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JUNE 5, 2015

VOL. 6 NO. 170

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Dapitan gov’t to build disaster-proof houses in city

Armed soldier takes bus full of passengers hostage

Roxas no comment on his mother’s ‘campaign’ efforts

The Resilient Juan

Trans woman Bruce Jenner debuts Caitlyn in Vanity Fair

Will Duterte run for presidency?

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

ALL SET President Aquino waves to the crowd at the Philippine International Convention center where he told a Department of Education gathering that the country is now ready for the start of the government's K to 12 education reform programs.

GRIG C. MONTIGRANDE / PDI

PNoy: Number of OFWs declining as PH economy sustains growth

BY JOANN SANTIAGO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Philippine government’s reform initiatives and inclusive

growth bid has resulted to the drop in the number of Filipinos who prefer to work overseas.

This was disclosed by President Be-

❱❱ PAGE 6 Will Duterte

Fil-Can in Focus: Patty Bercasio Pascal

m info@canadianinquirer.net sales@canadianinquirer.net A (888) 668-6059 facebook.com/ PhilippineCanadianInquirer

❱❱ PAGE 26 ❱❱ PAGE 14 PNoy: Number of

MANILA — After a video of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s supposed political advertisement went viral online, netizens were quick to ask if the ‘brave’ and ‘compassionate’ politician is seeking higher office in the coming national elections.

“Hindi na sikreto kung paano umunlad ang Davao. Kailangan lang ng konting tapang — tapang para ituwid ang mapagsamantala, lumabag sa batas, at umaapi sa walang laban. Ang katahimikan sa Davao ay kailangan lang ng disiplina at determinasyon. Dumami ang trabaho, nakapag-aral ang mga bata, sumaya ang bawat pamilya. Pwedeng magkaganito ang buong Pilipinas.

Kailangan lang ng tapang at malasakit,” Duterte said in the video.

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FRIDAY

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

Poe signs plunder and graft reco vs Binay

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

investigated by the Ombudsman.

“As in the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) inquiry, I join my colleagues in seeking further invesMANILA — Senator Grace Poe recently tigation by the Ombudsman of the matsigned a partial report recommending ter and the consequent filing of the apto file plunder and graft charges against propriate criminal complaint, which in Vice President Jejomar Binay. this instance appears to be plunder,” she “I have read the said. subcommittee recPoe’s signing of the ommendation and draft partial report found the same supis an indication that ported by documenshe is not running as tary evidence as well She does not see Binay’s Vice Presias expert and perherself running dent in the 2016 elecsonal testimonies with Binay. tions. that remain unreThe senator, who butted by competent was reportedly closevidence to the coning in on Binay in trary,” Poe said in a surveys, earlier said statement. that she does not see Sen. Aquilino Piherself running with mentel III, chair of the blue ribbon sub- Binay. committee investigating the Binay’s alShe said that when it comes to public leged corruption charges said that Poe service, they both differ in style. was one of the first four senators who Poe added that she also believes that signed the draft report. one of the most important jobs of a pubPoe added that she is one with the oth- lic servant is to be open to public scruer senators who also want to have Binay tiny. ■

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AS AN archipelago in Southeast Asia, the Philippines offer breathtakingly beautiful islands abundant in flora and fauna. Its tropical climate is nature’s blessing especially to those who dream to escape harsh winter seasons.

There are more excellent reasons coming to the Philippines, which makes it an absolutely “more fun” destination this side of the globe.

The cost of living in the Philippines is with no doubt cheaper relative to many places in the world.

Imagine the many opportunities for travelling, doing business, or simply living in this country.

The cost of living advantage of the Philippines, allow foreign visitors, residents, and retirees to live a comfortable lifestyle and to enjoy the country in many different ways.

Food for instance; the abundance of fish, crabs, shrimps, and more prepared into traditional and international dishes, make it a superb choice for food lovers and flavor enthusiasts.

Travels & Festivals; Philippines most popular festivals like Cebu City's Sinulog, Aklan's Ati-Atihan, Iloilo's Dinagyang, and islands like Palawan and Boracay are choices to experience the whole year round.

World-class healthcare; In the Philippines there are JCIaccredited hospitals like St.Luke’s, Medical City and Makati Medical Center, and leading government hospitals like the Philippine General Hospital and Philippine Heart Center, among others.

It is easy to integrate with Filipinos.

English is very widely spoken.

Signages and instructions are in English, and daily newspapers are in English.

Many localities see and promote their towns and cities as RADAR (Retirement Areas Deemed as Retiree-friendly): Makati, Quezon City, Cebu City, Talisay City and Davao City.

Because of these, the Philippines is dubbed as one of the world’s leading retirement destinations.

It’s easy to be drawn to its pristine beaches, abundant natural resources, tropical weather, affordable cost of living, worldclass health and medical care that come naturally from its hospitable and happy people.

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Last but not least, the retiree has visa options depending on his situation: dual citizenship, 13A (for those married to Filipinos), and PRA’s Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV).

SRRV is a non-immigrant multipleentry, indefinite-stay visa. With the SRRV, the holders may stay in the Philippines for as long as they want without giving up their citizenship.

Other benefits include: multipleentry privileges, exemption privileges, access to greet and assist programs, discount privileges from services offered

by PRA Merchant Partners, and assistance in obtaining documents from other government agencies, among others.

The Philippine Retirement Authority, a government agency dedicated to lead the retirement agenda of the country designed the retirement visa based on varying retiree lifestyles and needs.

The basic features of the SRRV are: 1) SRRV SMILE – for active / healthy principal retirees 35 years old and above who would just like to maintain their Visa deposit of US$20,000.00 in any of the PRA designated banks; 2) SRRV CLASSIC – for active / healthy principal retirees who would opt to use their Visa deposit of US$10,000.00/ US$20,000.00 (50 years old & above) or US$50,000.00 (35 to 49 years old) to purchase condominium units or use for long term lease of house and lot; 3) SRRV HUMAN TOUCH – for ailing principal retirees, 35 years old and above, who are shown to have medical/clinical needs and services. Under this option, the retiree only needs to have a Visa deposit of US$10,000.00, a monthly pension of at least US$1,500.00 and a Health Insurance Policy; and 4) SRRV COURTESY – for former Filipinos (35 years old & above), and foreign nationals (50 years old & above) who have served in the Philippines as diplomats, ambassadors, officers/staff of international organizations. The visa deposit is US$1,500.00.

Retiring and making the Philippines your very own retirement spot is wholesome, simple and worthy.

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

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Vietnam wants more fun and games in Spratlys

BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer VIETNAM WANTS to conduct more friendly engagements with the Philippines following the successful holding of ball games and other sports activities on Wednesday in Parola Island (Northeast Cay) in the West Philippine Sea. “They (Vietnamese Navy troops) were encouraged by the results and they would like to have a follow-on,” Philippine Navy spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said yesterday.

“The information that we had was they were very happy about the turnout of the activity and they would like to have another similar event,” Arevalo said.

The Navy-to-Navy engagement was held in the Philippines-occupied territory in the Kalayaan Island Group.

A total of 62 personnel from the Vietnamese People’s Navy and the same number of sailors

from the host Navy took part in the sports games.

This return visit followed after an equally successful hosting by the Vietnamese troops of a similar event in June 28 last year at the Vietnamese Navy’s island detachment.

Among the events played this year were volleyball, football, tug-of-war, sack race and centipede race. The host Navy won in the tug-of-war and the sack race for male.

The visiting team Navy won in the volleyball, soccer, centipede race and sack race for female. The Vietnamese troops were declared the overall winner.

The action packed sports competition was capped by a cultural presentation rendered by the host Navy that the Vietnamese team met with acclamation.

Arevalo said the local Navy personnel reflected the true Filipino virtues of hospitality and friendship.

“Even language did not pose

a barrier. The participants understood each other through signs and gestures,” he said.

He said the event showed that winning in the sports event was second only to what was attained in this activity—keeping peace, maintaining goodwill and promoting camaraderie between and among the participants.

“Sailor-to-sailor interactions like this foster understanding notwithstanding varying positions and overlapping claims between Vietnam and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea,” Arevalo said.

“The Philippine and Vietnamese Navies are in the forefront of ensuring peace, amity, cooperation and assistance in that part of the sea,” he said.

The assistance recently rendered by the Vietnamese People’s Navy in helping six distressed Filipino fisherfolk near their island detachment this year is one good example of such cooperation and assistance. ■

Spratly and Paracel Islands.

NASA / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Maligayang Happy Independence Day from your Conservative Members of Parliament!

RT. HON.

STEPHEN

HARPER

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA www.canadianinquirer.net

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FRIDAY

Dapitan gov’t to build disaster-proof houses in city

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MONOLITHIC DOME houses may serve well for its price.

These houses, which are claimed to withstand disasters and last for centuries, have a low cost of only P290,000 ($6,500) each unit.

“We use basalt as the main strengthening component in building monolithic dome houses. It cannot be destroyed by super typhoons, earthquakes, or fires,” Philippine Country Manager of Monolithic home builders Michael Scott said, adding that the houses’ engineering design also contributed to making it disaster proof.

Aside from being typhoon and super typhoon resilient,

the dome houses are also environment-friendly as these are made of basalt and cement.

“Then we will use it as the reinforcing material… About basalt, well a third of Earth has basalt,” Scott said.

“Whether a typhoon comes, tsunami, earthquake, or fire comes, I promise you these structures will remain,” Scott added.

Taking tremendous steps to be fully prepared for disasters, the Dapitan City government had contracted 200 monolithic houses to be constructed within their area. Informal settler families are the recipients of the houses.

Planning to build more in their region, Assumption Cares for Mercedes group in Easter Samar already put up 8 dome houses in their area and are

Monolithic dome homes.

planning to build more.

Aside from Dapitan and Easter Samar, other places in the country regularly hit by typhoons are also considering constructing dome houses.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOME LIVING

Dome houses for Leyte

Scott is determined to build monolithic dome houses in Yolanda-hit Leyte.

“I saw on TV a father who said that he was hugging a coconut tree while his children were holding his legs and arms, but were slowly carried away by the surge. That should not have happened. We could have saved more lives if we were prepared for it,” Scott said in an interview.

Although the dome houses may seem like a new concept to some, it has actually been

around for a hundred years now.

“The reason is that there are no big associations behind it than there is in metal. The various conglomerates push for metal and those are the guys that everybody listens to,” Scott said.

“It is not the business point of view that is driving me to introduce monolithic dome houses. The desire to save lives is my driving force. I too have a daughter, and we fathers — like that man who lost his children to Typhoon Yolanda — would do anything to see them grow,” he added. ■

Will Duterte...

(It’s not a secret how Davao progressed.

A little courage is all that’s needed — courage to correct the abusers, breakers of the law, and oppressors of the weak. Davao’s peacefulness only needed discipline and determination. Jobs increased, kids sent to school, families overjoyed. These can also happen in the entire Philippines.

All that’s needed is courage and compassion.)

The video, with the slogan “Tapang at Malasakit,” (Courage and Compassion) was uploaded in YouTube and posted on Facebook by his supporters.

It garnered over 5,000 likes, 6,000 shares and 500 comments as of posting.

The video had also received a lot of positive comments.

“Parang pang campaign for president ang video. Makapanindig-balahibo at nakakaiyak sa galak,” a certain Jehan Ohiman said.

Duterte, for his part, explained that the video was actually an old ❰❰ 1

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campaign advertisement he used in his mayoral bid in 2013.

“But it’s an old video used when I ran for mayor again in 2013. I don’t know who uploaded the video, but I have nothing to do about it,” he explained.

The video, however, had an inconsistency reporters and supporters questioned. In the 24-second clip, Davao was proclaimed as the 9th safest city in the world which is based from a ranking only recently released.

An in 2013, Davao placed 4th in the said ranking.

To this, Duterte has yet to release a statement.

In addition, the ‘brave’ and ‘compassionate’ mayor’s radio advertisements strengthened the public’s speculations.

Duterte, again, dismissed these purported political campaigns as ‘counteracts.’

“These are not for elections.

Why? To counteract. Because of these allegations that I am a killer. To protect my reputation. The radio ads did not say I am running,” he firmly said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

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A Limlingan at Senate DBP execs face but sis-in-law denying all raps graft charges

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

THE SISTER-IN-LAW of the elusive Gerardo Limlingan showed up during the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearing yesterday to protest what she said were insinuations that her stockbrokerage was used to cover up alleged anomalous transactions concerning Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Marita Limlingan, president and chair of Regina Capital, castigated the Senate for involving the stockbrokerage in the controversy of which it has no knowledge. Regina Capital has had no transaction with Binay, she said.

“It pains me that the people whom we have elected to protect us and to act in our best interest would show no hesitation in shaming us and dragging us into a controversy which we have no knowledge of,” said the sister of Binay’s financial adviser.

But she later apologized after Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said he mentioned the name of Regina Capital as part of the recitation of facts and was not insinuating anything.

Regina Capital was mentioned in the hearing when Cayetano said Noble Care’s shares in Alphaland, which were earlier said to have disappeared, were moved to the Philippine Depository and Trust Corp., with Regina Capital supposedly acting as the broker.

The Alphaland shares allegedly formed part of Binay’s supposed 5-percent kickback from the joint venture agreement between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Alphaland Corp., as per the allegation of former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado.

Noble Care was supposedly used as the conduit for Binay’s share from the BSP-Alphaland deal.

Also supposedly as part of the scheme, Alphaland granted Noble Care a P100-million loan, which it later condoned on the same day as Binay’s birthday.

Cayetano had pointed out during the hearing that the owner of Regina Capital was Vic Limlingan, brother of Ge-

MANILA — Senior executives of the state-owned, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) are now facing graft charges in the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the “wash sale” of P14.3-billion worth of treasury notes last year.

DBP employees on Friday filed a graft complaint against 14 executives who were accused of shortchanging the government in the said sale.

A “wash” transaction happens when investors sell security in the form of stocks, bonds, options at a loss and repurchases it at a bargain in order to claim a capital loss and tax deduction or for the purpose of creating the impression of active trading.

It is prohibited as it may cause manipulation of market dynamics like the prices and volume of traded securities.

This is despite the fact that there are no true changes in their ownership.

The executives allegedly violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Securities Regulation Code, the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 101491, or the gov-

FACEBOOK PHOTO

rardo. Vic is Marita’s husband.

Marita said she went to the Senate yesterday and asked to be allowed to speak after being told that the firm’s name was mentioned in the hearing.

In contrast, her brother-inlaw Gerardo Limlingan has snubbed the subcommittee despite being mentioned several times in its hearings and being subpoenaed. But he has denied, through his lawyer’s statement, being Binay’s dummy. The subcommittee has since ordered Gerardo Limlingan’s arrest.

According to Marita, Regina Capital was not involved in any illegal activity, more so in any attempt to launder money for anyone, including Binay. It has not transacted with the Vice President or his family, she added.

“I expected that the Senate would have been more circumspect in its action and more respectful of the rights of the people whom it claims to serve,” she said.

Cayetano said Mercado’s allegations that Binay got kickbacks in the BSP-Alphaland deal, coursed through Noble Care, could not be easily dismissed as it was supported by evidence.

Paper trail

“At this point in time, no one can say that Vice Mayor Merca-

do has no basis for saying there is a 5-percent kickback because it’s not an allegation anymore.

There’s a paper trail, there’s a string of evidence,” he said.

He pointed out that there were transactions of Noble Care showing that P100 million was deposited in its bank account on July 25, 2008, and P100 million withdrawn from July 29 to 31, 2008.

On Aug. 8 that same year, P100 million was also deposited and withdrawn on the same day.

He also grilled the Noble Care representative, Jay Sangalang, about why the P100million loan from Alphaland was not listed in its financial statement.

Sangalang had said it could have been an error on the part of the company’s accountant.

But both Cayetano and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III noted that Noble Care rarely had business activities, and thus wondered how it could fail to include a P100 million loan in its financial statement.

Sangalang said the purpose of Noble Care was to develop properties for retirees. P100 million would not actually be that big of an amount for such activities, he said.

He also said Noble Care was not always busy, and only had activities intermittently. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

ernment-owned or -controlled Corporations Governance Act of 2011, the Administrative Code and the regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Representatives of the DBP Employees Union (DBPEU) and the Association of the DBP Career Officials noted in their joint complaint-affidavit that the actual losses of the government following the sale reached P717 million.

They said in the same complaint that the losses were from 28 allegedly illegal transactions of the bank officials from January to March 2014.

“The DBP suffered huge losses from those transactions.

This money belongs to the people. That was our money,” DBPEU president Rudelito Tirado Jr. told reporters following the filing of the complaint.

“We are asking the Ombudsman to look deeper into this because no one will believe that nobody benefited from the money which was lost in the transactions,” said Adco president Francis Romulo Badilla Jr. Among the respondents were DBP board chair Jose Nuñez Jr., DBP president Gil Buenaventura and board directors Jose Luis Vera, Cecilio Lorenzo, Alberto Aldaba Lim, Lydia Echauz, Reynaldo Geronimo, Vaughn Montes and Daniel Laogan. ■

PHOTO COURTESY OF DBP WEBSITE

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DOH to enforce Graphic Health Warnings Law

BY JOCELYN R. UY AND JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) yesterday vowed to strictly enforce the law on graphic health warnings on cigarette packages in a bid to help stop the illicit trade in tobacco products in the country.

Health Secretary Janette Garin made this statement as the country observes World No Tobacco Day tomorrow.

May 31 is designated as World No Tobacco Day, during which abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption is encouraged.

“Let us not waste our gains in the fight against tobacco addiction. Together, let us prevent smoking-related diseases and save more lives,” said Garin.

She said the health department will focus its attention on implementing the Graphic Health Warnings Law. The law, which was approved in July 2014, requires graphic photos bearing the ill effects of smoking on packs of tobacco products as a way of deterring people from starting the vice and encouraging smokers to kick the habit.

The DOH has issued in March the 12 templates of graphic photos that will appear on the cigarette packs for two years.

Tobacco manufacturers have been given a year to comply with the law while

retailers were allotted eight months to ensure that all cigarette products bear the graphic warnings.

Garin believed that the graphic health warnings would reduce the appeal of cigarettes among potential Filipino smokers and encourage users to quit the bad habit.

“World No Tobacco Day is an ideal event to raise awareness on the hazards of tobacco use because approximately 240 Filipinos die daily from smokingrelated diseases,” she said.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged member states to sign the “Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products” to eventually eliminate a “sophisticated criminal activity.”

WHO director-general Margaret Chan said eliminating the illicit trade in tobacco would generate an annual tax windfall of $31 billion for governments, improve public health, help cut crime and stem an important revenue source for the tobacco industry.

“The protocol offers the world a unique legal instrument to counter and eventually eliminate a sophisticated criminal activity,” said Chan. “Fully implemented, it will replenish government revenues and allow more spending on health,” she said.

To make the protocol an international law, 40 signatories are required. So far, only eight countries have ratified it, ac-

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cording to the WHO. The protocol is an international treaty negotiated by parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has been ratified by 180 parties, including the Philippines.

The Sin Tax Coalition, composed of civil society organizations, medical professionals and health advocates who had supported the passage of the Sin Tax Reform Act, yesterday joined calls for the ratification of the protocol to effectively curb the tobacco epidemic.

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded government workers on the smoking ban in government offices as the country prepares to observe World No Tobacco Day. In a statement, the agency said government employees are also not allowed to interact with the tobacco industry, except when needed for regulation purposes.

CSC Commissioner Robert Martinez said the agency places a premium on the health and wellness of civil servants in the belief that a person’s health directly correlates with productivity.

“While we respect that smoking remains to be a personal choice, we urge public servants to make the better choice, to choose the path toward a healthier lifestyle,” he said.

World No Tobacco Day is intended to draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and its negative effects on health. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

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Draft Senate report backs plunder raps vs Binays

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer “THERE WAS a grand conspiracy to milk the construction of the Makati City Hall [Building II] for every peso that it could yield through massive, unconscionable overpricing,” the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee investigating allegations of corruption against Vice President Jejomar Binay said in its partial report.

The subcommittee headed

by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III has recommended the filing of plunder charges against Binay and his son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, for irregularities in the construction of the building, which is allegedly overpriced at P2.3 billion.

Also recommended charged were the members of Makati City’s bids and awards committee (BAC), Hilmarc’s Construction Corp. president Robert Henson, board chair Efren Canlas, Mana Architecture and Interior Design Co. owner Orlando M. Mateo and the Vice President’s longtime aides Gerardo “Gerry” Limlingan and Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy.

The INQUIRER obtained a copy of the subcommittee’s draft report.

Aside from plunder, the subcommittee also recommended the filing of graft charges and charges of violating the government procurement law against Binay and the Makati City officials.

A Senate source said he had seen the 46-page draft report prepared by Pimentel, which would be submitted for approval to Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, head of the blue ribbon committee.

The report has to be signed

by Guingona before it can be released. Pimentel said the report

Vice President Jejomar Binay.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOJO BINAY / FACEBOOK

needed the majority vote of the nays and the others.

Also recommended for fur17-member blue ribbon comther investigation were busimittee for it to be adopted as its Others to be charged nessman Antonio Tiu and Lauofficial report. So far, four senaThe others recommended reano R. Gregorio Jr. tors have signed the report. charged were BAC chair Marjo“In the opinion of the subThe subcommittee has con- rie de Veyra, BAC members Lo- committee, all the elements of ducted 21 hearings into corrup- renza Amores, Gerardo K. San the crime of plunder have been tion allegations surrounding Gabriel, Pio Kenneth Dasal and clearly alleged and substantiatthe construction of Makati City Ulysses E. Orienza. ed through the unequivocal and Hall Building straightforward II, allegedly the assertions of the “most expensive witnesses who parking buildappeared before ing” in the counBinay has summarily dismissed all of the subcommittry. the subcommittee proceedings as tee during the The other ‘politics.’ hearings as well members of Pias from the docmentel’s subuments already committee are in the possession Senators Antonio Trillanes IV The subcommittee also rec- of the subcommittee,” the reand Alan Peter Cayetano. ommended further investiga- port said.

Pimentel, Trillanes, Cayeta- tion against Commission on no and his sister, Sen. Pia Cay- Audit (COA) auditors Cecilia Binay failed to respond etano, have signed the report, Caga-anan, Flora M. Ruiz, CeciThe report also said Binay according to the Senate source. lio Pineda, Roldan L. Menciano, was afforded all the opportuniReached for comment, Pi- Ricardo R. Custodio, Allan S. ty by the subcommittee to give mentel declined to confirm or Florentino, Zaldy B. Lavarro, his side or present countervaildeny the subcommittee’s rec- Winiefredo L.Paquera and Ro- ing evidence in his favor, which ommendations against the Bi- salina H. Prestoza. he did not take advantage of.

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“In fact he was formally invited to the hearing of Nov. 6, 2014, and he did not appear. Binay has summarily dismissed all of the subcommittee proceedings as ‘politics,’” the report said.

Copies of the report, it said, will be given to the Office of the President, COA, Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Government Procurement Policy Board.

The report also stated that while former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado and City Engineer Mario U. Hechanova admitted to have participated in the conspiracy to commit plunder, no charges have been recommended against them, as they have been placed in the Witness Protection Program as recommended by the subcommittee itself.

The Makati City Hall Building II was built in 2007 when Binay was Makati mayor. It was completed in 2013 during the term of his son.

The subcommittee recommended charges against Binay for his involvement in phases 1 to 3 of the building’s construction and his role in the kickback system.

It recommended charges against Mayor Binay for his role in phases 4 and 5 of the construction.

‘Elements of plunder’

The Senate source said there were “elements of plunder” in the case, as it involved an amount of more than P50 million and a “series of acts” that involved government contracts.

In an interview last night, Cayetano said the facts and evidence pointed to “collusion, whether antigraft or plunder,” in the overpricing of the building’s construction.

“There was conspiracy there,” Cayetano said. ■

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FRIDAY

Armed soldier takes bus full of passengers hostage, surrenders at checkpoint

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — An Army soldier took hostage a bus full of passengers bound for Manila on Friday afternoon (May 29).

Army Corporal Rene Prajele of the 31st Infantry Battalion

was reportedly dealing with personal family matters. So in full Army gear and an M16 at hand, he left their camp in Sorsogon Friday morning and rode a Bobis Liner bus heading to Manila.

Somewhere along Maharlika Highway, between the towns of Libmanan and Pasacao in Camarines Norte, he alighted the

Bobis Liner bus and transferred to a Peñafrancia Tour Bus also headed for Manila. He then proceeded to take this bus and its passengers as hostage that afternoon.

His Army Commander, upon learning of his sudden disappearance, alerted the authorities in the area. Members of

the Army and PNP established a checkpoint at Barangay (Village) Comadaycaday in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur to intercept the bus and the armed soldier.

Army Col. Amador Tabuga, Jr. also joined the checkpoint to lead the hostage crisis team.

Col. Prajele, a native of Agdaan in Baao, Camarines Sur,

surrendered at around 5:00 pm, explaining that he only wanted to reach Manila to go to the Army headquarters and speak with his Battalion Commander about some personal issues.

He later told Bicol Police Chief Superintendent Victor Deona that he had no plans of hurting any of the passengers. ■

Puno: BBL will lead to no-win situation

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer APPROVING A divisive law that does not even guarantee peace will only lead to a “nowin situation.”

Retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno issued this warning yesterday as he pushed for constitutional amendments to provide a “smooth transition” into the eventual implementation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), if approved.

Puno, who has been campaigning for a review of the 1987 Constitution since his retirement in 2010, said changing the charter would be necessary to solve its perceived conflicts with the proposed BBL, particularly on matters surrounding the balance of power between the national government and the envisioned Bangsamoro autonomous region in Mindanao.

“It should have been done long ago. The BBL is a wake-up call for us to address the country’s problems by reexamining the whole Constitution,” Puno said in a statement yesterday.

He said Charter Change would provide a framework for the realization of the Bangsamoro government, as envisioned under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the final peace agreement that the Aquino administration concluded with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in March last year.

The amendment should include the “reallocating and rebalancing [of ] the powers of government, in the three branches and at all levels,” including the powers of constitutional commissions, he said.

Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno.

“A simple law like [the] BBL tion.” legislation was already dividing cannot address this problem.

The delegates, he proposed, the people, and that this “could We have already tried that with should be elected simultane- lead to a crisis and tear the nathe Autonomous Region in ously with the candidates for tion apart.”

Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), national office in the 2016 elec“Regardless of the outcome, yet it failed,” he said, in ref- tions. the BBL cannot guarantee erence to the peace in MindARMM that the anao,” said Puno.

Bangsamoro He expects territory is enthat the BBL visioned to reA simple law like [the] BBL in its “emergplace. cannot address this problem. We ing form” that The former have already tried that with the was recently chief justice Autonomous Region in Muslim approved by a is set to lead a Mindanao (ARMM), yet it failed.

House ad hoc movement to committee, will press President be challenged Aquino and Conbefore the Sugress “to call for preme Court. a constitutional convention Puno aired his concern over The law, if declared unconstito propose amendments to or the passage or rejection of the tutional, “could put the MILF revisions of the 1987 Constitu- BBL, saying the debate on the in a dilemma,” Puno said. www.canadianinquirer.net

MWSS WEBSITE

“The other possibility is that it will be passed, and assuming that it survives the constitutional challenge, the question is, will that bring peace in Mindanao?” he asked.

Puno cited how the peace process and the BBL had left other groups in Mindanao feeling “excluded.”

“You could have disorder in Mindanao especially with the presence of different groups with different agendas, including radical ones,” he said.

He added that the passage of the BBL could also prompt other regions in the country to “demand similar treatment and privileges accorded the MILF.” “So you may have a no-win situation,” Puno said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

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‘Tuason got kickbacks from Malampaya projects’

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer

MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MMDA'S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

MMDA sets Metro-wide earthquake drill on July 30 PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced the first metro-wide earthquake drill will be held on July 30 (Thursday) at 10:30 a.m.

MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino on Tuesday made the announcement after the Metro Manila Council meeting in Manila.

Tolentino explained that the drill would start after sirens sound the alarm, then offices, schools, malls, hospitals and government employees are expected to participate once the drill starts.

Tolentino noted power and telecommunications wouldn’t be shut down during the earthquake.

The drill is expected to be finished within an hour. Tolentino cited the different earthquake drills done in California and India which only lasted for an hour.

“Sabi ng Phivolcs, ang pinakamatagal sa 7.2 ay 15 minutes. Pero ang kadalasan ang lindol one to two minutes lang, matagal lang yung pagrerescue. Ang inaasahan natin dito yung mga dadalo ay may pre-drill briefing at post drill evaluation. (According to Phivolcs, the longest time for a 7.2 is 15 minutes. But usually, an earthquake only lasts for one to two minutes. What takes time is the rescue.

What we are expecting is for the participants to have a pre-drill briefing and post drill evaluation),” Tolentino told the reporters after the MMC meeting.

Meanwhile, Pasig city is set to exercise a night scenario earthquake drill on the same day at 7:30 in the evening. Pasig city mayor Maribel Eusebio told reporters Pasig city is ready to conduct a nighttime earthquake drill.

Eusebio said Pasig city government bought rescue equipment which can be

used especially in the night time to train their rescue teams for any eventualities.

As an early preparation for the metrowide earthquake drill, the MMDA will conduct a drill to practice Oplan Metro Yakal on Wednesday, June 3 at 4 a.m.

The Oplan Metro Yakal is MMDA’s earthquake contingency plan which focuses on preparedness of government resources and that of private organizations during emergencies.

It is complementary and supportive to the disaster preparedness and response plans of the 17 component local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila.

Tolentino, together with zone area commander, will conduct simultaneous mock evacuation drills at the Veterans Golf Course for the North Sector composed of cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela and Quezon; Villamor Airbase for the South Sector composed of cities of Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas and the Municipality of Pateros and Intramuros for the West Sector composed of cities of Navotas, Manila and Pasay.

As part of the drill, Tolentino said rescue teams will also simulate the evacuation of people to temporary evacuation areas in case a strong earthquake hits Metro Manila.

Accompanied by zone area commanders and their warm bodies, the trained rescue teams will conduct simultaneous mock evacuation drills at the Veterans Golf Course for the North Sector, Villamor Airbase for the South Sector, and Intramuros for the West Sector.

Tolentino said the drill is part of the agency’s commitment to ensure disaster preparedness especially during earthquake, using the sectoral grouping as specified in Oplan Metro Yakal.

MMDA employees are required to group themselves according to sectors of their places of residence. ■

SOCIALITE RUBY Tuason received millions of pesos in kickbacks from projects financed by royalties from the Malampaya gas project off Palawan which were intended to help victims of two devastating storms in 2009, according to whistle-blower Benhur Luy yesterday.

Resuming his testimony at the bail hearings of suspected pork barrel scam brains Janet Lim-Napoles at the Sandiganbayan Third Division, Luy said Tuason, the former social secretary of then President Joseph Estrada, also earned at least P41.6 million as one of the so-called “agents” or middlemen of detained Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile from 2004 to 2009.

Luy, appearing on the witness stand against his cousin and former employer for the fourth time, said Tuason got P18 million in “rebates” or kickbacks from Napoles in October 2009 for a project implemented by one of Napoles' bogus foundations, with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

He said the amount may not have represented Tuason’s shares alone since she only acted as an agent for the livelihood project intended for agrarian reform beneficiaries affected by Tropical Storms “Ondoy” (international name: Ketsana) and “Pepeng” (international name: Parma).

In a joint affidavit Luy and other whistleblowers submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman in October 2013, it was claimed that Tuason received a total of P242.8 million from the Malampaya fund scam.

Asked by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang whowas Tuason’s “principal” for the spurious October project, Luy said he could not recall the name of the lawmaker as Napoles did not tell him the details of the transaction.

“You said (previously) that Napoles was open to you. How come you did not know who was Tuason's principal?

How come you remember personalities (in some transactions) and forget about some other personalities?” Tang said.

“I only recorded in my DDR (daily disbursement records) what (Napoles) told me to write down,” he replied.

Grilled by Associate Justice Samuel Martires, Luy also admitted that the entry regarding the amount did not indicate that the money came from the Malampaya gas project funds. “At the time, I did not know that the money came from Malampaya,” Luy said during his direct examination handled by Spe-

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cial Prosecutor Lalaine Benitez.

“If there’s nothing in your record which says that the amount came from Malampaya, how did you remember that it came from Malampaya? Martires asked.

Luy replied: “I only knew it came from Malampaya after we received the check payments.”

Luy said he could not provide details of the transactions, saying there was a pending government investigation into the matter.

Martires directed Luy to sum up all the PDAF-funded projects which Enrile’s office allegedly assigned to Napoles-owned nongovernment organizations (NGOs) from 2004 to 2010.

After a few minutes, Luy told the court that Enrile released a total of P541 million during the six-year period.

However, the amounts involved in some transactions were so huge that Luy asked for another calculator because “I cannot input more zeroes.”

Martires, reacting to how Luy came up with his computations, asked the witness what his college degree was and if he graduated with honors.

“You should have graduated suma cum laude,” Martires said, drawing chuckles from those inside the courtroom.

In a sworn affidavit submitted earlier to the National Bureau of Investigation, whistle-blower Merlina Suñas said some P900 million in Malampaya funds were siphoned off to the Napoles-controlled People’s Organization for Progress and Development Foundation Inc. and other bogus groups.

Suñas said Napoles assigned her as president of the NGO which implemented DARsponsored projects along with 12 other fake foundations.

Tuason fled the country when her name was tagged in the P10-billion PDAF racket but returned from the United States last year and turned over P40 million to the government in exchange for immunity from suits. ■

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Philippine News

Gov’t sets nationwide fire safety compliance assessment after Kentex fire

BY JOANN SANTIAGO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The government is set to assess some 300,000 establishments in the National Capital Region (NCR) to check their compliance to safety regulations among others following the fire that killed about 70 individuals in Valenzuela City recently.

“Dito kakasuhan natin, at the end of the day, yung mga lumabag ng batas,” President Benigno Aquino III said in a briefing Monday.

The Chief Executive said establishments in Metro Manila will be the first to be checked.

He said this process will be a challenge since in Metro Manila alone only two of the 17 cities, namely Quezon City and Valenzuela City, have computerized data base on this.

Because of this situation, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, in the same briefing, said he is scheduled to meet Metro Manila mayors on Tuesday to compile the necessary information.

Among those to be checked by personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) among others include compliance to having a fire brigade and automatic fire sprinklers and whether the establishments conduct fire drills.

The President said the public should always check the buildings they go into if these have the necessary fire protection system to prevent another tragedy.

He said coordination between the government and the public is needed to fast track the process of ensuring establishments’ compliance to fire safety rules and regulations.

Relatively, the President said he considers existing laws on fire safety as adequate but the problem involves enforcement, which he stressed would be the focus of their nationwide assessment.

He disclosed that a check on fire safety compliance of 23 other establishments around Kentex Manufacturing Corp. following the fire in May 2015 found all 23 to have violated the rules, just like Kentex.

“There were people in the Valenzuela city government who gave them a permit and a certificate of occupancy. That is an established fact,” he said Asked on what charges will be filed against the persons who will be found guilty about the fire in a factory in Valenzuela City, the President said reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide is being looked at.

He added that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is still conducting its investigation on this to be able to determine who will face charges. ■

President Benigno Aquino III at the Kentex fire press briefing.

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JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Nancy Binay challenges fellow senators to ‘admit personal motives’ after signing report against Binays

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — “My colleagues have their own reasons for signing and I respect that. But I wish those who signed it thinking it would boost their plans to run for president or vice president will be candid enough to admit their personal motives,” Sen. Nancy Binay said in a statement.

Sen. Binay was referring to her colleagues in the Senate who signed the committee report, which recommends filing plunder and graft charges against her father Vice President Jejomar ‘Jojo’ Binay and her brother Makati Mayor Jejomar ‘JunJun’ Binay.

Sen. Nancy Binay.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BINAY'S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE The reports also recommend filing charges against other Defensor-Santiago, Bam Aqui- hindi nila pinansin ang pangbuindividuals involved in the al- no, Serge Osmeña III, Aqulino bully sa mga tao na identified legedly overpriced buildings in “Koko” Pimentel III, Teofisto sa father ko at ang pagkonsinte Makati City.

Guingona III, Francis “Chiz” sa pagsisinungaling at paninira “I was not surprised by their Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, ng pangalan ng mga witness decision to sign the report,” Antonio Trillanes IV, and Grace nila (It’s all about the survey, Sen. Binay said. “I only hope Poe. because it’s survey period now. that they realize soon enough Sen. Aqulino “Koko” Pimen- They just want to be noticed that the report they signed, tel III is the chairman of the and talked about by the media. despite taking 21 hearings in subcommittee, while Sen. Teo- Because of this, they no longer order to be completed, will be fisto Guingona III is the chair- mind bullying people identiuseless when it reaches the man of the Senate blue ribbon fied with my father, as well as Ombudsman.” committee. condoning the lies and negative “So why did propaganda from it take 21 heartheir witnesses).” ings to come out She also has a with a partial refew choice words port? Bakit hindi I only hope that they realize soon for her colnila sabihin sa enough that the report they signed, leagues who are taumbayan kung despite taking 21 hearings in order to aiming for highmagkano na so be completed, will be useless when it er office next far ang ginastos reaches the Ombudsman. year. mula sa pera ng “Sa mga gusbayan para sa tong mag presimga hearing na dente at mag wala namang bise presidente: katuturan? Ganun din naman Senators Alan Peter Cay- sabihin na lang sa tao what you ang resulta—their recommenda- etano and Antonio Trillanes stand for, not what you stand tion will be deemed useless since IV have openly declared their against. Napakadaling magsabi there is already an ongoing in- presidential bid for 2016, while na kontra ka sa isang bagay o vestigation (Why don’t they just Sen. Grace Poe is being pursued isang tao, pero ano naman ba tell the people how much they by both the Liberal Party and talaga ang sagot mo sa mga have spent on these pointless United Nationalist Alliance problema ng mahihirap? (To hearings? The results are the (UNA), which is the Binay’s po- those who want to be president same—their recommendation litical party. or vice president: Just tell the will be deemed useless since In a report from the Philip- people what you stand for, not there is already an ongoing in- pine Daily Inquirer, Sen. Binay what you stand against. It’s easy vestigation),” she further said. said, “It’s all about the survey at to say that you’re against someOut of the 24 senators, 10 dahil survey period ngayon, gus- thing or someone, but what is signed the report. They were to nilang mapansin at mapag- your solution for the problems senators Pia Cayetano, Miriam usapan ng media. Dahil dito, ni of the poor?)” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

Mom’s not mum: Roxas no comment on his mother’s ‘campaign’ efforts

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Interior Secretary and Liberal Party’s top presidential bet Mar Roxas said he “cannot comment” on his mother’s statements about his candidacy for the upcoming 2016 national election.

The Roxas matriarch, Judy AranetaRoxas, recently hosted a dinner party in her family’s ancestral home in Bago City, Negros Occidental with the leaders of the sugar industry of Bacolod and even Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. During the party, she reportedly spoke fondly of her son Mar and his presidential bid next year.

It’s safe to say that almost everyone in the party took her statements as a confirmation that her son will run for presi-

dent in 2016. Everyone, except Mar himself who said it’s nothing but “friendly chitchat.”

“The truth is, my mother is from there, she has many friends there. Perhaps her close friends, associates and relatives were talking about [the 2016 national elections] and other current events,” Roxas said. “I was not there so I cannot comment.”

Roxas said he hasn’t spoken with his mother, who is still in Capiz, regarding the issue.

Recently, President Benigno Aquino III confirmed that Roxas is still the Liberal Party’s standard bearer for the upcoming national polls. Roxas said he was “humbled” by PNoy’s confidence in him and he is ready to continue the administration’s programs to pursue the “Daang Matuwid” (straight path). ■

Church leaders firm on stand against same-sex marriage

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Luxembourg, New Zealand, Uruguay, France and Brazil have legalized gay and lesbian marriages in their countries.

To this, Oliveros asserted that the MANILA — After a solon appealed to Philippines should not join the ‘bandcourt for the legalization of same-sex wagon.’ marriage, Catholic church leaders re“It does not mean we have to follow. iterated their belief That’s simply bandthat marriage is sancwagon mentality. We tified for the union of have our own values, a man and a woman tradition and Constialone. tution to follow,” he “It’s against God’s The sanctity said. will,” Marbel Bishop of marriage is The Catholic BishDinualdo Gutierrez enshrined in ops’ Conference said. our Constitution of the Philippines “If we want to rewhere marriage (CBCP) earlier remain godly, let us be is understood as leased a statement faithful to what the between a man condemning lawLord wills,” Cubao and a woman. makers who supportBishop Honesto OngOnly in such a ed same-sex martioco also said. marriage is the riage.

“The sanctity good of the child “To the legislaof marriage is ensafeguard which tors who consider shrined in our Conis the backbone giving legal recogstitution where marof the nation. nition to same sex riage is understood unions, the Church as between a man declares there is no and a woman. Only equivalence or even in such a marriage is any remote analogy the good of the child whatsoever between safeguard which is the backbone of the marriage between a man and woman as nation,” Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros planned by God and the so-called same agreed. sex unions,” the CBCP said in a stateIn the past three years, Ireland, ment. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

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Philippine News

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

UP seeks to lure more indigent students to enroll

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer FROM SUBSIDIZED fares and allowances, to free online reviewers of the college admission test, the University of the Philippines is pulling all stops to reach out to underprivileged students and shake off its recent reputation as a school where parking has become the main problem on campus.

“We’re trying to get more students from rural areas, poor areas (and) public high schools to take the UP College Admission Test (Upcat),” UP President Alfredo Pascual said, citing 2014 records that showed how almost a quarter (or 23.9 percent) of those who took and passed the of Upcat were from households earning at least P1 million a year, an increase from the 17.7 percent rate in 2004.

Meanwhile, only 9.3 percent of 2014 passers were from families with a yearly income of P100,000 or less, a steep decline from the 16.7 percentage in 2004.

Pascual said UP was targeting its recruitment efforts to deserving students from lowincome families and public high schools, as he noted several factors that have discouraged their admission to the country’s pre-

The iconic 'sablay' draped over the Oblation at the UP Diliman campus.

mier state university.

Aside from the tough rightminus-wrong entrance exams that trim the passing rate to an average of 16 percent, as many as 35 percent of poor students who pass the Upcat don’t enroll in UP, Pascual said during an invitational brunch on Friday with INQUIRER editors and reporters who are alumni of UP.

Safety fears

The UP official cited the prohibitive fare to outlying campuses of the university, the perception of high tuition, safety fears among parents whose children may be venturing into the big city for the first time, and the fact that most male passers from rural areas are expected to help out in the farm

JUN MADRID / UP OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

chores.

“If you are poor and you qualify, please enroll because you can study for free,” Pascual said, adding that the university was providing transportation support to those without the means to get to UP’s seven constituent universities: UP Manila, UP Baguio, UP Los Baños in Laguna, UP Visayas (in

four campuses), UP Mindanao (Davao City), UP Open University and the flagship Diliman, Quezon City, campus.

As for living expenses, Pascual said the university provides a P3,500 allowance to deserving scholars. Or they can work as student assistants, the official added.

Aside from making the Upcat review available for free online, UP was also promoting the admission test in more public schools to make their students more competitive in the exam, Pascual said, adding that the initiatives were meant to “democratize” the admission process as the link between a higher household income and a higher chance of passing had been noted.

UP Vice President for Public Affairs Prospero de Vera also cited certain practices in high schools that limit the number of poor students admitted to UP. “Some teachers choose the students who could take the Upcat, because sending their transcripts is added work,” he said.

“There is also a lack of counseling. [Some schools] have a very poor way of guiding students in filling up the Upcat application, including in their choice of courses,” De Vera said. ■

Petilla to electric co-ops: Pay your power bills first PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN — “Pay your power bills first.”

This was the advice of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla to Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (Cenpelco), noting that it has accumulated unpaid power bills from its supplier San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC).

However, Petilla admitted that Cenpelco’s problem is only a small matter as compared to the problems of other electric cooperatives throughout the country, specifically in Mindanao where peace and order is unstable.

Disconnection of power by SMEC was averted when it signed an agreement with Cen-

pelco compelling the latter to settle its long overdue unpaid power bills in the amount of several million pesos monthly over a period of one year until fully paid, Failure of Cenpelco to pay its due monthly, according to their agreement, would force SMEC to disconnect electricity that could affect all consumers in its coverage areas.

“Make sure you pay your power bills,” echoed Petilla in a press conference attended

by Roddigo Corpuz, Cenpelco general manager, adding that the member consumers must also pay their electric bills monthly.

He told Cenpelco memberconsumers, “You should help each other to sustain the viability of the electric cooperative that you own.”

He said that if the cooperative collects from electric consumers, it has two accounts to settle — the overhead expenses which include the salaries of employees and the most important one is the power supplier.

“I am not discriminating salaries of workers. But if Cenpelco does not pay its power bills, its entire area will be disconnected,” he said.

Even five days without electricity will bring more damage to the cooperative and the consumers, he added, pointing out that if this happens, the more that Cenpelco cannot collect from consumers,” he added.

As a power distributor, Cenpelco buys power from SMEC by the wholesale and distribute the same to consumers by retail.

“What I usually advise is for www.canadianinquirer.net

the cooperatives to pay their power bills first, so power will not be disconnected,” he intoned.

He said between a previous and present power suppliers, the present supplier must be paid first.

In his speech before Cenpelco member-consumers, Petilla said it is not enough that they pay their electric bills monthly while their neighbors are not or even stealing electricity.

In case they notice any electricity pilferage in their areas, it is their obligation to report this to Cenpelco, otherwise the cooperative that they own will exacerbate its losses.

“As co-owners of Cenpelco, the member-consumers must protect the cooperative,” Petilla added.

Meanwhile, Petilla did not

fault Cenpelco from buying power from SMEC rather than from the Pangasinan-based power producers such as the San Roque Power Corporation as well as the Team Energy which operates the San Roque Dam project and the Sual Coalfired power plant, respectively.

It is because SMEC is selling cheaper power to Cenpelco than the two Pangasinan-based power producers.

Three other power distributors in Pangasinan — the Pangasinan Electric Cooperative I and Pangasinan Electric Cooperative III, as well as the Dagupan Electric Corporation — are also buying power outside Pangasinan.

Petilla said that as businesses, they (cooperatives) buy from where the commodity is cheaper. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

PNoy: Number of... nigno Aquino III in lungkot din ako dahil nahanap his speech when he nila ang asenso hindi sa sarili met with Filipinos in nating tahanan kundi sa ibayJapan Tuesday night. ong dagat (On one hand, I am “Para sa akin po magandang happy to see the success our indication ito na nakikita ng countrymen has achieved in ating mga kababayan na gu- their respective fields. Howevmaganda na ang buhay sa Pili- er, I am also saddened for they pinas (For me, this is a good in- have achieved this not in their dication for our fellow Filipinos own country but in a foreign that life here is now good),” he land),” he said. said.

President Aquino noted that Citing Department of Affairs his administration vowed to in(DFA) data, the troduce change Chief Executive in government. said there were He pointed over 10 million out that a sixOverseas Filiyear term is not pino Workers enough to put in He pointed (OFWs) in 2010 all the necessary out that a but their number solutions to the six-year term dropped to about country’s probis not enough 8.359 million as lems, thus, the to put in all of end-2014. focus on incluthe necessary Remittancsive growth. solutions to es from these “Sabi natin the country’s workers have hindi pwedeng problems, been among the aangat lang ang thus, the focus growth drivers nasa itaas haon inclusive of the domesbang napapaggrowth. tic economy for iwanan ang nasa some decades ibaba.

Hindi now. It contribpwedeng magutes about nine aabang lang ng percent to the economy’s an- ambon ang iba. Sabay-sabay nual output. tayong aangat (We cannot let The President cited that Fili- the ones on top get richer as the pinos really excel everywhere if ones in the bottom get poorer. given the right opportunities.

We will rise as a nation),” he “Sa isang banda masaya added. akong makita ang tagumpay na The President left for a state tinatamasa ng mga kababayan visit to Japan about 10:30 am natin sa iba’t ibang larangan. Tuesday and will be back on Sa kabilang banda naman nalu- June 5, 2015. ■ ❰❰ 1

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivered the keynote speech speech at the Nikkei 21st International Conference on the Future of Asia.

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Coco farmers ask Supreme Court to block P-Noy EOs on levy funds

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer A COALITION of coconut farmer groups has asked the Supreme Court to stop President Aquino from implementing two executive orders on the privatization and reconveyance of the P74.3-billion coco levy fund that the high court had recently declared to be public funds.

In a 33-page petition filed on May 20, the Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organizations of the Philippines (CCFOP) led by Charles Avila accused Mr. Aquino of committing grave abuse of authority when he issued EOs 179 and 180 without the approval of Congress and the Sandiganbayan antigraft court.

The petition argued that the two executive orders were unconstitutional and bypassed the power of Congress to legislate how these funds would be managed. “[P]etitioner humbly submits that this judgment [by the Supreme Court], without prior legislative imprimatur, cannot be hastily and prematurely ’implemented’ by the President through mere EOs. In passing the assailed EOs, the President acted in excess of his constitutionally mandated powers,” Avila said.

EO 179 ordered the inventory, privatization, reconveyance and transfer in favor of the government of all the coco levy assets, including but not limited to the shares of stock in United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), and the shares of stock held by holding companies and the Philippine Commission on Good Government. These were to be deposited in a “special account in the general fund for

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Supreme Court of the Philippine.

coco levies.”

EO 180, on the other hand, mandates the immediate transfer of the funds to the government and their utilization in a program called the Integrated Coconut Industry Roadmap and the Coconut Roadmap for Coco Levy.

The PCGG, Governance Commission for GOCCs and the Department of Justice were tasked to administer the funds.

CCFOP included the three agencies in the suit as respondents.

The group asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction against the two EOs and thereafter declare both as null and void and all fund transfers as illegal and unauthorized.

“These twin executive orders can only lead to a muchworse coco-economy of exclusion and would cause new plunder of the coco levy funds,” Avila, CCFOP executive director and spokesperson, said in a statement.

The Supreme Court ruled the coco levy funds were public funds in two decisions (Republic v Sandiganbayan First Divi-

MIKE GONZALEZ / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

sion and Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. in April 2011, and Cocofed v Republic in January 2012).

Avila said that in issuing the two EOs, President Aquino also violated the mandate of the Philippine Coconut Authority, which Congress created to administer the coco levy funds.

The funds were also subject to awrit of execution of the Sandigabayan’s first division that originally had jurisdiction over the coco levy controversy.

“The release of the coconut levy assets held by the UCPB and its transfer to the Bureau of Treasurer already partakes of the nature of execution,” he said.

He added that the creation of the special fund is conferred by the Constitution not on the President but exclusively on Congress in the latter’s exercise of its power of the purse. He noted that there were several bills pending in both houses of Congress on the reversion of the coco levy funds to the government. ■

Opinion

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JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

AS I SEE IT

Clearer now that Roxas is LP bet

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer NOW it’s becoming clearer: Mar Roxas is almost sure to be the administration’s presidential candidate in 2016. Last week, President Aquino all but confirmed that his interior secretary could be the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party next year. A few days later, Roxas’ mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas, told sugar planters that, yes, her son is running for president.

But Roxas himself, like a shy maiden already in love with a suitor but still refuses to say yes, limits his response to: “I am ready” (for the presidency).

Why is Roxas so pakipot (playing coy)? Ask his frustrated supporters and admirers.

The reason, according to his handlers, is that he does not want to be accused of premature campaigning like his rival, Jejomar Binay, who has been prematurely campaigning since 2010 when he became vice president.

Instead of doing his work, Binay has been going around the country and even to Filipino communities abroad, at government expense, shaking hands and delivering campaign speeches.

Binay is the Cabinet member as“He has been a staunch leader of ethic, to which he has adhered since signed to look after the welfare of the party even during the days when his days as an investment banker in overseas Filipino workers and to pro- we were in the opposition. And he has New York after earning his economvide housing for the homeless. But demonstrated the ability to sacrifice. ics degree from the University of hundreds of OFWs are languishing Previously, for instance, he gave way Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of in prisons in other countries, many to me. So all these traits should point Economics. of them on death row. A domestic out that he is, to my mind—as far as He has a good pedigree: His grandworker, Mary Jane Veloso, came our coalition is concerned—at the top father was the late president Manuel close to execution by firing squad in of the list.”

Roxas and his father was the late Indonesia. Where was Binay? Away The President also had a say on Bi- senator Gerardo Roxas. He entered campaigning for votes. nay, who is perceived to be the man the political arena reluctantly, when Many more are in danger of being to beat based on his lead in the voter his younger brother, Dinggoy, a conexecuted. What is Binay doing for preference surveys. That lead, the gressman, died while in office. He ran them? Nothing. He is too busy shak- President said, “rests on how Binay in the special election called to fill ing the hands of votthe vacant seat, and ers and delivering won.

P-Noy said of Roxas: “He has demonstrated quite a range campaign speeches.

He served two of expertise in so many different assignments. He is a valuable We see squatters terms as represenmember of the Cabinet. everywhere occupytative of his home ing the properties of province of Capiz. people who pay the taxes and creat- can answer the corruption charges He was on his third term when he ing blights in cities and the otherwise against him.” was appointed by President Joseph beautiful Philippine countryside.

Before Roxas’ party mates and Estrada to head the Department of Binay is supposed to provide them supporters start uncorking the Trade and Industry. As DTI chief, he with housing. But where is he? Away champagne bottles, however, it is earned the moniker “Mr. Palengke,” courting voters. still a long time before the President for his advocacy of fair trade prac*** makes his preference official after tices, particularly in public markets.

Back to the President and Roxas. his last State of the Nation Address Subsequently, he ran for a Senate P-Noy said of the latter: “He has dem- on July 27. Between now and then, seat and topped the winners. He lost onstrated quite a range of expertise Roxas said, he will stick to his own by a mere 750,000 votes when he ran in so many different assignments. He agenda: work, work and more work. for the vice presidency in 2010 (the is a valuable member of the Cabinet.

Roxas is no stranger to this work first loss in his election career), and

that was because some members of the Aquino-Cojuangco clan doublecrossed him and secretly campaigned for a “Noy-Bi” (Noynoy-Binay) ticket concocted by Sen. Chiz Escudero. As an aside, Chiz was among the first to sign the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee report recommending to the Ombudsman the filing of plunder charges against Binay—which shows that Chiz admits to making a mistake by supporting Binay in 2010.

When Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo died in a plane crash in September 2012, P-Noy appointed Roxas to fill the vacated seat. And Roxas has been doing a good job there since.

The field of aspirants for the presidency is narrowing down. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was posting respectable numbers in the surveys, rejected Binay’s invitation to be his running mate. Earlier, Binay also tried to get Sen. Grace Poe, the topnotcher in the 2010 senatorial polls and No. 2 in the current presidential surveys, but she rejected him with cutting words. She said she does not see herself teaming up with Binay because she thinks “a president should be honest and have integrity.” ■

PUBLIC LIVES

History by the roadside

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer ON any Sunday morning, motor bikers congregate at their favorite gas stations in the city before taking off to wherever they can get a good breakfast, preferably amid cool and quiet surroundings. For the big bikers who call themselves “Hombres,” my riding buddies for the last 10 years, a suitable breakfast place could be as humble as a roadside gotohan, or as exclusive as a golf club restaurant. We eat, we talk—mostly about our bikes, our illnesses, the nation’s problems, and everything else under the sun—and head back for home before noon.

Last Sunday, we decided to give a more sublime purpose to our ride.

We went to a museum—the newly renovated Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Tanauan, Batangas. In terms of the vivid impressions it left on us, I think it was one of the best short rides we have ever had. We vowed to go back, this time with our families.

It all came together by chance. We were looking for a short ride going south. Someone suggested that we might explore the roadside eateries in Talisay, Batangas, where one of us said he needed to be to open a weekend planning retreat for his staff at the sprawling Club Balai Isabel. We

ended up joining them at the resort’s bishing of this building (designed by fledgling Filipino nation. He underwonderful buffet breakfast.

National Artist Juan F. Nakpil) and a stood the strengths and limits of our Rather than approach Talisay couple of other national shrines that culture. The focus on his physical disfrom the Tagaytay ridge, something mark crucial periods in our country’s ability, I believe, unintentionally diwe have done a couple of times, our difficult passage to modern nation- minished his importance in the eyes group commander proposed that we hood have been an abiding project of many, especially when he is viewed take it from the STAR Tollway. This of the NHC under Maris. Being the beside Rizal and Bonifacio. stretch of highway, which leads into historian and teacher that she is, Although Mabini’s involvement in the heartland of Batangas, is now Maris’ principal target has been the the Philippine Revolution encomdirectly linked to the South Luzon young generation. She wants these passed no more than one and a half Expressway. The road to Talisay is national shrines to be in the itiner- years, his role in the shaping of our accessible via the STAR Tollway’s ary of all educational field trips, as an nation’s history is immense. He was Tanauan exit. integral part of the process of form- by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s side durA bell instantly rang in my head at ing citizens. After visiting the Mabini ing that critical period between the the mention of Tanauan. “That’s the Shrine, it occurred to me that every declaration of independence from birthplace of ApoSpain and the outlinario Mabini,” I break of the PhilAlthough Mabini’s involvement in the Philippine Revolution exclaimed. “There’s ippine-American encompassed no more than one and a half years, his role in the a museum there!

War, advising him shaping of our nation’s history is immense.

Can we take a deabout the internal tour and just take a and external comquick look after breakfast,” I asked, Filipino, regardless of age, would plexities in which the revolution was feeling like a schoolchild. “No need find a visit to such places edifying. enmeshed. for a detour, it’s along the way,” the It would fill them with pride, an esHe read America’s colonial intencommander assured me. This was sential ingredient of self-respect. It tions correctly after Spain ceded the same sensation that had gripped would make them understand the the Philippines to the United States me when we once rode through the sacred obligations of citizenship, and under the Treaty of Paris of Dec. 10, small town of Badoc in Ilocos Norte let them know why the project of na- 1898. He interpreted for Aguinaldo in search of Juan Luna’s house. These tionhood remains unfinished. the larger implications of the split images linger long in our minds beThe “Sublime Paralytic,” as Mabi- between the annexationists and cause they are anchored in our na- ni was referred to in grade school the autonomists, on one hand, and tion’s past. lessons in history, has always been the advocates of full independence, It was Maris Diokno, head of the my favorite Filipino hero. He was a on the other. He saw the Malolos National Historical Commission, homegrown ilustrado with an intel- Congress as an instrument to sewho first told me of the newly rebuilt lectual sharpness and vision that he cure legitimacy and support for the Mabini Shrine in Tanauan. The refur- put completely in the service of the 1898 declaration of independence

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at Kawit. But he counseled Aguinaldo against handing over to that Congress the powers of government while the revolution was still fighting for survival.

On the subject of statecraft, Mabini had few peers. Reflecting upon the perilous course that the revolution was taking after he had quit the Malolos government and gone into hiding, he wrote: “We desire independence not as an end but as a means… without which we can achieve nothing…. But independence alone is not enough. A moral government is also indispensable, but it must be very moral, that is, it governs with truth and without deceit, sincerely complying with the laws and its promises to the people.”

The summer heat was stifling when we went back to the shrine’s tree-shaded parking area to collect our bikes. It was 12 noon. What we expected to be a brief pit stop to use the museum’s toilets and check out what’s inside had stretched out to a two-hour tour of the nation’s past.

Back on the same road that Mabini had walked on his way to school in Tanauan town proper in the 1870s, we encountered busloads of vacationers on their way to the beaches of Taal Lake. I wondered if they were aware that history was waiting for them by the roadside. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

17

LOOKING BACK

Don’t steal once, steal thrice!

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer NOW that the alleged Binay billions is in the news, it is worrisome that others who may be similarly charged with corruption might defend themselves by arguing that they stole much less. A politician inadvertently owned up to his guilt by saying in jest, “If the revelations in the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee are true, then I’m a mere pickpocket compared to Binay!”

What amazes Filipinos in the Binay probe is not the reality of corruption in government, but the scale of the take. I overheard some people discussing the issue in a coffee shop, with someone remarking about people who feed on money. Impolitely eavesdropping on this conversation reminded me of the proverbial advice given to government officials in the Spanish period: You don’t steal once, you steal thrice: the first for yourself, the second to pay the judge, and the third to pay penalties!

Stealing was a response to the residencia implemented in the first two centuries of Spain’s colonization of the Philippines. Everyone, from the governor-general to the lowest seem-

ingly insignificant official, was made years after the death of Salcedo, who ume compilation of documents by to undergo a review of all their official is best remembered today for the up- Blair and Robertson adds: acts—executive and judicial—at the scale Makati barangay that is home “The residencia … was an instituend of their term of office. In some to a Saturday market. tion peculiar in modern times of the cases, they could also be brought to I learned all these from an obscure Spanish colonial system. It was deaccount during their term. This resi- work by Charles Cunningham, “The signed to provide a method by which dencia is not to be confused with the Audiencia in the Spanish colonies as officials could be held to strict ac“residence tax” or cedula. illustrated by the Audiencia of Ma- countability for all acts during their After nine years of effective gover- nilla,” which was first published in term of office… To allow a contest in nance, Governor-General Sebastian 1919 and which remains the standard the courts involving the governor’s Hurtado de Corcuera was subjected source on the topic. Cunningham powers during his term of office to the residencia by his successor, Di- opens a whole chapter on the resi- would be subversive of his authorego Fajardo, in 1644. The ex-governor dencia by stating: ity. He was then to be kept in bounds was fined P25,000 and was thrown in “The purpose of the residencia was by realizing that a day of judgement prison on trumped-up charges. Five to uphold the morale of the colonial was impending, when everyone, even years later, at the the poorest Indian, conclusion of his might in perfect Stealing was a response to the residencia implemented in residencia, Corcusecurity bring forthe first two centuries of Spain’s colonization of the Philippines. era’s fine was remitward his accusation. ted and he was freed In the Philippines to assume the post of governor of the service by making officials answer for the residencia for a governor lasted Canaries. If I had been in his shoes, all their acts in judicial examination six months and was conducted by his I would not take up another govern- held at the close of their terms. It may successor and all the charges were ment post again, but as consuelo de be said that the fear of the residencia forwarded to Spain… The Italian bobo, Fajardo was called to account was almost the sole incentive to righ- traveler Gemelli Careri who visited for his treatment of Corcuera during teous official conduct or efficient Manila in 1696 characterizes the govhis own residencia. public service…” ernor’s residencia as a ‘dreadful trial,’ The first residencia conducted in If we change “colonial service” to the strain of which would sometimes the Philippines was for Governor- “civil service” in that quotation, then ‘break their hearts.’”

General Diego de Salcedo in 1670. we may yet have another answer to The residencia could become a There were a lot of issues about the graft and corruption. weapon of the vindictive, the petty different individuals trying the case, Aside from Cunningham, the his- and the malicious, and made goverand the paperwork went on for five torical introduction to the 55-vol- nance difficult. Charges ranged from

graft to immorality to inability to stop Moro raids or pursue the Dutch after a naval battle. Geronimo de Silva, a temporary governor, was imprisoned by the Audiencia in 1625 because he did not pursue the Dutch after they were defeated in battle in 1617. The case was instigated by a magistrate, who lost command of the military when De Silva assumed office.

In the hands of Filipinos the residencia would probably degenerate into an institutionalized form of revenge or harassment. Anything from the large to the petty from the real to the imagined could be taken up during a residencia, and, depending on who is administering it, the exgovernment official was fined, imprisoned, or exiled. Sometimes the unfortunate fellow suffered all those punishments, his family and friends were reduced to poverty, and he was not allowed to appeal. Often, death during the residencia was the most merciful way out.

The residencia failed to be effective after the 18th century because it did not stem graft and corruption but sometimes multiplied it threefold.

Because by then the advice for all government officials was to steal not once but thrice. ■

AT LARGE

BBL will lay groundwork for peace

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer YOU’D THINK, given the importance of the bill he was introducing on the floor of the House, that Rep. Rufus Rodriguez would try to “sell” it with overblown promises and profuse praise.

But the Cagayan de Oro congressman chose to be more realistic, taking a more sober assessment of the situation, and yet not stinting on the implications of the passage of the bill.

In his sponsorship speech on the substitute bill on the passage of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Rodriguez acknowledged that “peace in Mindanao will not be achieved if we pass this measure today. Peace may not even be achieved a month, or even a year after this bill becomes law.” But, he assured, “this bill will provide the groundwork on which the foundations for peace and development in Mindanao shall be laid.”

This is because, he said, the bill “will address centuries of inherited disadvantages suffered by our Muslim brothers and sisters, will erase the accretions of antipathies against Muslim brothers and sisters; and will be an affirmative action to correct centuries of neglect and injustice

[against] our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

“I am from Mindanao,” Rodriguez added, giving context to his sentiments and belief in the BBL. “I wish to see the day that children of Muslims and indigenous peoples will have the same opportunities of the Christian children of Christian families to have good education, health and employment opportunities. And that they will not be judged because of culture and religion but [be seen] as human beings with human dignity.

“I wish to see the day that no one will be left behind; no Muslim will be left behind in enjoying the blessings and fruits of development in our beautiful island of Mindanao.”

“Be on the right side of history!” he exhorted his colleagues. *** In the same speech, Rodriguez sought to debunk accusations that the House has “railroaded” the passage through committee of the BBL. In all, he noted, 24 public hearings were conducted throughout the country, 19 regular meetings and eight executive sessions, for a total of 51 meetings conducted by the committee in the eight months it took to parse the proposed measure.

“It is the most inclusive and most

comprehensive consultation for a piece of legislation in the entire history of our nation,” declared Rodriguez.

“The process that the BBL … has gone through is unprecedented in the history of the legislative branch of our government,” he added. But the arduous work and the controversies that continue to hound the proposed law and its adherents may well be worth it if we consider the scope of the problem the law seeks to alleviate.

Not least of the problems has been the human cost: 120,000 lives lost from 1970 to 2001, when the “all-out war” policy was adopted. Since then until 2012 when the ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front took effect, 2,599 more were killed, over half of them MILF forces, 491 military and police, and 841 civilians.

Aside from the dead and wounded, about one-and-a-half million people were displaced because of the conflict, many fleeing as far away as Luzon and the Visayas, and perhaps even driving the overseas migration of young Muslim Filipinos to work as laborers and domestics. We aren’t even counting the costs in terms of cutting short the education of refugee children, the emotional trauma

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they undergo, the sense of “otherness” they continue to nurse in their hearts. *** Reckoning the actual economic and financial consequences of the Mindanao conflict, Rodriguez noted that since 1970, “the Philippines has already suffered at least P640 billion in economic losses in terms of damages to businesses and properties and loss of potential investments and businesses in the region.” Add to this the estimated P73 billion already spent on combat expenses.

“I agree with the dissenters of this Basic Law that this 91-page document is not a miraculous pill that would somehow end all hostilities in Mindanao and usher in a golden era of peace in the region,” Rodriguez said. “Centuries of violence, injustice, discrimination, and misunderstanding among our brothers and sisters in Mindanao will not be magically swept away once we pass this bill on third and final reading and hopefully, enacted into law.” But he asserted that what the measure provides is “the chance to achieve peace by addressing all these issues and thrusting them into the public consciousness, as what has been done from the time the bill was referred by

the plenary to the ad hoc committee.”

Well, thrust the issues to the forefront of public consciousness and public debate the BBL has certainly done. Even with his impassioned sponsorship speech, Rodriguez knows that, as a news item in this paper yesterday reported: “Hopes appear to have dimmed on the prospect of it being enacted before Congress adjourns in two weeks.” *** The number of House members expressing doubt or concerns about the BBL has risen in recent days, acknowledged Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales. And if each of these “doubters” eat up precious time debating the merits of the bill, then Gonzales doubts if the House leadership could meet its self-imposed deadline of June 11 for the passage of the law. (Note that the Senate has yet to pass the BBL at committee level.)

The problem is that many of the House members and the senators see their political fates tied to how they vote on the BBL. The measure has been linked to the fate of the SAF 44 (but why only the SAF 44?) in Mamasapano, with many seeing the BBL passage as a slap on the face of the “martyrs” of this confrontation. Fair or unfair? ■

18

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Canada News

Recession unavoidable Ex-Ontario deputy education for Alberta this year, minister sentenced Conference Board to three years for child porn of Canada says

BY PAOLA LORIGGIO The Canadian Press

BY LAUREN KRUGEL The Canadian Press CALGARY — A recession is unavoidable in Alberta this year, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada.

The province’s economy is expected to shrink by 0.7 per cent in 2015, even though oil prices seem to have stabilized at around US$60 a barrel, the Ottawa-based economic think tank said Thursday.

Next year, it’s calling for modest growth of 1.1 per cent.

“Alberta’s economic performance will be underwhelming this year and next, especially compared with recent years,” said Marie-Christine Bernard, with the Conference Board.

“Oil prices remain well below break-even levels for most new projects in the oilpatch and conditions are not expected to turn around until sometime next year.”

The board expects 24,000 job losses in the construction and mining sectors, which will, in turn, hurt the housing market and retail sales.

But the good news is the job market in other non-energy sectors appears to be holding up relatively well and the unemployment rate in the province is expected to average 5.6 per cent this year, lower than the national average.

Also on the positive side, the energy industry has been able to boost production thanks to past investments, and oilsands crude has been able to make its way to the lucrative Gulf Coast market.

The economic hit this time around is not expected to be as severe as during the 2008 and 2009 downturn, when there was a widespread financial crisis.

The forecast did not incorporate potential changes under the new provincial NDP government, such as higher corporate taxes and royalties.

Alberta’s premier is still getting her feet wet in going through the province’s struggling economy but suggested the Conference Board report isn’t that much of a surprise.

“We’re getting a number of different projections and we’re looking at all of them right now,” Notley said in Calgary.

“We know that due to circumstances well beyond our control that our economy is a volatile one and we may be struggling a bit but we’re going to look at all of the reindicators and will act appropriately.”

While oil-producing Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador are being hurt by low prices, British Columbia, Manitoba and Central Canada are expected to post the strongest economic growth over the next two years. ■

phy, to be nude, and to masturbate in front of the child.

At no point did he clarify that it was purely a fantasy, or TORONTO — A top Ontario take steps to find out whether educator urged people he met any real abuse was occurring, online to “sadistically sexually McArthur said. assault” their children in his “Mr. Levin knew that the perquest for sexual thrills, an Onson he was chatting with online tario judge said in sentencing might be real and that an actual him to three years in prison. eight-year-old girl could be reBenjamin Levin, who once peatedly sexually assaulted at served as deputy education his direction,” she said. minister in Ontario and Mani“He didn’t care. Mr. Levin toba, “appeared to have it recklessly pursued his own selfall,”Judge Heather McArthur ish sexual urges, all the while said in her decision. knowing an innocent young “He was rechild could be spected by abused as a refriends and colsult. Mr. Levin’s leagues and was moral blameconsidered a In conversations he had online, Levin worthiness is exleading authorclaimed to have sexually abused tremely high.” ity on education. his own daughters, but ‘there is no Levin was arHe had a loving evidence that he ever had sexual rested in July wife and three contact with a child,’ McArthur said.

2013 when a grown daughters search warrant who treasured was executed at him,”she said. his home. He was But Levin also a university prohad a “hidden dark side,” the important aspect of his rehabil- fessor at the time. judge said. itative efforts,” the judge said.

As part of his sentence, Levin “Unbeknownst to his friends, Court has heard Levin used is barred for five years from colleagues and family, he had to frequent a website with nu- going to parks, schools or combecome deeply immersed in a merous chat rooms for the dis- munity centres where children deviant and depraved online cussion of sexual activities. might be, unless supervised by world.”

Among the people he chat- an adult aware of his situation.

Levin, 63, pleaded guilty to ted with were an undercover He also faces a five-year ban possession of child pornogra- officer in Toronto, one in Lon- on working or being in contact phy, making child pornography don, Ontario, and one in New with children unless super— a charge stemming from an Zealand — all posing as women vised, and on using the Internet explicit story he wrote — and interested in sexual activities for anything but work or educounselling the indictable of- with children. cation. He must also submit a fence of sexual assault. He was In one case, Levin wrote a DNA sample to authorities. originally charged with seven story detailing “the violent Toronto police Det. Const. child porn-related offences. sexual assault of a 10-year-old Janelle Blackadar, who posed In conversations he had on- girl”for an officer pretending to online as the mother of the line, Levin claimed to have sex- be a single woman interested in eight-year-old girl, said she ually abused his own daughters, incest fantasies. hopes the case sends a clear but “there is no evidence that In another case, he “coun- message to any others involved he ever had sexual contact with selled another officer posing as in child pornography. a child,” McArthur said. a young mother to sadistically “If there are offenders that She noted that Levin, who sexually assault her eight-year- are out there, if they’re dokept his head bowed for much old daughter,” McArthur said. ing things online... I hope evof the sentencing, appeared Court heard Levin instructed erybody knows we will stop at “genuinely remorseful” and her on how to “groom the child nothing to make sure that they was deemed to have low risk of to get her ‘used to sex,’” to ex- are arrested and victims are reoffending by a forensic psy- pose her daughter to pornogra- saved.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

chiatrist.

Levin has said in a written statement that he’s “deeply ashamed” of his actions.

Many of his friends and former colleagues have penned letters to the court lauding his contributions to education. His daughters have sworn in writing that he never abused them or behaved in a sexually inappropriate way in their presence, and his wife of more than 36 years said she still loves him and will continue to support him.

“This acceptance will be an

Canada News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

19

Minister Ed Fast Wraps Up Successful Trade Mission in Philippines YESTERDAY, MINISTER Fast wrapped up his trade mission to promote the Canada-Philippines bilateral partnership.

Here are the highlights from day 3 and 4.

Minister Fast began day 3 by hosting a roundtable for representatives of Canadian businesses in the Philippines, to hear first-hand about the opportunities available in the fastest growing market in ASEAN. Minister Fast was then interviewed by host Ron Cruz on Monrnings@ANC, one of the most watched morning shows in the Philippines.

Minister Fast later met with Mr. Cezar Consing, President and CEO of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Mr. Francis Puno, President and COO of First Gen Corporation. At both meet-

International Trade Minister Ed Fast promotes world-class Canadian beef to shoppers at Rustan’s Supermarket during a Canada Beef Inc.-sponsored special event.

DFATD | MAECD / FLICKR

ings Minister Fast highlighted the Harper Government’s low-

tax, pro-jobs economic plan, and advanced the interests of Cana-

dian companies.

The Minister then visited Canadian iconic burger restaurant Triple Os at the Megamall in Manila, where he enjoyed a 100% Canadian beef burger!

Minister Fast closed off his last day in Manila at a farewell reception hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, where he had the opportunity to meet with his Filipino counterpart, Secretary of Trade and Industry, Gregory Domingo.

On the last day of the trade mission Minister Fast travelled to Cebu with delegates from the agriculture and agri-food sector. In Cebu Minister Fast held a roundtable on opportunities available for the sector in the Philippines and spoke at a networking lunch hosted by

the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Cebu Business Club.

Following the luncheon Minister Fast toured Matimco, the largest Filipino importer of Canadian wood.

The Minister closed off his day in Cebu at Rustan Supermarket where he promoted world-class Canadian beef and highlighted Canadian products now available on the shelves in the Philippines. ■ For more information on the Minister’s trade mission, and to keep up to date with the Harper Government’s pro-jobs, protrade plan, please visit http:// www.international.gc.ca/commerce/index.aspx?lang=eng

Escorted outings granted to mentally ill B.C. dad who killed his three children

BY TAMSYN BURGMANN The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — A British Columbia father who killed his three children while suffering psychosis will be allowed escorted outings, a decision the mother of the dead calls a travesty that she has been dreading.

Allan Schoenborn received the B.C. Review Board’s approval despite an earlier warning from the Crown to panel members to heed new Conservative government legislation empowering them to hold mentally ill offenders indefinitely.

Darcie Clarke said her family will still work with Crown to potentially apply to the B.C. Supreme Court to label her 47-year-old former husband a “high risk” offender.

“So what’s next? For Allan,

he could be in our community at any time without the public’s knowledge,” she said in an online statement after the decision was released on Friday. “I will now live in consistent fear.”

Schoenborn stabbed 10-yearold Kaitlynne, and smothered eight-year-old Max and fiveyear-old Cordon in their Merritt, B.C., home in April 2008.

He’s been held in the province’s psychiatric hospital since being declared not criminally responsible, or NCR, for the killings on account of mental disorder.

His high-profile case was used as an example by the prime minister to introduce reforms to legislation governing treatment of people found NCR. The provincial Crown cited public safety while arguing aggressively during the four-day review, which concluded a month ago,

SHUTTERSTOCK

to prevent his limited freedom.

Schoenborn’s lawyer Scott Hicks said his client is pleased with the decision, but they have no way of predicting the date of

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his first outing.

“It was an absolutely awful crime, so of course the family of the victims are going to have an emotional response,” Hicks said.

“But I think that the safeguards are pretty firmly in place.”

The decision states that Schoenborn’s illness has been in remission for many years.

“In this case, the board determined that the custody order imposed on Mr. Schoenborn could include a clause permitting him escorted access to the community at the discretion of the director.”

It also noted that prior to any outing, Schoenborn’s mental stability and any risk he might pose would be assessed.

But Clarke lashed out at the B.C. Review Board directly, calling on Premier Christy Clark and B.C.’s justice minister to reform the board and its operations at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital where Schoenborn is a patient. ❱❱ PAGE 41 Escorted outings

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FRIDAY

Canada News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

DART packing up, heading home from Nepal after last month’s devastating quakes THE CANADIAN PRESS

cess to clean, safe drinking water for approximately 3,400 people.

It also provided 750 maps and visuOTTAWA — Canada’s Disaster Assis- als to the Nepalese and foreign militartance Response Team is leaving Nepal ies and to non-governmental and UN after a month of work in the earthquake- agencies. Its engineers removed about shattered country.

720 dump-truck loads of rubble and also The military team will turn over its base cleared roads. camp to non-governCanada has also mental organizations. contributed $10 milThe departure lion to relief efforts; comes after the Cathe government nadian government, The Canadian matched donations the United Nations Armed Forces made to Canadian and Nepal concluded have done us charities for Nepal there is no longer a proud in their between April 25 and critical need for forhumanitarian May 25. eign military assets work to help the “The Canadian on the ground. people of Nepal Armed Forces have The day after the recover from last done us proud in devastating April 25 month’s terrible their humanitarian temblor, Canada sent earthquake. work to help the peoa reconnaissance ple of Nepal recover team and members from last month’s of the DART to assess terrible earthquake,” conditions.

Defence Minister JaWithin days, military C-17 transports son Kenney said in a statement. flew in personnel and equipment to aid Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholin the recovery efforts. son also praised the military effort.

The DART focuses on water purifica“While humanitarian needs still pertion, initial, primary medical care and sist, the progress made by the DART, engineering support. working closely with the government of In Nepal, the Canadian team treated Nepal and our international partners, more than 700 patients, distributed 75 has made a significant impact on the water filtration units and provided ac- lives of the Nepalese people.” ■

Winnipeg police’s mounted patrol unit disbanded as cost cutting measure THE CANADIAN PRESS WINNIPEG — There’s be no more horsing around in the Winnipeg police department.

They’ve disbanded their mounted patrol unit, in which two officers on horses have been patrolling streets since 1998.

The unit was a fixture at parades, community gatherings and festivals.

Police Chief Devon Clunis said Friday the decision was made earlier this year.

He said at a time of tough fiscal restraints, they felt it was the best move in terms of the utilization of resources.

A police spokesperson says it cost up to $25,000 to feed and house the horses, a

number that does not include the cost of equipment and the horse and trailer used to transport the animals in and out of the city.

In the past, the high-profile mounted unit was regularly touted as a means of improving community relations and allowing the public a more welcoming opportunity to interact with police.

“It’s unfortunate the unit has been disbanded,” said Downtown Biz executive director, Stefano Grande. “It’s a great way of engaging the community in a constructive manner.”

The two officers have been reassigned to community relations while the horses, Titus and Amaro, have been sold “at market value” to one of the officers, who is also retiring. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

21

World News

22

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Boat people talks: Key issues and expectations at regional talks on Rohingya migrant crisis

BY JOCELYN GECKER The Associated Press BANGKOK — In the past month, more than 3,000 desperate, hungry people have landed on the shores of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, drawing international attention to a crisis in Southeast Asia. Arrivals of the overcrowded boats — crammed with Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar and impoverished Bangladeshis hoping to find jobs — have now slowed. But the crisis is far from over, and will be the topic of a Friday conference in Bangkok to be attended by senior officials from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

A look at key issues and challenges: History

Minority Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing predominantly Buddhist Myanmar for decades, and paying human traffickers with flimsy boats to take them away from violence and statesanctioned discrimination. For years, Southeast Asia has quietly ignored the issue, partly because of a policy of not

KISA KUYRUK / SHUTTERSTOCK

publicly criticizing each other's governments. But recently the problem became too big to overlook. Thailand launched a

crackdown on human trafficking earlier this month that prompted smugglers to abandon their boats, leaving what aid groups estimated were thousands of migrants stranded at sea. Survivors, including women and children, came ashore with first-hand accounts of beatings, ransom kidnappings by traffickers and near-starvation.

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Thailand has invited representatives from 17 countries directly and indirectly affected by “irregular migration in the Indian Ocean.” They are Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

Representatives from the United States, Japan and Switzerland will participate as observers, along with officials from international organizations including the U.N. refugee agency, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organization for Migration.

Challenges

Most countries have made clear they are not keen to take in the Rohingya or the Bangladeshi migrants, fearing that accepting a few will invite many more.

- Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott: “Nope, nope, nope,” when asked if Australia would resettle any of the Rohingya or Bangladeshis. “We are not going to do anything that will encourage people to get on boats.”

- Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said migrants who fled Bangladesh are “mentally sick” to have risked

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their lives on dangerous boats. She said they have “tainted” the country's image abroad and vowed to punish them.

- Myanmar's government denies the Rohingya citizenship, making them effectively stateless. It views the estimated 1.3 million Rohingya living in dire conditions in western Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Officials initially said that none of the boat people came from Myanmar, and threatened to boycott the talks if the word “Rohingya” appeared on the invitiation.

It was left out.

- Malaysia and Indonesia agreed last week to provide the migrants with oneyear shelter. Indonesia says Rohingya can stay for a year while Bangladeshis will be repatriated. It is unclear what happens after a year, and both countries have called on the international community to help with resettlement options.

- Thailand has offered “humanitarian help” but not shelter. More than 100,000 refugees, mostly from Myanmar's other ethnic groups, have been living in border camps for decades, and Thailand says it can't afford any more.

- Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia agree that the key to solving the migrant crisis is addressing “the root cause” — which means the situation in Myanmar.

It's not an easy task when Myanmar officials are loath to even utter the word “Rohingya.”

- The United States is prepared to take a leading role in resettling the most vulnerable Rohingya refugees, according to State department spokeswoman Marie Harf. She said the U.S. was “taking a careful look” at the Malaysian-Indonesia request to resettle migrants after a year of temporary shelter, but noted that the U.S. took in more than 1,000 Rohingya in the past fiscal year and “obviously can't take this all on ourselves.”

Friday’s goals

International human rights groups have urged the countries to prioritize and address the most urgent problems.

Human Rights Watch called on Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to find a better, co-ordinated method of saving the people still stranded at sea — and urged Thailand to allow migrants to disembark on their shores.

It urged the governments to put pressure on Myanmar to end the repressive policies that drive Rohingya to flee. It also called on Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to allow the UNHCR and IOM full access to rescued boat people to determine refugee status and other protection needs. ■ Associated Press writer Thanyarat Doksone contributed to this report.

World News

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

23

PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

So, How Do You Do Informational Interviewing Correctly?

BY BOLET AREVALO

REMEMBER THAT informational interviewing is a situation where you can be in control. Start by planning it well and going really prepared.

Plan your course of action.

First you have to believe that you can do it, that is: Face a person of authority and start acting like you are a press reporter gathering facts to create a good story.

Remember that as a “reporter,” you are also the discussion director. You take the lead in navigating the discussion towards a direction that will be most useful and relevant to you and your “hidden” agenda.

After all that we say about informational interviews, there will always be that little hope deep, deep within to stumble upon an opportunity for that job that you have been looking for.

May I emphasize though that to have a hidden agenda is not bad, but it is a no-no to bring it up in the course of the interview. At least it should never come from you while you are sitting there pretending to be a reporter. It is statistically correct to say that many informational interviews have ended up as job interviews. Interviewers sometimes leave with very clear

prospects, maybe even an outright offer or a scoop as to when the next interesting job posting could go up.

Whether or not that is the case, it is very important to list the names of the companies you wish to request for informational interviews. The more, the merrier. I mean, the more names on the list, the better chances you have of getting through. Read, read, read. Read about industry trends and updates, as you wouldn’t want to spend time talking to a company CEO who tells you in the middle of the interview that the company is closing down in the next month or so.

From the list, prioritize the companies which you feel strongly about. Once you have set your priority companies, research them. An informational interview takes a more fluid direction if it becomes an exchange of notes and ideas between the two people who are talking. Remember the “hidden” agenda? You should also project yourself very well in terms of your preparedness and interest to the company. It must be an intelligent repartee.

Otherwise, you will be better off sending a written Q&A for the resource person to fill up and mail to your address.

As you research, questions will begin to form in your mind.

Thus, you will be able to formulate your questions logically and reasonably. Prepare

relevant questions. How you will proceed with the questions must be well planned out, so that one question leads to another and prepares your interviewee for the next one.

As a reporter/interviewer, have a pen and paper ready.

Maybe you’ll even want to record the conversation. Any recording of conversations should be done with prior notice and expressed approval of the interviewee, especially if it is done electronically or digi-

tally. It is good to write down important points raised, names dropped, dates or occasions mentioned, because you will never know when you will need them.

One interviewer jotted down a date his resource person mentioned as a date that coincided with her birthday. The interviewer sent a birthday card to this interviewee on that date, and that made the latter remember the interviewer and invite him to apply for a posi-

No Credit?

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tion posted much later on the company website.

Anything can happen or can come out of an informational interview, including surprisingly landing a good job in the end. Although as I have repeatedly said, never, never mention about applying for a job while doing the interview. It is not proper to do so because you have cited your objective to be a mere exchange of information ❱❱ PAGE 27 So, How Do

24

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Uniquely Pinoy

Peculiar Traits that Spell “You’re Pinoy!”

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Now, don’t get me wrong, I truly believe Filipino food is one of the most underrated cuisines in the world — but mortal stomachs have limits, too. It’s a sad truth, I know, but it’s the truth we have to live with.

IF YOU frequently visit social media sites, you must’ve stumbled upon an article or a video featuring traits unique to us Pinoys. Some peculiarities that would not make sense to any other nationality in the world, but we Filipinos would understand in a heartbeat.

Here are some peculiar traits that definitely say “you’re Pinoy!”

Hospitality at its finest

More than Words

Pinoys have tons of ways to communicate without words.

One way is the infamous “sutsot” or calling someone’s attention by creating a high-pitched sound directed towards someone. Some even say that a surefire way to find Pinoys when you’re in a foreign country is to “sutsot.” The only ones who will look your way are Filipinos.

Another form of non-verbal communication that we Pinoys use is giving directions using our lips. We pout or pucker our lips to point at something. If your mom’s Filipino, you defi-

Filipinos celebrate their faith during fiestas, which often means family reunions and tons of delicious food.

FROLOVA ELENA / SHUTTERSTOCK

nitely know this one. And if you grew up in a Filipino household, you definitely know where to look when your mom pouts to-

ward something.

This non-verbal lingo isn’t limited to our lips. Sometimes, we also use our eyebrows and

eyes to convey something.

Well, anything to avoid raising an arm and actually pointing at something, right?

Politeness and Food

Filipinos love food. And by love, I mean, instead of asking “How are you?” we ask, “Kumain ka na ba?” (“Have you eaten?”)

Sometimes, all you need is one word: “Kain.”

For Pinoys, it could be both an invitation and a command.

Eitherway, Pinoys will always — and I mean ALWAYS — offer to share their food with you.

Whether it’s a bag of chips or their lunch (lovingly packed by their mom), they will offer you a bite or two and will gladly share their meal if you oblige.

During fiestas or gatherings, your numerous Titas and Titos, Lolas and Lolos will incessantly urge you to eat (“Kain ka na”) the moment you arrive, and when they see you’re almost done with the massive amount of food they heaped on your plate, they’ll invite you to eat some more. www.canadianinquirer.net

We Filipinos are known worldwide for our hospitality.

This is actually one of the main reasons why Pinoys earn high praise from most medical institutions and healthcare facilities abroad.

But even without expecting a salary, Filipinos willingly open their homes to family and friends. Perhaps this is notable, especially when compared with other nationalities. Rich or poor, young or old, Filipinos will welcome you and more.

Need a bed to sleep in for the night? Have mine!

Need a drive to the airport?

I’ll take you.

Just passing by? Come in and share a meal with us.

Some say Filipinos are even willing to give the clothes off their back for visitors — especially for friends and families.

This is something I will not contest, having experienced this myself a few times. I just wish I could do the same for others.

Another great example of Filipino hospitality extends outside the home. When a Pinoy happens to recognize a friend or a relative in the same jeep, they will almost fight about who gets to pay for whom. I see this most of the time with drivers. Spotting a friend on the rearview mirror, they’ll yell pleasantries (yes, yell pleasantries) at each other. And when the friend tries to hand his/her fare, the driver will most definitely decline and say it’s on the house. Or rather, on the jeep.

I could go on and on about traits that makes Pinoys unique, but there wouldn’t be enough space in this entire issue. The truth is, you don’t need to read an article or watch a funny video to know what sets Pinoys apart from other nationalities. Kababayan, you just have to look within you. ■

Uniquely Pinoy

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

25

The Resilient Juan

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer JUAN is strong, resilient, and always happy.

Resiliency, or the ability to conquer challenges and stand strong amidst difficulties, is what sets Filipinos apart from other nationalities in the world.

Known as one of the world’s “happiest people,” Filipinos have the spirit to remain positive and strong when faced with natural disasters, poverty, corruption in the government and other national issues that are otherwise detrimental to their survival.

No wonder CNN’s Anderson Cooper noted how amazed he was of the incredible strength that Filipinos displayed, especially those in the affected areas destroyed by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.

“Can you imagine the strength it takes living in a shack, to be sleeping on the streets next to the body of your dead children? Can you imagine that strength? I can’t. And I’ve seen that strength day in and day out here in the Philippines and we honor them in every broadcast that we do,” Cooper said in a CNN broadcast.

“Not just to survive this storm but they’re strong to have survived the aftermath of the storm for a week now with very little food, with very little water, with very little medical attention,” he added.

The typhoon brought over P4 billion damage to crops and infrastructure and almost 7,000 death tolls mostly from the provinces of Leyte and Samar.

Pinoy’s ‘sense of humor’

But amid all these, as CNN reporter Ivan Watson said, Filipinos still have not lost their sense of humor.

“Certainly Filipinos here have not lost their sense of humor. They joke with the stranger even though their homes are damaged and their stomachs are empty,” he said.

He also shared how kids, the most vulnerable to trauma, have the most peculiar way of coping by cracking jokes with one kid saying, "Laughter is the best medicine.”

“And yet, what's really striking about this town is how

quickly the community has come together again and started to get things done. People may not have insurance here, but they have phenomenal resilience,” he said.

Photojournalist David Guttenfelder, the chief Asia photographer for the Associated Press news agency and a contributor for the National Geographic, also documented the resilient spirit of the Filipinos.

Guttenfelder described how the theme of resiliency and strength emerged from his photographs showcasing Filipinos’ cheerful face amid the destruction.

"People laugh and are happy, even though their lives are just destroyed. They've built basketball hoops in rubble and play pickup games, and people watch and cheer,” he said in a report by Ker Than for the National Geographic.

"Filipino people have an incredible spirit and an incredible way of moving on. If it were any other place in the world, it would be so different,” he added.

Strength to overcome

In an interview published in the same report, Guttenfelder described what Tacloban was A child’s resilience is a wondrous thing. like after the disaster.

“It's just a complete waste- down on them.” a march to encourage everyland. It looks like a nuclear “You just can't exaggerate the body to be brave and to hang in bomb went off and flattened good-natured, positive spirit of there. They were carrying signs the place. Nobody has power. the people in this country. At that said ‘we shall overcome.’”

There were bodies everywhere the very least, they've lost ev“I saw a guy carrying his when I got here—on the road erything they own, and at the kids on his shoulders, and peofrom the airport into town, just very worst, they've lost mem- ple were wearing wigs. They body after body,” were just havhe said as quoted ing a blast, even in the same Nathough it was tional Geographraining and they ic report.

What's really striking about this town were walking “Everybody's is how quickly the community has past bodies.” just wandering come together again and started “And because around trying to to get things done. People may not of the way Filibuild some type have insurance here, but they have pino people are, of structure out phenomenal resilience.

I tend to focus of anything they a lot on their can salvage.” resiliency. You “And every just can't exagday it rains for gerate the goodat least part of the day. And bers of their family, but they're natured, positive spirit of these the people have nothing and still upbeat and positive,” he people. It's like their natural they're just soggy,” he added. said. identity is to smile. The hardest He also noted how Filipinos Guttenfelder was even moved thing here is to take a photohave not lost their religious when he saw the people rally- graph that doesn't have a child spirit, which is one of the major ing, not against the government grinning from ear to ear in the foundations of their strength. but to encourage everyone else background,” he added.

“I went to a church service in the place to be strong and be recently and the roof was gone, brave.

Uniquely ‘Filipino’ and people were sitting in the “There was a protest march Almost a year before that pews praying and holding um- recently, but it wasn't a protest supertyphoon challenged the brellas because it was raining against the government. It was Filipino spirit, Filipinos were www.canadianinquirer.net

OLEGD / SHUTTERSTOCK

ranked the 8th happiest people in the world with 82 percent saying they are indeed “happy.”

In an interview for a GMA News report, Dr. Jovy Peregrino a professor of Philippine studies from the University of the Philippines explained that Filipinos’ happiness and hope is rooted from their religiosity.

“Ang isang taong religious, isang taong mataas, malalim at punong-puno ng spiritwalidad dahil sa kanyang paniniwala ay nag-ke-create ng pag-asa,” Dr. Jovy Peregrino said.

(A person that is religious, deep and full of spirituality, because of his or her beliefs create hope.)

He added that the country is a generally a tightly-knit “communitarianist” nation where people look into support from whenever they are feeling upset.

Having a positive mindset before, during and even after the disaster is uniquely Filipino. It is, indeed, one of the best “tatak Pinoy” (Filipino mark) that Filipinos all over the world can be proud of. ■

26

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

Living to the Fullest: Patty Bercasio Pascal

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT’S ALL in her name.

If you look it up, her name in Latin means “one’s homeland” or “one’s own country.”

Some translations even refer to her name as “heaven.”

Indeed, Patria Bercasio Pascal – or simply ‘Patty’ to friends and family – never forgot her homeland and continues to live each day to the fullest in celebration of her Filipino heritage.

foremost goal was to sponsor all my family members to Canada, finish my degree, get married, and have one child only (so I could closely monitor his formative years, studies and eventual career), teach English in a non-English speaking country, take supplementary programs in some institutions, volunteer in the community, and write my memoirs in that order.”

And how’s Patty doing now, 31 years later?

“I fulfilled all of these goals so far.”

Life in the Great White North

Fulfilled Goals

Patty refers to herself as a ‘pioneer’ in her family being the first one from their clan to move to Canada.

Being the eldest of 11 children, Patty had the innate longing to help her family in whatever way she can. She was working as a bilingual stenographer back in the Philippines in the 1970’s, but she realized that her income combined with her father’s salary was not enough to keep their family afloat.

So in January 1974, she moved to Canada in search for a better opportunity. She landed in Winnipeg, Manitoba as a permanent resident. She can still recall her first few years in Manitoba.

“To be a 'pioneer' in a family is daunting to anyone,” she shared.

“Due to my credentials from back home and my desire to fulfill my goals on behalf of the family, I was able to cope with difficulties commonly experienced by new immigrants in a new land.”

Patty recalled the harsh winters of Winnipeg, which seem to intensify her longing for family. “[I had] no family members or friends to provide morale support,” she pointed out. “My

“The fact that one of the two languages is English helps immensely,” Patty said.

With her credentials and her experience, she was thankful for the opportunities she encountered in Canada.

“It is a very diverse country, and opportunities for advancement are easy to obtain for those who are willing to work hard,” she said.

However, there’s still some things that pose a big challenge for Patty.

“The weather is both extremes too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer in some places,” she said.

She also pointed other challenges she encountered, “Discrimination and racism can happen in the workplace, if we don't fight for our rights.”

Despite the wonderful opportunities in Canada enabling her to provide for her family, Patty admits that she still misses a lot of things about the Philippines. “[I miss] Filipino hospitality, fiestas, scenic spots,” she listed.

She was also quick to point out that she misses several tropical fares like fruits, “especially mangoes and caimito (star apple).”

Having been in Canada for over 30 years, she has certainly

grown accustomed to the country’s culture. But Patty says she still tries to incorporate her Filipino heritage in her day to day life.

Today, she works for the Richmond School District as a Cultural Interpreter and Settlement Worker in Schools. She also translates school documents from English to Filipino.

“I manage a pool of volunteer interpreters and translators from different cultures,” she explained. “[We] help parents who are new to the community understand the Canadian school system through orientation meetings and referral sessions…

We bridge homeschool communication and provide referrals to the services as required.

Through workshops, school meetings and symposiums, I come to understand their immediate concerns, i.e., language barriers, acculturation, separation and reunification, to name only a few,” she said.

She also taps on her Pinoy

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side to interact with the community.

“I touch on value systems, Filipino customs and traditions, and interpersonal relationships.

There are a number of Filipino families in our community, and during public events, we reminisce our good times back home in between bites of authentic Filipino food.”

Through her hectic schedule, Patty finds fulfillment in her tasks.

“The most fulfilling part of my job is honouring these volunteer interpreters by coordinating an Appreciation Party to thank them for their invaluable help in our schools as interpreters/translators,” she said.

“Bridging communication gap and understanding cultural differences are the key to my job satisfaction,” she added.

Patty’s Advocacy

Working closely with children and immigrants, Patty has developed an advocacy against bullying.

She even wrote a short story/ brochure for their anti-bullying campaign called “Tom’s Secret.”

“I have a number of published articles dealing with anti-bullying in schools, community, and the workplace,” she said.

“Currently, I am working on an educational magazine (in comic form) which will be launched early next year… It is a literary project that deals with the common problem most people experience these days,” she added.

Patty has also published her memoir entitled " My Journey: an Immigrant's Story of Survival," which serves as one of her platforms when conducting seminars.

She’s also a passionate advocate for cultural diversity, to which she has been recognized numerous times for her efforts in promoting multiculturalism.

In 2002, she was given the “Community Youth Volunteer Honourable Mention” in 2002 by the Surrey- Delta Leader.

In 2014, the Minister of Multiculturalism Teresa Wat presented her the “Provincial Nesika Awards.” This year, she was awarded the Certificate of Nomination as “Champion of Diversity” in the 12th Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards in Abbotsford.

A Piece of Advice from a ‘Survivor ’

When asked about what piece of advice she could share with new Filipino immigrants in Canada, Patty shared, “There isn't any individual I know that hasn't experienced disappointments and failures before fulfilling his/her goals.”

She concluded, “Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

We just have to be ready to cope with any hurdles as we tread on the path of success.” ■

Immigration

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

27

Controversial law that allows revocation of Canadian citizenship goes into effect

BY MICHELLE MCQUIGGE The Canadian Press TORONTO — The federal government says it now has the power to revoke the citizenship of some Canadians convicted of terrorism, treason or espionage.

A controversial new law, first introduced last June, went into effect on Friday.

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration says there are several serious crimes that could result in dual citizens losing their Canadian status.

The ministry says it would revoke citizenship for anyone found guilty of terrorism, treason and high treason, and spying for a foreign government.

The rules would also apply to dual citizens who take up arms against Canada by fighting in a foreign army or joining an international terrorist organization.

The new law has met with strong public criticism, and two Ontario lawyers have already launched a court case arguing it is unconstitutional.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Immigration Minister Chris Alexander argued the new rules are meant to confront what he described as the “ever-evolving threat of jihadi terrorism.”

“Our government knows that there is no higher purpose for any government than to en-

sure the safety and security of its citizens and we have never been afraid to call jihadi terrorism exactly what it is,” Alexander said Friday at an event in Toronto.

He said the changes to the Citizenship Act will ensure that

So, How Do... to which the resource labour or settlement officer in up that you are currently lookperson agreed. In fact, a black-tied suit. On the other ing for a job.Imagine going to a it is considered most hand, you do not meet an exec- news beat as a reporter expectappropriate to schedule such utive banker in a tee and jeans. ing to gather enough informaan interview when the com- When in doubt, smart, casual tion to complete a story. Take pany is not posting a job in line attire will not go wrong. But down notes, names, and dates with your skills. But who really always bring a jacket or blazer carefully. ■ knows what can happen? The which you can slip into or out of point is, go to an Bolet is a marketinformational ing communicainterview as if tions practitioner you were going and dabbles in to a job interHow you will proceed with the writing as a perview. questions must be well planned out, sonal passion.

Dress for sucso that one question leads to another She is authorcess. In whatever and prepares your interviewee for the publisher of the circumstance next one. book: The Most you find yourPractical Immiself, always be grating and Job able to project a Hunting Survival neat, well-groomed personal- as you see fit.

Guide, proven simple steps to ity. While the attire is usually Prioritize going to a company success without the fears and the business-like, you should also that you feel strongly about in doubts. The book is available in be guided by the fact that you terms of future employment. Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, should be able to use good judg- Read about this company as Chapters/Indigo, the Reading ment in choosing the appropri- part of your preparation. Go Room and other online bookate wearing apparel for each and dress up like you are go- shops worldwide, and in Nationtype of interview. You do not ing to a job interview. But it is a al Book Store and Power Books meet a neighbourhood house no-no to even think of bringing in the Philippines. ❰❰ 23

www.canadianinquirer.net

“those who wish to do us harm will not be able to exploit their Canadian citizenship to endanger Canadians or our free and democratic way of life.”

Critics have expressed concerns about the way in which the new law could be applied to

certain high-profile cases.

When they were first announced, the official opposition New Democrats extracted a promise from the government that the new rules would not be used to target Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy, who was then a dual citizen.

Fahmy was convicted of supporting a terrorist group in a widely-denounced trial held in Egypt and was originally sentenced to seven years.

The Al Jazeera television producer later gave up his Egyptian citizenship in an unsuccessful bid to be deported back to Canada and is currently undergoing a new trial on terrorism charges.

In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair argued that Fahmy's case highlighted the risks inherent in the new legislation.

In October, Toronto-based lawyers Paul Slansky and Rocco Galati launched a constitutional court challenge against the new law. Federal Court Judge Donald Rennie dismissed the case earlier this year. Rennie's decision is being appealed. ■

28

Community News

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Federal govt “shuts down” overseas caregiver program FILIPINO CAREGIVERS joined employers and recruitment agencies in saying it appears that the federal government has “virtually shut down” its overseas caregiver program.

“We say it looks like this because only three percent of applications for overseas caregivers were approved by the federal government recently.

For caregivers like me who are already here, this is a big problem because it means I might not be able to complete the 24 months of caregiving work needed for me to qualify as a permanent resident applicant,” says Hessed Torres, who came under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and is also a Migrante-BC member.

“If you include the four to six months it now takes to even process these applications, it means I might run out of time

to complete this requirement and be forced to return to the Philippines,” she added, referring to the federal government’s new rule stating that temporary foreign workers who are unable to obtain permanent residency in four years must leave and not re-enter Canada for another four years.

Joining Hessed on the panel were Natalie Drolet, executive director of the Westcoast Domestic Workers Association; Yolanda Tanciangco from Affordable Nannies; Mable Elmore, MLA for VancouverKensington; and Corey Sietz, a prospective caregiver employer.

Before an employer can hire an overseas caregiver, they need to obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Government figures show that while it received 880 applications for LMIAs

Torres.

between December and March 2015, it only approved 92 of them.

“If employers can’t get the

New envoy urges FilCan commerce group to forge ties with mainstream business

BY ROMEO AYSON ZETAZATE AND DINDO ORBESO St. Jamestown News Service NEW PHILIPPINE Consul General in Toronto Rosalita S. Prospero urged officers and members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce — Toronto (PCCT) to continue to be active partners in forging ties with the business community in the City of Toronto in particular, and Ontario Province in general, at the same time, strengthening and raising the bilateral economic relations between the Philippines and Canada to a higher level.

Speaking during the induction into office of the new set of officers of the PCCT, the Filipino diplomat lauded the efforts of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto (PCCT) to solidify the bond of the FilipinoCanadian community to achieve shared aspirations and its abiding support of the country of their origin and fellow Filipinos in the promotion of inclusive growth and development.

PCCT Induction.

The induction ceremonies was held at the Macedonian Social Hall at Overlea Blvd. in Toronto, Ont. on May 29.

PCCT’s new set of officers and members of the board directors who were sworn into office by Consul General Prospero include Steve Pagao, president; Martin Lagman, first vice president; Melchor Galeon, second vice president; Albert Frias, third vice president; Evelyn Lao, corporate secretary; Nancy Dimaranan, corporate treasurer; and Michele Serrano, auditor.

The board of directors are Oswald Tugadi, the immediate past president; Marsal Drilon, Joel Marilla, Gemma Mendoza, Sonny Montojo, Arthur Palaspas, and Emmanuel (Manny) Yanga.

PCCT is now 23 years old. Its past presidents include: Winston Lim, Clemente Benedicto, Joe Zagala, Mann Nacario, Rubi Talavera, Jess Antonio, Atin Ito Publisher Eddie Lee, Monina Lim Serrano, Rafael Nebres, Cora de la Cruz, and Oswald Tugadi. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

LMIAs, it means they also can’t hire caregivers. So if caregivers have to change employers because of abuse, workplace

violations or other reasons, their ability to gain permanent residency later on is jeopardized,” she added, noting that the LMIA non-refundable processing fee also increased from $250 to $1,000.

For her part, Elmore said “another over-all problem is how the overseas caregivers are still not able to come as permanent residents. The cap and now the seeming halt of the program means caregivers are increasingly being treated as a revolving pool of disposable labour.

At least before, if they complied and met all of the requirements, their capacity to become permanent residents was fairly guaranteed. Caregivers and other migrant workers have much to contribute to Canada and should be allowed to come as permanent residents with a clear path to citizenship.” ■

29

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TEL20150601_CF Filip Inquirer.indd 1

2015-06-01 5:32 PM

www.canadianinquirer.net

30

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Entertainment

Netizen slams Jose Manalo, Tito Sotto for ‘promoting hate’ on gays

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — A certain Cha Roque expressed her disappointment over “Eat Bulaga” hosts Jose Manalo and Tito Sotto for telling a gay dad to ‘get back in the closet.’

Roque, a lesbian mother, posted an open letter in her Facebook account, saying she was appalled by the noontime show hosts’ advice and remorseful for the father who trusted them with was he was going through.

“How you suggested that this guy should go back to the closet so his kids won’t be discriminated is like saying that homosexuality is a sin… You are not in the position to tell this guy ‘bumalik sa closet’ (get back in the closet) or ‘bakit kasi nag-asa-asawa’ (why did he marry) or threaten to hurt him jokingly,” she wrote.

“You are promoting a culture of hate. You are telling the world that corrective beating up is okay to make a gay guy become manly. You are telling the world that the only key to be accepted is to hide who you truly are,” she continued.

Roque greatly disapproved ‘hiding in the closet.’

“I am a lesbian mom and I chose not to hide in the closet, because I love my kid. I don’t think she deserves to be lied to and lying to her about who I am is the biggest betrayal. You don’t hide secrets from the

Kathryn Bernardo’s mother angry over daughter’s fake nude photos

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

L-R Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros and Jose Manalo in Eat Bulaga's Problem Solving Segment.

PHOTO FROM EAT BULAGA'S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

people you love – more so your identity,” she wrote.

“We (LGBT people) do not want to hide. We want to be accepted, and acceptance is different from being tolerated. It is not okay that you are only okay with us if we keep quiet,” she continued.

Roque believed that it was an ‘immature and uneducated move’ for the hosts and the segment.

“You have millions of followers spanning the whole Philippines. Needless to say, the personalities in your show are influential. You even have a Senator blatantly telling this guy to go back to the closet.

Don’t you have gay or lesbian colleagues or staff in your

show?,” she asked.

Roque ended her letter saying people ‘have right to their choices.’

“We know who we are and you don’t have the right to tell us to be otherwise,” she concluded.

It can be recalled that in Eat Bulaga’s Problem Solving segment on May 22, a gay father alias “Diamond” asked the hosts how he could save his three children from being bullied because of his sexuality.

Host Jose Manalo then advised him to somewhat ‘change’ how he looked and appear manly.

Co-host Tito Sotto agreed and immediately added that the gay dad should ‘get back in the closet.’ ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — During the first week of ABS-CBN’s “Pangako Sa’Yo” remake, fake nude photos of lead actress Kathryn Bernardo went viral online.

Kathryn’s mother, Min Bernardo, took to Twitter her rage over the fake photo scandals.

Min said, “Happy ba kayo sa mga ginagawa nyo?? Ano ba napapala nyo, kumikita at sumisikat siguro kayo??Ano naman

ang susunod?? Sana huag (sic) kayong makarma.”

(Are you happy with what you’re doing? What will you gain, money and popularity perhaps? What’s next?

I hope you won’t get karma [from what you’re doing].)

Karla Estrada, mother of teen actor Daniel Padilla, also reacted on the fake nude photos.

Karla said, “Wala tayong makukuhang respeto sa taong walang respeto sa sarili.

Tandaan mo digital na karma ngayon… Ingat!”

(We will not gain respect from people who don’t have respect for themselves. Remember this, karma is digital now… Take care!”)

Karla has been like a second mother to Kathryn as Daniel remains the young actress’ onscreen partner for quite some time now.

“Pangako Sa’Yo” airs every weeknight, after “Nathaniel.” ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

31

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA!

GMA Pinoy TV kicks off 10th anniversary bash with Ai-Ai delas Alas in Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver and L.A.

BY SOCORROBABES NEWLAND

AS GMA Network’s international business arm GMA Pinoy TV celebrates its 10th anniversary, it paid tribute to its loyal partners and audience in Vancouver B.C. and Anaheim, Los Angeles.

The original powerhouse cast comprising of Kapuso Primetime Queen, Marian Rivera (now Mrs. Dingdong Dantes) was replaced by penultimate funny girl— Ai-Ai dela Alas. The latter did not disappoint. Her spiels were not self-replicating.

Her antics were neither forced nor awkward. Ai-Ai was perfectly entertaining, spontaneous and organically funny.

Rivera’s sudden pregnancy announcement coupled with a

delicate first trimester health condition left her unable to fulfill any overseas travels. Hence, another Kapuso Queen took her place to top-bill Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver and Anaheim. Returning Kapuso Ai-Ai delas Alas literally brought the Orpheum Theatre down on May 29th. She left everyone in stitches .

Ai-Ai’s bankability as standup comedian cum singer/ performer has earned her the showbiz royalty title, Concert Comedy Queen of the Philippines. It took 13 years to have her solo movie in the mega blockbuster Ang Tanging Ina (2003). Followed by other blockbuster films My Binondo Girl (2011) and Wako Wako (2012). Due to its unprecedented box-office success, Ang Tanging Ina spawned two sequels—Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat and Ang Tanging Ina Mo:

Last Na ‘to! (2010). Ai-Ai signed a 2-year exclusive contract to GMA Network after 16 years stint in ABS-CBN. Her last show in the ABS-CBN Kapamilya Network was the remake of Dyesebel topbilled alongside Anne Curtis. She joins the cast of GMA’s upcoming television pilot series Let The Love Begin.

Joining 10 years Kapusong Pinoy in Vancouver celebration of “being one at heart with global Filipinos” were Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista, one of GMA’s top leading men Alden Richards, Fearless Diva also Sunday All-Stars mainstay Jonalyn Viray and actor-comedian Betong Sumaya.

Sumaya effectively dons an off the wall portrayal of Antonietta from the Philippines’ longestrunning gag show Bubble Gang.

Kapusong Pinoy Vancouver was organized by GMA’s flag-

Ai-Ai delas Alas.

The author with Christian Bautista.

ship international channel GMA Pinoy TV, in association with Vancouver’s Unit Blue Design & Media Production Services. Accordingly, following the successes of GMA Kapusong Pinoy events in various

parts of the world, Vancouver and Anaheim concerts are just amongst the many forthcoming offerings that are in store for the year. ■ babescastronewland@gmail.com

Annabelle urges son Richard to get back to work for her ‘commission’

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Annabelle Rama applauds son Richard Gutierrez for giving time to his two-yearold son Zion but also encourages him to get back to work so she could have her ‘commissions’ again.

“Natutuwa ako sa kanya ngayon kasi meron siyang time for Zion. Pero sabi ko, ‘Chard, ‘wag naman lahat puro Zion.

Magtrabaho ka naman paminsan-minsan kasi nawala commission ko,” Annabelle said.

(I’m happy with him right now because he has time for Zion. But I told him, ‘Chard, don’t give all your time to Zion.

Work once in a while because I’m losing my commission.)

Annabelle, however, clarifies

that she’s not pressuring her son.

“Nag-e-enjoy naman siya kaya hindi ko siya pinipilit, kasi baka sabihin naman sa akin mukha akong pera. Pero in due time, magtatrabaho na rin siya,” she said.

(He’s enjoying [being a dad] so I’m not insisting, because he might say that I’m all about money. But in due time, he will get back to work.)

With regards to her only daughter, Ruffa Gutierrez, Annabelle states that there is nothing new with their lovehate relationship.

“Si Ruffa… ewan ko. Lagi kaming nag-aaway. Hindi ko na alam kung tunay ko siyang anak, e. We always fight since day one, since she was five years old,” she explained.

(About Ruffa, I don’t know.

Anabelle Rama with grandson Zion, child of Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati.

RICHARD GUTIERREZ / INSTAGRAM

We always argue. I don’t know any more if she’s really my child. We always fight since day one, since she was five years www.canadianinquirer.net

old.)

Despite still not mending hurts with Ruffa, Annabelle still regards to her as a respon-

sible mother.

“Pero okay lang naman. The best naman siyang mother sa dalawang anak niya. Ang hindi lang the best sa kanya, sarili niya,” she said.

(But it’s okay. At least she’s the best mother to her two kids.

The only thing that’s not the best, is herself.)

When it comes to her other son, Raymond, Annabelle is all praise.

“I’m so proud of Raymond.

Sarili niyang income, sarili niyang kayod, sariling sipag.

Hindi na ako nagma-manage sa kanya pagdating diyan kaya wala akong kita sa kanya,” she said.

(I’m so proud of Raymond.

His own income, his own effort, his own work. I not managing him anymore so I don’t earn [any peso] from him.) ■

32

Entertainment

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Kris Aquino and LBC team up to connect overseas Filipinos LBC EXPRESS, Inc., the leading courier service, logistics, and money remittance provider in the Philippines, teams up with the Queen of all Media, Kris Aquino, to better help connect overseas Filipinos and their loved ones back home.

Aquino was launched as LBC’s first celebrity brand endorser on May 20, 2015 at the Green Sun in Makati. LBC executives, celebrities, and guests from the media were treated to tailor-made cocktails and Filipino fusion food representing the countries where LBC is present.

“As a brand endorser, I always make sure that the brand I partner with is trustworthy,” Aquino said. “Every time I have a very important package or document I need delivered, I use LBC. I really trust them.”

Javier Mantecon, LBC’s Chief Marketing Officer, added,

“We are honored that someone as trusted as Kris Aquino has joined our family as we bridge the lives of Filipinos all over the world. Kris is an obvious choice to be our first brand endorser because she has a global influence just as wide as LBC’s global presence. Kris endorsing the brand means she absolutely trusts LBC. We are honored by her confidence in LBC for all her delivery needs; and this only means that we’re doing our job well.”

The launch event’s title, “From LBC, To The World, With Love,” suits both LBC and Aquino. Since the 1950’s, LBC has established itself as the overseas Filipino’s bridge to their loved ones in the Philippines. To date, the courier service has more than 4,400 branches, partners and agents in over 20 countries.

Like LBC, Kris Aquino is a personality trusted by Filipinos

across the world.

During the event, Kris Aquino was warmly welcomed by LBC’s global family at The Eye’s 360-degree panoramic screen.

Ka-LBCs from as far as Italy, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America greeted and interacted with LBC’s new brand endorser.

“I was so surprised that even the staff from abroad made an effort to welcome me to the family,” Aquino said. “It’s this sense of family that makes me excited to team up with LBC.” This sense of Filipino hospitality extends to how the company treats its customers and partners. Customers are attended to with utmost respect, and associates are helpful in explaining the courier’s various offerings like courier and cargo delivery, money remittances and bills payment. LBC’s understanding of the “padama”

behind every “padala” has made it the favorite logistics and courier service of over 2.3 million Filipinos around the world.

“We move lives, business, communities,” Mantecon shared. “But most importantly,

we move love.”

With the partnership between LBC and Kris Aquino, more and more Filipinos will feel the “padama” in every “padala” from their relatives abroad, no matter the distance. ■

Angelia Ong crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2015

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Bruce Jenner debuts Caitlyn on July cover of Vanity Fair magazine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VANITY FAIR

Trans woman Bruce Jenner debuts Caitlyn in Vanity Fair THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK — Bruce Jenner made his debut as a transgender woman in a va-va-voom cover for the July issue of Vanity Fair.

“Call me Caitlyn,” declares a headline with her photo in a

strapless corset, legs crossed, sitting on a stool. The image was shot by famed celeb photographer Annie Leibovitz. Prior to the unveiling of Caitlyn, Jenner had said he prefers the pronoun “he,” but contributing editor Buzz Bissinger, who wrote the accompanying story, refers to “she.”

According to Vanity Fair, which took to Twitter with the cover Monday, Jenner spoke emotionally to the magazine about the gender journey: “If I was lying on my deathbed and I had kept this secret and never ever did anything about it, I would be lying there saying, ‘You just blew your entire life.’” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — Angelia Gabrena Ong, a 24-year-old working student from Manila won this year’s Miss Philippines Earth pageant held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“I think this [victory] is really a validation that indeed if you have faith [in God] and if you claim it you’ll have it,” Angelia said as quoted in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

Angelia was crowned by reigning beauty queen Ms. Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell.

“Ms. Phillippines Earth this year is really a roller coaster ride for me. It actually gave me a different kind of confidence,” she

said.

Angelia bested 37 other contestants and will represent the country in the international Miss Earth competition later this year.

“Glitz and glamour will always be there. But during my reign I want to be remembered that I was proactive, I was able to implement real projects and I was really able to inspire a lot of people to take care of the environment.”

Other winners in this year’s Miss Earth pageant are Miss Philippines Air Chanel Olive Thomas (San Antonio, Nueva Ecija), Miss Philippines Fire Carla Angela Valderrama (Siniloan, Laguna) , Miss Philippines Water Catherine Joy Marin (Bago City) and Miss Philippines Ecotourism Jona Sweet (Iloilo City). ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

33

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West expecting second child THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — Kimye are expecting another baby.

Kim Kardashian says she is pregnant with her second child with Kanye West.

She revealed the news in a clip that appeared after Sunday’s episode of the E! reality show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”

The show documented her fertility struggles, and she confided that an attempt to conceive through in vitro fertilization had failed.

The clip shows Kardashian telling her sister, Khloe, that a blood test following another attempt confirmed she was pregnant.

Kardashian and West have a nearly 2-year-old

daughter, North West, who was born on June 15, 2013.

They got engaged four months later in an elaborate marriage proposal in front of family and friends at San Francisco’s AT&T Park. They married in May 2014 in Florence, Italy, after hosting lavish pre-wedding festivities in France.

The much-talked about couple has been dubbed Kimye since becoming an item. ■

Enrique Iglesias suffered injuries to his hand after he tried to grab a drone while performing in Tijuana, Mexico.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ENRIQUE IGLESIAS / PEOPLE.COM

Enrique Iglesias recovering after fingers sliced at concert THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK — Enrique Iglesias was recovering Sunday after some of his fingers were sliced when he grabbed a drone during a concert in Tijuana, Mexico.

A representative for the singer said in a statement to The Associated Press that Iglesias was “semi-treated” after the accident at the side of the stage to

stop the bleeding on Saturday night. He was advised to end the show but went on to perform for an additional 30 minutes.

“During the show a drone is used to get crowd shots and some nights Enrique grabs the drone to give the audience a Point of View shot. Something went wrong and he had an accident,” the statement read.

“He decided to go on and continued playing for 30 minutes while the bleeding continued

throughout the show.”

Concertgoers at Plaza de Toros de Playas posted photos on social media of Iglesias, 40, with blood all over his white T-shirt.

“He was rushed to the airport where an ambulance met him there. He was then put on a plane to L.A. to see a specialist,” the statement read.

Iglesias’ show for 12,000 fans is part of his Sex and Love World Tour. His website says his next show is in July in Mexico City. ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

This week, you have to remember

Stop asking when that great chance

This might be a very challenging day

Someone is thinking about how good

that the best step to achieve

will come, just tell yourself that

for you. People will try to challenge

you have been lately. That person

the kind of bliss you have been yearning for is to

it will come. Your stars are telling you to wait a little

your ideas and make you feel less important. Consider

may not always express the gratitude but you are treated

start doing what you love. You don’t need to chase

longer because tomorrow is the perfect day for you.

their words as a challenge for you to change what needs

dearly in that person’s mind. Luck will come your way if

happiness. It will come your way.

Don’t forget that good things come to those who wait.

to be changed, but maintain your faith in yourself.

you use this as a motivation to be good to a lot of people.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Try spreading the good vibes in

Find time to appreciate the beauty

Today, you will be faced with

You have been feeling so

your environment by changing

around you and you will realize just

situations that will require major

unsatisfied with the way things

what you can and accepting what you can’t.The more

how blessed you are. You are lucky because you already

decisions. The way you think will shape your future and

around you are happening. This may cause you a lot

you look at the things you lack, the more you push

have everything. You just have to open your eyes and

the future of the people around you. You must think

of trouble, Aquarius. The more you look at the things

your luck away.

stop searching.

hard and consider those who will be greatly affected.

you lack, the more you push your luck away.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

No matter how you try to do things

Have a break today and slow down

A wonderful opportunity is waiting

Yesterday may have been a tough

by yourself, you will eventually

a bit from living your life in the fast

for you. But the thing called “fear”

financial struggle but now is the best

realize that you need the people around you to help

lane. It’s about time that you realize how you have been

is stopping you. You can add a little charm to this day by

time to let go of all the worries. Better deals are coming

you. Things will be a lot more productive for you if you

pushing yourself too much lately. Remember that your

freeing yourself from hesitations. Make this day better by

your way today. The stars are saying that you must invest

will let your friends help you. No man is an island.

mind and body deserves some rest from time to time.

believing that the universe will make a way to help you.

on activities that will double your earnings.

www.canadianinquirer.net

34

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Lifestyle

Working 9-to-5 becoming a less popular way to make a living

BY JOSEPH PISANI The Associated Press

while friends and colleagues were telling them they wanted to find ways to balance their work and personal lives. “More and more people want to have ownership over their career,” Borgen says.

Henry W. Brown ditched his fledging advertising career 11 years ago, sick of spending 15 hours a day at work and having “no life.” Now he works 30 hours a week, juggling about four projects a year and earns a salary in the six figures designing websites and apps. Brown has time for two-hour yoga sessions, midday bike rides around his New York City neighborhood and lunch dates with friends. He also has more time for passion projects: He spent a month at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand this year, and he started a Facebook page called TheDogmatic, posting photos of dogs in shelters to help get them adopted. He never plans to work for just one employer again.

“Everything about an office was such a waste of time to me,” he says.

When Brown first went freelance, he emailed companies asking for work. Now, most comes from referrals. Sometimes he checks in with a hiring agency. “I’m not clamoring for work,” says Brown. “I can be picky and choosy with what I do.”

Depending on the industry, the work can be lucrative. At hiring company Business Tal-

NEW YORK — If you want an income, or you’re an employer looking for help, it may be time to scrap the idea of the traditional 9-to-5 arrangement.

For workers, it’s become easier and less risky to go solo. Affordable health insurance plans, which kept many workers shackled to traditional jobs, are more accessible because of the Affordable Care Act. And companies are increasingly open to hiring freelancers and independent contractors. Many say independent workers bring fresh ideas without the long-term commitment.

An industry dedicated to serving the companies that offer freelance and contract work and the people who fill those openings is growing. Gigs can be found at a number of websites, such as Upwork.com and Freelancer.com, or through hiring services that connect professional freelancers and companies. And companies that provide shared rented office space, such as WeWork, lets freelancers mingle with fellow contractors.

In 2013, 23 million people were self-employed, according the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s up 1.2 percent from the year before and up about 24 percent from 2003. That number doesn’t count self-employed people who may also hire employees.

“This isn’t going away,” says Everything about an office was Brooke Borgen, waste of time to me. co-owner of Canopy Advisory Group, a hiring company for freelancers in Denver. She ent Group, independent constarted the business five years tractors can make between ago with co-owner Griffen $1,500 and $2,500 a day, says O’Shaughnessy. They observed CEO Jody Miller. Most have that companies needed a way a master’s degree and at least to access independent workers 10 years working experience,

SHUTTERSTOCK

she says. They can be hired by companies to help launch new products, research investments or other tasks.

Companies weren’t always so thrilled about hiring freelancsuch a ers, says Allison Hemming, CEO of New York staffing company The Hired Guns. When she started the company 15 years ago, companies would say, “if they were that good they would have a job,” says Hemming.

That’s changed. “The concept of freelancers as slackers is comwww.canadianinquirer.net

pletely over,” Hemming says.

Spex, a company that makes software and apps used for home inspections, turned to Canopy Advisory Group to find a part-time publicist. CEO Brett Goldberg says he didn’t have to post a job description, sift through resumes or conduct interviews, saving him time and money.

At food company Cargill, Michael Balay hires independent contractors with specialized skills to manage projects, such as combining groups of workers inside the company. Balay, who is a vice president of strategy and business development, has increasingly turned to hiring

agencies.

“It cuts the search and qualification time down,” says Balay.

“It’s way easier now.”

Stephen Wunker left a consulting firm in 2009 to spend more time with his kids. Wunker and his partners started New Markets Advisors and are hired by companies to come up with business plans or create a growth strategy. He still works 40 to 80 hours a week, but his schedule is more flexible. He can take days off whenever he wants, and also spends about a month a year working from Ecuador.

“I have a dramatically better lifestyle,” he says. ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

35

After policy changes at other schools, Barnard seeks its own answer on transgender admissions

BY JOCELYN NOVECK The Associated Press NEW YORK — On a recent bright spring morning, students admitted to the Barnard College Class of 2019 gathered on campus. As blue-and-white balloons fluttered in the breeze, the prospective freshmen attended panels and lunched on the lawn, chatting animatedly with current students.

There were, of course, young women from a variety of backgrounds, but at least one category wasn’t included: transgender women. Barnard, like other women’s colleges, has traditionally admitted only students born female. But that might be changing.

Next week, Barnard’s trustees are expected to vote on an issue that has arrived loudly and emphatically on the front burner for women’s colleges across the nation: transgender admissions. One by one, schools have announced policies in the past year that address, as never before, the fluidity of gender.

Why the sudden action? “I think certain issues just hit the zeitgeist at a certain point in time,” says Debora Spar, Barnard’s president, who’s led a monthslong effort to explore the issue with her community, including five town halls and a survey that yielded some 900 responses — all of which she says she’s personally read. “History is moving very quickly on this issue.”

Popular culture, too. “Transgender issues have been accelerating in the culture,” says Jennifer Finney Boylan, an English professor at Barnard and herself a trans woman.

She points to several recent influential events: Actress Laverne Cox appearing on a Time magazine cover touting “The Transgender Tipping Point.”

The Golden Globe-winning TV show “Transparent,” about a trans woman. And, more recently, Bruce Jenner’s transition. “These issues are changing the game,” says Boylan. “It might seem like it’s all happening at once, but why didn’t it happen sooner? I’m delighted that all of these colleges are trying to figure it out.”

But figuring it out is a com-

plex process, and colleges have arrived at differing (and often lengthy) policies. The most recent: Smith College, which decided in early May to admit transgender women but not transgender men (assigned female at birth but identifying as male). Mount Holyoke, on the other hand, has decided to admit both. “We acknowledge that gender identity is not reducible to the body,” said the school’s president, Lynn Pasquerella, in September.

Barnard, now, will have to determine where to draw the line.

“There’s no one right answer,” says Dru Levasseur, director of Lambda Legal’s Transgender Rights Project. “It’s a complex issue, and it reflects the complexity of gender.” To those who might argue that the issue affects only a tiny group of people, Levasseur replies that it’s hugely symbolic.

“It really gets to the heart of who qualifies as a woman, and who qualifies as a man,” Levasseur says. “Which makes it so relevant right now.”

Ahead of the decision, The Associated Press sampled some views across the community.

“We want to do the right thing”

Spar, the Barnard president, says the issue is hardly brand new; she’s been thinking about transgender admissions since she took her position in 2008.

After listening to various views, she feels it boils down to “a split in how people defined what a women’s college is.”

“For part of the community, that mission is defined as educating women,” Spar says. “For another part, it’s about providing a space for gender-oppressed minorities. And when you come down to it, that divide affects how you see the issue of transgender admissions.”

“We really want to do the right thing,” Spar says. “We just have to figure out what the right thing is.”

“We don’t want to be on the wrong side of history”

Caleb LoSchiavo, 22, a graduating senior, was born female but, upon arrival at Barnard, began a gradual transition. An Italian and psychology major, LoSchiavo changed names le-

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S FACEBOOK PAGE

gally last year.

“I arrived here and realized that I wasn’t female,” LoSchiavo says. “I didn’t fit into this idea of womanhood.”

LoSchiavo, who identifies as neither male nor female but “gender fluid,” has been active in transgender issues on campus, and senses that Barnard is ready to admit transgender students: “It would look really regressive and behind the times to say ‘no.’ We don’t want to be on the wrong side of history.”

But how to define the policy? LoSchiavo thinks Barnard should admit anyone except those who identify as male.

That would exclude trans men.

“If you KNOW you’re a man, then a women’s college is not your place,” LoSchiavo says.

“Men have male privilege, that’s a fact. If people see you as a man, you’re going to be treated with more respect. Men don’t need to be at a women’s college to see themselves reflected in leadership. They can look at the entire history of our nation.”

“This is mission”

part

of

Barnard’s

If Barnard’s decision goes that way, it would effectively exclude someone like Mark King, a music major who’s just completed junior year and is a trans man.

King, 21, began identifying as a male at 16 or 17. But he didn’t come out publicly until he’d arrived at Barnard. “In high school, there are just so many people who know you, so many people to get past,” he says. “It was exwww.canadianinquirer.net

cellent to come to Barnard and introduce myself as I am.”

King always gets the same question: “Why would a trans man want to come to Barnard?”

His answer is that Barnard is not MORE rigid because it’s a women’s college; it’s less.

“Barnard appealed to me as a trans person because I knew that the environment here was much more accepting, and that people were completely open and happy to learn about other people’s experiences,” he says.

King, who among other initiatives has worked with the college to establish genderinclusive bathrooms in every Barnard building, agrees with many that the first priority is to get trans women accepted.

“But,” he says, “I think Barnard should admit all students for whom womanhood is or HAS BEEN part of their identity.”

To bolster his case, King points to Barnard’s very mission statement, which says that the school “embraces its responsibility to address issues of gender in all of their complexity and urgency, and to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.”

“Barnard’s unique identity”

Ava Kingsley, a rising junior and economics major, attended a town hall and suddenly found herself becoming a spokesman for “the other side.”

“The first two people spoke and they were very pro-opening

up admissions. It was very unilateral, one-dimensional, and so I raised my hand,” she says.

Kingsley notes that Barnard is unique; it’s a women’s college but also part of Columbia.

Any Columbia student can take class, eat in dining halls or hang out at Barnard; they just can’t be officially a Barnard student.

“The co-ed aspect is important to me,” says Kingsley, who adds that she understands all sides, and also welcomes transgender students in any aspect of campus life. “Yet also, I feel strongly about having the allwomen’s environment in the sense of the principle of the school and its mission. For me, as soon as you have students who have a penis apply to an all-women’s college, that takes away our unique identity as one.

With three of four Columbia colleges able to enrol transgender students, I feel Barnard doesn’t have any obligation to take our exclusivity away, something we fought so hard to maintain.”

“The more you think, the more sense it makes”

Boylan, the professor and transgender activist, favours the most inclusive policy possible. But she understands why views differ. The “least vexing” question for most people, she says, is whether transgender women have a place at Barnard.

As for those who question why a person identifying as male should be at Barnard, she answers: “You come to a place like this because gender is at the centre of your life. Because the questions you need to answer to become yourself are questions that are best going to be answered at a college in which gender is at the centre of the academic enterprise. The more you think about it, the more sense it makes.”

And why is the issue important, despite the small numbers involved? (It’s hard to know how many college applicants will be affected; the entire transgender population in the US has been estimated at about 700,000.)

“Our humanity is measured by the way we treat the most vulnerable in our society,” Boylan says. “Even if — I would say especially if — their numbers are small.” ■

36

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Business

Hot capital markets boost second quarter results for Canada's big banks

BY ALEXANDRA POSADZKI The Canadian Press TORONTO — Strong returns from their capital markets businesses helped offset slowing growth in the domestic banking operations at most of the country's top lenders in the second quarter.

While debt-laden Canadian consumers have become hesitant to increase borrowing, causing a lull in loan growth, activity on the capital markets has been heating up. That has allowed the banks to generate substantial revenues through advisory and underwriting fees.

Bank of Nova Scotia analyst Sumit Malhotra says companies raised $21.6 billion on the Toronto Stock Exchange between February and April — almost double the quarterly average of $11.6 billion seen over the last two years.

In a note to clients, Malhotra said wholesale banking operations — which include investment banking, corporate lending and trading — have been outperforming the banks' Canadian retail banking segments since the start of 2012.

“Though the wholesale versus retail trade-off is not ideal, this is less of an issue for investors as long as consumer credit quality trends hold up well,” Malhotra said.

Analysts tend to view revenues from the capital markets segment as more volatile and less sustainable than those de-

RMNOA357 / SHUTTERSTOCK

rived from personal and commercial banking.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) says profits nearly tripled in the second quarter, with its wholesale banking and wealth management divisions leading the way.

The bank reported secondquarter net income of $911 million, or $2.25 per share, on Thursday — up from $306 million or 73 cents a year ago, when the bank logged a $543-million impairment charge related to

its Caribbean operations.

Adjusted net income, which filters out one-time items, was $2.28 per share, beating analyst expectations by five cents per share.

Royal Bank (TSX:RY), which also reported its quarterly results on Thursday, saw profits jump 14 per cent to $2.5 billion, or $1.68 per share, from $2.2 billion or $1.47 per share in the second quarter of last year. Adjusted net income was $1.63 per share — three cents higher than analysts had predicted.

EXCHANGE RATES

Barclays analyst John Aiken said the bank's capital markets results were “exceptional,” with trading revenues up 13 per cent from the first quarter while advisory fees soared 25 per cent higher.

“As we have seen with Royal's peers this quarter, strong capital markets results were able to offset challenges facing the retail banking platform,” Aiken said in a note to clients.

Meanwhile, TD Bank Group (TSX:TD) saw its net profits decline by seven per cent to $1.86

billion, or 97 cents per share, from $1.99 billion or $1.04 a share a year ago.

But after filtering out onetime items — including a $337 million restructuring charge to trim its operations — adjusted earnings were up nearly five per cent to $2.2 billion, or $1.14 a per share, beating analyst expectations by three cents.

During the quarter, the bank decided to close 24 existing branches, cancelled a number of planned branch locations and thinned out its management ranks as it looked to make itself leaner and more agile.

“The restructuring is part of our ongoing focus on adapting to the current environment while building for the future,” TD's chief executive Bharat Masrani told investors and analysts during a conference call Thursday.

“Our operating environment remains challenging. Lower rates, a slowing Canadian economy, mixed recovery signals from the U.S., continued expectations for low oil prices and regulatory and legislative pressures in both the U.S. and Canada will continue to result in slower revenue growth.”

TD was the second of the big five Canadian banks to log a restructuring charge. On Wednesday, the Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) reported it took a $106-million hit for slimming down some of its operations.

Scotiabank will report its quarterly results Friday. ■

As of June 3, 2015 from ca.finance.yahoo.com PRICE

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CDN/USD

1.2415

+0.0007

+0.0560%

CDN/PHP

36.0575

+0.1363

+0.3794%

CDN/EUR

1.3836

+0.0001

+0.0066%

www.canadianinquirer.net

Business

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

37

KFC sues Chinese companies for online rumors about its food THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SHUTTERSTOCK

Alberta Securities Commission: Beware of unregistered online investment schemes THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — The Alberta Securities Commission is warning investors to beware of unregistered companies offering online trading services.

The commission says it has received complaints from people — mainly in the Edmonton area — who have lost a total of more than $400,000.

Mark Dickey says the investments involved are called binary options, where people essentially bet on whether the value of an asset will increase or decrease in a short period of time.

He says the commission has identified seven companies, some of which are phoning would-be investors directly.

The commission says these types of unregistered companies list Canadian contact information, but are based in Ukraine, Cyprus and Belize.

Dickey says it can be nearly impossible for investors to re-

cover their money if they've been bilked by offshore companies “We are really trying to get that warning out for people to make sure the company is registered,”Dickey said Friday.

“The other point is that we also consider binary options to be risky.''

Dickey said the securities commission has received 15 complaints in the last month, but he expects that more people have lost money.

Earlier this month, the Quebec financial regulator issued a similar warning about binary options. The Autorite des marches financiers urged Quebec consumers to be cautious following a rise in the number of suspicious investment schemes offered by unregistered foreign companies.

Investigators in Quebec have identified more than seven companies, some based in Cyprus, the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom. ■

BEIJING — Restaurant operator KFC said Monday it filed a lawsuit against three companies in China whose social media accounts spread false claims about its food, including that its chickens have eight legs.

The case filed by China's biggest restaurant operator comes as the government intensifies a campaign to clean up rumors on social media. Internet marketers have been convicted of trying to manipulate online sentiment on behalf of clients by posting false information about competitors or deleting critical posts.

In an announcement posted on its Chinese website, KFC said one of the best-known fake rumors was that chickens used

by the company are genetically modified and have six wings and eight legs.

KFC is demanding 1.5 million yuan ($242,000) and an apology from each of three companies that operated accounts on the popular mobile phone app WeChat. It is also seeking an immediate stop to their infringements. Shanghai Xuhui District People's Court has accepted the case, according to a press officer who would only give her surname, Wu. KFC's China CEO Qu Cuirong said in a statement that it was hard for companies to protect their brands against rumors because of the difficulties in collecting evidence.

"But the stepped-up efforts by the government in recent years to purify the online environment, as well as some judicial

interpretations, have offered us confidence and weapons," she said.

The companies being sued were named as Shanxi Weilukuang Technology Company Ltd., Taiyuan Zero Point Technology Company and Yingchenanzhi Success and Culture Communication Ltd. in Shenzhen city. Calls to numbers listed for the companies either rang unanswered or were not valid.

Authorities launched a renewed campaign two years ago to clean up what they called online rumors, negativity and unruliness. Critics say the campaign was largely aimed at suppressing criticism of the ruling Communist Party. Commentaries in state media have argued that a cleanup was needed.

KFC has more than 4,600 restaurants in China. ■

Takata airbag recall expanded to more than 1.5 million vehicles in Canada

BY PETER HENDERSON The Canadian Press TORONTO — A worldwide recall of faulty airbags made by Japan's Takata Corp. has now widened to include more than 1.5 million vehicles in Canada.

Transport Canada released a detailed list of the affected vehicles on Thursday following Takata's agreement with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week to declare 33.8 million airbags in the U.S. defective.

That makes this the largest auto recall in U.S. history.

The list of affected vehicles in Canada was posted online and includes the Honda Civic, Accord and CR-V, Chrysler products including the Dodge Ram and the Chrysler 300, BMW sedans and the X5, and Ford's Ranger and Mustang.

Most of the affected models are from the 2001 to 2011 model years, although more recent Ford Mustang models are also covered by the recall.

The full list of the vehicles www.canadianinquirer.net

included in the recall can be found on Ottawa's HealthyCanadians.ca website.

Canadians who want to check whether their vehicles are included in the recall can enter their vehicle identification number on their auto manufacturer's website or by entering their vehicle's make, model and year on Transport Canada's road safety recalls database on its website.

People are urged to contact their local dealers for free servicing if their vehicles are covered by the recall.

The Takata airbag recall began in 2008 over concerns that the airbag inflators could explode with too much force, spewing metal shrapnel into drivers or passengers when deployed.

The faulty airbags have caused more than 100 injuries and six deaths worldwide. But Transport Canada says it has no reports of any deaths or injuries in Canada from consumers or auto manufacturers.

Several automakers including Honda, Chrysler and BMW have already addressed the

faulty airbags in some models in previous mandated recalls or voluntary efforts.

Honda said in a statement Thursday that it began a campaign to replace the airbag inflators on its 704,700 affected vehicles in December.

Chrysler Canada reported a voluntary recall of more than 258,000 vehicles in January. In an emailed statement, spokeswoman Lou Ann Gosselin said the company knows of only one injury related to the defect.

The 2008 Takata recall began with two Acura models and two Honda models produced in 2001 and 2002 and by 2014 had expanded to include vehicles from Mazda, Toyota, General Motors, Nissan, BMW and Subaru, as well as more Honda models.

It will take some time before Takata and other suppliers can provide the 33.8 million inflators needed to fix all the cars involved in the global recall.

The company said it is currently producing 500,000 inflators per month, with plans to produce up to one million per month by September. ■

38

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Technology

SHUTTERSTOCK

Google unveils Android’s latest technological tricks

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — Google’s next version of its Android operating system will boast new ways to fetch information, pay merchants and protect privacy on mobile devices as the Internet company duels with Apple in the quest to make their technology indispensable.

The upgrade will give Android’s personal assistant, Google Now, expanded powers of intuition that may be greeted as a great convenience to some and a tad too creepy for others.

Most of the renovations unveiled Thursday at Google’s annual developers’ conference won’t be available until late summer or early fall, around the same time that Apple is expected to release the latest overhaul of the iOS software that powers the iPhone and iPad.

The annual changes to Android and iOS are becoming increasingly important as people become more dependent on smartphones to manage their lives. Android holds about an 80 percent share of the worldwide smartphone market, with iOS a distant second at 16 percent, according to the research firm International Data Corp.

Both Google and Apple are vying to make their products even more ubiquitous by transplanting much of their mobile technology into automobiles and Internet-connected televisions and appliances. Google hopes to play a prominent role in the management of home security and appliances with a new operating system called Brillo that will interact with Android devices.

Here’s a closer look at some of the key features in the upcoming Android upgrade, currently known simply as “M”:

Now on tap

Google Now currently learns a user’s interests and habits by analyzing search requests and scanning emails so it can automatically present helpful information, such as the latest news about a favorite sports team or how long it will take to get to work.

With the M upgrade, users will be able to summon Google Now to scan whatever content might be on a mobile device’s screen so it can present pertinent information about the topic of a text, a song, a video clip or an article.

The new Android feature, called “Now on Tap,” will be activated by holding down the device’s home button or speaking, “OK Google,” into the microphone. That action will prompt Now on Tap to scan the screen in attempt to figure out how to be the most helpful. Or, if speaking, users can just say www.canadianinquirer.net

what they are seeking, such as “Who sings this?”

Google is hoping to provide Android users with what they need at the precise moment they need it without forcing them to hopscotch from one app to another.

Mobile payment do-over

Android M will include an alternative to the mobile payment system that Apple introduced last fall. Google’s response, called Android Pay, will replace Google Wallet for making mobile purchases in stores and applications.

Google Wallet, which came out in 2011, will still work for sending payments from one person to another.

Like Apple’s system, Android Pay can be used to store major credit and debit cards in smartphones that can be used to pay merchants equipped with terminals that work with the tech-

nology. Android Pay will also work on devices running on the KitKat and Lollipop versions of Android released the past two years.

Protecting privacy

Android M will be compatible with fingerprint scanners so device users can verify their identities by pressing a button instead of entering a passcode.

Apple’s iPhones began using a fingerprint reader in 2013.

Besides supporting fingerprint scanners, Android M will make it easier to users to prevent mobile applications from grabbing their personal information. Permission will only need to be granted to each app if the access is needed for a specific action. That means Android users won’t be asked to share information about their contact lists, photo rolls or locations until an app won’t work without it. ■

Technology

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

39

PH-made MyPhone wins court Microsoft Windows case against Apple 10, with mobile in mind, arrives in July

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

MANILA — It’s like a battle between David and Goliath of the tech world.

In a recent trademark case, Philippine company Solid Broadband Group — the makers of My|Phone — just won against international tech giant Apple.

According to Apple, the brand name “MyPhone” was “confusingly similar” to its world renowned iPhone, which is “likely to deceive or cause confusion.”

Solid Broadband launched My|Phone in 2007, making it the first ever locally branded mobile device in the country.

On May 19, the Philippines’ Intellectual Property Office (IPO) dismissed the case. The report was only disclosed to the stock exchange on Tuesday, June 2.

“This is a case of a giant trying to claim more territory than what it is entitled to, to the great prejudice of a local “Pinoy Phone” merchant who has managed to obtain a significant foothold in the mobile phone market through the marketing and sale of innovative products under

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK — Microsoft will roll out the latest version of its Windows operating system at the end of July.

The company said Monday that Windows 10 is designed with mobile computing in mind, allowing users to switch seamlessly between personal computers, tablets, smartphones and other gadgets. The L: FACEBOOK / R: LAZADA

a very distinctive trademark,” IPO director Nathaniel Arevalo said in an ABS-CBN report.

“While the marks are similar with respect to the word [‘phone’], it is not sufficient to conclude that confusion among the consumers is likely to occur. ‘Phone’ is a generic term for products mobile phones,” he added.

Arevalo also said that Apple should give credit to the “intelligence and discernment” of consumers when it comes to knowing the difference be-

tween My|Phone and iPhone.

“The buying public should be credited with a modicum of intelligence and discernment in purchasing articles, such as gadgets and mobile phones... The fame and popularity of iPhone in fact makes it improbable for one to confuse my|phone product as an iPhone,” he pointed out.

By law, Apple can still appeal the IPO’s decision within 30 days after receiving the decision. Otherwise, the decision will be final. ■

Microsoft about to launch Windows 10.

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operating system is intended to give apps a similar feel on all devices and comes with a new Web browser integrated with Cortana, the company’s voiceactivated answer to Apple’s Siri.

Microsoft Corp. says Windows 10 will be available in 190 countries as a free upgrade on July 29 for anyone currently running Windows 8.1 or 7, the two previous versions of the software. ■

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Long term forecast from www.theweathernetwork.com CALGARY

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40

JUNE 5, 2015

FRIDAY

Sports

Sharapova loses to Safarova at French Open; Federer wins

BY HOWARD FENDRICH The Associated Press PARIS — Defending champion Maria Sharapova’s bid for a third French Open title in four years is over.

Coughing between points on an overcast day, the secondseeded Sharapova was outplayed throughout a 7-6 (3), 6-4 loss to 13th-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in the fourth round Monday.

“My opponent had a different gear than I did,” Sharapova said.

It is her earliest defeat at Roland Garros since 2010, when she was beaten in the third round. Since then, the Russian won the clay-court Grand Slam tournament in 2012 and 2014, was the runner-up to Serena Williams in 2013, and reached the semifinals in 2011.

Safarova dictated much of the action and held her nerve as the far more experienced and accomplished Sharapova tried to mount a comeback in the second set.

“Maria is an amazing player.

I needed to play aggressive and to come forward for the points,” Safarova said.

The left-handed Safarova wound up with a considerable edge in winners, 34-20, including forehands on the last two points to break Sharapova.

“I felt like I had small openings, and I just wasn’t able to ... play a good few points. I just wasn’t able to keep that level up today,” Sharapova said. “She was able to do that for a longer

period of time. ... She took the time away from me, created her angles and I didn’t. That was the difference today, in my opinion.”

She did not use the cold she’s been dealing with as an excuse, saying: “I don’t like to talk about it, and I don’t think it really makes a difference. I’m still a competitor, no matter what.”

In her first French Open quarterfinal, Safarova will face No. 21 Garbine Muguruza of Spain, who beat No. 28 Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-3, 6-4.

Both of those fourth-round matches were originally supposed to be played Sunday, but were postponed after a rain delay in the afternoon.

They instead became part of a Monday full of tennis’ biggest names, with Williams and the Big 4 of the men’s game - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - all on the schedule.

Federer, whose record 17 Grand Slam titles include the 2009 French Open, needed only about an hour to finish off his 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over 13th-seeded Gael Monfils of France in a match that was suspended because of darkness after the second set Sunday night.

In truth, this one might have been over after the very first game when they resumed: Monfils led 40-love, then tried to showboat a little and got broken. Federer broke to open the fourth set, too, en route to his 11th Roland Garros quarterfinal, where he’ll play Swiss Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka.

MGILERT / SHUTTERSTOCK

Sharapova, a five-time major champion who completed her career Grand Slam in Paris three years ago, started things off at a mostly empty Court Philippe Chatrier.

Years ago, Sharapova famously described herself as a “cow on ice” when playing on red clay, troubled by the tricky footing. But she overcame that well enough to win 65 of her last 71 matches on the surface entering Monday.

Sharapova also had not lost to Safarova anywhere since 2010, winning their four most recent matches. Still, from early on, it was clear Sharapova was not going to have her way this time

www.canadianinquirer.net

against Safarova, who won the Australian Open doubles title in January but whose best career showing to date in singles was a semifinal run at Wimbledon last year.

Safarova grabbed 12 of 15 points in one stretch while taking a 3-1 lead. Sharapova steadied herself and broke back, then faltered in the tiebreaker.

Safarova controlled lengthy exchanges at the baseline, opening the tiebreaker with three groundstroke winners in a row, and also benefited from Sharapova’s lone double-fault of that set.

The second set began similarly, with Safarova breaking to go

ahead 2-0, then holding for 3-0.

But Sharapova, gritty as can be, did not give up, and when Safarova double-faulted on break point, suddenly it was 3-2.

In the next game, Safarova had a break point but flubbed a swinging forehand volley off a floater. It was a bad mistake, and Sharapova wound up holding for 3-all, yet Safarova managed to smile at her own gaffe.

She stayed calm from there, even after another bad miss on her first match point, slapping a forehand into the net.

Soon enough, though, Safarova earned a second chance to close it out, and she did. ■

Sports

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

41

Filipino, Vietnamese troops play friendly games on Philippine-held island in South China Sea THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Filipino and Vietnamese troops played football and tug-of-war Wednesday to foster camaraderie at a Philippine-held island in the South China Sea, where territorial rifts have escalated following China's island-building activities.

Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said officials from both navies spoke at a ceremony and the two sides also exchanged “symbolic handshakes.”

The activity on Northeast Cay island was followed by volleyball, football, tug-o-war, sack race and centipede race.

Results of the games were not immediately known.

Arevalo said Wednesday's games were to reciprocate a similar event in June last year at the Vietnamese-occupied Southwest Cay about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from Northeast Cay, which the Philippines calls Parola.

“Interpersonal interactions like this intend to bring about camaraderie and understanding,” Arevalo said. “It intends to enhance cordial relations while engaging opponent teams through sports events.”

He said the activity was conducted independent of other countries and “it does not intend to pick on China.”

China last year criticized the games as “clumsy farce” and reiterated Beijing's “irrefutable sovereignty” over the islands in the South China Sea.

Escorted outings...

“The dysfunctional told the board that allowing nature of the board Schoenborn supervised outings and forensic hospital was gambling on public safety, administration is shameful,” and would not align with the she said. year-old Conservative legislaJustice Minister Suzanne An- tion, Bill C-14. ton said her “heart goes out” to In its decision, the board the family but stated it’s impor- said it carefully considered the tant to respect the board’s inde- changes to the legislation, but pendence, which that the approis established unpriate legal test der the federally involved using regulated Crimithe “least renal Code. strictive” way to “The public’s manage risk. It safety remains a also highlighted paramount conIt was an the importance sideration and absolutely of reintegrating I understand a awful crime, Schoenborn into structured plan so of course society. would be put in the family of “The arguplace.” the victims are ment advanced A Crown going to have by the Crown is spokesman said an emotional therefore disthe Criminal response. missed,” it statJustice Branch ed. has 15 days to deSchoenborn’s cide whether to treating psychiaappeal. trist said durDuring the ing last month’s hearing, Crown hearing that challenged the while the man hospital’s director, a prominent remains a “significant threat,” expert on assessing and treat- he is at low risk of escape and ing NCR patients, arguing that would be under constant watch. evaluations of Schoenborn’s The ruling permits outings risk to the community were only after extensive planning “not up to standard or consis- by the hospital. Its medical ditent with the best practises.” rector can cancel a planned trip Prosecutor Wendy Dawson at any point. ■ ❰❰ 19

Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, whose command oversees Philippine-claimed areas in the Spratly chain of islands, said China has no reason to criticize the confidence-building activity, which the Philippines also pursues with other Southeast Asian neighbours.

Although they're technically rivals, Vietnam and the Philippines recently have discussed ways to co-operate to ease tensions in the disputed waters, where both have been engaged in dangerous standoffs with China.

Southwest Cay, which the Philippines also claims and calls Pugad, used to be occupied by Filipino troops but was seized by Vietnamese forces in the 1970s. ■

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE NAVY OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

Sepp Blatter says he will resign as FIFA president amid corruption scandal

BY GRAHAM DUNBAR The Associated Press

situation.”

Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani was not immediately available.

FIFA PRESIDENT Sepp BlatCanada did not vote for Blatter ter will resign from soccer’s at last week’s FIFA Congress, governing body amid a widensaying change was needed in ing corruption scandal and has the way the game of soccer was promised to call for fresh elecgoverned. tions to choose a successor.

Blatter joined FIFA in 1975 as Blatter, 79 was re-elected to technical director for developa fifth term Friday, two days afment projects, was promoted ter a corruption to general secrecrisis erupted tary in 1981 and and seven socspent 17 years as cer officials were right-hand man arrested in ZuFIFA needs a profound restructuring. to Joao Haverich ahead of the lange of Brazil FIFA congress. before being “This mandate elected to lead does not seem to world soccer. be supported by everybody in the Blatter’s resignation.

The new election will be world of football,” Blatter said “I do not have any opinion be- overseen by Domenico Scala, Tuesday at a hastily arranged cause this is not my matter,” the chairman of FIFA’s audit and news conference. “FIFA needs a Spanish native said on a confer- compliance committee. profound restructuring.” ence call to announce Canada’s Scala gave a statement immeElections are expected to roster for its upcoming World diately after Blatter in which take place sometime between Cup qualifying matches against he praised a decision that was December and March.

Dominica. “I don’t understand “difficult and courageous in the “I will continue to exercise the situation. current circumstances.” my function (until the new “My only desire is that FIFA “This is the most responsible election),” said Blatter, who work correctly and nothing way to ensure an orderly transilooked strained and serious. more. But I don’t control this tion,” Scala said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Three days earlier, Blatter was defiant and feisty in the same room when fending off questions about FIFA’s battered reputation and the chance U.S. federal agencies could seek his arrest.

Blatter said he reached the decision after he had “thoroughly considered my presidency and ... the last 40 years in my life.”

Canadian men’s coach Benito Floro had little to say about

Events

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JUNE 5, 2015

New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre

By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, Ont. MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Tagalog Class

By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto

Philippine Flag Raising

By Philippine Independence Day Council WHEN/WHERE: 10:30 a.m., June 12, at Queens Park, 111 Wellesley St. West, Toronto

Homework/Tutorial Class

By FCT YUKON WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto NORTHWEST MORE INFO: For registrations, call 416928-9355. The office, atTERRITORIES 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, is open on

Miss Manila 2015

By Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe Canada WHEN/WHERE: June 6, at Korean Cultural Centre

FRIDAY

CANADA EVENTS

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To have your events featured on PCI, please email events@canadianinquirer.net

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Salo-salo sa Earl Bales Park

By Philippine Independence Day Council NUNAVUT WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. June 13, at Earl Bales Park Bathurst Street (South of Sheppard), Torono.

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

NEWFOUNDLAND

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

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Free Facilitation Training

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: up 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 @ 604-395-8000 ext.

1706 liza.delarosa@issbc.org

WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wednesdays until June 17, at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-292-3907

By SPIDS SCOTIA WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m to 5 p.m., June 6, at Peace Arch Park, 138 Peace Park Drive, Surrey, B.C. MORE INFO: Santacruzan

Dimasalang Artists: “Kalayaan” Opening Reception

By Dimasalang III International Artist Group WHEN/WHERE: 6 to 8 p.m. June 4, Surrey Arts Centre, Surrey BC

Royal City-Sister City Flag Raising & Parade

By Royal City-Sister City Society WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m., June 7, at New Westminster City Hall, New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Parade and festivities at The Quay

Maple 2.0 Mentorship

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. Go to http://issbc.org/prim-nav/programs/career-services/ maple-20

Fundraising Event 2015

By Masskara Festival Society of Canada WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., June 6, at the Polish Community Centre, 4015 Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-874-8620. $25 Dinner and Dance

Musikalayaan

By Olympia Resto WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m., June 12, at Olympia Resto Bar MORE INFO: Pinoy Bands of BC – Subdivide; Thamara; Octovibes; Marge and Francis Gabo. Free Admission

Canadian Citizenship Preparation

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m to 1 p.m. June 11 & 12, at Vancouver Public Library Champlain Heights Branch, 7110 Kerr St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-254-9626 ext 227

Vancouver Mini Maker Faire By 2015 Presentation Series WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 6 & 7, at the PNE Forum 2015 Pista ng Bayan By the United Filipino-Canadian Associations in BC WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, at Slocan Park, 29th Ave. and Slocan St., Vancouver, B.C.

Free Running Friendship Circle

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 4 to 6 p.m., June 12 at Mosaic Moving Ahead Office, #310–7155 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. MORE INFO: Meet newcomer youth and share ideas and experiences. Call 604-779-1398

Naranyag nga Bulan

By Classical Music Concert Series WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. St. Michael’s Multicultural Anglican Church, 409 E. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: guest performers are Kay BalajadiaLiggayu; Noel Azcona; Cipriano De Guzman, Jr. and Molinder Cadiz.

Active Living Conversation Circle

By Mosaic

7th Annual Philippine Independence Day Celebration www.canadianinquirer.net

The Philippine Independence Day Gala Night

By United Filipino-Canadian Associations in BC WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., June 13, at Crystal Ballroom Pan Pacific Vancouver MORE INFO: Attire: Filipiniana or formal. Tickets at $75 Kalayaan 2015

By Circulo Cagayano WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m, June 13, at Our Lady of Mercy School Gym, 7455 10th Ave., Burnaby B.C. MORE INFO: Call Rudy Tuliao 604-908-1664 Freedom Rocks Independence Day Celebration WHEN/WHERE: 9 p.m. June 13, at 7 Dining Lounge 53 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: $10 Danger Blanket, Drop the Hate, Unwritten Sculptures and Kunware

JUNE 5, 2015

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Sports

44

JUNE 5, 2015

Golden State Warriors will rely on versatility, depth to defend LeBron James in NBA Finals

Financial Career Fair

BY ANTONIO GONZALEZ The Associated Press

New and Exciting Sales Opportunities MISSISSAUGA Thursday, June 11. 7 – 9 pm Homewood Suites by Hilton 6430 Edwards Blvd, Mississauga

RICHMOND HILL Tuesday, June 16. 7 – 9 pm Global Head Office 100 Mural Street, Suite 201 Richmond Hill

RSVP today to reserve your spot: www.globalcareers.ca/RSVP OR 416-479-7721 Ext. 3601

Global is looking for talented and motivated people with strong interpersonal skills to sell and present our products. Our successful team of people come from a variety of background and diverse cultures with one thing in common – a strong desire to help others and build a successful career.

New to Canada, limited experience, transitional career for international educated professionals…all are welcome.

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FRIDAY

OAKLAND, CALIF. — LeBron James believes there’s nobody in the world that can stop him. He’s too strong, too fast, too skilled.

A bully with a basketball and beast above the rim.

If the Golden Warriors want to win the title, they’ll need to get past James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals starting Thursday night. And not just once — but four times in seven games.

“Some have been successful. Many have failed,” said Warriors forward Draymond Green, the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year and among at least four players who will get their shot at James in the series.

Defending the four-time MVP is a challenge the Warriors think they’re as well equipped as anybody to face.

They had the top-rated defence during the regular season and held opponents to a league-low 42.8 per cent shooting.

They’re loaded with length and versatility on the perimeter, and they lean on 7-footer Andrew Bogut to back them up around the basket.

Call it the Irresistible Force Paradox: an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. Someone, or something, will surely have to give in this matchup.

“Our defence is the best in the league, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Bogut said.

James had little trouble slicing through Golden State’s smothering pressure in the lone game he played against the Warriors this season. He scored a season-high 42 points in the Cavs’ 110-99 win in Cleveland on Feb. 26, shot 15 of 25 from the floor and made 8 of 11 free throws.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr called it “one of those games where he was making everything.” He said the key to avoiding a repeat performance is clogging the paint and avoiding turnovers that lead to transition baskets.

“Sometimes your best defence is your offence,” Kerr said. “You can’t get crazy with the ball. A live-ball turnover with LeBron is just a dunk at the other end.”

James, who is in his fifth straight finals, has been brilliant in the playoffs.

He averaged 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 42.8 per cent against Boston, Chicago and Atlanta and often looked flawless.

The Warriors have been tight-lipped about how they’ll go about defending

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James. But, like anybody, they believe there are ways to disrupt his rhythm.

“We’re all human, I would like to think,” said Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala, who spent more time defending James than any other player on the team in the previous matchup, according to the SportVU tracking system.

The Warriors are no strangers to stopping stars in these playoffs.

James will be the fourth straight AllNBA First-Team player they face after Houston’s James Harden, Memphis’ Marc Gasol and New Orleans’ Anthony Davis. The fifth member of that team is newly minted MVP Stephen Curry, whom James compared himself to last week when asked how to defend the Warriors point guard.

“The same way you slow me down,” he said, pausing for effect. “You can’t.”

The Warriors will likely do what they did against each team’s best player the previous three rounds: mix and match defenders and defensive looks.

Green, Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson will take turns guarding James. And because the Warriors switch on pick-and-rolls at just about every position, it’s not nearly as important who starts on him as it is who finishes on him.

Kerr and assistant coach Ron Adams, the de facto defensive co-ordinator, will likely shift schemes — such as going under screens and over screens, trapping or backing off — several times each game to give James different looks.

James, in his 12th year in the league, has seen just about everything. He said it’s always a luxury for a team to have a variety of defensive players, and the Warriors are no different in that regard.

“They have multiple bodies that they can kind of put on me,” James said, “but it doesn’t affect what I need to do.”

The Warriors also want to limit the opportunities James creates for his teammates.

The number of assists he has might be just as important as how points he scores. Collapsing around him and leaving another player open for a 3-pointer can be costly, which is why the Warriors are looking at the defensive plan as a “team challenge.”

“It’s not one person’s job to stop LeBron,” Green said. “If we’re going to send any one person on our team to stop LeBron, we’ll probably lose. It’ll be a complete team effort. And as long as we approach it that way, I think we can do it.” ■ AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Independence, Ohio, contributed to this story.

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2015

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN YUKON Celebrating Philippine Independence Day at Vanier Catholic Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon (Photos from Mike Buensuceso and Canadian Filipino Association of the Yukon’s FB).

SANTACRUZAN WITH THE SENIORS The seniors in Vancouver held a Santacruzan festival to show their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May. Joining the parade are community leaders Tomas Avendano, Jojo Quimpo and Joel Castillo (Photos from Jojo Quimpo’s FB).

MEET AND GREET IN VICTORIA Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia (in white sweater) met with Filipinos in Victoria on June 1, at the Bayanihan Centre.

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Seen and Scenes

JUNE 5, 2015

FLORES DE MAYO Filipinos in Ottawa led by Philippine Embassy officials held their own Flores de Mayo festival (Photos from Regina Sosing’s FB).

OCEAN ADVENTURE FUN TIME For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net.

Fun time, family time at Ocean Adventure in Subic, Olongapo.

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FRIDAY

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