Philippine Canadian Inquirer #214

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VOL. 4 NO. 214

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Mar twits Duterte, Poe

‘Rambotito’ tells ‘Punisher’: Your days are numbered

VP debate still focuses on no-show Marcos Jr.

Canada announces funding for Syria’s neighbours

FilCans exultant thanks modified Pag-Ibig program

Budget 2016 GRANDEST announces FESTIVAL restoring the age of eligibility for the Old Age Security pension from 67 to 65

An “Under the Sea”-themed float participated in the colorful Aliwan Grand Parade that gathered together different cultural festivals in the country on Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Called “The Mother of All Festivals,” the Aliwan Festival featured a dance parade, float competition, beauty pageant and music showdown, with the country’s most popular festivals fielding their regional champions for a battle that showcased Filipino culture. The three-day event, now on its 14th year, culminated yesterday with a street dance challenge and award ceremonies.

MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / PDI

Duterte’s rape ‘joke’ draws flak

BY KATHERINE PADILLA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Presidential candidate Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte received criticisms following his remarks on an Australian missionary raped and killed in a hostage crisis in Davao City in August 1989.

Duterte, during a campaign rally in

Quezon City, discussed the two-day hostage crisis in a Davao prison where 21 individuals were killed, including five hostages and 16 prisoners.

Among the slain was Jacqueline Hamill, a 36 year-old Australian lay missionary who became the subject of Duterte’s statement on rape.

Ms. Hamill was a member of a char❱❱ PAGE 9 Abolition just

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EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA OTTAWA, ON — The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, today reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to help improve the quality of life for seniors through new investments announced in Budget 2016.

Budget 2016 makes the goal of a comfortable and dignified retirement more attainable for seniors and working Canadians through various measures, such as restoring the age of eligibility for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) from 67 to 65. This change will put up to $17,000 into the ❱❱ PAGE 18 Budget 2016

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APRIL 22, 2016

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Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

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PCG men ordered to pay Taiwan family

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer

of the prosecution panel.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco), Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Manila, has yet to issue a response to requests for comment as of this writing.

Officials of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, Teco’s counterpart in Taiwan, could not be reached for comment.

A TAIWANESE court has ordered eight Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officers to jointly pay NT$3.198 million (P4.55 million) to the family of the Taiwanese fisherman who was killed in a chase involving the PCG and an allegedly tres- Overlapping economic zones passing Taiwanese fishing vessel at the The shooting occurred in waters off Balintang Channel off Batanes almost the northernmost Philippines—80 kithree years ago. lometers off the Philippines’ Balintang The Pingtung District Court awarded Channel and 315 km southeast of Taicivil damages to the family of slain Tai- wan—where the economic zones of the wanese fisherman Hong Shi Cheng, Philippines and Taiwan, extending 370 saying the PCG officers had the “crimi- km from shore, overlap. nal intent of killing people” when they The court cited Taiwanese civil law opened fire at the Taiwanese vessel and the Hongs’ right to indemnificaGuang Da Xing No. tion under Taiwan’s 28 during what was Crime Victims Prosupposed to be a routection Act. tine maritime patrol The award was on May 9, 2013.

The defendants based on compenThe Taiwan court of this case are sation drawn up by issued the civil rulthe Philippine Taiwan’s Crime Vicing even as the PCG nationals; the tims Compensation officers are still unplace of the Advisory Committee, dergoing a criminal infringement act which “dedicated” trial for Hong’s death is on the ship NT$1.198 million (P1.7 at a Manila regional of our (Taiwan’s) million) for Hong’s trial court, on a case nationality and wife Hong Chen to brought against them the victims cover various exby the Department of are also our penses— NT$200,000 Justice (DOJ). nationals.

(P285,000) for burial, NT$598,770 Taiwan takes (P852,000) for jurisdiction maintenance, and Ordered to pay the damages were NT$400,000 (P569,000) as emotional soCommanding Officer Arnold de la Cruz, latium—and NT$2 million (P2.85 million) Seaman 2nd Class Nicky Reynold Au- split equally among Hong’s five children rello, PO2 Richard Corpuz, and Seamen at NT$400,000 (P569,000 each) as emo1st Class Mhelvin Bendo II, Andy Gibb tional compensation.

Golfo, Sunny Masangkay, Henry SoloThe court said while “the debt inmon and Endrando Aguila. curred from the infringement act (the “... This case is a foreign-related civil killing) is subject to the law of the place case involving the foreigners and this of the infringement act (the Philipcourt has the right of jurisdiction,” read pines),” Taiwanese law applied insofar the ruling penned by Pingtung District 3rd as civil claims were concerned.

Civil Court Judge Chen Yi-Hsien, a copy It also held that while “the defendants’ of which was obtained by the INQUIRER. residence and the place of the infringeThe Taiwanese court handed down the ment (crime) is entitled to jurisdiction,” decision on Dec. 22, 2015, but details of the Hong family initiated the civil suit the decision only came to light this month. as the incident occurred on a ship regThe Philippine justice department istered at the Liuchiu township of Pinghas not been formally informed of the tung County, which is “in our (Taiwan’s) ruling. economic sea area.”

“The defendants of this case are the Prosecutors surprised Philippine nationals; the place of the inProsecutors handling the criminal fringement act is on the ship of our (Taicase in the Philippines said they were wan’s) nationality and the victims are “surprised” by the Taiwan court’s deci- also our nationals. It shall be deemed it sion. The panel has been closely coor- is closely connected to our country, and dinating with Taiwanese authorities in no other law is found with the most close pursuing the homicide charge against connection,” the ruling read. the PCG men. Hong’s son, Hong Yu Tzu, “... In other words, our law will be the is one of the prosecution witnesses. applicable law,” said the Taiwan court.

“The DOJ panel will study the ruling first, as soon as we are officially in- ‘More than sufficient’ formed,” said Senior Assistant State In ordering the civil compensation, the Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, the head Taiwan court said “the evidence is more

than sufficient” to prove that the eight PCG officers had played a role in Hong’s death.

Recalling the details of the incident in its ruling, the Taiwanese court said the Filipino officers accosted the ship on which the 65-year-old Hong was a crewmember on the suspicion that it was “engaged in longlining fishing operations” at the Balintang Channel.

The fishing vessel, which had four fishermen on board, tried to get away, and De la Cruz ordered his men to pursue it, the court said.

Once the Philippine ship caught up with the Taiwanese boat, the PCG men, “jointly (with) the criminal intent of killing people” started spraying the latter with bullets.

The court singled out De la Cruz as the one who ordered the seven other defendants to shoot at the Taiwan fishing boat, using their machine guns and other firearms.

The court said “at least 108 shots were fired” within 75 minutes, hitting the hull, bow, cockpit and other parts of the vessel, where the fishermen tried to hide.

A bullet fired by Aguila penetrated the engine room and fatally hit Hong.

Performing their duty

The court said the PCG men’s use of force in accosting an “unarmed” vessel violated the Philippines’ own maritime law enforcement guidelines, which dis-

courages the use of lethal weapons unless under threat of injury or death.

The PCG has contended that its personnel had acted in selfdefense and were only performing their duty in trying to stop illegal fishing and poaching inside Philippine territory.

It said the PCG men had spotted two foreign vessels inside Philippine territory and when the PCG vessel tried to board the smaller of the two boats, the latter began evasive maneuvers and even attempted to ram the Philippine vessel, prompting the PCG personnel on board to fire warning shots.

The Balintang Channel incident caused a brief strain in ties between Taiwan and the Philippines in 2013, with outraged Taiwanese demanding an apology from President Aquino.

Taipei threatened the Philippines with economic sanctions and discouraged its tourists from visiting the country. Relations have since been restored.

In November, Manila and Taipei signed a fisheries agreement aimed at curbing fisheries disputes between the two sides, given their overlapping exclusive economic zones.

Under the agreement, one side will give a one-hour notification to fisheries and coast guard authorities of the other party before taking action against a vessel caught operating illegally in its waters. ■

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Philippine News

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Mar twits Duterte, Poe

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer ADMINISTRATION PRESIDENTIAL candidate Mar Roxas yesterday twitted two of his rivals in the race for Malacañang for flipflopping on their policy statements.

Roxas chided Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the new front-runner in the presidential voter preference surveys, for his conflicting stand on the country’s territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea. After saying he would challenge China to a shootout and fisticuffs to resolve the sea row, Duterte changed his tune by saying he would engage China in bilateral talks.

The Davao mayor, however,

again backtracked and stated that the territorial conflict should be resolved through international arbitration.

“As Mayor Duterte continues to talk, it becomes clearer that his words are just full of nonsense, contradictions and hot air,” Roxas said in a news briefing after speaking at an agriculture forum in Pasay City.

“What I want to tell Mayor Duterte is that the [security] of our country and the lives of our soldiers are at stake in this issue. This will not be resolved by issuing innuendoes or threats,” he said.

He said Duterte should understand that a President is also the commander in chief of the Armed Forces and that the soldiers would comply with the President’s order even if it would imperil them.

As commander in chief, Roxas said the president should be calm. “It’s not about using threatening words. Lives are at stake here,” he said.

President Aquino’s anointed successor also assailed Duterte for openly supporting the communist New People’s Army rebels who, he said, had been illegally demanding revolutionary taxes and had killed government troopers.

Roxas also trained his guns on Sen. Grace Poe, the erstwhile preelection survey leader, for saying she would appoint the tough-talking Duterte as anticrime czar.

During the presidential debate in Cebu City last month, he said Poe stated several times that she would designate former Marine Col. Ariel Querubin to lead the fight against

Liberal Party presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II in campaign sortie of lead Team Daang Matuwid Liberal Party in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

JESS M. ESCAROS JR. / PNA

crime under her presidency.

“Being president is a serious job. A President is a promoter and guardian of the interest of the entire Filipino people. You cannot do this halfheartedly or using innuendoes,” he said.

“The words of a president and commander in chief automatically become policies.

They should be well-thoughtout and not spoken just for ef-

fect,” he said.

Roxas said Poe was wrong when she claimed that the Aquino administration failed in its fight against criminality, reiterating that the average weekly crime incidence in the metropolis was now down to 261 this year from 918 cases in 2015.

“If only she studied the data (from the police), she would have known this,” he said. ■

FDA-banned cosmetic products still available in PH, warns group

BY ERIKA SAULER Philippine Daily Inquirer ALTHOUGH THE summer heat may prompt you to reach out for a moisturizer or other skin-pampering products, be sure to read the label before you slather them on.

A toxics watchdog group said on Saturday that 14 cosmetic products sold in the local market contain the banned preservative, isobutylparaben.

This was based on the retail market monitoring conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition earlier this week to help the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) enforce the regulation banning isobutylparaben and four other parabens in cosmetics.

“We found 14 more products listing isobutylparaben as [an] ingredient in clear defiance of the FDA advisory,” Thony Dizon, coordinator of EcoWaste Project Protect, said in a statement.

Parabens, which are commonly used as a preservative in cosmetics, among other products, mimic estrogen and may cause endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity. www.canadianinquirer.net

Of the 14 products, 10 were imported from the United Kingdom, he said. In 2014, the European Union added five parabens to the list of substances prohibited in cosmetics due to the lack of data necessary for their safety assessment.

“If these 10 products would be illegal to sell in Europe, why are they being sold in the Philippines?” Dizon asked.

The 10 items from UK-based Beauty Formulas were Aloe Fresh Replenishing Moisture Cream, Avocado Oil Treatment Wax, Cocoa Butter Body Conditioning Cream, Deep Action Pore Cleanser, Deep Penetrating Softening Foot Lotion, Honey and Almond Facial Scrub, Honey Treatment Wax, Oil and Shine Control Moisturizer, On the Spot Treatment, and Regenerating Hand Cream. The other products were Caronia Hand and Foot Care Nourishing Creme (Green Tea Scent), Ocean Potion Extreme Tanning Xcelerator Spray Gel, Ocean Potion Protect and Nourish Sea Plant Botanicals (Babies and Sensitive), and Ocean Potion Protect and Nourish Sea Plant Botanicals (Kids). ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

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TV debates part of bets’ ad airtime

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer

Presidential candidate Grace Poe campaigned in Camarines Sur, mentioning running mate Chiz Escudero in her speeches and praising Bicol for producing “excellent achievers.”

FACEBOOK PHOTO

Cam Sur NP goes for Poe

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer NACIONALISTA PARTY (NP) members in this vote-rich province are backing a women’s tandem to lead the country—Sen. Grace Poe for president and vice presidential bet Leni Robredo, according to former Camarines Sur Gov. Luis “LRAY” Villafuerte Jr. Villafuerte and his son, Camarines Sur Gov. Miguel Villafuerte, gave Poe a big show of support yesterday as the independent candidate stumped the province.

However, the politically influential clan said they were not supporting Poe’s running mate, Sen. Francis Escudero, and instead were for Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, the ruling Liberal Party candidate for vice president.

Campaigning solo

Following her supporters’ lead, Poe campaigned solo in Camarines Sur which has one million voters.

But she mentioned Escudero in her speeches and praised Bicol for having produced “excellent achievers.”

Villafuerte told reporters he believed it was only a matter of time before Poe got the endorsement of the entire NP. According to LRAY’s estimate, “60 to 70 percent of NP members are for Poe.” Most of the NP members in the Bicol region are among them. They include 100 percent of NP members in Camarines Sur, he claimed.

“In the end, the majority will have to voice out their opinion, and I feel that there is a big possibility that the NP will endorse Grace Poe,” he told reporters.

True believers

There has been no comment, how-

ever, from the NP leadership led by former Sen. Manuel Villar. The NP earlier declared it was not likely to endorse any candidate because three NP members are running for vice president—Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Antonio Trillanes IV— and are paired with different candidates for president.

Poe has already received the backing of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, founded by tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

Poe is hoping for better numbers in the coming surveys, but said her recent dip in ratings has showed her “who her true believers are.”

Poe admitted there were some wouldbe supporters who have backed out or who were talked out of openly endorsing her bid for president.

Recent polls showed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte taking the lead with Poe in second place with about three weeks to go before election day.

JOINING MORE televised debates? Be careful.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded candidates in the May 9 balloting that exposure through televised debates not sanctioned by the poll body would be deducted from their advertising airtime.

“By and large, the Comelec wants more debates [ because] it’s better. But we also have regulations regarding these that need to be followed. All debates that are not Comelec-enabled shall be deducted from their limits,” said the poll body’s chair, Andres Bautista.

Bautista has learned that several media outfits were planning to stage more debates after the Comelec debate series aimed at helping voters to know more about the presidential and vice presidential candidates and their platforms.

The third Comelec-sanctioned presidential debate is scheduled for April 24 at the University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City. It is expected to tackle issues involving traffic and public transporta-

‘It’s clear’

“If you are at the top spot and people flock to you to offer their support, you won’t be able to tell if they are doing that because of your platform or just because you’re No. 1,” she said.

“But now it’s clear,” she said, acknowledging, for one, her Camarines Sur supporters.

She noted that she was not the survey topnotcher in December, and has never been complacent even when she became No. 1.

But aside from stepping up her campaign, she said she also relied on prayer.

“I was in Saint Jude yesterday, the saint of the impossible. All of us are like race horses, with a photo-finish end,” she said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

tion, foreign policy, national defense, tax, electoral and political reforms.

The first debate for the five vice presidential candidates was held at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila last week.

Bautista said candidates must be reminded that not all debates would be automatically exempted from the airtime limits provided under the Fair Elections Act. Advertising rules

Under Comelec rules, national candidates and political parties are entitled to not more than 120 minutes of television ads on a per station basis and 180 minutes of radio commercials, also on a per station basis whether by purchase or donation.

Local candidates and registered political parties are also entitled to not more than 60 minutes of television ads on a per station basis and 90 minutes of radio commercials, also on a per station basis whether by purchase or donation.

Violation of the rules constitute an election offense, which carries a penalty of one to six years imprisonment, disqualification from public office and the removal of the right to vote. ■

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Philippine News

APRIL 22, 2016

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

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Campaign road trip reunites Duterte, ex-wife

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer CEBU CITY — Could they give their love a second chance?

This question surfaced in the minds of observers on Thursday afternoon when presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte attended the birthday celebration of his former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman-Duterte, here. Elizabeth, who turned 68 on Thursday, has skipped chemotherapy sessions to lead the Biyaheng Du30 journey, a 30-day parallel campaign in the Visayas and Mindanao for Duterte’s presidential bid.

Duterte’s marriage with Elizabeth was annulled in 1998 and his philandering was cited as one of the reasons.

But Elizabeth, the mother of Duterte’s three children, is in the front line warding off attacks against her former husband.

“There is no truth to the claim that he does not respect women,” she said.

Elizabeth has chosen to keep Duterte’s surname, noting that her marriage with the 71-year-old mayor has never been nullified by the Catholic Church.

They enjoyed 25 years of marriage before the annulment.

Duterte’s rivals have since used his failed marriage and philandering to discredit him in his political career.

Cancer treatment

Presidential aspirant Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s failed marriage and philandering has been used by his rivals to discredit him in his political career.

FACEBOOK PHOTO

Late again, but with roses

At past 3 p.m., Duterte arrived at a restaurant here—two hours late as usual.

But he made up for his tardiness with a birthday cake and a bouquet of red roses for his former wife.

He then gave Elizabeth a kiss amid the loud cheers of his supporters and relatives. Their children Inday Sara, who is running for Davao mayor, and Paolo, who is Davao vice mayor, attended the celebration.

“Good health. And may she live for a thousand years,” Duterte said when asked for his birthday wish for Elizabeth.

When asked if he still loved her,

Duterte replied: “Of course, she is the mother of my children.”

Reporters went on and asked if a second chance was possible. “It is happening right now,” he said.

In an interview, Elizabeth defended the mayor from the attacks of his rivals. “When we were together, I knew he loved me, I knew he respected me. It was just that we had differences that we could not resolve,” she said.

Women will be eyes of Poe gov’t – Grace

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer PILI, CAMARINES Sur—Women will play key roles in the government should she become president, Sen. Grace Poe told residents in a campaign stop here on Friday.

Poe bared plans to form a council of women volunteers that would keep tabs on government projects down to the barangay level and report to Malacañang if they are not progressing as expected.

The council would be a nongovernment group composed of women volunteers from various sectors, she said.

“What would your job be? Down to the barangay level, you would report on the projects that have not been completed,” she said.

Monitor projects

She would give the women a list of government projects that need to be monitored, she said.

“Sometimes, if you’re far from Malacañang, certain things are not reported to you, such as the asphalting of a barangay [road] that hasn’t been completed for three years. The women will do this, and we will recruit respected women,” she said.

Poe also allayed fears that being a woman, she would be unable to handle the country’s security problems.

She said a woman’s nurturing image shouldn’t be considered a weakness.

“Women are loving and patient, but if we’re put to the test, we don’t back down, do we? If our loved ones are attacked or are in danger, we women are the first to come to their rescue.”

She cited women who have proven their mettle in government, among them, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and former Commission on Audit chief Grace Pulido-Tan. “Women were appointed to head all of the departments that go after the corrupt,” she said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Elizabeth was aboard the bus dubbed Biyaheng Du30, which hops from one city after another in the Visayas and Mindanao. It is a simultaneous campaign run by Elizabeth, Sara and other members of the Duterte family.

Elizabeth, who is battling Stage 3 breast cancer, had chosen to skip radiation treatments to join the campaign. “I have to help him, too,” she said.

She said she had earlier sought permission from her doctor to skip chemotherapy treatments for two weeks.

Duterte earlier said his eldest daughter Inday Sara would be his first lady should he win the election on May 9.

Elizabeth said members of their family had put it to a vote and unanimously chose Inday Sara to be the first lady should Duterte win the election.

The mayor has been leading the latest presidential surveys, overtaking Sen. Grace Poe. Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, has been seen with him and their youngest child Veronica in several campaign rallies in Luzon.

Asked about Avanceña joining Duterte in the campaign, Elizabeth said, smiling, “No comment.” ■

Philippine News

8

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

‘Rambotito’ tells ‘Punisher’: Your days are numbered Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Correspondents Jane Moraleda Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Katherine Padilla Community Editor Mary Ann Mandap maryann.mandap@canadianinquirer.net Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos Solon Licas Vic Vargas For photo submissions, please send to editor@canadianinquirer.net Operations and Marketing Head Laarni Liwanag (604) 551-3360 laarni.liwanag@canadianinquirer.net Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Nelson Wu (647) 521-5155 salestoronto@canadianinquirer.net nelson.wu@canadianinquirer.net Amelia Insigne 1-416-574-5121 amelia.insigne@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Christelle Tolisora Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 11951 Hammersmith Way, Suite 108 Richmond, B.C. V7A 5H9 Canada Tel. No.: +1 (888) 668-6059, +1 (604) 484-9243, +1 (778) 889-3518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer.net, sales@canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday.

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Member

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer RAMBOTITO WILL not be cowed by the Punisher.

Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday said rival presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte should be ready to “kneel down and pray” as he will soon be brought to justice—if Binay wins, of course.

“Your days are numbered. The law will soon catch up with you,” Binay said in a strongly worded statement as he ramped up his rhetoric against Duterte whom he called “Mr. Butcher who kills children and the poor.”

Binay was obviously trying to get back at the Duterte camp for saying that the former city mayor of Makati would be the first “big fish” to be thrown in jail for corruption if Duterte, who is now the recognized front- runner, becomes President.

For more than a week now, the Vice President has been relentless in his attacks against the tough- talking Davao mayor— nicknamed the Punisher for his uncompromising stance against criminals— warning that he will soon be held accountable for his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings.

“You admitted many times—you even bragged about it—that you killed thousands who are suspected to be involved in crime .... You should be made to answer under the law and in the eyes of God,” Binay told those attending his campaign sorties.

Not afraid

He began pouncing on his rival on April 7, when Duterte started scaling the polls on preferred presidential candidates. Earlier this week, Duterte became No. 1, while Binay had to settle for third.

In his statement yesterday, Binay told off the Duterte camp for threatening to send him to jail for corruption if the Davao mayor becomes President.

“Do not threaten me. I am not afraid of you,” said Binay, who was famously given the “Rambotito” (Little Rambo) moniker when, as the Makati mayor, he was photographed wearing fatigues and carrying an Uzi during one of the coup attempts against President Corazon Aquino.

Binay, whose key campaign platform is poverty alleviation, accused Duterte of killing only the poor.

“You should be the one that should fear God and the law. Instead of helping the poor, you kill them based on mere suspicion. You never kill anyone who is rich, any big-time [drug] pusher or smuggler in your city,” he said.

“Your plan to eliminate poverty is to

Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay said rival presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte should be ready to “kneel down and pray” as he will soon be brought to justice.

FACEBOOK PHOTO

eliminate the poor. Violence is not the solution to poverty. Killing minors is not the solution,” he said.

Killing the poor

Binay took his anti-Duterte campaign to Dipolog City yesterday, where he drew a contrast between his “respect [for] the right to life” and Duterte’s allegedly grim record of extrajudicial killings.

“I respect a person’s right to life.

That’s why when I was Makati mayor, the poor did not die because of sickness or poverty. Why? Because hospitalization and medicine are free for the poor,” he said, addressing a crowd at the Dipolog City plaza.

“That’s my experience: I help the poor live. I do not kill. I am not a butcher who kills,” he said.

By contrast, he said Duterte kills the poor. “He does not kill anyone who is rich. Why the poor? Because they can’t put up a fight,” Binay said.

Binay then brought out photos of the Alia siblings—Richard, 18, Christopher, 17, and Bobby, 14—who were allegedly executed by the Davao Death Squad between 2001 and 2002 “based on mere suspicion.”

He had first cited the case of the siblings in a radio interview on April 7, when he launched his assault on Duterte.

On Thursday, Binay promised to bring death squad executions to justice and hold Duterte and the hit men accountable, if elected President.

So sue me

Responding to Binay’s accusations, Duterte yesterday said he had already been cleared by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Department of Justice concerning his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings.

“If you have evidence against me, then file a case,” Duterte told Binay.

The Davao mayor said he had already been investigated by the CHR, when it was headed by senatorial candidate

www.canadianinquirer.net

Leila de Lima, on his alleged role in the killing of criminals in Davao City and nothing was found.

He said De Lima had twice investigated him on this issue but never filed a case.

Duterte also said he had never killed women and children. “I have never killed an innocent person,” he said.

He explained that he had set up a multimillion-peso drug rehabilitation center where drug dependents could voluntarily go for rehabilitation.

“Why would I kill the women and children, it’s better to rehabilitate them,” he said.

But he admitted having shot and killed criminals who kidnapped a teenager.

He also said he has a standing order for the police not to hesitate in shooting a criminal who violently resists arrest.

Justice, not vengeance As two of her rivals threaten each other with jail over corruption and murder allegations, Poe said all crimes should be investigated, but the motive should be justice, not vengeance.

“We should investigate any issue of corruption or abuse. But a President must be fair and give the parties due process,” Poe told reporters in Pili, Camarines Sur province.

“It’s difficult if we would just keep on wanting to seek revenge,” Poe said.

“If there is something to investigate, we should do so but we should follow the proper legal process and have a swift trial,” she added.

Poe also addressed criticisms of the statement she earlier made about making Duterte her anticrime czar should she win. She said it was not an endorsement of the Davao mayor’s alleged support of extrajudicial killings.

If Duterte gets such a position, he would have to follow the law and due process, she said. ■ With reports from Nancy Carvajal and Leila B. Salaverria

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

9

Erap celebrates birthday by inaugurating two renovated public markets; seeks ‘birthday gift’ from Manileños PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada celebrated his 79th birthday on Tuesday by inaugurating two newly-renovated public markets in Manila even as he wished that Manileños would grant him the only birthday gift he wants: all-out support for his entire ticket in the coming elections.

Mayor Estrada formally opened the Sta. Ana Market in Pedro Gil Street and San Andres Market in Leveriza, Malate, fulfilling his promise to vendors that no one would be displaced by the total rehabilitation of the formerly neglected and dirty public markets.

“We now have modern, world-class city markets comparable to classy private supermarkets and big shopping malls. And as my birthday treat to you, I have fulfilled my promise that you are the same ones who would first benefit from this project,” Estrada told

the jubilant vendors.

His only birthday wish, he said, is that Manileños would vote for his running mate Honey Lacuna in the coming elections, as well as his entire city council, and candidates for congressional posts.

“Ibig ko sanang humiling ng birthday gift sa inyo (I would like to ask for a birthday gift from you),” he said. “Kung iboboto niyo si Erap Estrada, isama niyo na rin sana si Honey Lacuna at lahat ng kandidato natin sa konseho at kongreso para tuluy-tuloy po ang progreso ng ating lungsod (If you will vote for Erap Estrada, please vote for Honey Lacuna and all our fielded candidates so our progress will continue).”

The newly-refurbished and modernized Sta. Ana and San Andres public markets boast of high-class facilities, sanitary systems, and security features that would rival those found in private malls and supermarkets.

Built at the cost of Php274 million, the two-storey Sta. Ana Market, located in Manila’s 6th

Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada wished Manileños would grant him the only birthday gift he wants: all-out support for his entire ticket in the coming elections.

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District, has a modern building facade, elegant public restrooms, airconditioned common areas, a food court, clean wet and dry sections, fire pro-

tection, and CCTVs, according to Mel Bayato, business development officer of XRC Mall Developers Inc. XRC signed a joint venture

agreement with the city government of Manila in the rehabilitation and facelift of public markets in the city. The company designed and built the chain of Xentro shopping malls of SM Prime Holdings Inc. across the country.

The Sta. Ana Market also has a mini-park by the river complete with a boat terminal.

The PhP172-million San Andres Public Market, on the other hand, also has similar features, Bayato said.

In these renovated markets, rental fees only range from Php20 to Php40, depending on the location of the stall and the goods that the vendors are selling. There will not be any increase in the rental fees for two years, after which only a maximum of 5% to 10% increase would be allowed.

Mayor Estrada has said that market rules and regulations will be strictly implemented in the renovated facilities to prevent syndicates from sabotaging the project to the detriment of the vendors and the buying public. ■

MRT-7 breaks ground; set to be operational by 2020

BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Construction of the long-awaited Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) finally kicked off on Wednesday morning with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

The Php69.30-billion project includes the development of a 23-kilometer railway system with 14 stations from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, pass-

ing through Commonwealth Avenue and Quirino Highway in Novaliches.

It is expected to initially accommodate 350,000 daily passengers and shorten travel time from the current 3.5 hours on the road to one hour once completed and operational by its target date in April 2020.

Ultimately, about 800,000 passengers per day — mostly residents from Novaliches, Quezon City and Caloocan City, Bulacan, and neighboring areas in the north are expected to benefit from a faster commute with

the completion of the project.

The project also covers the development of an integrated transportation system, which includes the said railway system, a 22-km highway from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Bocaue interchange, and an intermodal transport terminal (ITT) adjacent to the San Jose del Monte Station.

This way, commuters can take public utility vehicles (PUVs) or private cars and use the new highway from NLEX, alight at the ITT, and board the MRT-7 going to North Avenue,

www.canadianinquirer.net

Quezon City.

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the groundbreaking ceremony, together with Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya.

Also present was the president of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the parent company of contractor Universal LRT Corporation (ULC), Ramon Ang. Abaya welcomed the latest development, noting that the project is not only meant to provide better transport but also decongest traffic in Metro Manila and

nearby areas inthe north.

“The long-awaited MRT-7 will serve commuters who ply the heavily-congested Commonwealth Avenue area for work and school on a daily basis,” Abaya said.

“The new railway system will not only significantly lessen travel time along this corridor, but also help decongest traffic in Caloocan and NLEX,” he added. ■

10

Philippine News

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Palace: China misreading PH-US military exercises

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer CHINA HAS misinterpreted the Philippines’ joint military exercises with the United States near disputed territory in the South China Sea, Malacañang said yesterday.

“We believe that the People’s Republic of China through its statements misunderstands or perhaps does not properly appreciate the purpose of our activities with the United States,” Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon said in a radio interview.

“These are to ensure free-

dom of navigation in the region, which benefits all nations because it allows the free, unhampered flow of trade,” Quezon said.

“These are peaceful and highly uncontroversial exercises meant to ensure that prosperity is continuous under a regime of stability through the participation of all countries,” he added.

between Filipino and American troops.

China has blasted the US for “militarizing” the West Philippine Sea with its move to deepen its defense ties with the Philippines through joint patrols in the contested waters.

The Chinese defense ministry on Thursday said strengthening USPhilippine defense ties reflected “Cold War mentality.”

Carter’s visit

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s visit to an American aircraft carrier sailing near the disputed islands in the South China Sea came at the end of this year’s Balikatan war games

Hamilton-class cutters

But Quezon said the war games underscored the historic relations between the Philippines and the United States, which date back to 1851.

“Our moves and our ongoing projects with our foreign allies show that we are on a steady and sensible path,” he said.

Quezon also defended the sale by the United States of its decommissioned Hamiltonclass cutters to the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Philippines has three Hamiltonclass cutters capable of patrolling its territorial waters in the South China Sea. Quezon said while the cutters were built in the late 1960s, they were still “a generation or more advanced than what we used to have”—World War IIERA vessels.

“In other words, if these were

bicycles, we need to go through training wheels first. Once we get acquainted with these, we can then invest in more modern engines (with 1990 to 2000s technology),” he said.

Quezon said critics should understand that the Philippines has to balance its need to improve its defense requirements with its limited resources that are also needed for other public services. “[They’re] not junk because there are other nations that have also taken on the Hamilton-class cutter. They’re perfectly good vessels and we have seen how good and useful they are,” he said. ■

Duterte’s rape... ❰❰ 1

ismatic group called Joyful Assembly of God who was at the prison to conduct a Sunday prayer service. She was gang-raped by prisoners and died in the siege.

“I looked at her (Ms. Hamill) face, [expletive deleted] like a beautiful American actress.

[Expletive deleted] what a waste. What came into my mind was they raped her and they lined up for her. I was angry that she was raped, it’s one.

But she was very beautiful. The mayor should have had her first. What a pity,” Duterte told the laughing crowd in Filipino.

Duterte’s remarks prompted his fellow politicians to release statements that criticized the mayor’s behavior.

“It is distasteful and unacceptable, and reflects the candidate’s disrespect for women.

No human being deserves to be raped and abused. Rape is a crime and no laughing matter. We should all be outraged at abuses committed against women,” Sen. Grace Poe, the closest rival of Duterte in the presidential election said.

“While some may seem impressed with the nonchalance and tough talking stance as portrayed by the candidate himself, he should be reminded that at all times, women, men and the LGBT alike should be treated with dignity and respect,” she added.

Poe also asked the public to join her stand against abuse.

Vice-president and fellow

presidential candidate Jejomar “Jojo” Binay characterized Duterte’s statement as “simply revolting,” “callous” and unjustifiable.

“Nanghinayang ka na hindi mo na-rape ang Australian lay minister. Pinagyabang mo na minolestya mo ang inyong kasambahay. (You regret that you didn’t rape an Australian lay minister. You boasted that you molested your maid.) You are a crazy maniac who doesn’t respect women and doesn’t deserve to be president,” he said.

Manuel “Mar” Roxas II who has exchanged heated arguments with Duterte also called out the mayor’s statement on rape.

“Rape is an issue of the utmost seriousness. Anyone who laughs at the ultimate assault on the dignity of women should not be allowed to wield power.

All women have rights, they are not anyone’s playthings. These comments are no laughing matter, they are signs of a bestial attitude towards womankind,” Roxas said.

Meanwhile, women’s group Gabriela demanded apology from Duterte.

“Mayor Rodrigo Duterte should immediately apologize for his statements making fun of rape,” Gabriela national vice chairperson Gert Libang said.

“We also challenge him to use his campaign to promote issues that will elevate the condition of women and their families,” she added.

Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Malacañang echoed the same sentiments.

“It (Duterte’s statement) speaks volumes not just about his utter lack of respect for women, which was already well-known even before he launched his candidacy… Indeed, he has confirmed by word and deed why those who oppose his candidacy have expressed utmost concern about his lack of fitness for the presidency,” Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

On the other hand, Duterte’s running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano defended the mayor. www.canadianinquirer.net

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“He’s an advocate for women,” the vice-presidential candidate said.

“Siya lang ang taong lumalaban ng tunay para sa bata, matanda at babae (He’s the only person who really fights for children, elderlies and women),” he added.

Sorry, not sorry

Despite demands for apology, Duterte, on Sunday, refused to apologize for his statement and downplayed it as merely an expression of anger. It was simply a gutter language that he grew up speaking, he said.

“Yes, that’s true. I said it.

Gutter language. But it was expressed in utter anger,” Duterte told the press.

He also recalled the two-day siege of August 1989, specifically when the body of Ms. Hamill was brought out of the crime scene.

“She was very beautiful.

She looks like an actress from America. [Expletive deleted], they had her first. Kill them all!” he exclaimed.

“I grabbed my uzi and rushed inside. Are you (police force) going to follow or not? I consumed one magazine. That’s it. We clashed. Everyone died,” Duterte said.

“In the afternoon, the funeral parlor called and asked who is going to pay the expenses. [Expletive deleted]. I will not pay for it! I told the police to buy banigs (mats) and wrap those monkeys.”

“Where they are going to be buried, they asked. At the public cemetery, I said. Only one grave, don’t give them one for each. Just one grave, put them there,” he added.

It can be recalled that Duterte has been under fire recently for his statement that denoted sexual harassment. In an earlier campaign rally, he recalled a church confession where he went into the room of his maid who was then sleeping, lifted the covers and inappropriately touched the help.

“Father, venial sin only,” he told the priest. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

11

VP debate still focuses on no-show Marcos Jr.

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer TRYING TO dislodge Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from the lead in the polls, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano stepped up his attack on the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos during a vice presidential debate organized by ABS-CBN. But Marcos, bashed by his rivals during the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-sanctioned vice presidential debate on April 10 over his revisionist view of his late father’s martial rule, was not there to deflect Cayetano’s broadsides.

The running mate of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago skipped the debate but issued a statement explaining that he was attending private meetings and taking part in a “unity caravan” in Batangas province.

He said he was also taking time out from his campaign so that he and his wife, Louise Araneta Marcos, could celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary.

A scornful Cayetano ridiculed Marcos’ explanation for his absence, saying Marcos was “running away from the debate like his family ran away with the Filipinos’ money.”

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, also did not come to the debate.

Honasan said he had prior commitments in Mindanao that coincided with the debate.

He said he could not reschedule those commitments on short notice.

Not sanctioned by the Comelec, yesterday’s debate was not compulsory. ABS-CBN was the sole organizer and the debate was held at the network’s compound in Quezon City.

Only Cayetano, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, Sen. Francis Escudero and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV took part in the ABS-CBN debate.

Talking piece

But it was Marcos who emerged as the talking piece for the debaters, as they strove to pull ahead of the pack with less than a month to go before the May 9 vote.

It was Robredo who gave Cayetano the opportunity to put Marcos back in the discus-

sion during the second round of the debate, when the candidates were allowed to throw questions at each other.

Robredo asked Cayetano why he attacked Marcos so hard during the first debate when they belonged to the same party, the Nacionalista Party.

“It’s too bad he’s not here.

They ran away with the people’s money, now they’re running away again,” Cayetano said, citing the Marcos family’s stash of $10 billion in alleged ill-gotten wealth and Marcos’ links to businesswoman Janet LimNapoles, the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“In his SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth), he put P500 million, but did not work a single day in his life,” Cayetano said.

Trillanes said Marcos needed to explain himself. “Let’s remove his being son of a dictator,” he said. “Let’s look at his record as a senator. What has he done in the past six years?”

He also belittled Marcos’ education, suggesting that Marcos’ claim of having gone to Oxford University and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania was dubious.

At the start of the debate, the four candidates were given the chance to present their platforms, and they strove to show the difference between their plans.

Both Escudero, running mate of Sen. Grace Poe, and Robredo, running mate of Liberal Party presidential standard-bearer Mar Roxas, vowed to put an end to contractualization to stabilize employment.

Cayetano reduced the Philippines’ main problems to a question of “political will,” claiming that only he and his presidential running mate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, could walk their talk, while Trillanes— raising the rear in the vice presidential race in voter preference polls—pushed for a national identification system to maintain peace and order.

Escudero said he and Poe would eradicate contractualization, or the practice of employers of limiting workers to shortterm contracts to avoid having to hire them permanently and paying them benefits.

He said the Poe-Escudero

Vice presidential candidate and Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. endorsed by transport group leaders.

FERDINAND G. PATINIO / PNA

administration would give P1 billion to each province, and push for 100-percent coverage of PhilHealth, including zero billing for the poor in hospitals, and free state college education.

When her turn came, Robredo said she agreed that there should be no more contractualization.

“We will push for security of tenure, penalties for employers who violate the law, ensure jobs with stable earnings, so people can have their own homes, eat three meals a day, and live life with dignity,” she said.

Expanded services

The widow of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said she and Roxas would expand existing government services in the health sector, including the removal of consultation fees and the distribution of free medicines, and to localize Department of Education (DepEd) programs to the regions or provinces.

“We will have a one-doctor per family policy. Education should not be an impediment, we want to decentralize the powers of the DepEd so there’s local treatment of programs, so school programs are regionalized and suited to provincial needs and rural development,” she said.

Robredo also said the next secretary of transportation and communication should not come from the Cabinet of President Aquino.

“We should not hire those who previously held Cabinet positions,” she said, adding that she would suggest to the new President to form a search committee to choose his officials.

Cayetano said he and Duterte’s program was simple: www.canadianinquirer.net

“Federalism, economic reforms, eradicate crime, drugs, corruption in three to six months.”

Political will

Seeking to stand in contrast to his rivals, Cayetano said the question of platforms was not the problem. “Everything they are promising, we have done in Davao and Taguig. Take out your phones, Google, ‘master plan, housing,” he said.

“The problem is leadership, political will… . There’s no leadership,” he said, drawing applause from his supporters.

“Let them talk about platform.

As for us, we will just do it. We will get it done for you.”

Trillanes said he would push for a national identification system, increased allowances for policemen and a stronger internal affairs department in the Philippine National Police to discourage corrupt law enforcers.

He said he would press for a stop to the implementation of the K-12 program, which added two years to basic education in the Philippines.

Senior high school, he said, “would only be a hardship to parents and teachers.”

Marcos wealth

Responding to a question on how he would recover the Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth, Trillanes noted the report of the Presidential Commission on Good Government that it had recovered at least half of the family’s stash.

“I want to focus on the status of these cases,” he said.

Asked if he would support a declaration of martial law, Trillanes said he would under the right circumstances. “If there’s basis, such as threats to

national security, then we will support,” he said.

“I am confident with our people, whether you push it or support it, Filipinos will be at the forefront [of such a call],” he said.

Escudero said he was not as quarrelsome or combative as candidates like Cayetano, but was doing his best to serve.

Responding to Cayetano’s question on why he has not confronted Marcos on martial law abuses, he cited his record of legislating bills against torture, enforced disappearances, and compensation for victims of the dictatorship.

“I may not have fought with Senator Marcos … but I have delicadeza (sense of propriety).

In the same way I don’t want to use my position to further my ambitions, I don’t want to use my being a senator to attack someone else,” Escudero said.

Asked how the government should deal with the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) group to peace in Mindanao, Robredo said it was a shame that no law had been passed for “true representation of their complaints and their grievances” in Muslim Mindanao.

Though she did not mention the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, she said legislation was necessary to give voice to Muslims, Christians and indigenous groups in Mindanao.

“That’s the danger that if we don’t listen to them. The attraction of extremism, the attraction to [IS] is so strong,” Robredo said.

Cayetano said his “weakness” as a politician was his combativeness.

“It’s a strength in a public official, but it’s a weakness in a politician. The people like their politicians to act sweet. I was advised not to be so angry,” he said.

“But I don’t really care about image… When you talk about crime, corruption, drugs, how ca you not be angry?” said Cayetano, who repeatedly referred to his family as his source of strength.

Voter preference polls place Marcos, Robredo and Escudero within a few points of each other in a race that remains wide open with just 21 days left before Election Day. The three other contenders lag far behind them. ■

12

Philippine News

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Autopsies show bullets 2 sides of same activist struck protesting coin back each other’s bid farmers, say lawyers

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY GIL CABACUNGAN AND JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) will come out before the end of this month with the results of its fact-finding investigation into the bloody dispersal of farmer-protesters in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, on April 1.

CHR Chair Chito Gascon refused to comment on what the team had concluded so far, but a forensic report made known to the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) revealed that bullet wounds in the head and trunk—not injuries due to rocks or heat stroke, as authorities earlier speculated—killed two protesters at the Kidapawan rally.

Gascon said the fact-finding team needed another week to finish their job due to the voluminous data compiled during their week-long probe of the violent dispersal that left three dead and scores wounded. The police then jailed up to 70 protesters, including women and children.

The CHR chief earlier said they would look into why the police used high-powered guns to disperse farmers protesting the failure of the government to provide them with food and help them cope with the drought.

‘Shots killed them’

The NUPL revealed yester-

day that the two protesters killed in the dispersal sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the head and trunk.

In a phone interview with the INQUIRER, NUPL secretary general Edre Olalia said this was the initial result of an independent autopsy and external examination conducted on April 9 by forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun on the bodies of farmer Darwin Sulang, 22, and bystander Enrico Fabligar, 30.

Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, in an interview with the media on April 4, said the two protesters died of “heat stroke” and “a head injury possibly from rocks.” He also said the police only fired “warning shots” to rescue a civil disturbance management staffer “pinned down” by protesters.

But Fortun’s autopsy on Sulang, Olalia said, showed that he sustained “a single perforating gunshot wound almost in the middle of the forehead which exited at top back of the head,” while an external examination of Fabligar’s body showed a “single penetrating gunshot wound of the trunk.”

Olalia noted that these findings were “different from public statements” made by the police and Sarmiento. Earlier, no less than PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez said that one of the slain protesters, referring to Sulang, had tested positive for gunpowder residue in a paraffin exam, and that police wounded in the clash had also sustained gunshot wounds. ■

IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES aside, former Rep. Walden Bello of Akbayan and Rep. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna are supportive of each other’s senatorial run.

On Friday, Bello said he would be voting for Colmenares, his party-mate Risa Hontiveros, a member of the administration slate, and migrant rights advocate Susan “Toots” Ople, in hopes of forming a “progressive bloc” in the Senate.

“I think, like We believe he’s elevating the Riza, he will be a discourse in the campaign. progressive voice in the Senate,” Bello said of Colmenares, a member of presidential candidate The latest Social Weather StaSen. Grace Poe’s senatorial slate. tions voter preference survey put “This is not to say ideological Colmenares in the 21st to 23rd differences do not matter, but spot and Bello at 37th to 43rd. with enough work, they can be Their ranking in the Pulse Asia surmounted,” Bello told the IN- survey was only slightly better, QUIRER. with Colmenares in 20th to 22nd But he clarified that he would place, and Bello in 31st to 43rd. only be voting—not campaigning Bello, a former ally and now —for the three other candidates. outspoken critic of President Colmenares, on the other Aquino, remains an Akbayan hand, said he believed Bello’s member but the party-list thoughtful critiques of admin- group now deeply linked to the istration policies would be im- Liberal Party campaign has not portant in the Senate. endorsed his candidacy.

“Though I cannot categoriHe broke away from an allically endorse Walden because ance with Mr. Aquino and re-

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signed his congressional seat at the height of the Jan. 25, 2015, debacle in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, where elite police commandos clashed with Moro rebels, leaving 44 of the government men and 15 militants dead.

No party support

Speaking at the regular Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, Akbayan’s fourth nominee Rafaela David said she personally supports Bello, as do many of her party mates, but the party could not officially do so.

“He’s still with the party. We have disagreements with the coalition work, but he has never left as a member of Akbayan,” she said of Bello, a long-time activist and noted academic with a doctorate in Sociology from Princeton.

Pressed to explain why Akbayan did not endorse Bello, David said: “We didn’t have a process in relation to his candidacy. But we have members who are supporting him, like me. We believe he’s elevating the discourse in the campaign.”

Bello admitted he did not seek Akbayan’s official endorsement, as he had not participated in the party convention, during which it decided on the candidates to field in the May polls. ■

PAL flight diverts to India after baby couldn’t wait

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer

CHR Chair Chito Gascon refused to comment on what the fact-finding investigation into the bloody dispersal of farmer-protesters in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato had concluded so far.

I am part of Team GP (Team Galing at Puso) with a full Senate slate, I can say that Walden Bello is very much qualified and his independent critical stand against the establishment is needed in the Senate,” he said.

Colmenares said he was thankful for Bello’s vote, but it would be “inappropriate” for someone on a senatorial slate to endorse another candidate.

Both candidates, especially Bello who is running his campaign on a shoestring budget, have a long climb to the Magic 12.

A MANILA-BOUND Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane from Dubai was diverted to India on Sunday when a sevenmonth pregnant passenger went into premature labor mid-flight.

PR 669 left Dubai at midnight Saturday when four hours into the flight to Manila, 40-yearold Mary Grace Alejandro, who was traveling with her teenage son, complained of abdominal pain www.canadianinquirer.net

and went into labor.

The cabin crew helped the woman give birth.

Mother and daughter, however, were in delicate condition that required proper medical care.

This prompted the pilot to divert the flight to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India.

Upon landing, Alejandro and her new baby were rushed to Apollo Hospital, where they were declared in stable condition.

According to PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, the baby

was on ventilator support and under observation, with a projected full recovery in six weeks.

Villaluna said PAL was in contact with the Apollo Hospital for updates on the patients’ condition while the flag carrier’s general sales agent has gotten in touch with the passenger’s family. Alejandro’s husband and sister are expected to arrive in Hyderabad on Monday.

PR 669 proceeded to Manila at 7:46 a.m. and arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 1:30 p.m. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

13

Deguito tags Kim Wong as Christopher Lagrosas

K-9 division to help secure 44 airports

BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency

BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA — Former Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)-Jupiter branch manager Maia Santos Deguito on Tuesday tagged junket casino operator Kim Wong as Christopher Lagrosas, one of the four names with fake RCBC accounts where the stolen USD81 million from Bangladesh bank have been deposited.

During the sixth Senate inquiry on the USD81 million bank heist, RCBC’s legal chief Maria Celia Estavillo said she received a letter from Deguito, telling her that Deguito got instructions from Mr. Lagrosas on the transfer of funds to William Go. Senator Serge Osmena III asked Deguito where is Lagrosas.

“When she speaks of Mr. Lagrosas, she is speaking of Kim Wong,” Deguito replied to Osmena.

“Kim ang dami mo palang pangalan e. ikaw ba (Kim, apparently you have so many names. Is this you as well)?,” Osmena asked Wong, owner of the Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company Limited which got hold of USD21.575 million (Php1 billion) of the stolen USD81 million from Bank of Bangladesh.

“Yun peso account po…dahil yun si Gao may utang sa akin. So nagusap po kami ni Maia on Dec. 8 sa Solaire po na buksan yun peso account kaharap po sya (The peso account, yes... because Gao owed me. So Maia and I talked last Dec. 8 at Solaire to open the account with him as witness),” Wong replied without confirming that he is Lagrosas.

Wong said it was Gao Shuhao, a junket casino agent who asked to open a peso account so that the latter could deposit the Php450 million he borrowed from Wong.

According to reports, a total of USD31 million of the stolen money was deposited to the dollar account of Lagrosas while while USD25 million to Enrico Vasquez, USD19.99 million to Alfred Vergara, and USD6 million to Michael Cruz’s account.

The fund was then consolidated and deposited in a dollar account of Go who eventually denied that he opened dollar account with RCBC Jupiter branch. Go claimed his signature was forged.

Deguito claimed that Michael ‘ConCon’ Bautista and Wong know each other and that it was Wong who requested that PhilRem to transfer the stolen money from RCBC to Wong’s Eastern Hawaii Company.

Wong admitted that he knew Bautista but he had no knowledge about the PhilRem. “He (Wong) might not know PhilRem but he know Con-con, so I have to tell

him that it’s Con-con’s business,” Deguito said.

Osmena said Lagrosas might be a real person who was being used as Wong’s dummy.

Deguito and other key personalities in the stolen Bangladesh bank money have agreed to show phone records that may give lead on how to trace the remaining unrecovered funds.

Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV asked Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III to compel Deguito, PhilRem Service Corp. president Salud Bautista and Wong to submit to the committee their respect phone transactions regarding the controversy.

Guingona accepted Aquino’s motion, prompting the three key witnesses to promise to bring their phone records in the next hearing.

Osmena said the blue ribbon committee found a lot of loop holes in the testimonies of the resource persons.

Meanwhile, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) executive director Julia Bacay-Abad told the Senate panel that Wong returned last Monday another Php200 million to AMLC for safekeeping.

Wong initially returned voluntarily USD4.63 million cash that he received as head of the Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company Limited.

Wong then returned also another Php38 million which is part of the money that he supposedly received from Gao and was then played in a casino.

The Php200 million which Wong returned last Monday was part of the Php450 million that Gao barrowed from Wong.

In the same hearing, Salud’s messenger Mark Palmares told the panel that he delivered Php90 million and another USD500,000 to Weikang Xu at Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City on Feb. 5.

The money was placed in a suitcase, a traveling bag and a shoulder bag and Palmares transported it from the car to the hotel’s VIP room upon instruction of Bautista.

With the new developments, Guingona said the Senate probe is expected to last even beyond the May 9 elections.

“Mahaba pa ito. Marami pa tayo dapat malaman para makatulong kung paano natin mapapalakas ang Anti-Money Laundering law natin (This is a long process still. We need to know more so that we can strengthen the Anti-Money Laundering law),” Guingona said.

Osmena, for his part, said all the testimonies and evidences in the Senate inquiry will be shared to the government offices, particularly, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which are investigating the stolen money from Bangladesh bank. ■

THE COUNTRY’S top enforcer of laws governing air transportation plans to put up its own K-9 division to help guard 44 commercial airports nationwide.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which is responsible for prescribing rules and regulations for all aircraft owned and operated in the country, will also construct a dog academy at Butuan- Bancasi Airport in Agusan del Norte province.

At the CAAP’s 38th management meeting on April 11 in Butuan City, Director General William Hotchkiss III cited the initiative of Area 12 manager Evangeline Daba in producing a K-9 unit composed of 10 bombsniffing and narcotics-detecting dogs.

‘Effective’

“Her (Daba’s) development of a K- 9 unit is so effective that her effort has been widely acknowledged by the LGUs (local government units) in her jurisdiction,” Hotchkiss said.

Local governments have responded positively to Daba’s initiative and have

donated more dogs to the K-9 pool.

“They know it is for the good of the community so they are pitching in. The K-9 unit is ultimately for their own welfare because having safe and secure airports in the region would usher in economic growth,” Hotchkiss said.

The creation of a K-9 division will institutionalize and boost security at the CAAPcontrolled commercial airports nationwide and eliminate threats. Apart from the detection of explosives and illegal drugs, the CAAP plans to train dogs in bird tracking to prevent bird strikes on commercial aircraft.

Immune

“While we have noise-producing equipment to shoo away birds from the runways in the airports, the birds grow immune to the sound, which increases the possibility of bird strikes,” Hotchkiss said, adding that there must be no obstruction to an airplane’s takeoff and landing.

According to the CAAP official, the use of dogs for dispersing birds will be very effective in the CAAP-managed commercial airports where flights are intermittent.

He said the dogs could also serve as deterrents to runway incursions, including cattle and other stray animals, which also imperil aircraft. ■

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14

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

ANALYSIS

Digong’s failed bid at dictatorship

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer DAVAO CITY Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte has surged to take the lead in the latest voter preference polls for next month’s presidential election.

The bigger picture is more than the results of the polls. The results present a chilling picture of Duterte, a provincial politician who has no national constituency, attempting to establish a dictatorship just 30 years after the overthrow of the Marcos regime in the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution.

For the first time since 1986, a local politician, Duterte, is mounting a challenge to Philippine electoral democracy highlighting two profound constitutional issues: arrest without warrant and due process and extrajudicial execution of crime suspects through death squads.

It may be true that the polls reflect a popular call for a government that get things done, but Duterte is apparently using the poll results to go around due process.

At the start of this column, we put the defining issue as the balance of power between the central government and local governments.

off as an intellectual illiterate who has nothing more substantial to offer in public discourse than bluster and oneliners passed off as sound arguments.

Whether it is Duterte or Vice President Jejomar Binay or the Liberal Party’s Mar Roxas who gets elected, the key issue remains who will be at the helm to direct the

tial debates on the candidates’ platforms, the Liberal Party stood firm on its position that the public should assess Roxas on the strength of his bureaucratic experience and intellectual credentials despite his low poll ratings.

In contrast, Duterte has played the demagogue card to win points.

For instance, Duterte said he would not hesitate One-man rule to engage China As a veteran in a shooting war All the issues are irrelevant, most of all Duterte, who does journalist who saw over disputed ternot embody any ideology for political and social change. He is a the restoration of ritories in the big joke—not to be taken seriously. electoral democraSouth China Sea, cy in 1986, I am aprevealing his inpalled at Duterte’s stability on forattempts to install one- man rule transformation of Philippine con- eign policy issues. More of this inin place of the consensus- driven stitutional democracy in the post- stability will be on test in the next mode of political change.

Aquino years. few days.

Duterte seeks change on a very All the issues are irrelevant, It is possible the rankings of the limited experience as a local execu- most of all Duterte, who does not presidential candidates will change tive from the hinterlands of Mind- embody any ideology for political in the 22 days remaining before the anao. and social change. He is a big joke— vote, but it is not clear whether From his experience and educa- not to be taken seriously.

Duterte’s lead will hold. tional background, Duterte comes During the first two presidenDuterte is trying to stampede us

into believing that the polls show that his election is inevitable. He is beginning to believe his own propaganda and he is listening to the noise he is creating in his campaign.

Tight contest The presidential race has entered a crucial period during which the polls will change and the change will shock Duterte.

The latest Social Weather Stations poll results published by Business World showed Duterte at the top of the list, with 27 percent, a 4-point lead over Sen. Grace Poe, who had 23 percent, followed by Vice President Binay, who had 20 percent, and Roxas, 18 percent.

Given that the presidential race is a tight contest and the outcome is uncertain, we should ask at this point what is the defining issue and who is the pacemaker in these election. ■

PUBLIC LIVES

Misunderstanding the 4Ps

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer IT IS rare in our personality-driven political system to hear candidates of the opposition openly champion an existing program of the administration they are seeking to replace. But, such must have been the impact of the conditional cash transfer program, better known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), that this previously much-criticized program now figures prominently in the campaign messages of the opposition.

They promise not only to sustain but also to expand and institutionalize it. This all sounds well and good. But, do they know what they are talking about?

One candidate wants to add a fifth “P” as in “Pinalawak” (expanded) so as to include indigent senior citizens. He obviously is unaware that, since 2012, the latter have been entitled to cash benefits under the expanded senior citizens program. Another candidate promises to improve the procedures for enlisting beneficiaries in order to make the program inclusive, without saying what’s wrong with the rigorous Listahanan method for identifying eligible families.

A third candidate wants to add more conditions for receiving the cash grant—like planting trees, repairing irrigation canals, etc. But, another fool wants to altogether

remove the conditionalities that two years earlier under the Arroyo to the health center, ensuring that lie at the heart of the concept itself, presidency, the Department of So- pregnant and nursing mothers thus making the program no more cial Welfare and Development as and their infants are given proper than a system for dispensing dole. the lead agency was still very much care, and all the children get vacciAll these suggest that most Fili- in a learning mode. It confronted nated and dewormed. And finally, pino politicians who aspire to lead many challenges. a beneficiary parent must attend the nation glibly talk about change It had to make sure that the pro- the monthly family development yet usually know little about key gram would reach the most impov- sessions. Today, the program covgovernment programs and how erished families, while ensuring ers 4.6 million families, nearly six these are supposed to work. Thrust that the unqualified that got into times the number under the previsuddenly onto the national stage of the program through patronage ous administration. politics, they mouth catchy mes- were weeded out. Though nationWhen indigent households are sages furnished by handlers, com- ally supervised, the program oper- obligated, as in a contract, to look pletely oblivious of the complexity ates at the local level, and every day after the education and health of of the issues on which they facilely its social workers have to insulate their children, the government, by pronounce themimplication, also selves. acknowledges the For all its seemduty to make sure ing simplicity, the that the schools When the Aquino administration decided in 2010 to adopt 4Ps is a very comand health centers the 4Ps, taking off from the 800,000 household beneficiaries plex and ambiare there where enlisted two years earlier under the Arroyo presidency, the tious program. As they are needed.

Department of Social Welfare and Development as the lead a member of the This may seem at agency was still very much in a learning mode. It confronted National Indepenfirst glance like an many challenges. dent Advisory and unnecessary belaMonitoring Comboring of the obvimittee of the 4Ps ous. Aren’t these, in the last five years, I have never themselves from the persistent after all, the sworn duties of both failed to be astounded at every culture and dynamics of local pa- parents and the state? meeting by the enormity and com- tronage.

The big difference, in my view, plexity of the administrative reCash amounting to an average lies fundamentally in making these quirements of this program. I know of P1,500 per family per month is obligations explicit, and strictly of no other government program given under three conditions. First, demanding compliance with them. that has been as assiduously moni- the household head signs a com- The basic concept behind the 4Ps tored, reviewed, and evaluated at mitment to make sure that chil- is not to solve poverty per se but every turn by external agencies. dren of school age attend school to interrupt the intergenerational When the Aquino administra- regularly and meet the minimum cycle of poor health and illiteracy tion decided in 2010 to adopt the 85 percent class attendance. Sec- through conditional cash trans4Ps, taking off from the 800,000 ond, the head of the family com- fers. It is a program aimed explichousehold beneficiaries enlisted mits to bring the family regularly itly at giving hope to the children.

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Beyond this, by introducing the modern concept of a contract with the government, the 4Ps seeks to eliminate the need for patrons in accessing government services.

Some critics see only the billions in cash being disbursed, and at once they conclude that we are raising a nation of mendicants.

They should take a look at the family development sessions that are being held all over the country.

They follow a broad curriculum in modern parenting, household management, and citizenship.

Mostly attended by women, these empowering seminars are the closest equivalent we have to a modern nationwide adult education program involving millions of parents who become organic leaders in their communities.

The 4Ps and the very much expanded universal healthcare program run by PhilHealth, to my mind, constitute the two most significant achievements of the Aquino administration. The supreme irony is that since these programs do not flaunt the images of the public officials behind them—neither on tarpaulins nor on T-shirts— people forget to whom they should give credit. Not that it matters. But we need to remind ourselves that modern governance precisely requires this form of willful depersonalization—a quality that puts decent leaders at a disadvantage during elections. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

15

AT LARGE

Working together to fight VAW

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer PEACE and order and criminality are considered major issues in this year’s presidential campaign. The current leader of the pack, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, seems to be riding on the wave of people’s fears and frustration with his “fearless” declaration that all he needs is six months to wipe out criminality and violence—and if he fails, he will step down from office.

But there are serious doubts about Duterte’s capability—if not will—to bring an end to criminality. This, given his track record and candid statements regarding the rights of women.

If I’m not mistaken, violence against women and children is one of the most common forms of criminality here, so common that stories about the beating, rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment of women and children no longer carry the same shock value as they did before. The impression, in fact, is that since the passage of laws against domestic violence and sexual harassment, as well as the broadening and strengthening of the law against rape, the problem has been, well, “solved.”

We all know, though, that violence against women and children (VAWC) continues unabated, and that public attitudes and bureaucratic snags

continue to hamper the work of gov- olence” of the Avon Foundation, and reminded them of events that took ernment and private agencies.

TV actor Richard Yap, spokesperson place in real life.

So it’s fortunate that recently a of the local antidomestic violence *** multisectoral partnership among the campaign, doing the honors.

AVON’S efforts to combat all forms private sector, nongovernment orgaCindy Dyer, vice president for hu- of violence against women in the nizations, and government agencies man rights of the Vital Voices Global Philippines is rooted in the support was launched here.

Partnership, explained that the Jus- and advocacy of thousands of FiliThe partnership, called the Justice tice Institute is present in nearly pinos who have contributed to the Institute on Gender-based Violence 50 countries around the world. Re- campaign since 2009 through the in the Philippines, is meant to coor- gardless of the state of democracy in “Speak Out against Domestic Viodinate the efforts of agencies working a country, and whether legislation lence” fund-raising efforts. The monon the issue and provide training for punishing violence against women ey raised goes to the maintenance of everyone involved in the effort. It has has been formalized, Dyer said they the hotlines of dedicated NGO partbeen described as “an innovative and establish a program only in countries ners—the Women’s Crisis Center in interactive multidisciplinary training “where people want us to come.”

Manila, Gender Watch against Vioand technical assislence and Exploitatance collaboration tion in Dumaguete, We all know, though, that violence against women and that brings together Ing Makababaying children (VAWC) continues unabated, and that public attitudes and judges, court offiAksyon Foundabureaucratic snags continue to hamper the work of government and cers, public prosecution in Pampanga, private agencies. tors, police officers, and Luna Legal Rerepresentatives of source Center for government agencies and nongovernAnd though she was leery of iden- Women and Children in Davao. ment service providers.” tifying “successful” or “unsuccessful” And certainly adding cachet to the It is a collaboration among Avon, countries, Dyer noted that reporting campaign is the involvement of Yap, Vital Voices and Action against Vio- and filing violence cases are less suc- who has been Avon’s “brand ambaslence and Exploitation (Active), a cessful where “private prosecutors are sador” for the anti-VAW campaign local foundation led by Cristina Se- expected to handle the cases” instead for two years now. As a husband and villa, with funding provided by the of public or government prosecutors. father, Yap said, “the cause is close Avon Foundation for Women. THE The training, said Dyer, varies to my heart,” believing that he repJustice Institute was launched in the from country to country. And while resents “an important perspective country earlier this week, with no using mainly case studies, “these on domestic violence which I hope to less than Avon CEO Sheri McCoy, US are based on actual cases,” a finding influence others to adopt as well.”

Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Chris- validated by the reactions of lawyers, Together, men and women, and all tine Jaworsky, program director of prosecutors, judges and even sur- who hope to use the law and a change the “Speak Out against Domestic Vi- vivors who proclaim that the cases in public attitudes to address the

problem, can bring an end to a world where power is wielded against the weak and create instead a world free of fear and violence. *** ANOTHER aspect of womenempowerment is economic independence, certainly a factor in establishing not just their economic capacity, but also their confidence in themselves and in their future.

Launched in 2011, the Coca-Cola STAR Program involves some 52,000 women micro-entrepreneurs in 47 cities and provinces across the country. It is expected that some 200,000 womenwill have been reached by 2020.

“The impact of helping women achieve economic empowerment will be far and wide,” said Adel Tamano, vice president for public affairs and communications of Coca-Cola Philippines. “Women are most likely to invest their earnings back to the growth of their families,” he added, “especially children, which paves the way for a better future generation.”

The Coca-Cola STAR Program is part of a global initiative empowering some five million women throughout the “value chain”: from fruit and sugarcane farmers, distributors, retailers and recyclers, who are involved in the sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, selling and repurposing of Coca-Cola products. ■

LOOKING BACK

Cavite paid lowest tax in 1898-99

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer ONE WONDERS why, in the age of electronic banking, one has to physically pay one’s income tax at a bank within the Bureau of Internal Revenue District Office in which one is registered. Shouldn’t it be possible for people registered in Quezon City to pay their taxes in an online bank in Zamboanga, or even Tokyo? The BIR should make it more convenient for people to pay their taxes, first by having an online application that will automatically compute tax due after the input of relevant data; second by making it possible for the completed online form to be transmitted by email to the relevant district office instead of being printed out and filled out manually or with a typewriter; third by arranging it so that payment can be made at any accredited bank and a scanned copy of the receipt can be sent by e-mail along with the form.

There must be mountains of paper in BIR offices nationwide. Yet paying taxes can be made simpler and easier for non-accountants like me.

The BIR TV advertisement show-

ing how taxes build the nation made me look back at the First Republic and how taxes were collected and used. You can see this in the detailed budget submitted by Emilio Aguinaldo in 1899. Compared to a number of pages in the 1899 budget, today’s National Budget in printed form is one thick document that you can use as a doorstop. I have yet to look at annual budgets from the Spanish colonial period for comparison and contrast, but the point is that then and now government funds come from taxes: the biggest amounts from industrial and commercial taxes, followed by export duties. Much revenue in the 1899 budget was sourced from the Chinese who were levied a poll or residence tax. Then there was income from opium, the use of which was tolerated particularly in the Chinatown dens (one is described as being frequented by Kapitan Tiago in “Noli Me Tangere”).

Other sources of revenue for the First Republic came from: the sale of useless state property, rental from post office boxes, lottery tickets, and rent from state buildings and religious property confiscated by the

state. There was even revenue from adhesive stamps, licenses and even income from the labor or work of jailed prisoners! Aguinaldo’s government also collected a war tax known under a different name—“certificate of citizenship.”

It seems the First Republic did not want to use the word “cedula” because people still remembered the day in August 1896 when Andres Bonifacio roused his followers to revolution by tearing up his cedula. Spanish-period cedulas were rightly seen as a symbol of colonial bondage, and when the citizens of the First Republic got their cedulas, or when we get ours today, we ask ourselves: Didn’t we tear up these documents in 1896? It must have been difficult to collect cedula fees in those troubled times.

When you think about cedulas today, you will see one of the roots of our present problems. People had to change their thinking when they transitioned from a colonial government to one run by Filipinos. It was patriotic to go against the Spanish colonial government just as it was patriotic to go against the martial law government, but now that we live in

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different times we are still historically conditioned to go against rules, like those governing traffic.

From May 31, 1898, to February 1899, P361,268.50 in revenue was collected mostly from Luzon, where tax collection was efficient. The highest amount, more than a third of the total, was sourced from Cagayan (P136,467), followed by: Laguna (P53,510.05), Pangasinan (P26,510.04), Romblon (P22,765.21), Camarines (P22,000), Bulacan (P20,218.50), Batangas (P19,478.94), and other provinces that remitted over P15,000 each. Surprisingly, Cavite had the lowest tax collected at P1,481.47! Perhaps the difference in amounts depended not so much on the size of the population as on the diligence or aggressiveness of the tax collectors.

Why did Cavite pay the lowest tax? Was it because Aguinaldo had moved his headquarters to Malolos and taken all the efficient Caviteño tax collectors with him? Was tax collection really deficient in Cavite, or did Aguinaldo’s kababayan think they were exempt from war taxes?

You can analyze a simple, seemingly insignificant, list of war tax receipts

with many questions.

Aside from war taxes, the First Republic lived on “contributions of war.” It seems there were many sources of income in the various towns and provinces. For example, in San Jacinto, Pangasinan, revenue was generated by: bridge toll, anchorage and ferries, and fees on carriages, carts, tramways and horses, unless these modes of transport were used in agriculture. Taxes were imposed on the movement of large cattle and on the slaughter and sale of meat, such that one centavo was charged for every pound of meat that came from horned cattle, hogs, sheep and goats. Public lights, street cleaning, and solemn burials were subject to tax. Other taxes were imposed on civil trials, public markets, theater performances, horse races, and other forms of public entertainment. A license was required for fiestas, and fees were charged for inscription in the registry of property, birth, death and marriage.

When you look at our history you will probably agree with Benjamin Franklin who said that the only certain things in life are death and taxes. ■

16

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Canada News

Family and ex-colleagues in mourning after deaths of two Quebecers in earthquake

BY SIDHARTHA BANERJEE AND GIUSEPPE VALIANTE The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Family and colleagues were in mourning on Monday after the deaths of two Quebecers in the devastating earthquake that killed more than 350 people in Ecuador.

Jennifer Mawn and her son, Arthur Laflamme, died when the roof of their residence caved in as the 7.8-magnitude quake struck Saturday night.

“She was a very nice person, I’m really shocked,” said Hugo Laprise, who worked with Mawn at a Montreal-area clinic she founded for children and teens.

“She was a very positive person, she was a very nice person, she was very honest, professional and was always trying to look for the best interest of everybody.”

Laprise said the neuropsychiatrist kept tabs on the clinic despite being abroad and that she checked in several times a week.

Another colleague, Jacqueline LaBrie, said “it was very hard” to wake up at 5 a.m. to the news the earthquake had killed Mawn and her son, who was described in various media reports as being 12.

LaBrie, a family mediation worker who shared an office with Mawn, described the

mother of two as “brilliant, full they went to stay with friends.” of energy, a very kind person.”

The family often blogged They last spoke April 1 and about their travels — they lived LaBrie said Mawn was last in on Reunion Island between Quebec during the Christmas 2007 and 2010, returned briefly holidays. to Canada and then headed to Mawn’s husband, Pascal Mauritius before moving to EcLaflamme, and their daughter, uador.

Laurie-Ann, were slightly inPascal Laflamme noted in jured in the quake but were OK, one post the family had moved according to a relative. last September to the coastal FAMILY PORTRAIT (L-R): Jennifer Mawn, mother, daughter Laurie-Ann, son Guy Laflamme, Pascal’s un- town of Bahia de Caraquez. cle, told Montreal radio station “We just love it here, weather Arthur, and Pascal Laflamme, father. Jennifer and Arthur were among those 98.5 FM his nephew and his is great and living by the Pacific killed in earthquake-hit Ecuador.

FACEBOOK PHOTO family had moved to Ecuador Ocean is a real joy!,” he wrote. not too long ago and that they The earthquake, the stronliked travelling and working gest to hit Ecuador since 1979, Development Minister Marie- had no damage whatsoever,” abroad. levelled buildings and buck- Claude Bibeau said Canada will she said in an interview. “All the He said Pascal had been chat- led highways along the Pacific offer $1 million to “local au- buildings held strong and the ting on FaceTime with his fa- Coast of the South American thorities, very quickly.” ocean was calm. ther Real, who was in Quebec, country.

“We will help the (Laflamme) “What we noticed was a loud when the earthfamily through noise, first of all, that sounded quake hit. our consular ser- like somebody running across “Everything vices,” Bibeau the floor upstairs with big boots was going well said. “Our team and then the ground started and from one She was a very positive person, she is in contact with shaking. There were actually moment to the was a very nice person, she was very local authori- two — one after another. next, everything honest, professional and was always ties to evaluate “The first one, I think, was just started to shake, trying to look for the best interest of the impact of the a few minutes and it was a difto vibrate,” everybody. earthquake and ferent kind of movement. It was Laflamme said. the needs on the kind of up and down and then a “Pascal shouted, ground.” zig-zag movement started and ‘get out! get out!’

Judith Barrett, people ran out of their cabins. and all communication was cut It was centred about 170 kilo- a Vancouver native who owns All we could do was stand there off.” metres northwest of the capital, the Playa Escondida Ecologi- and wait for it to finish, but it The uncle said Pascal man- Quito. cal Refuge and Lodge about a was so extreme that it actually aged to get in touch later to conGlobal Affairs Canada has 40-minute drive from the epi- affected the equilibrium in our firm the deaths. asked friends and relatives of centre, has lived in Ecuador for ears and made you feel a little Guy Laflamme said Pascal those known to be travelling 40 years and says she’s never nauseous.” ■ and his daughter “went to the in Ecuador to contact its emer- felt a quake that strong. hospital but there were a lot gency response centre.

“It really shook up for about With files from Jennifer Graof people extremely injured so In Ottawa, International three minutes, but luckily we ham in Regina

B.C. First Nations dispute over North Coast LNG project reaches Ottawa THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER — First Nations leaders from British Columbia were scheduled to travel to Ottawa this week to make their case against a proposed liquefied natural gas project near Prince Rupert.

Hereditary Chiefs of Lelu Island, Wetsuwe’ten and Gitxsan First Nations join other lead-

ers to protest what they say are misleading claims of indigenous support for the Petronasled Pacific Northwest liquefied natural gas project.

A recent letter from Lax Kw’alaams Mayor John Helin to federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna offered backing for the $36-billion LNG project on Lelu Island, south of Prince Rupert, if two conditions are met.

In a new release, Hereditary Chief Donald Wesley, a Lax Kw’alaams delegation member, says the incorrect claim of aboriginal support led to a letter from the Port Authority of Prince Rupert, threatening the eviction of protesters from traditional Lelu Island territories.

Opponents of the Pacific Northwest LNG project say it threatens Canada’s second largest wild salmon run and www.canadianinquirer.net

could undermine Canada’s climate change commitments.

The B.C. government says the project could generate more than 18,000 jobs and produce billions in revenue.

McKenna said in March that a cabinet decision on the environmental assessment should be made by late June.

The news release issued by the delegation pointed to what opponents argue is signifi-

cant First Nation opposition from leaders and communities throughout northwestern British Columbia and across the province.

First Nations leaders were expected to clarify their position within the Lax Kw’alaams community in regards to Helin’s letter and address regional First Nation concerns and opposition to Pacific Northwest LNG while they are in Ottawa. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

17

Canada’s clean tech revenue growth stalls in 2014 amid fierce global competition

BY BRUCE CHEADLE The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Revenues from Canada’s multibillion-dollar clean technology industry contracted slightly in 2014 after six consecutive years of growth that outpaced the rest of the economy, says a new report.

But the study by Analytica Advisors still determined that almost 800 clean tech companies directly employed more than 55,000 people in 2014, an increase of 11 per cent over the previous year.

The numbers point to a sector facing intense international competition from a flourishing global industry.

Nationally, clean tech revenues were pegged at $11.63 billion in 2014, down marginally from $11.7 billion in 2013 — after climbing by eight per cent in each of the previous two years.

Analytica president Celine Bak says Canada has lost 41 per cent of its global clean tech market share since 2005 as other countries have moved aggressively into the growing field.

“There are worrying signs that Canada’s in real danger of repeating the mistake of the past,” Bak said at a news conference, where she was flanked by federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.

“This year’s report makes sobering reading regarding the opportunities that have been lost and that could be lost in the future.”

The report includes seven recommendations for action, including putting a “significant and rising” price on carbon and

creating some sort of government backstop for private lenders to assist in financing clean tech companies as they scale up operations.

McKenna said the Liberal government has placed an emphasis on fostering homegrown clean tech growth and the report is a welcome addition to the debate.

“What’s great is the timing of this, because it fits in very well with our working group process,” said McKenna, referring to four federal-provincial groups established last month at a first ministers’ meeting on climate policy in Vancouver.

Those groups are to recommend policy measures to the prime minister and premiers in the fall.

“World economies are shifting toward cleaner, more sustainable growth and Canada must keep up to stay competitive on the world stage,” said McKenna.

Bak convinced 107 public and private companies in 2015 to open their books to Analytica Advisors in order to benchmark themselves against others in the clean tech industry. The unique access provides research that’s attracted the attention of government.

Canada’s clean tech companies invested $1.2 billion in research and development in 2014, a bigger share of R and D against revenues than the aerospace industry. For the first time in 2014, more than half the industry revenues — $6.6 billion, or 57 per cent — came from exports.

The average clean tech company in Canada has 68 employees and 21 per cent of

workers across the industry are under age 30. A fifth are engineers.

The Canadian industry’s top concern in financing. The heavy innovation spending has come at the expense of growth and companies are having difficulty borrowing.

Bak noted that 70 per cent of clean tech firms are based in cities, yet municipalities find it difficult to buy from innovators because new start-ups don’t have deep enough balance sheets to provide long-term warranties. Private companies may be even more risk-averse to buying their wares.

The clean tech industry should get a boost later this week when 147 countries convene at the United Nations in New York to sign the Paris climate accord, signalling a global intention to decarbonize.

Coupled with the Liberal government’s budget emphasis on green infrastructure, it’s a clean tech opportunity that needs to be carefully considered, Bak said in an interview.

“If we do business as usual, investment in infrastructure will not necessarily be a tide which (lifts) all boats,” she said.

Bak suggests the public sector act as a guarantor for privatesector lending, as is done with home mortgages, to encourage more aggressive financing and growth.

“We need to work on that and do so quickly, because the investments that are being made in infrastructure are important in the next few years and these should be opportunities for us to renew our economy and build some new companies.” ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says no one at the the Attiwapiskat reserve in northern Ontario raised the issue of medical assistance in dying.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Bennett says native suicide crisis not linked to legalization of assisted dying

BY JOAN BRYDEN The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says the move to legalize medically assisted dying has no bearing on the suicide crisis among young people in First Nations communities.

Some opponents of assisted death argue that making it legally acceptable to seek medical help to end intolerable suffering is tantamount to condoning and facilitating suicide.

But Bennett — a physician who has just returned from visiting the Attiwapiskat reserve in northern Ontario, which has declared a suicide emergency — says no one there raised the issue of medical assistance in dying.

Rather, she says indigenous communities link the suicide crisis to the legacy of the residential schools, missing and murdered indigenous women, child abuse and child welfare systems.

Just prior to her visit to Attiwapiskat, the federal government introduced a bill that would make medically assisted death legal for consenting adults who are at least 18 years of age, in “an advanced stage of irreversible decline” from a serious and incurable disease, illness or disability and for whom a natural death is “reasonably foreseeable.”

The bill is in response to a Supreme Court ruling last year which struck down the ban on physician-assisted dying. The court said medical help in dying should be available to clearly consenting adults with “grievous and irremediable” medical conditions who are enduring physical or mental suffering that they find intolerable.

The government’s more restrictive bill does not extend the right to assisted dying to those suffering only from mental illnesses or to mature minors.

Nor does it allow individuals to make advance requests for an ❱❱ PAGE 18 Bennett says

18

Canada News

APRIL 22, 2016

Canada announces funding for Syria’s neighbours, grappling with effects of war

BY ALEXANDER PANETTA The Canadian Press WASHINGTON — Among the stories that left an impression on Canada’s development minister from her early foreign visits was one about the shiny new cars pulling up to a refugee camp.

She was told their appearance meant one thing: A rich man, coming to buy a new child bride.

It’s apparently a recurring problem at the Jordanian refugee camp Marie-Claude Bibeau visited early this year. News reports have chronicled that issue at the Zaatari camp. A UN worker discussed it with her.

Bibeau shared the anecdote Friday as she announced $75 million in Canadian funding for assistance programs during international meetings in Washington — with more than a quarter of that going to Syria’s neighbours Lebanon and Jordan.

“When you think the greatest hope for your little 13-year-old girl is to give her to an old man, it means you’re really desperate,” she said in an interview.

She heard about myriad sources of strain on the two neighbouring countries during her visit, where she took stock of the international impact of Syria’s civil war and its historic flood of refugees.

Some refugee kids have missed school for two years.

In 247 schools in Lebanon, the Lebanese children get the classrooms in the morning and the Syrians get them in the afternoon.

That’s just one snapshot of the challenge facing refugees who have found housing, outside camps — which is a clear majority of them. She said that pressure is testing the social peace in nearby countries, neighbouring Syria.

“If these countries erupted — that’s obviously not what we want,” Bibeau said.

“The conditions are there.

When you don’t have access to a clinic, your children don’t have access to school, the cost of

Close-up view of the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

lodging has shot up... I was impressed to see these two countries had managed to maintain stability and social calm.”

The funding promised Friday is on top of $43 million in humanitarian assistance for refugees announced earlier this week, and is already earmarked in this year’s budget.

The $75 million included about $20 million for Syria’s neighbours, with other amounts set aside for a variety of projects touching on public health in Africa, nutrition, and a women’s program in Afghanistan.

Bibeau’s department is in the midst of a wide-ranging policy review.

But she cut short a suggestion that the current government’s development policies might actually be quite similar to the previous government’s.

“Yes we recognize that good things were achieved (before).

That’s great,” Bibeau said. “It’s not reasonable to just change (everything) for the sake of it.”

She called women’s health projects her No. 1 priority. It was also a top personal priority of Stephen Harper’s. She said development will occasionally work side-by-side with the interests of Canadian companies — like the mining sector.

That was also a Harper government priority; that’s why it lumped the federal development agency into the same de-

partment as trade and foreign affairs — which the new government has renamed, but not restructured.

She’s also working on a new development institution aimed at creating a sustainable pool of development funds — an idea spearheaded by the last government.

The last government’s plan for a so-called developmentdating web platform remains in the works; it would create a system where companies, NGOs and governments with shared interests could find each other and work together on projects.

But she cited her two top priorities as examples of a shift in priorities from the previous government: On maternal health, the new government has added funding for sexual education, birth control, and abortion in certain cases where it’s legal, to the previous government’s plan to support newborns and mothers.

The second priority is issues related to climate change — like supporting the spread of green technology, and efficient farming. She said that’s where the new finance institution will focus.

“On climate change — we think it exists. For real,” Bibeau said.

“That’s not a negligible difference... Just those two (areas), it’s night and day. There’s a world of difference.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

Budget 2016... pockets of the lowest niors could be developed; and income Canadians • providing for the construceach year, as they be- tion, repair and adaption of afcome seniors. fordable housing to help the Restoring the age of eligibil- many seniors who face chality for the OAS pension and the lenges in accessing affordable GIS from 67 to 65 is only one housing. of the many enhancements announced that will help improve Quote the quality of life for seniors.

“Our government is working Additional measures include: hard to grow the bottom line for • increasing the GIS top-up the increasing number of Canaby $947 annudians who need ally for the most our support. vulnerable single Public pensions seniors; are an important • providing part of the retirehigher benefits ment income of to senior couples Budget 2016 Canadians, parreceiving GIS reaffirms our ticularly for lowand Allowance commitment to er-income single benefits and who strengthening seniors who face are living apart public pensions a much higher for reasons beand improving risk of living in yond their conthe quality of poverty. Budget trol; life for seniors.

2016 reaffirms • enhancing our commitment the Canada Pento strengthening sion Plan based public pensions on consultations and improving with provinces, the quality of life territories and for seniors. EvCanadians, with eryone deserves the goal of being able to make to live with dignity and rea collective decision before the spect—especially our seniors.” end of 2016; – The Honourable Jean-Yves • looking at how a new Se- Duclos, Minister of Families, niors Price Index that reflects Children and Social Developthe cost of living faced by se- ment ■ ❰❰ 1

Bennett says... assisted death.

At a news conference Tuesday held by a multi-faith group opposed to legalizing assisted dying, Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, drew a link between the proposed law and the epidemic of aboriginal youth committing suicide “because they find life to be intolerable.”

“On the one hand, we’re seeking to reach out to those people, to help them, to give them hope ... We’re saying no, this is not the way,” Collins said.

“And at the same time, we’re saying but it is the way ... We’re setting up a law to make that pathway, that solution to life’s most difficult questions, most difficult sufferings, acceptable and part of the law of Canada.”

Liberal backbencher RobertFalcon Ouellette, an indigenous MP, has made similar arguments. ❰❰ 17

Bennett acknowledged that some native leaders “are very much concerned” that medical assistance in dying is commonly referred to as assisted suicide.

“The more we can keep that separate, the better,” she said.

Bennett also acknowledged that some of her Liberal caucus colleagues are concerned about aboriginal youth making a link between the legalization of medically assisted dying and suicide.

“Therefore, we’ve got to do a better job explaining the difference.”

She added that she “didn’t hear that link from those kids” in Attiwapiskat.

The suicide crisis in First Nations communities is “much more likely” fuelled by the fact that young people have siblings, neighbours, friends or close relatives who have taken their own lives or attempted to do so, Bennett said. ■

World News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

19

Oil producers meet in Qatar to discuss cap, Iran absent

BY JON GAMBRELL The Associated Press DOHA, QATAR — Oil-producing countries met Sunday in Qatar to discuss a possible freeze of production to counter low global prices, but Iran’s decision to stay home could dilute the impact of any agreement.

The attendees, including Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi, silently swept past gathered journalists at a luxury hotel in Doha ahead of the meeting. Also on hand was Russia, another of the world’s top oil producers. The U.S., now a major producer because of shale oil, did not attend.

At least 15 oil-producing nations representing about 73 per cent of world output were expected at the Doha meeting, Qatar’s energy and industry minister, Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada, has said.

The gathering follows a surprise Doha meeting in February between Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, in which

they pledged to cap their crude freeze plans, and if we wanted iterated it would not join a freeze output at January levels if other to have a representative at the “before it brings its oil exports to producers do the same. meeting, it was to show our sup- the pre-sanctions levels.”

They hope the cap will help port of this project,” Oil MinSunni-ruled Saudi Arabia has global oil prices rebound from ister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh said it won’t back any freeze their dramatic fall since the sum- said, according to a report by the if Iran, its Shiite rival, doesn’t mer of 2014, when prices were ministry’s SHANA news agency. agree to it, throwing into quesabove $100 a barrel, though no “But since Iran is not going tion whether any deal will be one is talking seriously about the to sign this, there is no need for reached. The kingdom seems more dramatic determined to step of cutting ride out the low production. prices that could Prices dropped squeeze Tehran. briefly to under But since Iran is not going to sign That dispute $30 a barrel, a this, there is no need for the presence underscores the 12-year low, in of Iran’s representative at the level of discord January, but have meeting. inside OPEC as it climbed to the faces arguably its mid-$40s this biggest challenge week, boosted in part by mar- the presence of Iran’s represen- since the oil glut of the 1980s. ket speculation about the Qatar tative at the meeting.”

Even if officials reach a deal, meeting. Western markets were With many international sanc- Iran’s production and oil from closed Sunday and not immedi- tions lifted under its nuclear deal other sources, like the U.S., ately affected by the discussions. with world powers, Iran began could keep prices down.

Iran decided to stay home exporting oil into the European The meeting broke up just belate Saturday after saying the market again and is eager to claw fore 11 a.m. as attendees planned day before it would send an em- back market share. It produces to meet with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh issary to the meeting.

3.2 million barrels of oil a day Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said “We reached the conclusion now, with hopes of increasing to Kabalan Abisaab, Ecuador’s amthat the Doha meeting is for 4 million by April 2017. On Fri- bassador to Qatar, who was on those who want to sign the oil day, the Iranian Oil Ministry re- hand for the meeting. A brief re-

port on the state-run Qatar News Agency confirmed the participants met the emir.

Abisaab said participants would return to the meeting in the afternoon and continue their deliberations.

Asked if Iran’s absence had an effect, he responded in Spanish that it “didn’t matter.”

“Believe me, everything is going well,” he said.

But later Sunday, a group of officials suddenly left the talks without explanation. Saudi and Russian officials were not among them.

“Just wait, just wait,” Abdallah Salem el-Badri, the secretarygeneral of OPEC, told trailing journalists as he left the meeting.

Asked a short time later if there would be a deal, Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhy, Oman’s blunt-spoken oil and gas minister, responded: “Absolutely.” ■ Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

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Mula pa noon hanggang ngayon.

Serbisyong Manila Express REM IT TA NCE

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APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Rival camps reflect Brazil’s divide amid impeachment

BY JENNY BARCHFIELD The Associated Press BRASILIA, BRAZIL — Separated by only a boulevard, two rival camps of demonstrators in Brazil’s capital underscore the sharp ideological divide that is playing out in Congress as lawmakers debate whether to oust the president.

On one side of Brasilia’s showcase Eixo Monumental, which cuts through the centre of city and dead ends at Congress, several hundred impeachment supporters have pitched tents, their small but growing encampment festooned with Brazilian flags and the national anthem the soundtrack of choice.

They blame President Dilma Rousseff for the tanking economy and for the plague of corruption, which is reflected in the country’s high taxes and dismal public hospitals, schools and other basic services. They say a fresh start with a new president is the only hope for breathing life into an economy that’s expected to contract around 4 per cent this year.

“We want change,” said Joao Pedro Netto, a pro-impeachment camper who spent more than 24 hours on a bus to reach Brasilia from his home in the central Minas Gerais state. “If Brazil continues like this, it’s going to sink.”

Across the boulevard, several thousand Rousseff supporters have pitched their own tent city, sleeping in hammocks and eating rice and beans served by volunteers at communal kitchens.

Largely union members and land reform activists, and overwhelmingly poor and darkskinned, they have come by bus from across this continentsized nation to defend Rousseff and her left-leaning Workers’ Party, which they credit for unprecedented improvements in their lives.

They denounce the impeachment debate in the nearby lower house of Congress, which is due to lead to a vote on Sunday, as a power-grab by the elite that saw its traditional privileges dim during 13 years of Workers’ Party rule.

The camp was the site of a raucous rally early Saturday

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff.

as Rousseff’s predecessor and mentor, the charismatic former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, delivered a rousing speech to the singing, chanting masses, casting the impeach-

Una, siguraduhing nakatala kayo sa rehistro ng mga botante.

Vancouver: www.vancouverpcg.org/ads-2016-10.html Ottawa: www.philembassy.ca/main à hanapin sa “Overseas voting” Toronto: www.philcongen-toronto.com à hanapin sa “Certified List of Overseas Voters”

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Huwag kalimutang lagyan ng selyo.

Maari rin na dalhin sa embahada o konsulado bago dumating ang May 9 at ang mga oras na ito: Vancouver - 2:00 AM | Ottawa at Toronto – 5:00 AM

Mula sa Ad Foundation of the Philippines, Philippines Canada Trade Council, at ang pahayagang ito.

www.canadianinquirer.net

SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE

ment as bid to roll back the poor’s recent gains.

“It seems to me that the Brazilian elite doesn’t like democracy,” said the former leader, his sandpaper voice transformed into a gravelly growl by overuse. “When the poor started to climb up onto the social ladder, they were made uncomfortable.”

He was flanked by so many union and indigenous leaders, activists and party faithful that organizers urged people to leave the stage before it collapsed under their weight.

Sunday’s vote in the Chamber of Deputies will determine whether the impeachment proceeds to the Senate. Proponents need 342 of 513 votes, and tallies in the main Brazilian news outlets show them hovering near that number.

Rousseff is accused of violating Brazil’s fiscal laws to shore up public support amid a flagging economy. She says that such accounting has been common practice, insisting that she committed no crime and has repeatedly denouncing the attempt at impeachment as a “coup.”

“The proceedings against me that are being examined in Congress are nothing more than a fraud — the biggest political and judicial fraud in the history of our country,” Rousseff said in a pre-recorded ad-

dress released late Friday on the Workers’ Party site and other websites.

In a signed article published Saturday in the Folha de S. Paulo daily, Rousseff said that “impeaching a president who has not committed a crime of responsibility is to rip the Brazilian constitution to shreds.”

The irony of the location of the pro-Rousseff camp wasn’t lost on its foes across the boulevard. The pro-government tents are pitched in the parking lot of Brasilia’s main soccer stadium, which underwent a $900 million facelift ahead of the 2014 World Cup, making it the world’s second most expensive stadium — despite the fact that Brazil’s capital does not have a top-division team to play in it.

This kind of wanton waste is just what has fueled anger against the government. The fight against corruption has been a rallying cry of the anti-Rousseff movement, fueling massive protests in recent months as an unfolding corruption probe centred around the state-run Petrobras oil company has exposed the extent of the rot.

While Netto and other proimpeachment protesters want Rousseff out, many worry that the next batch of leaders would also be corrupt.

If the Chamber of Deputies sends the impeachment measure to the Senate and that body votes to open a trial against Rousseff, she would be suspended from office and Vice-President Michel Temer would take over. Temer is implicated in the vast Petrobras corruption scheme. The next in line to take office after Temer is House Speaker Eduardo Cunha. He has been charged with money laundering and other crimes in the Petrobras scheme and is also implicated in other scandals.

The political crisis has dragged on for months, hamstringing attempts to revive the economy and battle an outbreak of the Zika virus even as Rio de Janeiro gears up to host the Olympics, in August.

Neither of the rival protesters expected the standoff to end shortly.

Both sides vowed to keep the encampments going until their side declares a definitive victory. ■

World News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

Bhutan holds elaborate naming ceremony for new crown prince

BY WASBIR HUSSAIN The Associated Press GAUHATI, INDIA — Bhutan’s new crown prince was bestowed with a name Saturday at a solemn religious ceremony at a majestic 17th century palace that houses the relics of a famous Buddhist master.

The 2 1/2-month-old son of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema was given the name Jigme Namgyal Wangchuck at the ceremony.

Kinley Dorji, the government’s information secretary, said the naming ceremony was held to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the day that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a revered Tibetan Buddhist master, arrived in Bhutan.

Dorji said the relics of this revered Buddhist master were preserved at the Punakha palace, where the naming ceremony was held. “The prince has symbolically received his name from Zhabdrung Rinpoche,” Dorji said.

Bhutan’s king and queen prayed at a Buddhist monastery in the capital, Thimphu, before driving to Punakha, where the ceremony took place.

The Oxford-educated Wangchuck, who is now 35, married commoner Jetsun Pema, 25, in an elaborate Buddhist ceremony in 2011.

On Saturday, Wangchuck carried the baby prince, draped in a yellow blanket, as he walked the short distance alongside his wife to the Punakha Dzong complex, followed by Buddhist monks in maroon robes and musicians playing pipes.

The royal couple showed off the queen’s baby bump in a picture released in January. The child, the couple’s first, was delivered Feb. 5 by a medical team at Lingkana Palace in Thimphu.

The young couple made news in Bhutan while they were dating, when Wangchuck displayed open affection for his wife-to-be by publicly holding hands and even planting kisses on her cheek, something rare in conservative Bhutan, particularly among royalty.

Wangchuck ascended Bhutan’s throne in November 2008, when his father, King Jigme Singhye Wangchuck, abdicated in his favour.

By that time, the older Wangchuck had also guided the remote Himalayan kingdom toward democracy. In March that same year, the kingdom held its first democratic election and voted in a new parliament that can constitutionally impeach the king.

Bhutan first began opening up to the world in the 1960s. Foreigners and the international media were first admitted in 1974, and the Internet and television finally arrived in 1999. ■

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck of Bhutan.

OE SEER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Obama: Top intel official reviewing secret 9-11 material THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the top-ranking U.S. intelligence official is reviewing classified material in a Sept. 11 report that families of attack victims and some lawmakers are demanding be made public.

Several members of the House and Senate, including House Democratic leader

Nancy Pelosi, have joined 9-11 families in pressuring for declassification of 28 pages that are part of government documents compiled on the 9-11 attack amid speculation of a possible role by Saudi Arabia. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attack.

In an interview with CBS’s Charlie Rose, Obama was asked if had read the 28 pages. “I have a sense of what’s in ❱❱ PAGE 24 Obama: Top intel

www.canadianinquirer.net

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Community News

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Filipinos in Canada exultant on modified Pag-Ibig program

BY MARYLOU SOTTO TIRO IT IS never too late for seniors in Canada to join Pag-Ibig once the current proposal to include new members that are 65 years old and over will come into fruition as part of the agency’s dynamic program. “We are studying the matter”, said Atty.

Darlene B. Berberabe, CEO, Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) in the Philippines during her current visit in Toronto. “We know that the retirees have the money and they love to stay in the Philippines”, added Berberabe.

“This is such good news!” said Melchor ‘Gibson’ C. Alfonso who is 63 years old and would like to apply for Pag-Ibig membership. “I’ve been here in Canada for 44 years. There was no Pag-IBIG program at that time.

If this program existed before, I would have ample savings by now. Several of my friends are contemplating in retiring in the Philippines and we like to avail the benefits. The savings will not be only for me but for my family.

That would make me happy to leave something for them.”

Berberabe spelled out the numerous benefits of becoming a Pag-Ibig member. The newest additional program is the Modified Pag-Ibig 2 (MP2) that is tax-exempt with higher earnings than Pag-Ibig 1. More

so, it is government guaranteed with a shorter maturity period of 5 years. For example, if you invest Pesos 5,000 monthly, the total savings in 5 years is Pesos 300,000 with a total Dividend earned (@4.5% annual rate Pesos) of Pesos 36,243.50, giving a total accumulated savings in 5 years of Pesos 336,243.50. This program is open to all overseas Filipinos.

One of Pag-Ibig’s Payment Collection Partners, Belinda Herrera, Country Head and Managing Director of Iremit Global Remittance, can attest to the fact that there has been indeed a significant increase of new member applicants since becoming Pag-Ibig’s partner 10 years ago. “Apart from handling remittances, Iremit has been mandated to disseminate information about Pag-Ibig’s pro-

grams. “Since we are always in the forefront of facing newcomers in Canada, we always offer them the benefits of becoming a Pag-Ibig member.”

Pag-Ibig has currently 15.9 million members with a total asset of Ph 398.01 billion.

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), more popularly known as Pag-Ibig Fund (Pag-tulungan sa kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya, at Gobyerno) has been a financial bedrock for many Pinoys who wish to save their money and to avail the home loan opportunity.

For the new members, Berberabe further added, ”No matter where you are in life, begin saving today and you’ll be able to secure a good future.”

Berberabe explained that investing your savings with PagIbigwould help achieve your

retirement goals, “the Pag-Ibig today is one of the biggest and most stable financial institutions which provides Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad with the platform to save for the families’ future through the Fund’s integrated and nationwide savings system and to acquire their own homes through its liberal and affordable home financing program”.

Apart of its innovative programs, the success of Pag-Ibig also lies on its current leadership. Berberabe has received several awards during her stint as CEO of HDMF. Among the accolades she has reaped is ‘Outstanding CEO of the Year in the Asia and the Pacific given by the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), 2012.’

Under her leadership, the Fund has financed 163,347 housing units worth P113.634B by end of March 2014. In addition, P155.5B worth of shortterm loans was made available to 7.95 million member-bor-

rowers for the same period.

Berberabe credited the efforts of her colleagues and staff for achieving such success quashing the controversial issue that implicated Pag-Ibig on the Globe Asiatique fund scam (questioning Pag-Ibig’s Pesos 7 billion funds for housing developments). “It is a privilege and an honor to be part of PagIbig but in it also entails a lot of challenges. We need to retain a good image to the people. As a public servant, we need to earn the trust from our members.

For this reason, we at Pag-Ibig endeavor to withstand all the controversial issues and is able to everyone our credibility in running such a huge financial institution.” ■ For those who are interested to know more about Pag-Ibig may contact Elizabeth Borres, Tel: 416 2777 7276 or contact the nearest partners such as Iremit, Metrobank, Philippine National Bank, and PNB Remittance Centre, Inc. New members can apply online.

Vancouver celebrates Japanese-Canadian legacy during National Asian Heritage Month TO CELEBRATE National Asian Heritage Month, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society announced that this year’s explorASIAN festival will focus on the Japanese-Canadian community.

Japanese Canadians are one of the oldest, most established ethnic groups in the Lower Mainland with more than 100 years of history on these shores. From mochi rice cakes and sushi, to award-winning author Joy Kogawa and legendary scientist David Suzuki, the Japanese-Canadian legacy has had an incredibly deep

and profound impact in the lives of Vancouverites.

The explorASIAN festival, now in its 20th year, creates greater public awareness and appreciation of the rich diversity of the Pan-Asian communities in Metro Vancouver by hosting more than 60 familyfriendly events across the city during the month of May. This year’s signature project, “Following the Silk Routes and Beyond in Vancouver,” is an interactive photographic exhibition (on display in the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum) that

portrays examples of spaces and commercial networks in Asia and Vancouver, connecting ancient routes to our modern lives.

Other events include a Chinatown shopping tour and dumpling-making class, a PCHCMoM Society hosted workshop on how to document oral family histories using smart phones, and a screening of a new documentary that chronicles how a group of Pakistani classical musicians created an experimental album combining South Asian melodies with New York City jazz. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

“Silk Routes” a dance performance by Dong Mei.

Community News

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

23

Senator Enverga concerned about Physician-Assisted Dying bill THE TRUDEAU government Act to amend the Criminal Code recently introduced legislation and to make related amendin the House of Commons in re- ments to other Acts (medical assponse to the Supreme Court of sistance in dying).

Canada’s ruling to allow for phy“I would like to see an addisician-assisted dying in Canada. tional judicial or tribunal stage Sen. Tobias C. Enverga Jr. re- prior to a person being apacted with mixed feelings after proved for physician-assisted reviewing the proposed law. dying that is independent of “Although I maintain that as- the two physicians or authosisted dying is contrary to human beings’ most profound natural inclination to [...] there are several aspects of live and preserve that cause grave concern. life, I am a little relieved to see that some of the recommendations of the Special rized nurse practitioners which Joint Committee on Physician- are part of the proposed law to Assisted Dying were not followed ensure that all prerequisites by the government. At this early have been followed,” he constage, without having had the op- tinued. “I would also urge that portunity to fully study the bill, the related areas of proposed there are several aspects of it further study, including access that cause grave concern,” said to physician-assisted dying for Senator Enverga in a statement mature minors and those with shortly after the introduction of mental illness, are not continthe government’s Bill C-14, An ued and that these vulnerable

groups will be protected against having access to the process.”

Bill C-14 has to be passed by both the House of Commons and the Senate before it can receive Royal Assent and become part of Canada’s laws. This has to be done by June 6, 2016, in accordance with the imposed deadline of the Supreme Court of Canada ruling.

“I want to thank all Canadians who wrote it their Members of Parliament and Senators with their views and concerns about the matter. I urge you to continue to share your concerns with your representatives because the legislative process is still underway, during which we can amend the areas of specific concern. Killing, legally or illegally, is wrong, which is why Canada ended capital punishment decades ago,” Senator Enverga concluded. ■

BALLOT FEEDING. Consul Anthony Mandap of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver feeds a ballot into a vote counting machine on the seventh day of overseas voting for the 2016 Philippine National Elections while poll watcher Rene Bahena (in fuchsia shirt) and Commission on Election-designated personnel Junah Bahena and Abigail Oira look on. More than 33,000 Filipinos registered for overseas voting in Vancouver. ■

Artists mount “Asian Waters” watercolour exhibit THREE ASIAN Canadian artists present their signature watercolour styles in celebration of Canada’s Asian Heritage Month.

The three artists are firstgeneration immigrants from different Asian countries. They are connected by their interest in art and their determination to succeed. Their styles meld traditional Japanese, Chinese, and western style watercolours with contemporary sensibilities. Krassi Stamenov, owner of Jeunesse Gallery of Fine Arts, greatly supports them by presenting their works.

The Gallery is located at 2668 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, B.C. Artists’ reception is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 7.

In 2002, Canada federal government officially announced the month of May as Asian Heritage Month. Each year across the nation, Asians would celebrate and introduce their cultural history and activities with others. This year, Angela, Etsu, and Esmie will present their watercolour artworks to show-

case the influence between their countries of origin and Canada.

Angela immigrated from Hong Kong and has been participating in Chinese painting, calligraphy and seal engraving for 18 years. She first started studying art in Hong Kong and continues after immigrating to Vancouver. Over the last few years, she has been exploring the possibility of integrating traditional Chinese painting

techniques into painting western landscapes. Her passion in painting increases over time.

Etsu was born and raised in Fukuoka, Japan and currently lives in Canada. She began studying traditional Japanese monochrome brushwork at age of eight. Her direction of creation is to empower people and heal people’s hearts by using natural material and expressing natural beauty. Her appreciawww.canadianinquirer.net

tion for nature is the life theme of her art. Etsu combines traditional with contemporary art by adding color to the monochrome style, thus creating her own paintings style.

Esmie is from the Philippines and grew up in Canada. Her paintings share her appreciation for the world around her.

Her first brush with western style watercolours was in the Philippines with her grandfa-

ther painting birds on paper.

Her interest was renewed in Canada and continues to play and experiment with what she considers an adventurous medium. Her works in “Asian Waters” exhibition are watercolours on canvas, depicting dancers. She is very passionate in painting dancers because as they move in space to express their pieces, they reveal an essence of themselves. ■

24

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Entertainment

A very ‘Brillante’ year

The five Sinag Maynila filmmakers pay homage to fest’s main proponent

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer CHALLENGES WERE aplenty during the shoot of the five entries in this year’s Sinag Maynila film festival.

Joselito “Jay” Altarejos recalled that his film, “TPO,” underwent several “script and treatment changes” during filming. The gritty adult drama, which tackles domestic violence, inevitably became a litmus test for Altarejos.

“So many things happened.

Making this film is an examination of my role as a filmmaker.

I had to find myself in order to finish this film,” Altarejos admitted.

Known for his dark, dizzying youth flicks, Gino M. Santos similarly attempted something different for this fest—the horror film, “Lila,” which is based on a short film he had done as a college student.

“Biggest hurdles were time and budget,” Santos owned up.

“Horror demands a lot…and we only had seven days to finish everything. I overcame those obstacles by being transparent to, and collaborative with, my crew.”

For his part, Ato Bautista came up with an action thriller, “Expressway,” because he is a “fan of the genre.”

“We are rich in talent and creativity,” Bautista pointed out. “The challenge in making an indie film is making things work within the budget… producing a film with the standards to compete both locally and internationally.”

Each entry received a grant of P2 million—a princely sum in the indie scene, but still relatively modest considering the entries’ vast ambitions.

Mes de Guzman encountered the wrath of nature during the shoot of “Dyamper.”

“There was a typhoon, and we were stranded for three days,” he recounted. “Moreover, our film required a lot of physical stunts: running, jumping from

a moving truck.”

Budgetary constraints, De Guzman conceded, are “a given.

This is my biggest film, in terms of scope and manpower.”

Adolfo Alix Jr.’s domestic drama, “Mrs.,” presented a unique dilemma for the production team.

“We had to look for a house that could best visualize the story of a lonely woman living in a home that stands on a fault line,” Alix related. “We needed a residence with cracks. Luckily, we found one that was a perfect mix of our requirements.”

Alix had to cast the right actors, as well. “Fortunately, we got Elizabeth Oropesa and Lotlot de Leon who brought out the story’s nuances.”

The filmmakers prevailed over those trials, not without a little help from the festival’s main proponent, Cannes-winning director Brillante Ma. Mendoza. With the film, “Ma’ Rosa,” Mendoza is again competing in the main section of Cannes this year.

De Guzman asserted: “Before

Richard Yap backs shorter work hours in showbiz

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer AS AN ACTOR, Richard Yap said he would log long hours on the set of television shows, which was why at one point he had to be rushed to the hospital because of fatigue.

The eight- to 14-hour cutoff in work schedule being proposed by industry leaders “would be good for everyone,” Richard said at a recent media gathering organized by the Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp., which he endorses.

“It’s sad that there were directors, some of whom I knew personally, who passed away

at the prime of their lives [because of long work hours],” Richard said, referring to the deaths of Uro dela Cruz, Wenn V. Deramas and Francis Xavier Pasion.

“Our work can be physically taxing. We still have to report to work early the following day, even if we lack sleep,” he said.

This was especially true when he was still working on the TV series, “Be Careful With My Heart,” which aired for two years.

“It’s not only difficult for us actors, but also for the staff and crew members,” he added.

“They arrive on the set earlier than everyone and are the last

to leave.”

Richard will soon be seen in the new ABS-CBN series, “My Super D,” where he plays a superhero ready to transfer his super powers to a guy with a pure heart.

Businessman

Richard is also a successful businessman—he co-owns two restaurant chains and a grooming shop for pets.

He’s also a dealer of a leading brand of American-made office furniture.

“It’s all about time management, and about choosing the right partners, so you don’t have to worry about money matters,” he said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Brillante Mendoza.

the shoot, we had a one-on-one discussion with Brillante. He gave us creative space and a good timetable—to really polish our films.”

Altarejos agreed: “Being a filmmaker himself, Brillante knew how to deal with us. He and his cofounder Wilson Tieng granted us creative freedom and didn’t interfere in the creative process.”

Alix noted: “Brillante respects his fellow filmmakers.

He gave us a free hand.”

Bautista concurred: “Direk is very practical and easy to work

FRY_THEONLY / FLICKR

with. He is supportive and generous in letting me fulfill my vision.”

Santos, who was an intern in Mendoza’s films (like “Captive”), confessed that there was a bit of pressure, too. “He is my mentor and now I’m making films with him! He guided me every step of the way. I’m happy that from having a teacher-student relationship, we are now friends-colleagues.”

Sinag Maynila will hold screenings at SM North Edsa and SM Mall of Asia from April 21 to 26. ■

Obama: Top intel... there,” he replied.

Obama also revealed that James Clapper, director of National Intelligence, “has been going through this” to ensure that whatever is made public does not damage U.S. national security interests.

“My understanding is that he’s about to complete that process,” the president said.

Former U.S. Sen. Robert Graham, who helped write the report that includes the 28 redacted pages, recently told CBS’s “60 Minutes” the secret material could reveal possible Saudi backing for the men who hijacked airplanes, flying two into the World Trade Center in New York and another into the Pentagon. A third hijacked plane crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, in western Pennsylvania.

Graham, a Democrat, de❰❰ 21

clined to cite any details on the portion of the report that remains classified.

Obama also voiced concerns about a legislative move to allow victim families to bring lawsuits against other countries believed to have provided support for attacks.

“This is a matter of how generally the United States approaches our interactions with other countries,” he said. “If we open up the possibility that individuals and the United States can routinely start suing other governments, then we are also opening up the United States to being continually sued by individuals in other countries.”

Material from the interview was to be broadcast on “CBS This Morning” and PBS, as well as “CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley.” ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

25

Australian minister: Praise pours in for ‘Everybody Depp dog apology Loves Raymond’ star Roberts video no award winner

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER The Associated Press

BY KRISTEN GELINEAU The Associated Press SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Was the filmed apology over an international dog smuggling scandal supposed to look like a hostage video? Was the weirdly wooden delivery a deliberate protest by the unhappy actors?

And does the Australian politician at the heart of the world’s most bizarre biosecurity case think he could have directed it better himself?

Well, yes — at least to the last question — Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said on Tuesday when asked about the widely panned videotaped apology from Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard, the latter of whom pleaded guilty in an Australian court to falsifying an immigration document when the couple brought their dogs to Australia last year.

“I don’t think he’ll get an Academy Award for his performance ... he looked like he was auditioning for ‘The Godfather,”’ Joyce told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio with a chuckle. “At the end of it, we’ve got a message that is going all around the world right now — it’s going off like a frog in a sock — telling people that if you come into this nation and you don’t obey our laws, you’re in trouble.”

“Going off like a frog in a sock,” by the way, is Australian slang for “going crazy.”

The “war on terrier” debacle has been going crazy since last year, when Joyce helped catapult the case into global headlines by accusing the couple of smuggling their Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, into Australia while Depp was filming the fifth movie in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series.

Joyce, who is now Australia’s deputy prime minister, prompted countless parodies by stating: “It’s time that Pistol and Boo buggered off back to the United States.” He then ominously warned that the dogs would be euthanized if they didn’t flee the country within 72 hours — and flee they did, with just hours to spare.

On Monday, Heard pleaded guilty in a Queensland state court to falsifying her incoming passenger card by failing to disclose that she had the pooches with her, but avoided a prison sentence. During the hearing, her lawyer submitted the couple’s now infamous taped apology to the court.

In the decidedly low-budget clip, Depp and Heard sit stonefaced in front of the camera, delivering stilted lines about the importance of protecting Australia’s biodiversity by respecting the country’s strict quarantine laws. Bringing pets into Australia involves applying for a permit and quarantine on arrival of at least 10 days to prevent the spread of diseases such as rabies.

“Australia is a wonderful island,” Heard begins, “with a treasure trove of unique plants, animals and people.”

“Australians are just as unique — both warm and direct,” a grim-looking Depp later chimes in. “When you disrespect Australian law, they will tell you firmly.”

The clip quickly began trending on Twitter, with many — including comedian Ricky Gervais — comparing it to a hostage video.

Others questioned whether the couple’s awkward delivery was a deliberate swipe at the Australian government.

Joyce sidestepped questions about the origins of the video on Monday, saying he didn’t know if the agriculture department had helped with the script. The department later confirmed it had “provided input concerning the offence and biosecurity messaging,” but said the video came about after Heard herself offered to publicly apologize for the incident.

The video’s production was part of negotiations between her defence team and the prosecution, the department said in a statement.

Still, Joyce acknowledged the couple was likely less than enthusiastic about the project.

“I don’t think it would have been something that they would have willingly wanted to do,” Joyce told reporters. ■

LOS ANGELES — Everybody loved Doris Roberts.

The spunky actress who played the tart-tongued, endlessly meddling mother on CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond” received an outpouring of praise on Monday following news of her death.

Phil Rosenthal, the sitcom’s creator, called her “a wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend” on Twitter.

CBS said in a statement that Roberts “will be remembered for lighting up every room she walked into with an unparalleled combination of energy, humour, warmth and even a little bit of grit.”

Roberts died overnight in her sleep, spokeswoman Janet Daily said. She was told of the death by Roberts’ son, Michael Cannata. Roberts was 90.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Roberts had been healthy and active, Daily said.

Last month, Roberts appeared at an actors’ union event that focused on the scarcity of female directors in entertainment. The outspoken critic of age discrimination asked the panel why there were so few roles for elder actors.

Roberts won four Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Marie Barone on CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond,” receiving a total of seven nominations as best supporting actress for the sitcom.

The 1996-2005 sitcom about an affectionate but bickering extended family also starred Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton. Peter Boyle, who

Doris Roberts.

played husband Frank Barone opposite Roberts, died in 2006.

“She was funny and tough and loved life, living it to the fullest,” Heaton tweeted. She recalled Roberts as a “consummate professional.”

Comedian Denis Leary tweeted that Roberts “made me laugh so hard so many times.”

Roberts also was known for her role in the 1980s TV detective series “Remington Steele.”

She appeared on stage and in a variety of movies, including “The Rose,” “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” and “Madea’s Witness Protection.”

But it was the hugely successful “Everybody Loves Raymond” that “put my career over the top,” Roberts told The Associated Press as the show wrapped its run.

Roberts, then 79, fretted openly about what she would do next. “Who knows after this? Nobody writes for older people,” she said.

Yet her list of TV and movie credits continued to grow, with projects from 2015, including the TV movie “Merry Kissmas,” and others slated to be released this year.

JOE SEER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Roberts was born Nov. 4, 1925, in St. Louis and grew up in New York, Daily said.

The actress began her stage career on Broadway in the 1950s, amassing credits that eventually included Neil Simon’s “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers” and Terrence McNally’s “Bad Habits.”

In early TV appearances, she was seen in episodes of “Studio One,” “The Naked City” and “The Defenders.”

Roberts received her first Emmy Award in 1983, for her supporting role on the series “St. Elsewhere.” She received a total of 11 nominations for her TV work overall, including her bids for “Raymond.”

An enthusiastic cook, Roberts co-wrote “Are You Hungry, Dear?

Life, Laughs, and Lasagna,” a memoir with recipes, in 2005.

Besides her son, she is survived by her daughter-in-law, Jane, and three grandchildren, Kelsey, Andrew, and Devon Cannata. ■ AP Entertainment Writers Sandy Cohen and Derrik J. Lang contributed to this report.

AC/DC’s Brian Johnson says he’s not retiring THE CANADIAN PRESS NASHVILLE — AC/DC singer Brian Johnson says he’s not retiring from music after doctors told him that he risks substantial hearing loss if he continues to perform in large arenas and stadiums. www.canadianinquirer.net

Johnson said in a statement released through his publicist on Tuesday that he intends to continue to record in studios and will continue treatment to improve his hearing. The “Back in Black” singer will be replaced

by Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose for the Rock or Bust World

Tour beginning May 7 in Lisbon.

Johnson said he is “personally crushed” at the news that he could no longer perform and feels terrible for disappointing fans.

But he said his attitude is optimistic and he is hoping that his hearing will improve enough for him to return to live performances. ■

26

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Lifestyle

Go to the National Museum and see the crowning glory of BenCab’s art

The exhibit focuses on his ‘Larawan’ and ‘Sabel’ series in 80 pieces—among the most recognizable images in Philippine contemporary art

BY CONSTANTINO C. TEJERO Philippine Daily Inquirer NATIONAL ARTIST for Visual Arts Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, popularly known as BenCab, may now rest on his laurels, but he won’t.

In the gallery showcasing the final exhibit of 50 years of his art, BenCab, who just turned 74 on April 10, discloses he still has some forthcoming major projects up his sleeves.

One he is mulling over is a book of text and visuals which may come out in two years, with an accompanying exhibit of portraits and drawings.

Recently opened is the exhibit “BenCab: Appropriated Souls,” curated by Dannie Alvarez, until May 29 in Gallery XXI on the third level of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Padre Burgos Drive, Manila.

It is the culmination of a yearlong series of thematic shows in eight museums commemorating his 50 years as artist. It follows the retrospective “BenCab: The Filipino Artist,” which ended Feb. 27 at Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

While the Met exhibition, which the artist calls his biggest so far and the most comprehensive, traced in thematically arranged pieces the evolution of his art since his student days in the 1950s, the National Museum exhibit focuses on his “Larawan” and “Sabel” series in 80 pieces, mostly in acrylic on canvas and paper.

The two series are unarguably the iconography that catapulted the artist to international fame.

These images are among the most recognizable in Philippine contemporary art. One can say then that this show is the crowning glory of BenCab’s art.

Many transformations

Here is Sabel, the scraggly

scavenger wrapped in plastic sheets who haunted the Sta. Cruz district of Manila in the early 1960s when the artist was still living on Yakal Street.

“She was married, but she was abandoned by her husband, which must have caused her derangement,” he speculates. “Nakikita ko siya from my window.

She’d beg around for food. I’d just watch and do some sketches and photos of her. She’d come to our house and my sisters would give her some food. She had children. They’d take her home, give her a bath, but she would return to the streets.”

He saw her around the Bambang area in Tondo for two years, until she just vanished into memory. But art, as it happened, captured her, and she has gone through many transformations since, from abstract to Japanese lady to dance to fashion to musical.

The permutation of the image naturally followed the various art movements BenCab went through over the decades, from Social Realism to Abstract Expressionism to Minimalism.

While a student at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts majoring in Illustration in the early ’60s, he imbibed the temper of the times and painted barung-barong, estero, laborers, scavengers, displaced people.

When he relocated to London in the 1969, he recalls the dominant movements there were Pop Art (Richard Hamilton, David Hockney, Jim Dine), Minimalism, Op Art (Bridget Riley).

Traces of them can be found in this exhibit.

Earthy portraits

Here are the “Larawan” paintings, mostly sepia-toned portraits based on Filipiniana prints and vintage photographs from postcards, travel journals and ethnographic books he found in antique shops and

The National Museum.

flea markets in Europe. Here he expresses not only some social commentary on his country but also a deep nostalgia for his homeland.

Men and women in turnofthe-century costumes are perfectly posed as virtual character studies, with just a hint of message: “The Master and the Servant” (2000); “Ilustrado” (2009); “Kapitana” (2005); women with hat, fan, scarf, jar, clay pot, winnowing basket; vendors of fruit, camote, banana.

In a few portraits, the oldfashioned figures are mixed and matched with jarring details in a brutal juxtaposition: “Two Mestizas” (2000), with a Japanese parasol; “Two Filipinas” (2004), with modern gadgets; “Sabel (Swatch).”

Among the eye-grabbers in the gallery are “Sabel in Motion” (2010), pigmented paper pulp on handmade STPI paper; “Flight” (1976), a mist of yellow with a dash of red; “Sabel in Grief” (1981), oil on canvas, in white, black, ochre, turquoise and auburn.

The third stands out as it is the only image here that shows intense emotion, with Sabel’s face half-covered by a swathe www.canadianinquirer.net

MIKE GONZALEZ / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

of clothing and her eyes narrowed, obviously weeping.

Various mediums

Two vitrines showcase specimens of BenCab’s art. One contains his sketches, doodles, a cross-hatched study on yellow pad paper, accompanied by poems in homage to his art, by Marne Kilates, Gemino Abad and Virginia Moreno.

The other has miniatures of his artworks in various mediums: “Sabel” on ceramic, metal, glass, gold and silver; even a “Sabel” mini art book.

There is a flat cut-metal sculpture, “Twins” (2013), of mild steel painted black with red brushstrokes, based on a 2002 painting.

By the entrance are “Multiple Sabels” in six panels, painted black on white Mariwasa tiles; and “Variations on Sabel” (2010), 25 figures in black and ochre—all resembling multiple exposure of film negative.

Favorite artists

BenCab’s favorite artists are Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Vicente Manansala and his UP mentor José Joya, now all his fellow National Artists.

Joya’s “Ethereal Aura” (1977), a white-and-gray abstract in acrylic, is evoked in “Sabel in Motion” (2010), “Isadora Dancing” (1999) and “Variations on Sabel” III (1992). That whirling amorphous form and mist of monochrome could be a template for the structure and translucence of BenCab’s swirling shape.

Having lived for 13 years in London, he is also naturally drawn to the works of British artists of that era. He finds British Pop Art somehow “more intellectual,” as it has “more depth,” than the American variety, which is “louder and bigger.”

Of foreign artists, his favorites are Hockney, Kitaj and Lucian Freud.

Hockney’s precise lines, minute details, flat color planes and pure colors appear in the neat composition and clean coloration of BenCab’s later works.

Freud’s flesh tones he also cites —and we may add Freud’s sculptural approach to the human body, as all hinted in some of BenCab portraits.

“I like classic colors,” he says.

“It took me a while to use color.”

Accustomed to the black-and❱❱ PAGE 30 Go to the

Lifestyle

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

27

Something old? Brides turn to second hand decor, dresses to cut wedding costs

BY GEMMA KARSTENSSMITH The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — When Rachael Lipetz started planning a budget wedding, the bride-to-be decided to cut costs in a nontraditional way — by focusing on something old.

The Vancouver bride’s $5,000 budget didn’t compare with the $30,717 that a 2015 Wedding Bells magazine survey found most brides expect to spend on their big day.

So Lipetz searched doggedly for second-hand wedding decor, a trend some industry professionals say has grown as wedding costs soar ever skyward.

She spent countless hours scouring Craigslist for deals, persistently emailing sellers with low-ball offers in hopes of finding cheap gems.

“I ended up becoming a total Craigslist troll,” she says.

The signs, vintage napkins and cutlery at her lakeside celebration in September 2014 all came from a couple who had gotten married in a field months before. So did some of the pennant banners, but those, Lipetz says, had already been bought and sold twice previously.

“Basically, nothing at our wedding was new,” she says.

Lipetz estimates that she saved about 50 per cent on decor by buying second-hand, and she and her husband liked the environmentally friendly aspect of using recycled goods.

“It was exactly what I wanted,” she says. “I’m not a white wedding, magnolia type of person.”

When the big day was over, Lipetz posted an ad of her own for the “ultimate rustic wedding package.” She says about

Lipetz estimates that she saved about 50 per cent on decor by buying second-hand, and she and her husband liked the environmentally friendly aspect of using recycled goods.

two-thirds of the items she had Bridal Swap has grown dra- tures from their own weddings, for sale were gone within two matically since the first event Recknell says, because the phoweeks. in 2011, she says, and this year’s tos give potential purchasers High wedding costs have Vancouver market hosted more an idea of how their vision can spurred couples not only to seek than 1,000 thrifty brides. come together. deals, but to resell whatever Lindsay Recknell says she’s Wedding Recycle also gives they can when their celebration also seen “huge growth” in the people a chance to connect with is over, says Geneve McNally, three years since she created a others who have experienced founder of Bridal Swap, which website where brides sell their the ups and downs of wedding she describes planning. as a “fancy flea “There’s somemarket” for wedthing to be said dings. about buying The annual Everyone loves the thrill of the hunt from someone event sees newand finding some gem for cheaper. who has gone lyweds set up through the booths to sell same experience their wares and that you are,” brides-to-be Recknell says. clamber for deals on everything gently used wedding goods.

“You’re buying from newlyfrom designer dresses to paintThe Calgary-based entre- weds who’ve just had their weded mason jars. preneur says between 800 and ding, who’ve just felt the stress “Everyone loves the thrill of 1,300 people visit Wedding Re- and the agony and the strain on the hunt and finding some gem cycle every day from all over their pocketbook.” for cheaper,” says McNally, a North America, buying and Many second-hand wedding founding partner of Vancou- selling centrepieces, accesso- purveyors include a philanver-based wedding planning ries and more. thropic element, too. company DreamGroup producPart of the site’s popularity Bridal Swap gives women a tions. comes from brides posting pic- chance to donate the proceeds

www.canadianinquirer.net

from their dress to a charity of the purchaser’s choice, and Wedding Recycle hosts the Can’t Buy Me Love project, which connects newlyweds who want to donate decor and apparel with couples who can’t afford luxurious weddings.

The project was inspired by a woman named Marisa Wiens, Recknell says, who started a Facebook group in 2013 encouraging brides to donate their gowns after a bridal store in New Westminster, B.C., burned down.

Through Recknell’s website, Wiens connected with a woman in Calgary who didn’t have the money to buy a brand-new gown.

Months later, Wiens says she received photos of the woman wearing her old dress on her wedding day.

“I thought it was pretty awesome,” she says of the experience. “To me, that’s what life’s about — it’s about giving.” ■

28

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Business

Stocks expected to consolidate

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer LOCAL STOCKS are seen to consolidate this week as renewed valuation concerns arise.

Last week, the Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 1.02 percent to close at 7,321.30 on Friday.

The stock barometer trekked higher for six days before succumbing to some profittaking on Friday due to fresh valuation concerns, said Banco de Oro Unibank chief strategist Jonathan Ravelas.

“Chartwise, continue to expect the local bourse to range between 7,150-7,350 levels in the near-term,” Ravelas said.

The 7,400 level remains a key resistance for now, Ravelas said.

Jose Mari Lacson, deputy research head at BPI Securities, said he didn’t see any reason why the stock market should trade at 18 times projected earnings.

Last week, it was reported that cashbased remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) had risen by 9.1 percent year-on-year in February to $2.1 billion, with contribution

from the Middle East region still surprisingly strong with a growth of 36.6 percent.

Real peso value of the OFW remittances in February grew by 16.4 percent year-onyear.

“Purchasing power of the remittances posted solid gains for the 3rd straight month mainly due to favorable exchange rate (the peso depreciated by 7.7 percent year-on-year in February) applied to OFW dollar flows. OFW real incomes grew 12.5 percent year-on-year in Jan-Feb boding well for first quarter household consumption,” said Citigroup Philippines economist Jun Trinidad.

Because of the strong OFWdata, the peso closed the weekly session on a stronger note, coupled with firmer regional currencies responding to positive China data, Trinidad said.

China reported on Friday that

its first quarter gross domestic product grew by 6.7 percent year-on-year. Along with previously reported upbeat trade data, this boosted expectation that the Chinese economy may have somewhat stabilized. ■

Adjusting to life and leaner wallets after the gas boom

BY MICHAEL RUBINKAM The Associated Press TOWANDA, PA. — Jami Patel spends long hours behind the front desk of a nearly empty motel, desperate for someone, anyone, to check in. Hardly anyone ever does, not since the once-booming natural gas industry pulled up stakes amid a prolonged, severe slump in energy prices.

“I don’t know how much longer I can hold on,” lamented Patel, 43. “If it continues like this, the business is going to be dead.”

That’s the last outcome Patel would have envisioned after she and her husband spent more than $1 million on renovations a few years back. Times were good then; the 50-room Rodeway Inn was routinely filled with some of the legions of gas workers who helped turn Pennsylvania from a bit energy player into the nation’s No. 2 natural gas-producing state, after Texas.

But with the number of rigs drilling for oil and gas falling to all-time lows across the nation last week, Patel and other residents and business owners in Pennsylvania’s vast Marcellus Shale gas field are adjusting to life after the boom — while hoping for the eventual return of an industry that pumped billions

of dollars into the economy.

When they were here, the drillers made a lot of people feel flush. Landowners with mineral rights commanded signing bonuses of thousands of dollars per acre. Landlords hiked rents.

Restaurants were packed. Even the craft store had to add staff as the gas industry’s impact rippled throughout Towanda, a northeastern Pennsylvania town in the heart of the gas region.

The drilling frenzy came with its share of headaches, too. Drillers contaminated some residential water wells with methane, traffic was horrendous and some locals complained that most of the rig jobs went to out-of-state workers.

But there’s no dispute that shale gas was good for business.

“It got really crazy around here for quite a while, quite a few years. A good crazy,” said Angie Maynard-Cott, 61.

The self-described “cleaning lady” once got so many calls from drilling workers that she had to take her phone off the hook. The rig guys would give her $100 to clean a “little bitty trailer,” she said, and another $75 to do their laundry.

Those big-spending workers are mostly gone now, and it’s back to the way it was before.

“I could go shopping for

clothes any time I wanted to, and now, all the sudden, I’m thinking ‘Eh, I better not go to Peebles today. I better be careful,”’ said Maynard-Cott. “Because I’m just not having the hundred-dollar bills handed to me like they were, you know?

It’s just my regular customers that I’ve had over the years.”

Towanda’s story is playing out everywhere the drillers are leaving or have left, places like Gillette, Wyoming, and Oklahoma City, where there have been massive job layoffs at energy company headquarters and the downturn has blown a billion-dollar hole in the state budget, leading to funding cuts to schools, prisons and other services. In Pennsylvania, state and local revenues from an “impact fee” assessed on drillers are projected to fall 17 per cent.

While gas production remains high from thousands of already drilled wells, the industry has dramatically scaled back. Only 16 rigs are actively exploring in Pennsylvania, down from a high of 115 in 2011 and the fewest since December 2007, according to oilfield services company Baker Hughes.

Energy firms and the businesses that directly cater to them are laying off thousands of workers in Pennsylvania, www.canadianinquirer.net

with 1 in 5 jobs disappearing in a single year. Unemployment is rising in nearly all of Pennsylvania’s top drilling counties while generally falling in the rest of the state.

“I don’t think anybody saw it coming, to this deep of a decline that quickly,” said David Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, a trade group.

Cratering commodity prices are the culprit. Gas extracted from the Marcellus Shale — the nation’s largest natural-gas field — is selling at a deep discount, the result of oversupply and inadequate pipeline capacity to take the gas to far-flung energy markets. The low prices are good for consumers and businesses and manufacturers that use gas, but they’re costing energy companies billions. Some have stopped drilling altogether.

The fallout is readily apparent in Towanda. For-rent and for-sale signs are plentiful along Main Street. The shoe store isn’t selling as many safety boots or flame-resistant shirts. About 20 miles north, near the New York state line, a “man camp” that once bustled with nearly 200 gas-field workers at Chesapeake Energy Corp. now sits mostly empty.

Jan Millard, a clerk at New Shoe Store Plus, got an inkling

of what was to come when a rig worker told her, “We’ll be here one day, and then we’ll pick up like gypsies and we’ll be gone.”

“It was the truth. It was a sad thing,” recalled Millard, 55.

“Hopefully it’ll come back.”

Spigelmyer predicted drilling will ramp up again as prices recover, but on a smaller scale.

In the meantime, local businesses that took advantage of the moneymaking opportunity presented by shale gas are now refocusing.

Bill Kelly and his father found success with a company that sells supplies and rents equipment to drillers. But with sales down 50 per cent or more, they’ve expanded into party rentals to make up the lost revenue — from ball valves to bounce houses.

“Everybody’s kind of in the same boat,” said Kelly, 42. “We believe it’s coming back, but when?”

That’s the question facing Patel, who’s hoping to work with her bankers to keep her struggling motel afloat.

She calls it a depressing state of affairs but doesn’t blame the gas companies, saying they’re at the mercy of the market.

“What are they going to do?

It’s not only us, or not only them — everybody is suffering from it.” ■

29

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

Sports

Ethiopian Boston Marathon winners no sure thing for Olympics

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER The Associated Press

pressive on paper. Hayle’s time doesn’t crack the top 150 marathon times in the world this year; Baysa’s 2:29:19 doesn’t rank in the top 50 for the women.

But Boston’s historic up-anddown course and lack of pace-setters leads to the kind of tactical racing that runners are likely to see in Rio de Janeiro. This year’s Boston field included three of the top Ethiopian women ever.

“Boston is different from any other races,” said Desisa, who also won the 2013 race a few hours before a pair of bombs exploded at the finish line.

Here are some other items of note from the 120th Boston Marathon:

“I know my pace,” she said.

“When I pace, I know I can beat them. So I moved, caught them and pushed the pace at the end.”

BOSTON — The 2016 Boston Marathon was a coronation for Like father, like daughter Ethiopia, which collected its When Neely Spence Gracey first-ever sweep of the men’s says she was born to marathon, and women’s titles. she isn’t kidding.

That doesn’t mean the winThe 26-year-old Coloradan ners of the world’s most prestiwas the top American woman gious marathon will get a spot on Monday, finishing ninth in on the Ethiopian Olympic team.

2:35 in her marathon debut.

Lemi Berhanu Hayle won Her father, Steve Spence, was a the 120th edition of the Boston world champion bronze medalMarathon on Monday, and fellist who was the No. 2 American low Ethiopian Atsede Baysa took in Boston in 1989. the women’s crown. But some of The next year was even bigtheir countrymen are running ger: Neely was born while he in the London Marathon next was running the race. week, and have a chance for fastGracey said her father gave er times than the wind-slowed For the win her tips about how to apmarks posted in Boston.

Hayle pulled away from De- proach the course. It may have Unlike the United States, sisa as they crossed over the helped — she was near the front which held trials to select its Massachusetts Turnpike head- through the first seven miles Olympic team, before falling bethe national fedhind the leaders. erations in Ethi“The energy opia and other was spectacular,” countries pick Boston is different from any other said Gracey, who their teams. races. ran in the lead “This is a alongside Sarah major maraCrouch, of North thon,” Baysa Carolina, who said through an interpreter. ing into Kenmore Square. finished 11th. “We were com“We don’t know what they are While the men’s finish didn’t menting back and forth saying: thinking, but we are confident have the drama of the women’s ‘Wow! We are leading the Bosthey will select me.” finish, Hayle’s flair at the end ton Marathon. We need to take Hayle finished in 2 hours, 12 made up for it. He tapped his this in and relish the moment.”’ minutes, 45 seconds to beat de- chest as he ran down Boylston fending champion Lelisa Desisa Street, held his arms out to bask Wheel-to-wheelchair by 47 seconds. Yemane Tsegay in the cheers of the crowd and The finish of the men’s was an additional 30 seconds then, after crossing the finish wheelchair race was the best of back to round out an all-Ethio- line, did a celebratory skip-jump. the day, with the top three men pian top three.

“In that time, I didn’t know all coming to the line within a Baysa finished 44 seconds what I was doing,” he said second of each other. ahead of fellow Ethiopian Tirfi through an interpreter.

Switzerland’s Marcel Hug Tsegaye. Kenyan Joyce Chepcrossed about two lengths in kirui’s third-place finish was the Baysa’s comeback front to win for the second only thing that denied Ethiopia Whatever happens with straight year. South Africa’s a sweep in both races. Kenya, Baysa’s Olympic prospects, her Ernst Van Dyk was second, outwhich had dominated the Bos- place in Boston Marathon his- pushing Kurt Fearnley of Auston Marathon since the profes- tory is already secure. tralia to win in a photo finish by sional era began in 1986, had its The 29-year-old fell 37 sec- about the width of a wheel. worst showing since 1990. onds behind at the 35 Kilome“It was a crazy finish. Very, “In sports, sometimes that ter checkpoint but came back very close but with a good end happens. But not always,” De- to catch and pass the leaders. for me,” said Hug, whose time sisa said. “It is the performance And she did it despite a pain in was nearly 5 minutes faster on the day.” her left hamstring that hit her than his 2015 win. “I’m very And the performances in Bos- about 7.5 miles in that allowed happy to defend my title here in ton might not seem all that im- the pack to pull away.

Boston.” www.canadianinquirer.net

The Mall of Asia Arena.

DANN_GARCIA / FLICKR

Ateneo ends UP teams’ volley run

BY JASMINE W. PAYO Philippine Daily Inquirer ATENEO DIDN’T give the University of the Philippine teams much chance to relish their UAAP Final Four stints.

Showcasing their sharp form, the Lady Eagles whipped the young Lady Maroons in straight sets, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, to advance to their fifth straight women’s volleyball championship yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Definitely, let’s give it to UP who gave us a good fight,” Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez said of the Lady Maroons, who advanced to the Final Four for the first time in 13 seasons.

“For a rookie-laden team, a very young team, they have so much potential to be back next year.”

The Blue Eagles also returned to the title round after whipping the Maroons, 25-12, 25-13, 25-16, in the men’s semifinals.

Both Ateneo squads held twice-to-beat incentives after topping the elimination round.

Valdez and Jho Maraguinot teamed up for 33 points as the Lady Eagles coasted past the Lady Maroons in the first two

sets, taking leads by as many 10 points.

Although the Lady Maroons put up some fight in the third frame, Valdez delivered the clutch hits that extended their 1918 edge to 23-18.

“I’m just really lucky to be there again [in the Finals] for the last time,” said Valdez, the two-time MVP playing her fifth and final year.

Maraguinot collected 10 kills, three blocks and four aces for a team-best 17 points, while Valdez fired 16 points, 14 coming off attacks.

The Lady Eagles also held UP’s rookie sensation Isa Molde to just four points.

“We were not just focused on one player,” said Valdez. “But the blocking of [Amy Ahomiro] and Bea (de Leon) also worked.”

Marck Espejo tossed in all of his 12 points off kills as the Eagles cruised past the Maroons by peppering them with attacks, 3917.

“Easy game, but it wasn’t an easy preparation for us,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro.

“UP hasn’t been in the Final Four in a long time, so it’s hard not to take them lightly. They won’t be in the Final Four if they’re not talented and determined.” ■

30

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Technology Facebook’s demands for users’ photo IDs to unlock accounts inappropriate: lawyer

BY CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI The Canadian Press TORONTO — Thousands of Sarah Bell’s online friends knew her only by her roller derby nickname, R’effin Adora Bell.

Facebook simply knew her as a brazen offender of its realname policy.

Bell was locked out of her account for using a pseudonym — for security reasons, she says — and was shocked to learn how Facebook demanded she prove her identity.

Facebook insisted she share digital copies of her passport and driver’s licence to get her account back. After a five-week battle to maintain her privacy, she reluctantly gave in.

“Eventually I had no choice,” she says with a sigh while detailing last year’s incident.

“They shut down my primary mode of communication with people.... I couldn’t argue with them anymore.”

Bell’s experience is far from rare. Daily complaints on Facebook and Twitter suggest lockdowns in so-called “Facebook jail” have been a regular occurrence for years, and often for unclear reasons.

Technology lawyer David Fewer questions why the social media giant can’t verify users through other means. Just because it’s a condition of use doesn’t make it right, he says.

“There are other kinds of mechanisms available to Facebook to get after identities,” says Fewer, director of the Ottawa-based Canadian Internet Policy & Public Interest Clinic.

“Just because bad stuff happens that doesn’t mean that we all ought to be providing our identities and our identity documents just to use a service like this.”

Facebook’s real-name policy came under intense criticism in 2014 after the company disabled the accounts of several San Francisco drag queens.

That prompted assurances it would give suspected violators notice before taking action, and more support in gaining verification.

Toronto actor/director Michael Mahonen says he received neither when he was forced to submit his driver’s licence to prove his identity, even though he didn’t use a pseudonym.

He suspected another user complained about his posts discussing China’s treatment of Falun Gong practitioners, leaving him scrambling to find out why Google could no longer find his Facebook page.

“It essentially disappeared off the Internet altogether,” Mahonen says of last month’s incident.

“It’s just too easy for anybody to do this to someone they don’t like.”

When he asked Facebook why he was locked out, he says he was told he wasn’t allowed to know.

Mahonen bristled at being asked for government identification, but says to Facebook’s credit, it was suggested he could black out some personal data including his licence number.

Facebook spokeswoman Meg Sinclair says account lockdowns usually happen when community standards are violated. She insists users are always notified when it happens.

“One of our rules since the very beginning is that it’s always been a place where people have to be their real identity online, that’s what differentiates Facebook from most other platforms,” says Sinclair.

“It’s one of our most important safety features. We’ve seen time and time again that people are much more respectful and more likely to follow rules and not bully or harass or use the Internet for poor purpose if they’re using their real names.”

Fewer notes that privacy laws prevent companies from keeping personal information longer than it requires. And by and large, organizations like Facebook generally don’t want

to store such data since it increases their liabilities, with Fewer likening them to “ticking time bombs” waiting for a security breach.

Bell says she initially tried to regain access to her account by sending other documents proving her identity, including a trading card, links to articles with her name, and links to website bios.

That initially permitted her to re-enter her account, but she was locked out again when another administrator said she needed more proof.

“I can’t argue with them wanting to keep people safe, if that’s what it is, but I do feel like it’s odd that it’s so locked down,” says the 37-year-old, wondering why Facebook wouldn’t let her keep her real name private once it was verified.

“You shouldn’t have to advertise it.”

In her case, she says using her real name actually limited her social circle. She had built up more than 2,000 friends under her derby name, a moniker used at tournaments and games where she worked as an official.

“Suddenly there’s this ‘Sarah’ that is no longer being connected with anyone because nobody tags you, nobody invites you,” says Bell, who also hoped to keep her involvement in the sport secret from her employer.

“It totally halted my ability to communicate effectively with people and it was (part of ) the slow decline of being as involved as I was.”

Mahonen says he was most upset by having to spend hours figuring out a way back into his account.

“I had to go mine through levels within levels of sublevels to figure out all of this stuff,” says the 51-year-old, insisting Facebook definitely did not contact him.

“I know they have more than a billion users in the world but that also means massive revenues. Other businesses have help that involve humans.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Go to the...

white illustrations he was doing for Liwayway and Sunday Times Magazine, he used the warm harmonies relatively late.

His earliest paintings are monochromatic, chiefly in brown, gray and black, such as the 1967 and 1968 versions of “Sabel.” ❰❰ 26

Evolving chromatics

Representative early works, all imbued with the earth tones of Manansala, can be seen in a neighboring gallery: “Imaginary Portrait of Sabel” (1969), oil on canvas, an abstracted figure with back turned to the viewer, in brown, black, burgundy, gray and beige; “Manggagawa” (1968), oil on canvas, in brown and slate; “Self” (1965), oil on canvas, a self-portrait that looks like Jesus Christ, in brown, slate, gray and greenish impasto; a 1967 series of 10 penand-ink drawings of human figures, shanties, driftwood.

In the early ’80s, BenCab encountered bright colors among the punk subculture at King’s Road in Chelsea. That was when his chromatics started to brighten, predominated by red (from London’s bus and telephone). But gray remained (from the English landscape, fog, rain and sky).

“I don’t use much blue,” he says in an odd afterthought.

Yet one of the most outstanding pieces in the exhibit is “Blue Sabel” (2005), which exudes a cool incandescence.

Strategically placed in the gallery are three small sculptures of painted resin, in red, brown, gray, black and blue: “Larawan,” “Sabel” and “Dance of Defiance,” done in collaboration with Secret Fresh.

Done last year, these are among the latest artworks he created, he says, and adds: “[After that,] I just keep on drawing.”

Creative years

The series of eight exhibits, “BenCab: 50 Creative Years,” marks the 50th anniversary since the artist first mounted a show, in a joint exhibition at the Art Association of the Philippines gallery in 1965. He held

his first oneman show in Gallery Indigo the following year, introducing “Sabel” to the public.

It was not until 1968, however, that his artistic career was formally launched—when future National Artist Arturo Luz “discovered” the 26-year-old artist and exhibited 60 socialrealist acrylic paintings in his prestigious gallery.

BenCab’s “creative years” actually covered more than half a century. At age 7, he was already drawing and painting on walls and pavement, inspired by elder brother Salvador, then an established painter.

In Grade 6, he won the top prize in a poster-making contest, his first art award. In high school, he did illustrations for his classmates’ science projects.

In college, he helped Joya create sets for a ballet; was commissioned to illustrate two books; and won a prize at the Shell National Students Art Competition.

Sometimes he spends months working on a painting, as when he’d put an unfinished piece aside and return to it much later.

“You get bogged down on a painting, that’s when you take longer,” he says. “But in a frenzy, I can finish a piece in an hour.”

To him, a painting doesn’t need to have a message. His art philosophy is more of “form over content” (though it depends on what he’s working on at the moment). He is more concerned with the line; color follows.

At the Feb. 28 opening of his National Museum show, he said: “Every line I draw and every stroke of the brush teach me that there is always more to learn.”

He is still open to exploring other mediums for his art, such as drawing on electronic tablets to create digital paintings on touchscreen.

So, when he said at the exhibit opening, “My cup is full”—the listener was only half-believing, because this man could certainly do with another round. ■

Technology

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

31

Drone collision with jet highlights growing aviation danger

BY JILL LAWLESS The Associated Press LONDON — A collision between a British Airways passenger jet and a drone over London has left the plane undamaged but the aviation industry deeply shaken.

British police and air accident authorities were investigating Sunday’s incident, in which an Airbus A320 carrying 137 people struck an object believed to be a drone at a height of about 1,700 feet (518 metres) while it was approaching Heathrow Airport.

The plane landed safely and was cleared to fly again after an inspection by engineers. But the incident has focused attention on the growing number of unregulated drones in the sky and the potential for disaster if they hit a plane — either accidentally or on purpose.

London’s Metropolitan Police said Monday the incident occurred over Richmond Park, a large open expanse a few miles from the airport. Chief Superintendent Martin Hendry said the incident “highlights the very real dangers of reckless, negligent and sometimes malicious use of drones.”

“The potential is there for a major incident,” he said.

How many drones are out there?

The authorities don’t know exactly, since small drones bought for private use often don’t have to be registered, but the market is growing fast as drones become cheaper and easier to operate.

In Britain alone, electronics stores sold thousands during

are among evolving threats to aviation.

“There’s a whole new series of risks out there which we’re just at the start of assessing and we don’t know how big they are,” he said.

What can be done to cut the risks?

Drones must not be flown above 400 feet (120 metres), must remain within sight of the operator and must and kept away from planes, helicopters, airports and airfields.

the 2015 Christmas season. Phil Finnegan, director of corporate analysis at aerospace research company Teal Group, estimates there are “several million” drones in the United States.

Tony Tyler, director-general of the International Air Transport Association, told an aviation conference in Denmark on Monday that drones “are here to stay.”

“But we must not allow them to become a drag on the efficiency of the airways or a safety threat to commercial aviation,” he said.

Tyler called for “a sensible approach to regulation and a pragmatic method of firm enforcement for those who disregard rules and regulations and put others in danger.”

What are the rules?

Many countries distinguish between commercial drone operators, which must be licensed, and those used recreationally.

In Britain, operators don’t need a license to use a small

drone weighing less than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) for recreational purposes.

Drones must not be flown above 400 feet (120 metres), must remain within sight of the operator and must and kept away from planes, helicopters, airports and airfields. Violators can receive six months in prison and a fine — though prosecutions have been rare — but endangering the safety of an aircraft carries a maximum life sentence.

How many near misses between drones and aircraft?

While actual collisions are rare, Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority says there were 40 near misses between drones and aircraft in 2015, compared to nine in 2014. Before that, such incidents were too uncommon to merit annual statistics.

In the United States, the FAA recorded almost 600 incidents of drones getting too close to aircraft between August 22, 2015 and Jan 31, 2016.

What could a drone to a plane?

The biggest worries are a drone damaging the windshield or fuselage of a plane — with the additional danger that lithium batteries on the drone could ignite — or getting sucked into an engine.

Aviation systems expert Philip Butterworth-Hayes says there has been relatively little research on the impact of such a collision.

“We don’t know what happens when a drone gets inside an engine,” he said. “The only thing you can do (to find out) is fly it into an engine, which is horrendously expensive. It’s not a test you want to do all the time.”

While the most obvious threat is from accidental collisions, experts have also warned that terrorists could seek to bring down a plane with an explosives-laden drone.

Butterworth-Hayes said drones, lasers that can be shone in pilots’ eyes and cyberattacks

The British government is considering introducing a drone-registration scheme so the aerial vehicles can be traced back to their owners.

In the U.S, the FAA introduced a registration plan in December, with owners facing a fine if they don’t comply. More than 400,000 people had registered by the end of March.

While new rules and better education are part of the solution, technology will also be a key factor. Drones can be fitted with “geo-fencing” software that prevents them from entering restricted areas. But geofencing technology is not a legal requirement for many drones, and criminals or those bent on terror could potentially disable the software.

Finnegan says developing new ways to stop rogue drones by disabling or destroying them is a high priority for defence and technology companies.

“There’s a whole new drive among aerospace and defence company to develop counterdrone measures — ways you can protect against either someone who doesn’t know what they are doing or someone who does know what they are doing and is trying to do something bad,” he said. ■ Associated Press reporter Danica Kirka contributed to this report.

Alberta promises $90M in tax aid for small, medium sized tech companies

BY DEAN BENNETT The Canadian Press EDMONTON — Alberta’s economic development minister says a new investor tax credit will provide $90 million to help small- and medium-sized tech companies.

Deron Bilous outlined the details of the new credit Monday at an Edmonton business man-

agement software firm.

Bilous said that as of Jan. 1, investors will be able to receive a 30 per cent tax credit for investing in Alberta information, health and green technology companies.

Others to benefits include those working in interactive digital media and game products, digital animation, postproduction and visual effects.

“These are growing industries in our province and indus-

tries that require highly skilled workers,” said Bilous.

“The majority of companies in these sectors have less than 100 employees, and new businesses and startups are big contributors to job creation.”

Bilous said the government will work out details, including the maximum investment amount, in the coming months.

The program is to run for two years and then be reassessed. www.canadianinquirer.net

Bilous said Alberta is catching up to similar programs elsewhere.

“Over the last 10 years Alberta has consistently lagged behind other Canadian provinces in terms of venture capital dollars.”

The tax credit is part of the government’s new jobs creation package outlined in last week’s budget.

Premier Rachel Notley’s government has already put up

about $2 billion in loan and investment incentive programs in an attempt to create jobs and move the economy away from its reliance on fossil fuels.

That reliance has seen Alberta move deep into the red due to the prolonged slump in oil prices.

Alberta’s deficit is expected to be more than $10 billion this year and $10 billion again the year after that. ■

32

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Travel

Stratford-upon-Avon marks 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death

BY STEPHEN WICKENS The Canadian Press STRATFORD -UPON-AVON, UNITED KINGDOM — Rev. Francis Gastrell would be harrowed with fear and wonder.

If the ghost of the man who tried to kill tourism in this town can find solace these days, it might in the fact that landscaping won’t be ready at the New Place grounds, where William Shakespeare’s great house once stood, by April 23, the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death.

It was a very wet winter, and though daffodils are out for my late-February visit the special gardening project won’t be ready until July.

Other than that, it’s slings and arrows for Gastrell. The last man to live at New Place, the arch-villain of our tale, would despise attention the Queen, her prime minister and national institutions will bring to 2016’s festivities, though nothing would rankle him more than Shakespeare’s acclaim and the pilgrimages it inspires.

Gastrell had New Place demolished in 1759 in part because he couldn’t stand people coming up from London to pay homage in his gardens or to peer through the windows of a house the Bard owned for the last 19 years of his life.

The reverend was run out of town for his actions, says tour bus driver Jeff Nice, who adds: “He didn’t much like Shakespeare, and Gastrell became a very bad surname to have throughout Warwickshire for a very long time.”

Locals have yet to forgive him.

On this day, the tourists are from much farther afield than in Gastrell’s worst nightmares — and they’ve brought opinions.

At the Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried, Bobur, an Uzbekistani highschool teacher, stabs the air in a one-sided broken-English de-

bate with a retired couple from Paraguay: “It’s not just that themes are universal,” he declares. “It’s timelessness; that matters now — and always!”

At the birthplace house, a woman from Hong Kong adamantly tells a guide Shakespeare should be reburied in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey (read the inscription at his grave, you’ll know it’s “curst be he” who moves the bones).

The townspeople are preparing for more than the three million visitors seen in an average year, and even on a grey, blustery winter day, this city of 25,000 teems. Yet, after talking with locals and listening to guides, it’s tough not to ponder how close the modern world came to missing out on the Bard’s excellence.

He was, by some accounts, no more than the fourth-mostpopular playwright in London at the time of his death. Wouldbe biographers ignored the possibilities until a century later, by which time there hadn’t been any known living descendants for close to 50 years.

You mightn’t know the names John Heminges and Henry Condell, but if they hadn’t taken the costly and unusual step of publishing the First Folio in 1623, it’s unlikely many of the plays and sonnets would have survived. Even then, Shakespeare’s plays were often derided or ignored. Several weren’t performed for centuries, and some that were often suffered significant “improvements.”

Modern popularity, which will likely fill the streets and inns here for centuries to come, dates to the 1740s and is largely attributed to David Garrick, who ran Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London (a town that also claims Shakespeare as its own and which will have dozens of institutions celebrating this year).

Garrick so excelled at reviving interest that, within a decade, Gastrell was driven batty and the medieval market town

was discovering the economics of tourism done well.

These days there are undoubtedly locals eager to gouge, but I couldn’t find any on a day visit. I’d also challenge you to find another tourist town where guides are true dramatic performers — informed, articulate, engaging. (Special mention to two at the birthplace: Paul Avery’s poetry recitals and Katie Neville’s cheeky dishing of 17th-century dirt are crowd pleasers.)

Fearing tackiness, I’d avoided Stratford-upon-Avon on U.K. trips. I was wrong; this town has handled fame well. Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which controls several structures of interest, has long played a big role in the success; it was formed in the 1840s after P.T. Barnum proposed moving the birthplace house to the United States, for reassembly on wheels.

Plans for a Shakespeare’s World theme park also mercifully crashed nearly 20 years ago: Someone with money thought it would be smart to build a faux medieval town across the river from a genuinely charming real one.

My last impressions, while awaiting a train back to London, come after dusk over an ale at the Old Thatch Tavern (here since 1470). Two couples and a bartender enthusiastically trade Shakespearean barbs, including: “Thine face is not worth sunburning,” “Thou art a flesh-monger, a fool and a coward,” and, “Your virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese.”

Yet the insult that brings the house down, while clearly rooted on the banks of the Avon, was not from the Bard’s quill at all.

An eruption, followed by clinks and calls for another round, comes when one of the women plays her trump: “You’re a Gastrell, a right proper Gastrell!”

If You Go...

Sixty per cent of the town’s www.canadianinquirer.net

The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.

tourists are day-trippers. From London, it’s two hours driving the M40 or a 29-pound ($58) return rail ticket (it took me nearly three hours by train because of track work and transfers). There are several day bus tours from London, including some taking in Warwick Castle and Oxford. A couple at my hotel liked the Evan Evans Tours (evanevanstours.com) package.

(They would have skipped Oxford to spend longer in Stratford and initially thought 84 pounds was steep, but returned calling it good value.)

Where to stay: Accommodations are in short supply with the 400th anniversary ceremonies on tap. Even if you plan to stay overnight in late spring or summer, book soon. There are many B&Bs starting at around 60 pounds per person close to the heart of town and the rail station.

Preparation: Do some advance reading. At least a dozen new significant books about Shakespeare and his work will be released this year. Bill Bryson’s 2007 book, “Shakespeare: The World as Stage,” is a very fun, informative read.

What to do: If you aren’t part of an organized tour, do the hop-on-hop-off bus with a full combo ticket (27.50 pounds for adults), which gets you into the houses. It’s a small town, but

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is a five-kilometre hike if you’re not on the bus. On a lovely day, a walk by the river could be gorgeous. Watch for speeding drivers, especially near the visitors centre.

The play’s the thing: The Royal Shakespeare Company’s main and Swan theatres have full schedules planned all year, not all of it Shakespeare. https://www.rsc.org.uk/ If I visit again: I’d stay overnight in one of the many B&Bs and take in a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (tickets start at just 12 pounds).

Though I always recommend the BritRail pass for getting around the U.K. (and town’s an easy walk from the station), if I were doing this as a day trip from London again, I’d take a bus tour that includes Warwick Castle.

Shakespeare in London: The Metropolis, where the Bard made his name, has too many special 400th events in 2016 to list. But we should highlight that the Globe To Globe production of “Hamlet” returns to its home stage in April after a two-year, 196-country tour, and that the National Archives and King’s College presentation of “Shakespeare By Me,” a major exhibit of historic documents, is at Somerset House till May 29. ■

Travel

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

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Passover vacation niche grows to dozens of destinations

BY MIKE SCHNEIDER The Associated Press

PNA PHOTO

PHL welcomes arrival of two 2 int’l cruise ships PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Philippines welcomed two cruise ships this month, making them the 14th and 15th international cruise vessels to arrive in the Manila South Harbor this first quarter, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday.

Cruise ships MV Seabourn Soujourn and MV Prestige Cruises-Insignia stopped for a port call at the Manila South Harbor on April 6 and 17, respectively, carrying over a thousand international tourists, including Filipino officers, and crew members aboard.

Passengers were treated to a fiestalike reception upon arrival by the DOT as part of the Meet and Assist Program of the National Capital Region (NCR) Office.

From Manila, cruise passengers went on a tour of the City of Manila and nearby tourist destinations like Tagaytay, and Corregidor arranged by Travel People Ltd., Inc., before proceeding to their next port call.

NCR Director Christer Gaudiano during the welcome reception of MV Prestige Cruises-Insignia on Sunday (April 17) noted that there have been other cruise arrivals recorded outside Manila such as in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Boracay, and Kalanggaman.

“With the continued increase in international cruise ship arrivals in Manila, we are now pouring in much of our efforts in extending our Meet and Assist Program to the port of Manila,” Gaudiano said.

During the reception, the department brought in performers from different parts of our country; and samples of the country’s local handicrafts, particularly

those made in Parañaque, Marikina and Manila, in partnership with their respective local government units.

He said that this way, the department could help them showcase their livelihood products to the international market.

Over 70 ship calls are expected to arrive this year in the port of Manila alone.

The DOT-NCR Office has already received request for meet and assist from Baron Travel for the arrival of two Royal Caribbean cruise ships that will make several port calls in Manila beginning next month.

The Legend of the Seas, carrying approximately 2,200 passengers will be docking in Manila five times from May to October this year. Celebrity Millennium carrying over 2,500 passengers will call at the port of Manila by yearend.

Meanwhile, Pacific Venus, a Japanese cruise ship, has also sent word of their scheduled arrival in the port of Manila later this year, carrying more than 500 senior citizens and their family members on board.

Cruise tourism is one of the key product portfolios identified under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) of the DOT. The department’s cruise tourism campaign, capitalizing on the country’s rich coastal resources, has delivered significant gains and success with the visit of several major cruise ships.

Latest data from the DOT showed that more than 50 port calls were registered in 2015 or an 18.8 percent increase from the 44 port calls recorded in 2014.

Cruise passengers, on the other hand, continue to grow with 69,802 arrivals in 2015, growing by 15.98 percent versus the 60,183 arrivals in the year before. ■

ORLANDO, FLA. — Most Jews around the world say the traditional “Next year in Jerusalem” at the end of the annual Passover Seder feast. Last year, St. Louis native David Benkof said to himself, “Next year in Disney World.”

For many Jews like Benkof, travelling to vacation hotspots during the eight-day Passover holiday has become a way of avoiding the hassle of heeding religious rules that require scrubbing a home clean of grain particles or hosting back-toback, hours-long dinners at their homes for dozens of relatives and friends.

Passover vacations have grown in recent years beyond the traditional destinations of Miami Beach, the Catskills and Israel. They now include scores of resorts in Orlando, Florida; Scottsdale, Arizona; Riviera Maya in Mexico; Whistler, Canada; Sardinia, Italy; the island of Crete in Greece; San Diego; and Puerto Rico, as well as a fully-kosher South African safari.

“We’ve seen a massive growth over the last decade to 12 years of the locations, the variety, the price ranges, the types of hotels,” said Ralphi Bloom, who runs Totally Jewish Travel, a travel website.

Bloom estimates that up to 50,000 hotel rooms for as many as 100,000 people are booked this year for Passover, which starts at sundown Friday. That represents about $60 million to $70 million in revenue, double the amount from a decade ago, he said.

Passover travel programs at the resorts, which include Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria hotels in Florida, are accommodating the celebrants with kids’ camps, casino nights, Hawaiian luaus, daily barbecues, lectures by rabbinic

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scholars and meals that follow kosher dietary rules of separating milk from meat and prohibiting pork and shellfish, along with Passover prohibitions against bread.

“People are more willing to not have the traditional Passover at home and actually go away, with the ability to make hotel kitchens kosher, source food locally that is kosher,” said Bloom, who is based in Manchester, England. “I think in more and more families both the husband and the wife work. When you go away for Passover ... there’s no cleaning, preparing, cooking.”

Benkof spent the last few days of Passover last year at the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, but he missed the first two nights when Jews have the traditional Seder meal. He plans to arrive in time for the Seder dinners this year. Food was a selling point: Some Passover food can be dry and flavourless but the resort served delicious meals.

Observant Jews don’t eat leavened grain products during the eight days of Passover because the holiday commemorates the Biblical story of Exodus, when Jews fleeing slavery in Egypt didn’t have time to let their bread rise. They took instead flat, hard unleavened bread that today is sold as matzo. Passover dietary rules forbid consumption of certain grain-based foods like bread and pasta that puffs up when cooked.

Benkof said the food at the resort hands-down beat the matzo and gefilte fish he would eat if he stayed home.

“I went to the theme parks during the day and ate myself crazy at night,” said Benkof, who is paying about $4,500 for an all-inclusive package. “What is remarkable about the food is how much there is, lots of it. They had bread! It was kosher for Passover bread, but you couldn’t tell it was Passover food.” ■

Events

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New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre

By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, On. MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355 Tagalog Class

By Filipino Center Toronto WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto Homework/Tutorial Class

YUKON

Duterte-Cayetano

By Tunog ng Pagbabago NORTHWEST Alberta WHEN/WHERE: 5TERRITORIES to 11 p.m., at Polish Canadian Centre 3015-15th St. NE, Calgary, AB

APRIL 22, 2016

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 416-9289355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Formal Wear Showcase Dinner Dance

By Samahang Ala Eh! Ng Ottawa Valley WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m., Apr. 30, Centurion Conference Centre, 170 Colonnade Rd., Ottawa, On.

CANADA EVENTS

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Filipino Dance & Culture: Voices of Migrant Workers

By Mayworks Fredericton WHEN/WHERE: 2 to 4 p.m., Apr. 30, at STU Black Box Theatre Fredericton, New Brunswick

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

FRIDAY

QUEBEC

NOVA SCOTIA Following the Silk Routes and Beyond in Vancouver

By ExplorAsian 2016 WHEN/WHERE: Apr. 17 to May 31 at the Chinese Cultural Centre, 555 Columbia St.. Vancouver MORE INFO: A photographic exhibition celebrating the past and present exchange and multiculturalism in ancient Asia, and their impact in modern Vancouver.

Free Tax Clinic for Low-Income Newcomers

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: For full eligibility criteria, please visit www.mosaicbc.com/settlement-services. Call to make an appointment: Vancouver: 604-254-9626 (serves permanent residents, work permit holders and naturalized citizens) Burnaby: 604-438-8214 (serves permanent residents only) Temporary Foreign Workers Uncontested Divorce Clinic

By Law Courts Center WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Justice Education Society at the Provincial Court of BC Room 260 800 Hornby St., Vancouver B.C. MORE INFO: To book an appointment, call/text 778322-2839 or email: tfw.divorce@gmail.com Skills Now: Project-based Training for Immigrants in Retail and Administration

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: Call or email at 604-684-2581 (ext 2193 Nanki) skillsnow@issbc.org MORE INFO: Receive a certificate or skills training in retail or administration; job search workshops; and strong employment opportunities.

Mentoring Programme for Immigrant High School Students: Breakfast & Baon 101

By Mentorship & Leadership for Youth Programme WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 12 nn at Corpus Christi College (near UBC) 5935 Iona Dr. Vancouver BC. Free pick up and drop off service.

MORE INFO: Meet young professionals plus learn to cook. Call/text Anna de Quito 604-763-2210.

Free Counselling Support Group

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., every last Monday of the month, at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Darae (604)254-9626 Richmond’s Lulu Series: Art in the City asks ‘can art end poverty?’

By Richmond City Hall WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Apr. 21, at Richmond City Council Chambers, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: Seating is limited, so please reserve your seats by emailing lulu@richmond.ca.

Christian Vistan Exhibit at Monthly Open Studio: Sunset Table

By Project Space WHERE/WHEN: 8 to 11 p.m., Apr. 22, 2-236 E. Pender St., Vancouver, B.C. Tagalog Talaga

By University of British Columbia Phil. Studies Series and Tagalog Today WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m. Apr. 23, at Multipurpose Rm. UBC Liu Institute, 6476 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver, B.C. www.canadianinquirer.net

Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar

By The Philippine Consulate General and the PH Labor Office in Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: 4:30 to 7 p.m., Apr. 24, at the Community Room, Metrotown, Burnaby, B.C. MORE INFO: To register, contact Bullet or Junah at (604)641-1234 or email at polo.vancouver@yahoo.ca Breaking Isolation: Engaging & Empowering Older Women Against Violence & Abuse

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 12 nn, Tuesdays & Thursdays from Apr. 26 to May 19, at R, 200-504 Cottonwood Ave. Coquitlam, B.C. MORE INFO: Contact Liza dela Rosa 778-861-8499 or email at liza.delarosa@issbc.org Movement(s) Art Exhibit by J Peachy

By Bowen Island Arts Council WHEN/WHERE: Apr. 29 to May 23. Exhibit opens 5:30 p.m., Apr. 30, at Gallery @ Artisan Square, 589 Artisan Lane, Bowen Is. Thy Will Be Done: A National Day of Prayer for Radical Change and Peaceful Election in the Philippines

By Bob Ocio WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 7 p.m., May 1, at 8578 Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C. Asian Waters: Watercolour Exhibition by Etsu Inoue, Angela Leung and Esmie Gayo McLaren

By Jeunesse Gallery of Fine Arts WHEN/WHERE: May 2 to 31, at Jeunesse Gallery of Fine Arts, 2668 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, B.C.

APRIL 22, 2016

35

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APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

Food

3 tips for a better, easier breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day

BY MELISSA D’ARABIAN The Associated Press BREAKFAST IN bed is a love language in our home. Anytime there is a special occasion to celebrate — a birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, whatever — the rest of the family follows an unspoken agreement to meet early in the kitchen to craft a breakfast-in-bed tray.

I’m always first to the kitchen, and as I get the project rolling my daughters show up one at a time, bleary-eyed and clutching handmade crafts or cards and some flowers picked from the garden.

As the team leader for many of the breakfasts our family has orchestrated over the years, I’ve developed a few best practices. And my No. 1 tip: Do the bulk of the work the night before. Overnight breakfast recipes are key. The (critical) decorating of the tray with small kiddos sucks up a surprising amount of time, leaving precious little space for complex recipe execution in the morning.

Tip No. 2: Serve something a little special. Stepping outside the routine breakfast menu has incredible power to make the whole morning feel like a party.

Tip No. 3: Keep in mind the logistics of eating off a tray while mostly reclined in bed. Cereal, aside from breaking rule No. 2, is just about impossible to eat in bed without spilling. And while you don’t need to be limited to finger food, think twice before getting too cozy with messy and liquid-based meal ideas. (It takes weeks for the smell of maple syrup to leave a comforter after a serious spill.

Listen to the voice of experience on this one.)

So what dish covers all these bases?

And is healthy? Egg strata, which layers bread, eggs, meat and veggies all in one dish. I make mine in a muffin tin, which results in perfect portioning, pretty presentation and the flexibility to pick up breakfast with your hands or use a fork and knife. I use white whole-grain bread and a combination of eggs and egg whites to keep the nutrient profile reasonable. So even your morning breakfast party can boost your day with protein and fiber.

EASY OVERNIGHT INDIVIDUAL EGG STRATA

Start to finish: 45 minutes, plus over-

night chilling Servings: 8 • 8 slices of white whole-grain bread • 2 small breakfast sausage links or 1 large link chicken sausage, mild or spicy (uncooked), casings removed • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1/2 cup finely chopped button or mixed mushrooms • 4 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and excess liquid squeezed out • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) light cream cheese • 1/4 cup salsa • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 2 whole eggs • 2 egg whites • 3/4 cup low-fat milk • Kosher salt and ground black pepper 2 medium tomatoes, cut into 8 thin slices 1/4 cup shredded Gruyere, Swiss or cheddar cheese Cut the crusts off the bread, then cut the crusts into 1/2-inch cubes and set aside.

Use the palm of your hand to lightly press the slices of bread flat, making them thin and a little doughy. Coat the cups of a muffin pan with cooking spray, then gently press 1 slice into each cup, creating 8 little crusts. Set aside.

In a medium saute pan over mediumhigh, cook the sausage, crumbling with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and mushrooms

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and cook until fragrant, about another minute. Add the spinach, cream cheese and salsa, then cook for another 2 minutes (the mushrooms will not be fully cooked). Remove from the heat and stir in the mustard. Allow to cool for several minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites and milk until frothy.

Add the slightly cooled mushroom and sausage mixture and stir to combine.

Season with generous pinches each of salt and pepper. Place a few cubes of bread crust in each muffin cup, then spoon the egg mixture on top. You may not need all of the bread crusts. Lay 1 slice of tomato on top of each tart, then 1/2 tablespoon of cheese over that.

Cover the muffin tray with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to serve, heat the oven to 350 F. Bake for 15 minutes covered, then remove the foil and continue baking until the eggs are firm, another 10 to 15 minutes.

Nutrition information per serving: 170 calories; 50 calories from fat (29 per cent of total calories); 6 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 75 mg cholesterol; 430 mg sodium; 19 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 10 g protein.

Food Network star Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on healthy eating on a budget.

She is the author of the cookbook, “Supermarket Healthy.”

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

GREASED LIGHTNING It came as no surprise that everybody enjoyed “Greased Lightning,” the Spring dance event sponsored by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC. From the ‘50s rock and roll costumes to top-of-the-line flashy dance moves and hip thrusts, everybody swayed to relive a classic era (Photos by Rob Saavedra).

SUN RUNNERS The Vancouver Sun Run 2016 UPAA delegation (Photos by Florendo Pascual).

BAILE SA RINCONADA Baile sa Rinconada held at Floata Restaurant on April 16, 2016 celebrates the launching of a new group founded by Mel and Rachel Abonita (in photo with their daughter) together with the untiring support of their friends in that Southern Bicol region. The first event culminates their fund raising campaign for the Rinconada Educational Assistance Project. www.canadianinquirer.net

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Seen and Scenes

APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAY

SIAL FAIR Philippine food and beverage products make their debut at the 2016 Le Salon International de l'Alimentation (SIAL) Montréal at the Palais des congrès de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, on Apr. 13 to 15.

The Department of Agriculture sent a delegation comprising food and beverage producers in the Philippines who exhibited their diverse food products lines at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The delegation is accompanied by Dr. Josyline Javelosa, agriculture officer based in Washington DC; John Paul Iñigo, Trade and Investment Representative based at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in New York City; and Deputy Chief of Mission Norman Garibay (Photos by John Paul Inigo).

MIGRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS FORUM Representatives of the Filipino community in New Brunswick recently attended the Equal in Dignity-Equal in Rights Migrant Workers’ Rights Forum in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Photos by Mariagg Moreno).

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

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FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

Don’t limit your dreams Be different!

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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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APRIL 22, 2016

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