CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 30, 2015
VOL. 10 NO. 191
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Presidentials pitch platforms
Aquino: Filipinos will not allow Marcoses to return to power
Activists: defend Canada’s copyright regime
Angel Locsin sustains injury, can no longer play Darna
Aldub breaks Twitter record anew
Philippine Fest 2nd Annual Event is happening at Aberdeen Center in Richmond, BC
BALLOTING AT THE MALLS Some shopping malls have shown the Commission on Elections how they will handle balloting should the proposed “mall voting” be approved for the 2016 elections. This setup is at Robinsons Magnolia Mall on Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / PDI
OFW remittances face downward risks
❱❱ PAGE 14 Philippine Fest
Citi study cites impact of global recession in 2016 BY DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer HOUSEHOLDS RELIANT on overseas remittances may have to tighten belts
in 2016 as a global recession could slow down such valuable foreign exchange inflows, based on a research from American banking giant Citi.
Fil-Can in Focus: Rowena Rozal-Zamora
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❱❱ PAGE 26 ❱❱ PAGE 6 OFW remittances
ABERDEEN CENTRE and Symphony Hill (Symphony Hill Management Inc.) have once again partnered to stage the 2nd Annual Philippine Fest, an exposition on Filipino arts, culture, food, sports, and entertainment, which will be held at Aberdeen Center on Saturday, November 7, from 1pm to 5pm. Philippine Fest will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines. Delectable Filipino food prod-
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OCTOBER 30, 2015
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FRIDAY
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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‘Lando’ damage hits P9B; death toll now 46 BY JULIE M. AURELIO AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE DAMAGE from Typhoon “Lando” (international name: Koppu), which struck Luzon last week, had ballooned to P9 billion, the national disaster office said yesterday. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Lando caused P9,428,796,667.93 in agriculture and infrastructure, making it the most destructive typhoon to hit the country so far this year. The NDRRMC said damage to agriculture and livestock came up to P8,242,946,236.93, while damage to infrastructure reached P1,185,850,431. As of yesterday, the death toll had climbed to 46, with 82 people injured and five others still missing. The NDRRMC also monitored 498 typhoon-related incidents in the past week, with 479 floods noted in the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Around 295,835 families, or 1,407,805 people, were affected by the typhoon all over Luzon; 24,022 families, or 108,688 people, were still in 424 evacuation centers as of yesterday. So far, the government has given P27,664,278.98 worth of relief assistance to typhoon victims, the NDRRMC said. It said two provinces, one city and nine towns were placed under a state of calamity. The agency also reported that hundreds of schools all over Luzon, including Metro Manila, were damaged in the typhoon. It said 751 schools were affected, 240 of them destroyed and 511 partially damaged. Central Luzon—parts of which are still submerged in floods—had the most number of destroyed schools, 86, while Cagayan Valley had the most number of partially damaged schools, 279. The typhoon also affected 26,124 houses in the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the CAR, of which 3,203 were destroyed and 22,921 partially damaged. Calabarzon (Cavite-LagunaBatangas-Rizal-Quezon) had the most number of destroyed
Floods engulf the province of Nueva Ecija after Typhoon ‘Lando’ (International Name ‘Koppu’). SCREENSHOT FROM INQUIRER AERIAL FOOTAGE
houses, 1,225, mostly in Quezon province. Central Luzon had the most number of partially damaged houses, 8,489. Nueva Ecija province registered the highest figure in the region, with 6,410 partially damaged houses. The government has begun clearing roads of landslides and debris carried by flash floods. As of Friday, the number of unpassable roads went down to 92, while 11 bridges remained impassable. Sailings have resumed. Only eight passengers and three motorboats remain stranded at the Aparri port because of rough seas. Yesterday, Sen. Ralph Recto proposed that typhoon victims be taken into the government’s conditional cash transfer program so they would have a steady source of assistance until they can get back on their feet. The program provides a monthly cash assistance to the poorest families, given in exchange for sending their children to school and pregnant women submitting themselves for regular checkups. Recto said a certain percentage of the allocation for the program should be reserved yearly for calamity victims. “Calamity victims should not live from one relief bag to another. One of the best forms of aid is the [Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program] because it is regular, guaranteed and sustained. That is the program that will really tide them over, [as] it is not temporary or short-
term,” Recto said in a statement. He said calamity victims should receive help also from other government programs like the “cash-for-work” in the reconstruction effort and free seeds in the rehabilitation of agriculture. Recto said a portion of the 2016 budget for the Condition-
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al Cash Transfer program could be set aside for the victims of Typhoon Lando. He said it had been done in the 2014 budget, with the Senate allocating funds for 20,000 victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan), which ravaged Eastern Visayas in November 2013.
The proposed 2016 cash transfer budget is P62.67 billion. The bulk will go to 4.4 million families under the regular program, while P3.3 billion of the fund would be set aside for more than 218,000 families under the modified program. The modified program covers homeless families and indigenous peoples. Recto said a new category could be made for calamity victims, or 2 percent of the annual ceiling could be earmarked for them. Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero said many local government units were apparently unaware that they could access a P1-billion People’s Survival Fund (PSF) that they could use for programs and projects to deal with the effects of climate change. In a statement, Escudero urged local officials to submit proposals for projects to mitigate and deal with extreme weather events to the Climate Change Commission, the secretariat of the PSF board which would choose which programs to fund. ■
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OCTOBER 30, 2015
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PNP assures security of APEC delegates BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD T. CALIWAN Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Philippine National Police on Monday assured it is in the thick of preparations to ensure safety of the delegates of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) in November. “The final preparation for security and peace and order is underway. This week, there will be a series of activities once more making sure all areas — maritime, air, and road security, billet, venues are properly secured,” PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez Marquez told reporters. He noted that APEC security preparations are similar to those laid out during the visit of Pope Francis
in the country early this year. “May mga similarities ang gagawin natin. When we move heads of state, normally we close the road that we will use, unlike the Pope when he was the only VIP,” he said. He added that security preparations, which started late last year, is now in full swing as the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, set on November 17-20, 2015, is fast approaching. Marquez said there is no plan to cut off the cellphone signals but the PNP has increased their target hardening measures in places frequented by foreign tourists to secure and protect everyone during their stay. “No plan yet… So the restrictions on the road, restrictions on road travel, restriction on communication are still being
studied. We’d like to make sure aired by foreign counterparts, MarThe APEC Summit, to be atthat it costs least convenience quez said that there is none so far. tended by world leaders, is an to our citizens at the same time “When we do security opera- important platform to showcase making sure our visitors, our tions for APEC, there are stan- Manila and the Philippines as a VVIPs, seven thousand of them dards implemented in other viable economic, financial, and inare also well secured,” he said. countries hosted. APEC would vestment hub for foreign visitors. Marquez said they also coor- be the same standards that we APEC consists of 21 memdinate with their ber-economies foreign counterincluding develparts for the secuoped and develrity preparations. oping countries “Since three This week, there will be a series of namely: Austramonths ago, coactivities once more making sure lia, Brunei Darusordination with all areas — maritime, air, and road salam, Indoneour foreign counsecurity, billet, venues are properly sia, Japan, South terparts are ongosecured. Korea, Malaysia, ing to make sure New Zealand, the that they know Philippines, Sinwhat to do when gapore, Thailand, they are here. To make them feel are going to do here (and) there Canada, United States, Chinese that their principals are secured is a special group, the diplomat- Taipei, People’s Republic of Chiwhen they visit our country come ic security group that attends to na, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua November week,” said Marquez. special concerns,” he said. New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, Asked if there are special concerns “Those APEC leaders are and Vietnam. our visitors. I would like to apMember economies aim to peal once again, just like what provide an avenue in creating we did during the arrival of the and maintaining sustainable Pope last January, that we are economic growth and prosperall supposed to be hosts here ity in the region by providing and make sure we show our the stakeholders an arena to best side when the 21 heads of exchange ideas, opinions, coneconomies come,” he added. cerns, and plans. ■
Bangko Sentral to change P100 color BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE PUBLIC often mistake the violet P100 bill from the blue P1000 bill, giving out the larger bill instead of the smaller ones and vice versa. In order to ease confusion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will be changing the color of P100 bill. Released in 2010, the violet and blue-colored bills are part of The New Generation Currency series. The P100 bill will be transformed into mauve and will have more red undertones. It will be in circulation by January 2016, said Gov. Amando M. Tetangco Jr. of BSP to The Philippine Daily Inquirer. “Everything will be the same but the color. With this new one, you will really see the difference,” Tetangco said. Tetangco added that various complaints concerning similarity in color of the current P100 www.canadianinquirer.net
and P1000 bills have been reported to the BSP. The BSP hopes the change of color will help the public on differentiating P100 bill from P1000 bill. Twenty percent of Philippine paper bills in circulation are composed of the P100 denomination. The most popular and most widely used is the P20 bill, while the P200, the newest denomination, is the type of bank note that is least frequently used. The P200 bill was produced due to the perceived demand of a bill between P100 and P500. It turned out that most people often break the P200 bill into two P100 bills, Tetangco said. Due to this, the central bank has started producing lesser P200 bills. Today, only 2 percent of the bank notes in the country are composed of P200 bills. The central bank no longer produces banknotes with 1985 designs. This type of bank notes is to be completely demonetized by 2017. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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San Miguel sues PSALM Pinoy high school student over P17.3-B ‘plunder’ aces worldwide math tilt BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer SAN MIGUEL Energy Corp. (SMEC) has filed in the Department of Justice a plunder complaint against the head of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) and officials of two other private energy firms accused of entering into an alleged anomalous deal in 2009 that supposedly resulted in government losses of P14 billion. In a 20-page complaint-affidavit filed on Oct. 21, SMEC general manager Elenita Go charged PSALM president and chief executive officer Lourdes Alzona; Suguru Tsuzaki, president of Team Philippines Energy Corp. (TPEC); Koichi Tamura, executive vice president of Team Sual Corp. (TSC), and several John and Jane Does with plunder as defined under Republic Act No. 7080 and violation of Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Go said the case involved the allegedly illegal grant of the so-called “excess capacity” of the Sual Power Station to TPEC, which enabled it to receive around P17.3 billion at the expense of the government and SMEC. In June 2009, PSALM entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with TPEC and TSC, which served as the independent power producer (IPP), for the coal-fired Sual Power Station in Pangasinan. The MOA, according to the complaint, gave birth to the concept of “excess capacity” wherein it was agreed that the “contracted capacity” would be 500 megawatts net per unit while the “nominal excess capacity” would be 100 MW per unit. TSC shall be entitled by itself and/ or through TPEC to market, offer, sell or supply the nominal excess capacity to any customer, independent of and without payment of any fee to PSALM and/or the National Power Corp. (Napocor). In August 2009, SMEC won the bidding as the IPP administrator for the 1,000-MW contracted capacity of the power station. Given priority
Under the MOA, when there is excess capacity—or when the available net capacity of each unit of Sual is more than the net contracted capacity of 500 MW per unit—TPEC would get its 100-MW nominal excess capacity per unit. Go pointed out, however, that the IPP administration agreement guaranteed the Napocor, through the SMEC, the net
contracted capacity of 500 MW per unit which, SMEC alleged, it was not able to get because TPEC’s 100-MW nominal capacity was given priority in accordance with the MOA. “Based on the settlement formula in the MOA, the TPEC trading amount is settled first and kept intact most of the time while the PSALM trading amount [for SMEC] is only the balance after the TPEC trading amount is deducted from the total trading amount. Thus, for example, when the net generation of Sual Unit 1 was 585 MWh, TPEC’s 100 MWh was settled first and only the remainder (485 MWh) went to SMEC,” the complaint stated. “This resulted in loss of income to SMEC,” Go said, calling the MOA “illegal.” Due to such an “anomalous and absurd outcome,” SMEC asked PSALM to review the legality and regularity of the MOA formula in 2013. According to the complaint, however, PSALM sided with TPEC and endorsed a proposal to share the generating imbalance on a pro rata basis. No reply
SMEC said it questioned the legality of the entire MOA beginning February but PSALM no longer replied to the company’s letter sent last August. SMEC pointed out that TPEC illegally benefited from the excess capacity to the detriment of the Philippine government and SMEC. It stressed that from November 2009 to September 2013, TPEC was able to gain P17.3 billion from the 2.82 million MWh generated as the “excess capacity” using the MOA settlement formula. It explained that from the said amount, P14 billion should have gone to the government in accordance with the energy conversion agreement which states that the “entire power station output” should be dedicated to the Napocor, while P3.3 billion should have been given to SMEC, corresponding to the capacity that was taken from SMEC’s 1,000 net contracted capacity. SMEC noted that all elements of plunder were present due to the supposed connivance of Alzona with TPEC and TSC by continuing the implementation of the questioned MOA; the amassing of ill-gotten wealth committed through the MOA; and the amount involved is more than P50 billion. SMEC added that the elements of graft were also present because the government suffered injury and a private party was given unwarranted benefit under the MOA. SMEC is the power arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. ■
BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer BY GARNERING a perfect score, Filipino high school student Andres Rico Gonzales of Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila aced the 2015 Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC), which drew more than 300,000 participants worldwide. This was announced yesterday by professor Mike Clapper, executive director of the University of Canberrabased annual international contest, during the AMC award rites at a Manila hotel. Gonzales, 13, was one of only 42 students around the globe who scored 100 percent in this year’s AMC, held simultaneously on Aug. 4 in 41 countries, including the Philippines. The other perfect scorers were from Australia, China, Taiwan, Bulgaria, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, among others, Clapper told the INQUIRER. For his feat, Gonzales, who is a Grade 8 student, won an AMC medal and a Peter O’Halloran Certificate. Three other Filipino students were
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among the Top 0.02 percent of contestants, including some 4,000 from the Philippines. They were Kyle Patrick Dulay, Vince Jan Torres and Farrell Eldrian Wu from Philippine Science High School (Quezon City), Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and MGC New Life Christian Academy in Taguig City, respectively. They each received AMC medals. Eleven students bagged Prize Awards for being in the Top 0.3 percent of participants. They were Clyde Wesley Ang from Chiang Kai Shek College; Nicholas Marcus Lua, Kei Hang Derek Chan and Alexandra Gochian, St. Jude Catholic School; Raphael Dylan Dalida, St. Mary’s Academy-Pasay; Erin Christian Noceda, SPED Center for the GiftedSubic; Bryce Ainsley Sanchez, Grace Christian College; Filbert Ephraim Wu, MGC New Life Christian Academy; Annika Angela Mei Tamayo, Ateneo de Iloilo; Frederick Ivan Tan, Xavier School, and Sean Ty, Zamboanga Chong Hua High School. Eighty-three other students received Certificates of High Distinction being in the Top 2 percent of the examinees. ■
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OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Poe vows to reduce red tape if elected president BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday promised to the country’s business leaders that eliminating red tape would be the focus of her administration in the first 100 days if elected president in the 2016 elections. “Under my watch, red-tape should not be a profit center for government,” Poe said in his speech during the Philippine Business Conference and Exposition of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay City. Citing the newspapers report on Tuesday, Poe said the outdated regulations cost the Philippines some Php140 billion in opportunity losses. Poe emphasized the need to legislate a new anti-red tape law that would reduce the business application process from 15 steps to at least the level that businessmen have been enjoying in other countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. “If you’re starting a momand-pop operation, or if you’re in a sole proprietorship, working for your home with no employees, why should you spend 45,000 in fees and licenses alone? In the ease of doing
business we have proved quite a bit but it takes about 15 steps to start a business in the Philippines while in Thailand it just takes 4 steps,” Poe said. The leading presidential candidate said reducing red tape would result to more foreign direct investments (FDI) in the country. “It is quite an achievement that the government has Php6 billion in foreign direct investments but our neighbors have more than that, Php8 billion in Vietnam and in Thailand even more,” Poe said. Poe said she would also continue the fight against graft and corruption by passing into law the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, the same measure which the Senate approved under her watch as chairperson of the committee on public information. “So one thing, is to continue our fight against corruption, we should make sure that red tape is reduced,” Poe said. The lady senator said she would also give priority on making the Philippines one of the favorite tourist destinations by building more infrastructure projects and business climate. “Tourist arrivals in the Philippines is also something that we should increase now our average is a little around 5 million
Sen. Grace Poe on the day she filed her COC for 2016 presidential race. FACEBOOK
tourists a year whereas Thailand has 26 million and a little bit more in Vietnam. I think that this is an area, tourism, where we can have an added value in terms of employment and in terms of opportunities,” Poe said. Poe also said she would push reform in the country’s tax code with the objective of reducing tax payments. “I think that we should reclassify the different brackets for taxes. We are one of the highest in Asia and yet our government services still have to be improved. From 2011 until the
present, we have about Php600 billion in unspent fund in the government and reducing taxes will only take away about 30 billion, so when they say what programs we have to cut, we don’t even have to cut programs we just have to be more efficient in being able to roll out our projects so that more opportunities will be created,” she said. Poe said agriculture is also in need of support of the next administration considering it is one sector that the highest poverty incidence. “The majority of our countrymen are dependent on agri-
culture but we need to increase mechanization, we need to give them the proper insurance, the crop property insurance, the farm to country road for our farmers,” she said. “I know that this is said every now and then but I need small water impounding facilities, we need more dam for irrigation, 500,000 hectares of land still needs to be irrigated. There’s a question about whether we need to be rice self-sufficient, or we should have food security. But definitely we should think of food security and the livelihood and insistence of our farmers,” she added. Poe stressed the need for next government to make business sector as its important partner. “We will not be successful if we do not help each other and I can guarantee you that having been raised by parents who are also entrepreneurs, I understand the challenges that face the business community but we belong to the small business owners, what more the many others trying to get a loan from the bank, trying to get their permits approve, so these are the things that I feel that we can concentrate on so that we can increase foreign direct investments and so we can also help our local businessmen,” Poe said. ■
OFW remittances... In a macroeconomic research dated Oct. 23 titled “Will OFW (overseas Filipino worker) remittances stay resilient amid global macro shocks?,” Citi economist for the Philippines Jun Trinidad said a change in the global macroeconomic backdrop remained a key driver of remittances by each overseas worker. Each one percentage point change in the income indicator of the world’s wealthiest nations under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is seen translating to a 1.49 percent change in remittances per worker. “Global income indicator has the largest effect at 2.59 percent on per worker remittance in the region followed by a Philippine (PH) jobless rate that can elevate or lower per ❰❰ 1
capita remittance by 0.58 percent. More or less ‘migration’ to North America—a favored destination of those seeking overseas jobs permanently and currently hosts the largest migrant OFW population, is premised on the PH jobless rate effect,” Trinidad said. The economist noted, however, that the country’s booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry particularly in the urban/commercial centers, including those outside Metro Manila, offered an attractive financial/employment alternative—assuming one has the appropriate skill set—to seeking jobs overseas. “As OFW remittances plateau with fewer workers seeking overseas jobs, we expect BPO and outsourcing/offshoring segment with better quality jobs, to compensate for fore-
gone remittance earnings,” he said. The economist noted that the decline in workers seeking overseas jobs since 2011 had actually coincided with the BPO phenomenon. He said this could “reflect better domestic labor market conditions as the BPO phenomenon takes hold.” The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) itself had said that it was only a matter of time before BPOs would replace cash transfers as the economy’s main economic engine. Many are expecting the inflection point to happen next year. Trinidad said “Citi’s global recession call in 2016—hopefully not too severe—could pose downside risk to remittance flows.” The economist said reports of the country’s balance of payments (BOP) surplus exceedwww.canadianinquirer.net
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ing $1 billion in the first nine months of 2015 has masked weaker remittance flows. Cash remittances coursed through banks in August amounted to $2 billion, 0.6-percent lower year-on-year. For the
first eight months, these cash remittances grew by a modest 4.1 percent year–on–year to $16.2 billion. Trinidad said the dip in August remittances had cast concerns on the resilient nature of the OFW flows. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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Aquino asks for balanced reporting from media PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago officially announces her 2016 presidential bid at the U.P. Bahay Ng Alumni. FACEBOOK
Miriam may be best bet, say cancer survivors BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. MIRIAM Defensor-Santiago has found an ally in an antismoking group in her bid for the presidency amid doubts about her health. In a statement yesterday, the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP), an organization of throat cancer survivors, said surviving the deadly disease should not take away Santiago’s right to run for president in next year’s elections. “Cancer survivors and victims should not be discriminated [against],” said NVAP president Emer Rojas, a former chain smoker who lost his vocal chords to laryngeal cancer. “Yes, one’s health is a primary concern but as long as cancer survivors manifest good health, they are entitled to their right to suffrage on equal basis with others,” said Rojas, also a global cancer ambassador. The NVAP issued the statement after an open letter to Santiago by Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio of the University of the Philippines-Center for Women’s Studies circulated on social media, urging the senator to release her medical records to show that her stage 4 lung cancer had been cured. In her letter, Claudio said that if Santiago “did not receive
a miracle, there is a great probability that you will not survive your six-year term should you win [the presidential election].” Santiago declined to take on Claudio’s challenge, citing her right to privacy. Rojas said there was no reason to doubt Santiago’s claims, as there have been medical advancements that made some cancers curable. “Cancer is no longer a dreaded disease. It should not be feared as it is now curable under the right conditions, such as early detection and proper medical care,” he said. Rojas added that instead of questioning Santiago’s capability to run for the presidency, Filipinos, particularly health advocates, should rally behind the senator because “she could be the best bet for president, [as she] has a clear program on public health.” “Senator Santiago believes in good health. She may be an ideal bet since she understands how hard it is to be sick. She could very well be a very good advocate of good health,” he said. Stressing his point, Rojas pointed out that Santiago was the principal author of Senate Bill No. 3249, An Act Restructuring the Excise Taxes on Alcohol and Tobacco Products, one of the forerunners of the sin tax law. ■
MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III has asked the press to adhere to balanced reportage by writing not only negative stories but also good developments happening in the country. The President voiced his sentiments on sensationalized reporting by the Philippine media during the Annual Presidential Forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), held at the Solaire Resort and Casino on Tuesday. “Let me emphasize that I never asked that media refrain from reporting negative news. All I asked for was a reasonable balance,” he said. Inundating the media with negativism will only result in people losing hope, and this cannot generate positive action, he pointed out. Citing the recent Typhoon Lando as an example, the President said a major Philippine broadsheet tweeted: “Government fails to achieve zero casualty.” “A local reporter from another media outlet also tweeted that relief goods had arrived in Casiguran (Aurora) but that these goods had not yet been distributed. He closed by saying, ‘Bukas darating si PNoy!’ or ‘PNoy is arriving tomorrow!’ as if to imply that relief goods would be distributed only when I was there,” he said. He recounted that both the government and the private sector moved heaven and earth to reach the affected communities and worked hard to provide assistance despite the bad weather. “At a time of challenge for many Filipinos, it seemed to me as if the only interest of these particular members of the media was to sensationalize, to highlight tragedy, to point out supposed failures, and to make accusations,” he said. President Aquino noted that during last year’s FOCAP forum, he told members of the foreign press that it is the media’s “responsibility to tell the whole, unadulterated truth”. “Please continue speakwww.canadianinquirer.net
President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.
ing truth to power. You can be critical, and still contribute to growth, because constructive criticism is a great help to us,” he said. “Expose corruption where it is found; bring injustice to our attention. You are well and free to do this because we will never suppress you; on the contrary, my administration will work with you to correct these wrongs,” he added. The Chief Executive however said that it cannot be true that there are only negative things happening in the Philippines. “I have met so many people who are embodiments of the good news and optimism surrounding the Philippines,” he said, giving as examples the recipients of the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program who are currently enrolled in universities and technical-vocational institutions and who are grateful for the government’s pro-poor program, as well as beneficiaries of the PhilHealth program. Many multinational companies also have high hopes for the Philippines, wanting to entrust their success to the Filipino people, he said. “Economic growth has slowed, somewhat, this year, but the Philippine economy is still among the most resilient in the entire world—and the Filipino people are still positive about their job prospects,” he noted. The President further said that the government is in the process of improving the country’s infrastructure, such as the
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Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 1, which is no longer considered the worst airport in the world. The Iloilo, Mactan-Cebu, and Clark airports are now considered among the 30 best airports in Asia, he said, adding that although the country is visited by an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, the government has been investing on technology and training to help experts accurately predict and prepare for weather disturbances. “At the end of the day, the Filipino people will decide if I was true to my word: if I did my utmost to bring about positive transformation,” he said. “I believe they will make the decision for all other sectors as well—including other government agencies and even sectors like yours.” Concluding his speech, President Aquino repeated the appeal he made to the press at the beginning of his term. “I make it again now—both as President and as someone looking forward to his return to private life: Yes, there is always massive room for improvement. Yes, there are some mistakes and missteps—but that does not mean there is no room for hope or optimism. That does not mean there is no room to celebrate successes, even the smallest ones. That is all I ask: to make room for the whole, truthful picture. That is the way in which you can fulfill your responsibility to society, to help spur growth and progress,” he said. ■
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OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Presidentiables pitch platforms in business forum BY KRIS M. CRISMUNDO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Candidates for the presidential election next year have pitched to businessmen their economic platforms during the 41st Philippine Business Conference (PBC) at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City on Tuesday. Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago faced the country’s largest business group Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) where they were invited to discuss their programs if they will be elected as the next president as well as to answer key issues of the business sector. The format, initially, is a forum where presidential candidates will be facing each other and exchanging views before the business group. However, Binay requested to do it separately — stating their platforms then answering questions from the moderator one by one — and was agreed by Roxas and Santiago. Poe was not able to join the three other presidentiables in the formal program but she appeared in the forum and gave message to PCCI. Investing on people, infrastructure
The presidentiables have identified investing on people and public infrastructure as key to continue the economic expansion as well as to promote inclusive growth. Santiago said the country needs to prepare its people through improving health and education services to ensure faster economic growth and to trickle down the effect of this. The lawmaker added she will continue the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program but in a more cost-efficient way by involving the local government in implementation. Public infrastructure in the Philippines should be at par with other ASEAN neighbors, according to Santiago. Binay mentioned that right policies and proper implementation of infrastructure projects will help the country to achieve 7.0 to 8.0 percent gross domestic products (GDP) growth annually. Binay said he will also push for infrastructure budget at 5.0 percent of GDP if he will be elected as the next chief executive. He added that he will continue and expand nationwide services on public health and education he started in Makati City. For Roxas, he said that he will continue the programs of the Aquino ad-
ministration in investing on people and infrastructure which he noted as key structural reforms of the current government. Roxas mentioned that the government has enacted to close classroom backlogs, invested PhP65 billion for CCT Program, and spent PhP75 billion in 2014 as PhilHealth reimbursement. In terms of infrastructure investments, total capital outlay of the government has tripled from PhP175 billion or 1.8 percent of GDP in 2010 to PhP570 billion this year. For 2016, the government allotted PhP800 billion for infrastructure projects or approximately 5.0 percent of the country’s GDP, Roxas cited. Poe, in her message to PCCI, said public infrastructure is necessary for the country to improve the tourism sector which has a great potential for value added activities and job creation. The four presidentiables all vowed to select and appoint competitive cabinet members to ensure programs will be effectively implemented and delivered. Tax reforms and FOI
Binay, Poe, and Santiago stated the need for tax reforms particularly in lowering corporate income tax (CIT) and personal income tax (PIT) rates. Santiago vowed to reform tax system within six months of her administration while Binay said tax reforms will be a priority and he will reduce gradually CIT rate if he will be seated as the next president. Poe is more concerned on the reduction of individual tax payment. Roxas, on the other note, said he is open to reducing income tax rates but the initiative needs to be studied “very closely” and should be put in “very sober and non-populist” discussions — not in time of elections.
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He noted that the philosophy of the current administration is to invest back to people their taxes through improved public service. The two lady lawmakers will both push for the enactment of Freedom of Information (FOI) as a law while Binay and Roxas did not mentioned the pending legislation. Distinct initiatives
Santiago’s distinct initiative she told to the business group is “passing a law authorizing the use of public funds to support dominant political parties” which she stressed will create a stable political institution in the country. This will also push political parties to be accountable for the mistakes of their own candidates and leaders that will be in government positions, according to Santiago. Poe, alone, mentioned the importance of tourism industry in the country. She aims to further increase tourist arrivals in the country by improving public infrastructure. Binay, on the other hand, targets to focus on poverty reduction by providing more jobs. He said this will be possible through supporting industries that are very active in employment such as manufacturing and export. Roxas vowed to sustain the country’s economic momentum and reclaim its position as center of modernity and growth in Asia by continuing the initiatives of the Aquino administration on transparency, rules-based governance, and strong fight against corruption. He noted that the cry during the past elections was ‘change’, but for the first time, the country now has reasons to push for ‘continuity’ of government programs and initiatives. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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PDP-Laban names Duterte as “replacement” presidential candidate BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer DESPITE RODRIGO Duterte’s repeated refusal to run for president, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban) has named the Davao City mayor as “replacement” candidate in the 2016 presidential election. Although PDP-Laban is sure of its presidential candidate, Martin Diño, anything could happen in the 2016 election, said Ismael “Mike” Sueño, national chair of PDP-Laban and former South Cotabato governor, on Tuesday in an interview with The Inquirer. “PDP-Laban has only two choices for its presidential can-
didate—Diño and Duterte. So Duterte is the only one who can replace Diño,” said Sueño. “In choosing him as the replacement bet, we took into consideration his popularity and the nationwide support he enjoys, as well as his track record of serving as Davao City mayor,” he added. When asked if Diño has any plans to withdraw from the election, “Sueno said: “No. He has no plan to drop out of the race.” “The purpose of Duterte’s nomination is for us to still have a presidential candidate in case Diño withdraws,” he clarified. Duterte has said before for at least eight times that he is not running for President. In a television program taped in March
2014, he said that no one could implore him to run for president because he does not have money to run a campaign. In a rather extreme statement in another TV show in the same year, Duterte said, “I would rather die early than enter Malacañang.” Duterte rekindled the hope of his supporters when, in February this year, he told reporters in Baguio City that he might run for senator but not for president “at least for now.” In October 15, to the dismay of his supporters, Duterte, in behalf of his chief-of-staff, filed certificate of candidacy for the position of mayor of Davao. In a press conference in Monday, Diño said that he is not a spare tire. He denied that he
COULD IT BE? Davao Mayor Rody Duterte named ‘replacement’ if party bet
backs out from 2016 presidential race
was only filling in for anybody. However, when asked of what he would do if Duterte changes his mind and run for president, Dino answered in Filipino, “It is
up to the executive committee, to the board of PDP-Laban on what decision they would come up to. I am a party man, I will abide.” ■
Miriam vows to continue CCT but pledges to plug leaks BY PRIAM F. NEPOMUCENO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Should she be victorious in the 2016 presidential elections, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago vowed not only to continue Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program but plug its leakages as well. “We will also reduce the cost of running the program by involving local authorities in implementing it,” she added. Santiago made this statement during the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries Presidential Forum, Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay City Tuesday. The CCT is a social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children age 0-14. Aside from this, the presidential aspirant also said that the Philippines needs vibrant and more productive agriculture hand in hand with a strong manufacturing. And to do this, Santiago said the government needs to invest in agriculture productivity enhancing projects — irrigation,
Veteran senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago officially joins the 2016 presidential race.
farm-to-market roads, water impounding facilities, postharvest facilities, new seed varieties and research and development. “We will invest in political institutions. It’s been thirty years since we restored democracy in the Philippines. Yet, political institutions remain shaky. There exist no stable political parties in the real sense of the word. The Filipino people cannot hold accountable a political
party for the mistakes of its candidates because it disappears as soon as the offending elected official leave office. This has to be corrected by passing a law authorizing the use of public funds to support dominant political parties,” she emphasized. “When elected, my first act is to have the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) enacted into law. This is an important tool to promote public accountability,” Santiago stressed. www.canadianinquirer.net
She also vowed to restore meritocracy in government, adding political parasites, incompetents, and unproductive workers will have no place in her administration. “ I will recruit the best, the most competent, the most experienced, the most honest men and women to assist me run my administration,” the presidential aspirant disclosed. She added that the Filipino people will feel secure under
my administration. “They will feel secure at home, on the streets and their place of work. My administration will aggressively fight the war against illegal drugs that proliferate in most cities and towns in the country,” Santiago pointed out. Aside from this, she said her administration will run the government’s finances responsively. “First, we will reform the 19-year old tax system, making it fairer, more responsive to changes in the economy, simpler to administer, and in sync with our ASEAN-5 competitors,” Santiago disclosed. “Second, we will right-size government. We will start by conducting a swift review of ALL programs and projects of government. A Task Force will be created for each major department as soon as we get elected. We will hit the ground running on Day One (July 1st 2016). But there will be no slowdown in government operations,” she added. “Third, we will keep government deficits manageable by keeping it below three percent of gross domestic product, even as we aggressively build public infrastructure,” Santiago concluded. ■
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Philippine News
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
New law to raise tax Sino envoys in Cebu slays exemption ceiling sent home to stand trial on balikbayan boxes BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer
BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — The Balikbayan Box Law (BBL) has been included in the consolidated version of the Customs reform bill yesterday. According to Sen. Ralph Recto, the BBL intends to raise to P150, 000 the tax-exempt value of “pasalubong”cargo brought in or sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The law is now part of the proposed Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). “I am glad that Senator (Juan Edgardo) Angara included it in his report,” Recto said in an interview with Manila Bulletin. Sen. Angara, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, sponsored the CMTA bill. Senate Bill No. 2931, dubbed as Balikbayan Box Law was filed by Sen. Recto after the protests towards Bureau of Customs’ order to
open and inspect balikbayan boxes. In the BBL, the “total dutiable value” of the boxes shall not be more than P150, 000 and can only be availed “up to three times in a calendar year.” It is also said in the bill that the articles of the balikbayan box must be “personal and household effects only and shall neither be in commercial quantities, nor intended for barter, sale or for hire.” “This is to prevent senders from abusing this privilege. With this privilege comes the duty to observe the law. And it also comes with penalties so that smugglers won’t take advantage of it,” Recto said to the Philippine Star. The tax-exempt ceiling for returning resident who has lived abroad for 10 years who wish to send boxes of “personal and household effects” has also been raised to P350, 000. Sen. Recto expects the Senate to approve the bill before the end of the year. ■
A CHINESE consular officer and her husband, who allegedly killed two other Chinese diplomats and wounded their consul general in Cebu City, were flown back to China on Friday to stand trial, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday. Assistant Foreign Secretary Charles Jose, spokesperson for the DFA, said police turned over Li Qingli, 60, and his wife, Consul Guo Jing, to Chinese authorities, who flew them to Xiamen in southeastern China on a chartered flight on Friday night, two days after the shootings in a restaurant in Cebu City. “The two Chinese suspects left the Philippines last night for Xiamen. [They are now] under the custody of the Chinese authorities,” Jose said. Police said the consul’s husband had been accused of killing Deputy Consul Sun Shan and consulate finance officer Hui Li and wounding Consul General Song Ronghua inside a private room at Lighthouse Restaurant on General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City, at lunchtime on Wednesday. Jose said the Chinese government had invoked diplomatic immunity for the couple under the 1961 Geneva Convention and a 2009 bilateral accord between China and the Philippines. “They will be tried under
Chinese law,” Jose said. “[The Chinese authorities] asked for help, so the evidence obtained by the [Philippine National Police] will be shared with them.” The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to issue a statement about the incident. The embassy described the couple as accredited diplomats, according to Jose. Jose said the DFA had been assured that the case of the diplomats will be dealt with by the Chinese authorities according to Chinese laws. China has the death penalty, while the Philippines does not. Motive unknown
Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, Central Visayas police director, said the couple had not issued any statement that could explain the motive for the shootings partly because they could not speak English. The victims and the suspects were attending a birthday lunch in a private room at Lighthouse when the shootings occurred, Bañas said. Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, a police spokesperson in Cebu City, said a member of the restaurant staff heard arguments “over financial matters” before shots were fired. Video from the restaurant’s security camera showed Li approaching and shooting Song and Sun. Hui ran out of the room but Li followed and shot her. Bañas said the police in Cebu handed over the suspects to DFA and China representatives on Friday night.
“I was informed they have already been flown out to China,” Bañas said. ‘Twin’ guns
Police are investigating how Li had acquired the .45-cal. Colt Defender he used in the shootings. A police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said on Thursday that it was easy to acquire a firearm in Cebu because the city had a large cottage industry for homemade guns. It is unclear, however, whether Li’s Colt Defender is a clone of the highly reliable concealedcarry 1911 made by the US gunmaker Colt’s Manufacturing Co., which sells its products only to the US government. Investigators have found that the serial number of Li’s Colt Defender, 126238, appears on another Colt Defender owned by Theodore Calavera of Valenzuela City in Metro Manila. License expired
Calavera said he sold his handgun to a certain Mago, from whom police recovered the pistol on Thursday and found that its license had expired. Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, spokesperson for the PNP, said Calavera appeared to have violated gun rules by selling his pistol to Mago without clearing it with the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office. Remaining a puzzle is how the serial number of Calavera’s Colt Defender has been duplicated on Li’s handgun. ■
‘Lumad’ protesters converging on capital to bring plight to the people BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GOVERNMENT is sympathetic to the plight of the “lumad” or indigenous people facing increasing threats in Mindanao, Malacañang said yesterday, a day before a protest caravan of 700 lumad refugees was to arrive in Manila.
Speaking on government Radyo ng Bayan, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. appealed for understanding of the government’s efforts to restore order and stability in lumad settlements, some of which had become a hotbed of strife between paramilitary forces and insurgents. “The government continues
its efforts to establish peace and development in these areas to ensure the delivery of public services to our people,” Coloma said. He noted the government’s strong condemnation of the assassination of Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza and his son in Agusan del Sur last week. The communist New People’s Army claimed responsibility www.canadianinquirer.net
for the killings, which a spokesperson described as punishment for war crimes and to give justice to the thousands of lumad and peasants “terrorized by their tyranny” in Loreto and surrounding towns. Coloma, however, said Otaza was one of the strong advocates of peace and development of the Manobo and lumad communities in the province.
Some 700 lumad refugees are expected to arrive in the capital today for the “Manilakbayan” protest caravan, in which they hope to demonstrate their struggle to put a stop to militarization in their communities. A campout will be held on the campus of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, starting today until Oct. 31. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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Ombudsman on a roll; 18 more cops sacked BY MARLON RAMOS AND JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer
overthrow then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
legally and financially capable supplier.” The PNP yesterday said it would comply with the order of the Ombudsman. “The PNP respects the decision of the Ombudsman. Based on rules, we are given five days [from receipt of the order] to implement it,” Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, spokesperson for the PNP, told reporters. Mayor said the Ombudsman’s order had already been received by the office of Marquez, the PNP chief.
Grave misconduct
A BEMEDALED senior police officer who was cited for his role in the relief operations in the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” has been sacked by the Ombudsman. Chief Supt. Asher Dolina, chief of the Eastern Visayas police office, and 17 other members of the Philippine National Police have been perpetually disqualified by the Ombudsman from government service over the irregular procurement of 16 defective patrol vessels worth P4.5 million in 2009. Dolina and the others were the latest casualties in a series of dismissal orders approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. A retired Supreme Court justice, Morales recently ordered the sacking of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, son of Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr., one of President Aquino’s staunch allies. Morales had also meted out the same penalty on a group of policemen, including dismissed Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, a personal friend of the President, for the alleged sale of AK47 assault rifles to communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Mindanao. Dolina, a 1983 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, was among the first batch of PNP personnel who were flown to Tacloban City to lead the search, rescue and relief operations after giant storm surges generated by Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) leveled the city on Nov. 8, 2013. A seasoned police investigator, Dolina was lauded in 2006 for arresting then fugitive and now Sen. Gregorio Honasan II, who allegedly hatched a plot to
In a statement, Morales said Dolina and the other respondents were found administratively liable for grave misconduct. “The [rubber boats] were procured without public bidding and despite glaring defects already noted during [the] delivery, the boats were certified to have passed the acceptance criteria,” Morales said. Besides their dismissal from the police service, the erring PNP personnel will also lose their retirement benefits and their civil service eligibility. Morales also approved their indictment for multiple violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, which bars public employees from causing “any undue injury to any party or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference.” “The significant events leading to the procurement of 16 police coastal craft would not only reveal badges of irregularities, but also of haste and preference to buy from FPT (Four Petals Trading) as the sole and only choice of supplier for coastal craft,” Morales said. She ordered Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento and PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez to immediately implement the dismissal order. Others sacked
Axed along with Dolina were Chief Supt. Ferdinand Yuzon, Senior Superintendents Cornelio Salinas, Thomas Abellar, Nepomuceno Magno Corpus Jr., Rico Payonga, Alex Sarmiento and Aleto Jeremy Mirasol, and Superintendents Michael Amor Filart, Job Marasigan and Henry Duque.
Dismissals next week
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
Also covered by the Ombudsman order were Chief Inspectors Juanito Estrebor and Renelfa Saculles, and retired Chief Superintendents Villamor Bumanglag, Reynaldo Rafal, Rizaldo Tungala Jr. and George Piano. Antonio Retrato, chief of the PNP Accounting Division, and Jaime Sañares, PNP resident state auditor, drew the same penalties. Four Petals representatives Roselle Ferrer and Pacita Umali were likewise recommended to be charged along with the police officers. According to the Ombudsman findings, the PNP approved the purchase of the rubber boats in 2009 for P5 million. The Ombudsman said the PNP initially recommended the procurement of 20 boats, but eventually bought 16 boats from Four Petals after Bumanglag, then the director of the PNP Maritime Group, asked for an increase in the budget for each boat from P250,000 to P312,000.
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Defective boats
A number of defects were discovered when the patrol boats were delivered to the PNP on March 22, 2010, such as missing water temperature gauges, ampere gauges, fuel gauges, engine oil pressure gauges and speedometers. The PNP inspection team also noted that the vessels’ engines were “not operational” and that they had “no rudder posts” while one of the boats had a damaged outrigger. The boats did not have canvas, at least one had a hole in the back portion of the starboard side, no alternator, and had stacked-up transmission and heater plug. “Despite the defects, they were accepted as conforming to [user’s] specification,” the Ombudsman said. It said the procurement project was covered by undated and unnumbered procurement documents. It also noted that Four Petals, which listed its business address in a residential area, was “not a technically,
The police office tasked to implement the dismissal order was the Directorate for Personnel Records Management (DPRM). It is expected to issue dismissal orders by next week. In a phone interview, Mayor said the dismissed officials would pursue “legal remedies” on their own, as the PNP legal service extends assistance only when policemen are accused of offenses allegedly committed in the line of duty. Mayor said the respondents were expected to file a motion for reconsideration in the Office of the Ombudsman, but that this would “not stay the implementation” of the dismissal orders. He said that of the respondents, two continue to hold “key positions” in the PNP, Dolina and Yuzon, deputy director at the PNP Directorate for Plans. Dolina was chair of the PNP Maritime Group Bids and Awards Committee in 2009 with Yuzon as the vice chair. Some of the respondents have already retired, Mayor said, though he could not immediately name them. Mayor said the benefits of the retirees who had been ordered dismissed would be discontinued. ■
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Philippine News
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Ousted INC leader bares murder plot Says more dissenters held against their will BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer HIS ABDUCTION was supposed to be a prelude to his murder. So claimed expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II, who was seized by armed men in Bulan, Sorgoson province, in July and detained in a jail in Dasmariñas City in Cavite province. Menorca yesterday accused members of the INC advisory council of having him kidnapped and detained so he could be killed on the grounds that he was the blogger who exposed alleged corruption and other anomalies in the religious sect. “A lot more people” suspected of being dissenters and their families were being “held against their will” at the INC Central Temple complex in Diliman, Quezon City, he said at a press conference in Manila. He was accompanied by his wife, Jinky, and lawyer Trixie Angeles. INC officials said they would respond to Menorca’s claims at the proper venue, according to their counsel, Patricia Ann T. Prodigalidad. They were “surprised and saddened by the recent turn of events and the statements issued” by Menorca, she said. “They will address the allegations of Mr. Menorca … and are confident that if treated fairly by authorities, they will be given due process and the opportunity to establish their innocence and to clear their names,” Prodigalidad said in a statement. Menorca, the subject of petitions for the issuance of the writs of habeas corpus (to produce a detained person in court) and amparo (protection) filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, revealed that his kidnapping was led by a former police chief of Quezon City. Acting swiftly, the high court granted the writs on Friday and remanded the petitions to the Court of Appeals for hearing. Menorca said policemen from Quezon City also tried to kill him by lobbing a grenade into a dilapidated car he was riding near a cemetery in Das-
Expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II.
mariñas. The grenade, however, did not explode and Dasmariñas policemen sent to finish him off took pity on him and just charged him with illegal possession of explosives. After the case was dismissed, he was transferred to the INC complex in Quezon City on July 25. Angeles said the police official behind the kidnapping would be properly identified in court or in a lineup. The Court of Appeals will open hearings on the habeas corpus and amparo petitions on Nov. 3. NBI rescue
Menorca was rescued by National Bureau of Investigation agents at a house in Fairview, Quezon City, last week after being ordered moved by the INC council out of the temple complex on Oct. 21 when news about the petitions, filed by his brother and sister-in-law, broke out. He said he was forced to sign quit claim, waiver and non-disclosure documents, as he was concerned about his family’s safety. Menorca said the INC council members who had spoken to him before he was moved out had threatened that they would order the INC faithful to hold street protests now that INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo was the subject of the suit and might get arrested. “They told me that during the time that the [council mem-
bers] were the ones [sued], the whole church rallied. They told me, this time that [Manalo] is being attacked, I should expect the church to go to the streets again, and this time they will be hostile,” he said. A sobbing Menorca held the hand of his wife, who was also sobbing, as he recounted to reporters his ordeal that began when armed men surrounded his chapel in Bulan, Sorsogon province, in July and abducted him in full view of people who were then celebrating the village fiesta. He said a jacket was placed over his head and brought to an ambulance and later to a coaster on the way to Dasmariñas. Handcuffed for 17 hours
“My hands were bleeding. Seventeen hours, I was handcuffed. I asked them repeatedly to loosen the handcuffs because it hurt so much. My shoulders were about to fall off, my hands were bleeding. I kept on begging the police officers to remove my handcuffs … The only thing they could say was that they didn’t have the key because it was in the station,” he recounted. He said a minister spoke to him and he begged for the safety of his wife and daughter, who, unknown to him, were taken straight to the INC headquarters. “I told them they could kill me if they wanted but they leave my wife and daughter alone. Then they (abductors) claimed www.canadianinquirer.net
SCREENSHOT FROM GMA NEWS FOOTAGE
the convoy with my wife was intercepted by rebels. They didn’t know how I felt. They kept interrogating me,” he said. Menorca denied the charge of illegal possession of explosives that was leveled against him in Dasmariñas, saying that the charge was based on the testimony of two construction workers who were paid P200 each. He said he and the two workers were taken to a prosecutor’s residence where he was charged. “That was the grenade thrown at me. That was the grenade they were using to try to kill me,” he said, sobbing, referring to the charge that he had an explosive. The policemen said they were just following orders to charge him, adding that he alone could get himself out of trouble by admitting whatever he was being accused of. Menorca said the arrangement was for him to be charged with illegal possession of explosives so he could just be detained in the city police station. Released
As details of his abduction and detention came to light because of media coverage, Menorca was released. He eventually ended up at the INC compound in Quezon City. Thinking that Manalo had ordered to have him placed under protective custody, he agreed to go to the compound. But he and his family were kept
like prisoners for three months from July 25 to Oct. 21. He said he was once allowed go out to be interviewed by a media outfit under a “scripted” arrangement. After they were transferred to Fairview in Quezon City last week, Menorca said he and his family asked relatives and their lawyer to work for their rescue as they were still worried about their safety since their neighbor was an INC official and several people continued to keep them under surveillance. Menorca said he decided to make a stand by coming out with the truth after hearing that the persecution of dissenters was continuing. “This is not a fight against the church or Ka Eduardo. This is a fight against the wrongdoing against the church by the people who are entrusted to care for the flock.” He said the people who kidnapped and interrogated him were going around the world visiting INC locals and “traumatizing, coercing and terrorizing lots of brethren still.” He called on the INC council members, whom he said he used to treat as his uncles as his father was a former member, to stop covering up the truth and face the charges in court. “Do not hide behind your positions …. You cry for separation of church and state but if you know it’s beneficial for you, you agree, but if not, you cry like a baby and [then mobilize] the brethren for street protests.” Menorca said he was abducted because the INC council had suspected him to be blogger Antonio Ebanghelista, who exposed supposed irregularities in the sect. He said he was singled out not only because he was a “techie” but also because he was a former worker at the INC media network Net 25 and was close to Manalo’s brothers, who had also been expelled. After he was brought to the temple compound, the INC council members admitted to him that he was not the mysterious blogger. “What they did was an unscientific way to getting their suspects. It’s like casting a net, whatever fish they could get, they would interrogate.” ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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DOH still verifying information on ‘haze’ deaths in GenSan BY LEILANI S. JUNIO Philippines News Agency
LAST TERM. President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III. MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU
Aquino: Filipinos will not allow Marcoses to return to power PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III said he does not believe that the Filipino people would allow the Marcoses to return to power several decades after they ousted a dictator. “I have faith in my bosses, the Filipino people. There is nothing that has caused me to change the faith that they are able to discern,” he told members of the foreign press during a forum held at the Solaire Resort in Parañaque City on Tuesday. With Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., son of former president Ferdinand Marcos, running for vice president in next year’s elections, President Aquino was asked to comment on the possible return of the Marcoses to power. Asked if the Marcos family has something to apologize for after the martial rule of the late president Marcos, President Aquino said for a start, they have to admit that they have erred. “The start of a solution is the admission of the problem or the correct identification of the problem. If they said, ‘We erred, we had this opportunity to turn this country great as our father promised, it did not happen. We apologize, we want to make amends,’ that I think would
have been very, very acceptable. We are (a) forgiving people as a general rule,” the Chief Executive explained. Instead, he said, the Marcoses have issued statements that “there is nothing to apologize for.” The President recounted that his family and other members of their household suffered a lot during Martial Law. His father, the late senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., was detained for years and was assassinated upon his return from the United States in August 1983. President Aquino also said that a governess who took care of him, had been arrested several times, along with her husband, who was the family driver. “They were both incarcerated and their only crime (was) they served in our household previous to Martial Law,” he said. The Marcoses’ denial of what happened during Martial Law is no assurance that similar events would not occur in the future, according to the President. “If there is denial of what happened, is there also a statement that there is no recognition that things have to be corrected down the line? And therefore, is there a promise that there will be no repetition of the same? Those are questions,” he said. ■
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) clarified Tuesday that it is still determining the real cause of the death of two persons in General Santos City, which were reportedly due to haze. DOH Assistant Secretary Gerardo Bayugo said they are still verifying the information on the two victims’ deaths before making a conclusion on the matter. “We are investigating on that because not all deaths are caused by haze. From time to time in various places, there are people who die of illnesses due to some other reasons. And if there were deaths in places affected by haze, what we must do is to verify the cause,” said Bayugo. Based on initial reports, the two fatalities suffered from asthma attacks. Bayugo added that while haze, as of this time, cannot be directly tagged yet as the culprit, he advised people in areas affected by the haze from forest
fires in Indonesia to take necessary precautions to protect their health. He cited that haze is a form of air pollutants coming from forest fires in Indonesia. It was carried in the atmosphere by typhoon Lando on October 18. “Forest fire has particles like sulfur, polycarbons and other chemicals that can pollute the air,” he added. The said particulate matter may contain larger particles and very tiny particles which are only visible through an electron microscope. He said that larger particles carried in the air is not likely to endanger one’s health as these can be filtered by hair inside the nose. “If there will be irritations that can appear in the form of ‘mild irritation’ like having painful or irritated eyes, nose or upper respiratory tract,” he added. He added that air purifiers will also help as solution and by avoiding outdoor activities and event strenuous exercises among the very young and old population in haze-hit areas. He also said that it is possible
that the particulate matters in the air that reaches in the reported areas can find its way in entering lungs and the bloodstream which can aggravate existing health problems. The health official reiterated his reminders to the public in affected areas to stay indoors as much as possible; and wear N95 masks if they have to go out. N95 differs from ordinary mask, because it has the ability to filter 95 percent of air particulates. This mask is also being used as protective instrument of attending physicians and health workers handling infectious diseases. With this, mask prices in haze-affected areas have started to increase. The DOH said that distribution of masks will continue in affected areas. It also reminded the residents to immediately seek consultation, especially in the areas where haze is being felt. Among the affected areas of haze are portions of Palawan, Cebu, Cotabato, Leyte, and Davao. ■
AFP sorry for deploying personnel in UP, says operation legitimate PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) on Tuesday apologized for deploying military men on the premises of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman last Oct. 21. However, the military said its operatives were on a legitimate national security operation at that time. “They were there on a legitimate national security operation. University students and members of the UP faculty were not the subject of that operation as alleged by some quarters,” the AFP said in a statement. It said the operation was properly coordinated with the local police and there was no inwww.canadianinquirer.net
Armed Forces of the Philippines. SCREENSHOT FROM SPECIAL VIDEO BY PHILIPPINE ELITE TEAM / YOUTUBE
tent to violate the existing 1989 agreement between the Department of National Defense and UP which prohibits the presence of police and military agents in the campus without notice and approval of the UP administration. “The AFP humbly apologizes for the incident and assures the public and the UP that any in-
convenience that arose out of this incident is not intentional. We will work to ensure that this does not happen again,” it added. “Our security operations are all done in the best interest of our people and that these are pursued so as to prevent crimes and terroristic acts against our citizens,” the AFP stressed. ■
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Philippine News
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Philippine Fest... ucts and delicacies, handicrafts, gifts, garments, heirlooms and artworks belonging to the famed Dimasalang group of artists in BC. The event will also feature fun activities such as the traditional Filipino “parol” (Christmas lantern)-making; and native sports demonstrations for the young and the young at heart. A display of uniquely-Filipino entertainment numberscultural dances, modern song and dance performances, afashion show will be staged, including a game show called ‘Sweet 16’ which will give participants a chance to win valuable prizes, including a a return airticket from Philippines Airline, scholarship form Sprott Shaw Collage, smart phones, phone accessories, home phones, and many other prizes. This year, the event feautures a fashion show/exhibit of Philippine fashion icon Jaki Penaloza. Jaki Peñalosa, an Ilongga fashion designer, specializes and uses the native hablon in her designs, thus promoting the use and wearability of Panay’s handwoven products.“Hablon” is a term derived from the local word “habol” which means “to weave,” and refers both to the process and its finished products. Being a 3rd generation hablon weaver who also sells the fabric,Jaki also uses abaca fiber, making the abaca thread ❰❰ 1
thinner and use it for the clothes she designs. Aside from hablon, she also uses piña and silk fabrics which are locally grown and made in the Philippines. Ms. Jaki Peñalosa’s designs have already cat-walked on the runway of the fashion capitals of Asia, United States, and Europe, and are now a hit in Korea and Italy. Next year she has been invited to the London Fashion week in Feb 25 to 28, one of the highest profile fashion events in the world and one of the ‘big four’ (New York, Paris and Milan) international catwalk influencers. Her clothes are worn by some of the who is who and last year by Miss World and Miss Earth contestants. Jaki is one of the founding members of the Designers Guild of Iloilo (DGI). These fiestas are marked by feasting and celebration of holy mass, music, dance and song. Most festivals in Philippines are religious in origin, but nowadays the religious component is usually secondary to the general spirit of celebration. Philippines has dozens of festivals and most towns have their own in addition to the national ones. Filipino hospitality is legendary and at no time is it more in evidence than at festival time. Everyone here agrees — Filipinos love fiestas. The word "fiesta" will bring a smile to the face of almost any Filipino. After all, a fiesta is a special time
with friends, a time for fellowship, food, and lots of activities. Each year brings numerous fiestas. Sometimes people are busy for weeks preparing for them. It is surprising, how even those facing many problems in their day-to-day life set them aside and participate in the festivities. The fiesta is part and bundle of Filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the fiesta must go on. Each city and barrio has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast of its patron saint, so that there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. But the major and most elaborate festival of all is Christmas, a season celebrated with all the display and show the fun-loving Filipino can handle. Three centuries under Spanish rule followed by 50 years of American influence has made the Philippines an Asian country unlike any other. Through a thick layer of Spain and America, you can glimpse the Filipino soul trying to express its unique, cultural identity through creativity. Through music and dance
Our love of sosyalan (socializing), dancing and music, culminate in the province-wide street party and town talent show – the fiesta (festival). Usually a celebration of the earth’s bounty, be ready to dance in the streets to tribal drum rhythms (listen for
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKI PEÑALOSA
the Latin influence). Or simply marvel at elaborate floats blooming with the season’s harvest and the town folk’s crafty work. From masquerades to mud fests, pilgrim processions to pageant parties, our islandstyle parties are open to everyone. Through art
Naturally artistic, you’ll see our penchant for color and craftsmanship even outside museums and galleries. Pay attention. It can be seen in our handicraft, design, fashion. Spot it in our churches or our parks. It can be loud like our jeepneys or as clean as our embroidery, as brash as our tribal tattoos or as delicate as Lang Dulay’s weaving.
Through food
Our distinct cuisine came from the comfort food that reminds Filipinos of family, home, and simple joys. Its many-layered flavors are expressed differently from kitchen to kitchen. So try to get invited as often as you can! Take the national dish, adobo (pork stewed in garlic, soy sauce and vinegar). It has as many recipes as we have islands. But we all share it. With islands so diverse, Philippine culture is a buffet or fun and festivity. Take your pick. Wherever you go, you’ll be welcomed by people as warm as summer. As Lonely Planet once stated, it’s worth a trip here just to see the famous Filipino smile. ■
Miriam says she’s ready to be the next president BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago last night asserted her dedication to be the next president of the Philippines despite concerns about the state of her health. Sen. Defensor-Santiago, in a meet and greet with students at the U.P. Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City, clarified that she has won her battle against cancer and is ready to win the 2016 presidential election. “I tell you today, I have passed all the physical hardships known to man,” said Santiago.
“Do you want a clean government? Do you want a courageous government? If that is the case, do you want me (as your next president)?” Sen. Santiago asked the cheerful crowd. Sen. Santiago spoke of corruption and the fight against it, citing the Senate as example of how easy it is to steal from the government. Santiago gave photo opportunities to students and supporters who wore red in support of the senator. Among the supporters present in the event is Cecile Ongpauco, mother of Heart Evangelista. Evangelista is a close friend of the senator. She is also
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago at the UP Bahay ng Alumni.
married to Sen. Chiz Escudero who is running as vice-president in next year’s election. “Senator Miriam and I are the www.canadianinquirer.net
closest of friends. She’s like my mentor, my hero. We’ve been close for many years,” said Ongpauco to GMA News Online.
Susan Ople, senatorial bet of the Nacionalista party and guest candidate in senatorial slate of the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay also attended the event. Throughout the event, Ople was repeatedly addressed as “a next senator”. Ople’s inclusion in Santiago’s senatorial slate has not been officially announced by the Senator’s camp. Vice Mayor Isko Moreno is the first and only senatorial candidate who has been officially included in Santiago’s slate. Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., running-mate of Sen. Santiago was not present in the event. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
15
DSWD and partners boost campaign vs. homeless, street-dwelling families BY LEILANI S. JUNIO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its partners intensified on Saturday their campaign to provide assistance to homeless street families so that they can have a “decent and sustainable source of income" as a step in curbing the long-pressing problems of families at risks on the streets in Metro Manila. Through a partnership with the Ermita-Malate Business Owners Association (EMBOA), the DSWD provided “Kabuhayan Folded Carts,” also called as KFC, to the initial beneficiaries of the program which is part of target of clearing Metro Manila streets of homeless families. Capital assistance was also provided to the beneficiaries that are being assisted under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program. DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman and EMBOA president Michelle Pe led the initial turnover of CFCs at Plaza Olivia Salamanca on T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila to 25 qualified recipients who met the criteria after proper assessment. About 500 Kabuhayan Folded Carts as means of livelihood are scheduled to be turned over in the coming weeks and months before the end of the year as part of the rolling out of the partnership in the City of Manila so that the poor families at risk on the streets will be encouraged to become “small entrepreneurs with dignity.” Secretary Soliman said similar KFC distribution will be done in Quezon City very soon as sort of “pilot projects” which will be given more focus for the year 2016 once proven as “suc-
DSWD and partners boost help for Manila’s homeless.
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cessful” or effective. quired to follow certain condi- egies, safe food handling and All in all, the target to be giv- tions, including: sanitation. en with livelihood assistance The children should not be “In that way, customers of totals to 3,500 recipients. engaged in street vending; proj- the big establishments will also With the turnover of the carts ect beneficiaries shall not be become potential customers of that will help them to generate allowed to sleep in the area af- them and therefore, we can be income, the recipient families ter vending during the allowed actually complementing each will be assured that they will vending hours; cleanliness of other,” she said. no longer be “running away” the area shall be maintained at The EMBOA members said whenever there they have partare operations nered with to clear Metro DSWD as they Manila streets of see the impor"homeless dwellWith the turnover of the carts that tance to engage ers and chilwill help them to generate income, themselves in dren." the recipient families will be assured helping the govSoliman said that they will no longer be ’running ernment and the the carts were away‘ whenever there are operations people of Manila funded by DSWD to clear Metro Manila streets of to ensure that while the part’homeless dwellers and children.‘ the right to have ner EMBOA “smooth and agreed to help better lives” will the recipients in also be enjoyed terms of giving by their fellow them training, tips and advice all times by deploying park at- poor citizens such as the hometo make their “small business” tendants/street sweepers un- less street families (HSF), espemore attractive to customers der the cash- for-work (CFW) cially those that just need “door and in maintaining cleanliness program; and no alteration of of opportunities.” and safety in areas where they the original design of KFC. As partners of DSWD on the sell their goods. According to EMBOA presi- effort to fix the HSF and street She explained that the ben- dent Michelle Pe, they will help children problems, Pe said they eficiaries of the project are re- in providing marketing strat- are also requesting barangay
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and police authorities for the implementation of “curfew hours” among the children, along with more street lighting so that "the places where they conduct their business" will be safe and more attractive to visitors and customers. EMBOA, which is celebrating its third founding anniversary this year, is also one of the active partners of DSWD in the "Oplan Balik Bahay Sagip Buhay (OBBSB)" launched earlier to intensify the efforts in curbing the HSF problems so that families will be placed in a safe home instead of sleeping in carts where they face different kinds of risks like abuses, crime, drug addiction, lack of security and many others. Different government agencies and private partners as well as civil society organizations are also involved in the OBBSB initiative. One way of addressing the HSF problems is through inclusion of some of them in the MCCT program that was started in 2013. As beneficiaries of MCCT, the DSWD pays their apartment rents from six to 12 months while providing training for them in livelihood together with capital assistance so that they can be empowered to stand on their own afterward and be the ones that can pay for the rent of a “decent apartment.” The MCCT beneficiaries also receive cash grants upon compliance with the requirements of sending their children to school, regular consultation with health centers and attending family development sessions. ■
Opinion
16
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
AT LARGE
Left on the beach By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer “HANGGANG pier lang” (Just until the pier) was a derogatory phrase coined soon after World War II to describe Filipino women whose American GI boyfriends returned to the United States. Left at the pier abandoned and forlornly waving goodbye, the women had to cope with the consequences of their romance, often a biracial child. Well, call Chona “hanggang sa beach lang.” She was just 14 when she was left pregnant and abandoned by someone in the crew of the movie “Apocalypse Now.” Shot in the late 1970s in the Philippines, the film had some segments with American GIs surfing while clouds of napalm burst in the background. These were filmed in the vicinity of Baler, and Chona was among the young people fascinated by the presence of the “handsome white men” roaming their town. Left behind by the departing film crew, Chona had since clung to her belief that the father of her son was director Francis Ford Coppola, after whom she named her son Ford. Chona’s staunch belief, which she pursues to the extent of demanding a DNA test to prove Coppola’s paternity, is at the heart of the
story of “Apocalypse Child.” ingly headed to nowhere. ster Jimenez) describes the story arc Baler, a narrator says at the film’s His mother Chona (stage actor Ana as “about getting older, [about] beopening, is a town that thrives and Abad Santos) is still hot in her pursuit coming an adult… looking back at the feeds on myths. One is the astonish- of Coppola while making ends meet stories that define you, and realizing ing escape of seven of the town’s pio- by supplementing Ford’s income they’re just stories, and those stories neer families fleeing from a tsunami from his surfing students with mon- can change if you want them to.” in the 1700s that wiped out the rest of ey she makes as an all-around gofer For Ford, the defining story is that the town’s population. Another is the for the local political powers-that-be. of his paternity, but at the movie’s months-long siege of the town church One of them is Rich (RK Bagatsing), start he puzzlingly rejects it, while to where Spanish authorities fled at a childhood bosom buddy of Ford’s tolerating his mother’s obsession the outbreak of the revolution. The who has since become a congress- about it. colonizers, it is believed, survived on man, taking the political reins from “Apocalypse Child” is really the food supplies surreptitiously brought his father, the late governor. story of Ford’s and Chona’s journey in by their Filipino girlfriends. Into this mix of characters en- to truth, as well as Ford’s and Rich’s The latest myth, with some basis in ters Serena (Gwen Zamora), Rich’s lifelong struggle with the secrets fact, concerns the that threaten their same film crew of friendship and No one comes to the situation with clean hands, all being “Apocalypse Now” complicate their needy and wanting more. But the newbie actors bring to who, aside from relationships with their characters honesty and rawness, and refreshing bravery. their discarded girlwomen. friends, also left behind the surfboards fiancée, who is brought to Baler to At the premiere of the movie on used in the shoot. These were then re- be introduced to the congressman’s the first night of the Quezon City trieved by fishermen and used by the constituents. At the moment, Ford Film Festival, Cornejo credited his boys of Baler to learn surfing, which is is entwined with Fiona (Annicka cast with attacking their roles with how this town on the western coast of Dolonius), who is waiting for her fierceness and intensity, even if he Luzon became the center of surfing in grandmother to die and fills in the supposedly exclaimed in frustration the Philippines long before it figured in remaining time with surfing lessons during the filming that managing his the consciousness of the surfing world. and shacking up with Ford. Jordan cast amid the temptations of surf and *** (Archie Alemania) is the remaining sun was like “herding cats.” THIS is how we get to meet Ford cog in this complex wheel of characOnly Lucero, Abad Santos and (Sid Lucero), who has grown up to ters—observer, referee, ardent suitor Alemania could be said to be experibecome a champion surfer and surf- of the mercurial Fiona. enced actors, and even then they owe ing instructor, frittering away his life *** their filmographies largely to indie and literally going with the flow and DIRECTOR Mario Cornejo (who co- films. Lucero is enigmatic and maybe floating with the tides, aimless, seem- wrote the movie with producer Mon- even as stoic as Ford, but his low-
key approach is fitting for a laidback surfer who conquers the tides by going along with them, allowing the ocean to dictate his place and pace. Abad Santos allows herself to be deglamorized in her role as the kooky mom who is still trying to grow into adulthood with her son, even as she allows signs of an inner turmoil to seep through. *** BUT even as virtual newcomers, Zamora, Bagatsing and Dolonius hold their own in this quirky cast of characters thrown together in turmoil and deception. No one comes to the situation with clean hands, all being needy and wanting more. But the newbie actors bring to their characters honesty and rawness, and refreshing bravery. Gorgeously shot in Baler, the movie might leave many seasick, with scenes water-soaked and moviegoers almost feeling the sun warming their skin and the sand gritty in the teeth. The filmmakers describe “Apocalypse Child” as a comedy, though the funniest line comes at the end. The tragedy lies buried, ultimately, in the characters’ refusal to confront the secrets that have soured their relationships, with the movie closing, as expected, on the tides of the Pacific, as the sun dies on the horizon. ■
LOOKING BACK
‘President’ Pascual Racuyal By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer SOME READERS thought my last column on madness in 19th-century Philippines was a veiled reference to some of the characters who recently filed their certificate of candidacy for president, vice president and senator at the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila. While people have come to associate the “nuisance candidate” with a veteran at the Comelec like Ely Pamatong, we should all remember Pascual Racuyal and his relentless quest for the presidency. Racuyal made history by vainly challenging all presidents from Manuel L. Quezon in the Commonwealth elections of 1935 to Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in the 1986 snap election. He was declared a nuisance candidate only in the 1986 election even if he signed his certificate of candidacy with a quill, using his own blood as ink. One of his campaign promises in 1969 and 1986 was that he would govern via remote control or satellite, whatever that meant. In 1969 the Manila Times reported on Racuyal challenging President Marcos and Sen. Sergio Osmeña to a 12-hour debate in Plaza Miranda. Ig-
nored, he then threatened to deliver anao. 5. Abolition of floods in Central climate was cool, the people were a six-hour speech in Plaza Miranda, Luzon through a top secret system peaceful, no mosquitoes and dew which promised to be the longest in of dikes. 6. Institution of a new mon- flies, many leaves of cabbages were modern Philippine history! It was etary system with fire-proof, water- attacked by worms, Everlasting flowalso reported that when the election proof and counterfeit-proof plastic ers and pine trees abundant. Locareturns from Rizal province came in, currency. 7. Establishment of the seat tions of City Hall and Baguio City Racuyal actually placed third after of the UN Assembly in Baguio City. 8 Hospital good, the City beginning Marcos and Osmeña with “79 solid Use of an algebraic-geometric detec- 7.00 p.m. quiet. The inhabitants used votes.” tion code for rooting out graft and to wake up often early in the morning In 1952 he invited Ramon Magsay- corruption in government. 9. Resort to begin the real battle for existence. say, Arsenio Lacson, Lorenzo Tañada to surprise blitzkrieg helicopter raids The front City Market very nice to and Trinidad Legarda to be his run- all over the Philippines led by himself look at, concrete while the back secning mate as vice president. Natu- to combat racketeers, gangsters, etc. tions composed of barong-barong rally, all of them renot pleasant to the fused, with Lacson eyes of tourists. His style of governance would be to visit every corner of describing Racuyal “Recommendathe Philippines and send confidential reports to Manila with his in glowing terms: tions: 1. Barong barrecommendations. “strictly fiction, utong constructions terly fantastic, and should be replaced incredible.” Indeed, “incredible” 10. To solve the recurrent Mayor-City with concrete ones in the market; is the only word that can describe Council disputes, he suggested aboli- 2. A MOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY Racuyal’s 10-point platform as fol- tion of the Municipal Council.” should be constructed for National lows: Racuyal said that as president, he Leadership training; 3. The Hanging “1. Application of naturo-therapy would travel all over the Philippines Garden at the Burnham Park should to solve the Huk problem. 2. Intro- and leave his vice president, Lacson, be constructed; 4. Public Speech duction of Racuyal’s standard calen- in Malacañang. His style of gover- park with nice platform should be dar of 30 days a month, 13 months a nance would be to visit every corner constructed for political candiyear, which if found imperfect could of the Philippines and send confiden- dates; 5. Highway reflectors should be corrected by an international con- tial reports to Manila with his recom- be constructed to avoid accidents; ference of astronomers. 3. Adoption mendations. He provided a sample 6. Mobile unit patrols should be orof Jehovah for the 13th day of each to the press on July 16, 1953, which ganized; 7. There should be Sunday month. No name for the 13th month reads: concerts; 8. Swimming pools diluted supplied. 4. Construction of a system “During my short stay in Baguio with chemicals (germicides) should of plastic roads throughout Mind- City I found the roads very clean, be constructed; 9. There should be
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basketball, volleyball, tennis, boxing and indoor baseball and skating tournaments. “Please note that MENTAL DEVIATION IS AN ASSET TO AN INDIVIDUAL. “Baguio City is the best place for the future seat of the United Nations or for the WORLD GOVERNMENT. “I admire the action of the Chief of Police giving punishments to members of the Police Force who have been charged with sleeping on duty, etc. And I admire also the initiative work of the Hon. Provincial Governor to round up the Igorot beggars in the City of Manila and have them sent back to Baguio City with free transportation for the simple reason of dignity.” Racuyal has gone down in history as an eccentric or a crackpot best ignored or committed to a mental hospital. But then he could also be seen as a Don Quijote tilting at the windmills of modern Philippine politics. Very little is known about him aside from his birth in Cebu in 1911 and his death in Bulacan in 2004, and I cannot wait for the eminent historian Resil Mojares to publish his essay on the man who could very well have been the best Philippine president we never had. ■
Opinion
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
17
PUBLIC LIVES
A day in KidZania By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer IF KIDS could have a country or city of their own, free from the unexamined prejudices and pernicious habits of the adult world, what might it be like? What values would it highlight? What forms of human activity would it promote? Of course, there is no such country or community in existence. Writers have tried to imagine one, and the result has not always been a dreamy utopia. William Golding’s allegorical novel, “Lord of the flies,” for instance, describes the ugly dystopia that emerged as children, marooned on an uninhabited island following a plane crash, attempted to govern themselves. The children promptly forgot whatever values their upbringing and education instilled in them. The pursuit of individual advantage promptly trumped the common good. Soon, they descended to savagery. But, one entrepreneur, the Mexican businessman Xavier Lopez Ancona, has produced a different narrative. In his story, a group of children, feeling weary about the way the world is run, decided to declare their independence from adults. They formed their own world “unencumbered by race, religion, or culture.” The result of this fantasy is a model city they seek to
replicate wherever there are chil- since brought this play city—a pur- designated for them. dren. This city would uphold ba- poseful Disneyland, if there is one— Taking advantage of the unexsic children’s rights. It would have to at least 20 other countries around pected school holiday brought about its own government, its own set the world, working closely with by Typhoon “Lando” last Monday, of holidays and symbols, its own franchisees that are under strict or- I decided to gather my three grandhymn, visa, currency, economy, cul- ders not to deviate from the original children and two of their cousins to ture and traditions. Lopez Ancona concept. Last July, KidZania Manila explore KidZania Manila. Two of the named it “KidZania.” opened inside Park Triangle Mall in kids were just slightly below four, and Its founding declaration of inde- Bonifacio Global City. I wasn’t aware there was a minimum pendence reads thus: “We, the kids The typical KidZania city is built age. One of the two toddlers was my of the world’s cities, countries and as a self-contained play world usu- Singapore-based grandson Xavier, continents, proclaim our indepen- ally inside a shopping mall. Corpo- who had keenly looked forward to dence from adults. We hereby hold rate sponsors are invited to set up donning a fireman’s uniform, riding the following truths to be obvious: replicas of their stores, offices, or the wailing fire truck, and putting out that all kids are crean imaginary fire. ated equal and that The little boy The spirit of discovery is natural to children. They are not was brought up to we are endowed afraid that an activity might not be worth the long wait and the be self-reliant at an with certain irrevoeffort. Still, I overheard adults who could not resist dictating early age. He has cable rights: to Be, career choices to their kids even under these play conditions. learned not just to Know, to Create, to Share, to Care They were telling them which establishments paid more, which how to feed himand to Play in the activities offered the best value for money, and to hurry up while self but also how to pursuit of our hapdeal with his anger there was time. piness and the hapwhen he loses an piness of the world.” establishments in which kids may argument with his parents. He cries It’s a charming concept that ex- engage in realistic role-play. Upon like any other child his age when he plicitly responds to a vital need of payment of the admission fee, chil- does not get his way, but he knows children everywhere—to be given dren and their adult companions how to calm himself. Arms crossed enough space to discover their tal- are provided with electronic brace- over his chest, he sulks, and silently ents and their interests, choose ca- lets that allow them and the staff lets his anger pass. reers, learn to perform adult work to keep track of where the kids are I watched him helplessly as he with other children, earn money at any given moment. The place is exploded in anger and frustration and spend it, and have fun doing all designed for children from 4 to 14 when he was refused entry into the these. Lopez Ancona translated this years old. Toddlers below four may fire station, even after his 6-yearinspired idea into a unique business roam the entire facility accompa- old cousin Jacinta offered to give model. After patenting the concept, nied by adults, but they are not al- up her chance at being a firefighter he established the first KidZania city lowed to participate in activities so he could be accommodated. I in Santa Fe, Mexico, in 1999. He has outside of the special playrooms stood half-amused as the little boy
launched into what sounded like an angry discourse on inequality before he cried. He remained inconsolable despite “Governor” Maricel Arenas and “Minister of Labor” Mich Gorrospe’s peace offering of a set of “pazzes” that he could use when he turned four. I think he would have wanted to tell them that age was a state of mind and not something measured by a number of years. But the rest of the kids immensely enjoyed themselves. Julia, who is 14, went through the various storefronts, first choosing to learn how to make fans, then taking up the role of chambermaid at a hotel, and ending up recording a song with her cousin Jacinta. The spirit of discovery is natural to children. They are not afraid that an activity might not be worth the long wait and the effort. Still, I overheard adults who could not resist dictating career choices to their kids even under these play conditions. They were telling them which establishments paid more, which activities offered the best value for money, and to hurry up while there was time. That message, subliminally reinforced by the corporate logos that surround this makebelieve world, could easily nullify the subtext of autonomy, exploration, and creativity that sums up the original idea behind KidZania. ■
The Cost of Ambition By Ching Dee Philippine Canadian Inquirer SOME say public service is their passion. Some say they’ve been called to serve. Some say they want to finish what their parents started. Whatever the motivation behind their candidacy, we all know that running for public office doesn’t come cheap. The 2016 national elections just seven months away—wait, okay, I know for us mere civilians that’s a long time to go; but for politicians, it’s almost crunch time and there’s barely enough time to start raising funds for their campaign. But how much “funds” are we talking about here—Millions? Billions? Today, this humble writer and selfproclaimed political critic (of those who deserve it) will try to find out how much does it take to run a political campaign? This is the cost of ambition. Before we begin, let’s get one thing straight: Republic Act No. 7166 states the that a presidential or vice presidential candidate should only spend P10.00 (US $0.22) for every registered voter. With that said…
According to the consolidated re- sos within 90 days may seem quite cal population of the Philippines is ports as submitted by COMELEC a challenge, but when it comes to skewed, with dynasties and tradielection field officials after the 2013 politics—it’s not even enough. The tional politicians making up most of national and local elections, there COMELEC mandated an official the group. are 52,014,648 registered voters campaign period, which is 90 days In Wilson Lee Flores of Rogue. in the Philippines. So, if we do the before Election Day. So, in essence, PH’s interview with a veteran busimath, P10.00 per voter translates all those political ads and tarps and nessman (who requested to remain to an allowable budget of roughly banners and flyers (and basically ev- anonymous) who has tons of politiP520,146,480 in the 2016 elections. erything else these politicians can cal connections, the businessman Over half a billion pesos, yet some slap their face on)—some even out as was quoted saying a senatorial canpoliticians are aiming to raise more. early as June 2015—those are all vio- didate needs at least P400 million For example: In for his/her cam2010, then presipaign, while somedentiable Manuel one aiming for the So, in essence, all those political ads and tarps and banners ‘Manny’ Villar was highest post in the and flyers (and basically everything else these politicians can slap quoted saying, “If land needs “at least their face on)—some even out as early as June 2015—those are all you can’t even raise P2.5 billion to P3 violations of COMELEC rules. one billion pesos, billion to run.” why even run?” This unleashed a lations of COMELEC rules. Meanwhile, according to Ruben storm of critics reigning down from In a recent “Kapihan at Pandesal Almendras of The Freeman, that’s the heavens and rising up from hell sa Kamuning” media forum, Center how much the COMELEC budget to slam Villar for “allegedly turning for People Empowerment in Gov- is for the conduct of the 2016 elecelections from a numbers game for ernance (CenPEG) senior research tions. P5-billion to PhP7-billion votes, to a numbers game for pesos,” fellow Dr. Temario Rivera said “a na- for the voting machines (which will as journalist Ed Lingao of the Philip- tional candidate for president, vice- reward the winning bidder quite pine Center for Investigative Jour- president or senator needs a mini- handsomely), while communicanalism wrote in 2010. And might we mum of P2,000,000,000 to run.” tions and other ancillary equipment add, a billion pesos is almost twice Rivera, together with University of will add another P1,000,000,000 the allowable budget for each candi- the Philippines (UP) political sci- to that number. Almendras points date. ence professor Bobby Tuazon, also out that basing on unconfirmed To spend over half a billion pe- pointed out that the current politi- date in the last presidential elec-
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tion, the biggest spender shelled out P4,000,000,000 in a losing campaign. That was followed by a candidate spending P2,000,000,000, while the rest of the presidential candidates spent another P3,000,000,000—or right about the same amount as it costs to conduct an entire national election. Here’s the kicker: The President of the Philippines only makes PhP 120,000 every month according to Republic Act No. 6758 or the ‘Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989.’ Some reports say the president’s monthly salary is now P200,000, but even then, that means the Commander-in-Chief will only earn a total of P14,400,000 by the end of his/her six-year term. That’s nothing compared to his/her campaign expenses. So what makes these politicians aspire for the highest post in the land? Perhaps the best way to compute for the cost of ambition is to strip them all of their fancy ads and campaign money, and just evaluate their value based on their qualifications and track record. ■
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OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Canada News
Chretien encourages Anger at Stephen Harper, Trudeau to engage with disenfranchisement fuelled international leaders turnout of aboriginal voters THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien says he hopes Justin Trudeau will engage in a dialogue with a variety of international leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. During an interview with CTV’s Question Period, Chretien suggested the incoming prime minister’s father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, maintained an open approach when speaking to world leaders including Cuba’s Fidel Castro. “Mr. Trudeau could talk to anybody because he kept his independence,” he said. Chretien also advised Justin Trudeau to “talk to everybody.” Outgoing prime minister Stephen Harper used tough rhetoric with Putin over the crisis in the Ukraine but Chretien questions about much effect that had. “Do you think that Putin did not sleep at all that night?” Chretien said. “You know, I know him. I went to talk with him. I wanted to have the two sides of the coin.” Chretien also said Canada
should re-open an embassy in Iran. “Is it useful, you know, that we don’t talk to people?” Chretien said. “I believe in dialogue.” The outgoing Conservative government moved to cut ties with Iran in Sept. 2012 and cited it as the “most significant threat to global peace and security in the world.” During the CTV interview, Chretien was also asked if the Liberal position to end Canada’s participation in the U.S.led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant could raise concern among allies. The former prime minister said Canada has traditionally joined missions led by the United Nations or NATO. “That was the policy that existed under (Pierre Elliott) Trudeau when we had the first war in Iraq,” Chretien said. “Mulroney, he waited to have the advice of the UN before moving up. And it was my policy, too. And that is why I said no to the war in Iraq to George W. Bush.” Justin Trudeau has pledged to end air strikes by Canadian CF-18s but plans to continue Canada’s training role in Iraq. ■
Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau: “I had a productive call with President Obama this week and I’m looking forward to deepening Canada's relationship with the United States.” FACEBOOK
BY CHINTA PUXLEY The Canadian Press WINNIPEG — Aboriginal activists who spent months mobilizing First Nations communities say Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s attempt to disenfranchise aboriginal voters backfired and fuelled turnout so high that some reserves ran out of ballots. Some aboriginal communities saw voter turnout spike by up to 270 per cent in the Oct. 19 election despite the Fair Elections Act which made it harder for someone to vote without approved identification. In the riding of Kenora, which includes 40 First Nations in northern Ontario, voting on the reserves was up 73 per cent — almost 3,000 voters. At least four of those First Nations ran out of ballots and either used photocopies or waited for more to be brought in. “It was so heartening to see,” said Tania Cameron, a driving force in getting those people out to the polls — many for the first time — both in Ontario and across Canada. “I was thinking we’re going to see a turnout that Harper never expected.” The band councillor in Dalles First Nation started up First Nations Rock the Vote on Facebook and organized countless “ID clinics” where people could see if they were registered or had the required identification to cast a ballot. Others started up similar chapters across the country, urging First Nations people to vote. Harper saw the increased political activism amongst First Nations during the Idle No More movement and thought “we’ve got to make sure these people don’t vote,” Cameron said. She wanted to prove him wrong. “Harper’s intent was to suppress the indigenous vote and that motivated me,” said Camwww.canadianinquirer.net
Former Prime Minister and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper casts his vote last Oct. 19, 2015. FACEBOOK
eron, a former NDP candidate. “It just caught on. I think the excitement of getting rid of the Harper government, showing Harper that his oppression tactics weren’t going to work — I think that was a huge motivator for many people who decided to step up.” A record 10 aboriginal MPs were elected when the Liberals swept to power Monday, ending the Conservative rule of almost a decade. In Kenora, where aboriginal voter turnout was high, Conservative Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford went down in defeat. Although Elections Canada has not calculated national aboriginal voter turnout yet, chiefs say the election “awoke a sleeping giant” amongst a usually quiet electorate. When some polling stations ran out of ballots, Cameron said no one walked away in disgust. They just waited until another batch was brought in. Leah Gazan, a First Nations activist and education instructor at the University of Winnipeg, said the turnout was a direct reaction to the divisive
tactics of the Harper government. Bringing in Bill C-51 — which many felt criminalized First Nations activists — and cutting funding for aboriginal organizations while weakening environmental protection only strengthened the resolve of First Nations voters, she said. “He was quite violent with indigenous people through aggressive cuts and aggressive legislation that aimed to silence indigenous people,” Gazan said. “As much as he attempted to divide, he really brought people on Turtle Island together.” It’s not clear how sustainable the political engagement is, she said. The Liberals have made a lot of promises to First Nations people, not least of which is to call an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women. But this election has shown aboriginal voters are a force to be reckoned with, Gazan said. “Part of the reason why they don’t pay attention is because of voter turnout — it doesn’t impact their privilege,” she said. “With a higher indigenous turnout, they’ll know they can’t take it for granted.” ■
Canada News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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Activists call on Trudeau to defend Canada’s copyright regime from TPP changes BY PETER HENDERSON The Canadian Press TORONTO — Copyright activists say Canadians could face lawsuits, fines or worse for ripping the latest Justin Bieber CD or uploading an animated GIF of Jose Bautista’s bat-flip under a new trade deal, and they’re calling on the newly elected Justin Trudeau to act. A major part of the TransPacific Partnership deal finalized Oct. 5 involves harmonizing copyright laws in the 12 Pacific Rim countries — including Canada, the United States, Australia and Japan — that are signatories to the deal. While the final text of the international trade agreement has yet to be published, the website Wikileaks released what it claims is the intellectual property chapter of the TPP on Oct. 9. “Canadians don’t realize that the way that they use the Internet every day is going to change dramatically,” said Meghan Sali, a spokeswoman for the digital-rights advocacy group OpenMedia. On the campaign trail, the prime minister-designate said he supports free trade and will thoroughly examine the TPP deal, while criticizing the secrecy under which the pact was negotiated. Consumer organizations and outside groups were shut out of the negotiations, and the governments involved have re-
Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau.
leased little information on the back and forth over what has been called the largest trade deal in history. “We’re heartened to see him recognize that this process has been not just opaque but inaccessible and undemocratic,” said Sali. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, an American advocacy group, has said the TPP threatens to override Canada’s copyright regime and promotes the interests of copyright owners and corporations at the expense of the public. Under Canada’s current laws, ISPs and other companies that receive copyright complaints are only required to notify their users about the potential breach, and copyright holders must convince a court if they want the offending content removed.
Sali said the TPP deal could replace this so-called noticeand-notice system with the U.S. notice-and-takedown system, in which content is blocked or removed as soon as the first complaint is made. “It looks like we’re going to be accepting website blocking and Internet censorship through the back door,” she said. The TPP could make Canadians liable for criminal or civil penalties for transferring content they own from one device to another and uploading or re-posting highlights from professional sports, she said, adding that the deal could allow authorities to seize and destroy any device used for copyright infringement. The TPP also includes an extension of the copyright term on original works to 70 years from the current 50.
Earlier this month, Twitter suspended the accounts of two American sports websites for posting animated GIFs of NFL plays, which the league claims are protected under its copyright. Law professor and copyright expert Michael Geist said Canada’s copyright laws allow for wider non-commercial use of copyrighted content than other TPP countries. Canada overhauled its copyright regime in 2012 following consultations with industry and consumer groups. One new rule is the so-called mash-up exception, which allows for the creation of a new work from a copyrighted work as long as it is for a non-commercial use. Yet under the most recent draft of the TPP, Geist said, Canadian companies have to comply with court orders to remove content — but it doesn’t saying
anything about which courts, or where. “It seems to me very possible that you could have something that’s legal in Canada that could be required to be taken down based on a ruling in a different TPP country,” he said. Copyright lawyer John Simpson said the Canadian government actively decided not to pursue a notice-and-takedown system or expand the penalties for copyright infringement when it amended its intellectual property rules. “The concern is, under the TPP, that a lot of that would be undone,” he said. “And that would be very disruptive.” Yet Simpson said some of the concerns about the TPP agreement are overblown, adding it’s notoriously hard to predict how copyright law will be enforced because of public policy concerns and corporate practice. Even if Canada’s copyright laws are changed, he said, it doesn’t mean the most draconian of the new measures will be actively and consistently enforced. He cited the example of the cosplay community, where people hold conventions dressed up as their favourite movie and TV characters in flagrant violation of the copyright of the major studios. “People have had visions of (police vans) going around and rounding up a bunch people in stormtrooper costumes and taking them to jail,” he said. “That’s not going to happen.” ■
Case of murdered Dalhousie University student to return to court next month THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX — The case of a 23-year-old Nova Scotia man charged with the murder of a fellow Dalhousie University student will be back in court next month. William Sandeson appeared briefly in provincial court in Halifax on Tuesday when the matter was set over to Nov. 10 to
set dates for a possible preliminary hearing. Eugene Tan, Sandeson’s lawyer, said outside court that he is still determining whether to proceed straight to trial or hold a preliminary inquiry. Tan said he has received substantial disclosure and that he expected a preliminary inquiry would take about two weeks. He said he would expect to call about 15 to 20 witnesses.
He said there were about 4,000 to 5,000 pages of disclosure so far, but that that would likely grow. “In this type of case, I don’t think that’s out of the ordinary,” he said outside court. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that doubled within the next couple of months.” Sandeson is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Taylor Samson, a Dalhousie physics www.canadianinquirer.net
student from Amherst, N.S. He was charged on Aug. 20, four days after Samson was reported missing in Halifax. His body has never been found. Sandeson was denied bail last week, but Tan said he may still request a bail review in three months or go directly to trial. A publication ban has been placed on evidence presented during the bail hearing. A search warrant document
describing some of the circumstances in the case was obtained by three media outlets before it was sealed by a judge. They reported that the document alleges Samson was involved in a drug deal involving marijuana before his death. Investigators subsequently searched two properties in Sandeson’s hometown of Truro, N.S., saying they discovered several items of interest. ■
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OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Owner of whale watching boat says Canada’s ambassador to it had perfect safety record before sinking the U.S. says his time in
Washington is ending soon
BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press TOFINO, B.C. — The owner of a whale-watching vessel that sank off British Columbia’s coast on Sunday, killing five people, doesn’t know why the boat would have flipped, sending 27 people into the water. “This vessel has operated for 20 years with an absolutely perfect safety record,” Jamie Bray, the owner of Jamie’s Whaling Station, said at a news conference on Monday. Bray said the 20-metre long Leviathan II flipped and when rescuers arrived it was still running and in gear, with it’s bow bobbing in the water. Private vessels rushed to the scene Sunday afternoon after the mayday call, picking up survivors and bodies. “We’re all traumatized,” Bray said, his voice shaking. One person was still classified as missing on Monday afternoon. Marc-Andre Poisson, director of investigation for the Transportation Safety Board, said they don’t know what caused the boat to sink but they’ll be collecting data, conducting interviews, looking at weather conditions, analyzing photos and the maintenance records of the vessel. Poisson said the boat has been towed away to a sheltered area to be examined. All five people who died were British nationals, Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed on Monday. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by this terrible accident,” British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement, adding consular staff in B.C. are supporting grieving family members. The B.C. Coroners Service said those killed ranged in age from 18 to 76, and that four of them were men. Three of the dead were from Britain, while two of the British nationals were living in Canada. The woman was from B.C. and a man lived in Ontario, the service said. Richard Little, 59, owner of a water taxi called the Ahousaht
BY ALEXANDER PANETTA The Canadian Press
Rescuers respond to sunken whale boat off coast of Canada. SCREENSHOT FROM UNIQUEVIRAL FOOTAGE / YOUTUBE
Raider, said he arrived at the accident scene after volunteers had rescued survivors and removed many of the dead. He said the boat had not sunk but was bouncing up and down in the water, its bow up and stern down. “I could see debris floating out of the cabin, the windows, door was slamming open and shut, and like cushions from seats and cushions from ... inside the boat were floating out of the boat,” he said. He said he also saw a deflated life-raft, still attached to the boat with a line. The Ahoushat First Nation was the closest community to where the boat sank, about 15 kilometres northwest of the tourist town of Tofino. Robert Burridge of Nanaimo was in Ahousaht on Sunday afternoon and estimates that every vessel that could be used in the village was in the water searching for missing people. “The Ahousahts were the first on the scene,” he said. “They know these waters. They have a custom not to leave a body out at sea.” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed in a statement that an Australian man was missing. The Associated Press reported that it was providing consular assistance to the man’s family. Australian Associated Press reported that the 27 year-old Sydney man’s family said he was on the boat with his girlfriend and her family when it sank. His girlfriend’s father was among the five British citizens confirmed dead, the Australian
news agency said. Some of the 21 people who were rescued were injured. Valerie Wilson, with the Island Health authority, said four people remained in different hospitals around the province. All four people were listed in stable condition, she said. Michael Harris, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watching Association, said the whale-watching community is in shock over the incident. He said tour operators go above and beyond to make sure their passengers are safe. Harris said the first thing operators do when passengers get on board is explain safety, including where the life-jackets are kept. It’s unclear if the passengers on the Leviathan were wearing life-jackets. Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier Christy Clark expressed their condolences. “I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sinking of a whale watching boat near the B.C. coast and the passengers aboard who have lost their lives in the incident,” Trudeau said. Both Trudeau and the premier thanked people who helped in the rescue effort. Tofino residents Sean and Deddeda White arrived with flowers at the dock on Monday as an RCMP dive team prepared to leave for the accident scene. Deddeda White said she gathered cedar bows and flowers from her garden to make the bouquet she left at the dock. “This affects the whole town,” she said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
WASHINGTON — It’s the end of an era for Canada’s most important diplomatic post as Gary Doer confirmed Monday that his longer-than-usual stint as ambassador to the United States is about to conclude. The popular former premier said he’ll help prepare the transition to a new Liberal government and will leave it to the incoming government to pick the specific departure date. Rumours about his impending departure had been swirling for months given that his six-year D.C. stint had already lasted longer than his last two predecessors combined. The sports-loving ambassador had always sidestepped those rumours in characteristic fashion: with a joke about hockey. He used the same metaphor Monday to announce the final siren. “I’ve said informally around Washington... I’m in double overtime, and am not going to go into triple-overtime,” Doer said in an interview next to his office, overlooking the U.S. Capitol. “I’ve made that very clear — before the election, during the election, after the election. I’m participating now in the orderly transition that takes place obviously between the outgoing and the incoming government.” As for the specific departure date: “The day is not confirmed,” he said. “There was a desire, administratively, to have a transition (period).” The former NDP premier of Manitoba was appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the hope that his left-of-centre roots and social network might help relations with the thenrookie Obama administration. Much of the media chatter in the last six years has focused on one irritant: the stalled Keystone XL pipeline, which both Harper and Doer advocated without success so far. But the era also witnessed a series of major Canadian priorities coming to fruition. They include:
--A sweeping arrangement that would change the way Canadians and Americans cross the border, creating customs points away from the border with the goal of faster crossings. To take effect, the deal must be approved in Parliament and Congress. --Canada’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations, which happened after considerable lobbying of U.S. politicians and stakeholders. Negotiators finally reached a deal this month, although that too faces implementation debate in legislatures. --An agreement on a new Detroit-Windsor bridge that bypassed a blockage in the U.S. Congress. Canada will finance the bridge, and also collect tolls on what will become the most important border crossing. --Anti-red-tape measures, with the negotiation of harmonization of rules for a wide range of products. --A coveted classification for Canadian hydro as a renewable energy, which could increase exports from Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, B.C. and Manitoba. Speaking of Manitoba, Doer all but confirmed that’s where he’s headed next: “I’ve never sold my home in Winnipeg,” he said. “Winnipeg’s always been my home. I didn’t sell my house, I didn’t sell my cabin.” He declined to say what his future plans are. Doer said they will likely involve some Canada-U.S. issues, but he avoided delving into details. He also declined to discuss specific policy issues, given the transition-time caretaker rules about public comments by government employees. “I don’t want to go into much more detail,” Doer said. “I’ll talk about the future when the future starts — which is not quite yet... I loved being premier. It was an honour to be an ambassador. It’s always an honour to represent Canada.” There’s been speculation for months about who might succeed Doer, with embassy staff hearing different names about his potential replacement based on who might win the election. ■
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FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
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Tom Mulcair says niqab position was a defining moment of political career BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press OTTAWA — NDP Leader Tom Mulcair says he believes he did the right thing to stand up to Stephen Harper on the niqab — even though his position may well have cost his party some crucial support. In his first post-election interview with The Canadian Press, Mulcair says maintaining a principled approach on the issue was one of the defining moments of his political career. The issue of face coverings became a thorny issue during the campaign, with some suggesting it seriously hurt the party’s stronghold in Quebec, after Harper insisted on a ban on the garments at citizenship ceremonies. The Federal Court of Canada found the Conservative rule unlawful in February and the Federal Court of Appeal has supported that decision. Mulcair said he continues to think he did the “right thing to stand up to Mr. Harper on those issues.” “I would quote back to him his MPs that were being very divisive, talking about brown people or talking about Muslim women who should get the hell back to where they came from,”
Mulcair said. “I wasn’t going to be part of that. I just found it undignified.” Mulcair said he thought it was wrong to divide Canadians on issues of race and religion. “These were defining moments for me in my political career and in the campaign,” Mulcair said. “And could a different result have been achieved? Perhaps. But I wasn’t going to do something that I had never done in my career. “I’d always been a person who stood up for his convictions.” Mulcair said his team was aware the niqab debate was a “very emotional issue” that created waves in the campaign. “That’s something that was measured by us,” he said. “We knew that there was a very strong reaction. I was able to understand but I couldn’t agree... “I was also obliged to say that we live in a society where rights are not a popularity contest and the rights, when they’re set down by the courts, have to be respected. It is no longer a question of what people like or don’t like.” Following last Monday’s election, Mulcair says he has been busy calling successful and defeated MPs. “I have such great admiration and strong affection for every single person who had been in-
NDP leader Tom Mulcair.
volved in our caucus and I want to make sure we keep them close,” he said. The NDP caucus is now made up of 44 MPs, including 16 new members. That’s down from 95 in the previous Parliament, with high-profile MPs such as Paul Dewar, Megan Leslie, Peggy Nash and Peter Stoffer losing their seats to Liberals. The NDP leader gave no indication that he has considered stepping down. Rather, Mulcair said his party continues to have much to offer, especially as the Liberal government prepares for an upcoming climate change conference in Paris and plans to move forward on issues such as
electoral reform. “Both Mr. Trudeau and I have said that this one, the 2015 election, should be the last one under the old first-past-the-post system,” Mulcair said. “We should follow through on that. I also think that proportional representation is the only real way to achieve that type of change. “So, I’m looking forward to having that discussion with him to see whether he wants to follow through. He’s going to get our full collaboration.” Mulcair also says his main consolation — in an election which saw his party lose its status as official opposition and fall back to third place — is
that the NDP helped take down Harper after nine years in power. “The number one priority was to defeat and replace Stephen Harper’s government,” Mulcair said. “I am very satisfied, and it is my main consolation...that we were able to defeat Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.” Mulcair says he attributes a lot of that success to the work the NDP did in opposition. “We were able to take him regularly and show his ethical shortcomings and during the campaign, we were very tough on him,” he said. “I think, at least we can say for that part of it, I think that was mission accomplished ... it was the key condition that I had set down and we got that job done. He’s no longer there.” Mulcair said there was a strong desire for change among the Canadian public and he is optimistic about the role of the opposition going forward. “We’re just going to make sure that the positive change that we’ve always talked about, when we do have things in common, that it is there,” he said. “And when the government has different points of views from us ... that the public is given full information so they can know what they’re dealing with.” ■
Canada Post suspends community mailbox program, affecting 460,000 homes BY TERRY PEDWELL The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The country’s national mail carrier has halted the installation of community mailboxes, one week after the Trudeau Liberals were elected with a pledge to scrap the move away from door-to-door delivery. “Canada Post is temporarily suspending future deployment of the program to convert doorto-door mail delivery to community mailboxes,” the Crown agency said in an emailed state-
ment. The move means nearly half a million households that were to be converted over the next two months will keep their current mail service. “Efforts are now underway to place the comprehensive program on hold in an orderly fashion,” said the statement. “Customers impacted by this decision will receive a letter within the next few weeks advising them of the status of their mail delivery service.” But those already converted over the last 10 months will not get door-to-door service back —
at least not under Canada Post’s current plan. The union representing postal employees said it was elated with the news. But the Canadian Union of Postal Workers will be pushing the Liberal government to reverse the cuts to postal services that have been made so far, said the organization’s national president. “I think the people of this country spoke quite clearly last Monday,” said Mike Palecek. “We also need to look at restoring the home mail delivery to those who have already lost it,” Palecek added. www.canadianinquirer.net
“And we need to look at having a public mandate review for Canada Post about exactly what direction we want this Crown corporation to go.” CUPW has been pushing Canada Post to expand its business into ventures such as postal banking services, similar to those adopted in other countries including the United Kingdom and France. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised during the election campaign to reverse cuts to door-to-door mail delivery that were begun under the Harper Conservative govern-
ment. And with the Liberals elected to a majority government, some Liberal MPs said they were getting an earful from constituents who wanted to know why the boxes were still being installed. There were several localized protests against the installations in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, with some people defiantly taking to standing or lying on dirt piles to prevent workers from placing cement foundations for the mailboxes. ❱❱ PAGE 24 Canada Post
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E H T N I N O O S G N I RIS S E N I P P I L I H P
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UN says 13.5M Syrians need aid and protection BY EDITH M. LEDERER The Associated Press
Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau with family.
Justin Trudeau and family to live in Rideau Cottage, not 24 Sussex BY KRISTY KIRKUP The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau will not move into the traditional prime minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive, at least until further notice. Instead, the prime ministerdesignate and his family will live at Rideau Cottage, a 19th century home located on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s residence. The cottage is actually a twostorey Georgian Revival brick home built in 1866-67 to serve as a home for the secretary to the governor general. Annabelle Cloutier, a spokeswoman for Rideau Hall, said this will be the first time a prime minister has lived on the grounds of the governor general’s residence. “It’s a big estate, so there is enough space for him to be living here and have his own private space with his family,” Cloutier said. The grounds cover 32 hectares. Rideau Cottage is located in an area not normally open to the public, but extra security will be provided on its perimeter. The other areas of Rideau Hall normally open to the public will remain so. “The grounds are open to the public, yes, because it’s the front of the residence of Rideau Hall that is open to the public and that remains the same,”
said Cloutier. The cottage was last renovated in 2013 by the National Capital Commission. Stephen Wallace, the current secretary to Gov. Gen. David Johnston, moved out on the weekend to allow the Trudeaus to move in. The residence at 24 Sussex has been in need of repairs for years. In 2008, the National Capital Commission estimated repairs would cost about $10 million and would require full access to the residence for a minimum of 12 to 15 months. A critical auditor general’s report issued that year said putting off the rehabilitation of the residence could have a number of consequences including “the risk of fostering a negative image of Canada with visiting foreign dignitaries.” “The most recent work of an extensive nature carried out at 24 Sussex Drive dates back to when it was purchased by the government, over fifty years ago,” the report said. “It is therefore not surprising to note that a number of the residence’s systems are reaching the end of their useful lives, are in poor condition, and will have to be replaced in the near future.” Broadcaster Catherine Clark, the daughter of former prime minister Joe Clark, produced a documentary on the residence last year. She congratulated the Trudeaus on making the decision saying it is the right choice.
“I’m not surprised for a few reasons,” Clark said. “There is a very clear need for either full updating and renovation or rebuilding of a residence at 24 Sussex. It is so well documented at this point that it is a matter of making the right decision at the right time.” Clark said she has spoken to former residents who complained about the heat during the summer months and the chill in the winter. “There’s obviously an issue with technology and the house needs to be upgraded in a security sense as well,” she said. “If they’re going to rewire the house and make it a truly technology proficient place, that is going to be a big job in and of itself.” Clark said she recalls her mother telling a story about an electrical problem they encountered in her father’s den more than 30 years ago. “When they turned on a light on one side of the room, it blew the light out on the other side of the room,” Clark said. “Those are the kinds of things that happened in 1979, so you can imagine what kind of repairs are needed at this stage.” The Liberals say Trudeau will make decisions regarding 24 Sussex once he has been fully briefed by officials. Trudeau has rented a home in Ottawa’s upscale Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood since 2013. ■ With files from Bruce Cheadle www.canadianinquirer.net
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations said Tuesday the worsening conflict in Syria has left 13.5 million people in need of aid and some form of protection, including more than six million children. U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien told the Security Council that the figure represents an increase of some 1.2 million people in just 10 months, and with winter fast approaching the situation for many families is likely to deteriorate. “This is one of the largest displacement crises of modern times,” he said. “Fighting and violence has forced over half of the people in Syria from their homes in a period of just over four years, many of them multiple times.” O’Brien said there are now some 6.5 million people displaced inside Syria, including well over 1.2 million so far this year and over 120,000 who have fled their homes in the country’s north since early October as a result of aerial bombardment and ground offensives. Russia’s aerial campaign in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government has enabled government troops to launch a new
campaign in the north. O’Brien said 4.2 million Syrians have fled the country, including an increasing number risking dangerous boat trips to reach Europe. He said over 50 percent of the 680,000 people arriving in Europe via the Mediterranean in 2015 are Syrian. “They have a right to seek asylum without any form of discrimination,” O’Brien added. He criticized the “contempt” of all combatants for a 2014 Security Council resolution urging fighters to protect civilians and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian workers. In Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, O’Brien said pro-government and opposition forces continue to shell civilian areas, with hundreds killed in September. On Oct. 23, the main access route from Hama to western Aleppo was cut due to an offensive by the Islamic State extremist group, he said. O’Brien said attacks on health facilities and health workers “remain relentless.” Five hospitals in Hama, Idlib and Aleppo have been attacked since the launch of recent offensives, leading to casualties and their closure. O’Brien said despite its best efforts, the U.N. has only been able to reach a small fraction of the 4.5 million people living in hard-to-reach areas. ■
Canada Post... Canada Post, however, was adamant that it was moving ahead with the mailbox conversions, telling CUPW late last week — after the election results were known — that it would not back away from the plan. It also placed ads to hire door-to-door canvassers to sell the merits of community mail delivery in British Columbia. But late Monday, the Crown agency said it would rethink its plan. “We will work collaboratively with the Government of Canada to determine the best path forward given the ongoing challenges faced by the Canadian postal system,” the corporation said. Canada Post has been warning for some time that it expects home mail delivery revenues to continue to decline. ❰❰ 21
It announced in 2013 a plan to phase out door-to-door delivery and cut up to 8,000 jobs, mainly through attrition. The corporation said it handled nearly 1.2 billion fewer pieces of mail in 2013 than in 2006. Canada Post Group reported in May that letter mail volumes fell 8.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2015, or by 41 million pieces, compared with the same period a year earlier. At the same time, however, the agency said it recorded a 10-per-cent increase in overall revenues and a before-tax profit of $24 million in the first three months of the year, contrasting with a $37-million loss during the same quarter in 2014. Canada Post Group includes the Canada Post mail service, Purolator and other businesses. ■
World News
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Carter: US to step up airstrikes, ground raids against IS BY DEB RIECHMANN AND ROBERT BURNS The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that the U.S. plans to step up its attacks against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, possibly escalating American action on the ground. “We won’t hold back from supporting capable partners in opportunistic attacks against ISIL, or conducting such missions directly whether by strikes from the air or direct action on the ground,” Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee, using an acronym for the militant group that holds large parts of Iraq and Syria. The U.S. has done some special operations raids in Syria. Carter did not say under what circumstances the U.S. might act on the ground on its own, but said “once we locate them, no target is beyond our reach.” Carter’s testimony described a changing approach to the fight
against the Islamic State, focusing largely on Raqqa, the militants’ declared capital in Syria, and Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province in western Iraq. It reflected an acknowledgment of little recent progress in defeating the militant group. Carter said the U.S. would intensify the air campaign against the Islamic State with additional U.S. and coalition aircraft and heavier airstrikes. His testimony came as Russia is conducting its own airstrikes in Syria, saying it aims to help the Syrian government defeat the Islamic State and other terrorists. While both the U.S. and Russia oppose the Islamic State, Russia is supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom the U.S. wants out of power. Some Republican lawmakers complained that the Obama administration isn’t doing enough against Assad. Carter said the U.S.-led effort will include more strikes against the Islamic State’s “high-value targets as our intelligence improves, and also its oil enterprise, which is a critical pillar of
IS’s financial infrastructure.” Carter said to keep up the pressure on Raqqa, the U.S. will support moderate Syrian forces, who have made territorial gains against the Islamic State near that city. “Some of them are within 30 miles of Raqqa today,” he said. He said the U.S. also hopes to better equip Arab forces battling the Islamic State and to further bolster Jordan, a neighbor of Iraq and Syria which is flying missions as part of the anti-IS coalition. Carter said he was disappointed that the U.S. effort to form new moderate Syrian rebel forces to fight IS had failed. He said the new approach is to work with vetted leaders of groups that are already fighting the militants and also give them equipment and training and help support them with U.S. air power. “If done in concert as we intend, all these actions on the ground and from the air should help shrink IS territory into a smaller and smaller area and create new opportunities for
targeting IS — ultimately denying this evil movement any safe haven in its supposed heartland,” Carter said. The new strategy also includes helping the Iraqi government’s effort to assemble Iraqi forces, including Sunni fighters, to fight Islamic State militants in Anbar province. Carter said that as the U.S. sees more progress in assembling motivated Iraqi forces, it will be willing to continue providing more equipment and fire support to help them succeed. “However, the Iraqi government and security forces will have to take certain steps militarily to make sure progress sticks,” he said. Carter’s outline of the new U.S. approach came under attack by Republicans on the committee. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina pressed both Carter and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on whether the U.S. has a military strategy to take out the Syrian
president. Graham noted that Russian, Iranian and the Hezbollah militant group all are supporting Assad. Carter and Dunford both repeatedly said that the U.S. was supporting moderate forces in Syria in the fight against the Islamic State, but not those fighting against Assad. Carter said the U.S. approach to removing Assad has been mostly a political effort. Dunford said, “I think the balance of forces right now are in Assad’s advantage.” Graham seized on their replies, saying Assad is “secure as the day is long.” “If I’m Assad this is a good day for me because the American government has just said, without saying it, that they are not going to fight to replace me,” Graham said. “You have turned Syria over to Russia and Iran. ... This is a sad day for America and the region will pay hell for this,” he said. “The Arabs are not going to accept this. The people of Syria are not going to accept this.” ■
Trump says his father gave him a ‘small’ $1 million loan BY JILL COLVIN The Associated Press ATKINSON, N.H. — How about some humility, Donald Trump? At a rare town hall event Monday for a man who goes for big rallies, some potential voters wanted to see a common touch from the tower-building billionaire in his quest for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. He said in reply that he ate at McDonald’s on Sunday, often drives himself and got started in business with a “small loan” of $1 million from his dad. The event, a televised town hall broadcast live on the “Today” show, brought together about 125 registered voters in a country club ballroom. The intimate environment was a rarity for the GOP front-runner, who has generally eschewed small events in favor of rallies drawing thousands of rowdy and loyal backers. While a handful of questions addressed Trump’s policy positions, many focused on his per-
sona as a brash TV entertainer and whether he possessed the ability to come back down to earth. “I know a lot of people would really want to vote for you if only you would eat a piece of humble pie once in a while,” said one woman, an undecided registered Republican, who asked Trump whether he had any weaknesses he might share. “Well I’d like to do that,” Trump responded, “but then I’d expose the weaknesses to Putin and everybody else and we don’t want to do that, right?” He was referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Another questioner, identified as an undecided Republican, asked Trump whether, with the exception of his family, he’d ever been told “no.” “I mean, my whole life really has been a ‘no,’“ Trump said. “And I fought through it.” Trump is the son of a successful real estate developer who gave him seed money to begin investing in Manhattan real estate. “It has not been easy for me,” Trump added. “And I started
Republican presidential hopeful and business mogul Donald J. Trump. A KATZ / SHUTTERSTOCK
off in Brooklyn, my father gave me a small loan of $1 million. I came into Manhattan and I had to pay him back, and I had to pay him back with interest.” Host Matt Lauer quickly noted that most voters would not consider $1 million a small amount. Unlike 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, Trump has fully embraced his wealth in the campaign trail, often bragging about his riches, to little ill effect. Still, Trump did show some signs of relatability in talking about his recent fast-food stop www.canadianinquirer.net
and his tendency to get behind the wheel. During a commercial break, Trump half-jokingly protested the fact that so many of the questioners were undecided. He said he wanted to hear from some backers. Trump was also pushed for more specifics. One attendee, a student at Saint Anselm College in nearby Manchester, said he felt that Trump’s campaign has been “based more on talking points than substance.” “Do you have a specific plan for how to bring our economy
back, or should middle class voters just elect you because your name’s Trump?” the student asked. Trump was unapologetic. “Well I think they should,” he said, “because I built a great company.” Mark Casey, a registered independent, pressed the candidate on how he would deal with world leaders. “What would you say to people like me who have concern that you’ll be dealing with a lot of world leaders you might not see eye-to-eye with, and you can’t fire them?” he asked. “But you could start a war by calling them a loser or an idiot.” Trump told Casey that he’d shown restraint throughout the campaign, an assertion bound to raise eyebrows from the political rivals who’ve been subjected to his zingers. He said he knows how to be politically correct when needed. Casey said afterward that Trump’s answer was just what he was looking to hear. “I think that’s what the country needs,” he said. ■
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FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:
A Wider Perspective In Life: Rowena Rozal-Zamora BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer BORN IN the quiet province of Tarlac, Rowena Rozal grew up in a big family. Together with her five siblings, her parents provided them with more than just food and a roof over their head. “My parents provided us with a unique foundation in life with their wisdom and profound insight of the human soul,” Rowena said. “They instilled in us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving—values that remain resonate in our hearts and mind.” As she grew up and started to go through life as a young woman, finding herself in the process, Rowena clung even tighter to the values her parents instilled in her. After earning her nursing degree from the University of Santo Tomas and getting her license as a registered nurse, she decided to seek employment abroad for a chance at a better life. It was when was working in Qatar when she applied to immigrate to Canada. But an opportunity to move to Canada wasn’t the only thing she found in the Middle East. Worth the wait
Rowena met her husband Virgilion Zamora while she was working in Qatar. Rowena admits she got restless because it took so long for her immigration application to be approved. Her restlessness led her to find a job in Florida, USA. It was in Florida that they received an immigration update from Canada. “We decided to take our chances, packed and crammed our worldly belongings in a cube van and drove up to Toronto,” Rowena recalled. That was 22 years ago. “When we tell people that we came from Florida but decided to live in Canada, there is disbelief that we moved from a sunny place to a cold and freezing country. So what made us make the move?” Rowena shared. “Not what my husband jokingly tell people—that I like wearing a hat, gloves and a fashionable
Husband and wife, Rowena and Virgilio Zamora.
coat—but that Canada, espe- Great White North, Rowena prove myself.” cially Toronto, is a big place but and Virgilion made it a point to Despite getting restless while has the small town feel that I make time for each other. waiting for their immigration am comfortable with.” “We made it a point [to make] status, Rowena believes it was She adds, “I felt the warmth time together, even if it was just all worth the wait. Not only did of the people and instinctly seeing each other while coming they find better opportunities knew that I can grow and ma- off one job and going on to the in Canada eventually, but they ture while being able to hold on next,” she recalled. “When we also had a newfound appreciate to the values instilled in me by eventually got a car, he would of each other as husband and my parents.” drop me off or pick me up.” wife. The friends of Rowena’s Today, Rowena works as a “My husband has been very brother and sister-in-law gra- Registered Nurse at the Criti- supportive with all my endeavciously welcomed them when cal Care Unit of the Hospital ours in my career and educathey arrived in Canada and for Sick Children (Sickkids) in tion. He encouraged me to finhelped them get on their feet Toronto. ish my Master’s Degree when when they landed. “[They] “When I started working in I began to lose interest and were kind enough to welcome the CCU, I was the only other energy,” she said. “He also has us and offer us advice on being Filipino-Canadian RN in the not lost sight of the fact that to new immigrants. be able to have a They eventumeaningful caally became one reer, he has to of our closest supplement his friends as we It is easy to forget or compromise degree with eduwere honoured your values when you are trying to cational courses with being the integrate into a new society, [but] you that will provide godparents of should remain strong and steadfast in him the leverage their children,” holding on to those values inculcated needed to adRowena said. in you by your parents and family. vance to a better Being a regjob opportunity.” istered nurse with experience, The Best Thing Rowena didn’t About Canada have a hard time finding a job. unit,” she recalls. “Being new is… But it was a challenge for her in the country, I felt I needed “The best thing about life in husband. “It was not the same someone who understood what Canada is the people,” Rowena for him with a degree in the I was experiencing and will give says. sciences,” Rowena explained. me a good insight on the work She adds, “As my late moth“For the first few years I was environment. At the start I was er observed and experienced juggling three jobs and he [had shy and quiet while quickly ab- while living here for a short two] jobs.” sorbing the work culture. The period, the people are warm, Despite having multiple jobs expectations from me were welcoming and compassionate to sustain their new life in the high and I felt the pressure to to their fellow human beings www.canadianinquirer.net
regardless of where they come from and their [beliefs].” Rowena is also very appreciative of Canada’s universal healthcare system—something she personally encounters with several people on a day-to-day basis as a nurse. “Universal health care is the other best thing about life in Canada. Being in healthcare, I have the inside knowledge on the excellent quality of care that Canadians get that is not compromised by the cost.” Despite finding better opportunities in Canada, Rowena can’t help but miss home, especially Filipino food. “I miss the life that we had while growing up. I miss [everyday] conversations with my family,” she beamed. “I miss the food peddled by hawkers—fish ball, turon, banana cue, ‘dirty’ ice cream, fried mani (peanuts). We can get those here, but it is not the same as we cannot stand or sit at the sidewalk while chomping and chatting with friends. I miss the afternoon naps and waking up to a merienda of hot kakanin (rice delicacies) and a bottle of [soda].” Her new life in Canada is filled with new experiences and exciting opportunities, which she openly welcomes with “the knowledge that [she has] a sound and solid foundation from [her] education and experience in the Philippines. With this strength, [she] evolved into a better clinician with a newfound confidence in [her] abilities.” Pinay and Proud
“When we came to Canada we did not have family here,” Rowena recalls. “Now, my brother and his family as well as my cousins are here. We keep in touch on a regular basis with “fam-jams” as this is a way of keeping our heritage and legacy alive for the next generation.” Rowena explains that their ‘fam-jams’ often include stories about the way of life in the Philippines, delicious Filipino food, “and anything related to Philippine life to broaden the young generation’s understanding and appreciation of [the Filipino] heritage.”
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“We are proud to share with Canadians who appreciate the unique taste of Filipino cuisine,” she shared. Rowena and her husband also frequent Filipino festivals organized by Filipino communities “as a way of showing [their] support and solidarity with kababayans.” She adds, “We have widened our circle of friends with Filipino-Canadians who have enriched our lives and who have kept us connected with the wider Filipino-Canadian community.” At work, Rowena continues to exhibit the values her parents taught her, as well as her general upbringing in the Philippines. She says, “With my Filipino background and heritage, I was able to relate well with an international audience that had similar cultural and social background… This job has given me the chance to be involved in global health care. I had the opportunity to share my knowledge with other healthcare providers in Qatar as a Subject Matter Expert and Clinical Instructor under Sickkids International.” “My job as paediatric RN in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) has given me the opportunity
Rowena Zamora with colleagues, Elisa Cercado and Craig Campbell.
Rowena with her family in Canada.
to take care of the ‘sickest of the sick.’ It is a demanding and stressful job, but the rewards are immeasurable,” she said. “Telling parents that I will be taking care of their child comes with an enormous responsibility that I do not take lightly. Whatever the outcome of their child’s stay in the CCU, they leave knowing that their child received the very best of care.”
“It is easy to forget or compromise your values when you are trying to integrate into a new society, [but] you should remain strong and steadfast in holding on to those values inculcated in you by your parents and family,” Rowena points out, adding that a strong faith in whatever religion you have, and values like loyalty, fidelity, selfless devotion to family, strong work ethics, and respect are all important traits to have when making a new life—anywhere. “Your brain or mind should be like a sponge—absorb everything—but at the same time
Life-Changing Opportunities
After 22 years, Rowena says, “Canada has given me a home away from home.” She continues, “Moving here
has widened my perspective of life, exposed me to cultures that enriched my adult life, provided the social milieu that made me grow as a person, and affirmed my belief that there is goodness in every one. The generosity of Canadians to the less fortunate never fails to move me and encourages me to be as altruistic and selfless.” For those who are thinking of moving to Canada for good, or for those who just arrived at the Great White North in search of a better life for themselves and their families, Rowena has a few words of wisdom.
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be like a sieve so you can filter out that which makes you less,” she says about work, explaining that setting a career goal for yourself will also be helpful to keep you on track and not be overwhelmed with all the changes. “Be ambitious but temper it with realism and common sense… Perseverance is a key to success. Do not throw in the towel at the first sign of failure… Take risks but do so responsibly… Lastly, remind yourself that you are a Filipino and a Canadian and with that in mind you are already truly a success.” ■
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Toronto Consulate holds talks on doing business in PH economic zones THE PHILIPPINE Consulate General in Toronto will hold a special forum on “Doing Business in Philippine Economic Zones,” which will be held on Nov. 9, from 12 nn to 4 p.m. at the PCG-Toronto offices at 35th Flr. 250 Yonge St., Toronto. Learn more about doing business in the special economic zones of the Philippines, understand why they are the preferred locations of major multinational companies and find out the advantages offered to your business by the worldclass infrastructure and servic-
es, environment-friendly, secure and competitively-priced facilities and most importantly, the tax incentives and other amenities offered by the Philippine government. Undersecretary Lilia B. De Lima, director-General of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), is the featured speaker for this forum. De Lima will talk about the advantages of doing business in the Philippines and locating your business in the more than 200 economic zones across the county.
RSVP is requested by Nov. 5, 2015 at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, consularmatters@philcongen-toronto.com. Should you be interested to meet and consult with DG De Lima, please contact John Paul Inigo, special trade representative at jp.inigo@philippinetrade.org The event is organized by the Philippine Consulate GeneralToronto; Philippine Trade and Investment Center-New York and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. ■
Ambassador Garcia (R) presents the instruments of ratification of the Philippines to Dr. Fang Liu, International Civil Aviation Organization secretary general.
Top envoy presents instruments of ratification to civil aviation org AMBASSADOR PETRONILA P. Garcia presented Philippine Instruments of Ratification on two important conventions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In a handover ceremony at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada, Ambassador Garcia presented personally to ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu instruments of ratification to the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for the International Carriage by Air, and to the Protocol Relating to an Amendment to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Article 3).
The secretary general thanked the Philippines for having ratified such important conventions as she looks forward to working with the Philippines on various initiatives relative to aviation in the AsiaPacific region. Ambassador Garcia also conveyed her good wishes to Dr. Fang Liu, who became the first woman ever to be appointed to the prestigious global position heading the United Nations specialized agency for civil aviation, and only the second ICAO secretary general from an Asia Pacific state. ■
Construction Society elects new officers A NEW set of officers for 2015201,7 were elected Oct. 16, by the Filipino Canadian Construction Society (FCCS) at the Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS) home office at 4802 Fraser St (cor. 32nd Ave.) Vancouver, B.C. The list of new officers are: Ed Nicolas, president; Ferdie Lontok, vice president; Nisha Lalwani, Arman Perez, Joe Dumrique, Greg Domrique, Romy Pareja, Alexander Yalong, Alejandro Pascua, Philip Loro and Felizardo Odango, directors; Amado Mercado, Charlie Valle, Jun Custodio, Jionachy Muyco, advisers. The Filipino Canadian Construction Society (FCCS) is group of Filipino Canadian contractors and profession-
als showcasing multiple talents, skills and professional expertise to uplift the welfare of skilled trades/professionals, assist new immigrants and provide a voice for the Filipino community. The goal of the society is to provide value to Canada’s construction community through education and training, networking, and political advocacy in a way that promotes the merit shop philosophy and free enterprise, maximizes the members’ success, and enhances our industries image so that our members and their employees prosper. It seeks to represent the Filipinos in commercial construction industry at all levels of government and ensure that the industry has input into
policy development and changing legislation. Last Spring, FCCS received the 2015 Professional Immigrant Network Leadership Award from the Immigrant Employment Council of British Columbia (IECBC) as a testament of its dedication to help newly landed immigrants integrate to the Canadian society through its various programs and activities. FCCS offers educational training and familiarization seminars for members and new comers that address emerging construction technologies issues, business opportunities and Canadian construction systems. Aside from having family events and seminars/worwww.canadianinquirer.net
Back row (from L) Greg Domrique, Arman Perez, Ferdie Lontok, Nisha Lalwani, Ed Nicolas, Joe Dumrigue, Romy Pareja, Alexander Yalong and Alejandro Pascua. Front Row (from L) Philip Loro, Charlie Valle, Amado Mercado, Jun Custodio, Felizardo Odango.
shop, one of FCCS’ highlight was a joint partnership with the Iranian Engineers of British Columbia (IEBC) where an Employment Worshop was conducted last September. “FCCS is working hard to connect their members and
other new Canadians to find meaningful employment in BC,” said Nicolas. With FCCS celebrating its 10th year anniversary in 2016, the new officers are excited to continue the mission that was passed onto them. ■
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Entertainment
Angel Locsin Alex Gonzaga dating again sustains injury, can after breakup trauma no longer play Darna BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer
BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — With Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin still nursing an injury, the ABS-CBN network announced that another actress will be portraying Darna in Star Cinema’s movie remake of the iconic Filipino heroine set to be released next year. Locsin acquired a disc buldge in her spine while undergoing intensive training to supposedly play the Pinay superhero’s role. Knowing that she will be unable to do stunts required from the role, the actress pulled out from the movie project despite preparing for it in the past two years. Locsin has then decided to undergo therapy and considered going abroad for more treatments, warned that the spine injury could lead to paralysis if left untreated. Yesterday, the actress officially announced that she could no longer portray the role and confirmed that a new actress was indeed chosen to be the next Darna. “It was a painful and hard decision to make but we had to prioritize my health and welfare. Because of that, despite the two year preparations and rigorous training, I regret to inform everyone that I can no longer play Darna,” she said in an Instagram post. “Rest assured that ABS-CBN has already chosen the perfect person to fill in Darna’s boots… I hope and pray that you will give
the same amount of love and support to the new Darna. Again, thank you,” her post further read. ABS-CBN, for its part, also released an official statement to media outfits through its head of Integrated Corporate Communications, Kane Errol Choa. “It is with deep regret that we announce that ABS-CBN, Star Cinema and Angel Locsin have mutually agreed that Angel will no longer do the “Darna” movie due to health reasons… [Locsin has been limited] from doing strenuous activities such as stunts, liftings and the usage of harness, all of which will be required of her for the action scenes in the film,” the statement read. “Aside from that, she will need to undergo rehabilitation and treatment…. And so while we have envisioned her to do the iconic Filipino heroine, [Locsin’s] health and safety are both our primary concern. Hence, the decision,” it continued. The network, however, has yet to announce the chosen actress to replace Locsin in the movie. According to a Coconuts Manila report, a ‘barely legal Kapamilya star’ has been eyed for the role. The report also hinted that the actress was involved in the recent drunken flight accident. It can be recalled that it was in 2013 when Star Cinema head Malou Santos revealed that Locsin would play the iconic Filipino heroine once again. The actress first portrayed the role in a GMA-7 series in 2005. ■
TWO YEARS after a traumatic breakup, actress Alex Gonzaga says she is now “very cautious” when it comes to dealing with the opposite sex. “I don’t want to write another breakup book,” Alex said at a recent press conference organized by Proactiv, an American brand of acne treatment and skin care products that she endorses. The 27-year-old actress is the author of the book “Dear Alex, Break Na Kami. Paano? Love, Catherine.” She is busy with another book, which she said will be about “dating.” Alex has since started going out with guys “who are not from show biz.” She added: “I tried dating people from the business—I couldn’t handle it. I don’t want my partner to be in the same industry as I am.” In 2010, she was romantically linked to Callalily frontman Kean Cipriano. They both denied being in a relationship. She admitted that none of those “dates” had been “fruitful.” She explained: “I guess it’s because I’m now very careful. I want the next one to be the guy whom I will eventually marry. I don’t want to keep hopping from one relationship to another.” Heartfelt
The new book, Alex said, will be based on real-life experiences. “It will be from my perspective, [but] I’ve also asked
www.canadianinquirer.net
Kapamilya host and actress Alex Gonzaga.
a guy, whom I dated, to write something about me—how I am as a date,” she explained. “This isn’t something that’s experimental because that won’t be truthful to the readers. I want something that’s heartfelt, that every girl will be able to relate to.” Movie adaptation
Her first book will be adapted into a movie by Star Cinema soon. However, Alex is unsure if she’d be a cast member. Right now, she is busy working on “I Heart Kuryente Kid” for the fantasy-adventure program “Wansapanataym,” which airs every Saturday on ABS-CBN. Alex is also working on the
@CATHYGONZAGA / INSTAGRAM
comedy flick “Buy Now, Die Later,” a Quantum Films entry in the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival in December. She will likewise be seen with Edgar Allan “EA” Guzman in the romcom “I’ll Get Over You,” a Star Cinema production that is set for release in 2016. “It’s about a modern-day relationship. It’s based on something that happened to me,” said Alex, adding that she hopes viewers will find her first team up with EA entertaining and enjoyable. “We’ve attended a series of workshops for this film. EA and I have been friends for a long time. I’m very comfortable with him.” ■
Entertainment
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
31
Miss World PH stunned by ‘unexpected’ victory BY ARMIN P. ADINA Philippine Daily Inquirer AS IN previous years, the most awarded aspirant bagged the Miss World Philippines crown, and earned the right to represent the country in the international arena. Hillarie Danielle Parungao, 24, amassed the lion’s share of special awards earlier in ceremonies at The Theatre of Solaire Resorts and Casino in Pasay City on Sunday night. She received the ruby-decked crown as 2015 Miss World Philippines from her predecessor Valerie Weigmann. Weigmann and 2013 winner Megan Young, who eventually became the Philippines’ first Miss World winner, also received almost all the special awards during their stints at the national tilt. “I still can’t believe it—I kept shouting, ‘I have the crown!’” Parungao told the INQUIRER after her proclamation. “I did not expect it. I was just praying so hard... it was just so surreal for me to see [Megan and Valerie] come up to me and put the crown on my head,” added the 5’6”-tall commercial model. Aside from besting 25 other aspirants, Parungao was also proclaimed best in sports challenge and best in fashion runway. She was also hailed best in swimsuit and best in evening gown.
Other titles
Sponsors also favored her, as she was awarded the Miss Zen Institute, Miss Technomarine, Miss Solaire, Miss Figlia and Miss Phoenix Petroleum titles. The haul prompted members of the audience to cheerfully quip, “Give her the crown already!” Parungao further cemented her lead with her response in the semifinal question-and-answer round. She was asked, “What is the significance of being a beauty queen in this society?” She replied to loud cheers: “As a woman, I uphold the value of compassion. And I want to be a beauty queen because I want to share compassion with others. Compassion leads to a greater society of love, hope and a brighter future for everyone.” When asked by a judge, Fila Philippines president Cris Albert, about the philosophy she lives by, Parungao said, “My philosophy is to always rely on compassion—because compassion can open doors to many challenges in life that we can resolve, [so] that we can progress as a society.” Parungao’s crown came with a P1-million cash prize, which she hopes to use in chosen projects. “I joined this pageant because I was looking for a better venue to have a voice,” she told the INQUIRER. “I will use my title to strengthen my advocacy, called ‘Katuwang,’ to help eradicate
Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Danielle Parungao.
infant and child mortality locally, and hopefully, around the world if I become Miss World,” she added. Parungao also said she offers her crown to her family who “traveled for eight hours” just to watch the pageant. “I want everybody to know that I’m a pure Filipino. I’m actually Ilocano. My entire family lives in Nueva Vizcaya,” she clarified, responding to obser-
vations that the pageant has crowned only those with foreign blood since 2011. Weigmann is German-Filipino, while Young is AmericanFilipino. Parungao said she would immediately prepare for the 2015 Miss World pageant which will be held in Sanya, China, on Dec. 19. Though this is Parungao’s first foray in the national pageant scene, she is not necessar-
ily new to beauty contests. In 2014, she was hand-picked to represent the Philippines in the Miss Asia Pacific World Talent Competition where she placed fourth. For her Miss World Philippines stint, Parungao bested veterans of other national pageants. Binibining Pilipinas alumnae Marita Cassandra Naidas from Antipolo and Mia Allison Howell from Catanduanes were proclaimed first princess and second princess, respectively. Naidas, who received P300,000 cash prize, was also proclaimed Miss Bench. Best in talent, Miss Fila and Miss Ilocos Sur World titles went to Howell, who took home P250,000. Cainta’s Vanessa Wright, who received the Miss Jazzy France title, was hailed third princess and won P200,000. Emma Mary Tiglao from Mabalacat, Pampanga province, got the fourth princess title and received P100,000. Tiglao, who also received the awards most unique talent, Miss Photogenic and Miss Philippine Airlines, was first runner-up in the 2012 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant and a semifinalist in the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas pageant. Young sat in the judging panel with Albert, Venezuelan actor Fernando Carillo, senatorial candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, and Bench president Ben Chan. ■
AlDub breaks records anew with 41-M tweets, 50.8% TV rating BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — The Philippine’s undeniably most popular love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, more commonly known as “Yaya Dub,” has yet again broke records in Twitter and TV ratings. Eat Bulaga’s October 24 episode which aired the “Sa Tamang Panahon” (In The Right Time) much-awaited concert garnered over 41 million tweets
with its official hashtag #AlDubEBTamangPanahon in microblogging site Twitter. It started to trend since October 23. Prior #AlDubEBTamangPanahon, the show’s previous hashtag #AlDubEBforLove also set a record-breaking 25.6 million tweets just last month. Aside from trending worldwide, AlDub also dominated the television as Eat Bulaga posted a 50.8 percent rating from AGB Nielsen among Mega Manila households on October 24. ABS-CBN’s daily noontime
show, It’s Showtime, only got 5.4 percent rating that day. Prior the “Sa Tamang Panahon” concert, Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s fight versus Timothy Bradley in 2014 registered the highest ratings in television with 48.9 percent. Eat Bulaga’s October 24 episode now topped the list of highest-rated shows. The “Sa Tamang Panahon” concert was held at the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor stadium. In the show, www.canadianinquirer.net
SA TAMANG PANAHON. Alden Richards and Maine “YayaDub” Mendoza finally
get the perfect time at the jampacked Philippine Arena.
EAT BULAGA / FACEBOOK
Lola Nidora, portrayed by Wally Bayola, finally gave her bless-
ings to Alden and Yaya Dub’s onscreen relationship. ■
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Entertainment
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Lawyer: Bill Cosby accuser met with police as case reopened BY MARYCLAIRE DALE The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Police reviewing a 2005 sexual-abuse complaint against Bill Cosby have re-interviewed his accuser, but an election next week could determine if he’s charged. Former Temple University employee Andrea Constand, who settled a sex-abuse lawsuit against Cosby, met two months ago with detectives from suburban Philadelphia, her lawyer said. Lawyer Dolores Troiani confirmed the police interview late Monday, the day Constand filed a defamation lawsuit against the prosecutor who declined to arrest Cosby when she first came forward. The lawsuit accuses former Montgomery County prosecutor Bruce L. Castor Jr. of defaming Constand with remarks made this year as he seeks to return to the job. Castor has said Constand
gave to police in January 2005 a different story than the felony assault she described in her lawsuit that year. “If the allegations in the civil complaint were contained with that detail in her statement to the police, we might have been able to make a case out of it,” he said last month, defending his decision not to prosecute Cosby. Troiani said Monday it was “outrageous that a victim of a crime could be treated this same way - twice - by the same man.” The election next week pits Castor against a man involved in the newly reopened investigation, Kevin Steele, a top deputy in the district attorney’s office. Constand has accused Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his home in Montgomery County in January 2004. She met Cosby through her women’s basketball team job at Temple, where Cosby, who has denied wide-
spread abuse claims from several women, was a trustee. Authorities have until January 2016 to file charges under the 12-year statute of limitations for felony sexual assault in Pennsylvania. The current prosecutor, Risa Vetri Ferman, is stepping down to run for judge. She declined to discuss the investigation Monday. However, responding to questions about the Cosby case, she recently noted the “tremendous courage” it takes for sexual-assault victims to come forward. Constand, in the defamation lawsuit against Castor, said she had become “collateral damage for his political ambitions.” Castor did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. The Legal Intelligencer first reported on the lawsuit, which seeks at least $150,000 in damages and came eight days before the election. Castor, a Republican, and Steele, a Democrat, have tried to spin the Cosby case to their
Bill Cosby.
advantage in campaign ads. Troiani said the case shouldn’t be used as “a political football.” Agents for Cosby, who starred as Dr. Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992 and has been married for decades, have contacted defense lawyers this year to represent him in the reopened investigation. Castor, in announcing he would not charge Cosby in 2005, had said that both parties could be portrayed in “a less than flattering light.” Dozens of women have since come forward to accuse Cosby,
RANDY MIRAMONTEZ / SHUTTERSTOCK
78, of drugging and molesting them. And Cosby’s deposition in the Constand case, released to the public this year, shows he acknowledged having sexual contact with Constand. He also said he had gotten quaaludes from his doctor to give to young women before sex years earlier. However, he said his sexual relations with various women were consensual and he never gave women drugs without their knowledge. Constand, then 31, left her job soon after the encounter at Cosby’s gated home. She is now a massage therapist in Toronto. ■
Authorities believe Lamar Odom overdosed on cocaine, other drugs at Nevada brothel BY CHRISTOPHER WEBER The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Lamar Odom is believed to have overdosed on cocaine and other drugs before he was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel, according to search warrant records. The court document includes testimony to a Nevada state judge from Michael Eisenloffel, a Nye County sheriff’s detective, on Oct. 13 after the former NBA star was found at the Love Ranch in Crystal. “I believe that Mr. Odom may be — or may have been — under the influence of a controlled substance,” Eisenloffel told Fifth Judicial District Judge Robert Lane. The document was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. Odom was hospitalized in Las Vegas and transferred to Los Angeles, where his family
said Thursday he was undergoing therapy and is showing improvement. “He is beginning to gradually flourish both mentally and physically,” said a statement from Alvina Alston, publicist for Odom’s aunt JaNean Mercer. “His use of speech has increased, and he’s more cognitively responsive.” Alston called Odom’s therapy regimen “aggressive” but did not elaborate. On Wednesday, Odom and reality star Khloe Kardashian filed a court petition dismissing a divorce filing from December 2013. A clerk granted the request in such a way that the divorce papers can be refiled at a later date. Kardashian has been by Odom’s side since he was found in extremely critical condition at the brothel. Brothel officials have said workers saw Odom drink alcohol and take supplements
sold as “herbal Viagra” but no employees saw him take illegal drugs. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 2013 against one brand of supplement they said he took, Reload, after it was found to contain sildenafil, the active ingredient in prescription Viagra. A six-page transcript of the detective’s request for the search warrant said Odom was seen by witnesses and on security video taking an unidentified pill from an unmarked plastic bag in his pocket, and two prostitutes told police they had “vague knowledge” that Odom was using illicit narcotics. The court document said the women told police they believed Odom snorted cocaine in a bathroom while they were in the adjacent bedroom. Love Ranch owner Dennis Hof has said Odom arrived Oct. 10 for a four-day stay and spent $75,000 on two women who acwww.canadianinquirer.net
NBA player Lamar Odom and wife Khloe Kardashian. TINSELTOWN / SHUTTERSTOCK
companied him in a VIP suite. The Nevada judge issued a search warrant authorizing police to obtain a blood sample from Odom after he was taken to the Las Vegas hospital but test results are pending. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of taking action
against the brothel or Odom. Odom spent most of his 14year NBA career in Los Angeles with the Lakers and Clippers. ■ AP Entertainment Writer Anthony McCartney in Los Angeles and writer Sally Ho in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
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FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
Lifestyle
UN health agency: Bacon, hot dogs, other processed meats linked to cancer BY ANGELA CHARLTON The Associated Press PARIS — Bacon, hot dogs and cold cuts are under fire: The World Health Organization threw its global weight behind years of experts’ warnings and declared Monday that processed meats raise the risk of colon and stomach cancer and that red meat is probably harmful, too. Meat producers are angry, vegetarians are feeling vindicated, and cancer experts are welcoming the most comprehensive pronouncement yet on the relation between our modern meat-eating lifestyles and cancer. The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, analyzed decades of research and for the first time put processed meats in the same danger category as smoking or asbestos. That doesn’t mean salami is as bad as cigarettes, only that there’s a confirmed link to cancer. And even then, the risk is small. The results aren’t that shocking in the U.S., where many parents fret over chemicals in cured meats and the American Cancer Society has long cautioned against eating too much steak and deli. But the U.N. agency’s findings could shake up public health attitudes elsewhere, such as European countries where sausages are savored and smoked ham is a national delicacy. And they could hurt the American meat industry, which is arguing vigorously against linking their products with cancer, contending that the disease involves a number of lifestyle and environmental factors. While U.S. rates of colon cancer have been declining, it is the No. 2 cancer for women worldwide and No. 3 for men, according to the WHO. A group of 22 scientists from the IARC evaluated more than 800 studies from several con-
SURPRISED? UN health agency labels bacon and other processed meat as ‘carcinogenic to humans’
tinents about meat and cancer. The studies looked at more than a dozen types of cancer in populations with diverse diets over the past 20 years. Based on that analysis, the IARC classified processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans,” noting links in particular to colon cancer. It said red meat contains some important nutrients, but still labeled it “probably carcinogenic,” with links to colon, prostate and pancreatic cancers. The agency made no specific dietary recommendations and said it did not have enough data to define how much processed meat is too dangerous. But it said the risk rises with the amount consumed. An analysis of 10 of the studies suggested that a 50-gram portion of processed meat daily — or about 1.75 ounces — increases the risk of colorectal cancer over a lifetime by about 18 per cent. An ounce and three-quarters is roughly equivalent to a hot dog or a few slices of bologna, though it depends on how thinly it is sliced.
Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer in the U.S. is about 1 in 20, or 5 per cent, according to the cancer society. By the WHO’s calculations, having a cold-cut sandwich every day would only raise that to around 6 per cent. Experts have long warned of the dangers of certain chemicals used to cure meat, such as nitrites and nitrates, which the body converts into cancercausing compounds. It is also known that grilling or smoking meat can create suspected carcinogens. “For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Dr. Kurt Straif of the IARC said in a statement. “In view of the large number of people who consume processed meat, the global impact on cancer incidence is of public health importance.” The cancer agency noted research by the Global Burden of Disease Project suggesting that 34,000 cancer deaths per www.canadianinquirer.net
year worldwide are linked to diets heavy in processed meat. That compared with 1 million deaths a year linked to smoking, 600,000 a year to alcohol consumption and 200,000 a year to air pollution. Doctors in rich countries especially have long counselled against eating lots of red or processed meat — and not just because of the cancer danger but because of the heart risks from the saturated fat and sodium. The WHO researchers defined processed meat as anything transformed to improve its flavour or preserve it, including sausages, beef jerky and anything smoked. They defined red meat to include beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse and goat. The report said grilling, pan-frying or other high-temperature methods of cooking red meat produce the highest amounts of chemicals suspected of causing cancer. “This is an important step in helping individuals make healthier dietary choices to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer in particular,” said Su-
SHUTTERSTOCK
san Gapstur of the American Cancer Society, which has recommended limiting red and processed meat intake since 2002, and suggests choosing fish or poultry or cooking red meat at low temperatures. The North American Meat Institute argued in a statement that “cancer is a complex disease not caused by single foods.” Independent experts stressed that the WHO findings should be kept in perspective. “Three cigarettes per day increases the risk of lung cancer sixfold,” or 500 per cent, compared with the 18 per cent from eating a couple slices of bologna a day, said Gunter Kuhnle, a food nutrition scientist at the University of Reading. “This is still very relevant from a public health point of view, as there are more than 30,000 new cases per year” of colon cancer, he said. “But it should not be used for scaremongering.” ■ AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this report.
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Lifestyle
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Meat-lovers treat, the donair, could be designated the official food of Halifax BY MICHAEL MACDONALD The Canadian Press HALIFAX — For most anyone who lives in Halifax, the messy late-night ritual at the corner of Blowers and Grafton streets is a well known guilty pleasure. As patrons spill out of the port city’s many bars and taverns, they head for Pizza Corner where the main attraction isn’t pizza — it’s donairs. This sweet and savory meatlovers treat — closely related to the Greek gyro — is at the centre of a decades-old, cult-like following that has prompted one municipal politician to suggest the humble donair should be designated the official food of Halifax. Linda Mosher’s motion, tabled at regional council earlier this week, has led to a rousing online debate that has gone viral. While detractors point out that Nova Scotia is also known for its seafood and lobster in particular, Mosher says these dishes are not unique to the province’s largest city. “Everyone here has their own donair story, their own affinity for it,” says Mosher. “It’s a unique food and you can’t find it anywhere else, despite people
trying to duplicate it.” As proof, Mosher cites a mention in National Geographic and the website TheCulturetrip.com, which concluded the donair is to Halifax what the smoked-meat sandwich is to Montreal, or the Beaver Tail to Ottawa. British Columbia’s Nanaimo bars also made the list, as did Quebec’s poutine, and Saskatchewan’s saskatoon berry pie. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, the host of CNN’s Parts Unknown, has said Halifax donairs have achieved international status. “I look for unique foods, unique to the region,” he said in an interview with the Halifax Chronicle Herald. “It is your most famous, it’s the signature dish ? like the New York dirty water hotdog.” As for the origins of the donair, there are competing claims, says Jason MacKenzie, day manager at King of Donair on Halifax’s Quinpool Road — an institution since the 1970s. “It’s simplistic items put together to make it amazing,” says MacKenzie, whose location — there are four in the Halifax area — has been swarming with hungry customers since Mosher’s motion was tabled.
Can’t leave Halifax without trying The Donair.
“It nurtures all the senses of the taste buds, making it good after having a few drinks. But it’s an all-round dinner for us in Halifax ... We’re finally getting recognition for the decades of hard work we’ve put in.” Halifax resident Leo Gamoulakos says his father Peter, a Greek immigrant, developed the gastronomic delight in the mid-1970s at Velos Pizza on the Bedford Highway. Gamoulakos says his father, who died in 1991, had little success when he introduced pork-
@MRDONAIR / INSTAGRAM
and-lamb gyros to his customers, so he experimented with an all-beef product that included a sweeter sauce, and it caught on. The finely ground beef, mixed with bread crumbs and spices, is formed into a cone that is roasted on a vertical rotisserie. The signature sauce is made from vinegar, evaporated milk, garlic and sugar. The thinly sliced meat is served in a pita, often with diced tomatoes and raw onions. The concoction is notoriously difficult to eat, given its ten-
dency to suddenly expel sauce and other bits. Gamoulakos says the name of the delicacy comes from the label on the machine that held the meat: Doner. “There are a lot of pretenders out there,” he says, adding that it was his father who opened the Quinpool Road location. “It’s been a constant battle for me.” Mosher’s motion has been sent to regional staff, who have been asked to prepare a report, as required by council rules. A decision is expected as early as next month. Coun. Tim Outhit supported the idea, at one point quipping to council colleagues: “If we don’t do this, won’t we all falafel?” The proposal has inspired a wave of social media comments, including objections from those who believe the city should focus on more important issues. During Tuesday’s council meeting, Coun. Waye Mason tweeted: “While I voted against the donair motion (due to staff work to taxpayers) I did have a donair for dinner, due to mmmm hungry.” In response, one observer tweeted: “Waye Mason, you’re my gyro.” ■
Cattlemen’s group says no reason to stop eating meat in moderation THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association says there are many theories why red and processed meat may be linked to cancer, but no scientific consensus has been reached. The association commented after the World Health Organization’s cancer agency said hot dogs, bacon and other processed meats can lead to colon, stomach and other cancers, and that red meat is probably harmful, too. Cattlemen’s spokesman Mark Klassen says it isn’t fair to lump meat along with arsenic
and cigarettes. “Intuitively we know that arsenic is a very poisonous substance, I think less than a teaspoon would kill you, and you try to reconcile that with the meat that you ate this morning, which obviously didn’t and you ask yourself, ‘well, how do these two relate?”‘ Klassen said Monday in a phone interview from Strathmore, Alta. “Both of those could be cancer hazards, but the risk or the probability that they will cause a problem is vastly different.” Health Canada said it will review the findings of the agency, adding it will “update our dietary guidance if necessary.”
The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, analyzed decades of research and for the first time put processed meats in the same category as smoking or asbestos. That doesn’t mean salami is as bad as cigarettes, but it does mean that there’s a confirmed link to cancer. And even then, the risk is small. The agency made no specific dietary recommendations and said it did not have enough data to define how much processed meat is too dangerous. But it said the risk rises with the amount consumed. An analysis of 10 of the studies suggested that a 50-gram www.canadianinquirer.net
portion of processed meat daily — or about 1.75 ounces — increases the risk of colorectal cancer over a lifetime by about 18 per cent. An ounce and threequarters is roughly equivalent to a hot dog or a few slices of bologna, though it depends on how thinly it is sliced. “Our understanding is Canadians eat about half of that per day, so as long as you’re not eating bacon at every meal and you’re following the recommendations of Canada’s Food Guide, there’s no reason to stop eating,” said Klassen. Klassen says if there is an increase in the potential risk of colorectal cancer from red meat consumption, it is very
small. He also says that risk needs to be considered relative to the benefit of red meat, noting that beef is among the best food sources of well absorbed iron and protein. He doesn’t expect to see a reduction in beef consumption. “I think we’ve just realized that you do have to take these things with a grain of salt and at the end of the day, that balance, following the food guide and eating a variety of foods is always going to be a better idea than cutting out something completely,” said Klassen. ■ With files from The Associated Press
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FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
Travel
Best Island in the World award ‘sweet and challenging’ for Palawan BY CELESTE ANNA R. FORMOSO Philippines News Agency PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — To be chosen for the second time by the US magazine Conde Nast Traveler as 2015 Reader’s Choice Award recipient is both “sweet and challenging” for Palawan province and “requires a lot of dedication not to fail expectations.” “It is sweet in the feeling and also challenging because, first, the local government and other concerned agencies should work hard more to maintain the award. We need to continuously improve our implementation of policies and regulations regarding the development of Palawan’s tourism industry,” said Maribel Buñi, head of the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO). Buñi said efforts to further flourish Palawan’s tourism industry should not center on promotion alone, but also in the upgrading of services of other related industries. “It is beautiful that for the second time we were awarded because investors will take interest on Palawan. Of course, we know that if there are investments, there are also additional jobs for the people,” she added. She said provincial Governor Jose Alvarez is pleased with the magazine’s citation, which served as inspiration to work harder with local governments to
ensure that the tourism industry works for everyone’s best interest. The provincial government is now pondering on the possibility of creating a task force that would further ensure the safety and security of tourists who visit various destinations in Palawan and to also help locate other possible tourism destinations, Buñi said. Home to the world-famous Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR), the picturesque El Nido and Coron towns, Conde Nast Traveler said Palawan bested 19 other popular island destinations in the world. These includes Bora Bora and Moorea in the French Polynesia that are famous for snorkelers around the world. The others that made it include Waiheke Island in New Zealand; Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; Santorini in Greece; and Bali, Indonesia. The survey this year was reportedly joined by 128,000 travelers.
province won an award in the Island Pavilion Category after it presented Palawan’s culture through dances. She said their presentation won for Palawan an award in the Island Pavilion Category among other exhibitors. The event was held October 21-25. Buñi said the first-ever agri-trade and tourism fair in Region 4B is a huge success for the province as it was also participated in by exhibitors and traders from the private sector led by the Palawan Tourism Council (PTC). Among products that were showcased during the five-day event were those made of cashew, pearls, handicrafts, including derivatives of other fruits that
Palawan participates in MIMAROPA tourism trade fair
Palawan is thankful for its participation in the recently held MIMAROPA Naturally: Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair at the Mega Trade Hall, SM Megamall organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 4B. Maribel Buñi, head of the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) expressed gratitude for the opportunity, as she said the www.canadianinquirer.net
can be harvested in the province. “We are thankful for this opportunity, and we continue to promote not only Palawan’s best destinations but also the products that are truly unique to the province,” Buñi said. The regional fair was aimed at promoting agriculture, trade and tourism industries offered by all provinces in the MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan). The DTI executed the event in partnership with the Department of Agriculture 4B, Department of Tourism 4B, and the MIMAROPA provincial governments. Around 80 exhibitors participated in the event, she said. ■
36
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Business
CMHC expects housing market Battered energy to moderate; starts, sales sector pulls Toronto to slow in 2016 and 2017 stock market lower, loonie rises
BY CRAIG WONG The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — The Canadian housing market is expected to cool over the next two years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Monday in its fourth-quarter outlook. A rise in the inventory of unsold homes, higher prices and mortgage rates and an increase in the supply of rental units are all expected to contribute to the slowdown. CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan says gains in provinces like Ontario and B.C. have offset the drop-off in oil-producing provinces like Alberta. “We expect, however, that this counterbalancing effect will decrease over time,” Dugan said. “As such, housing starts and MLS sales are projected to moderate in 2016 and 2017.” Low interest rates have helped fuel sales and drive prices in many markets. However, CMHC noted in its report that it expects interest rates to gradually rise from current levels starting late next year. The Canadian housing market has been a key concern for economists as household debt has risen to record levels in relation to income. Housing has been a key driver of the economy as the real estate market has boomed in recent years and while the drop in oil prices has hurt some markets, others have continued to march higher. In its latest report, CMHC raised its forecasts for housing starts and home sales this year, but lowered its expectations for next year. For 2015, CMHC said housing starts are expected to range between 162,000 and 212,000 units, with a “point” forecast of 186,900 units. Housing starts are expected
BY DAVID FRIEND The Canadian Press
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to slip in 2016 to a range of between 153,000 and 203,000 units, with a point forecast of 178,150 units, and further slow in 2017 to between 149,000 and 199,000 units, with a point forecast of 173,650 units. That compared with CMHC’s May point forecast of 181,618 for this year and 181,800 units for next year. The report Monday predicted sales through the MLS system are expected to range between 444,000 and 546,000 units this year with a point forecast of 494,700 units. In 2016, sales are forecast to range from 425,000 to 534,000 units with a point forecast of 479,500, and from 416,000 to 536,000 units in 2017 with a point forecast of 476,000. In May, the point forecast for this year was for sales of 475,400 homes and 469,000 next year. The average MLS price is forecast at between $417,000 and $459,000 this year with a point forecast of $437,700, be-
fore rising to between $420,000 and $466,000 in 2016. The average price in 2017 is expected in a range of between $424,000 and $475,000. The updated outlook is up from May when the point forecast was for $422,129 this year and $428,325 in 2016. In a separate report, CIBC economist Benjamin Tal noted that while the stock of unsold condominiums in Vancouver has been falling, the number in Toronto between December 2014 and May 2015 rose from less than 1,000 to close to 3,000. “To be sure, the GTA’s condo market will be tested as interest rates start rising in the coming years, and increased resale activity from domestic condo investors will result in excess supply and some downward pressure on prices,” Tal said in his report. “But for now, those who look at the rise in unabsorbed units as a sign of increased vulnerability are barking up the wrong tree.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
TORONTO — Oil prices slid to two-month low on Monday and dragged the Toronto stock market down with them, led by the energy sector. Toronto’s S&P/TSX index ended 162.76 points lower at 13,790.90 in a gradual slide that extended throughout the session. Energy stocks weakened, with the index falling 2.7 per cent. The December contract for benchmark crude oil lost 62 cents to US$43.98 a barrel, its lowest level since late August, amid continuing concerns about oversupply in the market. November natural gas plunged 22 cents to US$2.06 per mmBtu while gold rose $3.40 to US$1,166.20 an ounce. Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar was up 0.07 of a U.S. cent at 75.97 cents US as the greenback weakened in advance of this week’s two-day policy rate meeting of the Federal Reserve, which gets underway Tuesday. There has been increased speculation recently that the U.S. central bank is much less likely to raises rates this year than previously believed as a result of continued weakness in the global economic recovery, especially the ongoing slowdown in China. Earnings season is also getting underway in Canada with Tim Hortons’ owner Restaurant Brands International Inc. and Canadian National Railway Co. scheduled to issue results on Tuesday. “Corporate management in both Canada and the United States are still underpromising and overdelivering,” said Brian Belski, chief investment strategist at BMO Nesbitt Burns.
“We still think both countries will be recovering in terms of growth for the next several quarters.” In New York, markets were mostly negative with the Dow Jones industrial average down 23.65 points at 17,623.05, while the broader S&P 500 gave back 3.97 points to 2,071.18 and the Nasdaq index edged 2.84 points higher to 5,034.70. In corporate news, Valeant Pharmaceuticals says it is asking U.S. securities regulators to investigate Citron Research, the short-seller research firm whose scathing report last week caused the Quebec-based drugmaker’s stock to tumble. Chief executive Michael Pearson told analysts on a conference call Monday that the main reason for Valeant’s recent problems is that it’s the victim of false allegations by outsiders who want to manipulate the market for their own profit. On the TSX, Valeant was down another 4.8 per cent, falling $7.35 to $145.34 per share, in afternoon trading. “The good news in respect to the Valeant pullback is that it provides an opportunity to redistribute money into areas that we think have bottomed, like energy, but more importantly things we think are dramatically underowned that can, will and should lead the Canadian market higher,” said Belski. “We think that’s namely the banks.” South of the border, Duke Energy, the biggest electric company in the U.S., said it will buy Piedmont Natural Gas for about $4.9 billion, or $60 per share. The deal will give Duke about a million new customers in the Carolinas and Tennessee. Duke shares were down $1.49 or two per cent at US$72.25. ■
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Uptight banks on the lookout for asset bubbles Only 4.8% want to ease lending rates BY PAOLO G. MONTECILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer BANKS CONTINUED to tighten lending standards for real estate amid expectations demand will continue to rise due to the country’s growing economy. Results of a new survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed a “net tightening” of overall credit standards for commercial real estate loans amid efforts by regulators to cut off glut in the sector. This was mainly attributed “by respondent banks largely to perceived stricter oversight of banks’ real estate exposure.” Among respondent banks surveyed in the third quarter, 76.2 percent said they would
keep lending standards to commercial real estate unchanged. This was down from the 86.4 percent that gave the same answer in the second quarter. Close to 19.1 percent of banks surveyed said they would either tighten lending standards “considerably” or “somewhat.” Meanwhile, only 4.8 percent of banks said lending standards would be eased. “Respondent banks reported stricter collateral requirements and loan covenants along with wider loan margins, reduced credit line sizes, shorter loan maturities, and increased use of interest rate floors for commercial real estate loans,” the BSP said. “For the next quarter, most of the respondent banks expect to
maintain their credit standards for commercial real estate loans,” it added. Demand for commercial real estate loans was also unchanged in the third quarter 2015 based on the modal approach. A number of banks, however, indicated increased demand for the said type of loan on the back of “clients’ improved economic outlook and increased customer investment in plant or equipment.” Over the next quarter, although most of the respondent banks anticipate generally steady loan demand, a number of banks expect demand for commercial real estate loans to continue increasing in the following quarter, the BSP said.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Last year, the exposure of universal, commercial and thrift banks to real estate sector rose to a record high of P1.22 trillion, up 21 percent year-onyear. Banks are exposed to real estate through loans and investments in securities issued
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by property companies. Lending to real estate companies reached the equivalent of 18.58 percent of all the industry’s total portfolio, up from 17.82 percent the year before but still under the 20-percent cap set by regulators. ■
Stocks seen to rise Century Properties wagers big on tourism surge BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE LOCAL stock market is seen to sustain its upswing this week heading into the corporate earnings season alongside prospects of further monetary stimulus in the European Union (EU). Last week, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 180.62 points or 2.56 percent to close at 7,236.38 on Friday after the European Central Bank hinted at fresh monetary stimulus. This week, local stock brokerage AB Capital Securities said investors would look forward to the start of the third-quarter earnings reporting season. “Bullish sentiments from
further EU stimulus pushed the PSEi higher on Friday to finally break above the resistance at 7,200,” the brokerage said. “The breakout from this level implies a possible short-term target of 7,800.” The brokerage said the market’s immediate resistance would be at 7,400 while immediate support could be found at 7,200. Apart from indications of EU stimulus, Banco de Oro Unibank’s chief strategist Jonathan Ravelas said rosy prospects of better local third-quarter earnings boosted the market last week. “Chartwise, the week’s close at 7,236.38 encourages a test of the 7,300 levels,” Ravelas said. “A break above 7,300 levels could see a test of 7,500 and prompt profit-taking back to the 6,900-7,000 levels.” ■
BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer
ground by next year. In Metro Manila, the group will also be making its debut in hotel property development with the 310-key Novotel hoPROPERTY DEVELOPER tel suites, set to open by 2019 Century Properties Group within the Acqua Private Resi(CPG) is betting big on tourism, dences in Mandaluyong City. widely deemed as a bright spot Some of the units will be in the local economy. owned and sold as preferred CPG chair and founder Jose shares under the “fractional” Antonio told reporters during ownership scheme. the Asia Pacific Real Estate AsThe first of its kind in the Philsociation Summit ippines, the fraclast week that the tional ownership Philippines was program enalready riding on titles preferred the back of a “fanAntonio said ‘infrastructure will make shareholders to, tastic” 66 quaror break the future sustainability of among others, ters of continued our growth.’ customized luxeconomic growth ury vacation and spurred by dobusiness stay in mestic demand. the 152 units in But while the Philippines is while Thailand, a nation of 65 Novotel Suites. no longer the “sick man of Asia,” million people, was posting 25 For its resort projects, AnAntonio said “infrastructure million foreign tourist arrivals. tonio said CPG would like to will make or break the future He said the Philippines serve domestic tourists. He said sustainability of our growth.” should invest more on infra- an internal study showed the “We’re like an 8-year-old per- structure to capture a bigger country was catering to 40 milson who started in the business. share of the 600-million South- lion domestic tourists. Now, we’ve grown already (to) east Asian population. “All of us are tourists. When15 to 16 years old, but we’re still He said CPG would start by ever we have a long weekend, wearing the clothes of an 8-year- next year the development of we travel,” Antonio said. “We old… So we now have to improve two major resort projects— would like to serve first the dothe infrastructure,” Antonio said. one in Batulao, Batangas and mestic market and hopefully, “Tourism is one of the low-ly- the other in San Vicente, Pala- increased arrivals of foreign ing fruits in the economy today. wan. Both are targeted to break tourists will follow.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
However, to attract tourists, we have to improve access,” he said. He said he fully agreed with Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez’s belief that tourism was the “shortest path to inclusive growth” given its multiplier effect on the employment sector. Antonio noted the Philippines, with its over 100-million population, was attracting only 5.3 million foreign tourists annually
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Sports
Cross cultural sharing supersedes sport at 1st World Indigenous Games in Brazil BY JENNY BARCHFIELD The Associated Press
in defiance of the sweltering tropical heat — the commonalities that unite indigenous people from around the globe are palpable, Oksasikewiyin said. From Ethiopia to Ecuador, first peoples worldwide are still reeling from the lingering effects of colonialism and fighting to preserve their cultures and lands, he said. “We see we’re all in the same boat,” he shouted over the roar of spectators cheering a particularly impressive spear toss. “Being here, all together, it becomes so clear.” The event, which kicked off Friday, comes one year after Brazil played host to soccer’s World Cup and ahead of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The indigenous event’s hypnotic opening ceremony swirled with eye-popping feather headdresses, sumptuous silk robes, buttery suede dresses and revealing loincloths as the 40-odd delegations melted into one chanting, dancing, pulsating mass of humanity. The far-flung cultural mash-
PALMAS, BRAZIL — Supersized Maori from New Zealand, diminutive Aeta from the Philippines and native peoples of all shapes and sizes in between tested their mettle at the first World Indigenous Games, a chaotic, kaleidoscopic celebration of first peoples from around the globe. Organizers billed the nineday event as a sort of indigenous Olympics. But for many of the nearly 2,000 participants from some 20 countries who converged SCREENSHOT FROM JPI TEASER FOR WORLD INDIGENOUS GAMES VIA LUIZ LOBO / YOUTUBE last week on host city Palmas, a remote agricultural outpost in among Brazil’s most-skilled ment. On opening day, conBrazil’s scorched heartland, the archers. A knot of Tarahumara struction workers were still sports themselves took a back women from northern Mex- busily working on the installaseat to what they said really ico haggled mercilessly over tions. The sporting events got matters — cross-cultural sharthe price of a gourd-and-palm off to a late start after a wall in ing and learning. leaf headdress with an equally the cafeteria collapsed, slightly “This restores your faith in hard-nosed group of artisan injuring several workers and humanity,” said Lamarr Oksawomen from the Amazonian leaving many without breakfast sikewiyin, a 46-year-old schoolstate of Para. and unable to compete on Satteacher from the Nehiyaw peoThe Games are the biggest urday. ple of Canada’s Saskatchewan thing ever to roll into the sleepy The debut competitions were province, as he town of Palmas pushed back to Sunday, which followed round during its short saw a surprise upset in the blisone of the spear27-year history tering tug-of-war event: New throwing comas the capital of Zealand’s fierce Maori warpetition. “An elWe see we’re all in the same boat. Brazil’s newest riors lost a battle of the titans der once told me Being here, all together, it becomes state of Tocan- against the fridge-sized Bakairi that our culture so clear. tins. Non-indig- people of central Brazil. The will save us. I enous locals got Javae women, also from centhink this is what in on the action, tral Brazil, made short shrift of he meant.” too, filling the the Mexican women, in their Despite the obvious differ- ups multiplied over the follow- bleachers and swarming the Crayola-hued circle skirts, and ences between participants ing days. handicraft fair. And everyone a hefty combined U.S-Phil— Brazil’s Tapirape wore only Mongolian archers in velvet snapped endless selfies. ippines team outweighed the body paint and tiny loincloths mantles traded tips with their Still, the Games have been forest-dwelling Macuxi people. while the sole Russian delegate feather-crowned brethren, the hampered by technical glitches Native Brazilians representwas covered in Siberian furs Xerente people, reputed to be and allegations of mismanage- ing around two dozen of the
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country’s more than 300 tribes make up the lion’s share of participants at the Games — and their problems have taken centre stage at the event. Small but boisterous protests against a proposed constitutional amendment that would give a Brazilian Congress largely dominated by the agricultural lobby the right to demarcate indigenous lands erupted at the opening ceremony, where embattled President Dilma Rousseff was booed. The proposal could come up for an initial vote this week. “It would be a disaster for us,” said protester Merong Tapurama, of the Pataxo Ha-HaHae people, adding that he saw the Games themselves as a bid to paper over the dire reality of Brazil’s beleaguered indigenous people. Estimated at between 3 million to 5 million in pre-Columbian times, Brazil’s indigenous population is now under a million people, making up just 0.5 per cent of the country’s 200 million inhabitants. They continue to suffer from racism, poor education and health care, and remain locked in sometimes-bloody battles with loggers, miners, cattle-grazers and soy farmers intent on pushing them off ancestral lands. “It’s great that the world is getting to see our culture, see how rich it is,” said Timbira Pataxo, who travelled from Bahia state to sell knickknacks at the entrance to the Games. “But the world also needs to know about the real existential threats we face.” ■
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Philippines to host one of the OQT BY MAVELLE P. DURIAN Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES — FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, confirmed that Philippines is one of the countries to host one of three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) set next year for the men’s basketball competition. Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Serbia, and Turkey, are the countries who made bids for the Qualifying tournament aside from the Philippines. The 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament will run from July 4 to 10, and will be contested by six teams. The winners of the tournament will be competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and will join the U.S., Australia, Ni-
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geria, Venezuela, Argentina, Spain, Lithuania, China, and the host nation, Brazil. The 15 qualified teams who will compete in three tournaments are Angola, Canada, Czech Republic, France,
Greece, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Serbia, and Tunisia. The main evaluation criteria of the governing body that was used in selection of the hosts
are: 1. Player welfare – best possible conditions for players 2. Stakeholder experience – first-class event for spectators, teams, media and broadcasters, commercial partners as well
as all other stakeholders. This includes venues filled to capacity and the provision of appropriate promotional strategy to achieve this goal. 3. State-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure – FIBA aims at hosting events in highlevel competition venues that meet or exceed its requirements. 4. Legacy – event must bring benefits for basketball in the country, prestige and credit to the host nation and FIBA, as well as being of support to the strategic ambitions of the entire basketball family. 5. Commercial model – the event must be based on sound commercial and promotional initiatives and be financially successful. Other nations can still submit their bids to host until November 11. ■
Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says it’s not the time to discuss his contract BY GREGORY STRONG The Canadian Press TORONTO — Alex Anthopoulos feels he’s starting to “hit his stride” as general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. Whether he’ll be with the team for his peak years remains up in the air. Anthopoulos didn’t shed any light on his contract status during his season wrapup news conference Monday at Rogers Centre. The GM’s future has become a front-burner topic since the Blue Jays were eliminated from the playoffs by the Kansas City Royals. Anthopoulos, whose deal expires at the end of the month, has said he’d like to return but he decided to put contract talks aside during the post-season so it wouldn’t become a distraction. He will be negotiating with new president Mark Shapiro, who will replace the retiring Paul Beeston next week. “That will be addressed at the appropriate time,” Anthopoulos said of his future with the team. “The appropriate time is not today.” The 38-year-old Montreal native helped end the team’s 22-year playoff drought by making some impressive off-
season moves and then landing more top-flight talent at the trade deadline. Anthopoulos used a different approach over the last year and it paid off. “By design last off-season we really targeted a certain type of player,” he said. “We walked away from a lot of players that were talented and productive that didn’t fit what we were trying to do. I don’t know that as a GM I would have done that a few years earlier. “I was probably so caught up on value, contractual status, salary, things like that. You learn from your mistakes, you learn from some things if you don’t adjust.” Signing Canadian catcher Russell Martin and acquiring third baseman Josh Donaldson gave the clubhouse a different feel. The trade deadline acquisitions of David Price, Ben Revere, Troy Tulowitzki and others helped build on the team’s impressive core. With Donaldson and sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion powering the offence, Toronto won the American League East title with a 93-69 mark and beat Texas in the American League Division Series. The Blue Jays hung with Kansas City in the ALCS but going 0
for 12 with runners in scoring position proved costly in Friday’s must-win game at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals took advantage of their opportunities and advanced in six games. “We had a great club this year,” Anthopoulos said. “I don’t think that’s overstating it, we really were. We didn’t get it done, but we got close.” Anthopoulos’s future will obviously have a huge impact on where the franchise goes from here. It’s also unclear what kind of stamp Shapiro wants to put on the team, which leads to more questions than answers right now. Will Shapiro keep the team’s policy of five-year maximum deals? Will the club’s overall salary go up or down? Does Shapiro plan to bring in his own people or will Anthopoulos, manager John Gibbons and the rest of the coaching staff remain? Expect things to become clearer over the next few weeks as Shapiro gets settled in. At the moment, the Blue Jays appear set with position players so team offence should be strong again next year. However, the pitching situation will need to be addressed. Price and Marco Estrada could go the free-agent route, www.canadianinquirer.net
Mark Buehrle is expected to retire or sign elsewhere and a decision needs to be made on whether to pick up the option year on R.A. Dickey’s contract. That could leave big holes in a starting rotation that may include Marcus Stroman, Drew Hutchison and perhaps relievers Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna in 2016. Dipping into the bullpen would create vacancies there too, so there will be a need to add arms via trade or free agency. Price was excellent after the trade deadline but struggled at times in the post-season. Anthopoulos said there is “strong interest” in trying to bring him back, but he will command top dollar on the open market and may be out of Toronto’s price range. Estrada, meanwhile, was arguably the team’s most dependable starter this year and the GM feels optimistic he’ll return. “The fact that both sides have a willingness to have it get done, we’re going to do everything we can to have him back here,” he said. Anthopoulos also made a point to give Gibbons credit for leading the team to an East title despite injuries and earlyseason bullpen issues.
“I can’t give him enough credit for the way he kept it together,” he said. “Really it was a reflection too of the way that clubhouse was handled day in and day out. Even if we were under .500, the mood stayed the same.” The team’s second-half surge led to regular sellouts and record television ratings. Baseball was finally back in a big way in Toronto. Sportsnet said in a release that Friday’s Game 6 broadcast drew a network-record average audience of 5.12 million, with more than 12 million people tuning in at some point. “It’s the talk of the league. It’s been the talk of the players. I think we put Toronto back on the map,” Anthopoulos said. “And really I think we put the sport in Canada back on the map. That’s in direction correlation (to and is) really a credit to the fans.” The sting of watching the Royals play the New York Mets in the World Series will hurt for a little while. But the future looks bright in the Ontario capital. “I do think we’ve turned a corner as an organization,” Anthopoulos said. “I think we’re in a position to win for a long time.” ■
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Technology
Apple, Google face a long, tough road if they want to build their own cars BY BREE FOWLER The Associated Press
actual automakers.
safety and autonomous driving. The company hasn’t said whether it hopes to use autonomous technology to replace its thousands of drivers, who work as contractors driving their own cars. But CEO Travis Kalanick has suggested Uber could someday expand with the help of selfdriving vehicles, and touted the technology’s promise for improving safety and easing traffic congestion.
NEW YORK — Silicon Valley may think it can build a better car. But should it? As tech giants like Google and Apple look to automobiles as the next frontier for innovation, they face a looming reality: Cars are a lot harder to manufacture and sell than smartphones. Industry veterans and critics warn that the auto business is a different animal. It’s fraught with massive costs to erect auto plants, complexities in developing new sales and service systems, and daunting liabilities involved when human lives are at stake. Automakers recalled a record 64 million vehicles in 2014, shattering the old record of 30.8 million set in 2004. General Motors Co. has had to pay $5.3 billion to cover fines, victim compensation and the recall of millions of vehicles for faulty ignition switches. Toyota Motor Corp. paid a $1.2 billion fine for failing to report safety defects, and Volkswagen Group has set aside $7.3 billion for the potential costs of its emissions scandal. “I think, like so many Silicon Valley techies, that they believe they are smarter than the world’s automobile business, and that they will do it better,” said Bob Lutz, a retired General Motors vice chairman. “No way.” He added that tech companies would pay the same high prices for expensive components such as electric car batteries, likely pushing retail prices of their vehicles out of reach for the average driver. “It will be a huge money loser,” Lutz predicted. To be sure, Google and Apple have plenty of cash to burn, with about $270 billion in the bank combined. But the challenges of the car industry may be steering them to find ways to revolutionize automotive technology without becoming
Mountain View, Californiabased Alphabet, the new holding company for Google and its affiliated businesses, has spent six years working on cars that can drive without human assistance. But the company says it doesn’t want the responsibility of building the robotic vehicles. Instead, it plans to make the self-driving system available to automakers that already have factories, dealerships and experience. “We have enormous respect for the expertise of the automotive industry and how big and complex a job it is to manufacture a vehicle,” company spokeswoman Courtney Hohne said. “We’ll partner with many different companies to bring this technology into the world safely.” The strategy is consistent with how Google currently operates. It relies on other companies to produce the devices powered by its software. Most smartphones, for example, operate on its Android software. But the company doesn’t make any of the devices. If its self-driving system makes it to market, the company could license the software for a fee or, perhaps, making it free to use like Android. That’s because it makes most of its money from ads within their popular online services. If they no longer need to drive, people might spend time in their cars watching videos on Google-owned YouTube or seeking information on Google’s search engine — both of which show ads. But licensing their technology won’t insulate it from safety issues. The company potentially could be held liable if one of its self-driving cars goes awry and injures or kills people in an accident. Apple
Apple CEO Tim Cook told an audience this week that the
Tesla
Silicon Valley may think it can build a better car, but should it?
automotive industry is ripe for “massive change,” with new software, electric motors and self-driving capability becoming “much more important, in a huge way.” But Cook avoided commenting on reports that Apple may be building its own car, according to a video recording of his remarks Monday at a technology conference sponsored by The Wall Street Journal. “What we really want, hopefully in the short term, is we’d like people as they enter their car to be able to have an iPhone experience in their car,” he said. Apple has developed software for automakers called CarPlay, which lets drivers use an iPhone and its voice-activated assistant Siri to operate some electronic controls and entertainment systems. In a research note, UBS analyst Steven Milunovich cites the $2 trillion auto industry as a potential new opportunity at a time when sales of smartphones, tablets and PCs are seeing slower growth globally. Milunovich noted, however, that cars have significantly lower profit margins than iPhones. Apple, which makes most of its money from iPhones, reported $39.5 billion in net income for its last fiscal year, on total sales of $182.8 billion. GM www.canadianinquirer.net
reported only about $4 billion in profit for its last fiscal year, on sales of $151.1 billion. Apple outsources manufacturing to contractors in Asia. That may be more difficult to do with cars, said Jack Nerad, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. While an iPhone is complex, with about 1,700 components in an iPhone 6 Plus, it pales in comparison to a vehicle, which has some 10,000 parts. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, sees a car in Apple’s future, though he doubts they’ll attempt to manufacture it themselves. He welcomes the competition. “I think that this industry in general needs to open up to disrupters,” Marchionne said in an interview on CNBC Wednesday. “Whether it’s the Google car or the Apple car... it’s going to change the traditional nature of car-making.” Uber
Self-driving technology has also piqued the interest of Uber, the fast-growing Silicon Valley startup that operates a ridehailing service in cities around the world. Uber said earlier this year that it was partnering with Carnegie Mellon University to research and develop new technologies for mapping, vehicle
Electric car maker Tesla Motors, also based in Silicon Valley, serves as both role model and cautionary tale for companies thinking of getting into the car business. Tesla is admired for its elegant, emissions-free vehicles packed with technology. It does no advertising but has built a global fan base. It also illustrates the challenges of the industry. The 12-year-old company has never made an annual profit. It has produced only three vehicles, all of which cost more than $70,000. This year, it expects to make between 50,000 and 55,000 cars. That’s two days’ worth of production at GM. Tesla has also felt the pain of safety issues. In 2013, it faced questions after several Model S sedans caught fire after road debris damaged their batteries. Tesla wound up strengthening the battery shield on new and existing cars. Tesla CEO Elon Musk made it clear recently that he’s watching Apple’s moves. “For Apple, the car is the next logical thing to finally offer a significant innovation,” he told German newspaper Handelsblatt in an interview earlier this month. ■ AP Technology Writers Brandon Bailey and Michael Liedtke in San Francisco, and AP Automotive Writers Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report.
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Massachusetts attorney general: Need likely for ‘robust’ regulation of fantasy sports sites BY RODRIQUE NGOWI The Associated Press BOSTON — If fantasy sports websites are allowed to continue operating in Massachusetts, they would likely have to do so under a “robust” regulatory framework, state Attorney General Maura Healey said Friday as her office continued an examination of the sites that have also drawn scrutiny from other states. Healey has given no timetable for completing her report and said in an interview with The Associated Press that her focus is on consumers, particularly those who struggle with gambling addiction. Companies like Bostonbased DraftKings and New York-based FanDuel contend their sites aren’t gambling, are legal, and were exempted from a federal online gambling prohibition in 2006. Players pay an entry fee to compete for cash prizes in games involving college or professional sports. “I firmly believe that, if this is permitted to go forward here,
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that we need (a) strong, robust regulatory framework in place to protect consumers, to protect young people,” Healey said. The Democrat added that the Legislature could also potentially consider issues related to taxation of the industry. Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, revealed earlier
this week that the panel has been asked by legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Charlie Baker to also review the sports fantasy sites. The commission licenses and regulates casino gambling and horse racing in the state. Crosby said he wasn’t at all surprised by the rapid growth in the popularity of fantasy
sports sites. “No, I think this is the world we live in now,” he said in a separate AP interview. “You know, the Internet is a disruptive technology and it disrupts every industry. It disrupted the music industry, it disrupted the movie industry, it disrupted the retail industry, now it’s disrupting ... the gambling world.”
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The five-member panel will discuss the possible need for regulation during its next meeting on Thursday, and expects to offer “constructive advice” to the Legislature, Crosby added. Healey has made clear her reservations about legalized gambling in the past and has supported an unsuccessful effort to ban casinos in Massachusetts, but she has insisted those positions won’t impact any recommendations about fantasy sports sites. DraftKings, which has said it welcomes the state review, confirmed recently that it asked former Attorney General Martha Coakley to serve as an outside adviser on legal and regulatory matters. Healey worked under Coakley before winning the office in last November’s election when Coakley ran unsuccessfully for governor. Coakley’s role with DraftKings was “completely irrelevant” to her own review of fantasy sports, Healey said. ■ Associated Press writer Bob Salsberg contributed to this report.
Long term forecast from www.theweathernetwork.com CALGARY
EDMONTON
WINNIPEG
TORONTO
14°C
13°C
7°C
10°C
8°C
11°C
13°C
9°C
14°C
11°C
9°C
0°C
0°C
13°C
15°C
10°C
-4°C
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7°C
12°C
10°C
0°C
1°C
1°C
14°C
9°C
0°C
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-5°C
2°C
5°C
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Events
42
OCTOBER 30, 2015
Embassy Chef Challenge By IBD Foundation WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Nov. 5, Victoria Hall John G. Diefenbaker Bldg., Sussex Dr. Ottawa Location : Victoria Hall John G. Diefenbaker Building, 111 Sussex Drive Contact : http://www.ibdfoundation.org/embassy_chef_ challenge.html Support the Filipino community’s very own Chef Jill Aranas! Embassy Chef Challenge is an exceptional fundraising event where executive chefs from multiple international embassies present signature epicurean delights for charity.
YUKON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
CANADA EVENTS
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View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting
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New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, On MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355
BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA
FRIDAY
ONTARIO
Homework/Tutorial Class By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, ON MORE INFO: For registrations, call 416-928-9355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, Tagalog Class is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, By FCT Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 WHEN/WHERE: 10 toNEWFOUNDLAND 11 a.m., every p.m. Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, Toronto
QUEBEC
NOVA SCOTIA Pinoy Connect By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: Sundays until Dec. 20. Settlement services:12 to 2 p.m.; Bayanihan Support Circle: 2 to 4 p.m.; Employment Law Clinic: By appointment only at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-254-9626
Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www. yourlibrary.ca/events
Public Speaking Without Panic: Learn Effective Strategies to Communicate with Confidence By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays, up to Nov. 10 at 1522 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Learn strategies and techniques for building self-confidence to communicate your ideas and opinions in a group setting. Call 604-254-9626
Retro Mania: Goldie 2015 Halloween Retro Costume Party By Goldie Bugayong Castro-Dituri WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Oct. 30, at Seven Dining Lounge, 53 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C.
Temporary Foreign Workers Uncontested Divorce Clinic By Law Courts Center WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Justice Education Society at the Provincial Court of BC Room 260 800 Hornby St., Vancouver B.C. MORE INFO: To book an appointment, call/text 778322-2839 or email: tfw.divorce@gmail.com Seniors Book Club By the Richmond Public Library WHEN/WHERE: Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12 nn, at the Brighouse Main Branch, the Living Rm., 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: Seniors ages 55 and older are invited to read books and exchange ideas with like-minded. To register visit any branch of Richmond Public
Karaoke Halloween Party at Java Jazz By Salve Dayao WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m., Oct. 29, at Java Jazz Bistro, 412 6th St., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: No cover charge
Halloween Party 2015 By the Aklanon Sto. Nino Association of British Columbia WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Oct. 31 at Renfrew Community Center Gym, 2929 E. 22nd Ave., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Ticket price - $15 adult; $5 kids (5 to 18); free (over 65 years old). For more info, contact Nida Rosero (604)325-7476 or Kris Salido (604)22-1621. The Voice of Timmy Pavino By Even 8 Events Management Production WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 6, Hyatt Hall, 843 Seymour St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: With special guests Russel Figueroa and Jerrica Santos Philippine Fest By Symphony Hill Management and Even 8 Events Management Production www.canadianinquirer.net
WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 4 p.m., Nov. 7, at Aberdeen Centre, Alderbridge Way, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: Featuring the Fashion Designs of Jaki Penalosa, renowned Filipino fabric couturier. Free Event. Dance N’ Love By Bukas Loob sa Diyos WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m., Nov. 7, at Fraserview Church Gym, 11295 Mellis Dr., Richmond, B.C. Disco Fever By New Westminster Philippine Festival Society WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Nov. 7, at Our Lady of Mercy Gym, 7481 10th Ave., Burnaby, B.C. Right footed: A Documentary about FilipinaAmerican Jessica Cox By the Vancouver Asian Film Festival WHEN/WHERE: Nov. 7, at International Village Mall, Vancouver, B.C. Karoling Festival Showcase By Karoling Festival Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. Nov. 15, 7200 Cariboo Road, Burnaby, B.C. MORE INFO: A night of music and fun where various groups will showcase their "Karolings" - Christmas Carol Filipino way. UP Alumni Association in B.C. Celebrity Night By UPAABC WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. to 12 mn., Nov. 28, Floral Hall, VanDusen Garden, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: $25 per person
OCTOBER 23, 2015
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44
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
Food
4 varieties of popcorn treats for Halloween BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press IT’S THAT time of year again, when gaggles of little ghosts, goblins and ghouls expect sweet treats. Whether you are hosting a graveyard’s worth of spooks or need to supply the treats for a classroom party, this year consider ditching candy in favour of an easy treat you can cook up yourself. I’m talking about popcorn. It’s not only tasty, filling and easy to prepare, it’s versatile, too. Make it sweet and it’ll win with the kids. Having an adult party? Make it savory! Start from scratch by popping the corn kernels on the stove. Those microwave bags of popcorn from the supermarket? You don’t need them. Sure they’re convenient, but most of them also are filled with additives, including hydrogenated fat, artificial colours and flavours, and way too much salt. My recipe for stovetop popcorn cooks up in a jiffy. As in just 5 minutes start to finish. In fact, the whole process is over so quickly that I urge you to stay near the stove until all the corn is popped. I’ve also minimized the danger of burning by specifying a pan that’s just the right size, one that allows you to set out the kernels in a single layer. With the corn popped, you can then go sweet or savory. For adults, there are Parmesan-garlic and blue cheese-hot sauce options. (Either version also would also score big on Super Bowl Sunday). For kids, there’s marshmallow popcorn balls (with an optional dash of cinnamon) or double-chocolate popcorn balls. And neither kid option requires any special candy-making skills. You just melt and mix the ingredients with the popcorn, then shape it into balls after it has cooled, a job the kids might want to help with. For the popcorn
Start to finish: 5 minutes Makes 11 to 12 cups
SHUTTERSTOCK
• 3 tablespoons vegetable or grapeseed oil • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels Place the oil in a large saucepan at least 8-inches across at the bottom. Add 3 popcorn kernels, cover and cook over medium-high heat until the kernels pop. This lets you know when the pan is hot enough. Remove the pan from the heat, add the remaining kernels and return the pan to the burner. Cook the popcorn over medium-high heat, covered, with a tiny gap to let the steam escape, shaking the pan occasionally until the popping noises slow down to once every 3 to 4 seconds. Remove from the heat. Use the popcorn in one of the following variations: Parmesan-garlic popcorn
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter • 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic • 1 batch popcorn
• 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese • Fine salt and ground black pepper In a small saucepan over medium-low, heat the butter and the garlic until the butter is melted. In a large bowl, toss the popcorn with the butter mixture. Add the cheese, toss, then season with salt and pepper and toss again. Spicy blue cheese popcorn
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter • 2 ounces crumbled blue cheese • 1 tablespoon hot sauce • 1 batch popcorn In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the cheese and hot sauce and stir until the cheese is melted. In a large bowl, toss the popcorn with the cheese mixture. Marshmallow popcorn balls
Makes 12 balls
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• 1 batch popcorn • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 5 cups mini marshmallows • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spread out the popcorn in an even layer. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the butter and salt and cook until the butter is melted. Increase the heat to medium, add the marshmallows and cinnamon, if using, and cook until melted, stirring constantly. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and quickly mix until all the popcorn is well coated. Let the mixture cool slightly. Oil your hands and form the marshmallow mixture into 12 balls. Double chocolate popcorn balls
Makes 12 balls
• 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (not Dutch processed) • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 batch popcorn • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips In a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, cocoa and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and add the popcorn. Stir to coat well. Cool to lukewarm, then stir in the chocolate chips. Oil your hands and form the marshmallow mixture into 12 balls. ■ Sara Moulton was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years, and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows. She currently stars in public television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” and has written three cookbooks, including “Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners.”
Seen & Scenes: Vancouver
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
NEW BRUNSWICK EVENTS Filcans in New Brunswick actively participated in community events like the Asian Heritage Food Workshop and the Wellness Week kick off (Photos from the Filipino Canadian Community of New Brunswick FB page).
HALLOWEEN PARTY Halloween fun came early for members and friends of the Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association headed by Annette Beech. (Photos from Annette Beech's FB page)
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46
Seen and Scenes: Toronto
OCTOBER 30, 2015
FRIDAY
GALA NIGHT Philippine Canadian Cultural Foundation held its fifth anniversary gala night with special guests Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr. and Consul General Rosalita Prospero. Consul General Lloyd Wilks of Jamaica and Minister of Finance Joe Oliver also graced the occasion (Photos by Ariel Ramos and Fe Taduran).
COMMANDER'S BALL The 2015 International Rizal Convention was held recently in Canada with delegates coming from countries such as England, USA, South America, and Philippines. Media were invited to witness this successful event held at the SheratonMarkham. Philippine Consul General of Toronto Rosalinda Prospero was a guest of honor. (Photos by Ariel Ramos).
For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net
47
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2015
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS Every week, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer celebrates the unwavering Filipino spirit through a feature called “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.” The feature recognizes the achievements of Filipinos living in Canada who have shown concern for the community, success in spite of trials, and the uniquely Pinoy practice of “bayanihan.” This year, we are welcoming nominations for the next subject of “FilipinoCanadian in Focus.”
MECHANICS: - All nominees must have (a) Filipino heritage/ancestry - All nominees must be residing in Canada at the time of nomination - Nominees from all industries are welcome (e.g. medical/ health, politics, community service, business, entertainment, charity institutions, etc.) - Who can nominate? Anybody.
Fill up the nomination form online by scanning the code with your smartphone or by visiting InFocus.canadianinquirer.net.
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OCTOBER 30, 2015
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FRIDAY