility they are for military use to reinforce China’s extensive territorial claims.

The chain of Spratly islands, reefs and atolls where most of the Chinese land reclamation has been detected has long been contested by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. Aside from possible oil and natural gas resources, the vast region also straddles busy sea lanes and rich fishing grounds. ■

Lawmakers wrangle over who will control Bangsamoro police

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer WHO WILL control the local Bangsamoro police—the Philippine National Police chief, the mayors or the Bangsamoro chief minister?

Lawmakers tussled on Monday over who would exercise administrative and operational control over the local police force of future Bangsamoro substate at the resumption of deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at the House of Representatives.

The ad hoc committee on the BBL, chaired by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, debated the legality of giving supervisory powers over the local police to the chief Bangsamoro minister, instead of to the local mayors who hold such powers under the law.

The argument began when Police Senior Supt. Cesar Binag, representing PNP officer in charge Leonardo Espina, noted that the BBL was “silent” on the functional relationship between the Bangsamoro police director and the PNP chief.

He said the BBL was not clear on the directional command of the PNP chief www.canadianinquirer.net

over the Bangsamoro police.

But Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal questioned Binag’s authority to speak for the PNP, noting that he was not present during previous BBL hearings, while other PNP officials never aired similar reservations on the draft law.

Binag said he was asked to fill in for Espina due to his experience as a deputy commissioner to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia.

He also said he had the authority to speak for the PNP organization.

Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat said Binag’s comments should be made part of the record.

Lobregat noted that under the BBL, the chief minister would have operational control and supervision over the local police, “taking away those powers from the mayor.”

Napolcom mandate

But Rodriguez pointed out that under the PNP law, it is the National Police Commission (Napolcom) that is mandated to deputize local mayors so they could exercise control over the police ❱❱ PAGE 11 Draft BBL

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

7

Police checking report milk tea shop helper has gone home to Cebu

BY JOVIC YEE Philippine Daily Inquirer THE HELPER of the milk tea shop in Sampaloc, Manila— which was shut down by authorities following the death of two people on April 9—has reportedly gone home to Cebu province.

In a visit to the apartment of Joseph Garnacio on Sta. Catalina Street in Grace Park, Caloocan City, his neighbor told reporters that the former left for Cebu with his mother on Monday.

Beverly said that she last saw Garnacio when he returned last weekend from the Manila Police District (MPD) after he gave his sworn statement to authorities on the milk tea poisoning incident.

His employer, William Abrigo, and a customer, Suzaine Dagohoy, died after taking a sip of the “Hokkaido”-flavored milk tea Abrigo prepared himself.

Arnold Aydalla, Dagohoy’s boyfriend, spent days in the hospital after he tasted the milk tea but immediately spat it out because of its foul taste.

Beverly said she learned of Garnacio’s departure after she failed to see him in the past few days.

Supt. Marissa Bruno, the MPD spokesperson, told the INQUIRER in a phone interview late last week that they

have yet to confirm the information.

“Nonetheless, we can’t give conclusions [on his actions] and we expect that he will [still] cooperate with us,” Bruno said.

She added that the last time Garnacio went to the MPD headquarters on United Nations Avenue was when he gave his sworn statement to the police last week.

Police earlier said that cases have yet to be filed against any suspect pending the results of the tests being conducted by the Food and Drug Administration on the contents of the milk tea drank by the victims.

An examination of the footage taken by the shop’s closed-circuit television cameras was also still ongoing, they added.

Lawyer Benedicto Buenaventura, the Abrigo family’s counsel, told the INQUIRER in a phone interview yesterday that “the family [had] no knowledge that Garnacio [had] left.”

In a press conference on Friday, Lloyd Abrigo, the shop owner’s eldest son, belied reports that he had a hand in the deaths of Dagohoy and his father.

Earlier, Garnacio claimed that the night before the poisoning incident, Lloyd brought into the shop a pitcher which contained a foul-smelling substance.

Lloyd denied this, saying that the foul odor may have come

from the oolong tea he was brewing. He stressed that he did not bring chemicals into the store, contrary to what Garnacio told authorities.

He added that only Garnacio and his father had keys to the store. Asked if Garnacio had returned the key to the family, Buenaventura said that these were still with the helper.

On the afternoon that the elder Abrigo was fighting for his life, lawyer Hazel Naredo, another family counsel, said that both Garnacio and Lloyd were at the hospital.

She added that Garnacio was later sent by Lloyd on an errand. Although the errand was supposed to take just a few minutes, it took two hours for Garnacio to return to the hospital, she claimed.

In a text message yesterday, Naredo said that “we might just go to the police,” when asked what the family’s next move would be. She, however, did not give further details.

Naredo also said that the family was not going to go after the shop’s suppliers of raw materials for its milk tea drinks.

“It’s the same supplier [and it] never happened before.

They have been doing business for a year now,” Naredo said.

“Right now, we’re not looking at that angle although the police are welcome to do their own investigation on that,” she added. ■

A milk tea shop remains closed after the deaths of two patrons and the owner earlier this month came about from consuming some milk tea. The helper of the milk tea shop has reportedly gone home to Cebu province. The investigation into the actual cause of the deaths is still ongoing.

INQUIRER.NET

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President Aquino to attend 26th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Malaysia next week PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III will leave for Malaysia on Sunday (April 26) to participate in next week’s 26th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

President Aquino would be joining his fellow ASEAN leaders for the 26th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings slated on April 27 to 28, to be held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz on Monday.

“He (President Aquino) will have seven meetings: three of them with his fellow ASEAN leaders, and four with representatives of the private sector,” Cruz said during a press briefing in Malacañang.

On April 27, the President will attend the Summit Plenary Session, the Summit Retreat, and the meetings with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the ASEAN Youth, and the Civil Society Organizations.

On April 28, President Aquino is scheduled to join his three counterparts in the 11th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.

The President will also attend the Gala Dinner and Barbecue Dinner, to be hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and his spouse, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor,

for all ASEAN leaders and their delegations on April 26 and 27, respectively.

During the 26th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session in Kuala Lumpur, the leaders will discuss and exchange views on the establishment of an ASEAN Community; the ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision; and external relations and future direction.

On the 26th ASEAN Summit Retreat Session in Langkawi, the leaders will discuss and exchange views on ASEAN Centrality; the impact of the financial crisis and economic slowdown on the region and the ASEAN’s response; climate change and disaster management; and regional and international issues.

On the 11th BIMP-EAGA Summit, there will be a presentation on recent developments in the BIMP-EAGA and the way forward, along with discussion and directives from its leaders.

The theme Malaysia chose for its 2015 ASEAN chairmanship is "Our People, Our Community, Our Vision”, which highlights the importance of a united ASEAN. The theme also manifests Malaysia’s commitment to contribute to the realization of a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible, and peoplecentered community.

The President will be accompanied to the 26th ASEAN Summit by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, and a number of key Cabinet members. ■

Philippine News

8

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Surprise: Mar...

He said the LP would be calling a convention to decide on its candidates for the top posts in the 2016 elections, though no date has been set yet.

Party members have long been saying that Roxas, who ran unsuccessfully for vice president in 2010, was the party’s presumptive standard-bearer.

President Aquino, the party’s titular head, is expected to announce his preferred successor in June.

Roxas ranked third among the names that voters said they would prefer to be president in 2016 in the most recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) voter preference survey conducted in late March and released on Thursday.

According to the results of the SWS survey, Vice President Jejomar Binay still occupies the top spot, but neophyte Sen. Grace Poe is closing in.

Of the names that the respondents mentioned as the ones they would like to succeed Mr. Aquino in 2016, only Binay has declared his plan to seek the presidency. ❰❰ 1

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‘Competence and experience’

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas has told his party mates in the ruling Liberal party that he is interested in running for president in 2016. Roxas unsuccessfully ran for vice president in the 2010 elections.

President Aquino, the party's titular head, is expected to announce his preferred successor this coming June.

In the face of the apparent threat from Poe last week, Binay released a stateWIKIMEDIA COMMONS ment warning the country against voting a neophyte or inexperienced officials for president in 2016.

Taking credit for Makati propelled him to be named one of the The country should instead choose In the news release, Binay claimed top mayors of the world,” the Binay according to “competence and experi- that when he was appointed Makati press statement said. ence,” said Binay, who spoke at some mayor after the 1986 Edsa People Power It enumerated Binay’s accomplishlength about his nearly three decades’ Revolution, he took over a municipal- ments, from his efforts to help Rodeexperience as a government official. ity that had P190 million in annual rev- lio “Dondon” Lanuza, who had been in “The presidency only lasts for six years enues and was about P200 million in prison in Saudi Arabia for 13 years and and this is too short. The one who will be debt. had been sentenced to die, to secure his elected should be experienced, not the Taking credit for the success of Maka- freedom and return home, to his perforone who will only be studying what to do ti, Binay claimed how his policies of in- mance as the head of the government’s in the event of [a] crisis,” said Binay. stituting reforms, implementing fiscal housing program.

Despite fighting off serious allega- discipline and sound management practions of corruption for the past sev- tices helped transform a bankrupt mu- Local execs ‘better’ eral months, Binay was shown in the nicipality to the country’s premier city.

Binay said that because the Presimost recent surveys—SWS and Novo In 2014, Makati posted P11.9 billion in dent’s term is only six years, he plans to Trends—to be the work with previous respondents’ top Cabinet members choice for president who performed well in 2016. during their tenure.

In the latest SWS Mar Roxas has expressed interest internally “Because of that survey, however, Poe that he wants to offer his candidacy to the belief, should I win went up 31 percent public, and the party will probably endorse the presidency, I will in March, from the 21 that. So as of now, it’s Mar Roxas. choose those people percent she posted in with experience and the last SWS survey had shown effectivein December. Only ness in their jobs as five percentage points separated her revenue collections as its Makati Cen- members of my Cabinet,” he said. from Binay who lost one point, going tral Business District, the leading finanBinay also claimed that local governdown to 36 percent in March from 37 cial center in the country, hosts the big- ment executives are better equipped to percent in December. gest corporate headquarters. handle national positions because of “I will run for president because I Binay boasted how Makati is able to their experience in managing their loknow that in the upcoming elections offer primary to tertiary healthcare un- calities. those with experience and competence der the Yellow Card health program— “Look at America, many of their electin governance, those who have produced with free medicines and hospitaliza- ed national officials became governors desirable results like what the Makati tion—as well as a senior citizens care first,” he said. residents have been enjoying will be program that allows Makati’s elderly “Managing local and national affairs chosen by the Filipino people,” Binay citizens to enjoy free movies, a birthday are the same, except that in the latter the said. cake, medicine and cash allowances. scope of the work would be for the entire “Binay’s accomplishments in Makati country,” Binay said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

9

President to students: Open your books, not your Facebook

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer TARLAC CITY, TARLAC— Open your books, not Facebook.

This advice to students at Tarlac National High School comes from one who used to be chided for playing PSP (PlayStation Portable) at work: President Aquino himself, who inspected the school’s new buildings last Friday.

“Let’s open our books before our Facebook accounts,” Mr. Aquino said, drawing laughter.

“Let’s finish our assignments before making a raid in the Clash of Clans,” he added, referring to the online combat game pitting players from around the world in real time.

“You’ve probably heard this a number of times from your parents, but this one is from the President of the Philippines: Study hard,” the President told the students inside the high school’s gymnasium.

From Malolos, Bulacan province, President Aquino proceeded to this city to inspect the new school buildings built with funds from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

(Pagcor).

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the turnover ceremony of the two new three-storey school buildings at the Tarlac National High School (TNHS) in Barangay San Roque, Tarlac City, Tarlac on Friday (April 17, 2015).

GIL NARTEA / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU / PNA

Backlog Back then, the Department of The school building project When he came onboard Education and the Department had cost at least P7 billion, and nearly five years ago, Mr. of Budget and Management eswill have 4,500 classrooms, of Aquino said the government timated that the national budwhich 1,124 have been com- faced a backlog of 61.7 million get had allowed the construcpleted. Pagcor tion of only 8,000 has allotted P10 classrooms a billion for the year, or 48,000 school building classrooms in six project across We’re doing the best we can to give years. the country that you a better start than what we had. I But by adoptwill include tyguess it’s not too much to say you will ing good govphoon-resilient go far. ernance, and classrooms. thanks to the efThe President ficiency of edusaid he was doucation and public bly excited to works officials, visit his home province to see textbooks, 2.5 million school as well as contributions from for himself how the education desks, 66,800 classrooms Pagcor to the private sector unsector had improved during his and an inadequate number of der the private-public partneradministration. teachers. ship program, the government Typhoon-resilient classrooms

Better start

“We’re doing the best we can to give you a better start than what we had. I guess it’s not too much to say you will go far,” Mr. Aquino told his young audience, adding that they should not only choose the right leader but train to become experts in their own field. “(As such), you will be better as a defender of what is right, vanguard of what is true, and protector of the interests of many,” the President said in his speech.

By doing so, the students would bring honor not only for themselves, but for the country as well, Mr. Aquino said.

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managed to address the backlog in half that time, Mr. Aquino said.

No gimmick or magic

“It’s clear; we’re able to surpass these huge challenges without resorting to gimmick and magic,” he said. “We strove hard to lay out the reforms. As the economy grew, we were given the opportunity to raise more funds, and the capacity to address the shortcomings in this sector,” he added.

“Any transformation that we’re witnessing is proof of our goal: That we leave the Philippines in a better state than what we stumbled into,” President Aquino said. ■

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Philippine News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

President’s party mate gets 10 yrs for graft

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer PUBLIC FUNDS are for public use only.

Incumbent Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr., the treasurer of President Aquino’s Liberal Party, learned this the hard way after he was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison this week by the Sandiganbayan for illegally facilitating a P2.5-million loan to a ship owner in 1994.

Also found guilty for violation of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, were former Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo G. Valencia and former Board Member Romualdo Bawasanta.

Valencia and Umali were then the governor and provincial administrator, respectively, when the provincial government approved the irregular loan to Alfredo Atienza for the “repair, operation and maintenance” of his passenger vessel, the MV Ace, in January 1994.

A veteran politician in the island province, Valencia is said to be eyeing his previous post in next year’s elections as Umali is serving his third and final term as governor.

Umali, one of Mr. Aquino’s staunchest political allies, is the latest among the President’s friends and supporters to be implicated in scandals involving corruption.

Accompanied by their lawyers, Umali, Valencia and Bawasanta showed up at the promulgation of their case at the antigraft court’s Fourth Division.

In a 37-page ruling, the court said the accused acted in bad faith when they gave “unwarranted benefit” to Atienza by providing him public funds for his private business despite warnings from provincial treasurer Manuel Leycano and provincial auditor Salvacion Dalisay.

In addition to the prison term, the court ordered the cancellation of all their retirement and gratuity benefits and ordered them to refund the P2.5million loan to the provincial government.

The three were also perpetually barred by the court from joining the government service.

Umali and Valencia said they

Incumbent Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. (left), the treasurer of President Aquino's Liberal Party, was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison this week for illegally facilitating a P2.5-million loan to a ship owner in 1994. Also found guilty of corruption were former Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo G. Valencia (right) and former Board Member Romualdo Bawasanta. All three were also perpetually barred from joining the government service.

LEDAC.NEDA.GOV.PH / RODOLFOGVALENCIA.COM

would file a motion for reconsideration.

In a text message to the INQUIRER, Valencia said the Sandiganbayan decision was “not yet final.”

Umali, in a telephone interview, said that as provincial administrator at the time, his job was “only ministerial.” He said he did not have discretion in granting loans and he was only acting on instructions from the governor.

Disadvantageous contract

“That public funds should not be used or applied for a private purpose is a fundamental rule in fiscal administration.

This limitation was violated by the accused when they granted the loan for the repair, maintenance and operation of Atienza’s vessel,” the court said.

Political rivals blamed

In a statement, Valencia expressed regret over the court’s decision as he reiterated that they approved the loan to Atienza after Oriental Mindoro province was struck by “four

“In this case, the court finds that the accused acted with manifest partiality and evident bad faith …. (They) That public funds should not be entered into a or applied for a private purpose contract that is a fundamental rule in fiscal is grossly and administration. manifestly disadvantageous to the government,” said the resolution written by Associate successive killer typhoons” in Justice Jose Hernandez, chair 1993. of the Fourth Division.

He also blamed his political “This court cannot condone rivals for using the issue to “maacts or omissions that greatly lign us and charge us in court.” diminish the standard of pub“The welfare of the people is lic accountability. Otherwise, the supreme law. It is, thereit will be tantamount to laying fore, very unfortunate that we the groundwork fertile for graft are being persecuted for doing and corruption,” it said. our job to put the welfare of the The court said the acts of the people first, especially in times public officials “undoubtedly of calamities and emergencies,” … resulted in manifest favor of Valencia said.

Atienza and against the finances “However, despite our good of the provincial government.” intentions and the merit of www.canadianinquirer.net

what we did, our political enemies still used it to malign us and charge us in court. Sadly, after 21 years of litigation, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division found us guilty for what we did to help our constituents in Mindoro,” he lamented.

The court convicted the three on Sept. 9, 2008, after throwing out the demurrer to evidence filed by their lawyers.

It, however, proceeded to hear the merits of the case on appeal.

Court records showed that the provincial council passed Resolution No. 284-93 on Dec. 22, 1993, allowing Valencia used to enter into a credit agreement with Atienza ostensibly to help him operate his passenger vessel.

The court, however, questioned the inconsistencies in the reasons given by the accused in justifying the loan they extended to Atienza.

Encouraging competition

In its resolution, the provincial council said it was “imperative to encourage competition in the shipping industry serving our constituents not only to afford the commuting public a choice, but also to improve the quality of the ferry transport service that the people of

Oriental Mindoro rightly deserves.”

The resolution did not include the effects of the typhoons that had swept through the province and caused damages as reason for its passage as claimed by Valencia.

On the same day, the provincial government signed a loan agreement with Land Bank of the Philippines regarding the release of public funds to Atienza.

This time, the reason for the release of the loan was “to subsidize the purchase of one ferry boat.”

As stipulated in the agreement, the provincial government promised to settle the loan with Landbank within 18 months with an annual interest of 16.5 percent.

Atienza, for his part, issued several postdated checks to the provincial government as payment for the loan. The checks, however, bounced for lack of funds.

In separate letters to Valencia, Leycano and Dalisay reminded the then governor that the loan contract was illegal because it did not have the preaudit requirement of the Commission on Audit.

Private individual

Leycano also told Valencia that Atienza was a “private individual and should not be given the privilege of using people’s money in furtherance of his transport business.”

In its decision, the court also noted that Atienza had failed to produce documents pertaining to the existence of the MV Ace and his ownership of the vessel.

“Even if benefit to the riding public in terms of improvement in sea transport service was envisioned as a possible consequence of the transaction, it remains that the direct object of the transaction was to finance and promote the private business of Atienza,” the court ruled.

“For all intents, the credit agreement is grossly and manifestly disadvantageous to the finances of the provincial government. It’s in violation of the law as it was undertaken for a private purpose. It burdened the provincial government with financial obligations and it had no security or guarantee from Atienza for its payment,” it said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

Report says China building airstrip on reclaimed island in contested South China Sea THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The airfield construction also was mentioned by the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific at a congressional BEIJING — China is building an airstrip hearing on Wednesday. Adm. Samuel on an artificially created island in a dis- Locklear said the reclamation work puted section of the South China Sea, ac- would allow China to exert more influcording to independent analysts, a move ence in the contested region and posthe U.S. has warned could raise tensions sibly deploy military assets such as in the area. long-range radar and Defence group IHS advanced missile sysJane’s said satellite tems. images of Fiery Cross China claims virtuReef taken March 23 ally all of the South show a runway more Such work is China Sea and its isthan 500 metres “lawful, land chains. Malaysia (about 550 yards) justifiable and and Brunei also claim long as well as paved reasonable. It waters and islands in sections of apron. does not target the area.

The U.S. says China or impact At a briefing late is carrying out eight on any other last week, Foreign such land reclamacountry and Ministry spokesman tion projects in the we hope that Hong Lei defended area. relevant parties the island reclamaJane’s said the iscan have tion work, which land is already big a correct China says is largely enough for a runway understanding to improve living 3,000 metres (9,500 on that. conditions for people feet) long that would in the area and help be able to accommowith weather foredate air force planes. casting and search China already opand rescue work. erates a runway on Such work is “lawWoody Island to the west of Fiery Cross ful, justifiable and reasonable. It does Reef, which is also claimed by Vietnam, not target or impact on any other counthe Philippines and Taiwan, and anoth- try and we hope that relevant parties er island it is creating could also be big can have a correct understanding on enough to accommodate a runway. that,” Hong said. ■

Lawmakers wrangle... within their jurisdictions.

Lobregat wondered if the BBL would effectively repeal the PNP law.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong, however, noted that in the current setup of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or ARMM, which the Bangsamoro entity will replace, operational control over the police was being wielded by the ARMMgovernor. “There is no inconsistency,” he said. Government peace panel member Senen Bacani said the Bangsamoro entity was in a “unique situation,” and under the principle of unity of command, the “Bangsamoro shall be primarily responsible for public order and safety.”

Interior Undersecretary Peter Corvera said the chief minister of the Bangsamoro would be deputized by the Napolcom to exercise control over the local police.

He noted the “peculiar structure “of ❰❰ 6

the Bangsamoro political entity, but this has already been done before, Corvera said, in reply to questions by Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. “With respect to the ARMM, operational control is also given to the governor, thus, there’s no conflict vis-a-vis the authority given to local executives,” he said.

Do mayors retain their authority?

“There is no express provision repealing or incorporating [their powers over the police] but we would like to believe it is harmonized,” Corvera said.

“As far as the DILG or PNP is concerned, regardless of this provision stating that the chief minister shall exercise power over the police… the ultimate direction, control and supervision will necessarily lie with the PNP chief,” he said.

Corvera said there was no significant difference between the current setup in the ARMM and the future setup in the BBL. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

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Philippine News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Draft BBL will violate PNP charter

BY SAMMY F. MARTIN Philippines News Agency MANILA — Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the House Ad Hoc committee on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), on Monday said that the proposed BBL will violate the Philippine National Police (PNP) charter.

During the resumption of the hearing, Rodriguez said the BBL discussions allowing the future Bangsamoro chief minister to have the full operational control over Bangsamoro

Police Force would transgress the present PNP Law which deputizes each local government unit to have authority on their respective regional police districts.

Rodriguez said the proposal under the draft BBL will ravish the local government autonomy of regions which will be included the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity if the full control of the regional police force will be transfer to the region’s chief minister.

“BBL violates the PNP Law on operational control of

the regional police force by the (future) chief minister of Bangsamoro region,” Rodriguez said.

Under the original BBL draft, the full operational control of the Bangsamoro Police Force will be given to its chief minister while the administrative control will remain under the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

But Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop said that passing the BBL may just worsen the peace situation in the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Representing the Government Peace Panel Senen Bacani admitted that there are “imperfections” in the proposed BBL, but they will leave the matter to lawmakers to decide which portions of it are not suitable in the present Constitution.

Bacani said that they have agreed to give the full operational control of the regional police force to the future Bangsamoro chief minister for “the unity of command.”

Rodriguez earlier already vowed to pass an “acceptable” BBL to ensure its constitu-

tionality despite treat from the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that it will not accept a water-down version of the measure.

The lawmaker said that among the unconstitutional provisions which the panel have deleted, are authorizing the new Bangsamoro administration to have its own version of the Commission on Elections; Ombudsman; Civil Service Commission; Commission on Audit; and Commission on Human Rights, creating its defense and police forces. ■

Military to file charges BIFF harasses Army, PNP vs new BIFF leader bases in Maguindanao

BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE MILITARY will file criminal charges against the new leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) after the terrorist group launched a series of attacks against government troops in Maguindanao.

Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has directed Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division to lodge frustrated murder cases against Esmael Abu Bakar, a.k.a. Kumandor Bungos, who now leads the breakaway BIFF. The military said Abu Bakar allegedly led the attacks against soldiers in Maguindanao last Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday, the BIFF fired three rounds of M203 40-mm

General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

grenades at soldiers in Barangay Pagatin, Datu Salibo in Maguindanao, wounding five of them.

“It’s better to have more cases against them so that you have reasonable grounds to arrest him together so we won’t be charged with human rights violations,” said Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Abu Bakar assumed the leadership of the BIFF after its former leader, Ameril Umbra Kato, died earlier this week due to a heart attack.

In a statement, Catapang, the AFP chief, stressed that Abu Bakar and his men must be held responsible for the injuries sustained by government troops.

“The BIFF has also caused the anxiety felt by ordinary civilians who were affected by the violent attacks,” the AFP chief said. ■

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY CAMP SIONGCO, MAGUINDANAO – Outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on Sunday night launched a series of attacks against police and military stations in three Maguindanao towns, police and military officials said today.

Nobody was hurt in BIFF attacks in the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Datu Hofer and Datu Salibo, according to Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao police director.

Jocson said the first attack occurred at the detachment of police commandos near the Maguindanao police provincial office in Camp Datu Akilan Ampatuan.

Two rifle grenades landed near the detachment, Jocson said. Policemen immediately fired back toward the site where the rifle grenades were believed launched.

Jocson said about 20 minutes later, the BIFF again fired six rounds of 60 mm mortars toward the 43rd Special Action Company detachment near the Maguindanao provincial Hospital in Datu Hoffer town.

Policemen station at the back of the health facility, already alerted of earlier attacks in Camp Akilan Ampatuan, fired back forcing the attackers to flee under cover of darkness. www.canadianinquirer.net

At 7 p.m., another band of BIFF harassed the detachment of 2nd Mechanized Battalion stationed in Datu Salibo town with rifle grenades. It was the same detachment that the BIFF harassed Thursday last week that wounded six soldiers.

Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, said they carried out the harassment to send the message it still exist despite military pronouncement the BIFF was already a “spent force.”

On Saturday night, bombings were also carried out by suspected BIFF in Cotabato City and nearby town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Two men riding in tandem on a motorbike, first tossed a hand grenade at police detachment in Barangay Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao at 7 p.m.

The same suspects hurled a grenade toward a military vehicle on patrol along Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City but it missed its target.

Colonel Ranulfo Sevilla, Army Special Forces Battalion commander, said the grenade landed in front of a resultant and went off wounding a certain Dalmacio Villa.

Government forces failed to catch up with the suspects due to traffic and presence of civilians. “We cannot fire at the fleeing suspects due to traffic and civilians in the highway,” the Army truck driver said.

Minutes later, two men left an improvised bomb in front of Special Force detachment along Notre Dame Avenue.

The IED fashioned from 60 mm mortar was later safely defused by bomb experts. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

13

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina of the Philippine National Police has offered to resign his post. President Aquino has yet to accept his resignation as he is still looking for a new PNP chief. But as Espina, 56, is set to retire in July, he is no longer being considered for the top post.

RAPPLER.COM

P-Noy hails Espina; quit letter not accepted but...

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer TARLAC CITY, TARLAC—Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina “is a very honorable person, and he loves the institution, and he loves the service, and he loves the country.”

President Aquino last Friday spoke glowingly of Espina before confirming that the officer in charge of the Philippine National Police has indeed offered to resign but he has not yet accepted the resignation because he is still looking for a new PNP chief. Mr. Aquino said, however, that Espina, who is retiring in July, is no longer being considered for the top post in the PNP. “He did submit his resignation and the acceptance is pending on selecting his replacement,” Mr. Aquino told reporters here after speaking at the turnover of new school buildings at Tarlac National High School.

P-Noy explains

President Aquino explained why Espina, who retires on July 19 when he turns 56, is no longer being considered in the search for a new PNP chief.

“Is he still in the running? That’s the point. He assumes today, he has about three months to serve. Once he serves the three months, there will be a turnover to the next guy, who replaces him, and that’s disruptive to the service,” he said.

“On that basis, General Espina has de-

cided to resign,” the President said.

Espina, Mr. Aquino said, cannot be appointed PNP chief and given the rank of director general (the equivalent of general—four stars—in the military) because that will give the PNP two directors general when the police law allows only one.

Mr. Aquino indicated that Espina resigned to avoid a complicated situation in the appointment of a new PNP chief.

Rumors that Espina resigned as PNP OIC have been swirling for days, but PNP officials denied the talk on Thursday night.

On Friday, however, Espina issued a statement confirming his resignation.

“I didn’t want to get in the way of the President free hand in appointing a new chief, thus, I earlier signified intention to be relieved as PNP officer in charge,” Espina said in his statement.

Espina has been PNP officer in charge since December, when the Ombudsman suspended the PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima, over allegations of graft.

Purisima resigned on Feb. 6, at the height of the scandal caused by the discovery that despite his suspension, he had a role in the planning and execution of the bungled “Oplan Exodus,” a secret Special Action Force (SAF) operation to arrest three Islamic terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province.

The secrecy backfired, with 44 SAF commandos getting killed in a gun battle with Moro rebels. It was the biggest

singleday combat loss for government security forces in years.

Espina was kept out of the Jan. 25 operation, but showed character when he broke down at a congressional inquiry into the clash and demanded justice for the slain SAF commandos.

to Purisima’s retirement in November.

At the time of Purisima’s suspension in December, Espina was deputy chief for operations. He took over as PNP officer in charge and on April 14, he was designated deputy chief for administration, replacing Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr., who retired.

Purisima resignation

Purisima resigned only as PNP chief, but not from the service. He keeps his four stars until he retires in November.

Mr. Aquino also said that the amended PNP law is silent on the requirement that a police official should have a full year left in service before he is promoted to director general.

The President indicated that a PNP chief serving only briefly would not make an impact on the 125,000-strong police organization.

Not soon

“So we go back to the premise: that he will serve for such a short time, and what can he actually do in that short period of time, and the downside is, the organization will have to reacclimatize itself to two [PNP chiefs] in the same year,” he said.

The President said Malacañang was now interviewing several candidates for the post, but did not name them.

“I will beg everybody’s patience on this matter. It was not projected that we will be changing the chief, PNP at this point.

We were thinking that it would be at the end of 2015 [when] we would have to change the chief, PNP,” he said, referring

www.canadianinquirer.net

Contenders

After Espina, the next highest-ranking PNP official is Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr., who is the current deputy chief for operations.

Like Purisima and Espina, Garbo also served as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), holding the position from July to December in 2013. Garbo also served as deputy chief of the Directorate for Operations in 2010. He will retire on March 2, 2016.

Another official believed to be a contender for the post of PNP chief is Director Ricardo Marquez of the Directorate for Operations. ■

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Philippine News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Jailed drug lord caught selling ‘shabu’ publicly with guards’ help

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer A DRUG lord sentenced to life and is now behind bars was still lording it over with his jail guards for security escorts until agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested him in a buy-bust operation on Friday.

He was selling shabu to NBI undercover agents outside the Sablayan Penal Colony in Palawan province where he was supposed to be in prison. NBI Director Virgilio Mendez identified the drug lord as Ruben Tiu, also known as Ruben Go and Mr. Ong. Tiu was convicted in 2004 and was sentenced to life in prison.

Also arrested was a jail guard who escorted Tiu to the drug deal. Mendez declined to name the jail guard, as the investigation is going on.

Three other jail guards who were also Tiu’s escorts escaped as NBI agents pounced on the

drug lord. They are being hunted by the authorities.

Mendez said shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) that Tiu was selling to two female undercover agents was seized during the buy-bust operation that took place on Sablayan highway, 2 kilometers away from the penal colony. The shabu was worth P1 million, Mendez said. Under questioning, Tiu said he got the shabu from a supplier in New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. He said he bought the shabu for P900,000.

The NBI busted a thriving drug trade in the national penitentiary last year, leading to the transfer of convicted drug lords to NBI headquarters in Manila.

Mendez said Tiu’s arrest came after a long surveillance operation.

The breakthrough came when Tiu agreed to sell shabu to buyers outside the penal colony, Mendez said.

He said that at first Tiu wanted the buyers to come to the penal colony. But made to understand that that was risky for the buyers, Tiu suggested that he meet the buyers on the highway—and that proved to be his undoing, as the buyers turned out to be undercover agents.

An agent involved in the operation said the site of the arrest was at least two hours away from the nearest port where the agents and their captives took a ferry to Batangas province.

“We felt that luck was really on our side because we were allowed to board the ferry with the suspects and our vehicles on short notice, and we were able to elude our pursuers who were called by the arrested jail guard,” the agent said.

The agent explained that the jail guard had asked to be allowed to call his wife. Out of compassion, the agents agreed but the wife apparently called for reinforcements. ■

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Ruben Tiu, a drug lord who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison back in 2004, was caught selling 'shabu' (meth) outside Sablayan Penal Colony in Palawan province with the aid of four jail guards. Three of the guards escaped the incident and remain at-large.

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Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

15

‘EQ’: The President who forgave his loved ones’ killers

BY KRISTINE FELISSE MANGUNAY Philippine Daily Inquirer

book launch, and tree-planting, Quirino told reporters during the kickoff on Friday of the eight-month-long celebration, also called EQ125.

“We’re celebrating [Quirino’s 125th birthday] ... mainly for public information,” the younger Quirino said.

The event comes a few months after Malacañang, through Proclamation No. 467, officially declared Nov. 16, 2015, President Elpidio Quirino Day. The date of the kickoff in Makati, April 17, also marked the day when then Vice President Quirino assumed the country’s presidency, following the sudden death of President Manuel Roxas in 1948.

The first activity after the launch was a lecture by economist Solita Monsod on the Philippine economy during Quirino’s time on April 29, the President’s niece said. Other lectures have been scheduled in June and August, and will have as speakers Bernard Kerblat, Philippine representative to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Jaime Laya, former budget secretary. The two will speak on patterns of migrations, and education in the Quirino years, respectively.

“The last lecture by Ambeth Ocampo will be on postwar relations between Japan and the

NOT MANY Filipinos know about President Elpidio Quirino beyond his being the country’s sixth President, who presided over the postwar reconstruction of the Philippines after the Japanese occupation.

To make him a more familiar figure in the country’s history, President Elpidio Quirino Foundation has lined up a series of activities to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of the former President in November, said his niece and foundation chair Aleli Angela Quirino.

During the brief presentation on the former President’s life during the kickoff event, his family and friends recalled Quirino as a man who embodied several important values.

Aleli Quirino said her uncle demonstrated twoaspects of tolerance: the “capacity to endure pain or hardship” and the “capacity to recognize and respect the beliefs, opinions and practices of others.”

The former President demPresident Elpidio Quirino, the sixth President of the Philippines. This coming onstrated the latter when he November 16 has been marked by Malacañang as "President Elpidio Quirino readily forgave Japanese prisDay". oners of war in 1953 despite WIKIMEDIA COMMONS the fact that his wife Alicia and three of his five children were the former President and a said, adding that Cebu, Davao, killed by Japanese forces as trustee of the foundation, said Cagayan de Oro, Baguio and they fled their other activities Naga are in the list of places to home, she said. included a “mall be visited by the wellness tour.

Amongthe health and wellA marathon—called Guro to events planned ness tour” for Pangulo run—was also schedare a series of We hope that we will be able to teachers, since uled on Oct. 10, Cory Quirino lectures on the let you know more about [former Quirino himself added. economy, educaPresident Quirino] and how many of was a teacher be“It’s not just a run; We want tion, patterns of the things he did and the values he fore he became to have separate lanes for walkmigration, and held remains relevant to our times President. athoners and for bikers,” she postwar relatoday.

“We are call- added. tions between ing it Teachers A statement distributed to rethe Philippines Healthy and porters during the launch listed and Japan durHappy Day. On other activities for EQ125, ining the Quirino May 17 we will cluding the staging of “Elpidio presidency; a nationwide health Philippines,” Aleli Quirino said. be in SM North Edsa, but we and Alicia, the Musical,” about and wellness tour for teachMedia personality Cory are also going to cover Luzon, the Quirino couple’s life togethers; a marathon; a musical; a Quirino, a granddaughter of Visayas and Mindanao,” she er, the launch of a book featur-

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ing the couple’s love letters, as well as tree-planting activities, which “highlight the (former) President’s Arbor Day initiative.”

“In the next eight months we hope to bring to the public [former President Quirino’s] values and vision,” the President’s niece, Aleli Quirino, said.

Forgiveness “[Former] President Quirino was a man who valued forgiveness and tolerance,” she added.

Kerblat recalled how the former President opened up the country’s borders to white Russian refugees who were driven out of China, and gave them sanctuary in Tubabao, Guiuan, in Samar.

Ma. Sereno Diokno, chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, credited the former President for having “initiated a massive effort to develop the country’s local history.”

Diokno said that in 1951, Quirino issued Executive Order No. 486, “which asked all schoolteachers to gather, collect and compile the histories of towns, cities and provinces.”

“That effort produced 12 volumes, of which three contained the annual provincial reports of 49 provinces at that time, from 1946 to 1951. In all, there are at least 79 microfilm reels at the national library,” she added.

Diokno said the initiative was “very important” for historians as they were “the single largest existing collection of local histories.”

“We hope that we will be able to let you know more about [former President Quirino] and how many of the things he did and the values he held remains relevant to our times today,” Cory Quirino said. ■

Opinion

16

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

LOOKING BACK

Before Pacquiao there was Pancho Villa

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer THOSE PLANNING to watch the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight next month on pay-per-view might be interested to view the first boxing matches seen in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century. These fights, filmed in black and white, are readily available on YouTube as the Johnson-Burns fight in 1909 and the Johnson-Jeffries fight in 1910.

What is significant about these films is John Arthur “Jack” Johnson (1878-1946), a black boxer at a time when boxing was largely dominated by whites. When these grainy films were shown in Manila, some racist Americans worried that having a black winner in the ring would dent the myth of white superiority and encourage brown Filipinos to question their inferior place in a social ladder determined by skin color. The films were screened in Manila without a fuss, although the Johnson-Burns fight filmed in Australia was heavily edited such that we see the end of the fight and not the painful scenes of the white Burns beaten up by the black Johnson, who became the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion.

I was a boy in 1975 when Muham- ics hero who wears red body-hugging When you do an Internet search mad Ali and Joe Frazier slugged it out tights). Before Pacquiao and Flash on “Pancho Villa,” you will be given a in Araneta Coliseum in a fight that has Elorde, there was Francisco Guilledo choice between Mexican revolutioncome down in history as the “Thrilla (1901-1925), better known under ary Jose Doroteo Arango Arambula in Manila,” and through my young his boxing name “Pancho Villa.” All (1878-1923), who is often shown in eyes I came to think of boxing as a three—Pacquiao, Elorde and Villa— pictures wearing two bandoliers or black man’s sport. So when the mem- are names enshrined in the Interna- ammunition belts forming an “x” on bers of this young generation catch tional Boxing Hall of Fame. his chest, and Filipino boxer Franthe Pacquiao-Mayweather fight billed Pancho Villa came to mind recent- cisco Guilledo. Both men were better as the “Fight of the Century,” we have ly in the controversy over the real known as “Pancho Villa.” to look at the history of boxing and re- name of Moro Islamic Liberation There are two versions of how member the racial element in it.

Front chief peace negotiator Moha- Guilledo got his alias. One version is In March 1919 the Olympic Club gher Iqbal, who was found to have that the name was based on the Mexstadium in Manila ican revolutionwas the venue of a ary and was given When the members of this young generation catch the Pacquiaofight between the to Guilledo by his Mayweather fight billed as the “Fight of the Century,” we have to look at “Filipino Tiger” American boxing the history of boxing and remember the racial element in it.

Francisco Flores promoter Frank E. and Australian lightChurchill. The othweight champion Llew (Llewellyn) been using an alias all along. Law- er version maintains that Guilledo’s Edwards. Flores, of course, had a makers have failed in their efforts Filipino manager Paquito Villa (who hometown advantage, but all the to extract from Iqbal his real name, also managed an ice plant) adopted cheering for him didn’t make him win. and I was amused when a Philippine the young boxer in 1918 and gave him What is surprising about all this is that bank note was presented bearing the the name. there was an unenforced boxing ban signature of one “Joseph Ejercito Guilledo was born in Negros. He in the Philippines at the time.

Estrada” that made it legal tender. was abandoned by his father and There are three big Filipino names It seems there is a law regulating the raised by his mother, very much like not just in Philippine boxing but also use of aliases in the Philippines, and Pacquiao who was mainly raised by in international boxing. Before the it exempts aliases that are used for his mother Dionisia. He moved to “Pambansang Kamao (National Fist)” literary, cinematic or athletic pur- Iloilo, befriended a boxer, and sailed Manny Pacquiao, there was Gabriel poses. Since Iqbal does not come un- to Manila to seek his fortune. To cut Elorde (19351985), better known un- der those exemptions, our lawmakers a long story short, he learned to spar der his boxing name “The Flash” (not have made it their mission to ferret with friends and tried his luck, evento be confused with the Marvel com- out his real name. tually defeating Terio Pandong to be-

come Philippine flyweight champion. In 1922 he sailed to America and became world flyweight champion. If we are to believe Wikipedia, Guilledo took part in 103 fights with 89 wins (22 by knockout), eight losses, four draws and two no contests. He was never knocked out in his entire career, and it is ironic that he died, not from injuries wrought by boxing, but from an infection that followed a simple tooth extraction.

I have yet to dig up the old newspapers that document Guilledo’s triumphant return to the Philippines in September 1924, which was marked by a parade and a reception at Malacañang, as well as his second to the last fight in May 1925 where he defeated Clever Sencio to cheers from his fans in Wallace Field. His last fight was in July 1925 in Oakland, against Jimmy McLarnin. He lost this match because he used one hand to shield a face swollen from an ulcerated tooth.

Two days after the fight, Guilledo had the tooth pulled and defied doctors’ orders to rest, resulting in the infection spreading to his throat and causing Ludwig’s angina. He fell into a coma during emergency surgery and died on July 14, 1925. He was buried in the Manila North Cemetery. ■

AT LARGE

The politically correct parent

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer THESE days, our home has been awash in baby stuff, from infants’ clothes and feeding supplies to infant-sized furniture like cribs, play pens, changing tables and bouncers.

The reason is that in about two weeks’ time we will welcome the newest member of our family, the first-born of our son and his wife, but more important for the seniors in the family, the first grandchild for both sets of grandparents.

In the past few weeks, our living room, both floors of my son’s and his wife’s quarters, even his sister’s room, have been crowded with packing boxes, gift packages, bags and more bags of baby stuff. In the last few days, our son and his father have been busy hammering, screwing and studying package inserts to put together the various pieces of furniture that are apparently essential to the happiness of a baby and his/her family.

After we decided on a foldable playpen for the new arrival, my daughter-in-law and I spent many bewildering minutes trying to follow the salesman’s demonstration of how to put it together and take it apart, involving a confusing number of spare parts and covers, and a rotating mo-

bile with three cute teddy bears. Let’s of promoting the use of cloth diapers. a cloth liner (made from cotton and see if, once the time for setting up the This is as opposed to the use of dis- even bamboo) which can be removed playpen arrives, the hubby and the posable diapers, which has grown tre- for washing and laundering. son can manage just by following the mendously since my own early days Plastic diaper covers were available product insert, because I tell you the of motherhood. Parents embraced when I started down the road of mothdemonstration left me in a daze. disposables for their convenience. But erhood, but I gave up on them after As you can see, the coming arrival, environmentalists say the plastic-lined some time because my babies apparenteven before delivery, has taken over nappies compose the biggest number ly found them hot and uncomfortable the family’s priorities, as well as the of nonbiodegradable trash in landfills. and would start crying once I put them territory. And while I am as excited as Why, I’ve even spotted an errant diaper on. Here’s hoping the coming grandheck to welcome the baby home, I tell or two while snorkeling! child finds them more comfortable! you I am relieved as well to have been The event, dubbed the “Great I remember journeying all the way released of the burto Divisoria with my dens of motherhood, mother to buy “bird’s most especially the eye” cloth diapers Parenthood is enough of a challenge without having to pay chore of waking up for my first baby. At attention to an entire chorus of critics and advocates hectoring every 15 minutes at that time, disposfatigued, insecure and sleepless new parents on the “best” way to night in response ables were still quite raise their children. to a wailing baby. I expensive so we love my son and his wife, but I have no Cloth Diaper Change,” sought to used them only when we had to leave desire whatsoever to repeat my experi- bring together as large a number of the house with the baby. Later, howence when he was a baby (his sister was mothers and their babies to simul- ever, tiring of having to get up several a little better behaved). taneously change their babies’ cloth times at night to change wet or soiled *** diapers. The goal it seems was not nappies, we resorted to disposables so AND SO you dear readers must un- so much to break existing records as he would sleep more or less through derstand why I was immediately to promote the use of cloth diapers the night. Some years later, with my drawn to the photo on yesterday’s among Filipino families. daughter’s arrival, we practically forgot INQUIRER front page of young *** about the lampin and resorted to dismothers joyfully holding up their ba- BUT the “Great Cloth Diaper Change” posables 24/7. bies at an event designed to promote promoted the use not just of cloth *** the use of cloth diapers. diapers but also of “modern cloth nap- TODAY, however, the demands of poThere is, apparently, an online com- pies,” consisting of plastic or nonab- litically correct parenthood require not munity of Filipino mothers who call sorbent cover (which come in all sorts just the use of cloth diapers but also themselves the Modern Cloth Nap- of designs and colors) with elastic leg extended breastfeeding, “organic” baby pying Pinays, united behind the cause openings to prevent leaks, and with food that is prepared at home without

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any preservatives, and educational toys made from natural materials.

I have my own hopes for my grandchild, but I’m not listing them here to spare the parents any more pressure than they already, I’m sure, feel.

Parenthood is enough of a challenge without having to pay attention to an entire chorus of critics and advocates hectoring fatigued, insecure and sleepless new parents on the “best” way to raise their children.

Parenthood is the most important job in the world, I wholeheartedly agree, but guess what, there’s room for mistakes, and not all mistakes are fatal or will have lifelong consequences.

It’s best to simply look on parenting as an adventure, and as with any adventure, there will be delays and inconveniences, times when you find yourself lost, making the wrong decisions, or eating bad food. But if you care enough and try hard enough, your children will most likely survive your mistakes, even if they toddle through childhood in disposable diapers.

It would be ideal, of course, if while you’re raising your children you also save the world and protect the environment at the same time. But if you cannot or refuse to, then just be the best parent you can be, which is essentially being true to who and what you are. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

17

PUBLIC LIVES

Crimes in the context of war

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer OF FAR greater relevance to the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law than the use of an alias by Mohagher Iqbal, the chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, are the charges about to be filed by the government against the MILF rebels who participated in the Jan. 25 firefight at Mamasapano. The Department of Justice has announced it will file charges against at least 90 MILF individuals for the killing of the 35 members of the 55th Special Action Company of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.

This is what Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters the other day: “It’s a crime. People died. I don’t want to say what charges will be filed, but the offenses are very much covered [by criminal law]. They (MILF leaders) have to understand that we will not accept that they will be exempt. No. We will insist on [the filing of criminal charges], and that is in fact discussed in the report.” (INQUIRER, 4/18/15) This view is consistent with the theory that the SAF commandos went to Mamasapano purely on a law enforcement mission—to serve arrest warrants on three international terrorists who had taken refuge in the area.

Combined elements of the MILF and MILF. The Senate report supports ernment for their involvement in the the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic this theory by calling the firefight Mamasapano incident. As far as their Freedom Fighters and members of a massacre. But the verification re- own investigation is concerned, these other private armed groups attacked port rendered by the International men had acted in self-defense, and canthe 55th SAC troopers, who were to Monitoring Team (IMT) disputes the not therefore be held criminally liable. facilitate the safe withdrawal of the idea of a massacre. It gives credence The government peace panel agrees main law enforcement team. instead to the claim that the police that the existing peace agreement does The MILF views the events at Ma- indeed fired first, even as it faults the not exempt the parties to the agreemasapano differently, seeing the un- MILF rebels for aggravating the situ- ment from criminal liability. It likewise announced presence of the SAF in its ation by crossing the river in order to recognizes the justice department’s area as a provocation. The narrative it get close to the trapped SAF troopers. right to file charges against members offers starts from the fact that its memThe IMT blames the SAF and the of the MILF, even as the peace agreebers have lived peacefully in their com- MILF for willfully violating the cease- ment with the rebel group remains munities, secure in the thought that a fire protocols. But, it does not have the in force. But, if such charges are to be longstanding ceasefire agreement with power to recommend sanctions. That filed, it strongly recommends that they the Philippine govbe treated under the ernment protected rubric of Republic Governments and rebels can fight each other, but if they them from any atAct No. 9851—the care about what the rest of humanity says about their actions, tack by government Philippine Act on they must do so within certain boundaries. forces. They also Crimes Against believed that under International Huthis ceasefire agreement, they were to power belongs to the Department of manitarian Law, Genocide, and other be informed beforehand of any gov- Justice and, in the case of state offi- Crimes Against Humanity. Not being ernment law enforcement activity in cials, to the Office of the Ombudsman. a lawyer, I don’t know what difference their area precisely to avoid accidental The latter has announced that it will this will make to the problem at hand: clashes and to protect the civilian pop- soon present its own findings, which how to preserve the peace agreement. ulation from harm. will zero in specifically on the culpaThis little known law, which was The MILF claims that its members bility of police and military personnel. promulgated only in December 2009, were forced to fight back only after One can imagine how much these lays down the norms governing oftwo of their people fell from the first issues have taken center stage as they fenses committed in the context of shots fired by the intruders. The SAF weigh upon the discussion of the armed conflicts. Its message is that denies this, claiming that it was its Bangsamoro Basic Law. The MILF has not everything is permitted even in men who suddenly became the tar- made it clear that it cannot and will not war. Governments and rebels can gets of an unprovoked attack by the surrender any of its people to the gov- fight each other, but if they care about

what the rest of humanity says about their actions, they must do so within certain boundaries. The mention of RA 9851 sent me scurrying for a copy.

I think the best available preview of this law comes from Soliman M. Santos Jr., who hails it as a “breakthrough law for international humanitarian law enforcement in the Philippines.”

It would be interesting—even for nonlawyers—to see how the actions of both the government troops and the rebels in Mamasapano would measure up to the standards laid down in RA 9851. My hunch is that this law would open more questions about the legality of the SAF’s “Oplan Exodus” than it would about the MILF rebels’ actions. For example, was Marwan given a chance to surrender before he was killed, or was he fired upon while asleep? Would cutting off his index finger not constitute a form of mutilation? Both could come under the purview of war crimes. If anything, this law is a reminder that even in armed conflict, protagonists must not lose sight of fundamental human rights. While the world expects that burden to be assumed by both state and nonstate actors, I have always believed that governments have the greater responsibility to uphold the law. ■

AS I SEE IT

How to stop the spread of rabies

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer QUEZON CITY Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte had a dialogue last Friday with animal welfare groups led by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Compassion and Responsibility for Animals, Philippine Animal Rescue Team, Save All, Cat Care Philippines, and interested pet owners on the hated Ordinance No. 2386 authored

by Councilors Raquel Malañgen and Jessica Castelo Daza. Among other things, the ordinance limits pet ownership to only four and charges violators with huge penalties, as well as a P500-fee a year for each pet registered. If you have four dogs and cats, that’s a cool P2,000 a year for which you get nothing in return but threats of more fines and fees.

The excuse for the ordinance is to control the spread of rabies, but I think it is also a fund-raising measure because the Quezon City government needs more and more funds to feed the appetite of councilors. While the pork barrel in Congress has been abolished, do you know that each Quezon City councilor still has a P4million pork barrel annually? There are 30 of them so take your calculators out and compute how much of

the hard-earned money of taxpayers Belmonte apologized for not con- the Veterinary Code. She asked them go to support councilors who pass sulting animal welfare groups as to write down their inputs and send such stupid ordinances as Ordinance mandated by law before passing Or- them to her. She also promised to No. 2386. dinance No. 2386. She said that any- consult them regularly, as they seem Quezon City is already a com- way, it has been repealed by the new to know more about animal welfare paratively welldeveloped city. All Veterinary Code. than the city veterinarian. the streets are concrete, there are Pet owners, however, are still wary It is clear that not much thought enough schools, barangay halls, wait- as the code’s implementing rules and and study went into the crafting of ing sheds, etc., so where does all that regulations (IRR) are still being writ- the ordinance. It assumed that by money go? The Commission on Audit ten and they fear that Ordinance No. limiting pet ownership, rabies spread should audit the finances of the Que- 2386’s objectionable provisions may will be stopped. Wrong. zon City government. be smuggled into the IRR. And lawRabies is spread by unvaccinated What the city needs is housing for yers will surely differ on the interpre- stray animals. They are the ones that its squatters whose shanties blight tation of the Veterinary Code. bite passersby and infect them. The many parts of the city. Ostensibly Some lawyers will concede that Or- solution is to limit stray animals, not to build homes pet ownership. for them, the city If you limit pet council passed an ownership, you will Quezon City is the richest city in the Philippines. It can ordinance charging increase the numafford to give these services to residents in exchange for the property owners an ber of strays. Owntaxes they pay. additional 25 perers who have more cent of their real estate tax. Property dinance No. 2386 has been repealed than the allowable number will have owners dutifully paid through the by the code, but there will surely be to turn out the excess and they will nose, thinking that at last their lots others who will say the opposite. To be among the strays. And what if your would be freed of squatters. No such make sure, they proposed that an- dog or cat gives birth to a littler of five thing happened. The squatters are other ordinance be passed clearly re- or six puppies or kittens? The solustill there although City Hall must pealing Ordinance No. 2386. tion of irresponsible pet owners is have collected billions of pesos from Belmonte promised that the code’s to throw them away in parks, streets the real estate tax surcharge. Again, repealing clause will clearly identify and sewers. where did all that money go? the ordinances that have been repealed Compassionate people rescue Back to the dialogue with Vice by enumerating their numbers. them and take care of them, have Mayor Belmonte on animal welfare She also invited the animal welfare them vaccinated, spayed and neuand the ordinance that angered ani- groups to be the city government’s tered, feed them appropriate food mal lovers and owners. partners in crafting amendments to and take them to the veterinarian

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regularly. That is why they have many cats and dogs. You limit their pets to four and they will stop rescuing abandoned animals. So you increase the number of strays that spread rabies.

Strays multiply very fast. One cat will give birth to an average of five kittens every two months. The kittens will themselves give birth to their own litters after a few months, and so on in a chain reaction. So you can imagine how fast they could multiply in the streets.

The solution is to spay and neuter them. But since veterinarians charge thousands of pesos per animal for the procedure, many pet owners prefer to just throw away the kittens and puppies. The best solution is for the city to offer spay/neuter services at the barangay level to indigent pet owners. Similarly, pets and even stray animals should be vaccinated against rabies for free. Stopping the uncontrolled reproduction of pets, which will dramatically reduce the number of stray animals, coupled with free/ low cost rabies vaccinations, is the solution to the rabies problem—not taking pets from caring homes.

Quezon City is the richest city in the Philippines. It can afford to give these services to residents in exchange for the taxes they pay. ■

18

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Canada News

Finance Minister Joe Oliver delivered a federal budget for 2015-2016 that boasted a surplus, an achievement that might help the Conservatives in the upcoming election later this year, but critics are wondering if it was a wise decision to drain $2 billion out of the budget's $3 billion "rainy-day reserve" in order to meet that goal.

PM.GC.CA

The Harper government nips, tucks its way to a narrow budget surplus

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The Harper government lived up to its promise Tuesday to eliminate the deficit, making use of billions of dollars in balance-sheet tweaks designed to cushion the blow of the oil-price shock.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver delivered a federal budget that boasted a narrow $1.4-billion surplus for 2015-16, scoring a politically critical goal just six months before a scheduled election in October.

The toughest stretch of Oliver’s quest to guide the books back into the black began in November, around the time he rolled out a fiscal update that projected a meagre $1.9-billion surplus — slimmed down due to sliding crude prices. The surplus estimate shrunk to $1.6 billion days later following an infrastructure announcement.

That was right before oil prices fell off the cliff. The collapse forced Oliver to postpone the

budget so he could assess the impact of the oil-price volatility.

To arrive at a surplus Tuesday, Oliver had to take the unusual step of draining $2 billion out of the budget’s $3-billion rainy-day reserve, a cushion designed for unforeseeable events like natural disasters.

That adjustment was combined with several additional big-ticket changes since oil started its swing from about US$81 a barrel in November, to under US$50 mid-winter, before climbing back up to about US$55. The decline is expected to indirectly starve the government of billions in revenues.

Since November, another $1 billion was applied to the bottom line from the sale earlier this month of the government’s remaining stake in General Motors, which generated a total net gain of $2.1 billion.

The budget also projected an additional $900-million net increase in revenue for 2015-16 based on changes the government hopes to make to publicsector disability and sick leave

plans — even though negotiations are still ongoing. The finance minister said this element was “in accordance with federal accounting principles.”

Oliver’s blueprint Tuesday also predicted the government’s bottom line will receive an extra $3 billion, thanks to the lower interest rates.

On top of that, the government received a $3.4-billion boost thanks to a surplus in the employment insurance account created by the buildup of premiums.

But of the changes, Oliver faced the most questions about his decision to reduce the contingency reserve — a bookkeeping manoeuvre that ultimately enabled him to balance the budget.

Oliver was asked during a news a conference why his budget chewed into the emergency cushion even as it warned of global economic threats.

He argued such a big reserve was no longer needed because the government had balanced the books. www.canadianinquirer.net

“In the past, we haven’t had a surplus and we’ve blown through the contingency,” Oliver said when a reporter noted the government wouldn’t have a surplus without using $2 billion from the rainy-day reserve.

“This year, we’re forecasting a surplus and a contingency.

“Now, you can put the two together if you want or you can keep them separate, but at the end of the day that’s the cushion we have for the unexpected and the unavoidable.”

Oliver, who had hinted the contingency reserve could be in play ahead of the budget, also justified the move by saying the worst of the oil slump has passed and prices have stabilized, thus reducing the risk of another collapse.

He noted how prices had fallen more than 50 per cent since last summer’s high of about US$107.

Oliver’s challenge to keep the all-important Conservative promise to achieve budgetary balance was a daunting one, said TD Bank senior economist

Randall Bartlett.

Bartlett noted how lowerpriced oil contributed to the big hit Canada is expected to absorb in terms of revenues over the coming years.

The budget projected revenues to drop by $6 billion in 2015-16, $7.1 billion in 2016-17 and about $6.5 billion annually between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

“They met their commitment — (the budget) is not necessarily based on strong fundamentals, but they were hit with this quite significant (oil) shock,” Bartlett said.

“I think it’s a tough planning environment at this point, so they had to do something to keep the ship from the shoals.”

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said the government’s use of the contingency reserve to balance the budget was “a bit of economic sleight of hand.”

It’s an emergency fund, he said.

“It’s not something you tap into on budget day because you’re missing a couple of billion dollars.” ■

Canada News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

19

Duffy’s first cousin was paid after clipping, scanning articles from paper

BY JENNIFER DITCHBURN The Canadian Press

Defence lawyer Donald Bayne tried to demonstrate that McCabe provided a legitimate service, even if he only did about half an hour of work a week.

“By the time of Sen. Duffy’s appointment, you had proven yourself as a fella on top of local issues, local commentary, newspaper coverage of those issues, and you had reliably proven to be a good source for Sen. Duffy about those issues?” said Bayne.

“I would agree with that too, yes,” said McCabe.

Bayne underlined that Duffy did not derive any financial benefit from the payment to his cousin. He raised the fact that Duffy paid for furniture repair work from McCabe with a personal cheque.

“There was no suggestion or request that any aspect of this $500 that you had received for performing this service be paid back or kicked back to Sen. Duffy?” said Bayne.

Said McCabe: “Definitely not.”

The Senate’s 2008 resource guide says that senators may not hire family members as staff, but the description does not extend to cousins. The Senate’s Conflict of Interest Code prohibits senators from fur-

The Crown also examined another Duffy contractor from P.E.I., Peter McQuaid. The onetime chief of staff to former OTTAWA — One of Mike P.E.I. premier Pat Binns wrote Duffy’s first cousins in Prince speeches and did research for Edward Island was paid after Duffy over three years. sending him scanned copies of Two of those years were news articles from the local pacovered by formal contracts pers, the suspended senator’s with the Senate, but during trial heard this week. one of those years Duffy had David McCabe’s testimony Donohue’s firm pay McQuaid kicked off the third week of $2,881. That year, 2009-10, Duffy’s trial on 31 charges of Duffy received word from Senbreach of trust, fraud and bribate finance officials that he had ery. exhausted his budget for such A number of the charges rework. late to a $65,000 contract paid “Was there ever any discusto Duffy’s friend Gerald Donosion why there wasn’t a second hue in Ottawa; some of that contract?” asked Crown attormoney appears to have been ney Mark Holmes. doled out to other recipients, “We talked about how we beyond the scrutiny of Senate couldn’t do it through the Senofficials. ate, but he’d find another way to McCabe and Duffy’s mothers do it,” McQuaid replied. were sisters. He recalled knowMcQuaid agreed with Bayne ing the senator as a teen. during cross-examination that “Back in high school, Mike Duffy never asked him to keep spinned the records so I’d see his work secret, he did the work him at dances and stuff like he was paid for, and that no that,” McCabe said via video kickback was every sought. link from Charlottetown.

The Duffy case came up durThe court heard that even ing question period on Monday, before Duffy became a senator, the first time MPs have been McCabe would send him items able to raise the proceedings of interest from the papers, in the Commons since the trial including photos and articles began. about young relatives and their New Democrat Charlie Ansports accomplishments. gus asked about Duffy’s travMcCabe, a els to political furniture upholevents. sterer by trade, The Canadian said he also Press reported scanned articles The Senate’s 2008 resource guide Sunday that the about political says that senators may not hire family former Conserissues. He said he members as staff, but the description vative did politinever expected does not extend to cousins. cal work for at to be paid. least 74 current He received and former MPs a $500 cheque between 2009 from Donohue’s and 2012. company and told Crown at- thering the private interests “Why did the prime minister torney Jason Neubauer that at of family members, but it also have Duffy travelling around first he had no idea who it was does not include cousins in the the country working for the from or what it was for. definition. party when his job was sup-

www.canadianinquirer.net

The Mike Duffy trial on charges of breach of trust, fraud, and bribery entered its third week of deliberations this week.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

posed to be representing the people of Prince Edward Island?” Angus asked.

Paul Calandra, the prime

minister’s parliamentary secretary, deflected the questions about Duffy’s political activities. ■

20

Canada News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Canada in middle of the pack in global poll on environmental concern

BY BOB WEBER The Canadian Press A NEW global poll of consumers in 23 countries suggests Canadians are middle of the pack when it comes to concern over the environment and how their shopping choices affect it.

But the poll of 28,000 people by the international survey firm GfK still found that most Canadians believe companies need to be environmentally responsible and try to reflect those values when they spend their money.

“We have a sizable number of Canadians that really put issues around environmentalism and corporate responsibility around environmental responsibility front and centre,” said Angelo Pierro of GfK Canada.

The poll, conducted online and face-to-face last summer, asked respondents a series of questions about how they reconcile their environmental beliefs and their consumer habits.

Around the world, 76 per cent of respondents agreed that companies and brands should be environmentally responsible.

But the poll suggests a wide divergence between different countries, ranging from 93 per cent agreement in India and only 58 per cent in Japan.

Canada came in just below average at 73 per cent — higher than the United States at 66 per cent, but well behind countries

such as France, Brazil, Russia and China.

The story was similar when respondents were asked if they feel guilty when they do something that harms the environment. The global average was 63 per cent, 10 points higher than the Canadian average.

Asking respondents if they only bought products and services that corresponded to their beliefs repeated the pattern. A

www.canadianinquirer.net

63 per cent global average fell to 55 per cent in Canada.

Pierro said a distinct pattern began to emerge. Rapidly developing countries with large, urbanizing populations such as Indonesia consistently scored higher on the questions than settled, industrialized nations.

“It’s interesting countries on the developing side are demonstrating a lot higher sensitivity to topics around environmental

responsibility compared to some of the western democracies,” he said. “It seems like some of these developing countries are very concerned about this.”

Still, Pierro points out the poll suggests environmental concern is important to consumers in almost every country it examined.

“More than half of our population shows strong agreement around things like environmentalism and social responsibility. Half of our population wants decisions that respect the environment.

“I think that’s something policy-makers have to take into account.”

Based on its methodology, GfK says it has a 95 per cent confidence level in its results.

The poll was released in advance of Earth Day, held on Wednesday. Pierro said its results should interest both political policy-makers and businesses looking to harmonize its marketing strategies with the beliefs of its customers. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

21

A comparison of expenses allowances for Canada’s MPs and senators

BY JOAN BRYDEN The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Senators will have to account more openly for how they spend taxpayers’ dollars under soon-to-be updated rules, the Speaker of the Senate says.

Pierre Claude Nolin made the promise Monday as Mike Duffy’s fraud, breach of trust and bribery trial entered its third week.

The court has been regaled with examples of how the suspended senator allegedly used vague rules and little oversight to maximize his entitlement to various expense allowances and to contract work to friends, a cousin and even his personal fitness trainer.

Duffy’s lawyer maintains the senator did not break any rules or engage in any criminal activity.

In a statement provided to The Canadian Press, Nolin said the Senate, under his leadership, “is committed to modernizing its rules and processes in keeping with best practice standards.”

“We are moving towards greater transparency and accountability, principles upon which I strongly believe. To this end, we will be updating our requirements around senator office budget reporting to include publishing a more detailed breakdown of expenses.”

Nolin said the rules will be further updated to take into account the findings of the auditor general, who is expected to report in June on a comprehensive audit of all senators’ expenses.

In an apparent bid to lead by example, Nolin revealed that his entire Speaker’s office budget was devoted to staff salaries in 2014-15 and that none of his staff is a member of his or any other senator’s family.

At the moment, senators must publicly report how much they spend each quarter for staff, hospitality, living expenses in the capital region and Senate travel. There is no itemized list of expenses under each of those broad categories, although some senators voluntarily provide more details.

By contrast, MPs’ expendi-

As Mike Duffy's fraud, breach of trust, and bribery trial entered its third week of deliberations, Speaker of the Senate Pierre Claude Nolin promised that Senators will have to account more openly for how they spend taxpayers' dollars under soon-to-be updated rules.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

ture reports disclose spending on employees, service contracts, travel (including a breakdown of travel by the member, designated traveller, dependents and employees), accommodation, per diems, secondary residences, hospitality, gifts, advertising, printing, constituency office leases, furnishings, equipment, computers, phones, postage and courier services, supplies and training.

Herewith, a primer on some of the allowances parliamentarians are eligible to claim, in addition to their basic annual salaries of $167,400 for an MP and $142,400 for a senator.

Living Allowances

A senator whose primary residence is more than 100 kilometres outside the national capital region is entitled to claim accommodation expenses while in the capital on Senate business, to a maximum of $22,000 per year. The senator may choose to claim one of the following: • Up to $200 per night for a ho-

tel room.

• Monthly cost to rent or lease an apartment, condo or house. The rent is claimable even for months in which the Senate is not sitting.

• Daily allowance of $29.28 for a secondary home which is owned by the senator, payable every day of the year regardless of Senate sittings.

That amounts to $10,687 annually.

On top of the accommodation allowance, senators are entitled to claim per diems of up to $92.70 for meals every day they are in the capital on Senate business. The Senate sat for 83 days in 2014, putting the total for the maximum meal per diems at $7,694 for the year.

Accommodation allowances for MPs whose primary residences are more than 100 km. from the capital region are almost identical to those given senators. However, the overall cap is slightly higher ($28,600 per year), as is the daily rate for those who own a secondary home ($30.28). The per diem www.canadianinquirer.net

for meals is the same ($92.70).

An MP may also seek reimbursement for one hotel room when his or her spouse and/ or dependents visit the capital region, provided that the MP stays with them and attests that his or her usual secondary residence is “unsuitable for use” for the occasion.

MPs whose primary residences are 50 to 100 km. from the parliamentary precinct may claim transportation expenses at a rate of 49.3 cents per kilometre.

Travel outside the capital region

All parliamentarians travel free on Via Rail. For other modes of transportation, senators and MPs each get 64 travel points every fiscal year to cover travel expenses for themselves, one designated travel companion each, dependents and eligible employees. The points may be used for “regular travel” to and from the parliamentarian’s home province or riding or for “special trips” elsewhere in Canada and, on limited occasions, to Washington, D.C., and

New York City for parliamentary business.

Generally, one return flight from Ottawa to the parliamentarian’s home region is worth one point.

Senators, their designated travellers and dependents are allowed to fly business class.

MPs, their designated travellers and dependents are allowed to fly business class on flights of more than 2 hours but are expected to fly full-fare economy on short flights.

While travelling on parliamentary business, senators and MPs may claim the $92.70 per diem for meals and incidentals.

A senator’s designated traveller is also entitled to the per diem but an MP’s designated traveller is not.

Senators and MPs may also claim up to $200 per night for hotels.

If an MP or senator chooses to stay with friends or family while travelling on parliamentary business they may claim a $50 per night “private, noncommercial accommodation” allowance. ■

22

World News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Indian PM ends three day visit with protesters and supporters at temples

BY TAMSYN BURGMANN The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — India’s prime minister has pronounced his watershed three-day visit to Canada a success, expressing hope in a parting toast that a new partnership has begun.

“Although India and Canada have so much in common, we were not in each others’ thoughts for so many years,” Narendra Modi said in a translated farewell speech last Thursday night in Vancouver.

“But today it is my deep belief that not only we will be present in each other’s thoughts, but also in our endeavours we will work together. We will be with each other.”

The leader of the right-leaning majority Hindu nationalist party told a state dinner held by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and which drew B.C.’s premier and assorted Conservative MPs, that both countries have made progress on many issues.

“Barriers have turned into bridges,” he said.

Modi is the first Indian prime minister in more than four decades to come for a one-on-one visit with his Canadian counterpart.

Modi said he was confident

the bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement and the comprehensive economic partnership agreement would happen soon.

“By participating in India’s development, you will also benefit. But by participating in the progress and prosperity of onesixth of humanity, you will get immense happiness and satisfaction,” he said.

“From 1.2 billion Indians to 1.2 million Canadians of Indian origin — our very best wishes.”

Modi’s lightning-fast trip ushered him through Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. He signed pledges to co-operate on civil aviation, education and health and buy 3,000 tonnes of Saskatchewan uranium, before paying homage to darker chapters of Indo-Canadian history.

The leader of the world’s largest democracy earned effusive praise from supporters, who turned out in droves for his speech at a Toronto venue famous for rock shows, as well as Sikh and Hindu temples in Metro Vancouver.

But protesters raised their voices and placards outside every event he attended in B.C. Bidding adieu to his ally, Harper said he wanted to publicly re-affirm a statement he’s made to Modi in private.

“Make no mistake, the government of Canada and Canadians overwhelmingly support and will always standby the unity and strength of India in the world — India will stay together,” he said, eliciting cheers.

Earlier that Thursday, Modi visited a more-than-centuryold Sikh gurdwara in Vancouver, where he and Harper were presented with bright yellow scarfs and kirpans, ceremonial swords worn by baptized Sikhs.

Several dozen police officers were stationed outside, with snipers on the temple rooftop.

A protester who said his name was Ramandeep held a sign saying, Harper shame! Modi is a genocide perpetrator!

“He is a known butcher. His nickname is the Butcher of Gujarat,” he said, referring to a 2002 riot that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, mostly Muslims, while Modi was the chief minister in Gujarat state.

The two leaders also walked through an adjoining museum dedicated to nearly 400 Indians, mostly Sikhs, who arrived at Vancouver’s harbour aboard the Komagata Maru in 1914 but were denied entry.

Modi then took the stage before hundreds of awe-struck revellers outside a Hindu man-

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week.

PM.GC.CA

dir in Surrey.

Families with tiny children hooted, clapped and shielded their eyes from blinding sun during the short speech while waving paper India and Canadian flags.

A brass band prompted the crowds to sing “We love Modi.

We love Harper.”

Surrey resident Sanjeev, 50, who didn’t give his last name, said he arrived hours early to see the famous politician.

“We were here since 10 in the morning and for these 15 minutes, we had to wait,” he said.

Sikhs in Vancouver were at the forefront of a movement to

create a separate Sikh homeland, to be carved out of the Indian state of Punjab. The situation boiled over in the 1980s, when 329 people were killed aboard an Air India flight originating in Vancouver when a planted bomb exploded mid-air near Ireland.

Modi’s detractors say he should speak out about human rights violations in India against minority groups including Sikhs, Muslims and Christians.

Investigators blamed the largest mass murder in Canadian history on Sikh extremists in British Columbia. ■

Terror fight hampering work on other criminal files, senior Mountie says

BY JIM BRONSKILL The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Shifting hundreds of RCMP officers to counterterrorism duty has hurt the national police force’s efforts to fight organized crime and espionage, a senior Mountie says.

The resource challenge is “negatively impacting” the force’s ability to do everything it’s expected to do, says Mike Cabana, deputy RCMP commissioner for federal policing.

“As a result, the RCMP recognizes that it needs to find a longer-term solution to be able to respond to the breadth of its www.canadianinquirer.net

federal policing mandate,” Cabana told the Senate national security committee Monday.

“I can’t tell you what our solution is because we don’t have a solution right now. So we are looking at options.”

Concerns about the threat of homegrown extremism have prompted the RCMP to move more than 600 officers to the terrorism file from organized crime cases and other areas.

That has prompted criticism from the NDP and Liberal public safety critics that the Mounties are being stretched too thin.

The Canadian Press reported Friday that the Conservative government plans to earmark

resources in the federal budget Tuesday to help security agencies carry out enhanced responsibilities under new antiterrorism legislation.

The bill is undergoing a prestudy by the Senate committee as it makes its way to third reading in the House of Commons.

The government says the bill is needed to prevent jihadi-inspired violence that endangers Canadians.

Civil libertarians and privacy advocates have denounced the legislation as a threat to lawabiding citizens. ❱❱ PAGE 46 Terror fight

Community News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

23

Aquino sets state visit to Canada in May Envoy recognizes

Poblete's award

BY ROMEO P. MARQUEZ PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III is making a state visit to Canada next month, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto has announced.

It will be his first to the North American country where a sizable Filipino community exists, specially in the cities of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

The consulate general is holding consultations with community representatives in Toronto in hopes of generating wide interest and participation in welcoming the president.

BY FE PACA-TADURAN

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

This planned visit would be his 44th international trip in 23 countries since assuming the

presidency in June 2010. ❱❱ PAGE 25 Aquino sets

Filipinos arrested at casino face deportation TWO FILIPINOS from Alberta face deportation to the Philippines following their recent conviction for credit card fraud at the Moose Jaw provincial court.

Found guilty of possession of a fraudulent credit cards were Deovern Uy, 26, and Kristoffer Kalaw, 29, who also plead guilty to being in possession of gift cards which were purchased from fraudulent and manufactured credit cards.

Moose Jaw police arrested the two men at Casino Moose Jaw on Apr. 8, with two other Filipinas namely Mylene Marchan, 32, and Jovelle Magtira, 22, all from Calgary.

The four were arrested after police searched two local hotel rooms and a rented vehicle.

Seized were $2,000 in cash, various altered and falsified credit cards, a computer tablet and drugs.

Both men were sentenced to

time served but will remain in the custody of Canada Border Services Agency until they are deported. Charges were meanwhile dropped by the crown prosecutor on their companions because the two men had accepted responsibility. Magtira and Marchan were released from custody last Apr. 16.

Uy also has a charge of being in the possession of cocaine from Regina, but that charge is expected to be dropped. ■

THE NEWLY appointed Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Jordan with concurrent jurisdiction over the Palestine Republic and former Toronto Consul General Junever Mahilum-West, in a simple ceremony at the Philippine Consulate in Toronto before leaving for her new post, recognized the Pro Patria Award, the presidential award that George R. Poblete received.

The award was given by Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Jeremias Singson in Cleveland, Ohio, during the Knights of Rizal 5th USA General Assembly.

This patriotic award is given to an individual by the president of the Philippines to an individual – Filipino or foreigner alike, who has rendered outstanding work in stimulating and encouraging works toward the Rizalian concept of love of country and fulfillment of the duties of citizenship.

It is given to an individual advanced in the various professions, or promoting, teaching, and disseminating the same through proven competence leading to the

general benefit of the individual, the community, and the country at large in the light of Rizal’s teachings and way of life.

Among the notable Filipinos who have received the much coveted Rizal Pro Patria Award are painter Fernando Amorsolo; Philippine Free Press Publisher Teodoro Locsin, Sr.; national artist for Literature NVM Gonzales; scientist Emil Q. Javier; composer Felipe Padilla de Leon; Chief Justice Hilario Davide; the 'Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing' Francisca Reyes Aquino; and Developer/ Builder Reghis Romero II, who is also the past supreme commander of the Knights of Rizal.

Poblete holds the degree KGCR, the highest rank awarded to a Knight in the Order of the Knights of Rizal, a fraternal organization whose members aim to to study, promote and propagate the teachings of Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, and to preserve, honor and revere his memory.

The civic, non-sectarian, non-partisan fraternity, with headquarters in Manila, Philippines, has a membership of about 14,000 from all over the world. ■

Lower Mainland Filipinos join international campaign to save the life of Mary Jane Veloso FILIPINOS IN the Lower Mainland met recently with Indonesian Consul General Sri Wiludjeng and Vice-Consul Esthy Putri Muryanti as part of the international campaign to save the life of Mary Jane Veloso.

“As individuals and as representatives of various community organizations in the Lower Mainland, we join the many others in the Philippines, Indonesia and around the world who earnestly appeal for clemency for Filipino Mary Jane Veloso,” states a joint letter they submitted to President Joko Widodo through Consul General Wiludjeng.

The delegation was organized by Migrante-BC and their appeal is signed by an initial group of 70 individuals from different community organizations, unions, regional groups and others.

The group’s letter adds that, “Mary Jane is a single mother of two young children and she is from a very poor family in the Philippines. When she left them in 2010, she thought it was to work in Malaysia as a domestic helper as promised by the daughter of her Godfather. Instead, she was deceived by an international criminal drug syndicate into carrying luggage with

2.6 kilos of heroin to Indonesia – where she was subsequently arrested and sentenced to death by the Indonesian Supreme Court for drug trafficking.”

“We believe that Mary Jane is innocent and that she was deceived into carrying those drugs.

Our appeal is also based on reports that say she didn’t have proper legal representation through all stages of her trial,” said Jane Ordinario of Migrante-BC. In the coming days, Ordinario said they will meet with the Philippine Consulate and organize other events as part of the global effort to save Mary Jane’s life. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

FilCan protesters in front of the Indonesian Consulate in Vancouver.

24

World News

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

How countries cope with the influx of migrants and asylum seekers fleeing by boat

BY ROD MCGUIRK The Associated Press TWO RECENT shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea believed to have taken the lives of as many as 1,300 asylum seekers and migrants has highlighted the escalating flow of people fleeing persecution, war and economic difficulties in their homelands.

Over the years, thousands of people in Asia have also used boats to escape. Here’s a look at where many go, and how they are treated once they arrive.

Australia

COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN: Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, China, Somalia, Sudan, Myanmar and Vietnam.

DESTINATIONS: Most of the boats leave Indonesian ports for Christmas Island, an Australian territory 345 ki-

lometres (215 miles) south of the Indonesian island of Java, or Ashmore Reef, a collection of Australian islands east of Christmas Island. They often arrive without passports, which makes repatriating them more difficult.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Since July 2013, Australia has refused to allow refugees who arrive by boat to settle on the mainland, and it has been turning back boats since the current government was elected in September 2013.

It has a detention camp for asylum seekers on Christmas Island and pays Papua New Guinea and the Pacific island nation of Nauru to run similar camps where asylum seekers wait while their applications for refugee status are processed.

Australia has an agreement to pay Cambodia to take refugees detained on Nauru, and with Papua New Guinea to resettle those camped out in there. So far none have gone to Cambodia, while

Ecuadorian refugees drift in a boat near Guatemala. Certain countries are targeted by boat refugees from specific nationalities, for a variety of reasons. Each of these target countries, in turn, has specific procedures for dealing with these boat refugees.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

some have been resettled in Papua New Guinea.

Australia is much more welcoming of asylum seekers who arrive by plane, although it still requires an initial period of detention. Once out of detention, some are allowed to work while others rely on welfare, including free medical care, but they are not eligible for government housing and must find accommodation in the private rental market.

Indonesia

COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN: Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Middle Eastern countries.

DESTINATION: Australia GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE: Indonesia, with its thousands of islands and long stretches of unpatrolled coastlines, is a key transit country for asylum seekers and migrants wanting to get to Australia.

The country hasn’t signed the 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention and doesn’t legally recognize asylum seekers or refugees. But it does operate 13 detention centres around the country that temporarily house them while the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office processes their applications for refugee status and eventual resettlement in a third country such as the U.S. or Canada.

Thousands more live on their own outside the detention centres.

Malaysia

COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN: Mostly Myanmar, but also from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen and Sudan. www.canadianinquirer.net

DESTINATIONS: Most register with the UNHCR for resettlement in a third country while others travel through Malaysia to Indonesia in a bid to reach Australia.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: As in Indonesia and Thailand, asylum seekers and refugees have no legal status in Malaysia, putting them at risk of arrest and detention.

There are no refugee camps in Malaysia, and more than 100,000 of these “urban refugees” live in overcrowded, low-cost apartments or houses across the country. Their children do not have access to formal education. Barred legally from working, many earn money doing dirty or dangerous jobs that locals shun, while they wait for possible resettlement through the UNHCR — typically a process that lasts several years.

Europe

COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN: Mainly Syria, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia. Palestinians also have attempted to flee to Europe.

DESTINATION: Closest point of landfall, which usually means Italy, Greece or Malta. Many travel overland to Bulgaria and Hungary, favouring destinations like Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and other Nordic countries.

EUROPEAN UNION’S RESPONSE: Asylum seekers and migrants arriving in Europe without visas are interviewed and finger-printed by authorities. EU nations have “reception centres” to house migrants where they are fed and given health care while their applica-

World News

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

tions for asylum are being as- they were not linked to the about 30,000 are officially recsessed. rebels. Once cleared, they were ognized as refugees. The luckiSome miest live in desgrants are given ignated refugee temporary percamps, which mits allowing include schools them to stay The mass exodus of Vietnamese and clinics, but while their cases ``boat people'' began in 1978, a few most either live are studied. The years after the end of the Vietnam in squalid inforcountry where War, with hundreds of thousands of mal camps or in they land is repeople fleeing to escape persecution poor, crowded sponsible for by the victorious Communist neighbourhandling this, government. hoods. including proIn 2012, when viding free lewaves of Rogal assistance. The process given living quarters, monthly hingya sought shelter in Banshould not exceed 11 months. rations and the chance to find gladesh, border authorities Those who do not qualify for work in the community. residency of some kind are in With ethnic, cultural and some cases invited to leave Eu- linguistic ties to India’s Tamrope voluntarily, with some in- ils in the southern state of centives. Others are expelled, Tamil Nadu, many refugees sometimes put on a plane and from Sri Lanka assimilated flown to their home nation. and took Indian citizenship.

Others opted for repatriation India offered at various times. The COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Sri arrivals ceased when the Sri Lanka Lankan government crushed DESTINATION: India the rebels with months of GOVERNMENT RE- heavy bombings and ended SPONSE: After Sri Lanka’s the war in 2009. civil war erupted in 1983, hundreds of thousands from the Bangladesh ethnic Tamil minority fled the COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: fighting between the major- Myanmar ity Sinhalese government and DESTINATION: BanglaTamil rebels demanding an desh independent homeland. The THE GOVERNMENT’S RErefugees arrived in waves — SPONSE: Hundreds of thoumany aboard crowded, rickety sands of Rohingya, a longwooden boats that crossed the persecuted Muslim minority narrow bay between Sri Lanka group in Myanmar, have fled to their island nation and India — Bangladesh in recent years to and landed on the beaches of escape persecution in the preTamil Nadu state. dominantly Buddhist nation.

The Indian government Roughly 400,000 Rohingya are erected hundreds of refugee believed to have gone to Bancamps, where authorities ques- gladesh, where many of their tioned people to make sure ancestors came from, but only

Aquino sets...

The consulate is apparently trying to get a maximum of 10,000 people to attend Aquino's meeting in Toronto. Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the consulate said, "has also expressed his interest in joining the President during his meeting with the Filipino community".

President Aquino "has graciously set aside time from his busy schedule to address our Filipino community here (Toronto)," the consulate stated in an invitation sent out to Balita, Toronto's Filipino newspaper.

A preliminary meeting was held on Apr. 18, at the consulate general's offices on Eglinton Avenue, Toronto. ❰❰ 23

Balita publisher and editor Tess Cusipag, who was at the assembly, said another meeting has been set next Tuesday to hear proposals and finalize plans to have 10,000 people.

"Where can they find a place to accommodate 10,000 and in such a short notice?" she wondered.

Toronto is Canada's largest city with a population of 2.8 million. It's the fourth largest in North America. Filipino population in the city is about 140,420 or 5.5 percent of the population. However, taking into account the Greater Toronto Area, Filipino population is estimated at more than 200,000. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

reportedly forced more than 1,300 back into the sea in their creaky vessels. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina denied the refugees had been driven away, but made clear she didn’t want them, saying the country, already densely populated, “cannot bear this burden.”

Vietnamese refugees

DESTINATION: United States, Canada, Australia FLIGHT AND RESPONSE: The mass exodus of Vietnamese “boat people” began in 1978, a few years after the end

No Credit?

25

of the Vietnam War, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing to escape persecution by the victorious Communist government. Another wave followed in the late 1980s. The United Nations refugee agency says at least 840,000 left by sea.

The majority initially landed in Hong Kong and several Southeast Asian nations that established refugee camps and threatened to push them back, but most eventually settled in the United States, Canada and Australia. ■

26

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Entertainment

GMA Network is the Fil-Am’s short film wins Philippines’ Biggest award in US Winner in the 2015 New York Festivals

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

GMA NETWORK is the Philippines’ Biggest Winner at the 2015 New York Festivals, bringing home 4 World Medals and 4 Finalist Certificates for its News and Public Affairs programs.

GMA’s late-night documentary program Front Row, led the winners as it bagged the G o l d Wo r l d Medal in the B e s t Public Affairs P r o g r a m category for its feature on the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The documentary took viewers beyond the viral Ice Bucket Challenge and showed the real story behind the disease in the eyes of ALS patients and their families.

GMA afternoon program Reporter’s Notebook won a Bronze World Medal in the Community Portraits category for its “Burak at Pangarap” episode. The story centered on twelve-year-old Junjun whose family was left homeless when a fire razed their home and more than a hundred other houses in Malabon City.

GMA News TV’s Motorcycle Diaries took home a Bronze

World Medal in the Human Concerns category for its “Karapatan ng Bata” episode.

The episode showed how poverty denies countless Filipino children their basic rights.

GMA News TV’s “May Pagasa” Station ID, a collection of stories of hope which revealed the little known tragedies and challenges behind the succ e s s of the channel’s o n camera personalities, also won a Bronze World Medal in the Station/ Image Promotion category.

Four more Finalists recognitions were awarded to GMA Network. These included Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Katipunan, Reel Time and “Walang Rape sa Bontok,” one of the winning entries in the first Cine Totoo Philippine Documentary Festival produced by GMA News TV. The New York Festivals awarded its 2015 winners at a ceremony held at the National Association of Broadcasters’ Conference in Las Vegas last April 14. Now on its 57th year, the Festivals honored the world’s best TV programs and films from among entries submitted by over 50 countries. ■

FILIPINO-AMERICAN FILMMAKER Joshua Ortiz’s short motivational film, “Listen,” won in Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s first-ever Greenie Awards from Project Greenlight in Hollywood, USA. Ortiz’s short film bested over 20,000 entries in the country and bagged the Most Unique Short Film award.

“I feel humbled and lucky,” Ortiz said in an interview.

Originally, he made his $30 film for his siblings, the golfer and the skater seen in the video.

It was also inspired by his past struggles and failures in filmmaking.

Joshua Ortiz.

TWITTER Now, the film continued to inspire thousands of people had the most views among all and blog websites. around the world. the contestants. Also, the film Ortiz’s success and popular“I made it for my two siblings played at several high school ity gave him an offer he did not because I know that people assemblies to inspire the youth expect. will try and tell “So… I just got them that their off the phone dreams are not with the people worth chasing, from Project but I want them I want them to know that no matter Greenlight & to know that no what people say and what failures Adaptive Studios matter what peocome their way, you can’t give up. and I was so nerple say and what vous… The team failures come has been very their way, you impressed with can’t give up,” Listen and the Ortiz said. attention it has “Since my siblings loved it, to reach for their dreams,” Or- been getting and so they asked we decided to submit it to a tiz added. if I’m interested in working for contest. and out of thousands Ortiz’s inspirational film won them,” Ortiz shared in his Faceof entries across the nation, other awards in various film book account. the film recently won the Most festivals and got screened in For now, Ortiz only hoped Unique Short Film in Ben Af- high schools as well. His film that his short film would confleck and Matt Damon’s Proj- had also been featured in Ya- tinue to reach and inspire more ect Greenlight on HBO and hoo, Elite Daily, and other news people. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

Entertainment

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

27

Charice offended with comparisons to Ariana Grande PHILIPPINE CANADIAN INQUIRER MANILA – Being compared with Ariana Grande’s performance singing Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” is offensive for Charice Pampengco.

Charice posted in her Instagram account how she was offended with a social media post that compared her to Ariana by putting her old pictures depicting her previously girly image with Ariana’s pictures.

“Tigilan nyo na ako with your ‘comparisons’ with other artists.

Magaling ang version ni Ariana. the best. No one’s better than others.)

Pinakamagaling ang version ni the other because we’re all difCharice also said that there Whitney. Walang nakaka-angat ferent singers. The reason why is no point to compare her with dahil iba iba kaAriana as they ming mga mangboth look differaawit.

Kaya ent physically. hindi maka-move “I’ve had it. Una on ang madlang I believe in me and who I am today sa lahat, napakapeople dahil kayo and I am happy with what I’ve been layo ng itsura ko mismo ang ayaw through, good or bad! kay Ariana, kaya mag-move on at ba kailangang irespeto ang desipalitan an picture syon ng isang tao. ko? Para makisa(Stop botherbay? Malayo pa ing me with your rin. Maganda si comparisons (of me) with other the people can’t move on is be- Ariana. Sobrang nakaka-offend. artists. Ariana’s version was cause you do not want to move But I guess yun yung point niyo good. Whitney’s version was on and respect the decision of diba? Ma-offend ako.

Andi happy being single

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Asked about her present love life, TV Actress Andi Eigenmann said she is happy being single.

“I’m very, very single,” she said in an interview with Gretchen Fullido.

“Ngayon ko lang talaga confidently masasabi na I’m so happy being single and just working on

what’s most important to me, which is Ellie and my career, of course. It feels so good na I can just freely work on that because walang anything,” she added.

[It’s just now that I can confidently say that I’m so happy being single and just working on what’s most important to me, which is Ellie and my career, of course. It feels so good that I can just freely work on that because there’s nothing (about my love life)].

Despite rumors about her and Jake Ejercito, Andi maintained that she remained friends with him. “[Jake and I] are okay but in terms of the posting [of his photos with my daughter], kahit ako nagugulat. But then, he loves my daughter and there is nothing wrong with that.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit pero sige it’s a free country,” she said. [(Jake and I) are okay but in terms of the posting (of his photos with my daughter), I’m also surprised. But then, he loves my daughter and there is nothing wrong with that. I don’t know the reason but it’s okay. It’s a free country.] ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

(I’ve had it. First, I’m physically very much different from Ariana. Is that the reason why I should change my picture?

It’s too far. Ariana’s pretty. It’s so offensive. But I guess your point is to offend me, right?)

“I’m venting a little because it’s been hard to show people that I’m not as bad as what other people think but some people really try to manipulate people to dislike me more. Whoever you choose to believe, I believe in me and who I am today and I am happy with what I’ve been through, good or bad! Mabuhay tayong lahat!,” Charice added. ■

Entertainment

28

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

GMA contract prohibits Willie from gambling in casinos

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA – Willie Revillame revealed that his contract with GMA-7 prohibits him to gamble in casinos.

In an interview with GMA-7’s news magazine program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” aired last Sunday, Revillema admitted that he did go to casinos for leisure.

But contrary to reports that he spent almost two years of his break from television spending his fortunes in casinos, Willie said he only went there for leisure.

“Nagka-casino? Yes, tatanggapin kong totoo ‘yan. Naglibang lang ako sa buhay ko.

Pinakiramdaman ko lang kung ano meron kasi hindi ako sanay d’yan e.”

(Was I going to casino? Yes. I accept that it is true. I go there for leisure. I tried how it feels because I’m not used to that feeling.)

“So okay, na-challenge ako.

Nagsugal ako. Pero part ng buhay ng tao ‘yan. Pero hindi ako magpapaubos sa casino,” Willie added.

(I was challenged. I played.

But that’s part of every person’s life. But I did not waste all my

money in casinos.)

He then revealed that one of the reasons why stopped gambling is that his current contract with GMA-7 prohibits him to do so.

“Pero tinigilan ko na ‘yan.

Kasi, una, bawal na sa aking gawin ‘yan. Kasi with my contract with GMA, hindi na pwede,” he said.

(But I already stopped because I’m not allowed to do it anymore. In my contract with GMA, I’m no longer allowed to do it.)

Willie’s new program with the channel, “Wowowin” is set to air later this month. ■

Alice Cooper posts link of Jay R’s performance

‘I never stopped praying for love’ — Shaina

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — American rock icon Alice Cooper urged his more than half a million Twitter followers to check-out Jay R’s impersonation on “Your Face Sounds Familiar.”

The 67-year-old rockstar, who has been credited for inventing theatrical rock, shared a link of the performance on his Twitter with the caption: “Check out Jay R channeling his inner Alice Cooper​ on the Manila show @yourfacesounds! #AliceCooper.”

Sharon Cuneta, one of the jurors in the competition was also impressed by Jay R’s performance.

“Jay R never does anything half-baked. He really studies the person he is about to impersonate, mula sa pag-awit, boses, every single movement.

You keep competing with yourself and so you keep besting yourself. Congratulations,” she added.

Jed Madela also admired Jay R’s character during his performance.

“What I notice with you, parang every week, you erase yourself, as in para kang clean slate. Para kang blackboard, ineerase mo ‘yung character na

FACEBOOK PAGE OF WILLIE REVILLAME

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Jay R.

pino-portray mo, ineerase mo ‘yung Jay R, tsaka kung anong inaassign sa’yo, ‘yun yung dinodrawing mo, ‘yun ang pinapractice mo at ‘yun ‘yung iniimplement mo kaya nararamdaman namin at nakikita namin ‘yun sa’yo at sa performances mo (What I notice with you every week, you erase yourself, like a clean slate. You are like a blackboard, you can portray the character, you are able to erase Jay R and whatever is as-

SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE

signed to you, that is what you draw and practice then implement and hence we really feel and see with every performance)” Madela said.

Jay R expressed his happiness about the post during an interview aired on “Aquino & Abunda Tonight” on Wednesday.

“I feel very proud that the ‘Godfather of Shock Rock’ made a comment about the performance,” he said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — Despite being single for year now, Shaina said she receives so much love from the people around her.

“Kasi for me ha, kasi broad ang pagkakaintindi ko sa pagmamahal, e. It’s not necessarily sa isang tao lang [galing],” Shaina said in an interview on Tuesday.

(Because I have a broad understanding of love. It is not necessarily coming from a single person.)

“It comes from my fami l y,

from my friends, from the people who appreciate me, from my job, my work and ako rin po mismo as Shaina na non-showbiz, as a person mismo,” she added.

Following her relationship with John Lloyd Cruz which ended in 2012, Shaina has been single for three years.

She had been linked to Piolo Pascual but both of them said that they only treat each other as “special friends.”

Shaina also added that she is open to loving and that she his continuously praying for it.

“Puwede naman.

Of course, I never stop praying for love to come my way,” the Kapamilya actress replied when asked if she’s ready for a new relationship.

She however, added that being in a relationship is not her priority right now.

“Pero hindi ko siya (But it’s not my) priority right now, but if darating maraming salamat, (I’ll be thankful if ever it comes.)” she said. ■

29

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 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 online by scanning the code with your smartphone or by visiting InFocus.canadianinquirer.net.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Entertainment

30

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Mark Hamill was ‘suspicious’ of ‘Star Wars’ director J.J. Abrams: ‘He was a ‘Star Trek’ guy’

BY LINDSEY BAHR The Associated Press ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Mark Hamill knew he had to say yes when George Lucas told him about the plans to move forward with a new “Star Wars” trilogy.

“It’s not like a choice. It’s like I was drafted,” Hamill told a massive crowd Saturday night at Star Wars celebration of his decision to reprise his role as Luke Skywalker in the “Star War‘: The Force Awakens.”

“Could you imagine if for some reason I said ’I don’t think I want to do it?’ I would have all of you surrounding my house like villagers, angry villagers with lightsabers instead of torches,” joked the 63-year-old “Star Wars” veteran.

Hamill admitted he was caught off guard when Lucas invited him to lunch. When Hamill’s wife surmised that perhaps there was a new film in the works, Hamill laughed.

Lucas had told him specifically that he was done making “Star Wars” movies after the prequels.

He assumed Lucas was going

A screenshot from the recently released new trailer for Star Wars Episode VII.

to announce a 3-D release or roll out another box set of the films, laughing about the number of versions that have been made available.

Still, his interest was piqued when Lucas disinvited Hamill’s daughter. He knew that meant it must be big.

When things started coming together, Hamill said he was

cautiously optimistic about J.J. Abrams, the chosen director for “The Force Awakens.”

“I was a little suspicious because he was a ‘Star Trek’ guy,” said Hamill, laughing.

The actor quickly clarified that he likes “Star Trek.”

“It just seems odd,” he said.

He went on to compliment Abrams for his inclusiveness.

Abrams, Hamill noted, is also the first “Star Wars” director to be borne out of true fandom of the original films.

“He feels the way you feel in terms of wanting practical effects. Real sets,” he said.

Keeping in line with the secrecy surrounding “The Force Awakens,” which opens on Dec. 18, Hamill said he is always

worried about leaking information. He claims he even learned the subtitle of the seventh film on the Internet.

“They’re so secretive these days,” said Hamill. “When we did the first one no one cared.”

Hamill was “cleared” to tell the packed house that he did record a voiceover specifically for the new teaser trailer, which debuted on Thursday during the Celebration kickoff panel.

In the teaser, we hear Luke’s voice saying a familiar, but slightly altered line from “Return of the Jedi”: “The force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. My sister has it.

You have that power too.”

He laughed and said that he kept messing up and saying: “My father had it.”

After playing the trailer once more in the large arena, Hamill marveled that there is “so much information there for you to speculate about” embedded in the footage.

“It implies so much that’s gone on from ‘Jedi’ till now,” he said.

“They don’t call it a teaser for nothing. They want to tease you.” ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Teamwork is what will drive

Doing some trial and error on your

Stop brooding over the failures

Stop wasting time getting

you to better outputs in the

habits will help you improve your

you’ve had in the past week. The

days to come. Your skills in collaborating with your

skills. Knowing what works for you and what doesn’t

stars are telling you that things will be getting better

criticism. You will get more of them in the coming

workmates will be tested. Learn how to say yes to

will help you create the best improvements. Don’t

in the coming days, only if you believe that it will.

weeks so stressing out yourself may not be productive.

working with your peers, that’s the only to produce

be afraid of falling. You’ll only go up when you start

Remember that success starts in the mind.

Remember that the more they disagree, the more they

better results.

below, so keep trying!

depressed about negative

believe that your opinion on things matter.

SCORPIO

TAURUS

LEO

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

AQUARIUS

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18) You will find the right person to

Something will hold you from

Spill those hidden emotions. This

making a major decision in your

week, you will find the right person

turn to. Grab the opportunity of

Try looking at the positive side of

having someone who will listen to your heart and give

things. Do not let your thoughts

career in the coming week. A surge of emotion will

to turn to. Grab the opportunity of having someone

you objective opinions – something your heart badly

be clouded by the negative energy that awaits you

keep your goal under wraps. Do not hesitate to

who will listen to your heart and give you objective

need this week.

this week. Remember that your strength in facing each

entertain that doubt and re-check your goals before

opinions – something your heart badly need this

making a big leap.

week.

emotional downturn is what will shape your actions.

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

GEMINI

VIRGO

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

Today, you will realize that the

Friends will be your best source

You will be faced with situations that will require

only constant thing in this world is

of strength. There will be a strong

you to make major decisions. Some will really

what you really want to achieve. This may cause

(FEB 19 - MAR 20) Thinking big is what you’ll be needing the most this week.

You have been doing some activities that are not in line with

change. There will be major changes in your life and it

surge of emotion and being with friends will be your

shape the direction you will be taking. So, in every

you to lose the amount of energy you need to

will come at the most unexpected moments this week,

only way of coping. Just don’t forget to choose the

path you take, remember to look at things on a

succeed in your goals. Keep in mind that the key

so watch out!

“real” ones.

grand scale.

word is FOCUS.

www.canadianinquirer.net

31

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

Immigration

Canada Ranked First Globally for Opportunity, With Stand-Out Results for Tolerance for Immigrants CIC NEWS CANADA CONTINUES to lead the way when it comes to opportunities afforded to citizens and residents, a new report has stated. Canada received standout results for inclusion and tolerance for immigrants.

The Social Progress Index, which is headed by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter and includes representatives from Oxford University and The Economist magazine on its Advisory Board, delivered its third annual report last week, ranking 133 countries across 52 different indicators. The report measures countries’ national success based on social factors, rather than gross domestic product (GDP), which is typically used for this purpose.

Of the 133 countries measured, Canada ranked first for what the report called ‘opportunity’. This broad category measured the following indicators: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Personal rights

Political rights, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of movement, private property rights

freedom of religion, early marriage*, satisfied demand for contraception, corruption** Early marriage was defined as ‘the percentage of women married between 15-19 years of age’ and was measured negatively (i.e. the lower the percentage, the higher the rank-

expert opinion, measured on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean)’ Canada also received top marks for access to electricity, Tolerance and inclusion quality of air in homes, adult litTolerance for immigrants, eracy, and secondary school entolerance for homosexuals, rollment. Moreover, it had the discrimination and violence lowest rating for negative facagainst minoritors such as hoties, community micides, violent safety net, relicrime, political gious tolerance terror, and unAccess to adPeople want to live in a place where dernourishment vanced educatheir children have access to the of children. tion: best quality education, where the Canada has Years of terneighbourhood they live in is safe, also been rated tiary schooling, where vast opportunities abound, at the top of the women’s average and where their personal and private United Nations’ years in school, freedoms are upheld and human developequality in the enshrined in law. That place is ment index for attainment of Canada. much of the past education, glob25 years and has ally ranked uniranked in or near versities ing for that country for this the top 10 since the index was factor. Corruption was defined created in 1990.

Personal freedom and choice: as ‘the perceived level of pubFreedom over life choices, lic sector corruption based on The reaction www.canadianinquirer.net

“Canada’s tremendous ranking across this comprehensive report is evidence of a strong, inclusive country that offers unique opportunities to all, Canadian and non-Canadian alike,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“I am particularly impressed with Canada’s continued top ranking when it comes to tolerance for religious minorities and immigrants. It is something that we Canadians are proud of, and it is wonderful to see that younger generations in Canada are just as welcoming, perhaps even more so, than those who came before. When it comes to tolerance and inclusion, Canada stands head and shoulders above the competition.

“In my years of experience in talking with and responding to potential immigrants to Canada, the same questions and concerns are raised time and time again. People want to live in a

place where their children have access to the best quality education, where the neighbourhood they live in is safe, where vast opportunities abound, and where their personal and private freedoms are upheld and enshrined in law. That place is Canada.”

Scores for religious tolerance range from 1 (very low) to 4 (very high).

Scores for discrimination, powerlessness, ethnic violence, communal violence, sectarian violence, and religious violence were measured on a scale on 0 (low pressures) to 10 (very high pressures). ■ To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please visit www.cicnews.com. © 2015 CICnews All Rights Reserved. Article reprinted with permission.

32

Immigration

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

‘Canada is the land of immigrants,’ says first person to get PR through Express Entry CIC NEWS WHEN EMMA Hughes applied for Canadian immigration just over two months ago, she did not know that she would end up being the first person to obtain permanent resident status through the new Express Entry selection system for Canadian immigration. As it turned out, however, she was recently informed that she was the first Express Entry applicant to activate permanent resident status.

Emma, a citizen of Ireland, created her Express Entry profile within days of the system’s launch on January 1, 2015. With 1094 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, she received an invitation to apply for permanent residence when Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) performed the first draw from the Express Entry pool on January 31. She submitted her complete online application on February 5, and received confirmation of her permanent resident status on March 26.

Clearly thrilled with becoming a permanent resident, Emma sat down with CICnews this week to talk about all things Canada.

How does it feel to have obtained Canadian permanent resident status?

It’s great. It’s a big relief not to have to worry about having to make a decision about whether you’re going to stay or go. You can just kind of relax now and enjoy Canada.

Why did you decide to move to Canada in the first place?

I have an aunt and uncle who moved here around 40 years ago. They immigrated from Belfast to Orono, Ontario, just east of Toronto, and we used to come and visit them a lot for family holidays. I had been maybe three or four times during my childhood to visit them with the whole family. They have sons and grandchildren now, so they’re like my Canadian family.

Did that bring about the idea in your mind that maybe one day you would like to move to Canada?

Yes, exactly. It’s so different from home. There’s a world of

Emme Hughes, a citizen of Ireland, is the first person to obtain permanent resident status through the new Express Entry selection system for Canadian Immigration.

CICNEWS.COM

possibilities, the culture is so home. Even the job that I have customers and trying to find different, and everything is so here doesn’t exist in Ireland, so out their needs. I’m taking on much more based around being there is a much greater chance leadership roles in the company, outside and interacting with na- for me to progress if I stay in which I wouldn’t be able to do ture and people. Even the choice Canada. at home. Because of the nature of foods here is massive, and Tell us a little about your job of the company, something like there are so many possibilities. in Canada this doesn’t exist anywhere else.

What sort of thing might you It’s for a green chemistry Do you see your long-term be able to get in or near the company, who work with re- future developing in Canada? city you live in now that you newable bio-based alternatives Yes, somewhere in the Greatwouldn’t be able to get else- to petrochemicals and harmful er Toronto Area where I am where? chemicals in general. I worked now.

I live in Burlington, so I’m for large pharmaceutical comIs Canada a good country to pretty close to develop a profesthe Bruce Trail, sional career? a hiking trail in Definitely. You Southern Ontarhave exposure to io, and I’ve beI love it here, and I don’t see a lot of different come quite intermyself being able to have the same things. In Canaested in hiking opportunities if I went home. Even da, if you go into and things like the job that I have here doesn’t exist a company and that. Last year in Ireland, so there is a much greater you are seen to I went camping chance for me to progress if I stay in be someone that with my family Canada. will make the efon Manitoulin fort and step outIsland in Lake side your comHuron, where fort zone, they you can completely disconnect panies for six years before I are more than happy to let you — you can go for hikes or down came to Canada, but this is a do that and let you grow into to the beach, and the weather is small company where you have other positions. great for six months of the year. much more exposure to differWhat advice would you give Would you like to become a ent things. Although my back- to individuals looking to imcitizen of Canada eventually? ground is chemistry-based and migrate to Canada in the near Yes, it’s the next obvious step. I do work in the lab, I’ve started future?

I love it here, and I don’t see now to be able to move into The best thing to do is to come myself being able to have the business development posi- with a positive attitude. It’s not same opportunities if I went tions where I’m speaking with always going to be easy. When I www.canadianinquirer.net

first came, I worked in a bakery shop in Orono, which was obviously not my dream career but you need Canadian experience to get any kind of position. Any kind of job you can get will help you. You can’t come to Canada, or any country, thinking that you’re just going to land your dream job straight away and everything is going to be rosy. It can be a hard slog and you have to be in the right place at the right time to get the positions.

If you stick it out, the opportunities are there. It’s the land of immigrants, and they’re always looking for people that have different skill sets. If you come into it with the right attitude, that you’re willing to work hard and take on challenges, they’re happy to let you do that.

Do you think that the Express Entry system is good for selecting skilled immigrants?

Yes, definitely. I had heard a lot of horror stories [about previous immigration systems] that take years and years to get through, so I figured that because time was ticking on the visa that I had, even though it was valid until 2017, I didn’t want to have to wait. I can’t believe I’m the first person to get it through the new system!

What advice would you give someone who may immigrate to Canada through Express Entry?

A lot of it is about having all the information gathered together and being able to submit it quickly. If it had taken me two or three weeks to submit, then there are more people ahead of you in the queue, so to speak.

I had all my information and documents to hand and was able to submit an application quickly. For example, they ask you where you have lived for the past 10 years and it needs to be exact, and you can’t just pull that out of nowhere. ■ To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, including the federal economic programs that are processed under Express Entry, please visit www.cicnews. com. © 2015 CICnews All Rights Reserved. Article reprinted with permission.

33

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

Lifestyle

‘Entopreneurs’ feed growing appetite for edible insects, promote bugs as eco friendly protein

BY TERENCE CHEA The Associated Press THEY HOP. They crawl. They squirm. And they could be coming to a dinner plate near you.

An increasing number of “entopreneurs” are launching businesses to feed a growing appetite for crickets, mealworms and other edible insects.

These upstarts are trying to persuade more people to eat bugs, which can be produced with less land, food and water than other sources of animal protein.

The United Nations has been promoting edible insects as a way to improve nutrition, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and create jobs in insect production. At least 2 billion people worldwide already eat insects as part of their diet, according to the 2013 report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

But it could be a tough sell for Westerners who are more likely to squash bugs than savour them.

“Insects are viewed as what ruins food — a roach in your soup, a fly in your salad. That’s the biggest obstacle — the ick factor,” said Daniella Martin, the “Girl Meets Bug” blogger and author of “Edible: An Adventure into the World of Eating Insects and the Last Great Hope to Save the Planet.”

Inside San Francisco’s La Cocina, a commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs, Monica Martinez empties hundreds of live mealworms, each about 2 inches long, into a plastic container. She uses chopsticks to pull out dead ones before pouring the squirming critters on a tray and sliding them into an oven.

Martinez started Don Bugito PreHispanic Snackeria to entice American consumers with treats inspired by popular snacks in her native Mexico.

Among her specialties are spicy superworms and chocolate-

Fried silkworms on a kebab. An increasing number of "entopreneurs" are launching business to feed a growing appetite for all manner of edible bugs, including mealworms and crickets. The advantages of such a move include less land, food and water needed to produce the food compared to other sources of animal protein.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

covered, salted crickets.

“The idea is to offer another type of protein into the food market,” said Martinez, an artist and industrial designer who launched Don Bugito as a street food project in 2011. “The biggest job that we have to do is to try to get more people to try our foods.”

Don Bugito snacks are sold online or at a La Cocina kiosk in San Francisco’s Ferry Building, where retail workers recently offered free samples of chocolate-covered crickets and spicy superworms.

“No!” said a young boy when asked to try one.

But more adventurous eaters gave them a try.

“It doesn’t really taste like a bug. It tastes like crunchy spices,” said Leslie Foreman, who works at a medical technology firm, after sampling a chili-lime cricket. “I’m not sure this is going to be my everyday snack,

but I think it’s fun and I think it’s cool.”

Across San Francisco Bay inside at a kitchen in Berkeley, Megan Miller and her assistants shape clumps of orangeginger cookie dough, carefully arrange them up on a tray and slip them in an oven. The key ingredient: flour made from ground-up crickets.

Miller’s startup, Bitty Foods, sells its cricket-based cookies and baked goods online and at upscale grocery stores. Many of its customers are moms looking for a healthy snack for their kids.

“We like to say our cookies have twice the protein and half the sugar of a regular cookie,” said Miller, a former journalist and tech entrepreneur.

Miller said insects have a “branding problem,” so she’s trying to change people’s minds and palates by mixing them into familiar foods in attractive www.canadianinquirer.net

packaging.

“We’re going to see people start trying insects in a powdered form — incorporated into foods so they’re invisible — before people are going to make the leap to eating whole insects,” Miller said.

Big Cricket Farms, one of only a handful of North American companies producing crickets for human consumption, is struggling to meet fast-growing demand for the chirping insects, said CEO Kevin Bachhuber, who launched the warehouse farm in Youngstown, Ohio, last year after getting his first taste of bugs in Thailand.

Bachhuber’s startup currently produces about 8,000 pounds of crickets a month. He hopes to increase capacity to 25,000 pounds per month, but still doesn’t think that will be enough to meet demand from restaurants and health food makers.

“We’re constantly slammed by orders. We simply can’t keep up,” said Bachhuber, a Wisconsin native who’s had a long interest in urban farming. “The speed at which people have been willing to eat bugs is crazy.

It’s cool.”

Oakland-based Tiny Farms is trying to address supply crunch by developing more efficient ways to mass-produce crickets and other bugs. It eventually wants to create a large network of insect farms to supply food makers such as Don Bugito and Bitty Foods.

“The goal is basically to make it easier and cheaper to produce industrial-scale volumes of insects that can be used in food products,” said Daniel Imrie-Situnayake, a software engineer turned entopreneur.

“We’re really just scraping the surface in terms of figuring out what the potential is for insects to be part of our food system.” ■

34

Lifestyle

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

5 tips for improving online privacy from director of “Do Not Track” NFB doc

BY NICK PATCH The Canadian Press TORONTO — If you want to watch who’s watching you online, Brett Gaylor’s “Do Not Track” is the series to stream.

The seven-part “personalized documentary,” which premiered its first episodes on the National Film Board of Canada website last week, focuses on the personal information Internet users are unwittingly sharing with companies as they surf the web.

If you follow the series to its end, “Do Not Track” automatically assembles a personalized portrait showing how and where your private data is being collected.

“We didn’t want to scare people with the project,” Gaylor said in a telephone interview from his home in Victoria.

“It’s saying you can actually make a change here by supporting products that value your

privacy.”

With that in mind, Gaylor shared with The Canadian Press five easy tips for guarding, maintaining and winning back your online privacy.

Actually Statements

read

Privacy

privacy settings on Facebook and Twitter and make some adjustments.”

Liquid password

Yes, capital letters, numbers and esoteric symbols are annoying both to type and remember, but also kind of crucial.

“Nobody wants to have what happened to Sony executives or

for your browser can have a transformative effect on privacy and safety. (Gaylor used to work in Silicon Valley for the Mozilla Foundation, the company behind Firefox).

In particular, he recommends Disconnect Me, which offers to “visualize and block the invisible sites that track your history.” “(It) gives you a peek behind the curtain,” he explained.

Ugh. Perhaps this one doesn’t rise to the “easy tip” billing. As Jerry once irritably responded to a rental-car agent who suggested he read Nobody wants to have what his contract on happened to Sony executives or “Seinfeld”: “Did Jennifer Lawrence happen to them...

Audit your apps you see the size A big part of that is making sure you Your mobile of that docuactually have a good password. phone is likely ment?” crowded with Still, Gaylor apps that have points out that dubious claims transparency on all the perfrom companies like Facebook Jennifer Lawrence happen to sonal information they’re coland Twitter was hard-won. He them,” Gaylor said. lecting and rerouting. But fortherefore suggests sacrificing “A big part of that is making tunately there are apps to stop your time and blissful igno- sure you actually have a good that. rance. password.”

Gaylor likes Clueful, an “One of the first things you Android app that promises ought to do is look through Empower your browser to expose the secretive (and that,” he said. “And look at your Add-ons and extensions potentially nefarious) backwww.canadianinquirer.net

ground activity of your installed apps.

“You’ll say, ‘Wait a minute, why does that Flashlight app need access to my contacts or address book?’” Gaylor said.

Guard your personal information in real life, too

The next time a cheerful teller asks for your email address or postal code while ringing up a pair of slacks or a bottle of Advil, give a moment’s thought to the intended use of that information.

Gaylor pointed out that nearly extinct electronics giant Radio Shack would be auctioning off its personal customer data as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.

He’s similarly wary of potentially invasive “loyalty” programs.

“I don’t really want London Drugs maintaining a dossier about me for the same reason I don’t want the Canadian government keeping a dossier on me,” he said. ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

35

Marijuana use among teens, young adults may be down, StatsCan survey suggests

BY HELEN BRANSWELL The Canadian Press TORONTO — Marijuana use may be down among teens and young adults, a new report from Statistics Canada suggests.

Younger Canadians are still the biggest consumers of marijuana, with a third of 18- to 24-year-old respondents reporting they had used marijuana or hashish in the past year.

But the percentage of teens between the ages of 15 and 17 who reported having ever used marijuana dropped to 25 per cent in 2012 from nearly 40 per cent in 2002, according to the report, published Wednesday in the monthly Health Reports.

And the percentage of 15- to 17-year-olds who reported having used marijuana in the previous 12 months dropped by about 30 per cent over the 10year period, said co-author Michelle Rotermann, a senior analyst with the statistical agency.

As well, the proportion of 18-

to 24-year-olds who reported having used the drug at least once fell to about 54 per cent from 62 per cent over the same time frame.

The report is based on data collected during the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey on mental health. Over 25,000 Canadians aged 15 and older responded to the survey; the sample is considered representative of about 28 million Canadians over the age of 15.

The survey asked respondents if they had ever used marijuana or hashish, and if they had used either drug in the previous 12 months.

The data are self-reported and not verified. The authors note that means some respondents may have modified their answers to give what they thought is a socially acceptable reply. That’s a recognized and routine problem with selfreported data, especially about behaviours society may frown on.

The data clearly show that

A recently released report states that less numbers of young Canadians are using marijuana these days compared to 10 years ago.

marijuana is more of a guy thing than a girl thing.

“That is a fairly consistent finding that we find in all age groups and ages combined, that use of marijuana is more common among males than females — and often by 50 per cent,” Rotermann said in an interview from Ottawa.

More than 49 per cent of males reported having used

marijuana at some point in their life, compared to 36 per cent of females. And daily use was more common among males; 2.4 per cent of males reported using marijuana every day, double the percentage of females who reported daily use.

The findings also call into question the suggestion that marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to use of harder

drugs.

The vast majority of respondents who said they used drugs like cocaine or heroin also reported using marijuana. But most marijuana users reported they had not used other illicit drugs, either in the past year or in their lifetimes.

Some other findings: • In 2012, 12 per cent of respondents reported using marijuana in the previous year, and 42.5 per cent reported having used it during their lifetime.

• Residents of British Columbia (15 per cent) and Nova Scotia (16 per cent) reported more past-year use than the national average, while Saskatchewan residents reported less, 10 per cent.

• Two per cent of people said they use marijuana daily and three per cent said they used it at least weekly.

• Marijuana use was more common among city dwellers than among people who lived in rural Canada. ■

Breast cancer in South Asian women often diagnosed at later stage: study

BY SHERYL UBELACKER The Canadian Press TORONTO — Women of South Asian descent are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in its later stages compared to the general population, while women of Chinese ethnicity tend to be diagnosed when the disease is at an early stage, an Ontario study has found.

Given that Canadians have equal access to health services, the findings suggest programs to promote screening and early diagnosis among South Asian women should take into account cultural factors that may be roadblocks to seeking timely care, the researchers say.

“There’s an education issue,” said medical oncologist Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, a scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute in Toronto, which led the study.

“If you’re from a country where there is no preventive care in general, you go to the doctor if you’re very ill.... You may never have met somebody who’s survived cancer, (so) a pervasive belief that cancer is a death sentence would not be surprising.”

In South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, breast cancer and cancer in general are often taboo subjects. There is also often a sense of fatalism associated with the disease, said Ginsburg, who has also worked in Bangladesh.

The study, published Monday in the journal Current Oncology, used the Ontario cancer registry to identify more than 41,000 Ontario women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2005 and 2010. Of those, 1,304 were of Chinese descent and 705 were South Asian.

Researchers found South Asian women were more likely

be diagnosed when their breast cancer had already spread to lymph nodes or to other parts of the body — called stage II to stage IV malignancies — which can carry a worse prognosis.

“What we were surprised to see was that the Chinese women in Ontario ... were more likely to be diagnosed with the smallest kind of tumours that are lymph-node negative — what we call stage I — than the average breast cancer patient in the province,” said Ginsburg.

“And when we directly compared Chinese versus South Asian, we really saw a difference.”

In a previous study, the research team asked women from South Asian communities in Ontario what factors prevented them from seeking care.

One reason given was a cultural sense of collectivism, Ginsburg said, “that a woman’s value is more about assisting in www.canadianinquirer.net

the family’s prosperity and development and health and wellbeing, as opposed to ’It’s about me and I deserve it,’ which is more of a North American or Western mindset.”

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Aisha Lofters of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto says the study has identified a health inequity among South Asian women that must be addressed in both Ontario and across Canada.

Canadians of South Asian descent are the largest visible minority in the country, followed by those of Chinese ethnicity.

In 2013, 20 per cent of permanent residents who had immigrated to Canada came from a South Asian country.

“The authors have described a health inequality in stage at breast cancer diagnosis for South Asian women in Ontario — an inequality that certainly has the potential to be unneces-

sary and avoidable, unfair and unjust,” Lofters writes.

“Now it falls to the oncology community — that is, to clinicians, researchers and policy makers — to act.”

Ginsburg said Chinese-Canadians were among the first ethnic groups in Ontario to be targeted with culture-sensitive health promotion campaigns, and that may be reflected in the earlier-stage breast cancer diagnoses among this population of women.

“So it’s very important that we tailor our recommendations and act in a more informed and nuanced manner, together with South Asian community agencies and with Cancer Care Ontario, to find what messaging works best,” she said.

“Does that mean we will see more of this, earlier presentation, in the future in the South Asian community? We hope so.” ■

36

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Business

U.S. Congress opens up free trade debate, and Canada’s paying attention

BY ALEXANDER PANETTA The Canadian Press

less they vote to give the president negotiating power.

The Canadians’ reluctance to complete negotiations has prompted some U.S. lawmakers and members of the administration to muse about dumping Canada from the deal.

When asked last fall about U.S. frustrations with the Canadian side playing hardball, Ottawa’s ambassador to Washington was less than apologetic: “Good. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I consider that a compliment,” Gary Doer said in an interview.

“We’re not going to be in a situation where you negotiate an agreement and everyone on (Capitol) Hill can amend it.”

He said a top Canadian priority was getting a procurement agreement at the sub-national level, so that states would have less power to insist on Buy America provisions in infrastructure projects.

The Americans, meanwhile, want Canada to reduce protec-

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Congress has opened a critical chapter in negotiations toward a massive, 12-country freetrade deal and the Canadian government is closely following developments.

The government says it’s watching the debate over a socalled fast track bill that would allow negotiations to move forward toward a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

“We are currently analyzing the contents of the bill and are following the process closely,” Max Moncaster, a spokesman for International Trade Minister Ed Fast, said Friday. ticals.

“Canada would welcome a The fast-track bill introU.S. political outcome that alduced in Congress refers to lows TPP negotiations to move both those U.S. priorities. If it towards a balanced agreement passes, it would open the door that will benefit all member to a single up-or-down vote in states.”

Congress on any future deal.

The Canadian Lawmakers, government has however, could repeatedly sugvote to overgested that it turn fast track if won’t make final The current situation is not working they deem that concessions on for us. And I don’t know why it is the president the most conthat folks would be opposed to us strayed from the tentious issues opening up the Japanese market negotiating powithout a fastmore for U.S. autos or U.S. beef. It sitions spelled track bill passing doesn’t make any sense. out in the bill.

Congress.

The legislation Since the U.S. says any deal Constitution should insist on gives lawmakers authority over tionism over dairy and poultry intellectual-property rules foreign treaties, individual imports, while increasing pro- similar to those found in U.S. members could pick apart a deal tections for intellectual prop- law. On agriculture, it urges and fill it with amendments un- erty — notably for pharmaceu- the administration to consider

EXCHANGE RATES

whether countries are maintaining export subsidies or other programs that distort the market.

The bill will prompt a fierce battle on Capitol Hill.

It’ll be a strange one.

In this case, President Barack Obama will be aligned with his Republican foes against the more left-leaning members of his own Democratic party — because progressives fear that the agreement will just bleed more middle-class jobs to Asia, and drive down the wages of American workers.

Even the business-friendly Democrat touted as the party’s future leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, has suggested he’ll probably vote against it because it hurts middle-class economics.

Obama called those fears understandable — but wrong. He said Friday that the deal will enshrine better labour, trade and environmental standards in existing commercial relationships.

He used the example of Japan — which is involved in the negotiations.

“The last time I checked, if you drive around Washington, there are a whole bunch of Japanese cars. You go to Tokyo and count how many Chryslers and GM and Ford cars there are,” Obama said.

“So the current situation is not working for us. And I don’t know why it is that folks would be opposed to us opening up the Japanese market more for U.S. autos or U.S. beef. It doesn’t make any sense.” ■

As of April 22, 2015 from ca.finance.yahoo.com PRICE

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CDN/USD

1.2267

-0.0008

-0.0660%

CDN/PHP

36.0257

+0.0353

+0.0980%

CDN/EUR

1.3158

-0.0025

-0.1907%

www.canadianinquirer.net

Business

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

37

Cirque du Soleil founder sells company, Asia must lift refuses to pass it to his children productivity to improve

BY ROSS MAROWITS The Canadian Press MONTREAL — The force behind Cirque du Soleil’s nearly 31-year run as a world-renowned Canadian success story is selling the famed circus even though his seven-year-old daughter has dreams of one day becoming a clown.

“I truly don’t believe in second-generation entrepreneurship,” Guy Laliberte told a news conference on Monday after announcing the sale to a U.S. private equity firm.

Laliberte, 55, has five children between the ages of seven and 18, but said that having them take over the Cirque was never really an option.

“From the outset, I didn’t want

to put the pressure of running the circus on their shoulders.”

The creator of the Cirque, which wowed the world with breathtaking and cutting-edge shows, will maintain a 10 per cent stake in the Montrealbased company through his family trust and will also continue to provide strategic and creative input.

Equity firm TPG is acquiring a 60 per cent stake for an undisclosed price. Chinese investment firm Fosun will have a 20 per cent stake and Quebec pension fund manager the Caisse de depot another 10 per cent.

The transaction — which Laliberte said wasn’t a “fire sale” at a reported value of around $1.5 billion — will also see partner Dubai World sell its 10 per cent stake.

After building the Cirque into a major success story in the business and entertainment worlds, Laliberte said he wanted to pursue other undisclosed creative challenges. He added he’d gone through a long emotional process to prepare himself for the sale.

Laliberte dismissed any suggestions the Cirque is in financial difficulty, saying it is a profitable venture that sells 11 million tickets a year.

He said the sale — only approved late last week — will be good for the Cirque as it aligns with partners that can nearly double its growth by piercing the complex Chinese market and expanding third-party licensing deals and digital media. ❱❱ PAGE 46 Cirque du

growth and well-being PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Asia and the Pacific need to focus on increasing the overall productivity from its investments in physical, human, and natural capital, said a new annual review from Independent Evaluation at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“A part of boosting productivity is making the most of human resources which therefore is also good for greater inclusion,” says Vinod Thomas, director general of Independent Evaluation. “Another part is relying on more high yielding public investments which is good for en-

vironmental sustainability and climate friendliness as well.”

The Annual Evaluation Review 2015 notes that in recent years in Asia and elsewhere, growth in overall productivity has slowed, particularly since the 2008 global financial crisis. As a result there is need for both countries and ADB to be more strategic in getting the most from their investments.

“An improvement in productivity of physical investments by just two-tenths of one percent in Asia is like adding USD 10 billion to those investments,” says Mr. Thomas.

The report notes that ex❱❱ PAGE 46 Asia must

How Apple and its products are inspired

by Canadian great Glenn Gould

BY NICK PATCH The Canadian Press TORONTO — When it comes to obsessively meticulous attention to detail, it seems Apple employees could learn something from Glenn Gould.

At the company’s internal Apple University — a somewhat secretive institution by reputation — professor Joshua Cohen delivers three-hour seminars on the late, great Canadian pianist to classes of 15 students.

Those pupils typically occupy “senior leadership positions” at the tech giant, says Cohen in a recent telephone interview.

“The conversations we have are conversations about the human qualities that Gould has that are important for doing something that’s really extraordinary — in the way that his musical performance was extraordinary,” Cohen says.

“That craft-person’s attention to detail is an important focus of the conversation about him. And it strongly resonates with people here.”

Cohen, a longtime faculty member at MIT who received

At Apple University, an internal training institution at Apple in California, USA, aspiring decision-makers at the company are taught about legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould and the human qualities that Gould brought to his piano playing.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

his PhD in philosophy from Harvard, focuses much of his attention on Gould’s 1955 debut recording “Bach: The Goldberg Variations.”

At the time, it was rarely recorded and considered to be a preposterously demanding piece of music.

But the then-22-year-old Gould attacked it with characteristic doggedness and brazen self-assurance.

Cohen’s presentation at Apple University touches on Gould’s belief in music’s “ethical importance,” part of what fuelled his lofty ambition. He www.canadianinquirer.net

re-recorded certain arias for his debut over and over and over, in search of perfection.

The infamously eccentric Gould could be stubborn, a personality trait that seems to strike a chord with Apple decision-makers.

“It’s his willingness to be unreasonable — meaning, not to worry about the conventional ways of playing things, and to have a strength of conviction about there being a right way to do them,” Cohen says.

One might be tempted to draw parallels between Gould and exacting Apple visionary Steve Jobs.

The late Jobs was, in fact, a fan, and told biographer Walter Isaacson that he was fond of comparing Gould’s original 1955 recording of the “Goldberg Variations” to the second edition he issued just before his death in 1981.

“They’re like night and day,” Jobs was quoted as saying in “Steve Jobs.”

“The first is an exuberant, young, brilliant piece, played so fast it’s a revelation. The later one is so much more sparse and stark. You sense a very deep

soul who’s been through a lot in life. It’s deeper and wiser.”

Which did Jobs prefer?

“Gould liked the later version much better. I used to like the earlier, exuberant one,” Jobs said. “But now I can see where he was coming from.”

The last section of Cohen’s presentation explores Gould’s decision to abandon live performance altogether in 1964, trading the stage for the precision of the studio.

Gould once mused excitedly on the idea of listeners being able to essentially remix their music (though of course he didn’t use the modern term), a system he deemed more “democratic.”

Apple employees do relish discussing Gould’s curiosity and enthusiasm for technology.

“He thought that it was a moral imperative to use the technology,” Cohen says.

“As a classical musician, (he said) using technology to improve the quality of performance wasn’t negating musical performance, it was morally mandatory to use the available technologies.

“People find this really fascinating.” ■

38

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Travel

Essentials for visiting new Las Vegas: More than gambling as casinos open doors to outdoors

BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL The Associated Press LAS VEGAS — Remember when a visit to Las Vegas was all about gambling? Massive, windowless casinos with air-conditioning and free drinks kept guests oblivious to the passage of time while they sat at slot machines and card tables for hours on end.

But it’s time to go outside, Vegas visitor! Gambling is hardly this town’s priority anymore.

Whether you’re coming for a convention, wedding or just a vacation, casinos are just one option, along with shopping, spas, food, nightlife, festivals and various other adventures.

What’s new

Casinos still want your money, but now they’ve opened their doors and patios so that you never have to step inside.

There’s Shake Shack outside New York-New York, Monte Carlo’s open-patio sidewalk, and the Linq outdoor promenade with restaurants, bars and shops in what was once an unseemly alleyway. Los Angeles denizens will recognize the Sprinkles cupcake shop and quirky retailer Kitson.

Another addition is the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel (for now), providing an aerial view of the Strip and valley for $27 to $52 a trip (look for discounts on Groupon and other sites). There’s rarely a wait and one option involves a half-hour ride including unlimited cocktails.

Swank is the new theme for mega resorts, as seen at the bright, hip Linq, formerly the Imperial Palace. The vintage Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon has been replaced with The Cromwell, a boutique hotel and casino with a celebrity restaurant, Giada.

The Sahara is now the SLS, which also features an outdoor dining patio and playful touches like light-up bed frames and couches.

Las Vegas, Nevada may be known for its casinos and buffets and gambling, but there's also plenty of other things to do if those activities aren't quite your thing.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Bally’s front yard is no longer a space-age people-mover path. Now it’s an outdoor bazaar of shops, from well-known brands like Lush and Swarovski to one-offs like a store called ”I Got Married in Vegas, Just Kidding,” where you can buy trinkets to trick folks back home into thinking you got married, arrested or won a jackpot.

Classic attractions

Buffets might cost more than you remember, but they’re probably better than you remember, too, with shelf after shelf of foodie-worthy choices at places like Bacchanal at Caesars Palace and Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan.

Best free shows on the strip are still the dancing fountains of the Bellagio and the erupting volcano outside The Mirage.

But the Treasure Island pirate show is history — both the family-friendly version and the risque version.

Farther north, where Las Vegas got its start, the Downtown Fremont Street Experience still offers nightly video shows on its canopy, but now, for a price, you can zip line or sail, superherostyle, just below the video and well above the heads of tourists.

For a view of it all, from a vantage point nearly twice as high as the High Roller, the Stratosphere still offers trips to the top (adults, $20; children, $12).

For the fearless, quick trips down via a tethered free-fall called SkyJump start at $120.

Tips

That $49-a-night room?

Yeah, not really, when there’s a mandatory ”resort fee” attached to nightly rates in the fine print, charging anywhere from $17-$34 for things that should be included or amenities like exercise rooms that you might not use.

Mass-transit isn’t a Las Vegas strong suit, but for $8 for 24 www.canadianinquirer.net

hours, you can’t beat the double-decker Deuce bus that runs from one end of the Strip to downtown Fremont and back.

Otherwise, use taxis (no Uber yet). The limited length monorail is mainly used by convention-goers and others on the east side of the Strip.

At Strip casino resorts, parking is free and plentiful, but brace for a hike through the sprawling hotels. Parking will cost you downtown unless you get validation.

If nightclubs are a priority, consider staying at the hotel where the club is, since often guests get free admission.

Ask bartenders for to-go cups if you want to take your drinks with you; no glass bottles allowed outside.

Remember that city landmarks are farther away than they may appear. The Strip is 4 1/2 miles (7 kilometres) from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere. It’s a desert out there.

Summer days are best spent poolside; save your wanderings for cool evenings.

Hanging out

The downtown Fremont Street area is still the best people-watching in town with costumed and barely-clothed hustlers, impersonators and performers entertaining for tips. It’s also quickly becoming the place to be for local hipsters who sit on the patio of The Park and other trendy spots drinking cocktails out of mason jars.

If you’re craving a good, cheap taco and you’ve got a car or can get a ride from a local, treat your chauffeur to a few $2 adobada (spicy pork) tacos at Tacos El Gordo off Charleston Boulevard. Then drive to the Pinball Hall of Fame, where an unassuming strip mall reveals aisle after aisle of classic and almost current pinball machines, all available to play for 25 cents to $1. ■

Travel

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

39

DOT group investigates if shrinking personal space on planes creates health and safety risks

BY SCOTT MAYEROWITZ The Associated Press THE SHRINKING space on airplanes is surely uncomfortable, but it might also be dangerous for passengers’ health and safety.

Planes are filled with more passengers than ever before.

Fliers are older and heavier.

Flight attendants warn about an increase in air rage, and experts question if having rows of seats packed closer together might make it harder for passengers to evacuate after a crash.

A consumer advisory group set up by the US Department of Transportation dove into all those issues last week at a public hearing as part of its role to make non-binding suggestions to government regulators.

Charlie Leocha, the consumer representative on the committee, said the government sets standards for the conditions for dogs flying as cargo but doesn’t dictate minimum space standards for passengers.

“In a world where animals have more rights to space and food than humans,” Leocha

said, “it is time that the DOT and FAA take a stand for humane treatment of passengers.”

Fliers last summer squeezed into the least amount of personal space in the history of flying. In July, U.S. airlines sold a record 87.8 per cent of seats on domestic flights, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statics. And that figure does not include all the seats occupied by passengers who redeemed frequent flier miles or airline employees flying for free.

“Unfortunately, the days of the empty middle seat are a thing of the past,” said Julie Frederick, a representative for the American Airlines flight attendants union.

Following the implementation of checked-bag fees in 2008, Frederick said, more and more passengers are carrying on bags, fighting for overhead bin space. That anger carries over through the flight as passengers bump elbows on armrests and bang their knees against tray tables. She said there are more cases of air rage, many of which go unreported.

Questions were also raised if the increased density of seats means

passengers won’t be able to evacuate fast enough after a crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration runs various tests including how fast passengers can evacuate a plane and how fast they can put on a life preserver.

But Cynthia Corbertt, a human factors researcher with the FAA, testified that it conducts those tests using planes with 31 inches between each row of seats. Many passenger jets today have less legroom.

For instance, United Airlines has 30 inches of room, known as pitch, on some jets; Spirit Airlines offers 28 inches.

“We just haven’t considered other pitches,” Corbertt told the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection.

Before any new jet is allowed to fly, the manufacturer must prove that everybody can evacuate in 90 seconds with half of the exits blocked.

Carry-on baggage is strewn throughout the cabin, and the test is conducted in night-like conditions. However, the cabin is not filled with smoke, and all of the passengers are physically fit, dressed in athletic clothing and know that an evacuation is coming.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who chairs the DOT committee, noted concern that the FAA does not factor in human panic, especially parents who might take extra time to ensure their children are safe before evacuating.

“So they aren’t the average traveller, quite honestly,” Kane said.

On long flights, there is another risk for fliers: deep vein thrombosis, where a blood clot forms, typically in a leg vein. If that clot gets lose and travels into the lungs, it can cause a blockage.

Nimia L. Reyes, a medical officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that seat size isn’t necessarily a factor in people developing the clots or not. The real issue, she said, was how able passengers are to get up, walk around and stretch. Those in window seats have twice the risk of getting deep vein thrombosis than those on the aisle seats.

Producing more legroom isn’t that simple.

After years of major losses and a wave of bankruptcies, airlines are finally profitable again after adding baggage fees and increasing the number of seats on jets.

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Last year, U.S. carriers earned more than a combined $11 billion.

Airlines do offer coach passengers more legroom, if they are willing to pay for it—often $50 extra each way. Many travellers aren’t.

Keith Hansen, director of government affairs for budget carrier Allegiant Air, said the No. 1 thing vacationers care about is price.

The DOT has seen an increase in passenger complaints but few regarding seat recline or personal space, said Blane Workie, a committee member and the department’s assistant general counsel for aviation enforcement and proceedings.

David A. Berg, a member of the DOT committee and general counsel for the airline industry’s trade and lobbying group, Airlines for America, asked how airlines would respond if the government created a new rule requiring a minimum amount of legroom.

“If airlines are forced to reduce the number of seats,” Hansen replied, “inevitably there would be an increase and it would price out part of the travelling public.” ■

Long term forecast from www.theweathernetwork.com CALGARY

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40

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Sports

Manny Pacquiao laughs at Mayweather calling him a reckless fighter: “We call this boxing”

BY GREG BEACHAM The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao intends to put on a show when he faces Floyd Mayweather Jr. next month.

He really hopes Mayweather is also coming to fight, for the fans’ sake — and maybe for his own strategic purposes as well.

Pacquiao radiated confidence and excitement last week at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood before his latest workout in preparation for their bout May 2 in Las Vegas.

With the most anticipated fight in recent years looming ever closer, both boxers kept their public comments civil and mostly respectful. But Pacquiao laughed when told that the defence-minded Mayweather had called him “a very reckless fighter” last week.

“Reckless fighter? That’s how people like me and love me, because they like an exciting fight,” Pacquiao said. “We call this boxing, (and) boxing is more punching. We talk about punching.”

Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) has rarely skimped on excitement during his remarkable career as an eight-division champion, but the Filipino congressman realizes he is facing the greatest defensive fighter of their era.

Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) has been nearly unhittable for most of his opponents during his perfect career.

But Pacquiao hopes Money realizes that the best way to get paid is to put on a fight worth seeing. After all, they’re counting on fans to pay a record $99.95 for the pay-per-view, a figure described by no less than Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum as “ostentatious consumerism” if a fan bought it to watch all by himself.

And if Pacquiao is trying a bit of psychological trickery, it isn’t very subtle: He didn’t even try to hide the fact that a brawl would be his best chance to win.

As the mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao on May 2 approaches, words are being exchanged between the two camps. Mayweather last week said that Pacquiao was a "very reckless fighter", while Pacquiao countered that "we call this boxing, and boxing is more punching."

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“If he (does) that, that’s good machine hasn’t stopped an op- ideas and plans for the fight. for me,” Pacquiao said. “I like ponent since November 2009, Pacquiao is clearly a student that. We’ll see. That’s what I when he finished Miguel Cotto of Mayweather’s techniques, want, and that’s definitely what in arguably the greatest perfor- even doing a serviceable imthe fans want — action.” mance of his career. personation of Mayweather’s Unlike Mayweather, PacThis fight has captured the famed shoulder roll to enterquiao knows what it’s like to full attention of Pacquiao, who tain Roach. be knocked out and to get back has found time to actually study “I haven’t really seen him up. Pacquiao lost have this much both of his bouts speed and power in 2012 and in a long time,” ended his fourth Roach said. “My fight with Juan Reckless fighter? That’s how people chest hurts realManuel Marquez like me and love me, because they ly bad right now. face-down on like an exciting fight.

You can see how the canvas in the much it means sixth round. to him. He lives Pacquiao took for these huge time off after that bout, but film of Mayweather during his moments, and he knows what returned to the ring and won chaotic life among his entou- this fight means. Floyd is in three more fights before May- rage, his large family and his trouble.” weather finally agreed to get congressional duties.

Pacquiao confirmed his eain the ring with him, five years Trainer Freddie Roach hasn’t gerness to make the fight hapafter fans first called for the seen Pacquiao watching film pen, pointing out that he agreed matchup. of his opponents in years, yet to every term proposed by MayYet the former knockout Pacquiao came to him with weather over the past several www.canadianinquirer.net

years of intermittent negotiations. Pacquiao also agreed to a 60-40 split of the proceeds.

“If my concern is myself alone, I don’t (think of ) the fans,” Pacquiao said. “Then the fight, it’s hard to make happen. Because of course, I don’t want to take 60-40, a disadvantage and everything. I agreed with that for the sake of the fans. I agreed to make the fight happen.”

Pacquiao also said he felt a virtual duty to make a possible ninefigure payday resulting from this bout to further his charitable work in the Philippines, where he plans to give away a significant portion of his cut.

“I cannot see them being hungry and not helping them,” Pacquiao said. “I’m not materialistic. ... I have to use it for the glory of the Lord, and also for my family and for helping people.” ■

Sports

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

41

His hockey dreams gone nearly 20 years after paralyzing injury, Travis Roy turns 40

BY HOWARD ULMAN The Associated Press

with The Associated Press, “some kids and a wife and not living with 24-hour home care anymore.”

He’s regained little movement since the injury. He can control the joystick that manoeuvrs his chair but has no feeling below the middle of his chest.

He does have the gratitude of thousands through his 40 motivational speeches a year and his foundation that funds research and the purchase of equipment for paralysis victims. And he has this perspective: Do the best with what you have and don’t dwell on your misfortune.

“I make a nice living, travel the country,” said Roy, who lives near BU. “I like to say the first 20 years I had a life that was full of passion and the last 20 I’ve had a life full of purpose.

The dream is to have both at the same time, but I’m fortunate.

I’ll take either one.”

Roy was in the stands for two other hockey championship games.

Knowing he’d play for the Terriers, he watched them beat Maine in Providence in 1995.

BOSTON — Fifteen rows up, Travis Roy watched from his wheelchair as the goalie for his former team scored for the opponent in the NCAA championship game.

He could sense Matt O’Connor’s heartbreak. The mistake tied the game. A few minutes later, Boston University’s hopes for this year’s hockey title ended in a 4-3 loss to Providence.

“I just wish I could give him Travis Roy, who at 20 years old suffered an injury playing hockey that left him a hug and give him 20 years paralyzed from the chest down, has turned 40. Roy has turned his misfortune of wisdom,” Roy said after into a powerful tool to motivate others to overcome their own boundaries and O’Connor dropped the puck limitations. and put it in his own net. “Matt MAINEDOE, FLICKR was devastated, but I also know he’ll be just fine.” injured.

“It was pretty emotional,” Roy was a towheaded, One of Roy’s linemates on O’Connor said. “He’s been a 20-year-old freshman with a his only college shift was Chris real inspiration to me and a lot bright future when he began his Drury, who went on to a 12-year of the BU family.” first shift for BU. Eleven secNHL career with Roy’s No. 24 Providence captain Ross onds later, he was a quadripleon his stick.

Mauermann heard Roy “telling gic. He had crashed headfirst “There are little thoughts us to appreciate every moment into the boards after checking that, ’Boy, I played with Chris you’ve got. You never know an opponent in the 1995-96 that night of my injury. Maybe I what’s going to happen.” opener. could have been on his team or Roy said he was “honoured to On Friday, he turned 40 — an opposing team at that level,”’ do it.” nearly half those Roy said.

“But it was also a little bit years in a wheelBut he doesn’t heartbreaking,” he added, “to chair. dwell on what be speaking to the teams that “It’s as clear might have been. were kind of living the dream today as it was I like to say the first 20 years I had a “There’s times that I had hoped for and worked almost 20 years life that was full of passion and the when it’s kind for. And how did I end up being ago,” said his falast 20 I’ve had a life full of purpose. of fun to think the guy in the wheelchair? But ther, Lee. “Some The dream is to have both at the about it,” he said. you do get older, you do get a days it seems like same time, but I’m fortunate. I’ll take “It’s also kind of little wiser.” an eternity, and either one. sad to not know Last winter, he overcame a others like it just the answer.” serious bout of pneumonia. happened yesO’Connor also “We all consider ourselves terday.” put Roy’s num- very fortunate that we still have Travis’ hopes of playing in But in the opener the next sea- ber on his stick after he suf- Travis,” his father said. “You the Olympics or NHL, or both, son, he was paralyzed minutes fered a collapsed lung two years can take away what the body are long gone. after seeing the championship ago as a freshman. He listened can do, but the mind has not “I just thought the research banner raised Oct. 20. with players from all the Frozen changed a bit. And he still loves would move along and by the The following season, he was Four teams when Roy spoke at life.” time I was 40 I might have in Milwaukee watching BU lose Fenway Park on April 8, three Roy first skated when he a chance of some normalcy the title game to North Dakota, days before the championship was 20 months old. His father again,” Roy said in an interview the opponent the night he was game in Boston. managed the North Yarmouth

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Academy rink in Maine. In October 1998, it was renamed the Travis Roy Ice Arena.

In May 2000, he graduated from BU with a degree in communications.

“I think all the time how grateful I am,” Roy said. “The thing that goes through my mind every once in a while is, ‘Thank God it wasn’t a brain injury.’ I don’t want any pity.”

He has his low moments, but he jokes around, pokes fun at himself and has a strong support group — family, friends and former BU coach Jack Parker.

“It does feel good to know that I’m still having an impact in a lot of different ways,” he said, “that my life has value.”

On Friday night, his 40th birthday, he spoke at a Connecticut high school where the audience sang “Happy Birthday.” His Facebook account, email and phone were loaded with good wishes.

He feels an obligation not to disappoint those who have helped him — the youngster who emptied his piggy bank, the couple who donated money set aside for their honeymoon.

“For Travis, it’s very, very important that people see him in a very positive light,” his father said.

Roy still hopes the research his foundation helps fund will help him: “If I just got the function of my hands and arms back that would drastically change my life.”

At the NCAA championship game, he had an excellent view of O’Connor’s misplay. He saw the disappointment.

He also saw the future.

“He’ll be just fine. I just sat up there wishing that he would know that,” Roy said. “I just wish I could give him part of what I’ve learned.” ■

Events

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Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto Homework/Tutorial Class

By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto MORE INFO: For registrations, call 416-928-9355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

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By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: Apr. 25 to July 25 at the ISS of BC Cottonwood Office, # 200-504 Cottonwood Ave., Coquitlam, BC MORE INFO: Bus tickets available. Priority given to residents of the Tri-Cities.

Call: Ana Maria at 604-684-7498 ext. 1267 anamaria.bustamante@issbc.org or Lisa @ 604-3958000 ext. 1706 liza.delarosa@issbc.org Free Multilingual Tax Clinics for Low-income Individuals & Families Filing Basic 2014 Tax Returns

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: Wednesdays and Thursdays of April, 10 to 4 p.m.Visit www.mosaicbc.com/ settlement-services Burnaby (Permanent residents only) 778-321-5406; Vancouver (Permanent residents, naturalized citizens and work permit holders) 604-254-9626 Tzu Chi Canada Volunteers

By Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation WHEN/WHERE: Volunteer registration ongoing at 8850 Osler St., Vancouver B.C. or contact www. tzuchi.ca Pinoy Connect sa Mosaic

By Mosaic English Conversation Circle: WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 4 p.m., Sundays starting Apr. 12 Employment Law Clinic: By Appointment Only MORE INFO: for live-in caregivers, temporary foreign workers and newcomers who need advice.

Call Mika 604-254-9626 ext 484 or email at mtorres@mosaicbc.com

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Consular Outreach Mission in Montreal

By Philippine Embassy in Ottawa WHEN/WHERE: Apr. 24 2 to 7 p.m.; Apr. 25 9 to 5 p.m. 5180 Queen Mary Suite 200 Montreal, Quebec MORE INFO: Call Pastor Mercy Galera at 514-731-8307

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QUEBEC

Overcoming the Effects of Prolonged Separation

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: 9 to 12 nn, Room 612-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: To register contact resochita.arma@ issbc.org or call 604-684-7498 ext 1666 or Lenn Castro at stmarysmigrant@gmail.com Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver

By GMA Pinoy TV WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., May 29 at the Orpheum Theatre Vancouver, Canada MORE INFO: Guest performers include Ai Ai de las Alas, Alden Richards, Christian Bautista and more.

Free Income Tax Clinic for Low Income SUCCESS Member

By SUCCESS WHEN/WHERE: up to Apr. 26, Burnaby Settlement Service Centre (200-5172 Kingsway, Burnaby) Tel: 604-430-1899 Service dates: Apr. 25, 10 am – 3 pm (Saturday) Richmond Johnson Centre (250 - 8191 Westminister Hwy, Richmond) Tel: 604-408-7260 Service dates: Apr. 25, 10 am – 3 pm (Saturday)

English as Second Language Book Club for Adults

By Richmond Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 2:30 p.m, up to May 4, at Brighouse Branch, Special Collection Room, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: Register at www.yourlibrary.ca/events or call 604-231-6413.

Career Start Program

By Accenture and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. www.canadianinquirer.net

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By Multicultural Brotherhood of St. Michael’s & Anglican Church Women WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Apr. 25, St. Michael’s Multicultural Anglican Church Hall 409 Broadway East, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Featuring the BC Connection Duo Zosimo & Nap. For tickets call 604-898-7284 ot 604-992-0211.

Spring Dinner Dance WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Apr. 25, at St. Patrick Parish Hall, 2881 Main St., Vancouver B.C. MORE INFO: Attire: white, red and black. $20 Daloy-Puso

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By ISS of BC MORE INFO: Maple 2.0 provides 4 to 12-week placement opportunities for internationally trained professionals to gain Canadian work experience and start working in their field For more information, please go to http://issbc.org/prim-nav/programs/careerservices/maple-20

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

MEET & GREET Ms. World Canada delegate Raven Catherine Yray held a Meet & Greet with supporters at the Wild Fig Restaurant, Executive Plaza Hotel Coquitlam on Apr. 19. The event was hosted by Jehnel Wong. Among the guests were former Consul General Jose Ampeso and Miss World Canada CEO and president Ike Lalji (Photos by Angelo Siglos).

YUKON FILIPINOS Members of the 2015 to 2017 Canadian Filipino Association of the Yukon Board of Directors.

VANCOUVER SUN RUN Nearly 41,000 runners took part in the 2015 Vancouver Sun Run. American Luke Puskedra won the men’s category while Risper Gesabwa of Kenya won in the women’s race. Photos show this year’s participants from the UP Alumni Association of BC led by their president, Charen Divina Cusi (lower photo 2nd from R). www.canadianinquirer.net

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Seen and Scenes

APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

PRO PATRIA AWARD

PRESS CLUB Photo shows (from L) Philippine Press Club of Ontario members of the board of directors Jojo Taduran, Joe Damasco, Romy Zetazate, and member Ramon Lansangan, who strongly support Filipino activities in Canada (St. Jamestown News Service, Dindo Orbeso).

CULTURE TREND Left: Host of Culture Trend of Philippines Janet Leong and Mila Nabor-Cuachon of Casa Manila Restaurant after the interview at Canadian Chinese Radio. Bottom: Efren 'Bong' Faldas with Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia at Kalayaan Community Cultural Centre in Mississauga, ON.

TALAKAYAN Guest Manolo Arnaldo, centre, President & CEO of PNB Global RemitToronto poses with Talakayan Radyo Filipino co-anchor Karen Tan (L) and special commentator Tony A. San Juan (R) at an interview on affordable financial transfer- and- remittance services during the live broadcast on Fairchild Radio Network AM 1430 on Apr. 18, in Markham, ON. (Photo by Nelson Galvez).

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

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APRIL 24, 2015

FRIDAY

Cirque du...

Although the new owners have made a commitment to Investment Canada to preserve the Cirque’s Montreal headquarters, there’s no written guarantee.

But incoming chairman Mitch Garber said TPG understands the company’s core value is its Quebec-based creativity.

“It’s not only a political statement and a statement of heart, it’s a sensible financial reality that we have with the Cirque du Soleil,” he told reporters.

Laliberte rejected a recent newspaper cartoon that showed U.S. flags flying over the Cirque’s big top. He likened ❰❰ 37

the Cirque to other respected Quebec-based companies like Alimentation Couche-Tard, Molson Coors, Bombardier and Garda that have large U.S. shareholders.

“Why are we so scared we will lose that identity?” he asked.

The fact is that with just a eight million people, Quebec companies can only pursue international growth by finding wellfinanced corporate partners, he said.

“And sorry gang, there is a little more money on the other side of the border than there is here to allow companies like the Cirque or others to grow more solidly.”

Laliberte said he was sur-

prised to have lasted so long, having originally foreseen a 10-year run. He began to think about finding a strategic partner in 2006, and thought he found the right match two years later in Dubai World, a large real estate developer that quickly ran into financial difficulties.

The latest sale process originally identified 94 potential partners. After weeding out incompatible potential partners, the list was whittled down to 46. Eight finalists were chosen among 17 that responded with offers.

The sale to the group led by TPG is expected to close in the third quarter. ■

Asia must...

Terror fight...

pansion in one area of overall productivity—output per worker—has slowed in recent years in Asia, including in the three largest economies: the People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, and Indonesia and this could have a negative spillover effect elsewhere in the region. As the PRC rebalances its economy in favor of consumption over investment, productivity needs to become a bigger driver of growth.

“Stronger results have to be wrung from investments in physical, human, and natural resources through efficiency and sustainability gains,” said the study’s principal author Walter Kolkma. “Human development is critical for raising productivity and this means aggressive commitments to education, training and healthcare.”

The report further notes that ADB has seen improvements in development returns from its operations, with the success rate of completed ADBsupported projects during 2012–2014 rising to 72%. At the same time, continued attention to project design, sound safeguards, due diligence, and supervision, will help improve outcomes.

Multilateral development banks can help strengthen the pace and quality of growth. Infrastructure finance would get a boost from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank of

❰❰ 22

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BRICS nations. The challenge is to link infrastructure investment to inclusive growth objectives and climate change. The latter has become an urgent priority given the acute vulnerability to the rise in extreme weather events in Asia and the Pacific. This change is illustrated most recently by the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu, and earlier by super typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines in 2013, the 2011 floods in Australia and Thailand and recurring ones in China and India.

The report notes that ADB is in an excellent position to help countries put in place infrastructure incorporating both climate change resilience and inclusion of lower income strata in the growth process. Such

an agenda would dovetail with the planned combination of its concessional Asian Development Fund lending operations and ordinary capital resources balance sheet. This will allow ADB to increase its annual financing commitments to countries to up to USD20 billion, and if leveraged one to one with cofinancing, up to USD40 billion.

Says Thomas: “ADB is uniquely placed to scale up its program in Asia. In part, it can raise the returns to the projects it finances with continued improvements in their design and delivery. The far bigger shift would be that ADB’s infrastructure strategy, along with the region’s, targets the growing income inequality and the reality of runaway climate change. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

The bill would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service new powers to derail terror plots, not just collect and analyze information about them.

CSIS would be allowed to undertake clandestine activities that violate constitutional rights as long as a judge approves.

In addition, the bill would permit much easier sharing of federal security information.

The legislation would also make it easier for the RCMP to obtain a peace bond to restrict the movements of a suspect or make a preventative arrest to stop a terrorist act.

Existing law requires a fear that someone will commit a terrorism offence before police can exercise these powers. The new, lower threshold would be grounds to fear a person may commit a terrorist act.

The current hurdle makes it impractical to use these tools as it is essentially the same as the threshold to lay criminal charges, Cabana told the senators Monday.

To be in a position to lay charges, it takes time to investigate and collect the necessary evidence, he said.

“There are situations where we do not have the luxury of time. To ensure the safety of our communities, Canadians and the citizens of other countries, law enforcement must have the ability to take immediate action,” Cabana said.

“I must emphasize that these tools will be used in a limited number of circumstances with-

in the context of an active criminal investigation.”

CSIS director Michel Coulombe told the committee the threat to Canada has changed since 1984, when the spy service was created to deal primarily with the slow-burning challenge of Cold War espionage.

“A watching brief will not suffice in the face of ever-more-direct threats to Canadians’ security and way of life,” Coulombe said.

“Most recently, we have observed a steady increase in the number of terrorist travellers, including those who have travelled, returned from travel or aspire to do so.”

Last year CSIS said some 145 Canadians had travelled abroad to engage in terrorist activities, with about one-third of them in Iraq and Syria, where militants have carried out numerous atrocities.

The number of Canadians who have left for Iraq and Syria has increased by about 50 per cent in the last three or four months, Coulombe said.

He said the disruption provisions in the anti-terrorism bill would allow CSIS to carry out “a vast array of activities” to try to squelch plots — from blocking financial transactions to tampering with equipment.

Leo Russomanno, representing the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, suggested to the senators the bill would eventually be found inconsistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Primarily what we’re against is unconstitutional legislation.” ■

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