Philippine Canadian Inquirer #193

Global Remit

CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13, 2015

VOL. 11 NO. 193

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DSWD: We have released P995-M of donations

Aquino skips 'Yolanda' anniv, attends wedding

PH invests P10-B for APEC meet

Alberta families below $41k income get child benefit, etc.

Philippine Fest

Gov’t hit for attempt to hide homeless during APEC summit

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

BANNER EVENT Workers carry APEC banners that will be installed at the lobby of the Philippine International Convention Center as part of the preparation for the muchanticipated APEC meeting in Manila from Nov 18-19. The APEC has 21 members—referred to as “member economies”--that account for approximately 40 percent of the world’s population, some 54 percent of world GDP, and 47 percent of world trade.

MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / PDI

China asks Philippines not to raise territorial disputes

❱❱ PAGE 8 Gov’t hit

in next week's APEC summit in Manila

BY TERESA CEROJANO The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — China’s top diplomat asked the Philippines Tuesday

not to raise contentious issues — an obvious reference to the Asian neighbours’ territorial spats — in an annual economic summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Ma-

Fil-Can in Focus: Boom Dayupay

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❱❱ PAGE 22 ❱❱ PAGE 14 China asks

MANILA – The government has again received flak on Tuesday for its plan to hide homeless families during the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to be held next week in Manila.

The Aquino administration, however, denied such allegation and clarified that the P4,000 given to each poor family was part of the government’s pro-poor programs.

“The expanded or modified CCT (conditional cash transfer) is part

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Philippine News

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Senate resumes hearing on MRT plague

BY MAVELLE DURIAN Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Senate subcommittee on public services resumes its public hearing on the woes hampering the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) -3 and other railway transits in the country today.

The subcommittee chair Sen. Grace Poe, sent invitations to officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Metro Pacific Investment Corp., and the Center for Commuters to attend the hearing.

The meeting was initially scheduled on Nov. 4 but DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya

declined the invitation due to his flight to Malaysia and attended press conferences regarding the laglag-bala (bulllet planting) scam in airports.

“This MRT issue is a really sad issue. It’s one of the things I wish to focus on because it affects even our economy,” Poe said in an interview with Manila Bulletin.

Poe said the officials’ weakness and slowness in deciding affects the economy and she was saddened by the issue on the public transits.

She also intends to ask questions to the officials regarding the frequent accidents and technical problems on the tracks resulting in train malfunctions and delaying the train arrival on stations.

Broken MRT trains and

Daily commuters riding the MRT.

tracks poses a big inconvenience to the 650,000 com-

GIL S. CALINGA / PNA

muters. Poe also questioned the MRT contracts entered by the government because it employed and sustained the companies that do not have the capability to maintain the rail-

ways.

“The MRT contract is shameful. But when they entered into the contract, they still failed to address the issues plaguing the MRT. That was the ultimate problem). Why would they sign a contract and award it to a company that lacks the capital and experience in managing trains?

They gambled on the safety of our commuters), Poe said.

Poe also added the current maintenance provider could not even fix the toilets and other facilities in the train stations.

The last sub-committee hearing on MRT was held in February, but Poe inspected the prototype trains from Dallan, China in September.

Unfortunately, the coaches arrived in the country without engines, which would be purchased in Germany. And the country’s tracks are not compatible with the new engines for test run. ■

Clearing not for APEC – Dinky

BY GIL CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer SOCIAL WELFARE Secretary Dinky Soliman insists an operation to clear out “street dwellers” for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders meeting this month is part of her agency’s year-round program to find shelter for the homeless.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo earlier accused the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of plotting to conceal the street dwellers from the Apec’s foreign participants by offering them P4,000 to rent a temporary home during the final week of the Apec meetings from Nov. 15 to 20.

Soliman said what her agency was doing was not a clearingout operation but a “year-long, reach-out program” implemented through the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF) and was not part of clearing operations for the Apec summit. www.canadianinquirer.net

She said the reach-out programs were being done not only in Manila but also in Quezon City.

Dangers

“We are doing this because we really see the need to get these families off the streets considering the dangers they are exposed to. Aside from health and safety reasons, we also want to secure these vulnerable groups from being exploited by unscrupulous individuals,” she said.

Soliman said the homeless families were brought to the DSWD centers and local governmentmanaged facilities for interviews, assessment, profiling and orientation.

She said the modified CCT program has 4,071 registered beneficiaries in Metro Manila.

The incentive package includes house rental assistance of up to P4,000 each month for six months to one year.

The P4,000 incentive was not given in cash to the homeless but to the people running the shelter facilities based on a contract agreement, she said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

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Accused INC officials snub DOJ hearings

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer FOR THE SECOND time this week, officials of Iglesia ni Cristo’s powerful governing council yesterday did not show up at the justice department to answer allegations of detaining and harassing two expelled church members.

Thus, the prosecution panel submitted for resolution the criminal charges filed against council members by former INC minister Isaias Samson Jr., his family and expelled member Jose Norilito Fruto.

Assistant State Prosecutor Mark Estepa called for the respondents twice during the 30minute proceedings at the Department of Justice (DOJ) but none of those charged was present.

“As much as possible, we at the DOJ resolve cases immediately,” Estepa said in an interview. “We’ll resolve (this) at the soonest possible time.”

Asked if the respondents still had a legal recourse left, Estepa said: “It’s up to them. As far as we’re concerned, we had the hearing, they weren’t here ... They can choose not to file anything. We can’t force them.”

Plea for protection

The council (Sanggunian) members were also absent at a Court of Appeals hearing on Tuesday when the court heard a petition from Lowell Menorca II, another expelled INC minister, for protection after he and his family were allegedly held under house arrest at the church’s compound in Quezon City for more than three months.

The council members’ lawyers said their presence was not required in the

but certain people who have done me wrong.”

“We’re just trying to defend whatever doctrines we receive, and to restore the church to its former holy state. That’s our goal,” he said.

Habeas corpus plea

The 7,000 seater Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple in Quezon City, Philippines.

JGCANLAS / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

proceedings.

The Sanggunian members accused of detention, harassment and coercion in Samson’s case are Glicerio Santos Jr., Radel Cortez, Bienvenido Santiago, Mathusalem Pareja, Rolando Esguerra, Eraño Codera, Rodelio Cabrera, Maximo Bularan Jr. Santos, Cortez, Pareja, Bularan, Cabrera, Esguerra were also charged in Fruto’s case, along with several other Sanggunian members.

Both expelled INC members are also facing libel charges filed by the church leadership for coming out with their allegations.

‘Not against the church’

Samson, who has been in hiding with his family since “escaping” from a weeklong captivity allegedly by Sanggunian members in July, said their lives remain in danger.

“We are not against the church,” Samson said. ‘’We are not suing the church

Online articles

Also charged in Fruto’s case of arbitrary detention, threats and harassment were police Senior Supt. Bartolome Bustamante and at least four other police officers.

In interviews, Samson and Fruto said they were both harassed and detained on suspicion that they were behind online articles against the church.

Poe up for adoption anew

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. GRACE Poe is again up for adoption, this time by Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991, after several members endorsed a proposal to make her an honorary member of their class.

But her formal adoption could only come after the class members, numbering 223, had gotten to know her better, according to class president, Col. Richard Ruffy.

Poe would have to attend various activities of the class, said Ruffy.

Col. Jonas Imperial, who endorsed Poe, said he did so because he believed in her integrity.

“For me, she emulates the idea that

public office is a public trust,” Imperial told reporters.

He added that Poe had contributed a lot to nation building.

Poe thanked the PMA class and joined them in paying respects to their fallen members at the Libingan ng mga Bayani yesterday.

She also shared her plans to improve the plight of both soldiers and police officers, many of whom sacrificed their lives for the country.

The essence of being a hero is not to seek glory but to serve others sincerely, she said.

Adopted members of Class ‘91 include businessman Joey Leviste and Luli Arroyo-Bernas, the daughter of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who defeated Poe’s father in the 2004 elections. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Meanwhile, the parents of Abegail Yanson, the househelp of Menorca, yesterday claimed that the camp of the expelled INC member was holding their other child and his family against their will.

In a petition for a writ of habeas corpus and a writ of amparo filed in the Manila Regional Trial Court, Candido and Roselie Yanson asked that Ronald Yanson, his wife Melisa and their two children be produced in court.

“This petition is being filed ... because the subjects are being constantly moved and transported ... and there is no way by which the petitioners can reasonably determine where the next place the subjects would be moved,” the petition read.

Aside from Menorca, the petitioners named his wife Jinky Menorca and a Dr. Angel Ong as respondents.

They also asked the court to summon Marine Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero “to appear and to show the cause of the detention of said aggrieved parties.” ■

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Philippine News

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

DSWD: We have released P995-M of donations

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer SOCIAL WELFARE officials yesterday deflected criticisms about the slow distribution of cash assistance to survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan), saying they actually had released the bulk of the P1.1billion donation from the private sector since 2013.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it had already released nearly P995 million of the cash donations it received as of November, belying complaints about the slow release and use of those funds.

Reacting to Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s remark that the DSWD had refused to answer where Yolanda donations had gone, Assistant Social Welfare Secretary Javier Jimenez, spokesperson for the department, said the agency had dealt with the issue several times.

“Since September when the issue about donations came out in the media, the department has been issuing statements on the matter. Various publications, TV networks and social media have carried our statements,” Jimenez said.

Despite concerned groups questioning what happened to ‘Yolanda’ donations amounting to billions of pesos, DSWD announces they have released nearly P1-billion. In photo: DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman.

FILE PHOTO FROM DSWD FIELD OFFICE VIII

“We even published in a broadsheet and a tabloid an infographics on the donations,” he said.

The controversy stemmed from the 2014 annual report of the Commission

on Audit (COA) criticizing the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for the very low rate of quick response fund use, as well as of donations for disaster victims.

The OCD administers the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The COA said that out of P466 million in foreign and local donations received by the NDRRMC for various disasters since 2008, only P81 million, or 17 per-

cent, had been disbursed as of last year.

But the DSWD said it quickly spent the donations it had received.

The unspent P171 million in cash donations is “currently being disbursed for supplementary feeding programs and tourism projects,” Jimenez said.

The DSWD gave a breakdown of where the cash donations went: Shelter assistance— P820,932,687.50; support to operations—P128,086,638.38; livelihood assistance— P107,007,468.84; purchase/replacement of furniture and equipment—P33,652,577.54; relief assistance—P26,118,100. 00; provision of family kitchen kits—P22,365,728.00; reconstruction of civil documents— P5,000,000; repair of DSWD center in Eastern Visayas— P2,000,000; purchase of toys and art materials for child victims—P903,245.23, and financial assistance to victims— P113,607.00.

Jimenez said the latest donation received by the DSWD amounted to $300,000 (about P14 million) from the Nigerian government.

That was used to build a water supply support project for Yolanda-affected families now residing in Ridgeview Park, Villa Diana and Villa Sofia resettlement sites located in the northern part of Tacloban City, he said.

In a radio interview, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said P1.1 billion in donations received by the DSWD from December 2013 to August 2015 did not include donations received by the Department of Foreign Affairs and United Nations bodies on behalf of the Philippine government. ■

Abu Sayyaf leader killed in a military encounter

BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer AN ABU Sayyaf leader was killed in an encounter with police forces at Barangay Lower Siniangkapan in Tuburan, Basilan on a Sunday morning.

Abdulhasan Yusop Sanajalun alias “Bullet” was linked to extortion schemes perpetrated by the militant group, Abu Sayyaf.

According to Lieutenant Sally Magno, public affairs officer of Joint Task Group Basilan, in an interview with Philippine Star, unidentified gun men opened fire at security forces who were serving arrest warrant for serious illegal detention and kidnapping against Sanajalun in Barangay Colonia in Lamitan City.

The security forces and unidentified gun men exchanged fires for 30 minutes before www.canadianinquirer.net

the former were able to locate Sanajalun in Barangay Lower Sinangkapan.

Firearms, such as, caliber .45 pistol and M653 rifle, air gun, magazines with live ammunition, explosive devices and cellphone were seized in the operation.

The police will be using these seized items to track Abu Sayyaf’s connections.

“The successful operation against Abdulhasan Sanajalun is a manifestation of the effective cooperation and collaboration of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and local chief executives in running after the perpetrators of terrorists activities in Basilan," said the chief of Joint Task Force Group Basilan, Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista, chief of the Joint Task Group Basilan, in the same report.

Halid Calbie, follower of Sanajalun was also killed in the encounter while three soldiers received injuries. ■

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Philippine News

Duterte: I might decide to run as president

1.8 million survivors served, says Caritas

BY MAVELLE DURIAN Philippine Canadian Inquirer

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES — Duterte said yesterday that he might run as president and could still join the 2016 presidential race if the sufferings of the people remain unabated.

“I do not like the way oppressed Filipinos are being treated now. They are oppressed and have no one to turn to. If they keep letting Filipinos suffer, I might just decide to run as president,” said Duterte in his “Gikan sa Masa, para sa Masa” TV show.

Duterte’s statement made his thousands of his supporters in Davao city and all over the country rejoiced and his social media supporters were immediately flooded with expressions of relief and happiness over his pronouncement.

While some remains skeptical.

His pronouncement of possibility to seek presidential post was not the first time through substitution come December 10 when the PDP-Laban unanimously endorsed him to substi-

TWO YEARS after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) ravaged Eastern Visayas, the Catholic Church’s Caritas Internationalis said it had so far served 1.8 million people greatly affected by the calamity, providing them with disaster-resilient shelters, water and sanitation facilities and livelihood, among many others.

The Vatican-based Caritas Internationalis groups together more than 130 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations in more than 200 countries.

Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, said the organization’s overall typhoon response included the coordinated efforts of the Philippine Catholic Church and the various Caritas Internationalis member organizations from other countries.

The Catholic Church has shelled out about P3.2 billion in the last two years to help the worst-hit areas get back on their feet, said Gariguez, also of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte still undecided if he will join the 2016 presidential race.

RODYDUTERTE.COM

tute for Martin Diño.

During his visit to his parents’ tomb last Nov. 2, Duterte lambasted the incumbent administration for its failure to act against the “tanim-bala” syndicate that has victimizing Filipinos and foreigners at the Ninoy International Airport (NAIA), which may urge him to run for president.

The second instance was during the release of the two soldiers in the town of Laak, Compostella Valley on Nov. 3, and told the reporters to wait until December 10.

He again poured out his sentiments regarding the “tanim bala” controversy that continues to pin down passengers at NAIA on Sunday. ■

ASEAN integration hopes to open unlimited opportunities and expansive list of possibilities for businesses to open or energize economic relationship with the members of ASEAN. Members of ASEAN include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. With 650 million consumers, 4.5 million square kilometres of land area, and 4 vast bodies of water surrounding the region, the economic potential is limitless.

Indonesia opens its doors to potential investors and business partners via a trade forum which will be held first in Canada on November 18.

www.canadianinquirer.net

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ence of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action.

“These interventions cover relief up to the recovery phase, which include the provision of disaster-resilient shelters, water and sanitation facilities, livelihood assistance and other infrastructures such as schools and evacuation centers,” he said.

The other services included hygiene promotion, communitymanaged disaster risk reduction activities, community organizing and ecosystem recovery.

The total beneficiaries reached so far was equivalent to 20 percent of the total population affected by Yolanda in nine worsthit provinces—in Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Cebu and Iloilo, said Gariguez.

“Overall, the amount spent of the Caritas confederation for Typhoon Yolanda in the last two years has already reached P3.2 billion,” he noted.

“And we make sure that transparent and honest spending is being practiced in all levels through regular financial monitoring, evaluation and audition from international auditing companies,” he said. ■

Philippine News

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Member

“President Noynoy Aquino was guest of honor at the wedding of taipan Andrew Tan's youngest son Kester to Kelsey Cheng. With them are the groom's mother Katherine Tan and the bride's parents Jerry and Josephine Cheng.”

PHOTO AND CAPTION COURTESY OF @MILLETMARTINEZMANANQUIL / INSTAGRAM

Pres. Aquino skips Yolanda commemoration, attends wedding

BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE PEOPLE of Tacloban City, Leyte along with politicians from various parts of the country commemorated yesterday the second anniversary of the super typhoon which took hundreds of lives in the Visayan province.

Two memorial markers were unveiled, one near the Tacloban astrodome and another in the coastal village of Anibong where a ship was beached.

Vice President Jejomar Binay was present in the unveiling ceremony, along with his running mate, Sen. Gringo Honasan.

Sen. Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, kin of Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romual-

dez and Leyte representative Martin Romualdez, also flew to Tacloban.

The president, on the other hand, did not join the commemoration ceremonies. While other politicians were busy shaking the hands of Taclobanons, President Aquino was rubbing elbows with the guests of Kester Tan, son of businessman Andrew Tan, in his wedding with Kelsey Cheng at Newport City in Pasay. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras were among the guests.

The president has issued a statement where he asked the public to pray “for the loved ones we lost, and pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians who placed themselves in danger to help their fellow man.”

“May the memory and lessons of that

time inspire us to persevere in building back better, and in living up to the solidarity, resilience and generosity of Filipinos from all walks of life demonstrated not only then, but in all times of challenge and adversity,” President Aquino said through his spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Early this year, Pres. Aquino also missed the arrival honors ceremony for the Special Action Force group killed in Mamasapano encounter.

Aquino went to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Plant inauguration in Laguna, instead.

“The President did not skip the arrival honors today, it presupposes he was originally scheduled to attend it, which was not the case,” said Abigail Valte, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson. ■

ed to hide homeless families but was a way of ‘reaching out’ to them. “‘Yung ginagawa ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), at ‘yung pagtulong po nila ay hindi po limited sa tuwing mayroong malaking event,” Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in Sunstar report.

“Nakikita po natin itong pagkakataon na simulan ang pagtulong sa kanila para makapag-transition naman po sila from the streets into dignified living quarters,” she added.

(What the DSWD is doing, and the assistance they give is not limited to when there’s a big event… We see this as an opportunity to start helping them for them

to transition from the streets into dignified living quarters.)

With regards to the DSWD’s activities coinciding with international events, Valte asserted that these were just coincidental.

“Ilang taon na pong nangyayari ito at hindi po naitataon… Baka naitataon lang pong nairereport kapag mayroong malaking event, pero ang katotohanan po diyan ay ilang taon na pong ginagawa ng DSWD ang programang ito,” she said.

(This has been done in years and is not intended [to occur during major events]… Maybe the reports are just coincidental with big events, but the truth there is that the DSWD has been implementing this program in years.) ■

Gov’t hit... of a government program to promote poverty reduction and social development of the poorest of the poor in the country,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in The Standard report, adding that the P4,000 was part of the program.

Partido Manggagawa spokesman Wilson Fortalza noted that the administration earlier took street families out of the cities during the state and papal visit of Pope Francis in January and could likewise do the same.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman then explained that the government’s action was not intend❰❰ 1

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Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

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Plunder rap filed by San Miguel baseless, say firms

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer THE COMPANIES operating the Sual Power Plant yesterday described as “baseless and without merit” the plunder case filed against them and the head of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) by San Miguel Energy Corp. (SMEC) over an allegedly anomalous deal that resulted in government losses of P14 billion.

“We are shocked and perplexed by the reported charges brought against our companies, Team Sual Corp. (TSC) and Team (Philippines) Energy Corp. (TPEC). These charges are baseless and without any merit,” Toshiro Kume, Team Energy Corp. officer in charge and chief finance officer, said in a statement.

“We are confident that after a full appreciation of the facts, we will be able to clear the name of our organization, and of our officials who were unfairly and

unjustly dragged into this nonissue,” he said.

In the case it filed in the Department of Justice, SMEC claimed there was an illegal grant of the so-called “excess capacity” of the two-unit Sual Power Plant to TPEC, which enabled it to receive around P17.3 billion at the expense of the government and SMEC. The plunder case, filed on Oct. 21 by SMEC general manager Elenita Go, named as respondents PSALM president and chief executive officer Lourdes Alzona, TPEC president Suguru Tsuzaki, Team Sual Corp. executive vice president Koichi Tamura, and several John and Jane Does.

SMEC said that while it was appointed independent power producer administrator (Ippa) of the plant in 2009, it could not get its net contracted capacity of 500 megawatts per unit because TPEC's 100MW nominal capacity was given priority under an earlier memorandum of agreement (MOA) entered into

by PSALM with TPEC and TSC.

San Miguel Corporation HQ in Ortigas.

Contracted to Napocor

Kume, on the other hand, said the power plant was designed to produce a net capacity of 1,200 MW and only 1,000 MW had been contracted to the National Power Corp. (Na-

www.canadianinquirer.net

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

pocor) under the energy conversion agreement dated May 20, 1994.

Under the agreement, TSC would be paid by Napocor for the 1,000-MW contracted capacity only and TSC owned the

200-MW excess capacity.

“Contrary to the assertions of SMEC, the 200-MW excess capacity already existed when the plant was built in 1999. TSC and TPEC had various agreements with the government regarding the excess capacity and such excess capacity had been sold to various customers for the past 16 years. Obviously, this was the case even prior to the appointment of SMEC as Ippa in 2009,” Kume said.

He said the MOA being questioned by SMEC was entered into by PSALM, TSC and TPEC on June 18, 2009, prior to the appointment of SMEC as Ippa of the 1,000MW contracted capacity of Napocor.

“The MOA is legal and aboveboard. This went through the regular approval process of the respective boards of [Napocor] and PSALM—composed of the secretaries of finance, energy, budget, trade, interior, agriculture and environment and [the head of the] National Economic and Development Authority,” Kume said. ■

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Philippine News

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Comelec strikes 3M voters from rolls Anti-political dynasty advocate shot to death

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the deactivation from the voters’ list of some three million voters who failed to have their biometrics taken during the 17month registration period for the 2016 balloting.

In a resolution dated Nov. 3, the commission scheduled Election Registration Board (ERB) hearings on Nov. 16 to hear any objections to the deactivation of the registration of voters who did not undergo the validation process.

Local election officers have been directed to post the list of voters without biometrics and the notice of ERB hearings in their offices and city, municipal and barangay halls.

Those on the list can also expect individual notices from their local election officer, Comelec said.

“Any opposition or objection to the deactivation of records shall be filed not later than Nov. 9,” added the resolution.

The Comelec said the conduct of the deactivation hearings will be summary in nature.

“The ERBs shall, based on the list of voters without biomet-

BY MAVELLE DURIAN Philippine Canadian Inquirer

A woman casts her votes as Commission on Elections Chairman Andres "Andy" Bautista looks on during mock elections aimed at testing the Precinct Automated Tallying System (PATAS) proposed by former Commissioner Augusto Lagman and other IT experts organizations held at Bacoor National High School Annex in Poblacion, Barangay Tabing-Dagat, Bacoor, Cavite.

AVITO C.DALAN / PN

rics data, order the deactivation of registration records on the ground of ‘failure to validate,’” it said.

Latest partial records from the election body showed there were three million voters who had no biometrics data.

The Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act of 2013 provides that voters who fail to submit for validation prior to the May 2016 elections shall

be deactivated from the voters’ list and shall not be allowed to vote.

Biometrics data refers to the automated identification of an individual, particularly through his or her photograph, fingerprint and signature, as captured by the Comelec’s Voter Registration Machine, a desktop computer equipped with a digital camera, fingerprint scanner and signature pad. ■

House bill would ask polling firms to reveal survey financiers

BY GIL CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE HOUSE of Representatives will start this week plenary discussions on a bill making it mandatory for Social Weather Stations, Pulse Asia and other polling organizations to fully disclose who the financiers of their surveys are.

Leyte Rep. Sergio Apostol said polling firms had an obligation to practice full transparency, especially where it concerned their financial backers as their polls shaped public opinion and affected the ranking of candidates in an election.

“Revealing the source of funding and financing of surveys will rightfully apprise the

public of who are behind their conduct and their intention of doing so,” said Apostol.

He noted that some surveys tended to be “misleading and confusing,” particularly when those who commissioned them remained anonymous.

Apostol said that a compulsory disclosure of the survey’s financiers would stop rich individuals from using their wealth to misinform the public for selfish gain.

Apostol is the main author of House Bill No. 4475 which provides that any survey firm releasing to the public the results of its poll findings should be compelled to publicize and reveal the complete source of funding of such surveys.

Violators will face imprison-

ment of six months to one year and a fine of at least P20,000.

The bill also provides that violations relating to any election-related survey would be treated as an election offense and prosecuted under the authority and supervision of the Commission on Elections.

According to the bill, surveys would include written questionnaires, Internet online questioning, SMS messaging and house-to-house or impromptu questioning.

Surveys exempted from full disclosure include polls for purely scholastic work and educational purposes; surveys for personal use; and surveys where the subject matter is connected only to a specific entity or group. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Anti-political dynasty advocate Quintin “Ting” Paredes San Diego was shot to death in his resort in Dingalan, Aurora on Saturday.

ASEAN JC incoming president Rey Bautista said in a text message that Quintin “Ting” Paredes, past Prime Minister of Quezon City Capitol JCI Senate, current chairman of the Movement Against Dynasty, Adopted Igorot son of Sagada, prime mover of peace zones, passed away.

Senatorial candidate and San Diego’s co-petitioner in the Supreme Court case against the controversial PDAF and DAP Greco Belgica, said they would not stop until justice will prevail.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, two unidentified assailants inside Maligaya Resort in Barangay Caragsacan shot San Diego four times in the head.

The gunman used a 9mm pistol and fled on a motorcycle after the murder.

Bautista related the motive of the crime to NPAs trying yo extort money from San Diego,

and requiring him to pay revolutionary taxes for owning and operating an agricultural farm in Bonbon, Nueva Ecija.

Police told that the incident happened during San Diego’s meeting with his workers and was walking back to his cottage.

Another possible angle of the crime motive was San Diego’s anti-corruption advocacy.

However, the investigators are still getting the statements of the people in the resort who could describe the assailants.

San Diego formally formed and registered the Movement Against Dynasty (MAD) in April 2013 in Baguio City. From then on, he had been courting legislators to pass the proposed law that prohibits political dynasty in the country.

Diego Magpantay of the Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) said they have several leads but declined to provide details and they are still looking for political possibilities behind slaying San Diego.

Being serious in his advocacy, San Diego applied for the accreditation of MAD as a partylist joining the congress to push for a bill but unfortunately, the Comelec disapproved the petition. ■

SHUTTERSTOCK

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

11

PH invests P10-B for APEC meet

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer WITH A budget allotment of P10 billion for the yearlong hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings, the Philippines sees this huge undertaking as a longterm investment.

At least 47 meetings shall have been held before the big event on Nov. 13-19 when the Philippines takes the limelight in hosting the huge trading bloc, composed of 21 economies in the Pacific Rim. The world will see 21 leaders, including powerful nations like the United States, Russia, Japan and China, coming together under one roof to tackle economic issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

“That is an investment. It is something that stems out of our own membership in multilateral forums,” said Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr., director general of the Apec 2015 National Organizing Council (NOC).

“If we think that we need not spend all this money, then let’s not be members of the Apec, UN, (United Nations) or Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and just be like a hermit kingdom,” he said.

The NOC was created solely for the hosting of Apec, a regional forum promoting free trade and economic cooperation in Apec, of which the Philippines is a founding member.

Funding

A P9.8-billion budget has been appropriated for the hosting of the Apec meetings this year, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

The money came from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ international commitments fund in 2014 and 2015. It does not include those tucked in the

The Energy Ministers had an informal meeting with Senator Loren Legarda before the 12th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting this morning.

RTV MALACAÑANG

budgets of other government agencies.

Paynor said the funds allocated for the Apec meetings were indeed huge by Philippine standards but it was a small fraction compared with the expenses of other countries that hosted past meetings.

He cited as an example China, which spent $95 million just for the landscaping of the venue of the Apec summit by Yanqi Lake, 50 kilometers north east of Beijing.

Mainly for the summit, China built a special conference center, a waterfront boutique hotel and VIP villas. Other media reports said it spent $6 billion on the preparations for the summit of Apec leaders.

Paynor said Mr. Aquino made a directive in the early part of the preparations for the Apec hosting that no white elephants would be built. “We all know that we can do it properly with the existing facilities that we have,” he said.

PICC venue

For the Apec economic leaders’ summit on Nov. 18-19, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), a 4-decade-old building at the Cul-

tural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City was chosen to be the venue.

Why host Apec? Paynor said it was both a duty and a privilege for the Philippines to do it the second time since 1996 when 18 world leaders, including then US President Bill Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin, attended the highprofile meeting at the former US naval base in Subic Bay, Zambales.

“Why do we need to do this?

It stands to reason that we should be a member of this.

Our trade with Apec economies constitutes 80.7 percent of all the Philippine trade,” he said.

The top five major trading partners of the Philippines are Japan, China, the United States, Singapore and South Korea—all Apec member-economies.

Tourists from Apec countries represent 80.81 percent of total tourist arrivals in the country.

Paynor said. “Part of what this organization does is to enhance business.”

Among the notable achievements of the Philippines’ 1996 hosting was the formation of the Apec Business Advisory Council (Abac).

“President Ramos felt then that public policy must also come from those who will implement it,” said Paynor, who was Malacañang’s chief of protocol at the time.

Each Apec economy has formed an Abac, consisting of up to three business people appointed by the leader of the member economy. For the Philippines, the council is composed of A. Magsaysay Inc. president Doris Magsaysay-Ho as chair; and Ayala Corp. chair and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and CEO of Jollibee Foods Corp. Tony Tan Caktiong as members.

Foreign aid

MSMEs

In terms of international aid, Apec economies accounted for half of the total official development assistance to the Philippines.

“So why shouldn’t we give it importance? Do the common people feel it? Yes, they do,”

www.canadianinquirer.net

The output of Apec 1996 was the adoption of the Manila Action Plan for Apec, which outlined concrete steps and timetables for the reduction in tariff rates of each member economy.

“This has helped increase market access for the Philippines in

global trade,” said a briefer released by the Apec NOC. Apec 2015 also aims to make a similar feat, especially with the two important road maps, the Cebu Action Plan that promotes financial integration, and the Boracay Action Agenda that is aimed at helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gain access to the global market.

Measures under the Boracay Action Agenda include simplifying and streamlining procedures, documentary requirements, customs-related rules and regulations for MSMEs. “We are looking at the simplification of rules so people who would want to do business will find it easier to start and sustain their business,” said Laura del Rosario, foreign undersecretary for international relations.

From being a forum where trade and business issues are tackled, Apec through the years since its creation in 1989 has also covered social issues. The MSME agenda are part of the overarching theme of Apec 2015.

“We are tackling the social side of trade and investments, and also looking at environmental impact, how growth can be more inclusive, how the wealth we are creating leads to inclusive growth,” Del Rosario said.

Apart from the MSMEs, part of the main goals of Apec is to invest in human capital and the service sector.

For the Philippines, the service sector accounts for more than half of its economic growth. Thus, for this year’s Apec, it advocates the easy movement of services from one border to another in the AsiaPacific.

“Services will be a big part of trade. Eventually, this will be part of the economic agenda,” Del Rosario said. ■

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Philippine News

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Role of foreigners in probe of ‘lumad’ killings questioned

BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer WHY ARE FOREIGNERS “meddling” in the country’s internal affairs?

So asked Army and police officers in Mindanao, questioning the “legality and status” of several foreign nationals in an international factfinding mission (IFFM) probing the Sept. 1 killings in a “lumad” (indigenous people) community in Surigao del Sur. Leftist organizations blamed the killings on paramilitary groups affiliated with the military, while the Army and police said communist rebels were behind them.

Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, and Caraga regional police director Chief Supt. Vert Chavez asked the Bureau of Immigration to look into the “legality” and “authority” of the foreigners who

joined the civil society groupled probe conducted in Surigao del Sur from Oct. 26 to 30.

In a two-page letter dated Oct. 27 and addressed to Ibrahim Lim of the Bureau of Immigration Surigao del Sur Alien Control Office, Lactao and Chavez requested the bureau and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), “to further conduct a deeper investigation on the legality and status of these foreign nationals... and their authority to perform such a fact-finding mission.”

In a phone interview, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said the DFA had confirmed that it had not authorized the foreign nationals to be part of the IFFM. Meddling tourists

“These are tourists meddling in internal affairs,” Hao told the INQUIRER. “If they are found to have violated our laws, or their tourist visas, we have government agencies to act on it,”

A Bagobo (Manobo) woman of the Matigsalug people from Davao.

SHUBERT CIENCIA / WIKIPEDIA

he warned.

Hao said the fact-finding mission was “illegal,” and biased in favor of leftist organizations and communist supporters. “It’s only the [New People’s Army] who violates lumad rights,” he said.

In a statement, however, human rights group Karapatan accused the Army of violating “the people’s right to international solidarity” by “harassing foreigners.”

“By showing its claws to the international observers, the

Philippine Army is preempting the full disclosure of the abuses and violations they had committed against the lumad,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said.

The Army and police officials identified the “meddling” foreigners as Australian Gill Boehringer, Hans Schaap from the Netherlands, Philip Calles and Henry Langston from Britain, and Jonas Straetmans and Dalkiran Metin from Belgium.

Calles and Langston were reportedly associated with VICE News, Schaap with the Belgium-based nongovernment organization Solidagro and Boehringer with the International Association of People’s Lawyers.

In their letter to the immigration bureau, the Army and police officers described Schaap and Boehringer as “persons of interest” with “monitored associations” with local communists in the guise of “socioeconomic works.” ■

Marcos joins tax reform chorus Palace on ‘balikbayan’ box tax hike: What hike?

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer

SEN. FERDINAND “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. yesterday joined other lawmakers in urging Malacañang to certify the proposed income tax reform measure as urgent.

“If Malacañang is really sincere in its promise of development for everyone, it should certify the bill as urgent,” Marcos said in a statement.

Marcos noted that time was running out for Congress to approve the measure as the Senate is set to tackle the proposed 2016 national budget in the few remaining session days of the year, leaving the legislature with just a short period next year to tackle other important bills.

The senator earlier backed calls to amend the existing tax brackets but these were repeatedly rejected by Malacañang.

Under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, individuals with taxable income of over P500,000 are taxed a fixed amount of P125,000 plus 32 percent of the excess over

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer

Incumbent senator and 2016 vice presidentiable Bongbong Marcos.

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P500,000.

“Our tax structure is simply outdated that even those in the middle class are now in the bracket of the rich, paying the tax for the rich. It’s time we do something to correct the situation,” Marcos said.

He cited a study by Ibon Foundation, which estimates that around five to six million Filipinos and their families are being doubly burdened by higher taxes and inflation.

Based on data of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, prices of

goods and services more than doubled or increased by 110 percent between 1997 and 2012 but individual income tax brackets remained unchanged since 1997.

On the other hand, the senator cited reports saying the latest Family Income and Expenditure Survey showed that the income of the lowestearning 70 percent of Filipinos had grown 137 percent between 1992 and 2012 and, as a result, many of low and middle income families now have to pay higher taxes. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MALACAÑANG YESTERDAY said it was not aware that the Bureau of Customs had increased duties on containers carrying balikbayan boxes and would look into the report of lawmakers.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace has asked the Department of Finance to explain the alleged increase, which was raised at a hearing at the House of Representatives earlier this week.

“I did see that report and we also want to know more about it… We have already asked the Department of Finance about it and [we] want to know more so we can give you a definitive answer on this,” Valte said at a Palace briefing.

Valte, a lawyer, said that as far as she knows tariffs could

not be raised without an “approval via treaty or by Congress.”

The 125 percent tax increase imposed on balikbayan box forwarders began last month, following public indignation over the plan of the Bureau of Customs to open and inspect balikbayan boxes, according to Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares. He and Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo have asked Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina to justify the hike on balikbayan boxes.

According to Colmenares, Lina increased duties on twenty-foot containers from P80,000 to P120,000 in August this year, then further increased it to P180,000.

Overseas Filipino workers groups said the increased duties on the containers would inevitably raise the cost of shipping balikbayan boxes to the Philippines. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

13

Airport scam victims not just numbers, Abaya told BYNIÑA P. CALLEJA AND LEILA D. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. ALAN Cayetano yesterday denounced Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya for downplaying the alleged bulletplanting scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), and demanded that Abaya make a public apology to the victims.

“They are people, not statistics,” said Cayetano, an independent candidate for Vice President.

“The statement comparing the number of victims to the total number of passengers at the Naia is offensive. These numbers have no lives, no children, no families, no work and no needs,” Cayetano said in an e-mailed statement.

Even if only 0.004 percent of the population is affected, the response of the government should be 101 percent, he said.

In a press conference last Wednesday, Abaya said that the issue had been “blown out of proportion,” pointing out that the number of passengers who were caught with ammunition merely comprised 0.004 percent of the total number of passengers who pass through the Naia terminals.

Cayetano earlier filed a complaint against transportation officials, including Abaya, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado, Office for Transportation Security administrator Roland Recomono, Philippine National Police director Pablo Francisco Balagtas for their failure to stop the extortion racket at the country’s premier gateway.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras confirmed that Malacañang is looking into the possibility that the “tanim-bala” (bullet planting) reports could be part of a demolition job against the Aquino administration, especially as elections are coming up.

Cayetano deplored administration officials’ attitude as well as the government’s overall “gross inaction” on cases reported by victims of the scam.

He decried the repeated denials made earlier by various government agencies concerned that such extortion activities were happening at the airport terminals.

“The are counting just the number of victims. What about the chilling effect experienced by all passengers, [whether] overseas Filipino worker or tourist. How can they say that only 0.004 percent are affected?” Cayetano said.

The senator cited the case of Gloria Ortinez, an overseas Filipino worker from Hong Kong who was arrested after airport officials allegedly found a rifle bullet in her bag. Ortinez was later

released because of questionable evidence, but her employment abroad was threatened as she was forced to remain in the country while her case was pending.

Meanwhile, another vicepresidential candidate, Sen. Francis Escudero, yesterday said the President should not wait for Abaya to resign and should instead give him the boot after his string of failures in areas under his care, including the tanim-bala scheme.

Even if the Aquino administration has less than a year to go, Abaya should be let go, said Escudero.

“I hope he [Mr. Aquino] sacks him because otherwise, for seven months we would have to endure the situation under [a transportation secretary] who has ne anything good in transportation and communication, nothing I have seen or felt,” Escudero told a press conference in Balanga, Bataan.

Meanwhile, ACT-CIS party list rep-

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resentative Samuel Pagdilao, a former police officer, said the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law should be amended so certain passengers caught with bullets in their luggage may be spared from penalties.

Pagdilao, a senatorial candidate, said the phrase “willful or malicious possession of illegal ammunition” could be added to the law so that authorities would have the discretion to not file charges. ■

14

Philippine News

Calls mount for DOTC chief Abaya to quit

BY GIL CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Joseph Abaya deserves to be kicked out for doing a horrible job, some activist partylist lawmakers said, but they doubted President Aquino would ever consider firing Abaya or that his departure would clean up the mess that he allegedly created.

Abaya should be fired because his mismanagement of the country’s roads, ports, airports and trains is bordering on “criminal negligence,” said Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said Abaya’s atrocious performance was not surprising as he was more focused on cooking up deals for “favored players” rather than addressing the mounting complaints from commuters.

Zarate believes the President would stick with Abaya to the end as “apparently, he ( Abaya) is holding the fort for the ruling party and the putative successor of Aquino.”

‘Infected’

Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus said Abaya had “infected” the work culture in his agency such that his resignation alone would not solve the problems he created or neglected under his watch.

“The DOTC ( Department of Trasportations and Communi-

DOCT Secretary Jun Abaya.

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

China asks... nila next week, a Filipino official said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s request, relayed to his Philippine counterpart Albert del Rosario during talks in Manila, underscored Beijing’s objection to any effort to bring the long-raging disputes to an international arena, where rivals like Washington could use it to criticize Beijing.

Non-inclusion of the thorny topic would also shield Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to attend the Nov. 18-19 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Manila, from a potentially embarrassing confrontation.

“They said they hope that contentious issues will not be raised during APEC,” Depart- The high-powered Philippine team for the UNCLOS arbitration case being ment of Foreign Affairs spokes- heard by an arbitral tribunal in The Hague has begun presenting the arguments man Charles Jose said in a news for the Philippine position—with emphasis on the tribunal’s proper jurisdiction conference, when asked if the to hear and decide the case.

PCDSPO disputes were discussed in Wang’s hour-long talk with del Rosario.

Hague. destroyer, within the 12-nautiWang also mentioned that his “In the context of APEC, we cal-mile (22-kilometre) territoManila visit was to ensure that both agreed that APEC is an rial limit of Subi Reef, which has Xi’s visit “will be smooth, safe economic forum and it won’t been transformed by Beijing and successful,” Jose said. be a proper venue to discuss po- into an island over objections Wang also met President Be- litical and security issues,” Jose of other claimants, particularly nigno Aquino III in the first said. the Philippines. visit by a top Chinese official Asked if other leaders can China, the Philippines and to Manila since the two Asian raise the thorny issue, Jose said four other governments have neighbours’ relations soured they can. claims across the vast South in the last three years due to In Washington, State Depart- China Sea, with Beijing claimoverlapping claims in the South ment spokesman Mark Toner ing it has sovereignty over virChina Sea, a retually all of the gional conflict waters. Some of that involves the disputed arfour other Asian eas are believed governments, We have talented workers, beautiful to sit atop vast whose leaders scenery and a long history of success undersea deposare attending in this industry. These assets add to its of oil and gas. the Manila meetour competitiveness internationally.

Jose said the ings. two sides also The last time a agreed to resume Chinese foreign bilateral consulminister visited tations at the vice the Philippines was in 2009 said Tuesday that APEC was foreign minister level “to exand Jose said Wang’s visit in primarily an economic forum, plore areas where we can move itself “is an indication that we and it was up to the hosts to set bilateral relations forward.” can move the bilateral relations the agenda, but the South ChiIt is the Philippines’ turn to forward.” na Sea could still be discussed host such a meeting, the date Aquino said he welcomed Xi’s on the sidelines. He said when of which is still to be discussed. decision to join the meetings the U.S. meets with allies and The last such consultation took and promised “the warmth of partners in the region it’s an is- place in 2013.

Filipino hospitality,” according sue “that does come up.”

But the consultations will to presidential spokesman HerIn Beijing, Chinese Foreign exclude contentious issues like minio Coloma.

Ministry spokesman Hong Lei the South China Sea as agreed The Philippines, Jose said, said Monday that the China- to by Aquino and then Presiagreed that the meetings in Philippine relationship faces dent Hu Jintao during Aquino’s Manila would not be the proper difficulties, but that China is state visit to China in 2011, Jose forum to discuss the conflicts, committed to “resolving rel- said. ■ adding that Manila has a pend- evant issues through consultaing legal challenge against Bei- tions and negotiations.”

Associated Press writer Jim Gojing’s massive claims in the China has criticized last mez in Manila, and Matthew South China Sea before an month’s patrol of the USS Las- Pennington in Washington coninternational tribunal in The sen, a U.N. Navy guided-missile tributed to this report. ❰❰ 1

cations) has to be overhauled and reoriented to make sure that they are working for the benefit of the public and not for favored cronies of the LP ( Liberal Party),” said De Jesus.

8 months

Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe said the situation had become so bad that whether Abaya was fired or retained until the end of the Aquino administration did not matter as it would take more than the last eight months of the administration to correct his blunders and omissions.

Former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said Abaya’s mismanagement had been abetted by his closeness to the President.

“Like others in the Aquino Cabinet, they have so far seen themselves as untouchable.

Will President Aquino finally stop his awful practice of coddling his cronies and get rid of him before he wreaks more damage at the DOTC?” said Bello.

According to Bello, the problem was that Abaya had no special qualifications or record to bring to the DOTC in the first place. “What he did have was membership in Aquino’s charmed fraternity circle and membership in the LP blueblood aristocracy,” he said.

“One can understand retaining one’s subordinate after one or two mishaps. But after several and he’s around, you become part of the problem,” added Bello. ■

PNA

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Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

15

6 COA execs fired for graft Auditors got P25M in bonuses from LWUA

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer AFTER FIRING a slew of public officials—friends and foes alike of the Aquino administration—in recent weeks, the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday trained its guns on a fellow watchdog in the government.

Hit was the Commission on Audit (COA) where six auditors were ordered fired for receiving P25 million in “huge and arbitrary” bonuses from the “graftridden” Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) from 2006 to 2010.

Two COA data machine operators who were assigned to the LWUA were also dismissed for receiving P140,000 in additional monthly incentive from the agency.

In six instances, they also got hefty bonuses twice a month from the state-run water utility whose officials had been previously faulted by the Ombudsman for various graft-related offenses.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales also ordered the indictment for graft of eight other COA auditors for getting huge bonuses from the LWUA. Grave misconduct

Sacked for grave misconduct were COA auditors Juanito Daguno Jr., Proceso Saavedra, Teresita Tam, Corazon Cabotage, Evangeline Sison and Vilma Tiongson.

Also ordered dismissed from the service were COA data machine operators Violeta Gamil and Roberto Villa.

In a statement issued yesterday, Morales said the incentives given to Daguno and the others “were huge and arbitrary.”

The news came a day after the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of 30 local govern-

ment officials in Mindanao, among them Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, a staunch political ally of President Aquino.

Besides their removal from office, the COA employees were also perpetually barred from serving in the government.

Benefits forfeited

The Ombudsman also ordered the forfeiture of their retirement benefits and the cancellation of their civil service eligibility.

Morales said that as state auditors and COA employees, they were “presumed to know the prohibition” against receiving huge bonuses and allowances. “[T]heir patent disregard of the existing policy of their own Corrupt Practices Act. and authorization for fund disinstitution against the practice LWUA officials Lorenzo bursement as payment for the of receiving additional com- Jamora, Wilfredo Feleo, Or- questioned benefits is a clear pensation cannot be deemed a lando Hondrade and Daniel transgression’ of the Salary mere lapse of judgment,” Mo- Landingin were ordered sus- Standardization Law and other rales said. pended for six months without COA regulations,” the antigraft “[The] COA auditors and em- pay after they were found guilty body said. ployees were obviously moti- of simple misconduct. vated by malicious intent to fa“In case of separation from Bonuses vor self-interest at the expense the service, the penalty is conCiting records from the COA of the public,” she added. vertible to a fine equivalent to human resource office, the Morales said Ombudsman “their acts are said Ferrera recontrary to acceived the bigcepted rules of gest incentive, right and duty, T]heir patent disregard of the existing P961,000. honesty and policy of their own institution against Additional good morals.” the practice of receiving additional bonuses were compensation cannot be deemed a also given to Graft and mere lapse of judgment.

Baldovino corruption (P886,000), AniThe Ombudscal (P789,000), man also apDe Leon proved the in(P517,000), Dadictment of eight other COA six months’ salary [of the re- guno (P615,000), Gamil auditors—Edna Anical, Thelma spondents],” the Ombudsman (P834,000), Obog (P658,000), Baldovino, Evelyn de Leon, statement said.

Principio (P642,000), PunNestorio Ferrera, Zoharayda It said the LWUA officials salan (P602,000), SaaveObog, Ligaya Principio, Jesusa “approved and signed” the let- dra (P692,000), Sarmiento Punsalan and Paulino Sarmien- ters of instructions directing (P703,000), Tam (P592,000), to—for violation of Section 3(e) the release of “irregular bonus- Villa (P650,000), Cabotage of Republic Act No. 3019, also es” for the COA personnel.

(P542,000), Sison (P183,000), known as the AntiGraft and “‘[T]heir stamp of approval and Tiongson (P164,000).

www.canadianinquirer.net

SHUTTERSTOCK

In November 2006, the Ombudsman said Gamil and Villa got as much as P140,000 and P43,000 each in bonuses.

The Ombudsman said they were also given “bonuses twice a month in… September and December 2007, September and December 2008, and March 2010.”

An independent prosecutor tasked with busting graft in the government, the Ombudsman in recent weeks has ordered the indictment of Vice President Jejomar Binay and the dismissal of his son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. for alleged corruption, Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. and his son Vladimir for alleged extortion.

The Ombudsman has also ordered the dismissal of Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete and Atimonan, Quezon, Mayor Jose Mendoza. ■

Opinion

16

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

AT LARGE

A mystery for Bond to solve

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer IF IT’S any comfort to women of a certain age, Monica Bellucci, at 50, is the oldest actress to play a “Bond girl,” one of the many nubile beauties who provide pulchritude and distraction to the secret agent with a “license to kill” in the 50 years of the movie franchise.

In “Spectre,” Bellucci is cast as Lucia Sciarra, widow of a Spectre assassin who lets go of her sad memories of her late husband with the help of the aging Bond. Yes, James Bond, played

by Daniel Craig in his fourth (and, so he says, his last) outing as the British spy, is showing his age. And it’s about time, too. Even at 50, though, Bellucci remains radiant with more than a hint of dignity and vulnerability. In fact, in my opinion she far outshines Lea Seydoux, a much younger actor who plays Madeleine Swann, the psychologist-daughter of a former Spectre figure who becomes another girl who captures the spy’s heart.

In recent Bond movies, there had been attempts to “freshen up” the franchise, with new and much younger actors taken in to replace the doddering Q and Miss Moneypenny.

There had also been a praiseworthy

attempt to add a twist to the character of M, the head of M16, with the choice of Dame Judi Dench, who brought gravitas and even a sense of maternal softness to the role.

But from the relatively heavy psychological load of “Skyfall,” with its glimpses of Bond’s childhood and even a delightful cameo of the original Aston Martin, “Spectre” takes a step back to the beginnings of the franchise, evoking the antic style and lively spirit of the early movies.

Where “Skyfall” was burdened with too much backstory and emotional weight, “Spectre” takes a new generation of viewers to the hi-jinks of earlier Bonds, complete with action-laden scenes, although there is a distinct lack of the gimmicky gadgets which had been Q’s specialty. *** “SPECTRE” is not a bad way to go, if Craig’s announced intent to step away from Bond is truly serious.

The opening scene set in the city center of Mexico City during the “Day of the Dead” festivities gives Craig a chance to show off his action chops, running across rooftops, leaping onto a helicopter, kicking off a deadly assassin to fall to his death.

We then take a virtual tour around the world, zipping from London to the

Austrian Alps, to Rome, to Tunisia (actually, Morocco) and back to London.

Filipinos would be interested to know that the villain who gives Bond the biggest grief and the deadliest blows is Fil-American wrestler Batista, who plays Hinx, a henchman of the Spectre chieftain who dispatches his enemies with deadly and brutal efficiency. The organization Spectre is itself a throwback to previous Bond films, especially to the archvillain Ernst Blofeld, who we remember mainly for the menacing Persian cat he strokes gently while issuing the most evil orders.

There’s been speculation on who the producers will next tap to play Bond, should Craig choose to abandon the role. My vote goes to Idris Elba, the black British actor who I first saw in a small role in “Love Actually,” but who has since become prominent in TV shows like “The Wire” and even as a supernatural guardian of Asgard in “Thor.”

But here’s a truly revolutionary turn. How about Bond being played by a woman? Can we look forward to a series of bodacious “Bond boys” then? *** NOW here’s a mystery into which James Bond might want to sink his teeth.

Commentators and social observers scoffed at statements of officials who insisted that the episodes of “laglag/tanim-bala” at the airport, with airport security finding mostly empty bullet casings in the bags of departing passengers, were real and not tied to a supposed extortion scam.

“Filipinos really use bullets as amulets ( antinganting) for protection,” officials have said, noting that the reason overseas Filipino workers were among the passengers most often caught with the bullets was that many of them relied on these charms to seek protection from possible violence and exploitation in a foreign land.

“Mareng Winnie” Monsod, in her column yesterday, told of encountering two women who, while not passengers, had gone to the airport to see off/meet their relatives, were found to be carrying bullets in their bags. Both admitted they carried the items as “protection.”

Unfortunately, no matter their motive, the women were still violating the law since carrying even just one bullet on one’s person is a crime and, thus, they would be brought to a police station for “questioning.” *** MONSOD questioned the rigidity

and narrowmindedness of the officials, even if they had already satisfied themselves that the women were indeed innocent of any dark motive.

My take on this growing scandal is that indeed quite a number of departing passengers in the past had been caught with anting-anting bullets in their possession. But that, in their eagerness to be let go and board their flights, they had resorted to offering bribes to the officials concerned.

From such innocent “offers” evolved, I suppose, a widespread racket that consisted of mulcting the bulletbearers, and then led to outright bulletplanting. Corrupt officials and employees are nothing if not quick learners in these parts.

I agree, huge signs announcing that one could get arrested for possession of even just one bullet should be posted all over our airports, especially around the x-ray machines. But families of departing OFWs and travelers should also exercise vigilance, making sure their relatives aren’t bearing any contraband in the first place.

And airport authorities should also dismiss outright or arrest erring workers to show the rest what’s what, that harassing our departing OFWs will not be tolerated. ■

LOOKING BACK

‘Laglag-bala,’ ‘tanim-bala,’ ‘pulot-bala’

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer THE MOURNERS at some graves during the Undas weekend used electric candles complete with smokeless flickering wicks, dripless candles, and creative arrangements with glow sticks. Marveling at these new technologies dated me, because one of my childhood joys during Undas was forming balls from candle drippings.

To make a really big wax ball, you needed to be resourceful and charming to get people in neighboring plots to yield their candle drippings to a complete stranger.

These childhood memories came to mind recently as I read up on the cases of bullets planted in suitcases at our airport. Some people call the scam “laglag-bala,” to describe bullets dropped into suitcases or “tanimbala,” to describe bullets planted in suitcases on the way to x-ray examination—and extortion. During the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War, our side was so short of guns and ammunition that townspeople, especially women and children, were sent to the fields after a battle to collect empty cartridges that were reloaded and reused. To

connect the past with the present, I empty shells captured and a great The difficulties increased when we would call this “pulot-bala.” many of their reloaded cartridges. take into account the different makes A memo issued from Haligui They also bought the empty shells of and calibers of our armaments. In (Imus) to the presidents of Cavite our own Springfields from Chinamen fact, it was found that to a regiment towns by “Nahahanda” (Daniel Tiro- that our authorities negligently per- were being sent ammunition that na) on Feb. 5, 1897, reads: mitted them to gather up after a battle. could not be utilized because they “Considering our dire need for I have seen hundreds of these reloaded were of a make and caliber different Remington bullets, and the great Springfield shells and have several in from those of their guns. This proshortage that this Army has for car- my possession. Their crude workman- duced very harmful delays and contridges, I beg Your Honors to order ship and the brand of our own manu- fusion in the campaigns.” our soldiers to pick up empty shells facturers easily identify them.”

It may not be quite exact to comin the place where a battle has taken Reading the primary-source docu- pare the way in which spent cartridgplace. If any are found, please send ments of the period, we come across es were reloaded in the past with the them to headquarters here. I hope the types of guns used based on their way some people scrimp and reload earnestly that you spent ink cartridges will do this, for in for our computer In these conditions we took for granted beforehand that it our sacred cause of printers today, but would be impossible for us to sustain a determined attack of the freedom, we must it makes the process enemy for more than 24 hours. help each other for closer to our experithe common good.” make: Mausers, Remingtons and ence. Katipuneros, for example, reTactics changed little whether Fil- Springfields. Spent cartridges from loaded spent shells with crude homeipinos were fighting Spaniards from different guns led to some confusion, made gunpowder made of ground 1896 to 1898 or Americans from 1899 and Gen. Jose Alejandrino described charcoal, sulphur, and saltpeter or onward. Lack of guns and ammuni- the situation thus: salitre, that today is better known as tion was always an issue, and collect“It could hardly be said that there the main ingredient for pork tocino! ing spent shells was important. Dur- was military administration. The The reloaded cartridges were sent ing the PhilippineAmerican War, an few arsenals that we had were poorly to the firing lines where they would enemy soldier wrote: equipped; their principal work was either: not fire and jam the guns or, “When the Filipinos ran short of to refill empty cartridges. In these worse, exploded inside the guns, inammunition for their Remingtons conditions we took for granted be- juring the Filipino rather than the they saved the shells as they fired them forehand that it would be impossible enemy. and took them back to be reloaded. for us to sustain a determined attack Around the last quarter of 1896, I have seen a whole sack full of these of the enemy for more than 24 hours. the Katipuneros maintained a mu-

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nitions plant in San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias) run by Feliciano Jocson, a pharmacist from Manila better known by his nicknames “Totong” and “Patola.” With a large quantity of saltpeter and his professional training, he supervised the Katipunan gunpowder factory.

Another munitions factory was set up in Imus by Jose Ignacio Paua, a Chinese blacksmith from Tondo, where guns were repaired and cartridges were reloaded. Paua also made bamboo cannons (probably the type that were used for New Year’s Eve and fiestas) crudely reinforced with baling wire and fired with water and kalburo. These bamboo cannons were effective only at close range, and while I am unsure of their performance in a real battle, they definitely boosted the morale of the frontliners and scared the enemy who thought that, being painted black, they were of military issue.

A review of the law making mere possession of a bullet or two—even if empty and therefore useless—punishable with a fine and imprisonment is in order, and the airport scam should remind us of the history of our struggle for independence with “pulot-bala.” ■

Opinion

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

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PUBLIC LIVES

Auditing the Commission on Audit

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman recently ordered the dismissal from government service of six state auditors of the Commission on Audit who, from 2006 to 2010, unlawfully accepted millions of pesos in bonuses from the Local Water Utilities Administration. Former LWUA officials themselves have been charged under the antigraft law with granting scandalously excessive bonuses to themselves and the employees of this state agency during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Ombudsman’s action brings to the fore an administrative reality that has long been whispered about but has rarely been addressed in as resolute a way as this. I am referring to the collusion between COA personnel and the state agencies and offices they are supposed to audit. I am aware that it would not be fair to conclude that these six dismissed auditors are the face of an ineradicable culture of corruption in government.

For there have also been many instances when honest auditors who do their work diligently are summarily replaced and transferred for the flimsiest of reasons at the request of powerful heads of agencies.

The role of state auditors in a so-

ciety like ours, where great dispari- new computers or furniture, a small be deemed a mere lapse of judgment.” ties in power and benefits exist in the fridge, or a coffeemaker. To win Indeed, there is such a policy. But it is government system, is indeed a very their good graces, they may be in- also true that there are enough gray complex one. vited to join office outings disguised areas in the law that permit greater The Constitution gives to consti- as “seminars,” and, as in the case of latitude in the relationship between tutional commissions like the COA the LWUA, included in the list of re- auditor and audited. The culture that ample autonomy and authority to en- cipients of bonuses and other allow- has evolved in this context is worth able them to properly discharge their ances. Before long, they lose their studying because it may offer valucrucial functions. But, the challenge objectivity and regulatory perspec- able clues on the structural roots of has always been how to ensure that tive, becoming instead in-house con- corruption in our society. the personnel of these independent sultants on how to exploit gaps in the I have a hunch that the practice of bodies could keep their dealings with law and sidestep auditing rules. showering auditors with benefits is the offices they are watching at arm’s Of course, the game may be played far more widespread than we think. length. the other way around. Auditors typi- The magnitude of the scam involving This is particuthe so-called Priorilarly true for COA ty Development AsThe COA is no exception. Even as it enjoys fiscal autonomy, it, sistance Fund and resident auditors too, must get its budget approved by Congress. More often than not, the length of time who hold offices it is this spirit of mutual accommodation that keeps the relations it was able to operwithin the premises between the bureaucracy and the political branches humming. of the agencies they ate undisturbed (at are assigned to auleast 10 years in the dit. In most instances, they quickly cally vie for assignment to agencies case of Janet Lim Napoles’ racket) become part of the informal culture that are known to hand out generous begs the question of how this incredof the agency—its daily routines and perks to their officials and employ- ible scheme could have passed the celebrations, and its interpersonal ees, hoping to get a share of these scrutiny of state auditors. dynamics. In these agencies, govern- benefits. When their expectations Clearly, the COA’s people opted to ment units, or state corporations, are not met, they could turn into re- turn a blind eye to the multiple violagovernment auditors are given of- sentful bureaucrats who question ev- tions in the use of the PDAF because fices in which they can do their work. ery item of expenditure and are quick either they themselves were being But the amenities they get to enjoy to issue notices of disallowance. paid for their acquiescence, or there vary depending on the resources of In its order dismissing the six COA were sacred cows in Congress whom the host agency. officials, the Office of the Ombuds- they could not afford to displease. In Some auditors, feeling entitled to man said: “Their patent disregard of all likelihood, it was both. To be fair, better treatment, may sometimes the existing policy of their own insti- it has to be mentioned that the COA find the equipment inadequate, and tution against the practice of receiv- central office did conduct a quiet instart hinting about their need for ing additional compensation cannot quiry into the use of the pork barrel

funds of some legislators even before the INQUIRER ran its exposé of the scandal. But it is doubtful if the COA would have been bold enough to publicize its adverse findings against some senators if there had not been a massive uproar over the use of these funds.

The reason for this is simple enough. All government agencies must face members of Congress annually to defend their budgets. Legislators are known to raise the most irrelevant but potentially embarrassing issues to delay approval of an agency’s budget. Thus, extreme care is always taken not to antagonize any lawmaker. The COA is no exception.

Even as it enjoys fiscal autonomy, it, too, must get its budget approved

by Congress. More often than not, it is this spirit of mutual accommodation that keeps the relations between the bureaucracy and the political branches humming.

Constitutional commissions, too, typically defer to each other’s good judgment when it comes to issues involving their agencies. One can thus only marvel at Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales’ determination to root out and punish corruption in every branch and level of government regardless of who gets hurt. She must know she has nothing to fear or hide from the COA. ■

ANALYSIS

Marcos heirs’ revisionist assault on ‘Never Again’

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer CANBERRA—The heirs of Ferdinand Marcos reappeared on the center stage of Philippine politics last Oct. 28 in a brazen attempt to regain political power via the backdoor 43 years after the dictatorship was toppled by the 1986 People Power Revolution.

They reentered the political landscape in full force, with a vengeance, at the launching of the candidacy of the dictator’s only son and namesake, Ferdinand Jr. or Bongbong, for the vice presidency of the republic.

In an interview with reporters last week, Bongbong said he was making a bid for the vice presidency because he wanted to continue the supposed legacy of service of his father. Taking a statesmanlike posture, he did not stop there but also called on the Aquino administration to put the past behind and “move on.”

Showing no trace of remorse or embarrassment for the sordid human rights abuses and economic devastation left by the Marcos regime’s policies during 14 years of martial rule from 1972 to 1986, Bongbong had the gall to say: “What we are after is not going back to power but to con-

tinue the service we have rendered to Since Marcos was overthrown, his concerned about their livelihood and the country. That is not an issue for heirs have been allowed to return their day-to-day problems than the us. For our part, we are just thinking to the Philippines and eventually to past. This prompted human rights acof what is good for the country.” seek various government positions: tivists to say that he wanted people to Bongbong talked about moving on The former first lady, Imelda Mar- forget his father’s dictatorship. in response to President Aquino’s ex- cos, is now representative of Ilocos The continuing attempt of the pression of confidence that Filipinos Norte (after a stint as representative Marcoses to make Filipinos forget would not bring another Marcos to of Leyte); her eldest child, Imee, is Ilo- the dark years was too much for Etta Malacañang. Asked at a media forum cos Norte governor; and Bongbong, a Rosales, a former chair of the Comhosted last week by the Foreign Cor- three-term representative of the prov- mission on Human Rights, to accept. respondents Association of the Philip- ince, is now a senator. In a number of Rosales, who was detained and torpines whether there was a resurgence interviews with reporters, including tured by government agents during of support for the restoration of the one last week, Bongbong stirred up a martial law, reminded Bongbong Marcos legacy, the President replied: storm when he insisted that he and his that Filipinos would never forget “No, no. I think that that dark era. She the answer to that is pointed out that the Rosales, who was detained and tortured by government agents very obvious. I don’t problems confrontduring martial law, reminded Bongbong that Filipinos would never think so.” ing the country toforget that dark era.

Mr. Aquino’s reday are rooted in the mark contradicted Marcos dictatorBongbong’s claim that being elected family had nothing to be sorry about. ship. “Senator Marcos should be told

by Filipinos to public office was a vin- “History is already there. We cannot that no less than 10 laws dealing with dication of his family. The dictator- change what had been twisted and human rights were passed because of ship was toppled in February 1986, twist what was straight. Let history be human rights violations during his forcing Marcos, his wife and their the judge,” he said. father’s term. If we forget these violachildren to flee to Hawaii before FiliThere are other contentious claims tions, then we make a mockery of the pinos angered by the repression and made by Bongbong that have affront- law,” she said. abuses of martial law could storm ed and outraged many Filipinos. For “Never Again” as a battle cry for Malacañang to lynch them. Now, example, he infuriated the victims not forgetting the past is coming unthat disgraced family is attempting of martial law atrocities when he der revisionist attacks by the Marcos a sneaky comeback to claim a prime claimed that Filipinos were no longer heirs, who are trying to cast the dicpost in a restored democracy that was concerned about human rights abuses tatorship in a favorable light in an dismantled by the dictator in 1972. under his father’s rule and were more effort to rehabilitate their position

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in the darkest constitutional crisis of postwar Philippines. And Marcos apologists are arguing that “Never Again” is a sterile slogan that stands in the way of moving ahead.

In this revisionist effort, the Marcos heirs are foisting on Filipinos the myth that the Philippines was a political and economic paradise under a benign reformist dictatorship. They are claiming that authoritarian rule was the formula for creating a new society from the bedlam of an ungovernable and undisciplined Third World democracy such as the Philippines in the 1970s.

This model imposed and implemented in the Philippines during the Marcos dictatorship proved to be a dangerous doctrine for the installation of a sham democracy that actually turned out to be a mechanism for the systematic pillage of a nation’s economic resources for the personal enrichment of rapacious political families. As we shall see later, the record of the Marcos dictatorship on political rights and the economic mismanagement of the nation’s wealth bears witness to the Philippines’ decline from a promising economy of Asia in the 1960s to a basket case in the 1970s. ■

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NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Canada News

PM says Bombardier must make a business case if it wants federal aid

BY TERRY PEDWELL The Canadian Press

“There’s no question that high-value manufacturing is going to be an extremely important part of Canada for years to come. Aerospace is a great example of that, as is the auto sector and others,” Trudeau told the gathering.

“How we can best invest and support that kind of manufacturing needs to be done responsibly and with our eyes open, and not just based on emotion or politics or symbols,” he said.

“There has to be a strong business case. We’re going to make sure that decision is taken based on what is in the best interest of Canadians, writ large.”

OTTAWA — If Montreal-based aerospace manufacturer Bombardier Inc. needs federal money to aid its CSeries jet project, it’ll have to make a “strong business case,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a meeting of labour leaders Tuesday.

Trudeau was responding to questions at a closed-door Canadian Labour Congress gathering in Ottawa — the first time a sitting prime minister has addressed the country’s biggest labour body in more than 50 years.

He told the CLC’s Canadian council that his government won’t prop up a Trudeau said he recognizes that business on the “labour is not a problem, but a basis of emotion solution.” or politics, sources inside the room disclosed.

Trudeau did, however, characterize BomThe Quebec government said bardier as a high-value manu- last month it would invest $1 facturer in the same league as billion in the CSeries in return the auto sector, which received for a near 50 per cent stake in government money to help it the project. get through the 2008 recession.

Since then, the province has

been lobbying Ottawa to match the contribution.

The project has saddled the company with debt, forcing it into a struggle to raise cash in order to keep it afloat.

Transport Minister Marc Garneau, who represents a Quebec constituency, has said Bombardier has not formally approached the government about possible federal aid.

Trudeau’s comments about Bombardier came as no surprise, said CLC president Hassan Yussuff.

“I think Bombardier’s got a good, strong argument regarding the business case,” Yussuff said after the prime minister spoke.

“Bombardier’s got a large footprint across this country in terms of jobs and community and I think it’s very important to maintain that.”

The last time a prime minister appeared in front of the Canadian Labour Congress was when John Diefenbaker spoke at the organization’s 1958 convention.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with wife Sophie at “WeDay”.

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Trudeau was loudly applauded when he told Tuesday’s meeting of more than 120 labour leaders that his government will fulfill the Liberal campaign promise to repeal Bills C-377 and C-525 — the former Conservative government’s anti-union legislation.

Trudeau said he recognizes that “labour is not a problem, but a solution.”

The prime minister also welcomed a pledge from the CLC to help in dealing with climate change and the Syrian refugee crisis.

“We have more than 130 labour councils and 25,000 union locals in communities across Canada and we’ve made it clear to the prime minister that we want to do our part in helping his government meet its goal to welcome and resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada,” said Yussuff.

Trudeau also spoke about the controversial Trans-Pacific

Partnership, repeating a pledge to hold wide-ranging consultations before considering whether to enact or reject the mammoth international trade agreement.

Later Tuesday, Trudeau and his wife Sophie were greeted with roars of approval from about 16,000 students and educators attending We Day Ottawa, part of a global series of events designed to celebrate youth making a difference in the world.

The prime minister received an ear-splitting welcome at the arena that’s home to the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, where he encouraged young people in the crowd to be agents of positive change.

“I don’t want you guys to think of yourselves as leaders of tomorrow,” Trudeau said in his first major public appearance since being sworn in as prime minister.

“This is about you being leaders today.” ■

Alberta families who make less than $41K to get child benefit, tax credit

BY TERRY PEDWELL The Canadian Press CALGARY — Alberta is bringing in two benefits to give more money to low-income families.

The new Alberta Child Benefit and enhanced Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit will impact families earning less than $41,220 per

year, including those receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped and social assistance.

The maximum annual benefit is $1,100 for families with one child, and up to $2,750 for families with four or more children.

The maximum annual tax credit is $754 for families with one child, and up to $1,987 for

families with four children or more.

“No child should grow up in poverty. Every child in Alberta deserves the chance to take part in their communities and reach their full potential,” said Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir.

“It is simply unacceptable that in a province as prosperous as ours that many hardworkwww.canadianinquirer.net

ing Albertans struggle to make ends meet.”

Both benefits will be sent out to parents starting in July 2016 and the child benefit will be sent out in four payments, while the tax credit will be sent out twice a year.

To be eligible, families must be residents of Alberta, file a tax return and have one or more children under 18.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci said it made sense to implement the benefit next summer instead of right away.

“There was the view that we could do it best if we took some time,” Ceci said.

“We wanted to ensure that it came out when it was needed.

It’s needed right across this province but we could get it organized and deliver it best.” ■

Canada News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Film and TV jobs in Nova Scotia in rapid decline since elimination of film tax credit: NDP THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX — The number of film and TV jobs in Nova Scotia has plunged since the provincial government eliminated a key film tax credit in the spring, the opposition New Democrats said Tuesday.

Citing statistics from the union that represents film and TV workers in Nova Scotia, the NDP issued a statement saying there’s been an 82 per cent drop in screen jobs between September and December when compared with the same period last year.

Local 849 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees produced statistics showing there were 510 unionized cast and crew jobs for productions last fall, and there were only 90 positions SHUTTERSTOCK this year.

“What we are seeing is a very lined up for the summer and Halifax-based production comtangible decline in the num- fall went away.” pany Egg Films — both of which ber of people working in our Nova Scotia Business Min- had nothing to do with the film screen industry as a result of ister Mark Furey issued a tax credit.

(Premier) Stephen McNeil’s statement saying funding anFurey insisted the province’s reckless decinew film fund is sion to slash the working, citing film tax credit,” provincial figNDP critic Marures that show ian Mancini said We have talented workers, beautiful $1.1 million has in a statement. scenery and a long history of success already been ap“The loss of 420 in this industry. These assets add to proved from the jobs in a small our competitiveness internationally. fund, representprovince like ing a total proours is signifiduction value of cant.” almost $6 milUnion spokeslion. man Gary Vermeir said the nounced Friday will address “We don’t need to offer the screen industry has tried to “some of the gaps” identified by highest level of support to atwork with a new film produc- the industry. tract film productions,” Furey tion fund, “but our industry As well, Furey challenged the said in a statement. “We have was given no time to transition union’s numbers, saying the big talented workers, beautiful to the changes” in the middle decline could be attributed to scenery and a long history of of the production season. “Our the cancellation of the locally success in this industry. These industry was thrown into chaos filmed cable-TV show Haven assets add to our competitiveand the productions that were and the sudden closure of the ness internationally.” ■

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19

Study: No taxpayer payout needed for coal fired power shutdown in Alberta

BY BOB WEBER The Canadian Press EDMONTON — Alberta power generators have no right to billions of dollars in compensation if the province shuts down coal-fired plants as part of its climate change strategy, says a study from a clean energy think-tank.

The Pembina Institute says deals the companies agreed to long ago give them plenty of time to recoup their investments without big payouts from taxpayers.

Nor should Albertans cover costs for coal-fired plants built after it was clear that climate change would affect government policy, says the institute’s report.

“Now that we’d like to move away from your type of electricity, we don’t need to pay you off — you’ve been paid off for that capital,” summarized coauthor Ben Thibault.

Don Wharton, TransAlta’s vice-president of policy and sustainability, said recouping capital doesn’t account for the money generators are forced to spend to keep their coal plants operating safely.

Shutting those plants too soon would weaken the very companies Alberta will depend on to finance the transition to cleaner power, he said.

Retirement of coal-fired power is expected to be a major part of the Alberta government’s climate change policy, which is expected before the end of the month.

Companies, using terms such as “expropriation,” have argued

that taxpayers should compensate them for that. Some have warned that requiring them to close coal-fired plants before the companies want could put the government on the hook for as much as $4.6 billion.

Not so, said Thibault.

Sixteen of Alberta’s 18 coalfired plants have power purchase agreements with the government that run out in 2020.

Nine of those agreements expire at about the same time the plants are deemed in their agreements to have earned back their original investment.

The rest would take a decade or so longer.

Taxpayers have no obligation to compensate companies for facilities that have already earned back their capital, said Thibault.

“The public doesn’t owe you anything given that we’ve accomplished our terms of the contract.”

Plants that still have some value left in 2020 can earn back the rest of their capital on the open market, he suggested.

The two plants without such agreements were built after it was clear that climate change was going to affect the regulatory environment. Their owners should have accounted for that risk, the report says.

Equating the worth of those plants to their book value is too simple, said Wharton.

“TransAlta spends tremendous amounts of capital every year to maintain those plants.

They’re ignoring tens if not ❱❱ PAGE 25 Study: No taxpayer

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NOVEMBER 13, 2015

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FRIDAY

Canada News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

21

Valeant says it will survive scrutiny, CEO vows to listen to patients, critics

BY ROSS MAROWITS The Canadian Press MONTREAL — The CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals vowed Tuesday to listen more to patients and critics as he tried to reassure investors that the company will survive the intense scrutiny that has sullied its reputation and taken a huge bite out of its value.

“We’ll get through this period,” Michael Pearson said during a 90-minute conference call, the third in less than a month.

“We have a very ethical company and we’re very confident in terms of the future.”

The Quebec-based company has been at the centre of allegations over drug price gouging, accusations it has denied, as well as a controversy about its relationship with Philidor Rx Services, a U.S. mail-order

pharmacy. Valeant has severed ties with Philidor, which has been accused of questionable business practices, even though Philidor has assured there has been no wrongdoing.

Valeant said it is working over the next 90 days to replace Philidor with new specialty pharmaceutical partners to distribute on a contract basis dermatology products that account for 6.8 per cent of its revenues. It has no plans to own options in these companies as it did in the case of Philidor.

Pearson said he is unaware of any other issues within his company, but he added it’s impossible to provide a complete assurance given Valeant’s large size and geographic reach.

One of the consequences of Valeant’s rapid growth was that it didn’t take the time to listen to outside opinions, he said.

“This has been a mistake on our part as a company and on

my part as its leader,” he told analysts. “We’re going to fix that. One of the things I’m dedicated to doing going forward is listening more to our patients, our partners, and our critics.

And when we think they are right, we are going to respond to make the appropriate changes in how we do things.”

He said that includes not being as aggressive in raising drug prices. The move to hike drug costs in the past prompted a U.S. Congress investigation into Valeant, which has received multiple subpoenas from federal prosecutors.

Pearson said the best way to restore investor confidence is to deliver strong results.

While dermatology and neurology revenues will be hit in the fourth quarter, its overall business is unaffected and the company’s longer term outlook is bright, he said.

But he conceded the accusa-

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tions levelled against the company have taken a toll on employee morale.

“People are pretty upset, maybe even pissed,” he said.

“People pride themselves on how we operate so when the company gets attacked they feel they are attacked personally.”

Valeant’s (TSX:VRX) shares have plunged as a result of scrutiny about its business practices. Since August, its stock has fallen about 70 per cent.

Pearson’s assurances did little to assuage investor fears Tuesday. The shares closed down more than two per cent

to $110.76 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Analysts said Valeant’s conference call was positive, but more information about investigations, including an internal review, and strong financial results will help calm investor angst.

“Valeant’s business is under high scrutiny, and we believe many investors are concerned that there may be other not fully disclosed potentially aggressive and questionable business practices that could make the stock vulnerable again,” said Alex Arfaei of BMO Capital Markets. ■

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FRIDAY

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

A Colorful Life: Boom Dayupay

BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

heart just wasn’t to it anymore.

It was hard without Jeannie,” he added.

“After about two years, I didn’t want to do it anymore.

We were not doing well together,” said Boom.

Kulay finally disbanded in 1999.

IN A time when most Filipinos were listening to alternative rock, Filipino-Canadian Boom Dayupay and his hip-hop band Kulay’s arrival to the Filipino music scene was a breath of fresh air.

Life after Kulay

Fresh start in Canada

Boom Dayupay and his family migrated to Vancouver in 1977. Up till now, Boom can still recall candid memories from his first trip to Canada.

He remembered how amazed he was of how big and clean Canada was. It was also in this trip where he first saw a ‘white stewardess’.

The Dayupays’ early years in Canada was not a walk in the park. His father who once served for the Air Force of the Philippines had a hard time adjusting to a drastic change in his career.

“My dad had a hard time because he was in the air force and life was easy for him. Then he came here and he was a janitor.” said Boom.

“He was having a hard time speaking English. He was working with this Ukraine guy who doesn’t speak English also. He kept screaming at him and calling him stupid so he just wanted to go back to the Philippines after 2 weeks,” Boom continued.

Boom, on the other hand, adjusted to his new life in Canada fairly well. He wanted to learn English fast. After a year, he was already fluent in the language.

The great white north has changed a lot since the 1970s.

As part of the 3rd wave of Filipino immigrants, Boom saw Canada how it once was.

“There were just not many Filipinos, at all. When I came to school, there was only four of us—my sister and two other Filipinos. Unlike now, there are so many Filipinos, Chinese. Back then, there wasn’t as many,” he recalled.

The music starts to play

Unlike most artists, Boom did not come from a family of musicians.

“My parents were never really musical. I joined the school band playing saxophone. From

Boom Dayupay.

there on, I just really got into home for Boom and Radha.

Kulay held an audition and music and DJing,” he shared.

“I just went home and got her found Angel Jones. They took “I was a DJ then I became a body back here (Vancouver) her in and a new Kulay was producer. I produced some acts and I didn’t want to do anything formed. and then after a while, I went to anymore. I kind of quit music,” “She can hold a note and she the Philippines,” he added.

Boom said. can entertain. She did great doIt was 1991. Boom and his Caing her part,” Boom said of Annadian then-girlfriend Jeannie The new Kulay gel Jones.

Oakman flew to the Philippines Even when Jeannie was gone, Kulay career skyrocketed to start a band. After a while, Kulay had to continue touring while touring Europe. They Radha Cuadrado joined Boom Europe. The head of Sony Mu- performed in UK and other Euand Jeannie. sic called Boom countless times ropean countries. Their track Comparing the diversity of to convince him to go back to hit the Billboard Charts. They the members of the group to the music business, saying that had television shows, commeran Oreo sandwich, where two Kulay will be making history. cials, and became the face of chocolate cookies squeeze a va- A Southeast Asian act launch Pepsi. nilla filling in between, Boom launched internationally has Despite Kulay’s international decided to name success, the dent the band Kuthat Jeannie’s lay, the Filipino passing left to word for color. the group, cou“I called it KuWe played all these places and we pled with Boom’s lay because of did our best but it’s not like the faltering interest the colors that Philippines where we were known. in performing we had. I look We were just trying our best to make served as prelude kinda black and it. to the band’s fallRadha is kinda ing out.

Indian, Filipina“We weren’t Indian. Jeannie feeling it. It was is, you know, blue-eyed. It was not been done during that time. sort of a survival,” Boom said of an amazing mix. So that’s why I But what realty convinced Kulay’s tour abroad. called it Kulay,” Boom said.

Boom to come back was the “That would have been the In 1995, Kulay released its memory of Jeannie. perfect time to pick up drugs debut album 100,000 Worth “Jeannie would have wanted ‘cause we were on the road of Karma. Boom, Jeannie and us to continue. We just have to so much. It was too depressRadha as Kulay was very suc- keep going,” Boom said. ing sometimes. We were not cessful. In 1997, the group got “We knew that it should be as known. We played all these signed internationally. Kulay the right thing to do, to keep it places and we did our best but seemed to have everything go- going because the momentum it’s not like the Philippines ing for them, until an unfateful was so strong to go forward. We where we were known. We were day came. Just two weeks after were thinking, ‘We should do just trying our best to make it. getting signed internationally, something about this because it Some shows were great. Some Jeannie died of an epileptic took us 7 years to get it done,’” shows were okay. Some shows seizure. Jeannie’s passing hit he added. were not,” Boom shared. “My www.canadianinquirer.net

Boom took on directing. He worked for UNITEL, a production house based in Makati, Metro Manila and directed television commercials, music videos, and campaign ads.

“It was hard for me because I was working with directors from the business. I was the youngest and all of them went to school and I never went to school for directing,” he said.

Then, Boom came back to Canada got married, and had children.

“I married Angel after a while. We have four children, three were adopted and one biological,” Boom shared.

Today, Boom continues his passion in directing and producing music.

He plans to release the album of Malaya, a rock band he’s part of, together with former Razorback bass player Louie Talan.

Boom has also written a couple of singles that he also wanted to release.

He is currently directing a documentary called, “The Journey of Boom”. For this documentary, Boom went to the northernmost part of Canada in winter to answer the question of why a Filipino would want to work in a place as cold as that.

The Journey of Boom will tell the story of how much Canada has changed through Boom Dayupay’s eyes.

“When I first moved to Vancouver, it cost a dime to ride a bus. Pierre Elliot Trudeau was the Prime Minister. And the only Filipino worker in the McDonald’s that I used to go to was a janitor. Now, it cost two seventy-five to take a bus. But there’s also a sea bus and sky train which never existed before. Justin Trudeau is now the Prime Minister. And that same McDonald’s that I used to go to now has 70% Filipino staff, including the manager,” Boom said in his documentary’s trailer. ■

World News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi wins seat but presidency out of reach

BY VIJAY JOSHI AND ESTHER HTUSAN Philippine Daily Inquirer YANGON, MYANMAR — Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has won her parliamentary seat, official results showed Wednesday, leading a near total sweep by her party that will give the country its first government in decades that isn’t under the military’s sway.

Suu Kyi, however, will not become the president, at least not for now, because of a constitutional hurdle inserted by the junta when it transferred power in 2011 to a quasi-civilian government. And while Myanmar’s people voted overwhelmingly to remove the military-backed party from power, it’s also clear that the military’s involvement in this Southeast Asian nation’s politics would not end.

“Sunday’s poll does not mark democracy’s triumph in Burma,” said Ellen Bork of Foreign Policy Initiative, a Washington-

based think-tank. “Over the past few years, it has become obvious that the military and its political proxy (the ruling party) were not actually interested in a democratic transition that required them to relinquish their power.”

The military, which took power in a 1962 coup and brutally suppressed several prodemocracy uprisings during its rule, gave way to a nominally civilian elected government in 2011 — with strings attached.

The army installed retired senior officers in the ruling party to fill Cabinet posts and granted itself constitutional powers, including control of powerful ministries and a quarter of seats in the 664-member two-chamber Parliament. In a state of emergency, a special military-led body can even assume state powers. Another provision bars Suu Kyi from the presidency because her sons hold foreign citizenship.

Right now, though, the focus is on the stunning, if not yet official, victory of Suu Kyi’s Na-

tional League for Democracy party over the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party.

The Union Election Commission announced 63 more results for Parliament’s lower house on Wednesday, which included Suu Kyi’s name as the victor from Kawhmu, which is part of Yangon state.

It said she won 54,676 votes without giving more details of how many the losing ruling party candidate won or how many eligible voters were in the constituency.

Of the remaining 60 seats, the NLD won 56 seats, and USDP won three.

That brings to 135 the number of seats won by NLD out of the 151 lower house seats announced so far. For the upper house, the NLD has won 29 out of 33 announced.

NLD co-founder Tin Oo told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the party expects win about 80 percent of the votes — putting it on pace with the ❱❱ PAGE 26 Myanmar’s Suu

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23

Study: No taxpayer... hundreds of millions in Alberta. Forced to rapidly in investment. add generating capacity, com“We’re required to panies would probably build do exactly that — we can’t let natural gas facilities — substithem die and tuting one fossil be zero value at fuel for another. some book date.”

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Forced to newables.”

The company, rapidly add Independent together with generating energy econoAtco and Maxim, capacity, mist David Gray proposes it be companies said Pembina is exempted from would right to suggest future carbon probably taxpayers have taxes if it reducbuild no obligation es its coal-fired natural gas to compensate generation to facilities — power generaconform with the substituting tors. g o v e r n m e n t ’s one fossil “There’s no current reducfuel for legislative retion targets for another. quirement or major emitters. anything else for “That, in our the government estimation, is to pay compenadequate comsation,” said pensation for the Gray. lost production “They have that we would those power incur by dialling back.” plants fully paid off at the end Wharton said retiring coal of a power purchase agreement plants too quickly could slow and they were looking forward the growth of renewable energy to years of gravy.” ■ ❰❰ 19

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Community News

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

PH bags two awards at Embassy Chef Challenge

Toronto Film Fest features Filipino short films

THE FILIPINO food movement in North America continues to snowball in Canada with the Philippines bagging two awards at the 2015 Embassy Chef Challenge in Ottawa on Nov. 5.

Representing the Philippine Embassy, Filipino-Canadian chef Jil Aranas brought her Agame to the culinary competition where she entered her version of kinulob na itik, an epicurean delight of the province of Laguna where she was raised before migrating to Canada at the age of 15.

Chef Jil’s pineapple duck confit, topped with chicken liver jus, sat on a bed of white rice infused with coconut milk. Enriching the dish’s texture and flavors, Jil added chicken skin chicharon and smoked paprika kwek-kwek (deep fried quail eggs) on the side. Achara (pickled papaya slaw), minatamis na pinya (caramelized pineapple), kamote (sweet potato) chips and colorful edible flowers completed the culinary masterpiece.

Besides the Philippines, six other countries participated in the Embassy Chef Challenge, namely, Spain (Galician octopus and pickled chicken), the United Kingdom (roasted spicy maple pork belly), Moldova (stuffed vegetables with smoked spare ribs), Thailand (tom kha gai soup), Trinidad and Tobago (curried goat with roti, fresh cucumber chow and tamarind rum glaze), and Hungary (venison stuffed cabbage leaves).

Word of mouth quickly created a long queue “in front of the Embassy of the Philippines (which) grew to astounding proportions”, as one participating country put it. Invariably, high praise came from guests who sampled the Philippine dish plated by Chef Jil’s team with some help from Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, Minister Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo and Cultural Attaché Teresa Benitez-Bragais.

The Philippine entry garnered the People’s Choice Award from a pool of 300 gourmands and philanthropists who voted for the evening’s best dish. Chef Jil also got a nod from the panel of judges that

ON ITS 19th year, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival showcases contemporary films and artists from South, East, and Southeast Asia.

Seventy-two film entries from Afghanistan, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, as well as Canada and USA will be featured by the Reel Asian Festival on Nov. 5 to The sold-out fundraiser draws 300 guests to the National Capital Comission’s John G. Diefenbaker building.

Myanmar’s Suu... party’s 1990 landslide that the military annulled.

“The NLD’s big victory is best seen as the first step of a negotiation that is going to play out in the coming weeks and months between the elected power of the NLD, and entrenched, constitutionally guaranteed military power,” said Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia division of New York-based Human Rights Watch.

When the former ruling junta drew up the 2008 constitution, he said, “they built a political structure that keeps Aung San Suu Kyi out of the presidency and locks in their influence and prerogatives, with things like 25 percent of the seats reserved for the military, a 75 percent approval bar to amend the constitution, no legislative scrutiny of military budgets, and ensuring only military men can lead the most powerful ministries, like Defense, Home Affairs and Border Affairs.”

“So, even with the people behind her, Aung San Suu Kyi will face problems — because if she tries to force her way with the military, it will be like banging her head against the wall,” said Robertson.

Because the military still controls important political decisions, said Toe Kyaw Hlaing, an independent political analyst in Myanmar, the NLD and other political parties have to cooperate with the military.

In 1990, the army annulled the election results after a landslide victory by the NLD. But that kind of response is not widely expected this time.

The military is invested in the freed-up economy that semidemocracy has brought as Western nations eased their trade and investment sanctions in response to political ❰❰ 23

Chef Jill Arana represents the Philippines in the 2015 Embassy Chef Challenge in Ottawa.

placed her first runner up in the Judge’s Choice category where Trinidad and Tobago’s Chef Resa Solomon-St.Lewis earned the top prize. Thailand was the judges’ choice for second runner up.

Chefs Matthew Carmichael, Cory Haskins and Kent Van Dyk as well as cookbook author and TV host Margaret Dickinson comprised the panel of judges.

In his event review, Ottawa Citizen’s Peter Hum described Chef Jil’s entry as “the most ambitious, multi-component plate of the night” and noted that the “Philippine station had the longest lineup throughout much of the night, and not surprisingly, chef Aranas’ dish won the people’s choice award as well as second place from the judges.”

Ms. Aranas graduated from the Vancouver Community College with a diploma in culinary arts. In Ottawa, Jil worked with some of the capital’s renowned chefs such as Marc Lepine of Atelier restaurant, John Morris of the National Arts Centre, Jud Simpson of the House of Commons and Duane Lepine of the

exclusive Rideau Club.

No stranger to the pressure of competitions, Jil won her first gold medal at the Eat Vancouver Salon in 2009. She was also a member of Canada’s Junior Olympic Team that placed second overall in Dublin, Ireland in 2011. For this feat, she was conferred the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award in the same year. In May 2013, she finished second at the Annual Maple Leaf Signature Dish contest.

“Jil Aranas is a jewel of the Filipino community. Driven by a quest for excellence in her field, she creates a positive impression of Filipino food culture among mainstream Canadians. Her pride in her cultural heritage pushes our native cuisine to emerge from under the radar in this culturally-diverse, cosmopolitan city of Ottawa,” Ambassador Garcia observed.

The Embassy Chef Challenge is an annual fundraising event of the IBD Foundation to help fund state-of-the-art equipment for a specialized pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) procedure at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). ■ PH Embassy www.canadianinquirer.net

15, in Toronto and Richmond Hill.

The festival is proud to present short films of Filipino filmmakers such as, “Balikbayans”

by Alex Humilde; “Agos: The Manila Dream,” by Lyka Gonzalez; and “Paradise Island,”

by Kathleen Jayme at the Jackman Hall of the Art Gallery of Ontario. ■

liberalization. And the military always has its constitutional safeguards to fall back on.

The delay in announcing official returns has raised concern, with NLD spokesman Win Htein telling reporters that the election commission has been “delaying intentionally because maybe they want to play a trick or something.”

Suu Kyi told the BBC she does not expect the army to steal away her party’s election victory, as it did in 1990.

“They’ve been saying repeatedly they’ll respect the will of the people and that they will implement the results of the election,” she said, adding Myanmar’s citizens are now politically more aware and that new forms of communications serve a watchdog function.

If the NLD secures a two-thirds majority of the Parliamentary seats at stake — a likely scenario now — it would gain control over the executive posts under Myanmar’s complicated parliamentary-presidency system.

The military and the largest parties in the upper house and the lower house will each nominate a candidate for president.

After Jan. 31, all 664 legislators will cast ballots and the top vote-getter will become president, while the other two will be vice presidents.

Although she is barred by the constitution from becoming president, Suu Kyi recently has declared that she will be the country’s de facto leader, acting “above the president,” if her party forms the next government. ■ Associated Press writers Vijay Joshi in Yangon and Jocelyn Gecker in Bangkok contributed to this report.

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Community News

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

PH Embassy, Cancham hold business workshop THE PHILIPPINE Embassy in Ottawa recently received the visiting delegation comprising the 2015 Outbound Trade Mission led by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in Ottawa.

In a collective effort at "Connecting Philippine companies to Canada," a business workshop was conducted at the Philippine Embassy hall where businessto-business meetings were also undertaken. The delegation also attended the 2015 Government Technology Exhibition and Conference in Ottawa, showcasing technologies and services for public sector service delivery in Canada for other possible networking opportunities.

In her welcome remarks, Amb. Petronila P. Garcia noted the clear signs that Canada wants to engage the Philippines. She recalled in the past year alone, several significant developments have taken place - including the designation of the Philippines as a Country of Focus for development cooperation, as a priority emerging market under the Global Markets Access Plan (GMAP) of Canada, and extended privileges of Philippine exporters to bring in their goods into Canada at reduced tariffs under the General Preferential Tariff (GPT) program.

In a significant development during the visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Canada in May this year, the President witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Intent to explore the possibility of a bilateral free trade agreement between our two countries.

Ambassador Garcia also noted the mission of the Trade Facilitation Office Canada to meet with Philippine exporters to facilitate entry programs into the Canadian consumer market this month.

The Ambassador is pleased to see that both sides want to increase our commercial transactions, by way of increased two-way trade and investment.

Two-way trade has been stable, and growing at an average of 10% the past five years. Trade levels are at $1.8 billion, representing two percent of global trade for both the Philippines and Canada.

The Ambassador drew attention to the close people to people

linkages between the two countries. The 700,000-strong Filipinos in Canada now comprise the third largest visible minority in this country and have become a viable large scale ethnic consumer market in themselves.

The Ambassador welcomed the increased activities and engagements among the various business groups in both the Philippines and Canada.

Ambassador Garcia also expressed her appreciation to the various business associations and enablers of global commerce and trade from Ottawa for taking the time to be amongst the members of the visiting delegation, and for sharing insights and providing information how enterprises from both the Philippines and Canada can work together for mutual benefit.

The visiting delegation was led by Cora Dela Cruz, executive director of CanCham Philippines. Members of the delegation include top officials from the ABI Group, the Asia Technology School of the Arts, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Engelwood Hospital, RCH Information Technology, SLID Netsystems, Filipino Human Hair Processing and Development Corporation, Wholesome Foods and the Zamoboanga City Economic Zone Authority and Freeport.

Various business groups and facilitators in Ottawa also conducted presentations including the Trade Facilitation Office Canada, Export Development Canada, and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.

The Philippines is among Asia's fastest growing economies. In the past five years, it has received numerous credit upgrades from various investment ratings organizations, and has made significant improvements in its global competitiveness rankings. As a major manufacturing hub and host of freeports, its major export products include electronics, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil and fruits. It has become a leading global business process outsourcing center in voice and other-non voice informationtechnology services. ■ PH Embassy

Cuso International Representative with Vicky Prado (R)

Canadians encouraged to apply as volunteers in PH CANADIAN-BASED CUSO International has partnered with Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines and is currently recruiting volunteers to help this important poverty alleviation and nation-building movement expand its local projects and build opportunities for those in need.

“Cuso International is appealing to professionallytrained Filipino-Canadians to consider applying for one of these new volunteer placements,” said former Cuso International volunteer, Vicki del Prado. “It really is about sharing your skills and giving a part of yourself back to the community. It is an opportunity to serve your home country and make a small difference for the greater good.”

This is the first time Cuso International, which mobilizes Canadian volunteers to support development projects around the globe, has formally partnered with a not-for-profit organization in the Philippines.

Placements are expected to begin in February 2016 and last six months to one year.

A human resources specialist (HR) by trade, del Prado completed a one-year-long Cuso International assignment in Jamaica and speaks to the positive experience one can expect from a volunteer placement. “The meaningful part of my work is the people I had the opportuwww.canadianinquirer.net

nity to work with and serve by sharing my professional skills and experience. It was also an adventure because it was my first time to be in Jamaica,” said del Prado. “The experience improved my ability to collaborate with and learn from others, appreciate cultural diversity, and deal with uncertainty. It broadened my perspective about development work.”

Del Prado’s volunteer work as Organization Development Advisor for Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF) Jamaica was aimed at building organization capacity. A major component of her assignment was to develop HR policies and write the Standards and Operating Procedures. She also assisted management in recruitment, and strengthened management processes and accountability by providing performance management training.

Opportunities in the Philippines with Gawad Kalinga include efforts to advance overall programming, as well as supporting key development initiatives which aim to promote sustainable growth in the Philippines. One of those initiatives is the Enchanted Farm based in Bulacan province which aims to become the ‘Silicon Valley’ for social entrepreneurs, attracting the brightest graduates and young professionals to choose social entrepreneurship as a vi-

able and exciting career path.

Volunteers for the Philippines are being recruited specifically in the areas of HR, marketing, organizational development, finance, program development, volunteer management and school expansion. Cuso International compensates all volunteers by providing a modest allowance and covering living expenses, as well as covering travel expenses and providing pre-departure training and support.

Del Prado is encouraging others to apply for volunteer placements in the Philippines, noting that Gawad Kalinga is a reputable organization dedicated to eradicating poverty and improving the lives of millions of Filipinos.

“Although I’ve already done a volunteer placement, I am also interested in this one,” she said. “It is fulfilling to contribute to Canada’s growth, but it’s always nice to spend some time to serve your home country.

As a volunteer in your home country, you bring an insider’s knowledge of the culture and language, and an outsider’s eye as you share your knowledge, skills and bring a fresh perspective on finding solutions to some of the organization’s challenges. I urge you to be a part of Gawad Kalinga’s mission in giving care to five million families,” she said. ■

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Entertainment

Kris Aquino to host lunch for world’s first ladies

BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer KRIS AQUINO, sister of President Benigno Aquino III will be hosting lunch for the first ladies of the countries participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Aquino revealed in her morning show “Kris TV” the countries who have accepted invitation to the lunch the youngest Aquino will be hosting.

The first ladies who have confirmed attendance are Mary Chee Bee Kiang of Singapore, Iriana Joko Widodo of Indonesia, Miyuki Hatoyama of Japan, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor of Malaysia, Naraporn Chan-o-cha of Thai-

Celebrity stylist Liz Uy (right) with actress Isabelle Daza. @LIZZZUY / INSTAGRAM

Kris Aquino to play “Love” in new series.

land, Mai Thi Hanh of Vietnam, Christine Chow Ma of Hong Kong, María Clemencia Rodríguez Múnera of Colombia and Bronagh Key of New Zealand.

Kris Aquino asked everyone

@WITHLOVEKRISAQUINO / INSTAGRAM

to be at their best behavior when world leaders come to the country.

“It’s our honor that they would all be coming here. So let’s all behave, please,” she said in Filipino. ■

Heart Evangelista refuses to let politics affect their family ties

BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA – When asked about her thoughts on her mother Cecilia Ongpauco expressing support for Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s presidential candidacy, Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista asserted that differing political views in their family was not an issue.

“Something like that shouldn’t really bother us. It’s not a problem… It was perfectly fine that she would go because

it’s natural. She (Santiago) is the friend of my mom,” Evangelista said, referring to her mother’s presence in one of the presidential aspirant’s political events held last month. “[We have] the right to look at everybody. Kung sino talaga ang gusto natin… Ang pulitika naman, dapat labas ang pamilya at friendship. Kasi maraming nagaaway na pamilya pagdating sa pulitika, hindi kami ganun,” she added.

(We have the right to look at everybody. Whomever we really want [to support]… In politics

anyway, family and friendship should not be contributing factors. Because a lot of families are not in good terms when it comes to politics, we’re not like that.)

The actress’s husband Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who sought the country’s second highest post, has teamed up with Senator Grace Poe who has been running for president.

Even if she has close ties with Santiago as well, Evangelista knew that the senator would likewise understand and respect her choice to support her husband. ■

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Stylist Liz Uy to file defamation suits against blogger

BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer LIZ UY, stylist to celebrities and the president will file a count of slander and six counts of online libel against blogger Michael Sy Lim of “Fashion Pulis” on November 9 at the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati City.

Uy is suing Lim over the latter’s blog post titled, “Liz Uy Makes Maine Mendoza Wear Same Jacket She Wore Weeks Ago in Preview Photoshoot”, allegedly implying that the designer recycles clothes.

“I am sad that a public figure such as Liz Uy decides to file a case against me. Her feelings of being wronged by my post was based on a common truthful observation about her body of work relative to Maine Mendoza of AlDub which many people other than me also pointed out,” Lim said in a statement released in his blog.

“Is it a crime for ordinary people, bloggers, showbiz writers and journalists to point out valid observations about those in the public eye? Other bloggers, writers, journalists and I should not be cowered by the filing of cases just to suppress the freedom to express and of the press,” he continued.

“I will fight this case with courage because I have malicious intent. My lawyer is also studying the filing of counter charges for malicious prosecution and damages for this suppression of our freedom of the press and expression,” Lim added.

This would not be the first libel case filed against Lim. The blogger has been arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP)'s Women and Children Protection in August 11, this year over a libel case filed by Deniece Cornejo.

Lim released Cornejo’s medical report, prompting the latter to press charges. ■

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Entertainment

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‘Warcraft’ cast unleash film trailer at BlizzCon

BY DERRIK J. LANG The Associated Press ANAHEIM, CALIF. — The director and cast of “Warcraft” are hammering down on BlizzCon. A trailer for the film adaptation of the long-running interactive fantasy series debuted to thunderous applause Friday at the fan convention.

The footage teased the tuskfilled, armor-laden conflict between orcs and humans that has been depicted in the 11-year-old online role-playing game “World of Warcraft” and the original “Warcraft” games from the 1990s.

“Warcraft” filmmaker Duncan Jones introduced the preview on stage at the Anaheim Convention Center with cast members Clancy Brown, Dominic Cooper, Ben Foster, Toby Kebbell, Paula Patton and Daniel Wu. “That was incredible,” said Jones backstage after the unveiling. “I’ve been working on this movie for three years and coming to BlizzCon for the past five years.

I know this crowd from both sides, so it was fantastic to be able to finally show them in person and release the trailer online for everyone who couldn’t be here.”

Jones, the filmmaker behind the critical sci-fi successes “Moon” and “Source Code,” said he understands winning over the BlizzCon crowd is only half the battle.

“We have to convince people who aren’t fans of ‘Warcraft’ that this is a movie that they’re going to understand, enjoy and love,” said Jones. “I keep telling everyone here that this is an opportunity for those who love ‘Warcraft’ to communicate to

‘Warcraft’ movie posters.

everyone else exactly what it is they love about ‘Warcraft.’“ Despite the game series’ 20-year-old history and diehard fanbase, Foster said he was undaunted when tackling the role of the magical Medivh.

He didn’t care that “Warcraft” was a game before a film.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Foster. “It’s about two sides of a war.

There’s compassion on both sides. To me, that felt like a worthy way to spend a few months in a very accessible way. If you can use the engine of big dollar Hollywood to talk about both sides of a war, that feels exciting. By the way, nobody did it for free.”

Patton, who plays the half-orc, half-human Garona, acknowledged one of the biggest challenges of her part was attempting to act while wearing pointy ears and tusks. She would take them home to practice.

“My son loved it,” said Patton.

“He would call me orc mommy.

I would tape my pointy ears on him and rehearse my lines with the tusks on while cleaning the house or whatever.”

Ahead of the “Warcraft” trailer debut, Activision Blizzard Inc. announced plans during an investor meeting at BlizzCon to create and release its own film and TV series based on the “Call of Duty” military shooter franchise and the “Skylanders” toy-game series.

Activision Blizzard partnered with Legendary Pictures to produce “Warcraft,” which is set for release June 10 and will be distributed by Universal Pictures. Jones said he’s envisioned with Chris Metzen, Blizzard’s chief of story and franchise development, that the film could be the first installment in a film trilogy. ■

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2016 presidential hopeful Donald Trump hosts iconic show ‘Saturday Night Live;’ fends off heckler.

SCREENSHOT FROM SNL TEASER

Hosting ‘SNL,’ Donald Trump fends off mock heckler

BY FRAZIER MOORE The Associated Press NEW YORK — Donald Trump hadn’t gotten far into his opening monologue before trouble occurred. An off-screen heckler interrupted with a cry of “You’re a racist!”

But the “heckler” was comedian Larry David, who before Trump arrived on-stage had been seen impersonating Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.

“Larry, what are you doing?”

Trump asked with a trace of exasperation.

“I heard if I yelled that, they’d give me $5,000,” said David with a shrug, echoing an offer made publicly by one of the Hispanic groups protesting Trump’s appearance.

“As a businessman,” Trump told him, “I can fully respect that.”

Trump’s 90 minutes in the “SNL” spotlight followed weeks of growing anticipation, increasingly sharp criticism and mounting calls for him to be dropped from the show. But the Republican presidential candidate hosted Saturday’s “SNL” as scheduled. And, at least in NBC’s Studio 8H, there was no more unrest - orchestrated or otherwise.

During his monologue, Trump promised his hosting appearance would be “something special,” while noting that many people had asked him why he accepted the gig. He said they had told him, “You’re brilwww.canadianinquirer.net

liant, you’re handsome, you’re rich. The world is waiting for you to be president. Why?” His answer: “I had nothing better to do.”

“But part of the reason I’m here,” he added, “is to show I can take a joke.”

In one sketch, Trump was willing to mock his penchant for tweeting insults about people with whom he differs.

“I hate to break it to you guys,” he told viewers, “but I’m not going to be in the next sketch.” Instead, off-camera, he live-tweeted comments that were flashed on the screen about “SNL” cast members performing a skit: “Cecily Strong is not a nice person.”

“Kate McKinnon was born stupid.”

“I love SNL ... SNL loves me.

But everyone in this sketch is a total loser who can bite my dust.”

Another sketch imagined Trump in the Oval Office in 2018 - two years into his presidency - savoring his many successes.

By then, Syria is at peace.

China is borrowing money from the U.S. Trump’s real-life daughter, Ivanka, is the administration’s secretary of the interior, and announces the Washington Monument will be covered with gold.

Did it all sound too good to be possible?

“If you think that’s how it’s going to be when I’m president, you’re wrong. It’s going to be even better,” Trump said, addressing the audience. “I said to

the writers of this sketch, ‘Keep it modest.’“ His preference, he insisted, was to keep expectations low for his presidency and not overpromise.

Until Saturday, just eight politicians had served as guest hosts in the NBC sketch comedy series’ 40 years. Only one of those - the Rev. Al Sharpton, in 2003 - was actively involved in a presidential bid at the time.

(Hillary Clinton appeared in last month’s season premiere, but not as the host.)

The star turn granted Trump fanned the flames of outrage sparked in June when he announced his Republican candidacy for president and described some Mexicans who are in the United States illegally as criminals and rapists.

Hours before the show’s 11:30 p.m. EST Saturday start time, dozens of protesters marched from Trump Tower to NBC’s studio in Rockefeller Plaza, chanting in both English and Spanish and carrying signs. In Spanish, they chanted: “The people united shall never be defeated” and signs declared SNL racist.

“I feel like they’re giving him a platform,” said Hazel Hernandez, 26, who emigrated from El Salvador and now lives in Brooklyn. “I’m an immigrant myself, so I’m pretty outraged.

I’ve been in this country for many years, and I’m outraged that they would let him host SNL. It’s upsetting.”

Trump’s comments last sum❱❱ PAGE 39 Hosting ‘SNL’

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NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Lifestyle

Tapping into tiny house trend, more businesses offer tryouts of the radically small lifestyle

BY COLLIN BINKLEY The Associated Press CROYDON, N.H. — Hilary and Shane Lentz were hooked on the idea of a tiny house, but they weren’t sure the reality would be so appealing.

Their curiosity led them to the hills of New Hampshire, where a business that started at Harvard University rents out tiny houses for $99 a night. The company, Getaway, has drawn visitors from afar who come to sample life in a 160-square-foot house before they dive headlong into the lifestyle.

“It’s a way to test-drive tiny house living,” said Jon Staff, the founder and CEO of Getaway. “We operate them a little bit like hotel rooms in the woods.”

Across the country, more businesses are letting the curious try out tiny living. Caravan, a hotel in Portland, Oregon, offers six tiny houses ranging from 84 to 170 square feet, for $145 a night. Dozens of tiny houses are available through vacation rental websites, posted by their owners.

Definitions vary, but some say a tiny house is anything smaller than 400 square feet.

Advocates tout the environmental and financial perks of tiny living.

The Lentz couple, from Pittsburgh, had been considering a major downsize for years. It could free them from the mortgage on their three-bedroom home. They could build the house on wheels and take it anywhere. By shedding some belongings, there would be fewer distractions.

“Having a smaller living space allows you to be more open to experiences, and to really enjoy your day to day life,” said Hilary, 27.

But the couple had a few lingering questions. Shane, 29, wondered whether waterless toilets, a common feature in tiny houses, were odourless,

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too. They both worried about their zoning rules to open the for smaller apartments and cooking in a tiny kitchen. Hil- door for more tiny houses. condos, but not stand-alone ary wanted to know whether But industry experts say it’s houses. the coziness would fade to iso- hard to pinpoint actual numEither way, tiny houses have lation. bers behind the trend. In an caught the public’s attention Getaway is the first project annual survey, the National As- as the subject of TV shows and at Harvard’s Millennial Hous- sociation of Realtors found that documentaries. Popular webing Lab, a group of business, the share of home buyers who sites entice audiences to ogle law and design students explor- opted for houses of less than at small houses in bucolic landing new housing ideas. Staff, a 1,000 square feet has stayed at scapes. Some cities are explorgraduate student in business, about 1 per cent for the past five ing tiny houses as a tool to fight said his stints homelessness. living on a boat The Lentz and in an Aircouple signed stream trailer up for a rental inspired him to Having a smaller living space allows as soon as they help spread the you to be more open to experiences, heard online tiny house moveand to really enjoy your day to day about Getaway. ment. life.

They spent the “Small spaces weekend in a force you out wood-paneled into the world, house the size of and I think that’s a good thing,” years. a shipping container, powered he said.

“The data is revealing that by solar panels. The only water Backers of tiny living say the tiny-sized home is not what came from a 110-gallon tank. the movement is growing, and people will consider the Ameri- Its composting toilet required certain areas have become can dream,” said Lawrence Yun, a spritz of water from a spray hotspots. Villages of little the association’s chief econo- bottle after use. homes have popped up in cities mist.

“Our tiny houses are a little like Portland and Seattle. Other He predicts that the growth bit simpler than the standard cities have considered relaxing of big cities will fuel demand tiny house,” Staff said. “They’re www.canadianinquirer.net

rustic.”

During their tryout, the Lentzes played board games and went hiking. They built a campfire and looked at the stars. Despite their concerns, the cramped kitchen had plenty of space to prepare a spaghetti dinner. After warming up slowly, the small propane heater eventually warded off the fall chill.

“It was very comfortable,” Hilary said. “I was pretty surprised. I didn’t feel that closed-in feeling, even up in the loft.”

By the end of their stay, Shane wasn’t sold on the composting toilet. But overall, they said, the trip bolstered their decision to downsize. They’ve even chosen possible designs. The only obstacle now is the zoning in Pittsburgh, which can make it tough to find space for a tiny home, they said.

“If we can find a place,” Hilary said, “I don’t think there would even be a question about it.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

33

6 Reasons Your Shift Work is Bad for You Or, what you need to know about Shiftwork

BY LIZETTE LOFRANCOABA Special to Philippine Canadian Inquirer LIVING IN the 21st century is almost impossible without shiftwork. In a 24x7 society, there are many essential services that require continuous operations for the survival, safety and prosperity of our communities. And the number is growing with the demands of our modern economy.

For example, hospitals need to be manned by nurses, doctors and other medical staff night and day; our cities need fire, ambulance and police personnel working round-the-clock; airports, hotels, telecoms and a host of other commercial establishments need to operate non-stop.

Across North America and Europe, about 25% of the working population work in nonstandard hours outside of the typical 8-5 Monday-Friday schedule. In Canada, at any given time, approximately 25% of those employed work in shifts.

Most of shift workers are in the healthcare, industrial, transportation, hospitality and communications industries.

What is Shiftwork?

Work that that is scheduled outside day hours Monday to Friday is considered Shiftwork.

It is also work which starts substantially before 7 a.m. and finishes at 7 p.m. or later. Shiftwork could also include split shifts, rotating work hours, and extended work periods of 10 hours or more as in compressed work weeks.

Many shift workers do shiftwork because it is the nature of their jobs—people work shifts not because they want to but because they have to. If you are in the company of shift workers, you will be privy to a litany of their woes. Many of the complaints from shift workers revolve around being constantly tired, feeling stressed and disruption to their social and family life. Let’s listen to some of their ranting as aired in the blogosphere: “Two of my children have worked shifts in their time--it leaves them wrecked and unable to concentrate for weeks afterwards.”

“I still remember my own share of doing graveyard shifts while still working in the hotel industry. It left me with a feeling of disorientation throughout the day, not forgetting the almost non-existence social life as the rest of supposedly resting hours were spent sleeping.”

“I am an aviation meteorologist working rotating shifts….

There are negative realities that you must deal with as a shift worker that the ‘day people’ do not have to deal with. You are going to be slightly neurotic.

You are going to feel depression and ‘out of touch’. Your neighbors are drinking beer on their front porch on Friday night and you are going to work. You are going to always have this worry that you are not getting enough sleep and are counting hours all the time…. You are sleeping while the rest of the family is up and you are up while the rest of the family is sleeping … You feel that you feel more tired than other people…”

“It slowly kills you. I know I have more gray hair because of it, and I’m only 40, about to be 41 this summer. It wrecks your body....Your body was made to sleep at night, no other time.

Trying to get 8 hrs of sleep during the day is not right. Even if you got 8 hrs of sleep during the day (good luck) it’s not the same as night sleep. Totally different...Your immune system suffers greatly…”

What happens to your body during Shiftwork

In simple terms, this is how shiftwork could affect the human body: Under normal conditions, the body’s biological functions follow a regular 24hour cycle or what is called the circadian rhythm. Also known as “body clock”, this natural circadian cycle is the body’s internal “time-tracking” that regulates our biological functions including body temperature, blood pressure, metabolism, heart and kidney functions, sleep, cognitive performance, hormonal secretions, etc. This circadian rhythm coordinates these functions and helps our bodies adapt to the appropriate time of the day as well as to environmental changes.

A hormone that our brains produce, Melatonin, is vital

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in keeping this body clock in check. Also considered a powerful antioxidant, Melatonin helps regulate our sleeping and waking cycles as well as influences other hormones in the body.

It is secreted after the onset of darkness (evening), peaks in the middle of the night (between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.), and remains elevated throughout night, promoting restorative sleep. It gradually falls during the second half of the night. The amount of melatonin produced by the body is determined by how dark or light our surroundings are.

With shiftwork, our natural body clock is disrupted and the nocturnal production of Melatonin is affected. As light shuts down the body’s production of melatonin, the brains of night shift workers who, for example, work in artificial light at night reduce their production of melatonin. Night shift workers have to prepare for sleep at a time when their body clocks are telling them to be up and active. Vice versa, they must remain alert and ready for work when their bodily systems are preparing to shut down and get ready for sleep. Research indicates that because shift workers commonly return to normal hours only on their days off, their natural circadian system never fully adapts.

Effects of Shiftwork

There have been many conwww.canadianinquirer.net

cerns associated prolonged shiftwork.

Many reports abound on the risks posed by the disruption to our natural bodily processes caused by continued shiftwork: 1. Heightened risk for cancer and other health conditions Emerging medical findings reveal that Melatonin is heavily involved in protecting the body against cancer and the disruption to our body clock could hasten tumor growth. The Danish Cancer Society Institute of Cancer in Copenhagen points out medical evidence is strongest for breast cancer, but there also exists for prostate, colorectal and endometrial cancer. Research also indicates that disruption of our natural circadian rhythm and decreased melatonin production have also been linked to insomnia, migraine, depression, heart disease such as hypertension and coronary heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, increased susceptibility to minor illnesses such as colds and flu. Gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcer, chronic gastritis, indigestion, constipation, abdominal pain are more common among rotating and night shift workers than among workers who work only on dayshifts.

2. Sleep deprivation and development of sleep disorders It is well-known that sleep is

a powerful and a vital biological need that is required to allow the body to restore and repair itself. While it could be said that shift workers especially those working on graveyard shifts could recover missed sleep during the day, day sleep is found to be usually lighter and shorter induration and therefore, less restorative than night sleep.

Research indicates that night workers sleep less during the day and less deeply. Day sleep is more often disturbed because of warmer temperatures and other possible disruptions of daytime activities such as noise from phones, cars, children or domestic responsibilities. According to the American Sleep Disorders Association, 5 million people endure sleep disorders as a result of shift work.

3. Adoption or worsening of unhealthy behaviours Shiftwork has also been associated with higher levels of obesity than dayshift workers.

Stress and increased snacking caused by long and irregular hours may lie at the root of higher obesity levels. It is reported that sleep-deprived adults produce more Ghrelin which is a hormone that promotes hunger, and less Leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite. Eating at midnight and sleeping at noon is linked to ❱❱ PAGE 34 6 Reasons

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Lifestyle

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Ontario to expand medical referrals for sex reassignment surgery

BY KEITH LESLIE The Canadian Press TORONTO — Ontario wants to make it easier for transgender people to get a medical referral for sex reassignment surgery, but they will still have to leave the province for the procedures.

Currently, only the Gender Identity Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto can refer a patient for sex reassignment surgery, which is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

Health Minister Eric Hoskins announced proposed changes Friday that would allow qualified health-care providers anywhere in Ontario to refer transgender patients for surgery.

Exactly who should be trained will be worked out after the government’s 45-day period for public comment on the new regulation.

“Ontario is taking action to reduce wait times and improve access for sex reassignment surgery,” Hoskins announced at Toronto’s Rainbow Health Clinic. “We will be moving from what currently is a single site to

potentially what could be hundreds and hundreds of sites.”

Hoskins said every Ontarian has the right to be who they are, and the health-care system should reflect that vision.

“I recognize that this is only a first step in our government’s work to strengthen health supports for the trans community,” he said.

There’s been a big increase in the number of people in Ontario seeking gender identity services, and the waiting list for sex reassignment surgery referrals at CAMH has grown to more than 1,150 people.

Even after people get a referral for sexual reassignment surgery, they often face a yearslong wait and must travel to Montreal or the United States to get the procedures performed.

“I can only imagine the additional anxiety of knowing the path one has to travel to seek out and receive support, and be affirmed, must dramatically increase that anxiety,” Hoskins said as he pledged to build Ontario’s capacity to offer the surgery.

Ontario has spent about $9

million to pay for out of province sex reassignment surgery for trans patients since the Liberals reinstated OHIP coverage in 2008, which grew from five patients in the first year to 136 in 2014-15.

One of the most vulnerable times for transgender people is when they are ready for surgery, but face a prolonged wait, said Anna Travers of Rainbow Health.

“This change would reduce wait times by allowing many trans clients to get surgical approvals from their own local primary care teams,” she said.

Martine Stonehouse, who was in the middle of her sex reassignment surgeries when the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris de-listed OHIP coverage, called Friday’s announcement “great,” but a long time coming.

“Having only one assessor site isn’t practical, and has caused a bottleneck since we got the surgery re-listed in 2008,” Stonehouse said. “There’s so many people out there who need services but can’t get access.”

Nicole Nussbaum, a lawyer who works with the transgen-

4. Stress and Fatigue More than non-shift workers, shift workers report greater fatigue, feelings of tiredness, reduced alertness and general discomfort during waking hours. Shift workers have relatively high levels of work stress.

Canadians who do shift work more likely report lower levels of satisfaction with their worklife balance and job strain (high psychological demands coupled with low decision- making latitude). Women on night shiftwork report high personal stress (taking on too much, feeling pressured and unappreciated) more than those working on a daytime schedule. Job insecurity was common among both men and women with a rotating or irregular schedule.

workers to perform at their peak is related to disruption to their sleep and fatigue. Evidence of increased work injury, risk of errors and accidents was found to be higher on the night shift; to rise with increasing shift length over eight hours; to increase over successive shifts, especially if they are night shifts; and to increase when there are not enough breaks.

Many accidents on the road and making bad decisions at work have been linked to fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress and staff falling asleep. Many of the worst industrial accidents around the world such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska (1989), the Space shuttle Challenger explosion in Florida, USA (1986) and the Bhopal gas tragedy in Bhopal, India (1984) also have been linked to human error brought about by shiftwork-related fatigue, sleep deprivation and stress. Accord-

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der community, said forcing every trans person in Ontario who wants surgery to go through CAMH has created a logjam and unmanageable workload that will be eased by other doctors.

“While there is certainly a great deal of expertise at CAMH, many health and mental health professionals in this province are already providing high quality transgender or transitionrelated care,” she said.

New Democrat Cheri DiNovo called Hoskins’ announcement “a wonderful first step,” and a direct result of a resolution unanimously passed in the Ontario legislature in June affirm-

ing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

“Now that trans folk actually have human rights they are exercising them,” said DiNovo. “The fear is once we have broader access points (to sex reassignement surgery referrals) then what happens? We don’t have the surgeons in Ontario to perform the procedures.”

Hoskins promised more funding for CAMH and the Rainbow Clinic to help them cope with increased demands while the province gets other health care professionals trained and ready to do the referrals. ■

ing to a study done by NASA's Fatigue Countermeasures Program, sleep deprivation can reduce attention and vigilance by 50%, decision-making ability by 50%, communication skills by 30%, and memory by 20%.”

significant since the amount and quality of family and social relationships is very well related to the overall physical wellbeing and mental health of an individual.

Part 2 of this two-part article will focus on strategies that you (and your boss) could consider to cope with your (shift) work. ■

6 Reasons... causes of obesity, diabetes and heart disease more commonly among nightshift workers.

Shift workers also tend to take drugs to help them cope with changes to their sleep and work cycles. A higher incidence of alcohol and nicotine has been reported among shift workers.

According to a Statistics Canada report, a greater percentage of men working evening shifts were daily smokers compared to daytime workers. In another survey, shift workers reported increased intake of caffeine and alcohol and were more likely to use these as sleep aids. Shift workers report difficulty maintaining a regular exercise program and have poorer dietary habits, when compared to their non-shiftwork colleagues—all compounding unhealthy behaviors and the decreased ability to cope with stress. ❰❰ 33

5. Performance, productivity and safety Repeated studies have demonstrated that the ability of

www.canadianinquirer.net

6. Disruption of family and social life Shift workers have also reported heightened feelings of loneliness and isolation, anger, reduced interest in sex, lack of opportunity to participate in clubs, sports and organized recreational activities, etc. Shift workers complain more of an inability to establish regular routines in their daily activities and plan for family responsibilities. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety reported that shift workers experience more disruption to their family lives and time available for spouses and children. This finding is very

The writer is a Certified Human Resources Professional in BC. She is an HR Career Mentor servicing new immigrants navigating in the Canadian workplace.

Please note that statements expressed herein this article are those of the author’s. They are provided for general information purposes only. This column is not intended to provide specific professional advice and should not be relied on as a basis for any legal decision. For comments or questions, please contact the author via email at hopefortheflowers.2012@yahoo.com.

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Travel

Bacolod on a Budget

Enjoying the best of Bacolod without breaking the bank CHING DEE / PCI

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer A VISIT to Bacolod wouldn’t be complete without feasting your eyes and bellies with its most prized possessions aside from sugarcane: The Ruins in Talisay City, authentic Chicken Inasal, and Calea Cakes & Pastries along Lacson Street.

They say you didn’t go to Bacolod if you didn’t eat chicken inasal. This is Bacolod’s answer to the usual barbecue and giving it their own twist: A marinade made of pepper, calamansi or vinegar, and annato seeds. It is then grilled and cooked to perfection — its light smoky bitterness complementing the marinade’s robust flavors. There are several joints along Lacson Street claiming to serve the best chicken inasal, but just go where most locals go and you’re sure to have a great meal. Plus, food here is insanely affordable! So make sure you pace yourself and don’t eat too much inasal. Based on experience, it’s pretty easy to get carried away.

After enjoying Bacolod’s best chicken inasal, travel back in time to the beauty that is now referred to as The Ruins.

The mansion was built in the 1900’s by sugar baron Don Mariano Lacson and Maria Braga, a ship captain’s daughter.

It was once the biggest and finest resi-

dence in all of Bacolod. Sadly, as is the violent and cruel history of the country itself, the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) guerrillas burnt the mansion to ruins during the second World War to prevent the Japanese forces from using it as a fort.

Today, the mansion was deemed as the 12th most fascinating ruins in the world. The property is a huge hit to both locals and foreigners alike and is still surrounded by sugarcane plantations as far as the eye can see. In fact, the rather challenging tricycle ride from the highway to The Ruins goes through a pathway lined with sugarcanes. Pro tip: Visit it late in the afternoon, just in time to get the money shot when dusk turns The Ruins into a golden edifice against the Visayan sky, going from cerulean to fiery purple and then fading into the nightsky teeming with stars.

From Bacolod City, The Ruins is about 20-30 minutes away by jeep and then tricyle. It is a privately owned property, but open to the public. An entrance fee will be collected upon entry, but visitors can ask to be accompanied by a tour guide free of charge. You just have to look for their in-house guides donning blue shirts. There is also a souvenir shop if you wish to take home piece of this wonder, as well as a quaint cafe should you become a little snackish while roam-

ing the grounds. Pro tip: If you got there via public transportation, make sure to ask your tricycle driver to wait for you so you’ll have a ready ride to take you back to the highway. There is usually an additional charge for waiting for passengers, but try and deal with your driver until you reach a fair amount.

After spending the afternoon in It is best to cap a night in Bacolod City by enjoying a slice or two of cake from Calea Cakes & Pastries. Although, you should be warned, you have over thirty different kinds of cakes and pastries and pies to choose from. So, be ready to be over-

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whelmed. One can say that this place definitely maximized the province’s main produce: sugarcane. Their best seller, the imported chocolate cake, is a deliciously luscious melange of rich and not-too-sweet chocolate ganache and a caramel-like cream between the two layers of delectably moist chocolate cake.

Slices of heaven need not cost more than a hundred bucks and you can also enjoy your cakes with a variety of coffee and non-caffeinated beverages.

With its historical landmarks and heavenly fare, it’s no wonder this province is called the City of Smiles. ■

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NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Business Trudeau government facing bigger baseline deficits amid weaker economy

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD The Canadian Press

platform,” said Morneau, who promised a fiscal and economic update by Christmas.

“We’re working towards having an update for Canadians in the near term so they can understand what it is that we’ve taking on as a new government.”

Morneau, who will travel to Turkey later this week for G20 meetings, said it’s still too early for him to provide a more specific timeline for the update. He also said it was too soon to say when the government would table its first budget in the new year.

To help fund their infrastructure pledges, the Liberals said they would run deficits of less than $10 billion in each of the next two years. Those platform figures were based on calculations made in July by the par-

tion of April’s Finance Department forecasts and the party’s own predictions.

The budget office said its preOTTAWA — The federal govdictions Tuesday do not take ernment will open its books to into account the fiscal impact of public scrutiny before the end any measures in the Liberal govof the year, Finance Minister ernment’s election platform.

Bill Morneau promised TuesThe report also updated the day after a report warned that budget office’s own fiscal prodeteriorating economic condijections from April. tions could drive Canada into Back in April, the budget ofdeeper deficits. fice said Ottawa would run a The report by the parliamen$1.1-billion surplus in 2015-16, tary budget officer suggested break even in 2016-17 and post the new Trudeau government a $2.6-billion deficit in 2017-18. was on track to face largerThe spring forecast also prothan-expected baseline shortjected shortfalls of $2.8 billion falls in the coming years. in 2018-19 and $2.5 billion in The Liberals won last 2019-20. month’s federal election after The office is now forecasting vowing to roll out large spenda $1.2-billion surplus in 2015ing plans for projects like in16, but says it will be followed frastructure, which the party by four straight deficits that are argued will kick-start economic on average $2.4 billion lower growth and creper year than its ate jobs.

April projection.

But the revised It expects figures suggest it shortfalls of $3 will be tougher — It’s a pause in the economic growth billion in 2016by billions of doland as a result we have seen some 17, $4.7 billion in lars — for the Libdeterioration in the fiscal picture for 2017-18, $5 bilerals to fulfil their the government. lion in 2018-19 campaign promand $4.6 billion ise to cap deficits in 2019-20. at no more than “It is worse $10 billion over the next two liamentary budget office. than what we had expected, but years and still balance the books The July PBO numbers were it is not a disaster,” assistant before the next election. produced by recalculating the parliamentary budget officer The updated numbers came previous government’s projec- Mostafa Askari said Tuesday of after the budget office down- tions from the April budget us- Canada’s economic outlook. graded its economic projec- ing downgraded Bank of Cana“It’s a pause in the economic tions for Canada, blaming the da growth forecasts. growth and as a result we have gloomier forecast on weaker The PBO numbers released seen some deterioration in the growth, low commodity prices Tuesday, however, suggest the fiscal picture for the governand shrinking revenues. government’s fiscal starting ment.”

For now, at least, the Liberals point will be billions of dollars Both the New Democrats and say they’re sticking with their lower in those two years — by Conservatives pounced, deplan. $3.6 billion in 2016-17 and by manding to know how the govMorneau said it was “way $6.9 billion in 2017-18. After ernment plans to manage an ugly premature” for any decision on factoring in the Liberal spend- economic and fiscal situation. whether the government would ing pledges, it could mean defiConservative MP Tony Clemtweak campaign commitments cits of more than $13 billion in ent urged the Liberals to exbecause of the lower projec- 2016-17 and more than $16 bil- plain how they will avoid runtions. lion in 2017-18. ning up bigger deficits than it “As you heard during the The Liberals have also said they had promised. course of the campaign, we they would run a $5.7-billion Morneau also said he is lookwere and continue to be con- shortfall in 2018-19 before de- ing into the possibility of holdcerned with the state of the livering a $1-billion surplus in ing a meeting of provincial and economy — and that really 2019-20 — but those projec- territorial finance ministers was the foundation for our tions are based on a combina- next month. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

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Stocks seen to weaken

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer LOCAL STOCKS are seen to remain in the doldrums this week as investors brace for a potential increase in US interest rates as early as next month.

Last week, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) slipped by 0.23 percent to close at 7,118.20 on Friday as fresh jitters on the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate liftoff intensified.

It was reported last Friday that the US economy added 271,000 jobs in October, beating consensus forecasts. This further boosted expectations that the liftoff will happen in December. Last week, US Fed Chair Janet Yellen also commented that a December rate hike was possible.

Following the employment report, Citigroup said it would take a “bunker-buster” offset to deter the Fed from raising rates in December. “This sounds like September all over again. And all it took then was the markets to react badly to events in China,” Citi said in a research note on Saturday. “Were they not apparently so fickle, we would change our Fed call right now to a December hike. But the recent actions of the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) imply it is possible sentiment

may switch even from current lofty levels of near-certainty about December.”

At the same time, investors continue to monitor the thirdquarter local corporate earnings reporting season. Many of the country’s blue chips are scheduled to release their latest earnings results this week.

Local stockbrokerage AB Capital Securities said that for this week, a breach of support levels would pave the way for further downside to 7,000.

It noted that other technical indicators remained “neutralbearish.”

AB Capital Securities pegged the support level at 7,070 while the initial and secondary resistance levels can be found at 7,200 and 7,400, respectively.

Jonathan Ravelas, chief strategist at Banco de Oro Unibank, said the index consolidated within the 7,000-7,300 range last week but was unable to sustain gains above 7,200 as investors weighed mixed corporate earnings results and the higher probability of a December US Fed rate liftoff.

“Chartwise, the week’s close at 7,118.20 continues to support further weakness toward the 6,900-7,000 levels in the near term,” he said.

On the currency market, Ravelas said the peso might retest the 47 levels against the dollar this week. ■

Business

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

37

Income tax rate cut plea ‘well-justified’

BY BEN O. DE VERA Philippine Daily Inquirer ADJUSTING INCOME tax brackets to inflation as well as slashing rates, as proposed by a number of pending bills in Congress, were “well-justified” and would better prepare the country ahead of the Asean integration going in full swing by yearend, according to a study conducted by state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

To make up for the foregone revenues from lower income taxes, PIDS is proposing to raise the rates of the value-added tax (VAT), the excise tax levied on oil products and the road user’s tax.

For its part, the Department of Finance (DOF) said that it was firm in its position that the country needed a comprehensive, not piecemeal, tax reform that would include making tax evasion a predicate crime to money laundering as well as easing the bank secrecy law for tax purposes.

“Proposals to reform the personal income tax have gained prominence in recent months.

To date, personal income tax reform is part and parcel of the platform of a number of the candidates in the 2016 presidential elections,” noted Rosario

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G. Manasan in the discussion paper titled “Comparative Assessment of Various Proposals to Amend the Personal Income Tax” published this month.

Manasan said such proposals to cut income taxes or index rates “appear to be well-justified from the perspective of the need to eliminate the bracket creep and easing the tax burden on Filipino personal income taxpayers relative to their Asean neighbors.”

The study noted that in Asean, only Thailand and Vietnam have higher top marginal personal income tax rates than the

Philippines’ 32 percent.

Based on PIDS’ computations of the personal income tax burden in the country, it was found out that “the effective tax rates as well as the nominal peso tax liability for a broad range (but not the entire range) of taxable personal income levels are indeed higher when the Philippine rate schedule is applied compared to those when the rate schedules of the other Asean member-countries are used.”

The study acknowledged that all those income tax reduction measures proposed by legisla-

tors would result in foregone revenues ranging from a low of 0.4 percent to a high of 1.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

PIDS noted that despite the “creditable improvements” during the last five years in terms of raising the shares to the economy of taxes and total revenues being collected by the government, they remained “far from ideal.”

“Total national government revenues stood at 15.1 percent of GDP in 2014, more than 2 percentage points below its peak level of 17.5 percent in

1997. Similarly, despite the gains made in recent years, national government tax revenue is equal to 13.6 percent of GDP in 2014, still some distance away from its peak level of 15.3 percent in 1997,” PIDS pointed out.

Also, “despite the Philippines’ high statutory tax rates compared to its Asean neighbors, its tax effort ratio (i.e., tax revenues to GDP ratio) is lower than that of Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Laos in 2013,” it added.

As it is, the country still has unmet public expenditure needs that might not be funded if revenues drop, PIDS said. For instance, “the need for more high quality infrastructure services to sustain the growth momentum and the need to improve access to better quality basic social services given the government’s mantra of inclusive growth and the thrusts of the newly minted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) necessarily expands the country’s financing requirements.”

In this regard, “fiscal prudence dictates that new revenue measures be found to compensate for the projected revenue loss that will arise as a result of the implementation of any one of the various proposals to restructure the personal income tax,” PIDS said. ■

BSP seen to keep policy rates unchanged

BY PAOLO G. MONTECILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE CENTRAL bank will keep its policy rates on hold this Thursday, with monetary authorities expected to take a wait-and-see stance ahead of a possible rate increase by the US Federal Reserve.

Local and foreign banks also said that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was anticipating higher inflation in the coming months and rate adjustments would be done with care.

“The central bank will likely point to risks stemming from El Niño,” British bank HSBC said in a recent note to clients.

All eight banks polled by the INQUIRER this month said policy rates set by the BSP would be kept steady at the Monetary Board’s meeting this Thursday.

Benchmark overnight borrowing and lending rates have been steady at 4 and 6 percent, respectively, since October 2014.

Yields for special deposit accounts (SDA), which the BSP uses to mop up excess liquidity from the economy, stand at 2.5 percent across all maturities.

Other banks seeing steady rates were Ambank (Arab Malaysian Bank), BPI, Barclays, DBS, ING, JP Morgan and Standard Chartered.

Projections for steady rates followed BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr.’s pronouncement last week that current policy settings were appropriate for the moment.

In October, consumer prices rose by an average 0.4 percent, matching September’s record low. Despite record-low inflation, which suggested room

for monetary easing, Tetangco said the rate of price increases might have bottomed out.

Drier weather as a result of El Niño is seen as the biggest risk to inflation as this is expected to result in lower farm harvests.

However, banks said there were several other data for the BSP to consider. “The next important data to watch are the gross domestic product (GDP) numbers at the end of the month,” DBS economist Gundy Cahyadi said in an e-mail.

“Thus far, GDP growth momentum looks fairly robust but any disappointment in the [third-quarter] GDP data will definitely provide more reasons for further policy loosening from the BSP,” he said.

The BSP’s planned shift to an interest rate corridor may also lead to adjustments in the www.canadianinquirer.net

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

policy stance.

Comments from the BSP regarding the narrowing of its current interest rate corridor might suggest a possible easing by the BSP but on the less potent overnight borrowing and lending rates “sometime before the full implementation of

WIKIPEDIA

the interest rate corridor next year,” according to BPI economist Emilio Neri Jr. “A cut, however, to the special deposit account (SDA) rate at a time that core inflation outpaces headline inflation would not be in line with its price stability mandate,” Neri said. ■

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NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Sports

Tiger heart beats strong UST sweeps powerhouse FEU; Adamson stuns UE

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer UNIVERSITY OF Santo Tomas center Karim Abdul slumped on the floor as the final buzzer sounded, his tired legs finally getting a much-deserved breather after a battle of attrition. Any kind of reaction would have been warranted for Abdul and the Tigers after another awe-inspiring performance in front of their delirious supporters.

Facing a Far Eastern U team that sizzled from beyond the arc early, the Tigers completed another one of their trademark comebacks for a thrilling 85-76 triumph over the leagueleading Tamaraws last night that assured them of at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in UAAP Season 78 basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“All heart,” said Abdul of their performance after the Tigers picked up their 10th win in 13

games by pulling off a season sweep of the fancied Tamaraws.

“We don’t want to make our situation complicated heading into the Final Four.”

Abdul, the fifth-year center, bullied his way to 23 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Kevin Ferrer, who left the game briefly after he found difficulty breathing because of a chocolate bar he ate before the game, wound up with 21 points, his presence on the floor in the last three minutes providing inspiration for the Tigers to complete the comeback from an early 14-point deficit.

Mario Bonleon provided the spark off the bench with 13 points, including two clutch baskets in the final period that gave the Tigers some separation as the Tamaraws mounted a rally that allowed them to close in at 80-73.

One more win for the Tigers and the Tamaraws will seal the bonus for both teams, but an Ateneo loss to La Salle today ( See related sto

ry below) could also hand the No. 1 and No. 2 squads the crucial semifinal edge.

The Final Four picture got a bit of clarity earlier after Adamson stunned University of the East, 74-71, for just its third win of the season.

The Falcons leaned on a huge performance from Pape Sarr, who tallied 22 points and 20 rebounds, even as Frederick Tungcab and Joseph Nalos finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively. The loss pushed the Warriors to the brink of elimination, after they suffered their eighth loss in 12 games.

“We just want respect of other teams and show that we belong in this tournament,” said Adamson coach Mike Fermin.

Just three days removed from a listless outing in the 77-91 defeat to the Warriors, the Tigers hardly looked deflated even after the Tamaraws zoomed to a 38-24 advantage on Joe Trinidad’s corner triple and FEU’s sixth trey early in the second period.

University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

But Abdul and Ferrer combined for 15 points in the period to will the Tigers back into the game. Ferrer struck hardest in the middle quarters, scoring 15 of his output in the stretch as the Tigers took control of the game.

“We saw the character of this team in this game,” said Bong dela Cruz. “I’m happy because they worked hard and nobody complained in practice after the UE loss.”

The scores First Game ADAMSON 74— Sarr 22, Tungcab 14, Nalos 11, Garcia 7, Escalambre 5, Ochea 5, Polican 5, Capote 3, Margallo 2, Bernardo

INTERBASKET.NET

0, Fernandez 0, Villanueva 0.

UE 71— Derige 17, Palma 11, Charcos 9, Javier 9, J. Varilla 8, Abanto 4, De Leon 4, Yu 4, Batiller 3, Sta. Ana 2, Gagate 0, Manalang 0, Penuela 0, P. Varilla 0. Quarters: 24-19, 48-44, 65-54, 74-71 Second Game UST 85— Abdul 23, Ferrer 21, Bonleon 13, Vigil 13, Daquioag 11, Lee 4, Faundo 0, Lao 0, Sherrif 0, Suarez 0.

FEU 76— Tolomia 17, Tamsi 15, Belo 12, Pogoy 8, Ru. Escoto 6, Arong 5, Jose 4, Orizu 4, Trinidad 3, Inigo 2, Dennison 0, Ri. Escoto 0, Ebona 0.

Quarters: 19-30, 45-45, 69-59, 85-76 ■

PSL: Philips Gold makes it lights out for Meralco

BY MARC ANTHONY REYES Philippine Daily Inquirer MALOLOS CITY—PHILIPS Gold pulled the plug on Meralco with an easy 25-12, 26-24, 25-19, win yesterday and moved a win away from securing a semifinal seat in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball at Malolos Sports and Conven-

tion Center here.

The Lady Slammers didn’t do anything special aside from unleashing imports Bojanna Todorovic and Alexis Olgard to wreak havoc on the already spotty defenses of the Power Spikers. Philips Gold chalked its fifth victory in seven games.

The Power Spikers, kept in the dark the whole conference because of a disjointed lineup,

spun out of contention as they slumped to their seventh defeat in as many games.

Philips Gold coach Francis Vicente, whose charges arrived here Friday night to avoid traffic, said they have put the previous loss to Foton behind them and they are ready for the next round.

“It’s all right, the players came from a vacation, and Foton really wanted to win that

www.canadianinquirer.net

one. But I think we are more adjusted this time,” said Vicente.

Six-foot-4 middle blocker Olgard had 16 points, 10 through quick kills off superb setting of Fil-American Lindsay Dowd who finished with 25 excellent sets.

Power-hitter Myla Pablo also delivered 13 points, while Todorovic had a slow day with nine points but came up with 11 digs and eight receptions.

Vicente said the players didn’t have a chance to practice at the venue but jogged around it in the morning.

They still looked heads and shoulders above the Power Spikers who missed the services of import Christina Alessi.

The 6-foot-3 lefty hitter topscored in their last game but was seen with heavily tapes on her left knee. ■

Sports

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Canadian snowboarder Maelle Ricker, who won gold at 2010 Olympics retires

BY JOSHUA CLIPPERTON The Canadian Press MAELLE RICKER thought the knee injury she suffered last fall was just another bump in the road.

Concussions, broken bones, strains and sprains had sidelined the Canadian snowboarder in the past, and she always came back strong.

Ricker rehabbed hard in hopes of overcoming the recurring knee ailment, but when she rejoined teammates for a training camp at the end of August, she knew she had already run her last competitive race.

The first Canadian woman to win an Olympic gold medal on home soil, Ricker announced her retirement Wednesday.

“I’ve got a lot of mixed emotions — emotions that change by the minute,” Ricker said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “I really had the vision to keep going and keep racing. I’ve come back from injury many times before and this was going to be another routine stop.

“When I got back on snow ... a switch flipped inside and I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to get back in the starting gate with the ability I need to race and to really commit 100 per cent and be on the podium. I promised myself that if I couldn’t get back to that spot I wouldn’t keep going.”

Ricker was one of the stories of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, winning gold in snowboard cross just two days after Alex Bilodeau became the first Canadian to top the podium at home with his victory in men’s moguls.

She was looking to defend her title at the 2014 Sochi Games, but Ricker broke her wrist in training less than three weeks before leaving for Russia. She was healthy enough to compete at the event, but fell in the quarter-finals.

“In the lead up to those Games, I was riding technically as well as I ever had,” said the native of West Vancouver, B.C. “One of the highlights of my

Canadian Olympic snowboarder Maelle Ricker retires.

MOUNTAINPIX / SHUTTERSTOCK

career was working with the medical staff and with my team, (seeing) how much passion they showed to bring me to be able to even race in Sochi.”

Set to turn 37 next month, Ricker was convinced she would be ready to go for the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, until only recently having to come to grips with her athletic mortality.

“I don’t feel any regret, (but) I’m definitely disappointed,” she said. “When I talk about it right now, the hairs go up on my arms. I would have loved to stand in that start gate with the next generation of girls and be racing with them in Pyeongchang.”

Ricker made her Olympic debut as part of Canada’s halfpipe team in 1998 in Nagano, Japan.

She returned to the Games eight years later in snowboard cross in Turin, Italy, but crashed and had to be airlifted to hospital before winning gold in 2010.

Ricker, who also suffered a concussion prior to the Vancouver Games, said injuries simply came with the territory and that pushing the limits helped her rise above the com-

petition.

“You’re walking that line of being totally in control, but totally out of control at the same time and just trying to be able to manage it,” she said. “Unfortunately I didn’t manage it as well as I could have.”

Undoubtedly one of the sport’s pioneers, Ricker doesn’t mention her Olympic gold medal, world title or X-Games triumphs when asked what memories she will cherish most from her career.

“I think of the moments leading up to the races,” she said.

“All the laughs with my teammates and my friends. It’s really those moments that stand out the most right now, and I’m sure will forever.”

Ricker said the Canadian snowboard team’s future is bright and that she hopes to have a role moving forward, adding the fire that fuelled her at four Olympics continues to burn.

“I still love it. I still love every aspect of it. I still eat, sleep, break, bleed snowboarding,” she said. “It’s a really amazing lifestyle and one that I’ve been so lucky to be a part of for so long.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

39

All-Aussie show in Safeguard triathlon

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer THE BEST of Australian triathlon came to the fore yesterday in Dauis and Panglao in Bohol as the seasoned racers from Down Under dominated the Safeguard for Men 5i50 Triathlon.

Sam Betten and Dimity-Lee Duke proved more than equal to the exacting conditions by ruling their respective divisions in the prestigious race.

Betten spearheaded the Aussies’ show of force in the men’s division, clocking two hours, one minute and three seconds in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run to beat compatriot Michael Murphy, who checked in more than two minutes later at 2:03:48.

Justin Granger completed the allAussie show after crossing the line in 2:12:38 in the event sponsored by Safeguard and organized by Sunrise Events.

“I trained better for the race,” said Betten, who secured his

second race victory following his triumph in the Regent 5i50 in Subic early this year.

“It was such a hot and tough race. The last three kilometers was the hardest because of the weather. But I just kept my focus,” added Betten, who placed second in the Elite division of the Cobra Iron Man 70.3 race last year.

Duke shrugged off a sluggish start in the swim leg, pulling away late to finish with a 2:13:30 clocking for top honors in the women’s division.

Belinda Granger made it a 1-2 finish for Aussies with a time of 2:19:47.

Monica Torres averted a shutout for Filipinos with a time of 2:26:26 for third spot in the event backed by 2GO Express, The Bellevue Resort, the Municipalities of Panglao and Dauis, Powerade, Wilkins Pure, Prudential Guarantee, Newton Running, TYR, Garmin, Rudy Project, David’s Salon, Intercare, Alaska, Shotz Nutrition, Smart and Bohol Bee Farm. ■

SHUTTERSTOCK

Hosting ‘SNL...’ mer spurred NBC to sever its Miss Universe ties with him while declaring he would never return to his “Apprentice” role.

But leading up to Saturday’s broadcast, NBC did not respond to accusations that it had reversed itself, or to the outcry against Trump that had built since “SNL” announced his host booking last month.

Typically outspoken, Trump welcomed the controversy, predicting it would only boost his audience. ❰❰ 31

It wasn’t Trump’s first turn as guest host. The billionaire developer and media personality presided in April 2004, a few weeks after he debuted as host of NBC’s “The Apprentice.”

This time, while Trump demonstrated once again that he could take a joke, he was running for president. The sketches — both with and without him — seldom let the audience forget it. ■ Associated Press writer Katie Park contributed to this report.

40

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

Technology

3 Android phones that offer something different

BY ANICK JESDANUN The Associated Press NEW YORK — New Android phones appear with regularity, but far too few of them really seem ... new.

Sure, cameras keep getting better and phones keep getting faster. For the most part, though, you’d be hard-pressed to single out many new features that aren’t just tweaks for the sake of tweaking. Though manufacturers frequently customize Google’s Android software to set their phones apart, those alterations often just make things worse by hiding features or breaking some apps.

So it’s a delight to see three phones with unusual characteristics in their hardware — all released over just nine days.

BlackBerry’s first Android phone is notable for its physical keyboard, while Motorola designed its screen to withstand cracking. LG’s new phone has two screens and two front cameras.

BLACKBERRY PRIV available Friday through AT&T for $740

BlackBerry has struggled to make its BlackBerry 10 phone software a viable alternative to Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android. While the company isn’t giving up on BlackBerry 10, it’s also hedged its bets with its first Android phone.

The new Priv has a physical keyboard, a rarity on Android phones these days. It looks like any other phone until you slide the keyboard out from the bottom, like a desk drawer. It’s an engineering feat given that the phone still feels thin, although it’s thicker than Samsung’s flagship phones and the iPhone.

Typing on Blackberry’s keyboard feels much better than it did on the original Motorola Droid in 2009. As my first smartphone, the keyboard model seemed safer given that I wasn’t sold on its touch-screen counterparts. But on-screen keyboards have grown on me,

Android phones beyond the ordinary.

and the Priv’s physical keyboard slowed me down. Friends who’ve tried the new device, including former BlackBerry users, felt much the same way.

BlackBerry devices are known for their security and privacy protections, and the company built some of those features into the Priv’s hardware. An app rates your device security based on factors such as whether you’ve enabled a passcode. This app also identifies other apps that grab personal information. I saw that Facebook has accessed my location 41 times in the past week, for instance.

Among other notable features: • The 5.4-inch screen is curved on both sides, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge devices. Slide a toolbar from the side to access your calendar, messages and contacts. The email app is also more sophisticated than most; it supports rich-text formatting, such as italics and colors, when composing messages.

• BlackBerry offers icons that serve as shortcuts to frequent tasks, such as composing a message, viewing alarms or checking data usage. Windows phones have a similar

BLOOMUA / SHUTTERSTOCK

feature, but like BlackBerry 10, few people use them.

• Battery capacity is also higher than most phones. BlackBerry promises 22.5 hours of mixed use.

MOTOROLA DROID TURBO 2 released Oct. 29 through Verizon for $624

Motorola replaced glass with various forms of plastic to make its 5.4-inch screen shatter-proof. Most leading smartphones use chemically strengthened glass. But it’s still glass, and it will crack if it hits a hard surface with enough force.

The shatter-proof technology allowed me to do careless things like leave the phone in a side pocket while getting a massage. Sure enough, it fell out — but the screen survived. It also withstood two intentional drops on a concrete sidewalk, including once face down from waist height. One corner of the metal frame was nicked, but the screen stayed intact.

SquareTrade, a company that provides extended-protection plans, subjected the Droid to 10 drops from six feet on Thursday, but found only minor dents to the screen. It then ran a Range Rover SUV over the phone 10 times. The screen still www.canadianinquirer.net

didn’t shatter, though parts of the display turned black.

Motorola’s warranty covers screen shattering and cracking for four years. The company tested the phone to withstand drops from five feet on various surfaces you’d normally encounter. Motorola added backup touch capacitors so that the screen would still respond to touch even with some damage.

Don’t drop the phone from a five-story building, though. The screen might not crack, but other components could fail — and the warranty won’t cover that.

It also won’t cover scratches, which is a drag as plastic is, well, prone to scratching. For that reason, the Droid Turbo has two cover layers. The top one is replaceable using a do-it-yourself kit that sells for $30. Take care to keep the phone away from keys.

The phone also has extended battery capacity, promised at 48 hours of mixed usage. Using the included charger, Motorola says you can get 13 hours with 15 minutes of charging. The bigger battery does make the device thicker than most other phones.

LG V10 available Friday through AT&T for $700; released Oct. 30

through T-Mobile for $600 and Verizon for $672

Above the regular, 5.7-inch display is a tiny screen that’s about the size of a pinkie bandage. It’s a dedicated notification panel that won’t obscure your main screen, though notifications still vanish after a few seconds. The second screen also offers quick access to settings, frequent contacts and recent apps.

That second screen is always on, allowing you to check the time and weather without wasting your battery by lighting up the main screen. You also get quick access to the flashlight and camera, plus playback controls for music.

The V10 has two front cameras — one for regular selfies, and one with a wide angle for groups. Other cameras do this by stitching together adjacent shots, similar to a panorama, but results can be spooky if people move. Meanwhile, the rear video camera offers a range of manual settings, something phones typically restrict to still images, if they offer them at all.

These features don’t stand out as much as BlackBerry’s or Motorola’s, though it’s great to see LG innovating. ■

Technology

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

41

As Facebook grows, expect to see more ads on Instagram

BY BRANDON BAILEY The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — If you’re starting to notice more ads on Instagram, it’s all part of Facebook’s plan.

Facebook, the world’s largest social network, has steadily built its advertising business to become the world’s secondlargest digital ad platform after Google. Now it’s looking at ways to make more money from video ads and from newer services like Instagram, the mobile photo-sharing app that it bought for $1 billion in 2012.

Instagram recently announced it has over 400 million monthly users, surpassing the 300 million who use the rival social networking site Twitter.

While Facebook has been introducing Instagram ads slowly — to avoid irritating users by overloading them with commercial messages — the company said in September that it would allow more kinds of ads, including longer video spots, on the photo-sharing service.

With those new formats, Instagram could produce more than $250 million in revenue for the current quarter, Evercore ISI analyst Ken Sena es-

timates. Businesses will spend by 17 percent, to 1.1 billion. As in 8 billion video clips a day on the about $600 million on Insta- previous quarters, Facebook said site, up from 4 billion in April. gram ads this year — and nearly a majority of users are visiting (Facebook counts any clip played $1.5 billion in 2016, according Facebook on mobile devices, and for at least 3 seconds as a “view.”) to research firm eMarketer. mobile ads contributed 78 perAnalysts say Facebook has “When we talk to advertisers cent of the company’s ad revenue. huge, untapped potential in and ad agencies, they’re very Those results drove Face- both video and its growing stainterested in Instagram,” said book’s stock up more than 3.5 ble of apps and services, many eMarketer analyst Debra Aho percent in late trading, after of which operate separately Williamson. shares closed Wednesday at from the main social network.

One reason: In recent years, $103.94.

That includes Instagram, the there’s been a debate over Facebook has seen continued WhatsApp messaging app and whether teens and young growth in revenue and users Oculus VR, which makes virtual adults are forreality gear. saking Facebook More than 800 in favor of newer, million people trendier online are now using services.

But Instagram offers advertisers the WhatsApp, the Williamson said same targeting and measurement messaging app young adults are capabilities they can get with ads on Facebook bought “very visually foFacebook. for $19 billion in cused and pretty 2014, and anothheavy users of er 700 million Instagram.” people use the Facebook doesn’t disclose over the last three years, but Messenger service that Facehow much of its revenue comes the company is growing more book developed internally. from Instagram. The company slowly as it gets bigger. That’s While the company hasn’t beat Wall Street estimates on led it to consider new ways of spelled out plans to make monWednesday by reporting third- showing advertising. ey from those apps, chief finanquarter net income of $891 milFacebook is also increasingly cial officer David Wehner told lion, on revenue of $4.5 billion. introducing new ways for its analysts Wednesday that he’s Profit was up 11 percent, while users to share and watch video confident “there are going to be revenue grew 40 percent from on the social network, posi- opportunities” in the future. the same period a year earlier. tioning itself against Google’s Zuckerberg also cautioned More than 1.55 billion people popular YouTube service. CEO that it will take time for virtual now visit Facebook at least once Mark Zuckerberg told analysts reality technology to gain wide a month, up 14 percent from a Wednesday that Facebook us- adoption. But chief operating year ago. Daily users increased ers are now watching more than officer Sheryl Sandberg stressed

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Instagram’s more immediate potential during the company’s quarterly earnings call.

For advertisers, she boasted, Facebook and Instagram are the “two most important mobile platforms out there.” Instagram offers advertisers the same targeting and measurement capabilities they can get with ads on Facebook, she added.

Facebook still handles less advertising than Google, its biggest rival, but its share of global spending on digital ads is growing, according to eMarketer.

The firm estimates Facebook’s share will be 9.6 percent this year, up from 8 percent last year, while Google’s will drop from 32 percent last year to 30.4 percent this year.

Experts caution that Facebook must be careful as it introduces new kinds of advertising, so it doesn’t overwhelm or annoy users. The company worked closely with advertisers to make sure the first ads on Instagram “met a high bar” for aesthetics and creativity, Williamson said. Still, she said she’s recently seen “a couple of duds.”

Sandberg acknowledged that concern, telling analysts the company is monitoring the quality of ads closely. ■

Long term forecast from www.theweathernetwork.com CALGARY

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Events

42

Parol Making Workshop

By Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture WHEN/WHERE: 5 to 9 p.m., Nov. 20 at Creative Studio Rm. 108; 12 to 4 p.m., Nov. 22, Flex Studio Gold Rm. 107; 12 to 4 p.m., Nov. 29 Artscape Youngplace 180, Shaw St. Toronto MORE INFO: www.kapisanancentre. com 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, YUKON Toronto, On. MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Tagalog Class

By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, Toronto 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, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

CANADA EVENTS

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SASKATCHEWAN

Local Immigration Partnership – Member’s Meeting

By Community Partnership Network WHEN/WHERE: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Nov. 12 at the Bayanihan Centre, 1709 Blanshard ST. Victoria, B.C. 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 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 778-322-2839 or email: tfw.divorce@gmail.com Akulturado: An Adventure to Progressive Filipino Cuisine

By Luz Kitchen WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Nov. 15, 46 Begbie St., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Fee - $45 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-

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

minded. To register visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 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.

Unpacking Home

By Leave Out Violence, B.C WHEN/WHERE: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 16, 2455 Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: RSVP TO Vancouverleaveoutviolence.org Rockoustic Night: One Love

By Tsikenstarr Productions WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m., Nov. 21, SD Galleria MORE INFO: Ticket - $10 Autumn Serenade

By Philippines Canada Trade Council WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., networking; 7 p.m. show; Nov. 27, at the Kay Meek Centre, 1700 Mathers Ave. West Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets at $35. Featuring performances by Kay Balajadia Liggayu (soprano); Nazer Salcedo (Tenor); Daniel Furtado (piano) and Jeremiah Carag (tenor) 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 www.canadianinquirer.net

FilCan Network NOVA for Truth & Justice Christmas Party

By TapsilogSCOTIA WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m. to 12 mn, Nov. 28, at St. Patrick Recreation Centre, Main St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Features Gawad Ulirang Ina at Ama and Bb. Maharlika 2015 Open Philippine Folk Dance & Music Workshops

By Kababayang Pilipino WHEN/WHERE: Dance Workshops – Nov. 29, Dec. 6 & 13, 2 to 2:30 p.m., Jandali Studio Music Workshops – Nov. 29, Dec. 6 & 13, 2 to 2:30 p.m., Zagar Studio MORE INFO: Cost $20 for 3 workshops, $10 drop in fee LoL Comedy Riot WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 30, Edgewater Casino 750 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver, B.C. English Now: No Cost Language Training for Jobs in Administration or Retail

By ISS of BC MORE INFO: Contact 604-684-2325 or englishnow@issbc.org Free Drop-In English Conversation Circle for Temporary Foreign Workers

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: Mondays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. until Dec. 14, at Mosaic Vancouver Community Room, 1720 Grant St. Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: 604-254-9626 ext. 487 Paskong Pinoy 2015 WHEN/WHERE: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Eagles Hall (next to Bronson Muffler) 2965 Boys Road, Duncan MORE INFO: Fee $5 (16 to 18 yo); $10 (19 yo+).

Door prizes by donation. Potluck.

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

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Food

Favourite recipes from Nigella Lawson THE CANADIAN PRESS WHEN NIGELLA Lawson develops recipes, she pays close attention to balance.

“That’s what cooking is, about balancing salt and sweet and fire and sourness and also textures. That is just what cooking is — in effect, life,” says the British celebrity cook.

Her 10th book, “Simply Nigella: Feel Good Food,” reflects the way she likes to cook at the moment — with recipes that are uncomplicated, relaxed and delicious.

Lately the television personality says she can’t get enough of roasted cauliflower. She makes Warm Spiced Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad With Pomegranate Seeds often because it’s so simple.

“I go home and put the cauliflower in and then I take my coat off, then I’m ready for the chickpea bit and it’s done. I would say that’s my most frequent meal I have.”

She says it’s also delicious for lunch the next day.

“Someone the other day said, ‘I’ve had this for lunch every day for three days.’ I said, ‘I’m sorry you haven’t beaten my record yet. I’ve had it every day for weeks.’ I just always make sure I’ve got it.”

She encourages home cooks to feel free to make substitutions. “All these recipes can be infinitely fiddled with,” she says.

For instance, she often doesn’t put tomatoes in the cauliflower recipe. “If I haven’t got any good tomatoes I don’t bother.”

Here is the recipe along with Lawson’s favourite mac ‘n’ cheese and a dessert she created to satisfy her children’s love of chocolate chip cookies that are gooey on the inside.

SWEET POTATO MACARONI AND CHEESE

• 500 g (1 lb) sweet potatoes • 1 pkg (284 g/10 oz) pennette or other small short pasta (approx. 500 ml/2 cups)

Culinary icon Nigella Lawson.

• 60 ml (4 tbsp) soft unsalted butter • 45 ml (3 tbsp) all-purpose flour • 500 ml (2 cups) whole milk • 5 ml (1 tsp) English (hot) mustard • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) paprika, divided • 175 ml (3/4 cup) crumbled feta cheese • 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided • 4 fresh sage leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 200 C (400 F). Put on a large-ish saucepan of water to boil, with the lid on to make it come to a boil faster.

Peel sweet potatoes and cut them roughly into 2.5-cm (1-

JOE SEER / SHUTTERSTOCK

inch) pieces. When water’s boiling, add salt to taste, and then sweet potato pieces, and cook for about 10 minutes or until soft. Scoop them out of the water into a bowl using a slotted spoon and lightly mash with a fork, without turning them into a puree. Don’t get rid of this water, as you will need it to cook your pasta in later.

In another saucepan, gently melt butter and add flour, whisking to form a roux, then remove pan from heat, slowly whisk in milk and, when it’s combined and smooth, return to heat. Exchange your whisk for a wooden spoon, and continue to stir until your gently bubbling sauce has lost any floury taste and has thickened. www.canadianinquirer.net

Add mustard and 1 ml (1/4 tsp) of the paprika. Season to taste, but do remember that you will be adding cheddar and salty feta later, so underdo it for now.

Cook pasta in sweet-potato water, starting to check 2 minutes earlier than package instructions dictate, as you want to make sure it doesn’t lose its bite entirely. Drain (reserving some of the pasta cooking water first) and then add pasta to the mashed sweet potatoes, and fold in to combine; the heat of the pasta will make the potatoes easier to mix in.

Add feta cheese to sweet potato and pasta mixture, crumbling it in so that it is easier to disperse evenly, then fold in bechamel sauce, adding 300 ml (1 1/4 cups) of the grated cheddar as you go. Add some of the pasta cooking water, should you feel it needs loosening up at all.

Check for seasoning again, then spoon brightly sauced macaroni and cheese into 4 small ovenproof dishes (each about 375- to 425-ml/1 1/2- to 1 3/4-cups or 1 large rectangular dish measuring 30 by 20 by 5 cm deep/12 by 8 by 2 inches deep). Sprinkle remaining cheddar over each one, dust with remaining 1 tsp (1/4 tsp) paprika, then shred sage leaves and scatter skinny green ribbons over top.

Place dishes on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes (or, if you’re making this in a larger dish, bake for 30 to 35 minutes), by which time they will be piping hot and bubbling.

MAKE AHEAD: The macaroni and cheese can be made 1 day ahead. When the pasta has cooked, reserve 105 ml (7 tbsp) of the cooking water and add this to the white sauce (it may look a little thin but the pasta absorbs the sauce as it cools).

Transfer to the ovenproof dishes (without the sage topping).

Once cool, cover and refrigerate within 2 hours of making.

Sprinkle with cheddar, paprika and sage just before baking and cook for an extra 5 to 10 minutes, checking that the macaroni and cheese is piping hot in

the centre before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH POTS

• 250 ml (1 cup) all-purpose flour • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) fine sea salt • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) baking soda • 125 ml (8 tbsp) soft unsalted butter (1 stick) • 75 ml (1/3 cup) plus 15 ml (1 tbsp) light brown sugar • 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla paste or extract • 1 extra large egg • 175 ml (3/4 cup) small bittersweet chocolate chips • 6 ramekins Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F), and measure flour, salt and baking soda into a bowl, forking together to mix.

With an electric mixer or by hand, beat butter and sugar until you have a light and creamy mixture, then add vanilla paste or extract and egg, beating again to incorporate.

Gently fold in flour mixture; once it’s mixed in, fold in chocolate chips.

Divide dough among 6 ramekins (you will need about 70 ml/4 1/2 tbsp of batter for each one). Using a small offset spatula (for ease) or the back of a teaspoon, spread mixture to cover bottom of ramekins, and smooth tops.

Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 13 to 15 minutes. They will still be quite gooey inside, but the top will be set, and they should be golden brown at the edges and just beginning to come away from the sides of the ramekins.

Leave to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. You can spoon a scoop of ice cream on top of each one or serve with cream or creme fraiche on side.

They will set as they cool, so don’t dally.

Makes 6 servings. ■ Source: “Simply Nigella: Feel Good Food” by Nigella Lawson (Appetite by Random House, 2015).

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

PHILIPPINE FEST Here are scenes from the Philippine Fest where Aberdeen Centre was transformed into a showcase of Filipino haute couture, authentic cuisine, art, handicrafts, music and dance.

People feasted their eyes on exquisite creations by famed Filipino designer Jaki Penalosa and original artworks done

by Dimasalang artists. They likewise learned the intricate art of making the traditional Christmas lantern or “parol” and enjoyed favourite Filipino delicacies. To top it all, valuable prices were generously given away: a round-trip air ticket from Philippines Airlines, scholarships from local colleges, a diamond ring by Artic Diamonds, Sony smart phone from Pure Channel Communications, and phone accessories and home phones.

The occasion was graced by MP Alice Wong, MLA Richard Lee, Councillor Bill McNulty. Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap formally opened the festivities.

Philippine Fest is a brainchild of Alan Yong, CEO of Symphony Hill Management. (Photos from Janice Lozano and Charen Cusi’s FB accounts.)

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Seen and Scenes: Toronto

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

FRIDAY

ENVERGA Senator Enverga was guest speaker at the Christmas event organized by the Christian Cultural Association of South Asians (CCASA) in Mississauga, On. on Nov. 6. CCASA is a not-for-profit organization which aims at promoting positive community experiences for newcomer South Asian families in Canada.

SAN NICOLAS Pictures taken on Nov. 7, during the fundraising event of San Nicolas (Pangasinan) Association of Ontario, organized by Elvie Mina. (Photos by Amelia Insigne).

UMAC

PAGEANTS WITH A CAUSE 2016 The search is on for the next 2016 pageant candidates. Registration is at 6 to 9 p.m., Nov. 20, at St. Bonaventure Catholic School Gym, 1340 Leslie St., Don Mills, On.

Photo shows the smiling man and ladies of Umac Forwarders Express Inc. which include Fredie Baguisa (middle), operations head; Anna Carina Eusebio (exteme L), manager; and Aloha Gregorio, business associate. Umac promotes love in delivery of balikbayan boxes to any place in the Philippines.

(St. Jamestown News Service, Romy Zetazate)

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

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Don’t limit your dreams Be different!

Become an Independant Financial Consultant Becoming an independent financial consultant has been a huge stepping stone for many who join Greatway Financial.

This has enabled them to achieve their financial goals and dream bigger. It is not full-time but part-time. They do it at their own time. You too can have that opportunity to write your own pay cheque! What do Greatway financial consultants do? They passionately share their blessings with others by educating others about finances.

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