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MAY 13, 2016
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VOL. 5 NO. 217
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Election’s over; we’ve won– Duterte camp
Duterte as emancipator, looming dictator
Leni went back the way she came–on a bus
PH posts assist Filipinos in Fort McMurray fire
B.C.: penalties for drivers caught texting, emailing
B.C. tightens real estate rules to protect sellers from contract flipping
HIGH TURNOUT
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Voters crowd at President Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, to cast their ballots.
NINO JESUS ORBETA / PDI
Roxas concedes defeat, wishes Duterte success BY CIELITO M. REGANIT Philippines News Agency MANILA — Administration presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas on Tuesday conceded defeat to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and wished him success even as he profusely thanked all his supporters for sticking with him till the end.
“Let us start the process of nation building. Let us respect and accept the will of the people. It is clear that Mayor Duterte is the winner of this elections,” he said at a jampacked Liberal Party headquarters in Quezon City. “Digong, I wish you success. Ang iyong tagumpay ay tagumpay ng ating bansa (Your success is the success of our nation),”
Fil-Can in Focus: Lourdes Lugue
VICTORIA — The British Columbia government is moving to protect property owners from predatory conduct in the real estate market by stopping so-called contract flipping without the sellers consent. Finance Minister Mike de Jong says new rules starting May 16 will require property offers to include two separate terms dealing with contract assignments in pending deals. He says the rules require real estate agents to include the consent of the seller to transfer the contract to another buyer and spells out that profits from the contract change must go back to the original seller. De Jong says the changes are designed to prevent situations where a buyer profits by selling a home at a higher price before the closing date of the original sale. Premier Christy Clark has said “pure, naked greed” is driving real
❱❱ PAGE 22 ❱❱ PAGE 12 Roxas concedes
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
❱❱ PAGE 18 B.C. tightens
FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS InFocus.canadianinquirer.net
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Philippine News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Comelec expects 75-80% voter turnout BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) is expecting today a turnout of 75-80 percent from 54,363,844 registered voters in what it promises to be the “most transparent” polling in recent history. More than 40 million voters are projected to report to 92,000 precincts across the country to cast their ballots in the country’s second automated presidential election. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body was expecting a voter turnout of at least 75 percent, surpassing the 74-percent turnout in the 2010 presidential election. To add a layer of transparency to today’s elections, the Comelec announced yesterday that an online site system would be made available to the public once voting ends later today. The public can view at the online site “near real-time” the transmitted election returns and certificates of canvass. “Anyone with a calculator and a lot of time could actually do [the computation]. That’s precisely the point of this website. It democratizes the count so anyone can [predict the winners] … and make an educated guess,” Jimenez said. The site, www.pilipinaselectionresults2016.com, will show transmissions received, election returns by location and certificates of canvass by area. On the eve of the elections, Comelec
spectors should they find discrepancies between their ballots and the printed voter receipts, but also to use social media prudently. “You can use social media in a good way but also to spread disinformation. We are calling on voters and netizens to be critical about what they read or see on social media,” Bautista said. Ready
Vice Presidential aspirant and Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. casts his vote in Batac, Ilocos Norte. PNA / PHOTO COURTESY TEAM BBM
Chair Andres Bautista issued last-minute tips to voters to avoid possible disenfranchisement brought about by long lines and the summer heat. At a press briefing, Bautista said that while the Comelec was better prepared today than it was in 2010 and 2013, it was a bit wary of the effects of the activation of the voter’s receipt feature. Long lines
“What is new to the automated elections is the printing of the receipt and we don’t know how this will affect the implementation [and] the process of voting, especially the time a voter can cast his ballot,” he said.
Duterte, Marcos top local absentee voting BY FERDINAND G. PATINIO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and vice presidential bet Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. topped the local absentee voting (LAV) wherein some government personnel and members of the media have voted, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday. According to Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, the Davao City local chief executive got a total of 10,283 votes, followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, with 4,375; Senator Grace Poe, 1,628; administration bet Mar Roxas, 1,419; Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and the late Roy Seneres, 2. Marcos is likewise way ahead of his contenders with 11,683 votes, followed
by Rep. Leni Robredo, 2,341; Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, 2,134; Senator Antonio Trillanes, 1,588; Senator Chiz Escudero, 944; and Senator Gregorio Honasan, 314. However, the head of the Comelec – Committee on Local Absentee Voting (CLAV) noted that the numbers are unofficial tally as they are yet to be canvassed. A total of 24,497 people have applied for the 2016 LAV. Those who availed of the LAV are government officials and employees, members of the PNP, members of the AFP, and media practitioners that are registered voters but were not be able to vote on Election Day due to the performance of their functions. The voting period for the LAV was from April 27-29. In the 2013 midterm polls, the number of LAV voters was at 12,732. ■
He said long lines aggravated by sizzling temperatures could discourage people from going to voting centers. To ease the possible long queues, Bautista advised voters to have a prepared list of their chosen candidates, know their designated precincts in advance and wear comfortable clothes. “Fourth, bring a lot of patience,” he said. He instructed voters not only to file a complaint with the board of election in-
Jimenez said the poll body was 100 percent ready. “We are better prepared in this year’s elections compared to the previous ones and as what our chairman has promised, this will be the most transparent elections in the history of the Comelec,” he told reporters. Jimenez also said that so far, the agency had not encountered hitches in its preparations. At the press briefing, Bautista said the Comelec had already checked the veracity of reports of poll fraud from overseas Filipino voters and from precincts in Lanao del Sur province, Davao Oriental province and Cagayan province. Votes for a certain presidential candidate were said to have been credited to an opponent. “There is no truth to these reports and we expect more of these reports to come,” the poll chief said. ■
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Philippine News
MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Health workers have plenty to gripe about BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer
YOUR QUESTIONS OUR ANSWERS We are able to make ends meet without any real difficulty, but our problem is putting anything aside for a savings plan. Any helpful tricks up your sleeve? The magic is to saving money is to trick yourself. You need to set up a regular program that takes the money out of your hands and puts it where you are less likely to touch it. There are a number of ways of doing this, all based on the same approach. Does your employer have a payroll savings bond deduction plan? This is one of the simplest ways of building up a cash reserve. You determine how much you want to purchase in bonds, and a monthly deduction is made from your paycheque. Once the total is paid, you get the bonds. If you want, start small. This helps develop the saving habit without a big change in the amount of money you get each month. When you see the result, you will be encouraged to save more. A minor drawback is that you can only sign up for this type of plan at one time during this year. Another version of the same idea is to have your bank or credit union make a transfer from your account. you can have the money directed to a savings account, R.R.S.P., or the purchase of savings bonds or guaranteed investment certificates. Talk to a service representative to find out how to set it up, how much you should transfer each month, and where to put the money.
To be a good money saving magician, you have to learn how to fool your wallet. This means making “ extra” money disappear, and then re-appear in a safe place ( and I don’t mean spending it). Confused? It’s simple. Let’s say you finish making your payments on a loan. You are already used to not having the money, so keep making the same monthly payment. The difference is, now you are saving that money! Again, your bank will be happy to help set up a transfer and saving plan. Other sources of extra money? How about your raise? Set aside the increase in your paycheque. Do you get a tax refund or GST rebates? Put those aside also. Live on what you make regularly, and put away all irregular receipts. The whole point is “what you do not have in your hands, you will not spend.” If you are already living within your means, you have a great start. If you are not, your first task is to look at how to live with what you get, and then develop the habit of saving “found” money. A little practice and, instead of rabbits, you can pull cash out of your hat. The writer, Tahir A. Malik, is BIA Registered Credit Counselor at New Life Debt Solutions and can be reached at (604) 909-2277.
WEARING RED arm bands and carrying protest banners, health workers from various hospitals yesterday marked National Health Workers Day by taking to the streets to demand higher wages. The health workers, who also demanded safer working conditions and an end to contractualization, marched from the Department of Health main office to the Fabella hospital, before proceeding to Mendiola Street in front of Malacañang. Another hot issue was the reported plan to abolish the Fabella hospital, a government maternity center, where about 1,300 medical and nonmedical staff are expected to lose tenure. “We did not meet the Millennium Development Goals to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates so why dissolve the Fabella hospital, the country’s national maternity center?” said Robert Mendoza, national president of the Alliance of Health Workers. In a phone interview yesterday, Health Secretary Janette Garin clarified that the Fabella hospital was not going to be abolished but was merely going to be transfered to a new, bigger building behind the DOH office, which is expected to be finished by May 2017. The DOH said the old hospital was no longer structurally sound.
“The existing Fabella hospital will operate until after the construction of the new structure is completed next year,” Garin told the INQUIRER, adding that the DOH engaged a third-party company to assess the state of the hospital after a fire recently broke out in one of its elevators. The firm’s assessment showed that 80 percent of four of the eight buildings of the hospital had “reduced structural integrity.” The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had recommended that these buildings be “immediately vacated,” said the health secretary. As to the employees working in the affected buildings, they will be temporarily assigned to other DOH-run hospitals nearby, including the Philippine General Hospital. Patients who will be affected by the limited operations at the old facility will be accommodated in other government hospitals. Garin assured all employees of the hospital that they would not be let go when the transfer had been completed as the hospital would be needing more staff to operate the future 700bed health facility. Meanwhile, nurses from the Quirino Province Medical Center also joined the protest action with the Filipino Nurses United (FNU) yesterday to seek relief from their grim working situation brought about by the devolution of hospitals to the local government. ■
Health workers from various hospitals marked National Health Workers Day by taking to the streets to demand higher wages. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALLIANCE OF HEALTH WORKERS
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Philippine News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
Looking Back on a 15-year-old’s life-defining moment with special children BY CATHY CAÑARES YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer LEYTE CONGRESSMAN Martin Romualdez remembers being 7 or 8 years old then, running around their house in Manila when cousins came over on Sundays. “Boys and girls would chase each other. I have a cousin, a girl, whowould later lag behind during our games. One time I complained about her slowness. Her mother came over and hugged her. She said my cousin would not play na lang,” he recalled. In time, the cousins grew bigger and faster, their games rowdier. The children missed the young girl during their games. Someone later explained to young Martin that his cousin was a special child. “Nalungkot din kami but I saw how my aunt and other cousins cared for her. She’s still being cared for to this day. She still goes to the house during Sunday reunions. She’s the lucky one because she has a support group,” Romualdez said. The congressman, now running for the Senate as an independent candidate, said his cousin’s story and later events that would happen in his life are the inspirations for his choice of the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) as his advocacy. “My cousin’s condition exposed me to the inequalities at an early age,” he said. In the late ’70s, Romualdez was sent to a school in the United States for high school. His father, Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, was then the country’s ambassador the United States. Appreciation
While friends returned to Manila during school breaks, the 15-year-old Martin chose to spend his free time volunteering in a center for children with cerebral palsy and other crippling medical conditions called the Meeting Street School in East Providence. Initially, the young boy was told to watch the special children behind a oneway mirror. He later decided to leave the observation room and go inside a classroom “to make myself useful.” “Except for fetching an occasional second glass of milk or second helping of dessert, there was so little for me to do,” he said. The children were already feeding themselves. Days later, Romualdez was asked to help some children during their bathroom visits. He spent “the better part of the afternoon running a ferry service to and from the bathroom.” Romualdez said the experience made him understand that instead of pity, the so-called normal people could do better by creating an environment that would
encourage special children to become independent and not be limited by their disabilities. “Seeing them struggle with the most basic chores like eating, relieving or dressing (themselves) gave me a renewed appreciation for the strength and resiliency of children who were born or suffered disabilities and their families who would take care of them,” he later explained. At that time, Romualdez took a lot of pictures to document the experience. His shots found their way into a soft cover book, “To Be Themselves: A Teenager’s Inspiring Look at the World of Multiple-Handicapped Children” published by Prentice Hall. The book launch was held at the United Nations building in New York. His father’s friend, Secretary General Kurt Waldheim no less, was in attendance. Personal victory
Romualdez has since become a banker and a lawyer. Now a thirdterm representative of Leyte’s first district, he is also incumbent president of the Philippine Constitution Association (PhilConSa). He and wife Yedda Marie (née Kittilstvedt) have four children. Romualdez considers the newly-inked R.A. 107541, known as “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs” as a personal victory that he shares with the sector, considering that many families with PWD members still prefer not to expose them to the world. Besides, PWDs are not among the hell-raising types who would hold a news conference or two for sustained visibility. Romualdez recalls instances when he had to egg PWD groups and media “to pressure Malacañang” into signing his pet bill especially after the President’s veto of the Social Security system pension hike law. The congressman said the new PWD law is an attempt to put the sector’s benefits at par with those of senior citizens. PWDs now enjoy a 20-percent discount on goods like medicines and services including therapy, medical consultations, dental visitations, transportation, board and lodging and restaurants. The law also allows tax breaks by as much as P100,000 for employers who hired PWDs. “Hopefully, the new law would mitigate their cost of living so they can use their resources for other needs,” the Senate hopeful said. Romualdez also noted that the province has not had a man in the Senate for the past 60 years. If he makes it to the Magic 12 tomorrow, Romualdez vows to weave in “malasakit” in all his legislative measures. “A little compassion applied to our day-to-day lives can spell a big difference to so many” he said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
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MAY 13, 2016
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Don’t pin your hopes on elected leaders, say rights lawyers BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer FILIPINOS SHOULD not pin too much hope on the old and new national and local leaders who will emerge victorious in the elections. The human rights defenders group National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers said the country’s perennial problems could not be deemed solved after the election winners are proclaimed. In a statement, NUPL secretary general Edre Olalia said it
was hard to ignore what others might consider as a truism while still others view as a cynical take on the trappings of formal democracy: That the “oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.” “We thus look forward to this day but not as the be-all and endall of so many things that are perennially wrong in our country. We look forward more to the day when all the basic questions and fundamental concerns of the ordinary people are
sincerely, resolutely and concretely addressed, not only for them but by them, elections or no elections,” he said. The group noted that many candidates made promises and may have taken advantage of the popular clamor for change, so the people should be vigilant and make sure these promises are kept. Olalia said elections did not necessarily mean solutions to problems ranging from hunger to agrarian reform, extrajudicial killings, corruption to armed conflict, and traffic congestion to an unfair justice
Treason? We’re not at war–Palace BY NIKKO DIZON AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG YESTERDAY reminded the camp of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte that treason was an offense committed only in time of war, and the Philippines was not at war with any nation. This was the Palace’s reply to the charges of treason and espionage that Duterte’s supporters filed against President Aquino and vice presidential candidate Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for conducting backdoor negotiations with China in connection with the maritime dispute in the South China Sea. Martin Diño, Duterte’s national campaign manager, filed the charges on Friday, days after Trillanes accused Duterte of having millions in undeclared bank accounts. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that under the Revised Penal Code, treason could only be committed in times of war where the Philippines is involved. On state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Coloma said the charge of treason against the President “is not applicable at this time.” “There is no legal basis for the reported case filed against the President. We reiterate the actions taken by the government regarding the settlement of the disputes in the South China Sea are rules based, thus we have filed for arbitration under the Unclos rules,” Coloma said in a
system. “We look forward to the day when all these questions, and many more, are addressed head on, away from the fierce and at times pretentious competition for votes at all costs where mud and muck thrown around leave so much mote not only in one’s vision but also in one’s common sense in the desperation for an automated quick fix,” he said. While the right of the people to exercise the right of suffrage must be respected, the people’s hopes and frustrations expressed through their ballots
Polls generally peaceful, successful — PNP BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD T. CALIWAN Philippines News Agency
PCOO Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. ROBERT VIÑAS / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU
statement. China’s intent
Duterte’s camp filed the complaint in the Office of the Ombudsman. It said that Trillanes’ “backchannel talks with China” a few years ago “only advanced the interest” of China. Trillanes admitted to talking with Chinese representatives in 2012 at the height of the tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed Scarborough Shoal. President Aquino was aware of the talks as his administration also pursued an arbitration case, which it filed with the United Nations arbitration court in 2013. Trillanes, for his part, yesterday said the cases filed against him by the Duterte camp were “primarily a misdirection” after he had attacked the presidential front-runner for allegedly maintaining secret bank accounts.
Only the messenger
“Duterte knows that my message struck him at the heart of his fraudulent image so he is trying to smear my name as the messenger,” Trillanes said in a text message. Trillanes said the charges against him showed Duterte’s “gross ignorance” about the issue. He said he was appointed by President Aquino as a “back channel negotiator” in 2012 to “de-escalate the tense situation in Panatag” or Scarborough Shoal. In April 2012, a Philippine warship and Chinese maritime ships ended up in a standoff at Scarborough Shoal when the former intercepted Chinese fishermen there. “I was able to accomplish my mission, within the authority given to me by the President, without compromising our territorial claim, which is now the main subject of our territorial claim,” Trillanes said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
“must be grounded amidst the frenzied circus that has riveted us away from outstanding questions that remain unanswered or glossed over.” “At the end of the day, are the lives of the people, especially the poor, oppressed and exploited, going to be any better? More picturesquely, will the toiling farmer, daily wage worker, starving urban poor, distressed migrant, hard up market vendor, slavish streetsweeper and the ordinary people revert to a state of nganga (nothing) after Election Day?” he said. ■
have been part and who were still in their designated duty of assignment from the day one of the election period up to now. Keep up the good work!,” the MANILA — Despite few record- PNP Chief said. ed incidents of election-related He noted that they shall conviolence in different parts of tinue to be in a state of full prethe country, Philippine Nation- paredness until the electoral al Police (PNP) Chief Director exercise is over. General Ricardo Marquez on Marquez said that “again, we Tuesday described the recent- are not lowering our guards ly-concluded loyet and all eleccal and national tion security elections as genmeasures will be erally peaceful similarly impleand successful. The Philippine mented in the “The PhilipNational Police succeeding days pine National has noted and weeks until Police has nota relatively the official culed a relatively peaceful mination of the peaceful situasituation election period tion prevailing prevailing on June 8.” nationwide and nationwide. Meanwhile, I am confident he also appealed that this will be to all candidates the ultimate outand to their supcome until after porters to rethe entire election process is main calm and respectful to the completed,” Marquez said. rule of law and not to resort to He attributed this to the any unscrupulous actions, even strong partnership between as the PNP warned them that the military and the PNP and they will pursue a relentless inthe Commission on Elections vestigation of those who want (COMELEC). to challenge our resolve. “Through the joint efforts Marquez added that the PNP of the PNP and AFP to ensure vows to ensure and safeguard secure and fair elections, we the integrity of the electoral only noted minimal number process until the election peof incidents from 12:01 a.m. to riod ends. 11:59 p.m. yesterday (Monday). “Ae ask the public to follow Through this I also would like all Comelec rules and cooperto express my deep gratitude to ate with the different security all PNP and AFP personnel who protocols,” he noted. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Election’s over; we’ve won–Duterte camp BY NIÑA CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer
crediting to Roxas votes cast for Duterte. Unnamed report
“THE ELECTION is over!” a confident Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, president of PDP- Laban, the political party behind presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte, told the mammoth crowd at the Rizal Park on Saturday afternoon. Supporters of the trash- talking mayor who vowed to rid the country of criminality in three to six months echoed Pimentel’s fearless forecast, with miting de avance organizers egging them on by repeatedly declaring, “Panalo na tayo! (We have won!)” Despite the show of force, with the crowd numbering 550,000 at 6: 30 p. m. according to estimates by the National Capital Regional Police Office, Pimentel called on Duterte supporters to be vigilant on election day and to guard their votes to ensure their candidate’s victory. “Bantayan natin ang eleksyon (let us guard the election)!,” he urged the crowd. Pimentel earlier appealed for calm, sobriety and utmost vigilance in the face of alleged reports that socalled agentprovocateurs would sow pandemonium in the Duterte rally. Desperate
“I am appealing to freedom- loving
Several political leaders also expressed support for Duterte during the Luneta grand rally, among them Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, a known ally of rival presidential contender Vice President Jejomar Binay. FACEBOOK
Filipinos who want to effect real change in our country by voting for Mayor Duterte: Do not be provoked because reports reaching us from the ground say that some forces are desperate and will do anything to make President Duterte look bad,” the senator said. Pimentel said one report being circulated was that a woman would allegedly shout “(Mar) Roxas!” during the rally and that, on cue, some men posing as Duterte followers would act like they were beating her up to put the mayor’s supporters in a bad light. The senator also said he was con-
cerned about the reappointment of several police officials, including in voterich Cebu, purportedly to cheat in favor of administration candidate Roxas. “I am appealing to those who are behind these devious plans to cease and desist because the voting public will not allow their will to be subverted.” Pimentel said. He described as well what he called various techniques to rob Duterte of his rightful votes, among them automatically
Sandiganbayan acquits ex-Comelex chair of graft case on USD329-M NBN-ZTE deal PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday acquitted former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos Sr. of graft charges in connection with the botched USD329million National Broadband NetworkZTE Corp. (NBN-ZTE) contract in 2007. Abalos was charged with graft for allegedly using his position in government to influence the outcome of the contract of the alleged anomalous NBN-ZTE transaction. He allegedly offered a PHP200-million “bribe” to former Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri in order to approve the NBN-ZTE deal. The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division found Abalos “not guilty” of the graft charges filed against him.
The Sandiganbayan said that the prosecution failed “to prove beyond reasonable doubt” the charges leveled against him. The NBN-ZTE deal involved allegations of corruption in the awarding of a USD329-million construction contract to Chinese telecommunications company ZTE for the proposed Philippine government-managed NBN. The contract with ZTE was signed on April 20, 2007 in Hainan, China. Following the emergence of irregularities, then President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo cancelled the NBN project in October 2007. On July 14, 2008, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed all three petitions questioning the constitutionality of the NBN deal, saying that the petitions became “moot” when the project was cancelled. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
Even votes for senatorial candidate Mark Lapid had been credited to Roxas in tests of vote- counting machines held in Samal Island, Pimentel claimed, quoting an unnamed report. In another test in the municipality of Tamparan in Lanao del Sur, all votes were counted for Roxas, Pimentel claimed, including those cast for Duterte. According to Pimentel, a retired police general was used by Malacañang some months back to forcibly remove then Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia from office, and that the police general had recently been exposed along with a staff of Roxas, the senator added. He did not name names, however. Several political leaders also expressed support for Duterte during the Luneta grand rally, among them Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, a known ally of rival presidential contender Vice President Jejomar Binay. Senatorial candidate Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who was seen attending a Binay event in Lucena City last week, also spoke before the crowd and threw his support behind the mayor. ■
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Rody Duterte, the Philippines' new President-elect.
New Philippine leader seen as emancipator, looming dictator BY JIM GOMEZ AND TERESA CEROJANO The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Rodrigo Duterte, the bombastic mayor of a major southern Philippine city, was poised Tuesday to become the nation’s president-elect after an incendiary and populist campaign that projected him alternatively as an emancipator and a looming dictator. Sen. Grace Poe, one of his biggest rivals, was the first to concede Duterte’s victory in the early hours of Tuesday. And his harshest critic conceded that Duterete, known for his off-colour sexual remarks and pledges to kill criminal suspects, emerged the unquestioned winner in Monday’s election. “I will not be the party pooper at this time of a festive mood,” Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who has filed a plunder complaint against Duterte, told The Associated Press. “I will step back, listen to his policy pronouncements. This time we don’t expect a stand-up comedy act but a president who will address the nation.” Duterte, 71, himself has not spoken since casting his vote Monday, and remained at his home in Davao, on the southern main island of Mindanao. Results from a semi-official count gave Duterte an unassailable lead, thrusting him into national politics for the first time after 22 years as mayor of Davao and a government prosecutor before that. In those two jobs, Duterte gained notoriety by going after criminals, al-
though he was accused of carrying out hundreds of extra-judicial killings. This earned him the nickname “Duterte Harry,” a reference to the Clint Eastwood movie character with little regard for rules. He has also been compared to Donald Trump, the U.S. Republican presumptive presidential nominee for his propensity for inflammable statements. In the election for vice-president, who is separately elected in the Philippines, the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was trailing by a hair to a political neophyte, Rep. Leni Robredo, who is backed by outgoing President Benigno Aquino III. During the three-month campaign, Duterte made audacious promises to eradicate crime and corruption within six months. His explosive outbursts and curses against the inequality and social ills that bedevil the Filipino everyman resonated among different class levels of the people that his big political rivals clearly underestimated until he began to take a strong lead in opinion polls in the final weeks of the campaign. He captured domestic and international attention with speeches peppered with obscene jokes about sex and rape and anecdotes about his Viagra-fueled sexual escapades, and for undiplomatic remarks about Australia, the United States and China, all key players in the country’s politics. He has not articulated an overall foreign policy, but has described himself as a socialist wary of the U.S.-Philippine security alliance. He has worried members of the armed forces by saying that
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communist rebels could play a role in his government. When the Australian and American ambassadors criticized a joke he made about wanting to be the first to have raped an Australian missionary who was gang-raped and killed by inmates in a 1989 jail riot, he told them to shut up. He said he would talk with China about territorial disputes in the South China Sea but if nothing happened, he would sail to an artificial island newly created by China and plant the Philippine flag there. China, he said, could shoot him and turn him into a national hero. He has also threatened to form a oneman rule if legislators in the Congress oppose him. Aquino, the president, went public against Duterte late in the campaign saying the mayor may endanger the country’s hard-fought democracy and squander economic gains of the last six years, when the Philippine economy grew at an average of 6.2 per cent, one of the best rates in Asia. Aquino, whose parents were democracy champions who helped topple the senior Marcos, also campaigned against Marcos Jr., who has never clearly apologized for economic plunder and widespread human rights abuses under his father. Filipinos have been hypersensitive to potential threats to democracy since they ousted the elder Marcos. On Monday, Duterte was asked to comment about his image as a massmurder advocate. He replied without elaborating, “I’m sure that there will be a resurrection one of these days.” ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Palace clarifies malicious report on government spending PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY
Due to the technical glitches, the lines at the affected precincts grew longer to the dismay of many, including the elderly. SHANICE GARCIA / PCI
Missing names, faulty machines top complaints BY JODEE A. AGONCILLO AND MARICAR B. BRIZUELA Philippine Daily Inquirer MISSING NAMES on the voters’ lists and technical glitches affecting vote counting machines (VCM) resulting in long lines were the most common complaints at polling precincts across Metro Manila on Election Day. Walter Sim, a 56-year-old resident of Barangay Valenzuela, Makati City, said not finding his name was “just frustrating. I wasn’t able to cast my vote while all of my family members were on the list.” This was his first time to experience this, said Sim, who was able to vote in the 2013 elections. At Pembo Elementary School, the same complaint was aired by about 100 voters, who were referred by school officials to the local Comelec office. Voters also complained of faulty VCMs, saying some could not be turned on while others rejected ballots or took a long time to read them or print the receipts. Some of the malfunctioning machines were reported at Francisco Benitez Elementary School, San Isidro High School, Rafael Palma Elementary School and Rizal Elementary School. Due to the technical glitches, the lines at the affected precincts grew longer to the dismay
of many, including the elderly. “The line is still very long even for senior citizens. They also did not provide us with seats while waiting,” the 64-year-old Mang Pido of Barangay Valenzuela told the Inquirer. In the northern cities making up the Camanava area, at least 19 of the 341 VCMs in the clustered precincts malfunctioned in Caloocan City, 5 out of the 173 machines in Navotas City; and 3 in Valenzuela City. On Monday morning, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, who runs under the Liberal Party, called the attention of poll watchers and the principal of Caloocan City High School after at least 20 senior citizens have been stalled for more than 2.5 hours waiting for their ballots. In Caloocan City High School, where the precincts were set up on the third and fourth floors, senior citizens and persons with disabilities were provided assistance in the form of the Emergency Accessible Polling Precinct (EAPP), which was implemented for the first time by the Comelec. But the system apparently did not go smoothly as the Inquirer encountered many senior citizens and PWDs who said they still needed to wait very long to vote. ■
MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday fended off allegations that it has almost depleted this year’s national budget as the new administration assumes office, saying all budget releases are based on rules prescribed by the law. “Walang katotohanan at walang batayan (There is no truth and basis for that),” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said about the accusation, pointing out that government expenditure is based on the General Appropriations Act legislated by Congress. “Ang General Appropriations Act ay binubuo ng iba’t ibang bahagi para sa bawat ahensiya o tanggapan ng pamahalaan. Mayroong PS o personal salaries, meron ding MOOE o miscellaneous and other operating expenses, at merong capital outlay (The General Appropriations Act is comprised by different sectors for different agencies or departments of the government. We have PS or personal salaries, as well as
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MOOE or miscellaneous and other operating expenses, and capital outlay),” Coloma told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace. “Sa bagong mga sistema na bahagi ng budget reform, itinakda ng DBM (Department of Budget and Management) ang patakarang ‘the approved budget itself as the release document’… Kapag ito ay effective na, pwede nang ma-release ang mga pondo. Ang ibig sabihin ng pwedeng ma-release, dapat ay sumunod sa mga alituntunin ng pamahalaan, primarily DBM, at saka Commission on Audit (In the new system for budget reform, the DBM has mandated the guideline of ‘the approved budget itself as the release document,’ hence once it is effective, the funds can be released. This means that it should have followed the guidelines set by the government, primarily DBM, and the Commission on Audit),” he explained. The budget takes effect on the first day of the year, he said, adding that the Aquino administration has been using this system in the past six years. Citing an example, the Palace official said the budget for em-
ployees’ salaries is released in a timely manner, based on the scheduled payroll dates of an agency. The release of miscellaneous and other operating expenses also have a legal basis, he added. “Kapag capital outlay naman, kinakailangan ay magsumite ng isang work and financial plan kung paano gagamitin ang capital outlay na ‘yon at kapag in-approve ng DBM, saka lang ibibigay ang authority para magamit ang pondo (If filed under capital outlay, a work and financial plan must be submitted that details how the capital outlay would be utilized and if the DBM accepts the proposal, only then will the authority for the funds to be used be given),” Coloma said. Calling the accusations against the administration reckless and irresponsible, he said the administration is spending the money in an open, transparent and accountable manner. There have been reports that 80 percent of the 2016 budget has been spent for campaigning for the administration’s candidates. ■
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Philippine News
MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
‘Benevolent dictator? There’s no such thing’ P-Noy airs final warning vs Duterte BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO on Friday warned Filipinos that there is no such thing as a “benevolent dictatorship,” which is what Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the front-runner in the race for Malacañang, seems to be offering to them. “Underneath Duterte’s slogan, ‘tapang at malasakit’ (fearlessness and compassion) means benevolent dictatorship,” Mr. Aquino said three days before national elections that would decide who would take his place as leader of the Philippines. Mr. Aquino urged the voters to study Duterte’s provocative statements before casting their votes tomorrow. The President said the slogan basically meant that if a citizen was “not a bad person, then he would not be affected” by strongman rule, for example, denying a suspected criminal due process or abolishing Congress, which is a coequal branch of government. “Can any of us live with his presidency if he actually carries out everything that he has been saying literally? And I guess I am allowing myself to reflect on the fact that this is the 30th year after Edsa and I would like to think that we have made substantial gains in the past six years,” President Aquino told INQUIRER editors and reporters in an interview in Malacañang. Son of democracy icons
Mr. Aquino, 56, has reason to be sentimental about the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution: He is the only son of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino. Ninoy Aquino was the leader of the opposition to strongman
Ferdinand Marcos, suspected to be the mastermind in the senator’s assassination in 1983 that marked the beginning of protests that ended the 20-year dictatorship and catapulted his wife, Cory, to the presidency. President Aquino had tried, but failed, to get presidential candidates Mar Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe to unite to save the country’s democracy. Poe rebuffed Roxas’ offer of unity talks. As if Duterte’s rise was not enough, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the late dictator’s son, also shares the lead in voter preference polls for the vice presidential election with the administration’s candidate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo. “I am really hoping that we are not taking for granted things that we already have now. The religious part of me says God might be reminding us that to value our freedom again, perhaps it is time to remove it again. I hope it’s not like that,” Mr. Aquino said. The President urged families to discuss tomorrow’s elections and consider their choices for the country’s next leader. “Do we want a leader who cusses each time when our mothers have raised us instilling good values?” he said. While the late Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew has been described as a benevolent dictator who led the citystate to its much-envied prosperity, Lee at least had clear economic and political policies, he said. In contrast, Duterte has not spelled out any policy throughout the two-month campaign period and has instead relied on bombastic statements that draw cheers from his supporters, he said. “Let us listen to everything
The President said the slogan ‘tapang at malasakit’ basically meant that if a citizen was “not a bad person, then he would not be affected” by strongman rule, for example, denying a suspected criminal due process or abolishing Congress, which is a coequal branch of government. BENJIE BASUG / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU / PNA
that he says. Some people treat it as a joke. But one thing that he said, which to me was serious, was the line about the fishes getting fatter ...” Mr. Aquino said, referring to Duterte’s promise that he would kill tens of thousands of criminals and dump their bodies in rivers and in Manila Bay. “I hope people would pause and think if this is really the solution to criminality,” Mr. Aquino said. The President criticized Duterte’s hollow campaign platform. “When you are trying to convince anybody, there has to be some vision. We used to complain about motherhood statements, such as education is the key. But [with Duterte], there are no even motherhood statements. I saw his ad repeatedly yesterday and tried to pick up things that he says… in the end he says ‘Let us fix this country,’” Mr. Aquino said, adding, “He does not utter motherhood statements. He is successful in being all encompassing
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while saying nothing.” The President said that Duterte appears to have left to his supporters the job of defining the problems that beset them and the change they want to see in the government. Difficult proposition
“It seems that he has left everything to one’s imagination. Everybody that is receptive to that idea [of change] defines what it is. Everybody has his own imagination and paints the picture that he wants to see. That is a difficult proposition,” Mr. Aquino said. “My two questions to him (Duterte) would be: What does he intend to do and how does he intend to bring us there?” he said. Mr. Aquino acknowledged that the idea of “change has always been exciting.” “But I want to ask the people, change from what? The 4.6 million households being assisted, do we change that? The 7.7 million who crossed the poverty line, do we bring them back be-
fore the poverty line? The [improvement in] disaster reduction risk response, so let’s not make government proactive anymore?” Mr. Aquino said. He acknowledged that Duterte’s camp was successful in its “marketing campaign in branding themselves as very different from us.” “Somehow they have managed, and we have to give them credit for that. We will induce change, which is not defined, left to the imagination of the people, eyes of the beholder— that means traffic will be immediately solved, gone are the pushers and addicts, all these with different variations. It is quite hard to suppress somebody’s imagination,” he said. The President said that perhaps, one reason for people supporting someone who has yet to show his policies is that “there ❱❱ PAGE 13 ‘Benevolent dictator?’
Philippine News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Meralco assures energy security with new PSAs
Aquino gov’t determined to neutralize Abu Sayyaf
BY RIZA T. OLCHONDRA Philippine Daily Inquirer
PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY
THE MANILA Electric Co. Inc. (Meralco) said the seven Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) it recently signed with various power producers would ensure long-term energy security for its customers. Meralco senior vice president Alfredo S. Panlilio said the contracts were executed based on the power retailer’s long-term load projections. The electricity sales in its service area was expected to grow by a compounded average growth rate of 3.6 percent to 3.7 percent annually. “In keeping with Meralco’s mandate to source electricity in the least cost manner and to ensure reliability and affordability of supply for all our customers, especially in light of the expected continuous increase in demand and number of customers, coupled with the impending expiration of Meralco’s existing PSAs from 2019 to 2020, there was a pressing need for Meralco to source additional capacity through bilateral power supply contracts,” Panlilio said. The firm contracted up to 3,551 megawatts (MW) of capacity and “associated energy” from new power plants. He assured customers the PSAs were executed after “extensive negotiations.” The facilities signed up were anticipated to begin commercial operations sometime in 2020, except for Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC), which would start delivery of 28 MWby the September 2016 supply month, subject
to approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The contracted power capacity of 3,551 MW is about 81 percent of 4,384 MW, the total capacity of the power stations being developed by the supplierfirms. The other suppliers are Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., St. Raphael Power Generation Corp., MGen’s Atimonan One Energy Inc., Central Luzon Premiere Power Corp., Mariveles Power Generation Corp., and Global Luzon Energy Development Corp. Meralco’s franchise area covers all of Metro Manila plus Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal, as well as parts of Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Pampanga. The PSAs shall become effective upon approval of the ERC. Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said in a text message the proposed PSAs were submitted to the ERC last April 29, a day ahead of the deadline set by ERC for the start of mandatory bidding for PSAs. After April 30, distribution utilities such as Meralco would have to conduct tenders before signing PSAs with generation companies. “Distribution utilities and the generation companies are enjoined to comply with the requirement on the conduct of a competitive selection process (CSP) before entering into a power supply agreement (PSA) to promote transparency in the procurement of power and elicit the best price offers which would mean a lower pass-on charge to electricity consumers,” ERC chairperson Jose Vicente B. Salazar said. ■
MANILA — The government remains optimistic in neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group, as well as in freeing its remaining hostages before President Benigno S. Aquino III steps down from office in 52 days, a Palace official has said. During a media briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the administration was determined to achieve this goal but declined to give specific forecast or target dates, given the sensitivity of the combat operations. “Sabihin na lang natin na hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang minuto ng administrasyong ito ay gagawin ang nararapat, gagawin ang pinakamahusay, at pagkatapos ay isasalin ang responsibilidad, dahil ito naman ay 24 by 7 by 52 — 24 hours, 7 days a week, 52 days (Let us just say that up until the last minute, this administration will do what is right, what is bst and will transition the responsibilities for it is 24 by 7 by 52 — 24 hours, 7 days a week, 52 days),” he said. “Walang humpay dapat itong pagkilos na ito dahil ang ating tinutukoy ay ang
Navy gunboat tows stranded passenger banca to safety PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Observing the mariners’ code of helping fellow mariners in distress, Navy gunboat BRP Dioscoro Papa (PG-381) towed to safety an overloaded passenger banca those engine conked out off Tawi-Tawi waters Tuesday noon. Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the M/L Rabson, skippered by a certain Mudap Amidil, sustained engine trouble and has been stranded for more than three hours off the waters of Sibutu and Sitangkai Islands when it was spotted by the naval vessel.
The BRP Dioscoro Papa was conducting election-related patrols when it spotted the stricken banca which was transporting 120 passengers just voted at Sitangkai during the recently-concluded elections. The patrol vessel immediately towed the M/L Rabson to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Some of the passengers were also transferred to the assisting PN vessel. All of them were also provided potable water, Lincuna added. “The PN in addition to its tasks for internal and external security shall be an active partner of government in disaster response and relief operations,” he added. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino laban sa mga pwersa na naghahasik ng ligalig, panganib at kamatayan (This movement shall be dedicated and non-stop for this deals with the safety and betterment of the Filipino people against forces that propagate fear, danger and death).” Coloma noted that joint military and law enforcement operations were ongoing to free the hostages. He however declined to give detailed information, given the sensitivity of the tactical operations. “Pero makaka-tiyak ang ating mga kababayan na buong tapang at buong sigasig na tinutugis ng mga pwersa ng Republika sa kanilang military at law enforcement operations ang mga kriminal at bandidong elemento na iyong nabanggit (But our fellow Filipinos will cofnident that we are pursuing through the military and law enforcement operations these kriminals and bandits being pertained to),” he said. The bandit group is holding a Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipino as hostages. A few weeks ago, the Islamist militants beheaded Canadian John Ridsdel after his family failed to meet their ransom demand. ■
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Philippine News
MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Leni went back the way she came–on a bus BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer
Administration presidential bet Manuel "Mar" Roxas congratulates Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as he concedes defeat in the 2016 elections during a press conference at the Liberal Party headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City. JESS M. ESCAROS JR. / PNA
Roxas concedes... Roxas said. In the meantime, an emotional but serene Roxas expressed his profound gratitude to all the people who had supported him and his running mate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo. “I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our countrymen who have supported me and Leni in all our sorties; to those who trusted us and the principles that we stood for; and to all of you who took up the cudgels, na kasama kong tumayo sa laban na ito (who stood with me in this battle),” he said. ❰❰ 1
He also thanked President Benigno S. Aquino III and his family, the LP and their allies, the civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations as well as ordinary folks and volunteers who make up the “silent majority.” “Hindi kayo bumitaw, naninidigan kayo, sumama kayo hanggang sa dulo. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat (You never gave up, stood proud, and joined until the end of the line. Thank you very much to all of you),” Roxas said. “I read somewhere that it is not the battle or conquest that
we remember, but the soldiers who stood beside us who we treasure the most. Sa inyong lahat, maraming-maraming salamat! Hindi ko kayo makakalimutan (To everyone, thank you very much! I will never forget),” he said. “Mga kababayan, isang walang kapantay na karangalan na maging tagapagwagayway ng ating bandila (My fellow Filipinos, there is no greater thing than to have carried our flag). To have fought the good fight; to have kept the faith; to have finished the race,” Roxas said. ■
There’s no ‘Plan B,’ says Palace PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Malacanang denied it has a plan to impeach the winning president and install the vice president who comes from the Liberal Party to continue its agenda. “Masyado yatang malawak na imahinasyon ang ginagamit sa ganyang mga scenario (These kinds of scenarios are too fictitious and imaginative),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing on Tuesday. There is circulating report that the Palace is hatching a “Plan B” in case vice presi-
dential bet Leni Robredo wins the second highest post in the country. Coloma said it is just a product of the imagination. He said that impeachment could only originate from Congress and there is still no assurance if the composition of a new Congress would be dominated by the administration. “Para namang ‘di natin binibigyang-galang ang institusyon ng Kamara de Representantes kung agad-agad tayong tatalon doon sa ganung konklusyon, ni hindi natin alam kung sino sila..., ang 297 na mga naihalal (It’s as if we are not giving respect to the House of Representatives when we jump into conclusions, we
don’t even know who each of them are, all 297 elected seats),” he explained. This kind of thinking is reckless and irresponsible, he said, adding it’s also a waste of time. “Baka naman waste of time din ‘yun na binibigyang-pansin pa natin, samantalang meron namang mga mas makabuluhang suliranin o paksa na pwede nating harapin (There are so many other issues we can face, instead of wasting time on allegations),” he said. Robredo and Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are fighting for the vice presidency, with Robredo ahead in the counting with around 200,000 votes as of Tuesday afternoon. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
NAGA CITY — Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo took a 12-hour public bus ride from Quezon City to her hometown on the eve of Election Day in what she hoped would be a storybook end to an underdog campaign. Heavy traffic delayed the trip by two hours, but the Camarines Sur representative, in a yellow shirt and wearing no makeup, was all smiles as she greeted and posed for pictures with well-wishers upon alighting at the Naga terminal at a little past noon. She was with her three daughters Aika, Tricia and Jillian, four in-laws, her staff and members of the media. The 51-year-old Robredo tried to brush it off as nothing more than her usual homecoming, saying a plane trip would cost a lot more. Still she was concerned about the presence of the small army of reporters and cameramen. “I hope [my town mates] are not turned off because of all the media around,” she said. The widow of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo had planned to attend morning Mass but had to scrap that because of the traffic delay. After a private lunch with family, she was off to her district office to meet with her staff. She planned to visit the Carmelite Monastery later in the afternoon to pray. Candidates are barred from
LP VP candidate Leni Robredo.
campaigning on the eve of the elections. ‘Mother to nation’
Speaking to reporters at the bus terminal, Robredo ruminated on the importance of Monday’s electoral exercise in deciding the future of the country. She said she prayed the people would elect the right leaders, and that the elections would be peaceful. She was also glad to spend Mother’s Day with her daughters, but added that she hoped to be “a mother not only to my children but to the nation.” Her eldest daughter, Aika, said she was just happy to survive the frenetic campaign. “Finally, it’s over,” she said. But perhaps not quite yet. Robredo, whowas thrust into politics after her husband died in a plane crash in August 2012, started out as a little-known underdog when she accepted the offer to be the running mate of LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas. But the only woman among the vice presidential candidates slowly upped her profile among voters—from 1-percent rating in October, she is now running neck and neck with front-runner Bongbong Marcos. Her platform is focused on alleviating poverty and providing assistance to those living on the fringes of society; empowering women and children, and promoting transparency and honesty in governance. Robredo will cast her vote at Tabuco Central School only minutes away from the family home. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Abby reclaims Makati gov’t for Binays BY MARICAR B. BRIZUELA Philippine Daily Inquirer WINNING BY about 16,000 votes, Makati 2nd District Rep. Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay has reestablished her family’s foothold at City Hall, defeating the Palace-backed incumbent who replaced her brother nine months ago and put Binay programs under scrutiny. The victory ensured that her family would remain a power bloc in local politics even though the patriarch, Vice President Jejomar Binay, lagged behind in the presidential race, based on unofficial canvassing results. The elder Binay, wife Elenita and son Junjun—who had taken turns at the mayoralty since 1986—led the cheering as Abby was formally declared winner over Romulo “Kid” Peña. The 40-year-old congresswoman earned 153,976 votes compared to Peña’s 137,978. The Makati Comelec stopped counting ballots at around 95.5 percent of the votes cast and declared Binay the winner around 4 a.m. on Tuesday at Makati Coliseum. Abby celebrated also with husband Luis Campos, who topped the congressional race in the 2nd District to become her successor in the House. Tae kwon do champion and former actor Monsour Del Rosario won as congressman for the 1st District. Binay’s running mate, Monique Lagdameo, was also proclaimed winner in
Newly elected Makati Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay.
the vice mayoral contest, beating Karla Mercado with more than 60,000 votes. The Binays’ party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), also got all eight slots for councilor for District 1, with actor Jhong Hilario earning the most votes with more than 80,000. He is joined by Ferdie Eusebio, Rico Puno, Ichi Yabut, Mayeth Casal-Uy, Romy Medina, Ma.
‘Benevolent dictator ...’ is a certain degree of comfort that the upward trajectory will continue and we can afford any leader.” “But is it that easy?” he said. The President said he was appalled by Duterte’s refusal to take back what he said about Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill being so pretty even in death, that he should have been the first to rape her because he was the mayor. That Duterte “berated” the Australian and US ambassadors for commenting on his “rape joke” and saying he did not care if the two countries severed ties with the Philippines forced Mr. Aquino to “talk to [the two allies of the Philippines] to try to smooth any disturbance in the waters.” “The fundamental flaw in the argument that a country needs a benevolent dictator is that it assumes there is a perfect being that would make perfect decisions all the time. But man being an imperfect being cannot make a perfect decision,” the President said. ❰❰ 10
Checks and balances
Without Congress and the Supreme
Court, there would be no checks and balances, the President said, stressing that the 1987 Constitution does not even have a provision that allows the Chief Executive to abolish his coequal branches of government. “What is the Constitution in its simplest form? It is how we all agreed to govern and interact with each other— resolve issues, define our rights and duties ... And here we have somebody who aims to become President whose job is to execute the laws, then he is going, in a sense, say let us throw all of that out. So what do you replace it with? I don’t think he has ever been clear about what he is going to replace it with,” Mr. Aquino said. The President also pointed out that Duterte has the extreme right and extreme left with him in the campaign. “They have a common enemy,” the President said, referring to the middle ground, which government represents. “But when they no longer have a common enemy, they would end up fighting each other,” he added. ■
Arlene Ortega and Jojo Javier. UNA, however, was only able to get six of the eight council seats for District 2. The Liberal Party’s Leo Magpantay and Aspi Aspillaga joined UNA councilors
King Yabut, Doc Pasia, Ruth Tolentino, Divina Jacome, Bing Villamor and Ionytetchie De Lara for District 2 councilors. The conduct of the voting and canvassing in Makati went relatively smooth until Peña’s supporters in District 2 questioned the low number of votes in his favor at his supposed bailiwick. They noted that the Liberal Party candidate received zero votes in four precincts at Pembo Elementary School, prompting them to barricade the entrance of the campus to stop teachers from turning the election returns over for canvassing at the coliseum. The incident in Pembo forced Peña supporters to also stop the transport of election returns in Barangay Cembo, Rizal and Comembo. They asked for a manual recount, saying it was impossible for Binay to lead in these areas. Teachers complained of being harassed by Peña’s supporters, who prevented them from leaving their schools. Rizal Elementary School principal Zenaida Peñafuerte, who asked the media for help at around 11 p.m. on Monday, insisted “there are no zero votes here. It would be impossible and we would not risk our jobs just to cheat.” ■ With Aie Balagtas See, Angelica Cruz and John Cyril Yee
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MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Senate will work with Duterte — Drilon BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday the Philippine Senate will work with “presumptive president” Rodrigo Duterte in the next 17th Congress. “He has the mandate of the people, we will work with him,” Drilon said in a media interview after receiving the first certificate of canvass (COC) from San Juan City at the Philippine Senate. Drilon, vice chairman of the Liberal Party (LP) whose standard-bearer Mar Roxas conceded to Duterte on Tuesday, said they are eagerly awaiting the legislative agenda of the successor of President Benigno S. Aquino III. “During the campaign, we were not benefited with any indication of what the legislative agenda will be, so we eagerly await his legislative agenda,”
Drilon said. The Senate leader is expecting that the first agenda that the Duterte administration will submit to Congress is the proposed 2017 national budget. He said the transition team “must be working at this point so that the budget can be submitted on time.” “Certainly the inputs of the incoming administration will be respected and we will expect the budget to contain the policy direction of the administration of Mayor Duterte,” he added. Drilon strongly suggested that a transition team from the Duterte administration will be already formed and start talking to the transition team of the Aquino administration “so that there will be a smooth transfer of power on June 30.” Drilon said the current 16th Congress will resume session on May 23 and will tackle in the first two days the remaining bills and about five bicameral conference committee reports.
The 16th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 10. “There are a number of local bills and franchise bills which we will pass on third reading, which came from the House. There are also a number of local and franchise bills which were amended by the Senate and are now in the House, and the House will adopt the Senate version,” Drilon said. On May 25, Drilon said the Senate and the House of Representatives will convene as the national board of canvassers (NBOC) to proclaim the next President and Vice President of the country. Drilon, who is on top of the senatorial race based on partial and unofficial results, said he looks forward working with the new senators. “I have been in the Senate for 18 years, I think I know the institution. We will continue to protect the institution, protect the independence of the institution. I think that’s our duty,”
Senate President Franklin Drilon casts his vote during the national elections. CINDY B. FERRER / PNA
the veteran lawmaker from Iloilo said. Drilon said the incumbent Senate leaders, including him, will continue to function “as such until the elections take place” at the opening of the 17th Congress.
Based on the partial and unofficial results, six LP senatorial candidates — Joel Villanueva, Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, Ralph Recto, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros and Drilon — are already in the top 12 of the senatorial election. ■
PUBLIC LIVES
‘Dutertismo’ or clearheaded patriotism? By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer AT THE last presidential debate, the candidates were asked how they would deal with China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had a ready answer. He will tell the Coast Guard to take him to the middle of the sea, and, from there, he will ride a jet ski to the nearest disputed atoll. There, in full view of the Chinese naval forces, he will plant the Philippine flag—alone. Wherever the mayor talks about it, his audiences greet this verbal bravura with rousing laughter and effusive cheers. It makes no difference to them whether he’s joking or he’s serious about this grave policy issue. No matter what he says, Mayor Digong seems to fulfill their expectations of the kind of leader the country needs for our desperate times. He must be tough, decisive, fearless, and, yes, heroic. “I don’t care if they kill me,” the mayor adds. “That will make me a hero, and I have always dreamed of being a hero. But, I will not risk the life of a single Filipino soldier in this fight.” I don’t think the man is joking. I do not doubt his readiness to do exactly what he says on impulse. Nothing seems to intimidate him. There, I be-
lieve, lies his dark charisma. intelligence; politics is the stupidest percent. The peso lost much value. But charisma, in Max Weber’s business in the world.” (Quoted in We could not pay the nation’s credidefinition, is not a magical quality Lawrence Rees, “Hitler’s Charisma,” tors. International banks refused to possessed by a person. It is, rather, a 2012) extend credit lines to pay for basic type of relationship. To make sense All this sounds frighteningly fa- imports. We didn’t know if the ailof charisma, one has to understand miliar when one views the phenom- ing dictator in Malacañang was still the social context in which a leader enal rise of Digong Duterte in Phil- in command of government. Daily attracts throngs of followers. ippine politics. Except for one thing: demonstrations filled the streets, The context is typically one char- The Philippines is not struggling to and rumors of a military coup were acterized by crisis—as in the after- recover from the desolation of war. rampant. There was loud clamor for math of a war or in the face of famine There’s threat of hunger in some a new government that would rebuild or a calamity. Institutions have bro- parts of the country because of the the nation’s institutions. ken down. Criminals, bandits, and drought, but food is readily available No doubt our problems have armed individuals roam the streets. everywhere else. Some areas devas- multiplied over the years. That is People are gripped by a sense of de- tated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” what happens to any country that spair and panic. They feel they have are still not fully rehabilitated, but is growing in density and diversity. no one to turn to for protection, as- much has been done to resettle the Our national situation is more comsistance, or justice. plex today not only It was this situbecause there are ation that the antimore of us, but also We find this in every country that is in the throes of Semitic writer, Dibecause our daily modernity—the sense of drowning in an accumulation of problems etrich Eckart, saw lives have become beyond the capacity of existing institutions and leaders to solve. in his defeated and increasingly shaped demoralized counnot just by innotry in the wake of World War I. He displaced communities. There’s pov- vations in technology, but by shifts saw Adolf Hitler at a meeting of the erty, but this is occurring in the midst in the global economic system and German Workers’ Party, and at once of unprecedented economic growth. world politics as well. We have been he knew this was the man who could There’s crime, but there is no anar- able to reasonably adapt to the challift Germany from its humiliation. chy in our streets. Some judges and lenges and opportunities of this “[A] fellow who can stand the rattle prosecutors are corrupt, but the rule changing global reality. But, undeniof a machine gun. The rabble has to of law remains. ably, many of our countrymen are be scared sh*tless. I can’t use an ofIn short, the country is not in cri- falling through the cracks of these ficer; the people no longer have any sis—at least not in the way it was developments. respect for them. Best of all would be in the aftermath of the 1983 assasInterestingly, it is not the extremea worker who’s got his mouth in the sination of Ninoy Aquino. During ly poor who are reacting to these comright place … He doesn’t need much that time, the economy shrank by 10 plex issues with great impatience. The
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sense of desperation is coming rather from those who have relatively more in life. It is they who righteously proclaim their entitlement to something better—better paying jobs, better public transport, more responsive public service, safer neighborhoods, lower taxes, better airports, better hospitals and better schools. This is nothing extraordinary. We find this in every country that is in the throes of modernity—the sense of drowning in an accumulation of problems beyond the capacity of existing institutions and leaders to solve. In a flash, the people’s pent-up resentments against the existing order come to a head and find release in the quest for a god who can solve their problems—the traffic jams, the petty criminals, the undisciplined motorists, the insensitive government employee, the abusive cop, the bribetaking judge, and the thousand and one aggravations that mark their daily lives. We don’t need a dictator to tell us how to live. We need a president who can form a capable team that will sort out the complex problems of governance. Yet, no government will ever succeed unless we, the citizens, can rise above our unexamined fears and emotions—high enough to be able to ask what we can do to help our country or, at least, not add to its problems. ■
Opinion
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
15
AT LARGE
Not what our ‘lolas’ fought for By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer “THIS is one of the few times it pays to be a senior citizen,” the husband quipped as we exited the village clubhouse after casting our ballots. We had arrived with our son and our niece, but as we were leaving, we found them still in the middle of the queue of voters. We had gone to another line where a few chairs waited for seniors, the disabled and the pregnant (or with a young child) and waited just a brief while before being called to start voting. But we also had other advantages. The voting for the last three elections, as far as I can remember, had been moved to the village clubhouse which this year had the additional and much welcome convenience of air-conditioning. There was also very little congestion, even if it was already midmorning, and the procedures went smoothly. When we got home, television reports showed vastly different scenes elsewhere, with throngs crowding the areas outside school buildings and voters queuing up under the searing heat of the sun. But with air-conditioning or suffocating heat, kilometers-long lines or convenient arrangements, orderly
processing or hitches galore—Fili- true identities feeling free to vent determine whether we will enjoy the pinos came out, to use a cliché, in the worst and the most foul language continued prosperity that a system of droves to vote and show our faith against detractors. An online blogger, honest government and enlightened in our hard-fought-for democracy. Renee Karunungan, has filed a com- policies has made possible; or whethScenes at the polling places may not plaint with the National Bureau of er, in the clamor for “change” and a have had the dramatic impact of elec- Investigation regarding the flood of new direction, we dismantle what tions past, which had been marked threats of killing, rape and mayhem the last six years have built and take a by fear and intimidation, violence directed at her and her family in the U-turn that could possibly bring us to and fraud. And though reports of wake of her posts against a certain the nadir of strongman rule. killings and ambushes continue to presidential candidate. Also on the *** be received, the 2016 polls, halfway receiving end of what some netizens THUS, much is at stake. Much more through the day of voting, is proving have called “Dutertards” has been than putting one over one’s critics, to be largely peaceful and orderly. Carlos Celdran, an outspoken blog- putting down those who dare disHere’s crossing fingers that the situ- ger and social commentator who agree and challenge us, or make a ation remains little changed till the gives as good as he gets. Alan Robles, cutting remark to shame those of close of day. contrary opinion. *** It isn’t personal, BUT it has not been in the end. Because Much more than putting one over one’s critics, putting down a “peaceful” cama vote may be prithose who dare disagree and challenge us, or make a cutting paign. Quite apart vate but it has imremark to shame those of contrary opinion. from the “electionplications for the related” killings nation as a whole, in the days before the voting, this one of those managing a website and for the future beyond, way bepreelection period has become one called “Never Again” in reference yond, the next six years. Pundits tell of the most hotly-fought in recent to the vice-presidential run of Sen. us that “you are who you vote,” that memory. Bongbong Marcos, regularly posts your political choice also tells a lot Social media played a large part in the outrageous (and grammatically about your own values, beliefs, ideals the fevered campaigning, projecting atrocious) comments he gets from and desires for this country. But that on the public mind what I suspect Marcos trolls, and his highly amusing personal choice is also a choice we would have remained private, dis- ripostes. make in behalf of others—all those creet, and personal if technology had It would all be amusing and enter- who cannot or refuse to vote, and not made such widespread dissemi- taining if we weren’t in the middle of more important, all the children too nation possible. a political exercise that has put the young to vote today but who will inAnonymity also played a part, country literally in the crossroads of herit the future we create. with so-called trolls hiding their history. Our choices yesterday will Still, not everyone will be happy
with the outcome. And there will be those who might sulk for a bit or even remain in a black funk for months or years afterward. Others have even vowed to file impeachment charges should their disfavored candidate win and once Congress buckles down to work. Which, to my mind, would mean extending the bitterness of the last campaign and deepening the fissures it created. *** SO maybe our prayer for the future should be the “Serenity Prayer” created by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr that goes: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,/Courage to change the things I can,/ And wisdom to know the difference.” In the next few days, we will find out soon enough if it is serenity or courage that we need, or wisdom to discern what will serve our own and the country’s best interests. Elections give us a chance to make over things as they are, to try to shape the future, and to express our deepest longings and beliefs. But they should never stand in the way of our getting together once more, as one people, as we move on from the dissension of the last few months and strive to create the nation we imagine and treasure. ■
LOOKING BACK
Marcos Sr. was ‘brilliant but unscrupulous’ By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer AS THE election fever heats up, I have been reading references to Philippine elections in the US Foreign Relations Series online. Declassified documents may be history now, but they make me wonder what reports regarding our 2016 elections would be like. In the past, historians followed a paper trail; today’s digital trail is more challenging because not everything is committed to paper. Talk, chat, text and e-mail from our phones leave no paper trail. If history based on written records has given us a prehistoric age, can we then be in the beginning of the posthistoric age? On Nov. 26, 1965, US Ambassador William McCormick Blair Jr. sent a telegram from Manila to Washington containing his analysis of the 1965 elections. As the new vice president and senators had not yet been announced, Blair’s analysis was concerned mostly with Ferdinand Marcos, described in the opening paragraphs as an “unknown quantity in lonely eminence of Presidency,” with a detailed assessment that reads:
“Whereas both [Diosdado] Macapagal and Marcos prize power, former sometimes appeared inept in its use and unsure what he wished to do with it. Marcos appears to measure it carefully and to be very sure of uses to which he puts it. Up to now, basic objective of his harnessing power has of course been to gain the Presidency. “What Marcos really believes in, what his goals are, and how he proposes to go about achieving them, are largely matters of conjecture. To some degree, he has been a guerrilla both in war and during the campaign, placing great emphasis on careful planning, systematic intelligence, secrecy, element of surprise and final massive surfacing of his forces at right time. In gaining [Nacionalista Party] nomination, and in winning Presidency, he displayed remarkable talents in these areas. Now that he has won Presidency, onus will be on him to demonstrate what his basic beliefs and ideas are. “He comes to power accompanied by somewhat similar high hopes which accompanied Macapagal’s accession in 1961, except that electorate, having been disappointed once again, may now be still more cynical.
At same time, pressure on Marcos to produce will be even greater because (1) basic problems of nation have become intensified and (2) he knows he will probably suffer Macapagal’s fate in 1969 unless he does get things moving. Good government may therefore be the best politics for him. ( Marcos was reelected in 1969.— ARO) “There are those who assert that era of corruption under [Carlos P.] Garcia will return in magnified form. A more balanced view would be that Marcos has very considerable potentialities, and that coming years will show whether these potentialities will be exerted for high or sinister purposes. Pres Macapagal recently observed, as earlier reported, that Marcos was brilliant but unscrupulous, but that great responsibility might sober him. “The assertion, circulated by Macapagal’s propaganda machine and widely disseminated by visiting US newspapermen, that Marcos will be much in debt to ex-Pres Garcia, the Lopez interests, the ‘nationalists’ or any other group, appears questionable. He has of course some political debts to discharge, but because of way in which he figuratively seized
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Nacionalista nomination and then largely single-handedly won election, he will assume Presidency with fewer political drafts on future than probably any of his predecessors. “There would appear to be at least some grounds for cautious optimism toward future. Marcos is realist with high awareness of pragmatic and empirical considerations. He weighs and sifts facts carefully, considers numerous angles and acts only after searching consideration and assessment. Once decisions are reached, however, he displays generalship of high order in implementing them. “Furthermore, there is some evidence that Marcos is more keenly attuned to needs of country than his critics give him credit for. Woeful conditions throughout nation seem to have had considerable impact on him in his extensive travels in past year. His speeches reflected increasing bitterness, in a manner that seemed to be more than merely campaign oratory, at Macapagal administration’s largely ineffectual attempts to improve people’s welfare. If theory is correct that Marcos has high absorptive capacity and is greatly influenced by things he is exposed
to, then his nationwide observations may serve valuable purpose. “Marcos’ first preoccupation must inevitably be with domestic affairs in view of facts that government till may be almost empty, that the stability of peso must be defended, and that severe demands are imposed on administration by rapidly growing population. His qualities of decisiveness will promptly be put to test, with some hope that he will get down to deeds rather than words and govern rather than campaign as did Macapagal… Judging by his past performance, it would seem evident that he will be the boss in unmistakable fashion. His knowledge of the Legislative branch, based on service in both houses, and his ability to play role of conciliator and find common denominator, may serve him well. His ‘ruthlessness’ may prove useful in that elements tempted to free-wheel under another kind of leadership may be concerned that there will be retaliation if they get out of line...” Presidents enter their terms carrying the hopes of a people that are impossible to fulfill, and exit with the people’s disappointment and vote for change. ■
16
MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Canada News
Investigators believe New provincial funding, services pledged wildfires in B.C.’s Peace for at risk youth in Downtown Eastside region deliberately set BY LAURA KANE The Canadian Press
THE CANADIAN PRESS FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Investigators say arson is believed to be the cause of at least 10 wildfires in northeastern British Columbia. The Environment Ministry said fire investigators and conservation officers have found evidence to suggest the fires in the Peace region were deliberately set. Some of the fires have caused property damage, said Chris Postuma with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service. He declined to provide details, saying an investigation is ongoing. The blazes are believed to be connected, and the extra conservation officers brought in to help investigate are asking for tips from the public. The Peace region has been hit by an early and aggressive start to the fire season as flames have been fanned by hot, dry and windy conditions. Hundreds of people forced from their homes by a pair of uncontained fires burning north of Fort St. John were allowed to return Sunday, but 17,000 residences remain on evacuation alert and must be
prepared to leave again at any time. Provincial fire information officer Ryan Turcot said 84 fires are currently burning across the province, including 52 in the northeast region. Wet weather helped firefighting crews over the weekend, with rain and some snow falling on two major blazes, Turcot said. “But moving ahead into the week, we are expecting a return to drier conditions.” There have been 234 fires across the province since April 1, Turcot said, more than double the 110 fires that had burned at this time last year. It’s estimated that this year’s blazes have scorched more than 775 square kilometres, over 40 times the 10-year average, he said. The majority of this year’s fires have been caused by people, Turcot said. Earlier this year, the Forests Ministry increased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violations, such as ignoring campfire bans or failing to properly extinguish a burning substance, such as a cigarette. Breaking a fire prohibition can net fines of up to $1,100. ■
VANCOUVER — One year after a report revealed the tragic life and death of an aboriginal teenager in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the British Columbia government has committed $1.2 million to help youth in the troubled neighbourhood. But the province’s representative for children and youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, said the funding falls short of what is needed to address the problems facing kids like Paige, the 19 year old at the centre of Turpel-Lafond’s May 2015 report. “Anything’s better than nothing, but this is pretty minuscule,” Turpel-Lafond said. “It still doesn’t give me a lot to turn to the kids that are on the street today and say, ‘Something different has arrived.”’ Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux announced Tuesday that $1.2 million, earmarked in the latest budget, would go toward services for at-risk youth in the Downtown Eastside. She said $800,000 will fund a dedicated adolescent-services unit in the impoverished neighbourhood, focusing on teens caught in a cycle of intravenous drug use, homelessness and prostitution.
Eight new positions will be added to the unit, plus two more with a recently created rapid response team, while $400,000 will permit partner organizations to expand outreach services for youth. The changes, which follow a ministry review of the files of 124 young people around the Downtown Eastside, also include plans for the development of a low-barrier shelter for the most troubled youth in the area. The shelter would have a maximum of five beds and is targeted to open in late 2017. Cadieux said other shelters require entrants to stop using alcohol or drugs or promise to enter a detox program, which can push away high-risk youth. The aim of a low-barrier or “no questions asked” shelter is to gain kids’ trust so staff can help them access services when they’re ready. “I think it’s very difficult for most of us to understand the draw of street life in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and it’s even more difficult to understand why a young person would refuse to take advantage of services that are available to them,” she told reporters on a conference call. “But it does happen, and when it does, we’ll be there like never before to try to catch that young person in a moment of
clarity, in a moment of calm.” Cadieux’s announcement comes almost exactly one year after Turpel-Lafond published “Paige’s Story: Abuse, Indifference and a Young Life Discarded.” The report blamed the teen’s overdose death on “persistent inaction from front-line professionals and an indifferent social care system.” Last week, Turpel-Lafond published a new special report on an unnamed youth, in which she criticized the province’s response to “Paige’s Story.” Turpel-Lafond said on Tuesday five shelter beds in 2017 was not nearly enough to meet the need. She also said she was concerned that a low-barrier shelter was not suitable for young people. There are only 20 addictions beds for adolescents in the entire province, she added. Doug Donaldson, Opposition NDP critic for children and family development, pointed out that Cadieux said 20 of the 124 youth around the Downtown Eastside are considered extremely high-risk, yet the province is only adding five beds. “It’s not even a half measure, it’s a quarter measure,” he said. “Here we are a year after the Paige report, and the minister is not even addressing the need that exists today with this announcement.” ■
PH posts assist Filipinos in Fort McMurray fire ALL PHILIPPINE diplomatic and consular posts in Canada are closely monitoring the situation unfolding in the wake of the wildfires engulfing areas of Fort McMurray in Alberta. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this catastrophe,” Amb. Petronila Garcia said. She directed Consul General Julius Torres, who heads the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, to extend assistance
to Filipino nationals affected by the wildfires. In the meantime, Honorary Consul General Esmeralda Agbulos has been coordinating with provincial authorities who have given assurances that Filipinos in the area are safe, although many have been evacuated. Garcia also ordered the deployment of teams to the evacuation centers in order to extend every assistance needed by Filipino nationals. Data from
the Consulate reveals there are over 5,000 residents of Filipino descent in Fort McMurray. “The Philippines salutes the Canadian firefighters and first responders working heroically for their communities,” Garcia added. Filipino nationals requiring urgent assistance are advised to call immediately the hotline of the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary at (587)5771805. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
Smokes and flames from the wildfire erupt as residents flee from wildfires in Fort McMurray. LABINIO KARLA MARIE
Canada News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
Victoria’s medical marijuana bylaw deflects concerns about edible pot BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press VICTORIA — Seniors in Victoria support council’s push to adopt a bylaw that allows edible pot products in medical marijuana dispensaries, despite health and safety concerns raised by the province’s medical health officer, says Mayor Lisa Helps. Victoria’s council voted in favour of preparing a medical marijuana business bylaw Thursday that permits the sale of edible pot products, keeps marijuana businesses 200 metres apart from each other and prohibits any forms of advertising. The bylaw will also keep the dispensaries 200 metres away from schools and licensed daycares. Helps and other council members said the many seniors who spoke at public meetings in favour of edible pot sales convinced them to buck Vancouver’s pot law, which prohibits the sale of edible products such as brownies and cookies. “Our staff and council were was compelled,” said Helps. “We heard loud and clear from many people who came to the town hall we held, particularly from seniors, and particularly from senior women, that they have chronic pain and they don’t want to smoke marijuana. They want access to edibles.” B.C. health officer Dr. Perry Kendall urged Victoria council in a letter on Monday to reconsider the plan to permit edible marijuana sales. “While I understand that this position was supported by a majority of those in the community who were consulted — on the basis that they felt the benefits would outweigh the harms — such a conclusion
Foster teen deliberately jumped from Abbotsford hotel window: coroner BY LAURA KANE The Canadian Press
Victoria’s council voted in favour of preparing a medical marijuana business bylaw Thursday that permits the sale of edible pot products, keeps marijuana businesses 200 metres apart from each other and prohibits any forms of advertising.
is not based on the evidence,” Kendall said in the letter. He included a letter sent to Vancouver’s city manager that supported a ban on edible marijuana products because they’re attractive to children and risk poisoning both kids and adults. Helps said it’s not her job to regulate the quality and safety of the marijuana brownies sold at the city’s 35 medical pot dispensaries. Council voted to turn over the issue of monitoring the health and safety of the edible products to provincial health officials. “Our position, my position is that it is not the city’s responsibility to regulate food products,” Helps said. “The city doesn’t regulate the contents of the spicy nut triangle that I get at Habit Coffee. That’s not our jurisdiction.” Helps said she expects council to vote on its Medical Marijuana-Related Businesses bylaw next month. Kendall said in a statement
Thursday he was disappointed in council’s decision. Local public health officials cannot regulate the illegal substances found in edibles either, he said. “While I have advocated for, and strongly support the legalization of cannabis, I favour a public health-based regulatory schema and not an entrepreneurially-driven one,” he said. The federal Liberal government has said it plans to introduce legislation next year that legalizes marijuana in Canada. Helps said Victoria, like Vancouver, is being forced to regulate marijuana businesses without a federal law in place. “We are operating in a vacuum,” she said. Victoria has written to the federal government for guidance but has yet to receive a response, Helps said. Vancouver’s medical marijuana bylaw bans the sale of edible marijuana products and ensures dispensaries are located 300 metres away from schools and each other. ■
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VANCOUVER — A coroner’s report has found that a teenager whose death prompted scrutiny of the B.C. government’s practice of placing at-risk foster children in hotels jumped from a fourth-floor motel window. The BC Coroners Service has released its report on the death of Alex Gervais, an 18-year-old who was placed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in an Abbotsford Super 8 motel after his group home closed. The report by coroner Adele Lambert says Gervais had nonlethal concentrations of cocaine and other drugs in his system before he died after deliberately jumping through the motel window in September 2015. Lambert describes the teenager as “very sensitive and fearful of rejection.” The report says he came permanently into ministry care at an early age and experienced considerable challenges in his life related to behaviour, mental health, substance use and unstable living environment. In January 2013, Gervais threatened to commit suicide and was hospitalized for an assessment, according to the report. He denied wanting to die, instead saying he had made the threats as a reaction to an argument. The assessment concluded he had “zero risk of suicide.” In July 2015, Gervais’s group home was suddenly closed and he was moved to a motel while attempts were made to find appropriate living arrangements. A case worker was in frequent contact with Gervais, according to the report.
In August 2015, he was receiving services to prepare for becoming independent, but he left his last session abruptly on Aug. 17 after becoming agitated about the discussion, the report says. He was described as having a “very pessimistic outlook” about his life. “Alex acknowledged that he was having difficulty managing his emotions while using illicit substances but he was not ready to abstain. During this time, Alex frequently made threats of suicide when arguing with his girlfriend,” the report says. Lambert says the day before Gervais’s death, he had been using drugs, was angry and distraught and was not sleeping. At about 9 a.m. on Sept. 18, he was on the phone arguing with his girlfriend when he said he was going to jump out the window. “A couple of attempts to break the window were overheard before the phone went dead,” the report says. “A witness outside the motel heard glass break and saw a male falling backwards from a fourth-floor window.” Gervais’s motel room had been locked from the inside and police concluded his death was not a result of criminal activity. Immediately after his death, Children’s Minister Stephanie Cadieux said the ministry housed children in hotels in only in extreme circumstances. But in January the province issued a joint report with children’s representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, which revealed 117 foster children had been placed in hotels between November 2014 and October 2015. Cadieux promised to eliminate the practice of placing ❱❱ PAGE 18 Foster teen
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Canada News
MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
B.C. brings in higher fines and penalties for drivers caught texting, emailing BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press VICTORIA — Three months after starting a program to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, Karen Bowman was jolted by a call about her eight-year-old daughter being injured in a car crash. The little girl was getting a ride home from school when a distracted driver slammed into the vehicle, causing serious head injuries that still affect Kylee Bowman’s life, her mother told a news conference announcing B.C.’s tougher penalties for people who text or email behind the wheel. “It is not a phone call I will ever forget,” said Bowman, who founded Drop It and Drive. The Nanaimo, B.C., resident said she started the program in 2010, at about the same time the province introduced penal-
ties for using hand-held mobile penalty points they’ll receive cence for three to 12 months. devices while driving. with the ticket, bringing the “We’re getting tough because “Three months later, on Jan. total to $543 for first-time of- distracted driving kills,” Morris 5, 2011, we got the call from fenders. told the news conference. “In the crash scene involving our Morris said the fine will leap 2014 alone, distracted driving eight-year-old daughter,” Bow- to $888 for second offences and inattention contributed man said. “The end result was within 12 months and escalate to 66 deaths,” he said, adding she just turned 14 and she’s got further if a driver is stopped 630 people were injured in the post-traumatic stress disorder again, with penalty points province that year. from the crash. “I was a poShe is in pain all lice officer for the time.” 32 years and I’ve Public Safety seen some pretty Minister Mike The day will come when distracted grisly reminders Morris said B.C. driving is as socially unacceptable in out there about is increasing disB.C. as drinking and driving and not why we need tracted driver using your seatbelt. to be as serious penalties subas we are about stantially after this,” Morris most British Cosaid. lumbians called Chief Les Sylfor tougher penalties following stacking up. ven of the Central Saanich Poa public consultation process He said that of June 1, dis- lice Department, who is presilaunched two years ago. tracted drivers will be commit- dent of the B.C. Association As of June 1, people who ting a high-risk offence, with of Chiefs of Police, said more drive while distracted will second-time offenders facing than 42,000 distracted driving face a minimum fine of $368 an automatic review and the tickets were handed out in B.C. and pay another $175 for four possibility of losing their li- between 2010 and 2014, but the
B.C. tightens... estate agents to flip a property multiple times at higher prices before a deal closes, allowing agents to continue making commissions while buyers avoid paying the property pur❰❰ 1
annual death rate didn’t drop below 60 people. “It’s clear our current penalties have not been enough to change this dangerous driving behaviour,” he said. “Police across B.C. welcome these new penalties. The day will come when distracted driving is as socially unacceptable in B.C. as drinking and driving and not using your seatbelt.” Bowman, who visits schools, boardrooms and community agencies to speak about the dangers of distracted driving, said B.C.’s penalties go beyond her expectations. “They’ve taken a really strong stand,” she said. The Canadian Automobile Association says the maximum fine for a first-time distracted driving offence in Prince Edward Island is $1,200, and people who text or email behind the wheel in Ontario are fined a maximum of $1,000. ■
Foster teen... chase tax. De Jong says the government is also amending property transfer tax forms to collect data about the country of origin of people buying real estate in B.C. ■
vulnerable children and youth in hotels, but couldn’t say when that would happen. Turpel-Lafond said on Tuesday that her office is working on an investigation into Ger❰❰ 17
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vais’s case and she remains concerned that the ministry will not be able to fulfil its promise of ending hotel placements. Staff are placing youth in hotels because they have nowhere else to put them, she said.
“The young person who gets that message, which is, ‘You are now going here because no one wants you, or there’s no place for you,’ that’s a feeling of being forsaken for sure, and we don’t want that in our system.” ■
World News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
Top UN official says UN not meeting goal to prevent wars BY EDITH M. LEDERER The Associated Press THE PRESIDENT of the U.N. General Assembly said Tuesday it’s clear that 70 years after its founding the United Nations is not equipped to meet its overriding 1945 objective — to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. At a high-level meeting of the 193-member world body, Mogens Lykketoft pointed to violence and instability across much of the Middle East and North Africa, violations of international humanitarian law that go unpunished, “terrorism that is wreaking havoc in many countries,” and women and children subjected to sexual violence in conflicts. But he told ministers, officials and experts at the start of the two-day debate on tackling conflicts and risks to peace that “we have a very good opportunity to fundamentally change this reality.” Lykketoft said recent reviews of U.N. peace operations, peacebuilding, and the role of women in promoting peace and security, had similar recommendations: “To respond to today’s and tomorrow’s threats to peace and security, the United Nations must become more relevant, more credible, more legitimate and more capable — for major, regional and local powers alike.” Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said the number of civil wars has almost tripled from four to 11 between 2007 and 2014, and conflicts have also become more complex and more intractable. He said 125 million people are “in grave need of humanitarian assistance,” and 80 per cent of them lack food and health care because of conflict — an issue that will be addressed at the first-ever U.N. humanitarian summit in Istanbul on May 23-24. Eliasson said the three reviews of U.N. peace-related activities have concluded with the same messages — “prevention
UN General Assembly president Mogens Lykketoft.
is our central mission.” He said the U.N. must put a higher priority on the search for long-term political solutions, and partnerships are essential. As an example, he said: “Can there be any more telling sign of our collective failure to give priority to prevention than the present deep crisis of conflict and displacement, the massive movement of refugees around the world, with its political and human repercussions?” Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee said thousands of people have died in 414 bombings, terrorist attacks, killings and other violent incidents just since January. “One way I think we leaders of this world have turned our world upside down is by making this singular mistake — and the mistake is attempting to fight fire with fire,” the Liberian activist said. “The increased militarism ... has brought us to where we find ourselves today. Billions have been spent on war, and tiny amounts of money on dialogue.” “I think it’s time for us to reverse the order of how we are seeking world peace,” Gbowee said. She stressed that peace can’t be built without “the unique input of women” and called the lack of funding to promote women’s participation “a disgrace.” Former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who served as a U.N. peacekeeper in the former Yugoslavia, said “the world is now replete with risks” and there’s much less of a “feel good” factor than when the Berlin Wall fell in November 1989. He cited the risks of running out of time in tackling global warming, of sliding back into “an unhealthy zero-sum geopolitical rivalry,” of rising “hatred, intolerance and mistrust,” and “of growing brinkmanship, and the prospects of open conflicts spiraling out of control.” He said the only way the international community can tackle these risks is “by allowing the United Nations a more robust role in the management of global affairs.” ■
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MAY 13, 2016
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UK’s Cameron caught calling UN Declaration on Rights of Nigeria, Afghanistan ‘corrupt’ Indigenous Peoples ‘should not be scary’: Bennett
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON — British Prime Minister David Cameron was caught on microphone Tuesday saying that leaders of “fantastically corrupt” countries including Nigeria and Afghanistan will attend an anti-corruption summit in London this week. Cameron will bring together politicians, officials, businesspeople and civil-society groups from around the world Thursday as part of efforts to clamp down on bribery, moneylaundering and other forms of wrongdoing. At a Buckingham Palace reception with Queen Elizabeth II, a television microphone caught Cameron saying “we have got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain.” He referred to “Nigeria and Afghanistan — possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world.” Transparency International ranked Afghanistan 166th of 168 countries in its 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index. Nigeria was 136th. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani — elected in 2015 and 2014, respectively —
BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press
British Prime Minister David Cameron.
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have promised to curb corruption in their countries. Both are due to attend Thursday’s meeting, which hopes to produce a global declaration against corruption and break what Cameron has called the “taboo about tackling this issue head-on.” Buhari spokesman Garba Shehu reacted on social media, using an official account to say Cameron was embarrassing Nigerians despite Buhari’s “good work” on fighting corruption. “The prime minister must be
looking at an old snapshot of Nigeria. Things are changing with corruption and everything else,” he wrote. Cameron’s 10 Downing St. office said the prime minister knew there were “multiple cameras in the room” when he spoke. A spokesman said that Buhari and Ghani “have been invited to the summit because they are driving the fight against corruption in their countries. The U.K. stands shoulder to shoulder with them as they do so.” ■
OTTAWA — There’s nothing frightening about adopting and implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett said Tuesday at the UN. Bennett earned a standing ovation from a UN forum in New York by announcing that Canada is now a full supporter of the 2007 declaration, “without qualification.” But what that declaration signifies in the Canadian context depends on who you ask. In the words of one lawyer who represents indigenous resource interests: “Treaty making starts again today.” UNDRIP, the acronym by which the declaration is known, describes a global set of collective and human rights covering indigenous issues including language, identity, culture and traditions, health and education and free, prior, informed consent over resource extraction. The declaration is not considered legally binding. “What does this mean for Canada now?” Bennett told the
UN’s permanent forum on indigenous issues. “It means nothing less than a full engagement on how to move forward with adoption and implementation, done in full partnership with First Nations, the Metis nation and Inuit peoples.” Canada is uniquely placed, she said, because it is one of the few states in the world that has already incorporated indigenous rights, in Section 35 of the 1982 Constitution Act. “By adopting and implementing the declaration, we are excited that we are breathing life into Section 35 and recognizing it now as a full box of rights for indigenous peoples in Canada,” said the Liberal minister. Canada was one of four countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the United States, that voted against the declaration when it was first passed in 2007 — even though Canadian diplomatic officials had helped draft the original declaration. The former Conservative government initially argued that the “free, prior and informed consent” provisions amounted to a de facto indigenous veto on ❱❱ PAGE 25 UN Declaration
Powerball winner yet to come forward to claim prize BY BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI The Associated Press TRENTON, N.J. — Someone who spent $6 on lottery tickets at a New Jersey convenience store last week holds the lone winning ticket for this weekend’s $429.6 million Powerball jackpot. Carole Hedinger, the New Jersey Lottery’s executive director, said the ticket was bought last Tuesday from a 7-Eleven in a residential neighbourhood in Trenton, away from the highways that bring thousands of state office workers into the region each day. “Most of our customers are regulars, people who live nearby,” said store owner Andrea
Shinn, who received a $30,000 bonus for selling the ticket. “I don’t want to speculate on who may have the ticket, but everyone is excited for the winner, excited that we’re the store that sold the winning ticket. It’s great for the Trenton community to have something positive going on.” The purchaser bought two $2 tickets, one each for drawings held last Wednesday and Saturday, and spent an extra $1 on each ticket to get the “Power Play” option that multiplies the winnings. Lottery officials say the purchaser chose the lump sum option over an annuity, making the ticket worth $284 million. “They spent $6 to win $284 million. That’s a pretty good in-
vestment,” Hedinger said. The person who holds the ticket has not yet come forward. Most customers of the convenience store are locals, who come in a few times a week to buy coffee or a soda and maybe a sandwich or snack. That’s led area residents to speculate that the person who holds the winning ticket may be living among them. “I kind of feel like I was this close to winning because I got my tickets at the same place the winner did,” said Lori Strango, holding two fingers close together as she stood outside of the 7-Eleven store, amazed by the mass of media that was at the store on Monday morning for a news conference staged by New Jersey Lottery offiwww.canadianinquirer.net
cials. “People are saying this is a lucky store, and the people here are great, so I bet their ticket sales and business will be shooting through the roof now.” Only one ticket matched all six Powerball numbers in Saturday night’s drawing. The winning numbers were 5-2526-44-66, and the Powerball number was 9. Hedinger recommended that the person sign the back of the ticket and bring it to the lottery headquarters in Trenton, where officials can safeguard the ticket and start the validation process. Meanwhile, the ticket holder can seek advice from financial experts and other professionals. The ticket is the largest single
jackpot winning ticket sold in New Jersey and the sixth largest in Powerball history. Unlike January’s $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot, which was shared by three winning tickets, only one winning ticket will claim Saturday night’s prize. It was not immediately known if that ticket was held by one person or multiple people. Seven tickets from Saturday night’s drawing matched five numbers and claimed $1 million, including three in New York, two in Illinois and one each in California and Virginia. Powerball is played in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning are one in 292.2 million. ■
World News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Trump says big rallies his key campaign weapon BY JULIE PACE AND JILL COLVIN The Associated Press NEW YORK — Donald Trump, GOP nomination virtually in hand, is planning a general election campaign that banks heavily on his personal appeal and trademark rallies while spurning the kind of sophisticated data operation that was a centerpiece of Barack Obama’s winning White House runs. “I’ve always felt it was overrated,” Trump said in an interview Tuesday. “Obama got the votes much more so than his data processing machine. And I think the same is true with me.” Trump met with The Associated Press at his office in New York, where he’s been huddling with advisers to plan for a fall campaign that came upon him more quickly than even the confident billionaire expected. His remaining rivals abruptly exited the race last week, leaving him an open path to the Republican nomination. As part of his general election planning, Trump is moving aggressively to identify potential running mates and says he now has “a very good list of five or six people,” all with deep political experience. While he would not provide a full list of names, he did not rule out New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the former rival whom he’s already tapped to head his transition planning. Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, is running the vice-presidential vetting effort “with a group,” Trump said, that includes former competitor Ben Carson and himself. A first-time political candidate, the billionaire businessman said there’s no need for another business person on the Republican ticket and said he was eager for a running mate who would be effective in helping him pass legislation as president. By joining forces with a political veteran, Trump would also signal a willingness to work with the Republican establishment that he’s thoroughly bashed during his campaign. Trump said he doesn’t plan to announce his running mate until the Republican National Convention in July, a four-day event that he’s planning to remake with a showman’s touch. “The concept of some entertainment from a great singer, a great group I think would be something maybe to break things up,” Trump said. “You’ll be hearing plenty of political speeches.” He also ruled out for the first time the option of taking public financing for his campaign, a move that would have saved him the time-consuming task of raising vast sums of money but would have dramatically limited the amount he would be able to raise. “I don’t like the idea of taking taxpay-
Trump stunned the political world at every turn during the Republican primary, prioritizing large rallies over intimate voter interactions in early voting states. OLYA STECKEL / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
er money to run a campaign. I think it’s inappropriate,” he said. Trump stunned the political world at every turn during the Republican primary, prioritizing large rallies over intimate voter interactions in early voting states and operating with a slim campaign operation. Even as he brings in new staff for the general election, he says his emphasis will continue to be on raucous rallies that put him in front of thousands of voters and generate significant free media coverage. “My best investment is my rallies,” Trump said. “The people go home, they tell their friends they loved it. It’s been good.” The businessman said he’ll spend “limited” money on data operations to identify and track potential voters and to model various turnout scenarios that could give him the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. He’s moving away from the model Obama used successfully in his 2008 and 2012 wins, and the one that likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is trying to replicate, including hiring many of the staff that worked for Obama. Separately, the Republican National Committee has invested heavily in data operations, eager to avoid another defeat to a more technologically savvy Democratic candidate. Trump could make use of that RNC data or leave voter targeting to the party. Trump and his aides have been meeting with RNC officials this week to discuss the mechanics of his campaign. He is also planning a trip to Washington Thursday to meet with party leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, who
behind his candidacy. While Trump has vowed to be tough in taking on Clinton, he also suggested he might avoid running negative ads against her, saying, “I just don’t find them to be very effective.” “I’ve had over $100 million in negative ads spent on me and every time it’s boosted my numbers,” he said. As Trump was speaking, however, his campaign posted a new ad on Instagram assailing Clinton for her response to the attacks on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. The video accuses Clinton of lying about the reason for the attack and includes footage of her laughing superimposed on a scene of burning wreckage. Trump surged to the top of the Republican primary field despite having vague policy positions. It’s unclear how much his shift to the general election will include beefing up his domestic and foreign policy plans, though he did say voters have a right to expect more details about his health care proposals. He dismissed the idea that voters have a right to see his tax returns before going to the polls. He’s so far refused to release those documents, citing an ongoing audit. And besides, he said, “there’s nothing to learn from them.” ■
have had a mixed reaction to his primary success. For some Republicans skeptical of Trump, the desire to defeat Clinton in No- AP writer Julie Bykowicz11:40 contributed to BCBC-EducationTraining-PhilipineCanInq_5x6_C_01.pdf 1 14/04/2016 am vember is enough of an incentive to rally this report.
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FRIDAY
FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:
Lourdes Lugue, a single mom and an achiever in her own field BY GERNA LANE SOTANA Philippine Canadian Inquirer LOURDES LUGUE is a professional engineer and works as a Senior Process Engineer at Waste & Recycling Services for the city of Calgary. She is also a Part time Instructor at the University of Calgary on Continuing Education Programs. Lourdes appreciates Canada’s management of waste and emphasizes how “we [Canada] have new garbage collection vehicles where weekly garbage is being collected in a safely manner. The environment is clean, drinking water is treated to the highest standard quality much like the sewage, rivers are kept clean and there seems to be not much air pollution.” Her current job gives her “the satisfaction of applying all the acquired education to practice [her] profession. It gives the avenue to teach young engineers and mold them into being good professional engineers.” Life in Philippines
Tomas followed by a Master’s Degree at University of Gent in Belgium. Lourdes had “the most fulfilling career and good paying work as a Process Engineer”. From the time she graduated from UST, from being a Faculty member/teacher at the University of Santo Tomas, Civil Engineering Department, then as practicing engineer at Atlantic Gulf and Pacific, National Housing Authority and the DPWH and then as Process Engineer at Enviroasia Corp and as a Consultant at Woodward Clyde and later URS Corporation. Life in Canada
Coming back from studies in Belgium, Lourdes got a very good job as a Process Engineer with a company called Enviroasia. After three years with the company, she moved to an environmental consulting firm where again she had great experiences of travelling and managing very good projects. Back then, “government seemed to be in a good system under President Ramos, but when President Estrada assumed office, [she] had to leave the country as there were more corruptions and dealing with government projects making it difficult to practice [her] profession.” Leaving the country in July of 2000 was a risk Lourdes was willing to take. Although she had two young children, she knew she still had a number of
Lourdes Lugue.
but you can see where your money goes, i.e., nice roads, infrastructures, schools, etc. Here you can afford to buy food that you would think only the rich can afford...and what [she] likes the best is people here are not too concern with what you wear i.e. designer clothes, bag, etc. unlike in Philippines. The worst thing in Canada is the winter season.”
Born in Lingayen, and Pangasinan as a toddler, Lourdes was under the care of her grandmother. She moved to Pampanga when she was five years old where she attended elementary and high school. She then moved to Quezon City to begin studying Civil Engineering at The University of Santo Tomas. Challenges in Canada Her father was an engineer When Lourdes landed in Towhile her mothronto, she starter was a “stay at ed looking for home” wife and jobs in line with mother, but a her profession. clever businessTake on any opportunity [...] to build “First month, woman nonethetheir new life here, whether it is second month less. With eight taking jobs which is way off from their and half a year of children, they all career back home, upgrade their job search, nothmanaged to fineducation, work hard, persevere and ing was happenish University. don’t give up and seek God’s help ing. No matter Lourdes became through prayers. how [she] prean engineer, sented a resume, while her siblings no responses, became accounnot even actants, dietitian/nutritionist, a years to fulfill her life’s goals. knowledgement of receipt of dentist, a doctor, a food technolBeing an immigrant, Lourdes the resume.” Although many ogist, her only brother an elec- believes Canada has given her attempts were made, she could trical engineer, and the young- the best of living standards. see her hard earned savings est finished foreign studies. “Here in Canada, there is a good slowly draining on various exLife in the Philippines was healthcare system so you don’t penses. Lourdes recalls that very comfortable being a grad- have to worry much when you “Before I came to Canada, I had uate of The University of Santo get sick. Yes, you pay big taxes Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. Plan www.canadianinquirer.net
A was to make it in Toronto, but Toronto was cruel to me I guess. All the challenges I met being an immigrant in Canada, happened in Toronto. Since I could not find an engineering job, I accepted any job just to earn a living. I worked as a Unit Clerk at Bloorview Children’s Hospital, a Customer service staff at Future Shop, a Food Server and later as a Diet Clerk at Toronto General Hospital, and as a Private Tutor to young students. I had multiple jobs to earn a decent living so to speak. Of course, I was crying and unhappy with all those challenges. I thought I had studied for so long just to end up like this.Obviously, ‘Plan A’ did not work, so I packed my things, and moved to Alberta in 2007.” With Alberta’s booming economy, she knew action had to be taken. While working on getting her designation as a professional engineer, she worked as a Diet Clerk at Alberta Children’s Hospital. Three months had gone by when an opening for a Water Treatment Plant Operator had presented itself. Lourdes worked in the position for three years, and then was hired at Waste & Recycling Services of the City. Today she
is a Senior Process Engineer and the Project Manager of a Leachate Treatment Pilot Plant project dealing with treatment of leachate or “garbage juice”. Her greatest achievement
As a proud single mother, Lourdes’ greatest achievement in life to date is being able to support her son’s dream to become a commercial pilot. Her daughter is also in University studying to be a Civil Engineer like Lourdes as well. Keeping true to her heritage, Lourdes has always taught her children to be respectful, conservative, family oriented, and has kept strong faith as a Catholic, which has given her strength to overcome challenges through life. Advise to new immigrants
Lourdes has gone through both struggles and triumphs since coming to Canada. For new Immigrant Professionals coming to Canada, her advice is “to take on any opportunity for them to build their new life here, whether it is taking jobs which is way off from their career back home, upgrade their education, work hard, persevere and don’t give up and seek God’s help through prayers.” ■
Community News
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Coalition against election fraud launches Koalisyon kontra dayaan BY LUI QUEANO AND PET CLETO A COALITION that campaigned against election fraud and irregularities — consisting of individuals, personalities, political parties and supporters, community activists, as well as youth groups and women’s organizations launched Koalisyon Kontra Dayaan. A press conference was held May 5, at Cusina Restaurant in Toronto to announce the event. The meeting included discussions on current electionrelated fraud and irregularities, particularly the conduct and manner of Overseas Voting (OV) in Toronto, including accreditation problems for pollwatchers, testimonies and incidence of irregularities like double and triple ballots received by voters, and other election-related issues. The group’s objectives were to monitor, document and protest election fraud and irregularities in the conduct of the 2016 Philippine national elections in Canada’s three voting precincts (Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver). “The issue in this year’s polls is the credibility of the political exercise in the face of election irregularities and fraudulent
actions made by authorities and experienced by the voters themselves since OV started on Apr. 9. We are concerned about complete transparency as to the conduct and manner by which this election proceeds, particularly here in Toronto where we have been receiving reports of election irregularities,” said Ben Corpuz, Filipino Workers Network co-chair and the chief convenor of Koalisyon Kontra Dayaan. “We launched Koalisyon Kontra Dayaan, an election watchdog, because we need to ensure that our votes are counted properly and correctly. We want to encourage our voters to get involved, to take part in the coalition and act when needed to defend their rights to vote,” Connie Sorio of the International Migrants’ Alliance seconded. “The basis of the coalition’s unity was to finally assure that the electoral exercise was an honest, clean and credible conclusion, based on integrity and transparency. What brought us together is that there were many indications that these qualities were absent since the Overseas voting,” she said. Sorio pointed out that there was not even a single accredited poll watcher from any political party in Toronto.
“The Philippine Consulate in Toronto cannot even give us a sound and logical response to this concern,” she said. “There’s no clear indication that a poll watcher will be accredited soon,” she added. For its part, Migrante Sectoral Partylist (MSP) also criticized the slow action from the Consulate with regards to the issuance of accreditation for the pollwatchers. Migrante Partylist National Coordinator for Canada Maru Maesa said in an interview that this absence of accredited poll watchers in the Toronto district puts the Consulate in Toronto, and the Comelec as well, under a heavy cloud of suspicion. There are about 35,000 registered voters in the Toronto precinct alone. “For our part,” Ron Turla, a Duterte-Toronto organizer said, “we submitted our request for accreditation as early as Mar. 31, but even up to this late date, the Philippine Consulate keeps telling us to come back because Comelec has not forwarded them a letter of approval for our official poll watchers.” Moreover, the coalition has received reports that the Vancouver Consulate has given accreditation to poll watchers in that district although they had submitted their documents
Election Watchdog Convenors (from L) Duterte Representative Ron Turla; community organizer and activist Mithi Esguerra (partly hidden); Filipino Workers Network (FWN) co-chair/MSP Toronto coordinator Ben Corpuz; Pinoy Radyo commentator/host Joey Abrenilla; and International Migrants’ Alliance (Ima) member Connie Sorio attentively listen to Atty. Jean of Poe’s camp regarding accreditation problem for party pollwatchers.
LUI QUENO
later than the required five days before the first day of voting (Apr. 9), in accordance with section 40 of Comelec Resolution 10052. The obvious lack of concern of electoral authorities from both the Comelec and the Philippine Consulate of Toronto over the issue of accreditation of poll watchers in Toronto was an important common issue that drew the coalition members into unity. Though the coalition came late into the electoral exercise, and though poll-watching has not been properly assured for many voters who have already cast their ballots, the recentlycreated coalition has their work cut out for them. The tasks of its
members were necessary in the last and critical lap of the elections: document the actions of the Philippine consulate and Comelec authorities in the final week of the elections; monitor vote-counting in Ottawa; gather reports and complaints until May the 9th and beyond; and finally, chart how the coalition’s campaign will continue after the elections. Other convenors include Duterte supporter Joey Abrenilla; community activist and organizer Mithi Esguerra; AnakbayanToronto organizer Ysh Cabana; Gabriela Ontario Vice-chair Rafunzel Korngut; writers Petronila Cleto and Lui Queano; and union organizer Bayani Edades. ■
Marcelino elected Manitoba NDP interim leader FLOR MARCELINO has been elected and confirmed as Manitoba NDP interim leader, according to party president Ovide Mercredi. “We are very proud to have Flor as our interim leader during this time of reflection and renewal within our party,” said Mercredi. “Her several years of experience as both an MLA and minister will make her a formidable Opposition leader, and her strong ties to diverse communities across Manitoba will prove invaluable for our party’s positive, progressive agenda moving forward.” Marcelino is the first elected woman of an ethnic minority to lead a political party in Manitoba. First elected as the MLA
for Logan in 2007, she made history as the first women of colour elected to the Manitoba legislature. Her confirmation as interim leader required a vote by members at a meeting of Provincial Council earlier today, following the recommendation of the NDP caucus and party executive. “I am honoured to accept the role of interim leader of our great political party,” added Marcelino. “As interim leader, I look forward to working with my colleagues, First Nations, newcomer communities, and all Manitobans as we hold the Pallister government accountable. We will work the newly elected government to serve
the needs all Manitobans, and fight to ensure the front line services families count on are protected.” Prior to entering politics, Flor was a small business owner, editor of The Philippine Times, and worked as a support staff at www.canadianinquirer.net
Red River College for 17 years. Between 2009 and 2016, Flor served as Minister for Culture, Heritage, and Tourism, and Minister for Multiculturalism and Literacy, where she worked with dozens of multicultural organizations across Manitoba
and oversaw the NDP government’s increasing investments in adult learning and literacy. The NDP has 14 elected representatives in the Manitoba legislature, including four Indigenous MLAs, two Filipino, and one Sikh. ■
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Entertainment
New beauty queens’ message to the next admin BY ARMIN P. ADINA Philippine Daily Inquirer THIS YEAR’S Binibining Pilipinas queens hope to be inspired by the next administration in their quest to give honor to the country by sustaining its impressive performance in the international pageant scene. At a private gathering at the Novotel Manila in Quezon City after their coronation last month, the ladies shared with INQUIRER their messages to the next administration. Maxine Medina, the country’s Miss Universe bet, said: “Name-calling and mudslinging are prevalent nowadays. I want you (presidential candidates) to tackle issues and not personalities [because] as the next president, you will rule and inspire the people.”
Binibining Pilipinas-International Kylie Verzosa, who will compete for the country’s sixth Miss International title, said: “I know that the Philippines has a lot of outstanding problems and six years may not be enough [to solve them]. I hope that you try your best. This time, what we need is a listening president.” For her part, Nichole Marie Manalo, who bagged the new title Binibining Pilipinas-Globe, gave this advice: “Just be selfless and inspiring. Embody the best of the Filipinos. We’re intelligent, genuine, and we love peace—showcase those qualities. Inspire more countries and people.” Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational Joanna Eden meanwhile listed a stringent set of qualifications for her next leader. “I hope the future president
Maxine Medina.
is well-educated and is aware of good moral values. I don’t want him or her to be afraid of making unpopular decisions,” she declared. Jennifer Hammond, Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental,
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appealed: “Please fight corruption and promote a participatory government. Promote accountability, transparency and the rule of law.” “Please walk the talk,” Binibining Pilipinas-Grand Inter-
national Nicole Cordoves appealed: “Every Filipino wants to be inspired by the good example of the president. You don’t do this just by going against the decisions of the previous administration. Please be inspiring and relevant, just like Justin Trudeau. I hope we have more innovative solutions [to our problems].” Empowering citizens appeared to be on top of first runnerup Angelica Alita’s mind. “Expand our vocational studies. Provide better equipment and facilities and [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority] centers,” she said. For second runnerup Jehza Mae Huelar, the president’s health is of utmost importance. “In general, a good decision comes from a sound body,” she explained. ■
TRO filed to stop DOLE guidelines on work hours in show biz industry BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer BROADCAST NETWORK ABSCBN has filed a petition for a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the implementation of the labor department advisory providing the guidelines on work hours in the movie and television industry. In a petition filed with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court last Tuesday, ABS-CBN and its cable TV production subsidiary Creative Programs Inc. (CPI) questioned the validity of Labor Advisory 042016 issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on April 26. It claimed that Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz issued the advisory “with undue haste and without consulting” key industry players. The network said that consultations were not completed
when the DOLE “suddenly is- the DOLE’s latest “public relaABS-CBN, in a statement sued the labor advisory…de- tions gambit…[to] grandstand sent to the INQUIRER, howevspite the ongoing meetings and project a sham pro-labor er, stressed that it “has always with broadcast management image in time for Labor Day.” championed and supported any and workers.” The network claimed that the development, whether initiatIt pointed out that the ad- DOLE’s move to “regulate” even ed by the DOLE or not, that envisory was issued on the very non-employees, such as inde- sures the health and well-being day the [DOLE] “hurriedly met pendent contractors, “is a clear of its workers.” with broadcast management case of executive overreach.” The labor advisory was a rerepresentasponse to a call tives—a meeting to action by inattended only by dustry personABS -CBN—to alities on what request data that ABS-CBN [...] stressed that it “has they deemed as would help them always championed and supported stressful enviunderstand the any development, whether initiated ronment and TV industry.” by the DOLE or not, that ensures the long working In the same health and well-being of its workers.” hours on the meeting, the set of television DOLE anshows and films. nounced that it Under the adwould conduct visory, workers site visits in the first week of Once implemented, the pro- and talents should not exceed May, then draft a department visions of the DOLE advisory eight hours of work a day, and order, which would then be pre- would interfere with the net- that their maximum actual sented to industry stakeholders work’s existing contracts with hours of work should not exfor comment. its employees or workers, as ceed 12 hours in any 24-hour The petition also described well as its independent con- period. the assailed labor advisory as tractors, the petition stated. Baldoz added that provisions www.canadianinquirer.net
found in Republic Act 9231 should be strictly followed in relation to the employment of children. She likewise said that the “waiting time” spent by workers during production period should also be considered as “working time, if they are required or engaged to wait.” Also included in the labor advisory are provisions on occupational safety and health standards. It further stated that “adequate transportation to and from the location or set must be provided to the workers or reimbursed by the network, company or outfit of the costs incurred by the worker in commuting.” Lastly, the labor chief declared that industry workers should also be covered by agencies such as Pag-Ibig, PhilHealth, Social Security System, Employees’ Compensation Program, among others. ■
Entertainment
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
Prince Harry, Michelle Obama help kick off Invictus Games BY TERRANCE HARRIS The Associated Press ORLANDO, FLA. — Britain’s Prince Harry and first lady Michelle Obama helped kick off the Invictus Games for wounded veterans with uplifting speeches Sunday night, joining other figures from the worlds of sports, entertainment and politics in a glittery opening ceremony. The two-hour event in Orlando, Florida, included performances by British singer James Blunt and soprano Laura Wright. Actor Morgan Freeman and former president George W. Bush — honorary chairman of this year’s games — sat in the audience for the ceremonial start of the games at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Champion Stadium. Nearly 500 athletes from 14 different countries are competing in the Paralympic-style sports competition over a fourday period beginning Monday. The Invictus Games are the creation of Prince Harry, who got the inspiration to help wounded and sick military personnel and their families after his two tours of duty in Afghanistan. The initial Invictus Games were held last year in London. “I can’t tell you how proud I am to have the second Invictus Games open in America,” Prince Harry said. “I’m a long way from London tonight, but
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‘Captain America: Civil War’ nabs fifth best opening ever BY LINDSEY BAHR The Associated Press
when I look out, I see so many familiar faces, servicemen and women, their friends and their families and all of the people who got them here. I feel like I’m at home.” The evening began with participants dressed in their nation’s colours marching into Champion Stadium to a standing ovation from the crowd. There were several musical performances and then three veterans spoke about the injuries they suffered and their fight to regain control of their lives. “I served along soldiers from all over the world,” Prince Harry said. “I saw the sacrifices you and your families made to serve your nations. I learned about the importance of team work and camaraderie in the way that only military service can teach you.” There was a military flyover and the black and yellow “I Am” flag, which has become the symbol of the Invictus Games, was flown by helicopter into the stadium. There was also a fireworks show. The first lady spoke toward the end of the ceremony. “It is truly an honour to be here tonight to help kick off this year’s Invictus Games,” she said. “I want to, of course, start by thanking Prince Harry for his outstanding leadership and for bringing the Invictus Games here to Orlando. He is truly our Prince Charming. He should be proud of his work.” ■
LOS ANGELES — What superhero fatigue? Disney and Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War,” the 13th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has strong-armed its way to becoming the fifth-highest domestic opening ever according to comScore estimates Sunday. The film grossed a massive $181.8 million this weekend, bumping “Iron Man 3” out of the top five all time debuts. “Civil War” now ranks right below “Marvel’s The Avengers” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which hold the third and fourth place spots. It’s nearly double the opening of the previous “Captain America” film, “The Winter Soldier,” which opened to $95 million in April 2014, but that is at least partially attributable to the fact that “Civil War” is basically an Avengers movie in disguise. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, “Civil War” sees an ideological showdown between Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans) and is packed to the brim with Avengers old and new. It’s been very well-received by critics and, now, audiences, who gave the film a promising “A” CinemaScore, which should bode well for the film’s longevity. Audiences were 59 per cent male and mostly adults. Teens made up only 11 per cent of the audience. After a $75 million first day, the opening was right in line with expectations, and according to comScore senior media
analyst Paul Dergarabedian, is well on its way to becoming a $1 billion movie. “We’ve become so accustomed to these massive numbers, now we’re putting up single day numbers that would be very noteworthy opening weekends on their own,” Dergarabedian said. “Civil War” cost a hefty $250 million to produce but has already far-surpassed that thanks to a healthy international debut last weekend and a big bump from China this weekend. In sum, the superhero showdown has earned $678.4 million globally to date. Great reviews and word of mouth will surely distinguish “Civil War” from “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” which, by comparison, opened to $166 million in late March but fell sharply over the subsequent weekends. That film has earned $327.3 domestically million to date and this weekend placed 10th with $1 million. As is to be expected when there’s only one new wide release, the rest of films on the box office charts looked paltry in comparison. The only big change was that “Civil War” effectively ended the three week first-place run of Disney’s “The Jungle Book” which came in second with $21.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $285 million. Aside from the flop of “The Finest Hours” in January, Disney is having a great 2016 and this weekend surpassed the $1 billion domestic mark in a record 128 days. It took 165 days to reach that threshold last
year. The Marvel element is a key portion of that and one that other studios are trying to match. “The Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Marvel Studios team as led by Kevin Feige has really been a model for consistency in extraordinary storytelling,” said Dave Hollis, Disney’s executive vice-president of theatrical distribution. “Kevin has established this interlocking, interwoven cinematic universe that is not just unprecedented in terms of its size and scale, but also it’s really unparalleled in entertainment today, the $9 billion in business that they’ve done in 12 movies.” Hollis credits the continued and growing success of the franchise to Feige’s commitment to quality and also the strategy of each year releasing one Marvel film that is familiar to audiences and one that is new. In 2015, that meant having an “Avengers” movie and “Ant-Man,” and in 2014, it was a “Captain America” movie and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” This year, the new element will be “Doctor Strange,” which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and debuts in November. “You couldn’t have a better lead in for the summer,” said Dergarabedian, who noted that Memorial Day weekend should also be quite significant with the release of “Alice Through the Looking Glass” and “XMen: Apocalypse.” “Even though on paper it might not look as strong as last year, the summer of 2016 shouldn’t be underestimated,” Dergarabedian said. ■
“Recognition of elements of the declaration began 250 years ago with the Royal Proclamation, which was about sharing the land fairly. UNDRIP reflects the spirit and intent of our treaties.” The country’s two largest resource extraction industry associations welcomed the adoption of UNDRIP, with both the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Mining Association of Canada saying the declaration largely mirrors prac-
tices already adopted by resource companies over the past decade. “These are opportunities to recast relationships,” David McGuigan, CAPP’s manager of aboriginal policy, said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “A lot of our companies feel they already achieve a lot of what’s required by UNDRIP in a corporate context and in a resource development context.” Pierre Gratton, president and CEO of the mining association,
presented the Liberal government’s position as correcting a historical anomaly. “We’ve been historically seen as a leader but then we had this funny situation at the UN where we were a dissenter on something that was so important to indigenous peoples worldwide,” Gratton said in an interview. “This move really puts us back where we properly belong and also where I think, in practice, we have largely been.”
But Larry Innes, a lawyer with Toronto firm Olthuis, Kleer and Townsend who represents First Nations groups, said resource industries are “looking a bit in the rear-view mirror” in their assessments of UNDRIP. Consultation with indigenous communities on mitigation measures for major resource projects has become established practice, but free, prior and informed consent means much more than that, Innes argues. ■
UN Declaration... major resource projects, and questioned how UNDRIP could be accommodated within existing Canadian constitutional protections. Bennett did not directly address those concerns Tuesday, but said the declaration fits within Canada’s long history of treaty and constitutional rights. “Let’s be honest: implementing UNDRIP should not be scary,” she said. ❰❰ 20
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MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Lifestyle
Digital spring cleaning: 4 ‘cyber hygiene’ tips to stay safe BY BREE FOWLER The Associated Press NEW YORK — Spring cleaning isn’t just about tossing old furniture and torn clothing: It’s a great time to clear out your digital clutter and make sure you’re protected against hackers. That means evaluating all your passwords — and changing them if you haven’t in a while. You’ll also want to update your software and take stock of your personal information on devices and online. A little “cyber hygiene” can go a long way in guarding yourself from identity theft or other Internet attacks. Earlier, we shared some tips on securing your smartphone and protecting yourself against phishing attacks. Now, you can keep the rest of your digital life clean. Check (and change) your passwords
The more complicated and lengthy a password is, the harder it will be for hackers to guess. Long and random combinations of letters, numbers and other characters work best. Don’t include your kids’ names, birthdays or references to any other personal details that people might find on social media. Hackers routinely troll Facebook and Twitter looking for clues to passwords like these. Obvious and default passwords such as “Password123” are also bad, though experts say it’s surprising how often they get used.
Regardless of how tough your password is to crack, it’s important to change it at least every few months. And don’t be tempted to recycle an old one. The longer a password sits around, the more likely it is to fall into the wrong hands. You should also avoid using the same password for multiple sites, so that a break of your school’s PTA site wouldn’t lead hackers to your online banking account. Multi-factor identification — which asks users to enter a second form of identification, such as a code texted to their phone — will provide additional protections at services that offer it. Think that’s too hard? Many experts recommend passwordmanager services such as LastPass or DashLane. They remember complex passwords for you — but you have to trust them. Last June, LastPass disclosed “suspicious activity” and told users to change their master passwords. Back it up
There’s a growing threat of ransomware, where a hacker locks down a computer and threatens to wipe the data if the owner doesn’t pay up. The attacks often stem from malicious software, which can result from clicking on a link in a phishing email or fake online ads. Because you have little recourse when this happen, it’s more important than ever to back up your data. You can automate this. Services such as Carbonite let you
continuously back up your files to the Internet for a monthly fee. Mac and Windows PCs come with tools for backing up to external drives. It’s called Time Machine on Macs. On Windows 10, look under “Update & security” in the settings. On Windows 7, try “System and Security” or “System and Maintenance.” Make sure you unplug the drive after each backup, so that malware doesn’t creep into those copies as well. Keep your software up to date
Whether it’s a new iPhone or an ancient PC, software updates are critical, as they fix flaws that could otherwise give hackers a way into your device. This applies not just to operating systems but to common
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apps like browsers and media players. Better yet, turn on the auto-updating feature that most software now comes with. Dump software that you no longer use or that’s no longer updated. That includes Apple’s QuickTime player for Windows, as Apple no longer supports it. Don’t forget about your wireless router and your assorted “Internet of things” devices such as smart TVs and thermostats. While some devices may automatically do this or let you do so through a phone app, consult your manufacturer’s website for older devices. The truth is out there, like it or not
Lock down your social media
accounts by restricting your posts to just your actual friends. You can adjust that in the settings. Nonetheless, assume that everyone everywhere can see what you’re posting — even if you restrict your audience. As mentioned before, personal tidbits can help hackers crack easy passwords. They also can be used to answer supposedly personal questions to reset passwords for many services. Beyond security, Facebook and Twitter are among the first places employers look when researching a job candidate. You don’t want anything embarrassing to pop up. Woe to those who attended college after the advent of social media. Bet you’re regretting all those keg-stand selfies now. ■
Lifestyle
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Diamond the size of a tennis ball found in Canadian-owned mine could fetch C$90M BY DIANA MEHTA The Canadian Press A THREE-BILLION-YEAROLD diamond the size of a tennis ball could fetch more than C$90 million when the Canadian mining company that unearthed it puts the rock up for auction this summer. But the first person to lay eyes on the whopping gem barely gave it a glance, the CEO of Vancouver-based Lucara Diamond Corp. recalled Wednesday, as the eye-popping estimate for the precious stone was issued by auctioneer Sotheby’s. “He’d only been working for us for two weeks, so he sees the thousand carats and goes ‘oh, this must be normal,”’ William Lamb told The Canadian Press. “He didn’t tell anybody. It was only when the chief saw it that there was this huge commotion on site.” The diamond was unearthed in November, at the Karowe mine in Botswana that’s owned by Lucara (TSX:LUC). After being closely examined, it was found to measure 1,109 carats, making it the secondlargest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered.
The only bigger diamond found to date was the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, unearthed in South Africa in 1905. It was cut into nine pieces that form part of the U.K. Crown Jewels. The Cullinan diamond, however, was found when a mine worker noticed something glinting in the side of a pit, grabbed a ladder and started chipping around it with a pen knife, said Lamb. The diamond found at the Lucara mine, in contrast, managed to survive a modern mining process which included drilling, blasting, excavation, crushing and mechanized sorting, he said. “Our stone actually went through an entire processing facility before it was recovered,” Lamb explained. “We were very lucky.” The diamond has been named Lesedi la Rona, meaning “our light” in the local Tswana language. The name came from a local contest which drew some 11,000 entries, Lamb said, and carries a special meaning for Botswana, whose economy has benefited greatly from diamond mining. The Lesedi la Rona is cur-
Cullinan Mine seen in the distance. It is where the Cullinan diamond, the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found, at 3106.75 carats has been unearthed. OLYA STECKEL / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
rently on a world tour ahead of an auction in London this summer. It has already been displayed in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai, and will be shown in New York this weekend before heading to locations in Europe, said Lamb. “We’re trying to get access to people who may want it as a collector’s item,” he said. “We’re looking at people who have the financial resources, but also see the uniqueness, the rarity and
the beauty in the stone.” Auctioneer Sotheby’s has estimated the diamond could sell for more than C$90 million, but Lamb said just how much the rock will ultimately go for is hard to say. “This is historic,” he said. “It is the only plus thousand carat stone in existence.” Whoever acquires the diamond will have to decide whether to cut and polish the stone, possibly splitting it into smaller pieces, or keep it in its
rough form. “If you ask me, I wouldn’t cut it. It is unique,” said Lamb, who remembered feeling “shock and awe” when he first held the diamond. “It automatically draws you to it. I’d say the stone has an addictive quality to it.” Sotheby’s has said the rough gemstone “of exceptional transparency” could yield the largest top-quality diamond ever cut and polished, if the buyer decides to go that route. David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry division, called the discovery “the find of a lifetime” and the auction unprecedented, because no rough diamond of this size has ever been auctioned. The Lesedi la Rona could smash the record price for a diamond of US$48.5 million, paid at a Geneva sale last year for the 12.03-carat polished “Blue Moon” diamond. Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau picked it up as a gift for his 7-year-old daughter. The Lesedi la Rona diamond will be offered at auction on June 29. ■ With files from The Associated Press
Facebook’s No. 2 exec pays tribute to single mothers THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MENLO PARK, CALIF. — Facebook’s No. 2 executive Sheryl Sandberg says she never realized how hard it is to be a single parent until her husband died a year ago. In a touching Mother’s Day weekend post on Facebook, Sandberg says the odds are stacked against single moms. Many live in poverty, work two jobs or don’t get paid leave to care for themselves or children if they get sick, she says. “I did not really get how hard it is to succeed at work when you are overwhelmed at home,” Sandberg wrote. She called on leaders to rethink public and corporate policies to better support single
mothers. She didn’t say whether anything will change at Facebook, where she is chief operating officer. Sandberg’s husband, Dave, died in a treadmill accident a year ago while on vacation in Mexico. Here are other thoughts she shared on single parenting, leave policies and her book: Being a single mom
Sandberg says she never realized how often situations come up where she’s unable to stop her son or daughter from crying. “What would Dave do if he were here?” she asks herself. Sandberg writes that she never realized how many events such as father-daughter dances there are at schools and how hard they are for children without dads.
Leave policies
The U.S., Sandberg says, is the only developed economy in the world that does not provide workers paid maternity leave. She says we need to rethink policies to better support single mothers. The post doesn’t address Facebook’s own policies. Facebook does offer U.S. employees up to four months of paid parental leave. It’s among several high-tech companies that offer benefits around childbirth. Lean in
Sandberg concedes she’s fortunate not to have the financial worries that many single moms face. She admits that in her 2013 book “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead,” she should have written more about women raising www.canadianinquirer.net
Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook. JOLANDA FLUBACHER / SWISS-IMAGE.CH / WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
children without a partner. “I will never experience and understand all of the challenges
most single moms face, but I understand a lot more than I did a year ago.” ■
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MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Business
Contractualization legal, but abused BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE MAKATI BUSINESS Club has warned against calls to end contractualization in the country, stressing that what should instead be addressed and discontinued were the abuses committed under this practice. “It is fair to say that contractualization may have been abused. There is a legitimate reason to complain about the abuses. But on the other hand,
it’s dangerous to condemn contractualization as a principle because there are clear sectors and industries in our economy that operate on this basis of contracts,” MBC chair Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. said. “Construction is a very clear example of that. Construction projects are always done by contracts, and of course, if a project is done by contract, the bulk of the people you employ are on a contract basis. I cannot envision how banning contractualization will work in the context of indus-
tries like construction,” Del Rosario added. The MBC chair also pointed out that contractualization was also being used in industries like the business processing outsourcing (BPO), particularly in the animation business, where many of the engagements were done by contracts. “(Contracts are done) usually for a particular feature film or for a particular television series and when that’s done, the work is over. There are many other sectors of the economy where the only way you can hire peo-
ple is through contracts, and therefore there is a legitimate reason behind contractualization,” Del Rosario said. “Let’s be precise about what it is that we are against and I think it’s the abuses. When people say ‘endo’ (end of contract), it tends to connote the whole principle of contractualization whereas I am hoping that what they really mean are the abuses of contractualization,” he said. The last presidential debate held in Pangasinan City saw presidential bets vowing
to end the practice of contractualization or “endo” (end of contract). Under the usual contractualization scheme, workers are reportedly hired for five months without security of tenure and benefits and are terminated as their contracts expire, only to be rehired under a new but similar deal. Mar Roxas, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte were among those who vowed to end labor contractualization once elected president. ■
Greek Parliament passes pension, tax reform bill BY DEMETRIS NELLAS The Associated Press
etary Fund, will move to lighten its debt burden, and that this will dominate the agenda of a meeting of the EU finance ministers in Monday’s Eurogroup. But the creditors themselves, with the notable exception of the IMF, are against forgiving part of Greece’s massive debt. At most, they appear willing to discuss cutting the higher interest rates that will prevail after 2022 and lengthening the repayment period. All of the creditors have put pressure on Greece for further austerity measures costing billions of dollars, including ones
further austerity measures, the latest vote will not be the last. Already, a new bill is being prepared, calling for higher taxATHENS, GREECE — Greece’s es on a range of products, from Parliament in a narrow vote has tobacco to beer to broadband approved a bill reforming the Internet connections. This bill debt-ridden country’s pension is expected to pass later in the and tax systems. month. The bill, introduced as part of Talks on further reforms as the requirements the country part of the country’s third bailmust meet under its third inout have been dragging on for ternational bailout, is set to inmore than six months, delaying crease social security and penpayouts of vital bailout loans. sion contributions, and raise The opposition unanimously taxes for most people. blasted the added taxes and the The bill was approved by the government’s record in failing 153 lawmakers of the ruling to revive the economy, now in Syriza/Indeits eighth year of pendent Greeks recession and its government seventh under coalition in an creditor-man early Monday The government now expects that dated austerity. vote. All opposiits creditors [...] will move to lighten Prime Ministion parties in its debt burden, and that this will ter Alexis Tsipthe 300-member dominate the agenda of a meeting of ras and his minParliament votthe EU finance ministers in Monday’s isters defended ed against it. Eurogroup. their plans, sayThe vote took ing things were place amid a worse when the crippling general opposition was strike and protests that briefly that would kick in automatical- ruling the country, and that turned violent Sunday. ly should Greece fail to achieve taxes were better than spendThe government now expects agreed levels of a primary bud- ing cuts, and that they were trythat its creditors, which include get surplus in 2018. ing to root out corruption and the European Commission, the For the government, which entanglements with powerful European Central Bank, the had hoped to divide the credi- business interests. European Stability Mechanism tors to achieve more favour“You say you want spending and the International Mon- able terms and be excused from cuts, but you don’t dare name www.canadianinquirer.net
VERVERIDIS VASILIS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
them,” Tsipras told the opposition. Tsipras and Labor Minister George Katrougalos, who introduced the bill, said that social security contributions would decline for many self-employed professionals, with Katrougalos adding the bill’s provisions showed the way forward for social policy in a Europe dominated by pro-market “neoliberals.” The bill was condemned by all major unions and professional associations. The latter, including engineers and doctors, warned that lawmakers who are also members of those associations will face disciplinary action and possible expulsion if they voted for the bill. Tsipras is a member of an engineers’ association. A peaceful protest rally outside Parliament, in which over 10,000 people, mostly pro-com-
munist unionists, attended, was disrupted Sunday evening by a handful of anarchists. The anarchists attacked riot police with firebombs and other projectiles. The police responded with stun grenades and blasts of tear gas that drove away everyone assembled outside Parliament. Police detained nine people in connection with the clashes. In the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest, anarchists hurled firebombs at police guarding the local offices of the ruling Syriza party. Police used tear gas and chased the rioters through the streets in central Thessaloniki but made no arrests. ■ Theodora Tongas, in Athens, and Costas Kantouris, in Thessaloniki, contributed to this report.
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FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
Sports
Fortitude carries day for Charly BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer
I might as well give it another shot.” Toughened by failures
another silver in the Asiad in Incheon, South Korea, losing to Mongolian fighter Dorjnyambuugiin Otgondalai in the finals. The medal in the Asiad only boosted Suarez’s confidence to get another crack at an Olympics slot. And with the full backing of the Abap, Suarez finally seized his chance last month in the Asia Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Qian’an, China.
IT TOOK boxer Charly SuBy the time Suarez, a twoarez close to a decade to finally time Southeast Asian Games achieve his dream of making gold medalist, returned to the Olympics. the ring a few months before And as he prepares for the the Asian Games, he was also biggest challenge of his career, toughened by past failures. the battle-tested veteran is usHe lost at the final hurdle of ing some of the toughest mo- qualifying for the 2008 Olymments of his life as a source pics in Beijing and also came of motivation in a bid to give within a whisker of making the the country its first medal in 2012 Games in London. Tears of joy 20 years in the After he scored Games in Rio de a second-round Janeiro in Autechnical knockgust. out of China’s The 27-yearShan Jun in the old from AsunI wanted to return to Davao, but semifinals for cion, Davao del what would I do there? The coaches the Olympics Norte, had conhelped a lot. I realized I’m still slot, Suarez’s templated quitfortunate to get this opportunity (to shed tears of joy, ting the sport be in the national team), so I might as all his emotions after sustainwell give it another shot. boiling over. It ing injuries on hardly mattered both shoulders that Suarez lost four years ago. to Otgondalai in Then a suspectthe gold-medal ed slipped disc match. again almost forced him to re“It was tough because I was Abap executive director Ed tire right after surgery to his so close to making the Olym- Picson said they hope to send shoulders. pics twice and then the inju- four more pugs to Rio via the “I thought boxing wasn’t for ries came,” said Suarez during World Olympic Qualifying me anymore,” Suarez told the a recent luncheon hosted by Tournament in Baku, AzerbaiINQUIRER in Filipino, recall- the Association of Boxing Alli- jan, in June. ing his 18-month injury layoff ances of the Philippines (Abap). Suarez said he’ll pull out all in 2012. “I wanted to return “I prayed hard for answers. I the stops to be the best fighter to Davao, but what would I do prayed for strength.” he can be for the Olympics. “It’s there? The coaches helped a Coming back from his injury, a blessing to be in the Olymlot. I realized I’m still fortu- Suarez won a silver medal in his pics, but I know I have to work nate to get this opportunity first international tournament harder than ever before to win a (to be in the national team), so in Kazakhstan, before nailing medal,” he said. ■
Canelo fight possible if Manny returns BY ROY LUARCA Philippine Daily Inquirer CANELO ALVAREZ will be the leading candidate to face Manny Pacquiao if the Filipino superstar decides to return to the ring after the senatorial elections. Top Rank chief Bob Arum disclosed this recently as he confirmed reports that he has held preliminary talks with Golden Boy Promotions CEO and Alvarez promoter Oscar De La Hoya for the possible fight, set later this year at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Alvarez scored a sensational sixth-round knockout victory over Briton Amir Khan on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to retain his World Boxing Council middleweight crown. While Canelo and De La Hoya are free to explore possibili-
ties, including a much-awaited showdown with the Mexican’s fellow middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin also this year, Pacquiao’s comeback will largely depend on the outcome of his senatorial candidacy at home. “Manny is running for the Senate and is officially retired,” Arum told elpasotimes. com. “But if he comes out of retirement, Canelo is a guy that (trainer) Freddie Roach and Manny are talking about, wanting to fight. So, if that fight does happen, then AT&T Stadium would be the perfect venue. Arum also does not discount the possibility that Floyd Mayweather Jr. might come out of retirement to fight Pacquiao in a rematch for a purse of no less than $100 million. Mayweather is also looking at UFC star Conor McGregor as a possible foe. ■
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Andy Murray splits from coach Amelie Mauresmo THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON — Andy Murray split with coach Amelie Mauresmo on Monday, ending a groundbreaking two-year relationship during which the British star improved as a clay-court player but failed to add to his collection of Grand Slam titles. A statement released by Murray’s management company didn’t disclose the reason be-
hind the decision, although Mauresmo said “dedicating enough time along with the travel has been a challenge for me.” The Frenchwoman gave birth to her first child in August and took six months off from coaching. “Working with Andy over the last two years has been a fantastic experience for me,” said Mauresmo, a former topranked player who won the Australian Open and Wimble-
don in 2006. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of the great team of people he has around him.” Murray became the first high-profile tennis player to hire a woman as a coach when he brought Mauresmo on board in June 2014. By that time, he was already a two-time Grand Slam champion — at the U.S. Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 — and had also won a gold medal at the www.canadianinquirer.net
London Olympics in 2012. Under Mauresmo, Murray reached the final at the Australian Open in 2015 and ‘16, losing both times to top-ranked Novak Djokovic. He won his first claycourt titles last year in Munich and Madrid. “I’ve learned a lot from Amelie over the last two years, both on and off the court,” Murray said in the statement. “She’s been a calming influence in the team and we will all miss having
her around.” Murray is heading into a busy period of the season, with the French Open, Wimbledon, Rio de Janiero Olympics and U.S. Open all in the next four months. “I’ll take some time to consider the next steps and how we progress from here,” Murray said, “but I’d like to thank her for everything she has done, she’s been an invaluable member of the team.” ■
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FRIDAY
Technology
For virtual reality makers, a new version of an old struggle BY DERRIK J. LANG The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — When it comes to virtual reality, how exclusive is exclusive? After delaying orders because of component shortages and angering wannabe early adopters, VR company Oculus is confronting another headache as it seeks to technologically and culturally establish the immersive medium. It’s now possible to play titles that were intended to only be used with the Oculus Rift system on an entirely different VR headset. In less than four weeks after the March 28 launch of the $600 system, cunning amateur coders figured out how to unlock the cartoony platforming game “Lucky’s Tale” and VR vignette collection “Oculus Dreamdeck” for the HTC Vive, an $800 competing VR system released April 5 by smartphone maker HTC and gaming company Valve, which operates online marketplace Steam. And in recent weeks, additional “only on Oculus” content has been cracked. For now, the reverse isn’t an
issue for HTC and Valve, whose online hub is headset agnostic, meaning content purchased from Steam can be used for the Vive or Rift. However, titles from the Oculus Home online store are meant to only work with the Rift system, although neither Oculus nor HTC restrict developers from selling content elsewhere. It’s another blow to Oculus, the Facebook-backed VR pioneer that’s struggled to fulfil the promise of high-fidelity VR in consumers’ homes and faced questions over its privacy policies. While most VR developers are designing for as many systems as possible, several are initially releasing titles for either the Rift or Vive, which currently have different control schemes. “We’re focused on the Vive right now because of the ability to create room-scale experiences, but we’re planning to release on every platform available,” said Kjartan Pierre Emilsson, co-founder and CEO at Solfar Studios, which crafted the “Everest VR” simulator. “In these early days, we think it’s important for ‘Everest VR’ to be experienced by as many people as possible.”
For decades, video game exclusivity has mostly been restricted to consoles, which are more difficult to crack than PCs. For instance, gamers can only hop into a “Super Mario Bros.” installment on systems created by Nintendo, while the “Uncharted” series is exclusively on PlayStation machines. For gamers with an Xbox, they have the “Halo” franchise to themselves. It’s an on-going conflict known as “the console wars.” Despite the Rift and Vive both requiring high-powered PCs to operate and providing similar windows into 360-degreee virtual worlds, they currently have different approaches to VR. The Vive’s sensors and wand-shaped controllers offer VR across a room, while the Rift only works seated with a traditional gamepad, until Oculus releases its Touch controllers later this year. Sony will enter the marketplace in October with the comparable PlayStation VR system. The difference? Unlike the Rift and Vive, PS VR will cost $400 and only work in tandem with a PlayStation 4 console. It’ll also arrive with many more excluwww.canadianinquirer.net
sive titles, including the robot battle game “RIGS: Mechanized Combat League” and a VR rendition of “Star Wars: Battlefront.” “We think content is king,” said Shawn Layden, president of Sony Interactive Entertainment America. “We have six months not only to educate consumers about VR but also make sure we have a robust line-up when we launch in October. I think we’ll have a nice, healthy line-up when we bring PS VR to market. It’s so important to have all the software there.” By the end of 2016, all three major VR systems are slated to essentially feature the same functionality: a headset and a pair of controllers capable of mimicking hands in virtual world. With each operating their own marketplace for VR experiences, it is possible that consumers could see the dawn of “the VR wars,” depending on how Sony, Oculus and HTC tackle content exclusivity. “Are they selling razors or razorblades?” said Chris Curran, chief technologist at PricewaterhouseCoopers. “I think moving forward this is going to be much more about the
platform and the marketplace for content than it is about the headset. It’s not unlike smartphone market. At first, that was about the hardware. Now, it’s more about the overall experience.” As with Nintendo’s motiondetecting Wii controllers or touchscreen Wii U Gamepad, it’s possible the next iteration of VR systems could mean that developers will have to specifically build content for those input devices. From VR treadmills to VR gloves, many peripheral aficionados have already constructed prototypes that could make the medium feel more, well, real. “There are so many opportunities to layer onto the headset and hand-tracked controllers,” said Jason Rubin, head of worldwide studios at Oculus. “This is the most likely point for us to be close together. It might be beyond any question that everything is exclusive going forward because developers may be building for devices that aren’t even mirrored by other platforms.” For now, they’re just trying to get goggles onto customers’ faces. ■
Technology
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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SpaceX lands rocket Nova Scotia to expand school at sea 2nd time after computer coding this fall satellite launch with programmable robots BY MARCIA DUNN The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. — For the second month in a row, the aerospace upstart SpaceX landed a rocket on an ocean platform early Friday, this time following the successful launch of a Japanese communications satellite. A live web broadcast showed the first-stage booster touching down vertically in the predawn darkness atop a barge in the Atlantic, just off the Florida coast. The same thing occurred April 8 during a space station supply run for NASA. That was the first successful landing at sea for SpaceX, which expects to start reusing its unmanned Falcon rockets as early as this summer to save money and lower costs. Because of the high altitude needed for this mission, SpaceX did not expect a successful landing. But it was wrong. As the launch commentator happily declared, “The Falcon has landed.” SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk was even more exuberant. “Woohoo!!” he exclaimed in bold letters via Twitter. “May need to increase size of rocket storage hangar,” he added in a tweet. Musk said this was a threeengine burn for the booster’s return, “so triple deceleration from the last flight.” Before liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida, he put the chances of a successful touchdown at “may-
Elon Musk.
be even” because the rocket was coming in faster and hotter than last time. Musk contends rocket reusability is key to shaving launch costs and making space more accessible. SpaceX is the only company to recover a rocket following an orbital launch. It achieved its first booster landing — on solid ground at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station — back in December. A landing at sea proved more elusive and required several tries. Blue Origin, led by another wealthy high- tech entrepreneur, Jeff Bezos of Amazon. com, has landed and even reflown its booster rockets, but those did not put anything into orbit. Following last month’s landing, Musk said he plans to refly that booster, possibly as soon as June. The first recovered booster, from December, will grace the entrance of SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Already in the delivery business for NASA, SpaceX hopes to start transporting U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station by the end of next year in the company’s nextgeneration Dragon capsules. But its ultimate goal is Mars. In a groundbreaking announcement last week, Musk said his company will attempt to send a Red Dragon to Mars in 2018 — and actually land on the red planet. His ambition is to establish a human city on Mars. He also runs Tesla Motors, the electric car company. ■
ONINNOVATION / THE HENRY FORD
THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX — Small programmable robots will be introduced into all elementary schools across Nova Scotia this fall as the province moves to expand computer coding as part of its overall curriculum through high school. Education Minister Karen Casey says $1 million announced in the spring budget will give students from Kin-
dergarten to Grade 6 access to technical devices such as iPads, tech invention kits, and wireless probes and software. Casey says the technology will be used to promote problem solving, teamwork and critical thinking skills across a range of subjects including math and science. She says the funding will also be used to train teachers through a professional development program running through this month and June and an IT
summer camp. Casey says Nova Scotia is a national leader in incorporating coding as part of its curriculum having introduced basic coding for students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 last September. She says the goal is to have computer coding fully integrated through every classroom in Grade 6 within three years and through junior and senior high schools within five years. ■
Marchionne: Self-driving cars could be on roads in 5 years BY ALY THOMSON The Canadian Press WINDSOR, ONT. — Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says working with Google convinced him that self-driving technology is closer than he thought and could be on the road in five years. “I don’t find it that unsettling,” Marchionne said Friday. “I see this as having tremendous use in real life.” FCA and Google announced a partnership earlier this week. Google's in-house driverless car design. MICHAEL SHICK / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS The companies will work together to add self-driving tech- future, so it’s smart for FCA where the car is viable before nology to 100 Chrysler Pacifica to work with others and learn we can discuss the spoils,” he minivans for testing purposes. what it can. said. This is the first time Google “Making unequivocal bets Marchionne said it was inihas worked directly with an and precluding development tially unsettling to get into auto company to install self- with others is a very dangerous Google’s self-driving test cars driving sensors in California, but and computas they drove he ers. Marchionne felt “absolutely discussed the safe.” partnership at We need to get to the stage where “You could althe production the car is viable before we can most feel the realaunch of the discuss the spoils. soning process Pacifica minivan that the car was at FCA’s plant in going through,” Windsor. he said. “It’s like Some automakers have been path, at least in our view,” he watching a robot execute, and it reluctant to team up with tech said. executes well.” companies because they want Marchionne said FCA and The experience left him feelto own the technology in their Google will have to work out ing that self-driving cars have cars. But Marchionne says it’s specifics — like who owns the great potential, he said, as long too early to say who will lead data in the cars — down the road. as regulators establish rules for the transition to a self-driving “We need to get to the stage their use. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
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MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Travel
Disney CEO meets Chinese president ahead of park opening
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHL named world’s 8th top medical tourism hub BY AZER N. PARROCHA Philippines News Agency
lia, North and South America, Europe and the United Kingdom, and the Gulf States. It also noted that Filipino expats and overseas Filipino workers likewise prefer to have their medical procedures done in the country. Currently, the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Trade and Industry – Board of Investments (DTI–BOI) have a joint program to promote Philippine medical tourism. This informal partnership resulted in a roadmap that identi-
ther friends or immediate kin of travelers. Medical tourism in the Philippines caters to approximately MANILA — A global non-profit 80,000 to 250,000 patients or association for medical tourclients annually. ism and international patient As of the DOT, DOH, DTIindustry has listed the PhilipBOI’s latest count, 62 hospitals pines as eighth place among the around the country are now intop medical tourism destinaternationally accredited. tions in the world in 2015, the In a 2014 study by renowned Department of Tourism (DOT) medical tourism author Ian said Monday. Youngman, global health and The Philippines placed ahead wellness tourism market is of countries such as Japan worth USD438.6 billion and and France, according to a list Philippine medical tourism was compiled by the International able to generate USD66 million Healthcare Research Center and USD145 million for 2013 and the Medical and 2014, reTourism Assospectively. ciation (MTA). DOT DirecC a n a d a tor for Medical emerged as the Medical tourism in the Philippines Travel and Welltop medical caters to approximately 80,000 to ness Tourism, tourism destina250,000 patients or clients annually. Cynthia Lazo, tion worldwide said it is crucial followed by UK to have a ‘One and Israel which Country Packcame second and age.’ third, respectively. fied five major segments in the “It has to be a country effort, MTA is non-profit associa- international medical travel a collective effort of every medtion represents healthcare pro- sector: tourists, who come for ical and wellness facility in the viders, governments, insurance spa and other wellness servic- country, for the Philippines to companies, employers and oth- es; medical tourists, who avail be accepted in the medical and er buyers of healthcare. of low-acuity medical proce- wellness market,” she said. According to MTA, clients dures; medical travelers, who “Our value proposition is, of the Philippines for medical purposely come to specifically time and again, our 7,107 istourism come from East Asia avail of more complex proce- lands which a medical traveler (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan), dures; international patients, can choose from, while availSri Lanka, the Pacific Islands including overseas Filipino ing of a clinical or wellness (Guam, Palau, Marshall Is- workers, expats, and retireers; procedure in the country,” she lands, and Micronesia), Austra- and accompanying guests, ei- added. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
BEIJING — The head of entertainment giant Disney had a rare official meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, a month before the opening of its $5.5 billion theme park in the country’s financial hub of Shanghai. Xi told Disney CEO and Chairman Robert A. Iger that it was important for the world’s “strongest” country, referring to the U.S., and the world’s largest developing country to deepen their co-operation and expand it into new areas. Co-operation between “U.S. firms with Chinese firms, and in particular the Walt Disney Company with Chinese firms, are exactly cases in point of such new co-operation,” Xi said. “And I believe the new cooperation will continue to yield new outcomes.” One such partnership for Disney seemingly ran into trouble recently when a service launched in December with e-commerce giant Alibaba was taken offline. DisneyLife allowed subscribers in China to access Disneybranded movies, games and e-books, and helped them to plan trips to Disney’s Hong Kong and upcoming Shanghai theme parks. The service stoppage comes amid a broader crackdown on digital media in tandem with an increasingly restrictive political climate in China. In February, a new requirement stated that foreign companies and foreign-Chinese joint ventures must obtain approval before publishing content online. Apple Inc.’s movies and ebooks services also have been
suspended in China, though the company said it is optimistic they will be back online. Disney said it licenses content to Alibaba, and could not comment on DisneyLife’s suspension. Alibaba said in a statement: “The service is undergoing an upgrade. We do not have an estimate on when the service will resume.” At the Great Hall of the People, the ceremonial seat of China’s legislature, Xi congratulated Iger on the planned opening on June 16 of the Shanghai Disney Resort, the company’s first theme park in mainland China. It is relatively rare for China’s president to meet publicly with private business leaders, but the park is a prestige project for China, reflecting the government’s push to stimulate growth by boosting consumption and services. Iger said, “What The Walt Disney Company has been able to achieve in China, I think, is a perfect example of co-operation, but it also came after years of understanding, years of building up a deep respect for one another and appreciation for each other’s interests.” Iger arrived in China as a Chinese-made animal movie has found itself at the centre of charges it has copied the name and marketing material of Disney’s latest global animation hit, “Zootopia.” The film translates as “Crazy Toy City,” compared to Zootopia’s Chinese name “Crazy Animal City,” and social media users have charged that posters for both movies look strikingly similar. Disney didn’t immediately respond to a query for comment on that. ■
Travel
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
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Ship Hector recounts voyage of Nova Scotia’s first big wave of Scottish settlers BY ALY THOMSON The Canadian Press PICTOU, N.S. — Standing in the bowels of the Ship Hector, it’s hard to believe that nearly 200 people crammed into the rows of bunks for a trying 11-week voyage from Scotland to Nova Scotia more than two centuries ago. An exact replica of the 37-metre wood vessel is berthed in Pictou, N.S. — a floating museum that recounts the journey of the 189 men, women and children who left Scotland in 1773 in search of a new life. The excursion would prompt a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia that helped shape North America. “This is our Mayflower. This is as important to us as the Mayflower is to the United States,” said John Meir, vicechairman of the Hector Quay Society. “It set off a huge wave of immigration and Pictou became one of the centres of immigration for North America.” After several years of construction using the original designs, traditional building methods and mostly the same materials, the replica Ship Hector was launched in 2000. The colourful vessel floating in Pictou Harbour is part of Hector Heritage Quay, which includes a three-storey interpretive centre as well as brightly painted outbuildings that house blacksmith, carpentry and rigger shops.
An exact replica of the 37-metre wood vessel is berthed in Pictou, N.S.
The site — visited by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla in 2014 — offers various options: a self-directed tour with or without an audio guide as well as guided tours. In the main lobby of the interpretive centre, dozens of tartan banners bearing the family names of Ship Hector passengers — Innes, Sutherland and MacKay, to name a few — hang from the wood-panelled walls. The faint sound of bagpipes can be heard as large wall displays and exhibitions recount the history of the Hector, beginning with the Battle of Culloden in 1746. “The British wanted to drive out the clans from Scotland,” said Meir in a charming English accent, explaining
that the British handily won that battle and eventually ended up forbidding Scots to wear kilts or play bagpipes. “Their way of life was basically destroyed by the British.” John Witherspoon, a Scottish man who fled Culloden to the United States, had purchased thousands of acres of land in Nova Scotia and decided to sell it to families in Scotland who wanted to leave. He converted the Hector from a threemasted cargo ship meant for short hauls to a passenger vessel bound for New Scotland — but the rotting ship was never built to withstand a trans-Atlantic sail. The journey to Brown’s Point in Pictou Harbour took about 11 weeks, with a hurricane off the coast of Newfound-
land causing a two-week delay. Smallpox claimed 18 lives during the voyage, many of them children. It is dark, cold and damp in the belly of the Hector, where there are rows of bunks four beds high. But on the deck visitors drink in the ocean air. Peering out of the captain’s cabin, one can imagine waves crashing over the sides of the ship as the crew wards off hurricane conditions while bagpipes play beneath the deck, trying to lift the spirits of weary passengers. Meir said the hope is that within the next five years the Hector will become a sailing museum. The society bought the boat in 2010 for a few dollars because the town, which built the ship, couldn’t afford to keep running it. Efforts are now underway to fundraise the roughly $1.5 million needed to get the vessel sailing. “Everyone who comes, they’re blown away by the story of the Hector,” said Meir, standing under cloudy skies on the deck of the vessel. “The Hector played a part in the whole formation of North America.” ■ If You Go...
The Hector Heritage Quay will open for the season on May 30 and close in mid-October. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for students and $20 for a family. Admission for children is free.
Hungarian, Chinese motorcyclists set out to travel Silk Road THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BUDAPEST — Two motorcyclists, one from Hungary and one from China, set out from here on Saturday to travel the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes running East to West and connecting China to the Mediterranean Sea. Adam Gbur, a Hungarian who teaches Chinese at the Budapest Business School, and Li Yude, a Chinese businessman who lives in Hungary, are long-time friends and have joined forces for the nearly 50,000 km trip, which they plan to cover in about four months. Gbur obtained a PhD in China and is focused on the history of European and Chinese philosophy, which he hopes to bring to life with the trip through 31 countries that have ancient ties to China. “My hobby is riding a motorcycle, and my work has a lot to do with China. So
how do you merge your hobbies with your work? Riding a motorcycle to China on the Silk Road, right?” Gbur told xinhua. Both are motorcycle aficionados. Gbur has some 150,000 cycling km under his belt and Li has ridden over 300,000 km. The two cyclists plan to explore the countries along the route, learning about local customs and cultures as they go. Guo Xiaoguang, cultural attaché at the Chinese embassy in Budapest, who saw the two men off in a special departure ceremony, called the trip a link between the Hungarian government’s policy of “Opening to the East,” and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was brought up in 2013, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk
Road routes. The motorcyclists plan to ride through Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan among other places, on their way to China. Their re-
www.canadianinquirer.net
turn trip to Hungary will include stops in Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic and several Western European countries. Gbur and Li are eyeing a Guinness World Record with the trip. ■
Events
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2016 Spring Litter Pick-Up By the Canadian-Filipino Association of Yukon and Lantay Dance Ensemble WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., May 7, at Porter Creek. Assembly: 5:30 p.m. at Wann cor. Hickory
YUKON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
MAY 13, 2016
2016 Annual General Meeting By the Canadian-Filipino Association of Yukon WHEN/WHERE: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 28, at the Multicultural Centre of the Yukon, 4141D 4th Ave., Whitehorse, YT MORE INFO: Potluck event
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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
BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA
Following the Silk Routes and Beyond in Vancouver By ExplorAsian 2016 WHEN/WHERE: up 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 Knitting and Crocheting Classes By The Seniors Brigade Society of BC with PH Bagong PAg-Asa Society of BC, Zambales Society of BC and Filipino Zodiac Circle of BC WHEN/WHERE: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 14, 21 and 28 at 2nd Flr. 5288 Joyce St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-453-5885 or email seniorsbrigade@yahoo.ca Pag-Ibig/SSS/Philhealth Information Session By I-Remit WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., May 14, at 8132 Park Road, Richmond B.C. MORE INFO: To register, contact Jenny at 778-384-8788 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
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Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto Homework/Tutorial Class By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, 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.
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retail or administration; job search workshops; and strong employment opportunities.
Multipurpose Rm. 4, Olympic Village Creekside Community Center, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, B.C.
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.
Annual General Meeting and Camping By Batangas Club of BC WHEN/WHERE: May 21 and 22, Hazelmere RV Park and Campground, 18843 8th Ave. Surrey, B.C.
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 Breaking Isolation: Engaging & Empowering Older Women Against Violence & Abuse By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 12 nn, Tuesdays & Thursdays up 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 Asian Waters: Watercolour Exhibition by Etsu Inoue, Angela Leung and Esmie Gayo McLaren By Jeunesse Gallery of Fine Arts WHEN/WHERE: Up to May 31, at Jeunesse Gallery of Fine Arts, 2668 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. Stumbling Through Paradise Book Launch By Eleonor Guerrero-Campbell WHEN/WHERE: 1:30-4:30 p.m., May 21, at www.canadianinquirer.net
Tapayan: Preserving Our Mothers’ Secret Recipes By Akulturado WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., May 22, 46 Begbie St. New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: 7-course degustation dinner featuring well-loved Filipino heirloom recipes BC vs Alberta ABC Border Bowls 2016 By All Canada Gridiron WHEN/WHERE: May 28, Greater Vernon Athletics Park 6950 College Way, Vernon, B.C. MORE INFO: $5 for 12 and up Seniors Club Knitting Circle By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 1–3 p.m., Tuesdays at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call (604)438-8214 English Drop-In Conversation Circle for Work Permit Holders By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: Mondays, 6:30 t0 8:30 p.m., till June 13 at Mosaic Community Room, 1720 Grant St. Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Learn effective communication skills, understand Canadian workplace culture, meet new people and have meaningful conversations.
MAY 13, 2016
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MAY 13, 2016
FRIDAY
Food
Yukon Gold potato recipes THE CANADIAN PRESS THE YUKON Gold potato’s waxy, moist, yellow-tinged flesh is prized by chefs and home cooks for its flavour and versatility — ideal for boiling, baking and frying as well as grilling, pan frying and roasting. It retains its yellow colour when cooked. Here are some recipes to try using the potato, which was developed 50 years ago in Guelph, Ont: GRILLED POTATO AND ASPARAGUS SALAD
Fresh lemon zips up the flavour in this salad. Serve it for brunch or lunch or with grilled salmon for dinner. • 4 Yukon Gold potatoes (about 500 g/1 lb) • Half bunch asparagus, trimmed • 75 ml (1/3 cup) extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) each salt and pepper • 1 red pepper, chopped • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) grated lemon rind • 30 ml (2 tbsp) lemon juice • 5 ml (1 tsp) Dijon mustard • 15 ml (1 tbsp) chopped fresh mint or parsley (optional) Slice potatoes into 1-cm (1/2-inch) thick slices and place in a large bowl. Add asparagus and drizzle with 30 ml (2 tbsp) of the oil. Add half the garlic and half each of the salt and pepper. Toss well to coat potatoes and asparagus. Place potato slices and asparagus on a greased grill over medium-high heat, close lid and grill, turning once, for about 10 minutes for the asparagus
and 15 minutes for the potatoes or until golden and crisp. Arrange on a platter. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining oil and garlic, lemon rind and juice and mustard. Drizzle over grilled vegetables and sprinkle with mint, if using. Makes 4 servings. Source: Ontario Potato Board. PERFECT SCALLOPED POTATOES
Easy and impressive, these creamy scalloped potatoes created with the buttery Yukon Gold variety by sisters Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat are sure to be a hit with guests and family alike. They’ve done away with the traditional heavy cream — substituting milk — and layer the potatoes with an onionherb mixture, a creamy combination of white cheddar and Parmesan cheese, and finish it with a crunchy crumb topping. You can assemble the scalloped potatoes up to six hours ahead. Refrigerate covered with foil and allow to come to room temperature before baking. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes • 1.5 kg (3 lb) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced crosswise (about 6 large) • 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil • 125 ml (1/2 cup) grated white cheddar or Gruyere cheese • 125 ml (1/2 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 3 ml (3/4 tsp) kosher salt • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 5 ml (1 tsp) chopped fresh thyme • 5 ml (1 tsp) chopped fresh rosemary
Bechamel • 50 ml (1/4 cup) butter • 50 ml (1/4 cup) flour • 5 ml (1 tsp) dried mustard powder • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) kosher salt • Pinch cayenne pepper • 750 ml (3 cups) whole milk, warmed Topping • 125 ml (1/2 cup) panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) • 125 ml (1/2 cup) grated white cheddar or Gruyere cheese • 50 ml (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 30 ml (2 tbsp) melted butter Preheat oven to 200 C (400 F). Coat a 23-cm (9-inch) square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, toss sliced potatoes with olive oil, white cheddar, Parmesan cheese and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl, toss onion, thyme and rosemary. Set aside. Bechamel: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, mustard powder, salt and cayenne. Stir continuously for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in milk and continue to whisk until sauce thickens, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Topping: In a small bowl, toss together panko, cheddar, Parmesan and butter. To assemble: Pour 250 ml (1 cup) bechamel over bottom of baking dish. Arrange one-third of the sliced potato mixture in a pattern on top. Sprinkle with half the onion mixture and top evenly with 250 ml (1 cup) bechamel. Layer one-third of the potato slices, remaining half of the onions, followed by remaining potato slices. Pour last 250 ml (1 cup) of bechamel and evenly scatter topping over potatoes. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. Reduce heat to 180 C (350 F), uncover and
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continue to bake for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender and top is beginning to turn golden. Makes 8 servings. Source: “Lick Your Plate: A Lip Smackin’ Book for Every Home Cook” by Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat (Pinky Swear Press, 2016. Reprinted by permission of Appetite by Random House). YUKON GOLD POTATO PANCAKES
These are delicious hot or cold, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Serve with fat-free sour cream or applesauce. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes • 500 g (1 lb) Yukon Gold potatoes or other variety, grated • 1 egg • 30 ml (2 tbsp) whole-wheat flour • 5 ml (1 tsp) baking powder • 5 ml (1 tsp) cinnamon (optional) • 1 ml (1/4 tsp) salt • 50 ml (1/4 cup) canola oil Grate whole potatoes (no need to peel them). Place in a strainer and squeeze out as much water as possible. Set aside. In a bowl, beat together egg, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add grated potatoes and mix well. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add oil. Measure out 12 pancakes and add to heated pan. Flatten slightly. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Makes 12 pancakes, enough for 4 servings. Source: PEI Potatoes, www.peipotato. org.
Seen & Scenes
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2016
50TH TZU CHI FOUNDATION DAY Tzu Chi celebrated its 50th foundation day and Buddha’s birthday on Mother’s Day, May 8, with A Celebration of Love event at Churchill Secondary Gym in Vancouver, B.C. Highlight of the day was the Buddha bathing ceremony. Several cruise, tour packages and plane tickets were given to lucky winners. Shown in photos are Tzu Chi doctors offering free traditional Chinese Medicine services to aboriginal bands and institutes. Next year will be the 25th anniversary of Tzu Chi Canada.
ELECTIONS 2016 Philippine elections poll watchers Treenee Lopez and Antonio Ortega signing the ballot boxes and Commission on Election-designated personnel doing last minute batch feeding at the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver.
ASIAN WATERS ARTISTS' EXHIBIT Daniel McLaren, Amy Fielder, Esmie Gayo McLaren, Michael McLaren and Seg Gayo
Asian Waters artists (from L) Esmie Gayo McLaren, Angela Leung and Etsu Inoue
FIRST AID COURSE Twenty-four participants joined the Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association-sponsored First Aid Course at Burnside Campus, Jutland and Cecilia Roads, Victoria, B.C. on May 7.
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MRS. PHILIPPINES CANADA Mrs. Philippines Canada pre-pageant sponsored by the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation (Photos c/o PCCF FB page).
COALITION FOR 2016 ELECTIONS The organization known as Ancop (Answering the Cry of the Poor) held their 2016 Kick-off campaign at Rembrandt Hall on Apr. 22. Ancop President Ricky Cuenca showed the video of different places in the Philippines where Ancop built new houses for the poor, including the houses built in typhoon-devasted areas (Photos by Ariel Ramos.)
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