CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 24, 2017
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VOL. 2 NO. 257
Wally Sombrero. Story on page 6.
LYN RILLON / PDI
‘Go to court or shut up,’ Duterte dares Trillanes BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte has launched a counterattack against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, accusing the lawmaker of using his office for profit, and offering to resign if the senator could prove that he had hidden wealth.
Mr. Duterte has also defended his common-law wife, Cielito Avanceña, and daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, against Trillanes’ allegations that they had millions, explaining that they have their own sources of income. “This I can say: If Trillanes can prove his allegation that I have amassed P2 bil-
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Youth urged to rise up against online violence
16 Church-state clash looms ❱❱ PAGE 11
❱❱ PAGE 9 ‘Go to’
The politics of remembering the personal failings of the dead
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FEBRUARY 24, 2017
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FRIDAY
Philippine News
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2017
DAVAO KILLINGS
Palace calls allegations part of a ‘larger noise’ BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG ON Tuesday played down as “part of a larger noise” retired police officer Arthur Lascañas’ confirmation of extrajudicial killings in Davao City and linking President Duterte to the so-called Davao Death Squad. Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella cast doubt on Lascañas’ comments at a news conference in the Senate on Monday, noting that the former policeman had previously cleared Mr. Duterte of allegations made last year during a Senate hearing by confessed hit man Edgar Matobato. “Based on how he has performed as a witness, he seems rather discredited. In 2016, he denied certain things and in 2017, he flip-flops,” Abella told a news briefing at the Palace. Testimony ‘doubtful’
He said Lascañas’ conflicting statements put everything the former policeman said in doubt. “Let’s put it this way: The situation is such that the testimony of the man is in context or there seems to be a lot of other noise. So that puts his testimony in a rather doubtful light at this stage,” Abella said. Asked if Mr. Duterte would directly answer Lascañas’ allegations, Abella said: “Well, if he does so, he will. But as far as I know, he is not leaning toward that direction.” If those accusations were true, those behind the claims should bring charges against Mr. Duterte in court, he said. Abella said the Palace was not brushing aside the allegations. “What we’re saying [is that] it seems [that it’s] part of a larger noise that’s arising,” he said. He also dismissed the “colorful language” of Sen. Leila de Lima’s statement on Tuesday that Mr. Duterte was the Philippines’ “No. 1 criminal” and a “psychopathic serial killer.” De Lima also called on the Cabinet to declare Mr. Duterte unfit to discharge his duties. “Seriously?” Abella said.
When are mining activities not allowed in watersheds? BY RONNEL W. DOMINGO Philippine Daily Inquirer
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. ALBERT ALCAIN / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / PNA
The international group Human Rights Watch raised the urgency of an investigation by the United Nations of alleged extrajudicial killings in Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs after Lascañas’ public confession. “The allegations by former police officer Arthur Lascañas—that President Rodrigo Duterte, when mayor of Davao City, ordered the killing of several people—heighten the urgent need for an independent UN investigation [of the killings of ] more than 7,000 people in Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’ to uncover ultimate responsibility for those crimes,” Phelim Kine, director for Asia of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement on Tuesday. Kine also called on Philippine authorities to drop all charges against De Lima, who had drawn Mr. Duterte’s ire by investigating the Davao killings in 2009 when she was the head of the Commission on Human Rights and trying to show parallels between those murders and extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs during a Senate inquiry last year. Kine said Lascañas’ disclosures pointed to a reason for the Duterte administration to “launch a politically motivated prosecution” of De Lima.
With the cooperation of convicts detained at New Bilibid Prison, the administration has brought criminal charges against De Lima, alleging that the senator protected the drug trade in the national penitentiary during her tenure as justice secretary. “The authorities should immediately drop all charges against Senator De Lima, cease their harassment of her and cooperate fully with a UN probe,” Kine said. Other witnesses
Fr. Amado Picardal, executive secretary of the Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), expressed hope on Tuesday that more witnesses would come forward and disclose their knowledge of the Davao killings. In an article published on the CBCP website, Picardal, former spokesperson for the Coalition Against Summary Executions, said he was praying that other police officers and hit men of the assassination squad would be “touched by their conscience” and testify. ■ With reports from Jeannette I. Andrade and Julie M. Aurelio www.canadianinquirer.net
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The River Basin Control Office, which is under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, lists 142 critical MINING ACTIVITIES are dis- watersheds across the country. allowed only in watersheds that “These are what the law says are by law declared “critical,” and there is nothing about and only the President has that ‘functional watershed,’” Repower, according to the Cham- cidoro said. “If (Lopez) can ber of Mines of the Philippines make her own definitions, then (COMP). even her home stands in a waThe COMP was refuting tershed.” statements of Environment The dictionary refers to a waSecretary Regina Lopez, who tershed as the region or area earlier ordered the closure of at drained by a river, stream, and least 15 mines and the cancella- other bodies of water. Terms tion of 75 mineral production used interchangeably with washaring agreements (MPSA). tershed include “drainage baLopez claimed the areas in- sin” or “catchment.” volved were in watershed areas. According to the United Lopez had said all open-pit States Geological Survey mining operations in the Phil- (USGS), watersheds “can be as ippines were besmall as a footing done in a waprint or large tershed, which enough to en“should never be compass all the allowed.” You’re land that drains She added standing, and water into rivthere should be everyone is ers that drain no more mining standing, in a into Chesapeake not just in lewatershed. Bay, where it gally proclaimed enters the Atwatersheds, but lantic Ocean,” even in “funcreferring to a big tional” waterchunk of the US sheds. East Coast. “The environment secretary “If you are standing on has no power to proclaim that ground right now, just look an area is a watershed,” COMP down. You’re standing, and vice president Ronald Recidoro everyone is standing, in a wasaid in an interview. tershed,” the USGS said in its Citing the Revised Forestry website. Code or Presidential Decree In 2009, then President GloNo. 705 issued in 1975, Re- ria Arroyo issued Presidential cidoro said section 18 stated Proclamation No. 1747, which that the President may estab- identified a total of 43,601 hectlish forest reserves that are for ares in Surigao del Sur and Agupreservation as critical water- san del Norte as critical watersheds or for any other purpose. shed forest reserves. The President can also modify The proclaimed watershed the boundaries of existing for- areas overlap sites in the towns est reserves. of Carrascal, Cantilan and MaPD 705 defines a watershed as drid towns in Surigao del Sur, “a land area drained by a stream where Marcventures Minor fixed body of water and its ing and Development Corp. tributaries having a common (MMDC) operates a nickel outlet for surface runoff.” mine. MMDC brought the mine Further, the law defines into commercial operation “critical watershed” as a drain- based on an MPSA issued in age area of a river system which 1993. supports existing and proposed Recidoro said MMDC had hydro-electric power, irrigation been allowed to continue minworks or domestic water facili- ing operations even with PP ties that need immediate pro- 1747 because the proclamation tection or rehabilitation. recognizes prior rights. ■
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Philippine News
FEBRUARY 24, 2017
FRIDAY
DSWD sees opening of doors DOJ mulls filing for resumption of peace talks of perjury, murder raps vs Lascanas PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY
MANILA — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said Tuesday that she was happy that the ray of hope for opening the “doors” for resumptions of peace talks between the government and communist rebels will not reached a dead end. “May na-issue nang statement si Secretary Jess Dureza ngayong hapon, na nilinaw niya sisikaping mangyari na umabante ang usapin sa pangkapayapaan sa MILF, MNLF at sa iba pa para maka-focus tayo sa pagpapaunlad ng eekonomiya (There was an issued statement this afternoon from Sec. Jess Dureza wherein he clarified that they will try their best to push forward the peacetalks so we can focus on the enhancement of the economic situations (in the country),” said DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo. Though, Taguiwalo admitted that she was not in the position to announce the resumption of peace talks, she was counting on the basis now that the doors for it were not fully shut. “Ang mahalaga ay hindi sarado at naipaabot natin at naipakita natin dito that we are willing
BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD T. CALIWAN Philippines News Agency
DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo (left).
to continue with the negotiation table at dun naman nag agree si President na mag-usap,” (what is important is that door is not close and we had expressed our willingness to continue the negotiation wherein President Duterte also agreed),” she said. In terms of how that can push forward she said that she was leaving them to the members of the panel in terms of the succeeding actions since she was not a member of the negotiating panel. She further said that from the very start she remained confident on the sincerity and willingness on the part of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to achieve a lasting peace in the country in his term of office. She added that in her continuous hope that peace could still be achievable, she still gave the
RICO H.BORJA / PNA
President her full support even if she and some other cabinet came from the left-leaning ideology as they recognized the fact that there was a need to work together to address the long and pressing issues of poverty, corruption and other important issues related to it on the basis that it would be through justifiable means and acceptable to all. She further said that while there was no exact statements yet made in terms of removal of the declaration of “all out war” among rebels, what mattered to them at present was as far as what the negotiations had gone through such as those conducted in Rome and those agreed upon Comprehensive and Socio Economic Reforms (CASER) wherein land reforms were discussed including distribution. ■
PH target upper middle income economy by 2022 BY PHOEBE BALUBAR Philippine Canadian Inquirer ACCORDING TO the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr, the Philippines would need to launch and create reforms in order for the country to become an upper middle-income economy by 2022, just in time when Duterte leaves the Malacañang. As of the moment, the country is under the middle-income economy bracket as stated by the World Bank. If the Philippines would be able to reach the
upper middle-income bracket by 2022, Philexport is looking forward to raising the bar by becoming a high-income economy by 2040. In order to reach the target, Ortiz-Luis pointed out that the country should focus on the following: 1) reforming comprehensive tax, 2) boost investments in infrastructure, 3) ease regulations on foreign investment, 4) reduce the cost of doing business and 5) enhance agro-industrial linkages. Philexport explains that the following reforms were once adopted by other Asian countries such as China, Vietnam,
Malaysia and Indonesia and these were able to further unlock their economic potentials. Last year the Philippine GDP was at 6.8 percent, the highest it has been in three years. “Exports is likewise expected to contribute to this overall growth, noting the gradual pickup in global growth and commodity prices,” Ortiz-Luis said. The Philippine Peso is still at P50 to a dollar, the lowest it has been in years, primarily due to socio-political issues such as the war against drugs and illegal gambling and foreigners worrying about their safety in the country. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
MANILA — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said the agency is eyeing to file to file perjury and murder charges against retired SPO3 Arthur Lascanas after he reversed his earlier statement and accused President Rodrigo Duterte of being the mastermind behind the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) who was responsible for extrajudicial killings when he was still mayor of Davao City. But Aguirre said for such a case to prosper, they should have to first secure a copy of Lascanas’ sworn statement on his “contradictory allegations.” He cited the case of self-confessed DDS member Edgar Matobato who last year admitted shooting a former official of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Digos City sometimes in October 2014. “We will investigate this, his (Lascanas) admissions of his killings and file charges against him just like what happened to Matobato,” Aguirre said. He said the charges could range from perjury for his contradictory claims and murder for the killings he admitted carrying out. On Monday, Aguirre said that the Lascañas’ statement only seeks to divert public attention from the drug charges filed
against Senator Leila De Lima. Aguirre also said the move is also aimed at luring people to attend the commemmoration of the 31st anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. “This is diversionary tactic to deflect the seriousness of the crimes committed by De Lima. This is calculated to orchestrate their call for warm bodies to attend the EDSA Anniversary,’ Aguirre said. De Lima is facing three counts of drug charges before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC) in connection to her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). “I do not know Lascañas. His testimony is a turnaround from his previous testimony at the Senate. He could be another Matobato as he was presented by Trillanes,” Aguirre said. Contrary to his earlier statement, Lascañas said his conscience led him to allegedly tell the truth and back the claim of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato stating that the group was real. In a Senate inquiry into extrajudicial killings held on Sept. 15, 2016, it was Matobato who allegedly claimed that the DDS was formed when Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was still Davao City Mayor. Matobato earlier said the group was allegedly responsible for extrajudicial killings in Davao City from 1988 to 2013. ■
Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joseph Victor Ejercito and Vicente Sotto III congratulate Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II shortly after his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. AVITO C. DALAN / PNA
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Philippine News
Rape still included in death penalty bill — Fariñas PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas on Tuesday clarified that rape is still included in the list of crimes punishable by death even in the watered-down version of the bill reinstating capital punishment. In a statement, Fariñas said that members of the supermajority coalition have agreed in a caucus on Monday to whittle down the number of crimes covered by the death penalty bill to just four offenses including plunder, treason, rape, and certain drug-related offenses. “This clarification is being issued due to my earlier statement that the reimposition of the death penalty will be reimposed for three crimes only,” said Fariñas. Fariñas earlier said that the congressmen reached a consensus to water down the bill by reducing the number of offenses punishable by death from the original 21 to just three: treason, plunder and drug-related crimes. Of the eight-drug related offenses included in the bill, drug possession will be struck off the list, he noted. The changes, however, will reflect once the bill undergoes the period of amendments, which is set either on Monday or Tuesday next week. Fariñas is targeting to put the bill to a vote on second reading on February 28, earlier than the expected date of March 8. Before the majority caucus, the current substitute bill covers 21 heinous crimes to be slapped
with death including treason, piracy in general and mutiny on the high seas or in Philippine water, qualified piracy, qualified bribery, parricide, murder, infanticide, rape, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, destructive, arson and plunder. Also included are the importation of dangerous drugs and/ or controlled precursors and essential chemicals; sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursor and essential chemicals; maintenance of a den, dive or resort where any dangerous drug is used or sold in any form; manufacture of dangerous drugs and/ or controlled precursors and essential chemical; possession of dangerous drugs; cultivation or culture of plants classified as dangerous drugs or are sources thereof; unlawful prescription of dangerous drugs; criminal liability of a public officer or employee for misappropriation, misapplication or failure to account for the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, instruments/ paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment including the proceeds or properties obtained from the unlawful act committed; criminal liability for planting evidence and carnapping. The mode of capital punishment could either be through hanging, by firing squad or lethal injection. ■
Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program Manager of DOH Dr. Jasmin Peralta (with microphone), encourages spreading awareness to the public regarding drug addiction. BEN BRIONES / PNA
FEBRUARY 24, 2017
FRIDAY
Senators grill DOJ chief on bribe rap BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE AND TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer SENATORS POUNCED on Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II for being soft on retired police official Wenceslao “Wally” Sombero who broached the idea that Aguirre become the “godfather” to Jack Lam at a meeting last November. “You knew where it was headed so you should have charged him,” Sen. Richard Gordon said. Senators ganged up on Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday, suggesting that he could have prevented the multimillion-peso scandal at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) had he rejected outright an offer to be a godfather to Chinese casino mogul Jack Lam. Sen. Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, slammed the head of the Department of Justice (DOJ) after former Deputy Commissioners Michael Robles and Al Argosino denied retired police official Wenceslao “Wally” Sombero’s claim that the BI officials had extorted millions for the release of 1,300 Chinese nationals illegally working in the country. “We were there to help them. We were there to discuss things. They laid out money on us,” Robles said. Gordon pointed out, “They laid out money on you but why did you accept it? Why didn’t you report that? Why did it take 17 days for you to surface?” Asked if he had spoken with Lam, Aguirre said he had not and that it was Sombero who told him, during a meeting last November, that Lam owned Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino and Fort Ilocandia, and had the biggest online gaming operation in the Philippines, aside from being among the biggest junket operators from Macau. “He (Sombero) told me nobody’s been taking care of Lam for a long time. Is it OK if the secretary of justice becomes his ninong (godfather). I knew which direction our conversation was headed,” Aguirre said. Gordon cut in, telling him, “You knew where it was headed so you should have charged him there and then. That’s a propowww.canadianinquirer.net
sition. That’s seduction (to corruption).” “You’re the secretary of justice, the lawyer of the government. You should have told him (Sombero), ‘I am going to have you arrested, you are trying to induce me to corruption. What do you mean?’” No crime yet
Aguirre claimed he told Sombero off and maintained, “There is no crime that has yet been committed. I rejected that immediately because I know where the conversation is going and started to leave.” An unconvinced Gordon said that Aguirre apparently gave a weak response prompting Argosino and Robles to return and complete the transaction with Sombero. Gordon added, “We did not shut the door (against the monetary offer) right away, which is the problem. Had you shut the door, all of this wouldn’t have happened.” Aguirre said that he could not order Sombero’s arrest at the time because there was no crime committed in the absence of an overt act of bribery but that he did tell Sombero, “If you want us to continue our conversation, do not corrupt my people.” The senator was not impressed and told him, “You cannot arrest him but you could have shown umbrage. They completed the transaction, were emboldened because they heard neither a refusal nor a positive response from you.” Aguirre replied, “I never expected they would keep talking (with Sombero) after I left. I have complete trust in my (fraternity) brothers, Argosino and Robles.” Aguirre confirmed that he felt Sombero was attempting to bribe him. Sombero denied this, saying that he met with the justice secretary to make a proposal in behalf of Lam pertaining to Fontana. Reluctant admissions
During the hearing, Sombero made reluctant admissions that he had arranged the turnover of P50 million in cash to the then BI officials, saying it was “payoff” and not a case of “extortion or bribery.” Sombero spoke on the defensive as he gave circuitous testimony on how he came to give
cash to Argosino and Robles in the early hours last Nov. 27 at an upscale hotel casino in Parañaque City. “Mr. Chair, I’d like [to put on] record that what happened at the CoD ( City of Dreams) from Nov. 26 to 6.30 a.m., Nov. 27, no extortion or bribery happened for the record,” said Sombero, drawing silence from the hall. After a pause, he then said: “What happened was a payoff.” “It was a business decision of the Jack Lam group to agree on that amount,” he said, adding that a total of P100 million had been agreed upon to bail out the arrested Chinese nationals. Sombero claimed he arranged the payoff as an “entrapment,” choosing the location of the handover where he knew the exchange was going to be documented. The money allegedly came from Lam, whose associates had arranged the payoff on behalf of Next Games, a locator at his Clark Freeport Zone facility that employed the arrested Chinese nationals. Lam and his men believed they were legally paying bail for the foreigners and quickly raised the money through calls to firms in China, according to his interpreter Alexander Yu and business partner Charlie “Atong” Ang. The senators also got Sombero to admit that he remained in possession of a separate P10 million that he had asked from Lam’s group for partial fulfillment of Argosino’s request for another payment of P50 million. When asked if he gave the first payment of P50 million, Sombero told Gordon: “I did not give P50 million. I do not have that kind of money.” Upon clarification, he said: “I was the one who handed it over.” Gordon reprimanded Sombero: “Don’t be a smart aleck, don’t give us the runaround.” Gordon said that the Senate had been “very liberal” with him, giving him the free pass after missing three hearings while he was in Canada. When again asked to characterize what happened at the hotel where money changed hands, Sombero repeated: “No bribery or extortion happened.” Gordon retorted: “You’re being technical. Just tell the truth!” ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
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Youth urged to rise up against online violence PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Amid reports of rising cases of harassment on social media, Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged the youth to stand against online violence. “You have the power to change the social media landscape,” Hontiveros said during the Talakayan ng Bayan (TALAB) conference organized by the Office for Social Concern and Involvement of the Ateneo de Manila University. Hontiveros, who admitted to also being a victim of online threats, noted that the youth should promote equality and respect in the use of social media.
“Social media has become a powerful tool for expression, information and advocacy. But it has also become an avenue for harassment, misogyny and homophobia,” Hontiveros said. Citing data from the Foundation for Media Alternatives, Hontiveros said there have been 160 cases of online violence, most of them in the National Capital Region. It also showed that 57 percent of online violence resulted to physical harm and 53 percent have been perpetrated by someone known to the victim. Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women and Gender Equality, said that she was alarmed by the rise of gender-based electronic violence. She pointed out that many of
Senator Risa Hontiveros (2nd left) leads the reading of declaration of commitment to oppose any and all moves to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the Philippines from 15 to 9 years old. BEN BRIONES / PNA
the victims are young people who use social media as their primary outlet of expression. Filipino youth are the biggest consumers of the internet, with
six out of 10 aged 15 to 24 being regular internet users, and 78 percent having mobile phones. Currently, there are 47 million active Facebook accounts in the
Philippines. The neophyte senator meanwhile vowed to champion several bills she filed in the Senate including Senate Bill No. 1251 or the Gender-Based Electronic Violence Act that seeks to penalize online harassment including threats based on a person’s gender or sexual orientation. The bill is part of Hontiveros’ Tres Marias Bills, including an expansion of the scope of sexual harassment to peer-to-peer harassment and the amendments to the Anti-Rape Law. She further said that the need to institute protective measures and strategic policies to combat the prevalence of the rape culture in the society should be urgent. ■
Trillanes to Duterte: Explain P2.2B in banks The senator also claims that the President, his common-law wife and three children received almost P120 million from a campaign contributor from 2011 to 2013. Malacañang says it’s up to the banks to release details of the alleged transactions BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer
us that you are clean,” he said, addressing the President. New documents
THE COMMON-LAW wife of President Duterte, Cielito “Honeylet” Salvador Avanceña, had almost P200 million in bank transactions in Davao City between 2004 and 2009, according to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who vowed on Thursday to resign as senator if he was proven wrong. Citing a new set of documents, Trillanes also claimed that Avanceña, Mr. Duterte and his three children by his former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, received almost P120 million from Sammy Uy, a campaign contributor, from 2011 to 2013. At a news conference in the Senate, Trillanes renewed his call for the President to keep his promise during the presidential campaign to make public his bank transaction history to disprove he had P2.2 billion in transactions in three bank branches from 2006 to 2015. “I’m confident in issuing such a challenge because I’m very certain about the authenticity of these documents,” he said. “Show us your courage. Show us that I am wrong … . For the sake of your supporters, show
The new set of documents Trillanes released came from the same source who gave him in April last year papers showing that Mr. Duterte had P2.2 billion in bank transactions from 2006 to 2015. In an affidavit he executed in exchange for the then presidential candidate to issue a waiver of his account at Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI), Trillanes identified his informant as one Joseph de Mesa, a “concerned citizen” who had a relative connected to a government agency. Yesterday, Trillanes said Mr. Duterte’s lawyer then and now his chief legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, had said BPI would issue the transaction history of his client’s bank account at a branch in Pasig City after a week but nothing was released up to now. Asked why he was reviving the issue, the senator said it was about time for the President to fulfill his promise to open his bank accounts. He said the President’s account at BPI’s Julia Vargas branch in Pasig City had been validated when some reporters deposited money in the account to prove its existence.
Accounts cleaned
But after his exposé, the bank accounts were “cleaned,” Trillanes said. Still, he said the transaction history of the accounts could not be erased. He said he was compelled to raise the issue anew because of recent “relevant” developments showing that the President had done nothing to fight corruption, one of his campaign promises. He also cited the release from detention of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and moves by Solicitor General Jose Calida to have the conviction and imprisonment of Janet LimNapoles, the alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, for serious illegal detention of whistler-blower Benhur Luy overturned. Honeylet’s 176 transactions
A document on Avanceña listed chronologically 176 transactions of her bank accounts at BPI Davao Main, Metropolitan Bank and TCO Davao, and Philippine National Bank-Bangoy from July 14, 2004, to March 4, 2016. The transactions (such as cash deposits, interaccount transfers, time deposit predetermination-credit memos, www.canadianinquirer.net
deposit-checks and credit bills) totaled P187,597,085.90. The biggest transaction happened on Dec. 29, 2014, when a cash deposit of P4,349,709 was made to Avanceña’s BPI Davao Main account, the document showed. There were other transactions involving P4 million. The smallest amount transacted was P500,000. Asked about Avanceña’s bank accounts, Trillanes said that these were all deposits (credits) and that he had supporting documents to prove these. “That is why I’m putting my being senator but also my life on line. You know the President is a killer and I will not fight based on bogus information,” he told reporters. Another document that Trillanes provided showed bank transactions of Samuel Cang Uy, who he said was in the exportimport business and a campaign contributor of Mr. Duterte. The document listed the purchase of manager’s checks and telegraphic transfers, among other transactions that Uy made. The recipients included Avanceña and the President’s children—Sebastian Duterte, Paolo Duterte (now Davao City vice mayor) and Sara Duterte
(Davao City mayor). The transactions from Oct. 25, 2011, to April 10, 2013, amounted to P118,176,767.38. Avanceña received money from Uy four times and each transaction was more than P10 million for a total of over P42 million. Also in four transactions with Uy, Sebastian Duterte got a total of more than P41 million, while Paolo and Sara received more than P19 million and P14 million, respectively. Drowned during campaign
Trillanes said the issue of the bank transactions of Mr. Duterte’s family was drowned during the election campaign. “But now that things have cleared up and people have started to think and have seen the kind of person the President is, they are more openminded,” he said. The senator said he was certain the Office of the Ombudsman had already asked for copies of bank transactions of the President by now since he had filed a plunder case against Mr. Duterte seven months ago. He also said he was looking at other illegal activities that Mr. Duterte had engaged in when he was still mayor. ■
Philippine News
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FEBRUARY 17, 2017
FRIDAY
Simple EDSA rites doesn’t mean less significance — Palace PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Correspondents Jane Moraleda Cheng Ilagan Katherine Padilla Deby Mangabat Phoebe Balubar Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Gerna Lane Sotana News Anchor Manny Noel Abuel Administration Head Victoria Yong Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos Vic Vargas For photo submissions, please email editor@canadianinquirer.net For General Inquiries, please email info@canadianinquirer.net For Sales Inquiries, please email sales@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Christelle Tolisora Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 11951 Hammersmith Way, Suite 108 Richmond, B.C. V7A 5H9 Canada
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MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday assured that the “simple and sober” commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution does not mean that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is giving less significance to the historic event that toppled the Marcos dictatorship. In a press briefing with Palace reporters, senior deputy executive secretary Menardo Gueverra said that some sectors have been asking why the proposed program for the celebration of the 31st anniversary of EDSA is rather sober, simple and no fanfare. “That’s probably in relation to what we have done or what we did last year NICKRDS09 / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS when the EDSA People Power Revolution celebrated its 30th anniversary and sessment,” he said. on. And we hope to continue to live up more so, during the time of the last year “But again, just to assure you, this and really pass on the true meaning of in office of President Benigno Aquino simplicity does not mean in any way that EDSA to our children,” Concepcion said. III,” he pointed out. we are giving any less significance to the In the meantime, the two officials “It does not indicate that the pres- 31st anniversary of the EDSA People defended EPPC’s decision why the celent administration or the EPPC (EDSA Power Revolution,” Guevarra said. ebrations will be held on February 24 People Power Commission) is giving His sentiments were shared by EPPC inside Camp Aguinaldo instead of beless significance to the celebration of vice chair Jose Concepcion III, who ing celebrated on the 25th at the People 31st anniversary. Just like any young said that the real intention of this year’s Power Monument. lady who is celebrating her 18th birth- EDSA celebrations is to see it as a day of They said it was to make way for other day, we celebrate it with pomp. But reflection. groups who wanted to express themwhen she celebrates her 19th birthday, Being an active participant during selves on Saturday. that doesn’t mean that if there’s no cel- the 1986 peaceful uprising and the son “What’s really important is we allow ebration similar to her debut, that her of the founder of the National Citizens’ people to express themselves and that’s birthday is given any less significance,” Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), why one of the reasons why we did it on Guevarra said. Concepcion said that people during that Friday is because there are reports that a The Palace official was represent- time experienced the entire change lot of people who want to express theming Executive Secretary Salvador Me- from a dictatorship to the move towards selves on Saturday. So let them do it and dialdea, who was tasked by President democracy. I think it’s what democracy is all about,” Duterte as head of Concepcion said. the EPPC, the lead For his part, Gueagency in preparing varra pointed out for the EDSA celethat Camp Aguinaldo brations. What’s really important is we allow people to was where the peaceIn lieu of the pomp express themselves and that’s why one of the ful uprising actually and fanfare that has reasons why we did it on Friday is because there began. accompanied past are reports that a lot of people who want to “Now, as to what People power comexpress themselves on Saturday. the government inmemorations, Guetends to do with revarra pointed out spect to some other that the government groups who want to has instead lined up a program that is “We had our own heroes at that time. let’s say rally outside Camp Aguinaldo simple enough but indicative of this Until this very day, we continue to re- on the 25th precisely before the People year’s theme: “A Day of Reflection.” spect these heroes. And moving forward, Power Monument, the government will “It’s a time to settle down, to quiet my vision is to see how we can continue simply allow these things to happen. a bit, and think of what has happened to live on the spirit of EDSA, maybe in This is exactly the freedom that EDSA, over the past 30 years. Do we still have different forms. We can’t keep living on the EDSA Revolution wanted us to have, that spirit of EDSA within our hearts? the past,” he said. all right: freedom to express yourselves, Have we done things that are supposed “And I think it is also timely that we try freedom to rally, freedom to gather toto guide us after that momentous event to really think on how do we really take gether and express your sentiments,” in our history?” the senior official said. EDSA — the spirit of EDSA celebration Guevarra said. “So that’s why we want to quiet down moving forward. So the challenge really “So the government will definitely ala bit and do some reflection on this mat- is: how do we make this generation con- low these activities to happen especially ter. Let’s remove the pomp and then tinue to be inspired of what happened on the 25 all right, of course, subject to think, reflect about what has happened in 1986? In the coming months, we will certain regulations like make sure that over the past 30 years and then let’s prepare for next year’s celebration on there’s no traffic and so forth and so on,” move forward from there, from that as- how the youth, especially today, can live Guevarra said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
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‘Go to...’ lion illegally, or if that bank account under my name has a total deposit at one time of even just half a billion, I would resign as President immediately,” Mr. Duterte said in a video message late on Thursday. ❰❰ 1
Order to AMLC
Speaking to graduates of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on Friday, Mr. Duterte said he had ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to provide information about how much he was worth. “I’ve ordered the AMLC and everybody to give information, what’s my worth, in terms of pesos, [on] this planet so that I would not embarrass you,” Mr. Duterte said. He reiterated his campaign promise that he would resign if he or his family would be linked to corruption. In his video message on Thursday, Mr. Duterte said Trillanes should go to court if he had a case, or shut up if he had nothing new to say. “This is actually an old and rehashed issue,” Mr. Duterte said, adding that the Filipinos still voted him into power even if Trillanes made his allegations during the campaign last year. “The people have already spoken. They have placed me in office with 16 million votes,” he said.
JOEY O. RAZON / PNA
Trillanes, an opposition senator, refreshed his allegations on Thursday, telling a news conference that he was raising the issue again because Mr. Duterte had not yet disclosed details of more than P2 billion he kept in bank accounts from 2006 to 2015 as mayor of Davao City. He also showed documents purportedly showing that Avanceña had banking transactions amounting to P200 million from 2004 to 2009, and that Avanceña, Mr. Duterte and his three children by his former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, received P120 million from businessman Sammy Uy, a campaign contributor, from 2011 to 2013. Trillanes, one of Mr. Duterte’s harshest critics and a former Philippine Navy officer once detained for a failed coup against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, dared Mr. Duterte to publicly release details of his bank accounts.
He said he would resign if Mr. Duterte could disprove the allegations. At the height of the controversy last year, lawyer Salvador Panelo, now the President’s chief legal counsel, said Mr. Duterte had authorized him to request the bank to open the account but that bank officials told him it would take seven days to study the request. Trillanes said on Thursday that the account had never been opened to scrutiny. “I know he will not release [his bank records] and he will not accept my challenge because it will be proven that he is really a corrupt official,” Trillanes said. Mr. Duterte angrily reacted to the allegations, belittling Trillanes’ offer to resign and saying the senator had nothing to lose from leaving office. Trillanes has his own ques-
SolGen’s move questioned BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer WHAT’S GOING on? Solicitor General Jose Calida’s intervention on behalf of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in the Court of Appeals has puzzled lawmakers. But not Malacañang, although it has no explanation to offer for Calida’s siding with Napoles, who is appealing her 2015 conviction for illegally detaining her former finance officer, Benhur Luy, for which she is serving a life sentence in the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
It was Luy who blew the lid off the racket through which Napoles allegedly siphoned P10 billion off the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund into bogus nongovernment organizations that she owned in connivance with lawmakers. Napoles is also facing criminal charges as a coaccused in the plunder cases of former Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile involving the pork barrel scam. Lower court erred?
In a filing with the 13th Division of the appeals court on Wednesday, Calida said the Makati Regional Trial Court ❱❱ PAGE 13 SolGen’s move
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tionable activities, Mr. Duterte said. “It is known in the Senate that Trillanes uses his office to ask for retainers and this has become a lucrative business for him,” the President said, without mentioning specifics. Trillanes’ accounting is “amusing,” Mr. Duterte said, pointing out that the senator included even the day-today banking transactions of Avanceña, showing his “ignorance” of banking. Avanceña has a donut business and she supplies meat to five shopping malls in Davao City, Mr. Duterte said. “That’s how her money grew. She is diligent. Not like you, ambitious,” he said, referring to Trillanes. As for his daughter Sara, Mr. Duterte said that she is a lawyer and “earns from this and that and she has clients who actually pay for her services and not from illegal retainers [that] Trillanes is so used to.” Mr. Duterte taunted Trillanes over the failed mutiny against Arroyo. “You staged a mutiny, it turned out you had no balls, throwing your hands in the air immediately when the cops arrived. For shame!” the President said. Mr. Duterte said his family was not poor, as his father, a
former provincial governor, left his children an inheritance. ‘Bandit’
Then, addressing Trillanes again, he said: “What was left with you? Just air and bluster. You’re a bandit, to tell the truth.” Trillanes ignored Mr. Duterte’s “insults.” “I will not respond to them. I will not let him deviate from the issue,” he said in a statement on Friday. But he reminded Mr. Duterte that he filed a complaint for plunder against him in the Office of the Ombudsman last year. “For the information of everyone, I filed a plunder case against President Duterte back in May 2016, and I used as evidence the documents I have on his questionable bank transactions,” Trillanes said, urging the Ombudsman to “speed up the investigation.” Mr. Duterte, he said, should publicly release details of his bank accounts if he has nothing to hide. “President Duterte, you talk too much. If you are really not hiding any ill-gotten wealth, accept my challenge and open the transaction history of your bank accounts,” he said. ■ With reports from Tarra Quismundo and AP
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Philippines: framework of South China Sea pact possible soon BY JOEAL CALUPITAN The Associated Press BORACAY, PHILIPPINES — The Philippines’ top diplomat said Tuesday it remains to be seen whether China will cooperate fully in ongoing efforts to craft a legally binding pact designed to prevent aggressive behaviour in the disputed South China Sea. Despite the likelihood of tough negotiations ahead, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. expressed confidence that the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China could at least complete a framework for such a pact, called a code of conduct, as early as June. Efforts to forge such a regional nonaggression pact have dragged on for years without any concrete sign of when it might be completed. Asian and Western governments led by the United States have called for the rapid conclusion of such an accord as territorial disputes in the South China Sea escalated in recent years. China, however, has opposed a legally binding agreement that could block its actions to assert its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, a senior Southeast Asian diplomat involved in the negotiations
for the nonaggression pact told The Associated Press. Yasay said he was confident a framework for the agreement could be finalized by mid-year “on the basis of the fact that everyone, including all of the ASEAN member states and China are pushing hard for this.” “Whether, in fact, China will be able to co-operate along the way is something that we cannot say for now,” Yasay said, without elaborating, after hosting a closed-door meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on the central Philippine resort island of Boracay. “China will not agree to anything that will tie its hands,” said Jay Batongbacal, who heads the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the state-run University of the Philippines. China’s co-operation is crucial, Yasay said. While Southeast Asian governments generally want a strong pact, Yasay suggested the regional group would not want to craft a framework that is unacceptable to Beijing and would simply be “a piece of paper that will just further prolong discussions on the matter without getting any tangible results.” When China seized Philippine-claimed Mischief Reef in 1995, the Manila government
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose (right) answers question from the media during a press conference for the ongoing ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. The meeting is part of Philippine chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The ASEAN is fast-tracking the framework of the Code of Conduct to address the escalating tensions at the West Philippine Sea. AVITO C. DALAN / PNA
strongly protested and took steps that led to the start of negotiations for a regional accord with China to discourage actions that might spark armed confrontations. Bejing’s opposition to a legally binding pact then, however, led to the signing in 2002 of a nonbinding declaration to encourage China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam to avoid aggressive actions in one of Asia’s potential flashpoints. China and rival claimant countries, however, have traded accusations of violating the 2002 pact, which urged them to “exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities” and refrain “from action of inhabiting on the presently unin-
habited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.” In the last three years, China has turned seven mostly submerged reefs, including Mischief Reef, into man-made islands, including at least three with runways. It also reportedly installed defence missile systems on the new islands, sparking alarm and protests from rival claimants. The Philippines used to be the most vocal Southeast Asian critic of China’s actions in the disputed waters, successfully questioning the legal basis of Beijing’s claims in an arbitration case Manila won in July last year. Current President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has taken steps to reach out to China and has prioritized im-
proved economic engagement. That has helped deescalate tensions in the disputed waters, a key waterway for Asian commerce and security, but removed a key player that had defiantly stood against China’s territorial ambitions along with the United States. That raises a question about how far the ASEAN bloc can push against China’s assertiveness now, Batongbacal said. “If the Philippines won’t push, Vietnam and the others won’t do it alone,” he said. “There will be no pressure to come up with anything really substantial.” ■ Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila contributed to this report.
Solon seeks De Lima expulsion from Senate BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer KABALIKAT NG Mamamayan (Kabayan) party-list Rep. Harry Roque Jr. filed a complaint with the Senate ethics committee on Thursday seeking to expel Sen. Leila De Lima for allegedly profiting from the illegal drugs trade inside the national penitentiary when she was a justice secretary. In his 18-page complaint-affidavit, Roque accused De Lima of conspiring with his partymate Ron Salo, who controlled the nongovernment foundation BuCor Love Foundation Inc. through which drug money
was allegedly laundered to fund the senator’s election campaign last year. Roque has been feuding with Salo, whose expulsion from the House he has also sought. BuCor Love was involved in spiritual and charitable work at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and provided technical as well as vocational skills education for its inmates. “An investigation by the Justice Committee of the House of Representatives has established her (De Lima’s) complicity as an enabler and beneficiary of illicit drug trade at the NBP while she was the Secretary of Justice, ostensibly to fund her 2016 campaign as a senator,” Roque said in his
complaint. He alleged that De Lima conspired with high-profile NBP prisoners and with Salo “in order to mask and hide their illegal activities inside the NBP maximum security compound and afford them impunity.” Roque said that De Lima and Salo, who was chair of the board of BuCor Love, have been trying to stop him from further investigating their alleged involvement in the anomalies by trying to oust him from Congress. BuCor Love “was in reality criminally misused and abused” by the twoto hide illegal drug activities at penitentiary, he said. De Lima had repeatedly denied the allegations, and said it www.canadianinquirer.net
was part of the Duterte administration’s efforts to discredit her for questioning his war on drugs that has left over 7,000 dead. On Thursday, De Lima dismissed the complaint as a result of party politics involving Salo and Roque. “My advice to him is to focus on working on meaningful legislation rather than politicking,” De Lima said of Roque. “He won’t find salvation by trying to score cheap brownie points from the President by attacking me.” Roque cited the House of Representatives committee on justice report which tied De Lima to the narcotics trade in the NBP. The report cited tes-
timonies from convicts who testified at a congressional inquiry that De Lima collected money from inmates to fund her senatorial campaign last year. De Lima, he said, was “clearly guilty of gross misconduct.” He said the former justice secretary’s admission of a romantic relationship with her former driver Ronnie Dayan also “establishes the mode through which Respondent De Lima operated her illegal financing activities.” “It is quite chilling and frightening to think that she is holding one of the highest elective positions in government because of her illegal and immoral actions,” he said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
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Church-state clash looms BY LITO B. ZULUETA Philippine Daily Inquirer THOUSANDS GATHER for a dawn rally to reject President Duterte’s war on drugs that has left over 7,000 dead and attempts by his allies to revive the death penalty. This is a “show of force” from the Catholic Church, which has been instrumental in removing two Presidents in the past. By urging Filipinos to join the “Walk for Life” against widespread drug killings and the return of capital punishment, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has thrown down the gauntlet at President Duterte and set the stage for another classic ChurchState confrontation. “Let us face those who attempt to cast fear among the people and show them our courage,” CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas told thousands of ralliers on Saturday morning at Rizal Park in Manila. “We will not be bullied or intimidated,” declared BontocLagawe Bishop Valentin Cabbigat Dimoc, a burly Cordillera native. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called for “active nonviolence” in opposing extrajudicial killings (EJKs) as a result of the government’s war on drugs. “If the response to violence is also violence, we merely abet the violence,” Tagle said. “We should not be propagating violence but challenging it with nonviolence.” But he also clarified that what was needed was “not passive but active nonviolence.” Apparently referring to next week’s anniversary observance of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, Tagle called for unity and “people power” against statesanctioned violence. “People power not violence,” Tagle said.
Clearly, Church leaders were of Representatives for them to calling for active resistance to favor life instead of death.” the Duterte government’s draKuizon reminded lawmakconian measures at checking ers that capital punishment the drug menace and imposing “brings no justice to victims but law and order. instead fosters vengeance.” Villegas said the choice to “This Walk for Life is not to hold an early-morning prayer defend the drug addicts or the rally was significant because killers,” Villegas said. “Crimimany of the victims of EJKs nals ought to be arrested, proswere found at dawn. ecuted, sentenced and jailed to “Why in the early hours of correct the wrongdoings they the day? This is simply because committed. They ought to be during this time when victims judged by the court of law and Nineteen out of 142 barangays in Quezon City are drug cleared since July 2016 are found along the road or in never by the (barrel of the gun) internal cleansing. Some 4,900 arrested alone in Quezon City for drug-related garbage heaps,” Villegas said, or extrajudicial means.” issues. Concentration of drug problems is in barangay depressed areas, said as he urged Filipinos to banish Villegas added that all Chris- Police Chief Superintendent Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar (right). fear and “walk with the victims tians should unite against the BEN BRIONES / PNA and their families.” evils of “ABCDE”—”abortion, “We’re here for the Walk for blasphemy, corruption, drugs, Lay people from as far as the that the Archdiocese of LingayLife in the name of those who and executions.” Cordilleras in Luzon joined the enDagupan held a Mass for the cannot walk because of our He also scored President walk. Ifugao elders from the victims as early as September shortcomings,” he said. “They Duterte for cursing the Church Diocese of Bontoc-Lagawe in 2016. cannot walk because they have and doubting God’s existence. Ifugao and Mountain Province “I’m not defending my brothbeen killed and we’re too afraid “If God’s no longer respected, performed a dance ritual to er bishops, but what I am sayto get involved.” there will come a time when protest Congress’ efforts to re- ing is we have not been quiet ... “This Walk for Life is for we will no longer respect God’s store the death penalty and the Fortunately or unfortunately, them,” Villegas said. “We will creatures,” the CBCPhead said. EJKs of drug suspects around it is not covered by media or walk and wewill stand for “When people no longer re- the country. social media but we have been them.” spect God, for sure we will no Even non-Catholic Chris- doing our work on the ground,” Clearly the head of the epis- longer respect the environ- tian groups heeded the CBCP’s he said. copal conference call. Staff and Moreover, AMRSP, which was saying the students of the groups the heads of religious Church wouldn’t Institute for congregations for men and tolerate EJKs Studies in Asian women, has condemned the and the restoraWe are alarmed at the silence of the Church and killings as early as August last tion of the death government, groups and majority Culture put out year, warning that they could penalty that the of the people in the face of these streamers de- lead to “a culture of impunity.” bishops felt was killings. Evil prospers where good claring, “Evan“We are alarmed at the siantipoor, as remen are silent. gelicals against lence of the government, flected in how EJK: Choose life groups and majority of the peoManila Auxiliary that we may live ple in the face of these killings. Bishop Broder(Deuteronomy Evil prospers where good men ick Pabillo defined capital pun- ment, our parents, our fellow- 30:19).” are silent,” said the statement ishment—”it is punishment for men and human life.” Perceived to have been inex- signed by Franciscan priest those without capital.” “This Walk for Life is not a plicably silent as the drug-re- Cielito Almazan and Kuizon, Good Shepherd Sister Regina protest but a commitment to lated killings climbed past the cochairpersons of AMRSP. Kuizon, chair of the Association the sacredness of life given by 7,000 mark, the CBCP finally “Is this lack of public outcry of Major Religious Superiors of God,” Villegas said. broke its silence after its bian- a tacit approval of what is hapthe Philippines (AMRSP), renual meeting in January, and pening? Is it fear that prevents minded Catholics of Pope Fran- Laity condemned what it perceived people from speaking out? cis’ wish for a world “free of the Although it was the Council as a “reign of terror” since the Whatever the reason, this probdeath penalty.” of the Laity of the Philippines President came into power. lem, if it remains unchecked, “Since December we have or “Layko” that organized the Speaking during the Meet leads to a culture of impunity.” lobbied at Congress (against) Walk for Life, the CBCP gave Inquirer Multimedia forum on Kuizon said Catholic relithe death penalty,” Kuizon said. the march its imprimatur by en- Feb. 13, Villegas stressed that gious orders were “in solidarity “Nuns have done room-to- couraging people of other faiths bishops had long condemned room campaigns at the House to join the Rizal Park rally. the drug killings. He added ❱❱ PAGE 13 Church-state clash
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Philippine News
FEBRUARY 17, 2017
FRIDAY
Gunmen cut short Poll tribunal gives way her dance of change to Marcos protest Gunmen cut short her dance of change BY JODEE A. AGONCILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer
sister?” Shots were heard outside the house a few seconds later. After the intruders left, family memON FRIDAY, with her mother bers, including two children, as her lone audience and crit- found Ramos lying face down in ic, 34year-old Cristeta Ramos a pool of blood. gamely practiced some dance A report to the Quezon City moves for an upcoming com- Police District (QCPD) said petition in Barangay Batasan crime scene investigators recovHills, Quezon City. ered four bullet casings and a It was no ordinary contest, sachet of “shabu” near her body. however, for it was organized by SPO1 Ronnie Ereño, the offithe village officials for drug us- cer on the case, said Ramos had ers like Ramos who had earlier been using drugs for two years surrendered under the Oplan before she surrendered under Tokhang antidrug campaign. the Tokhang program. The vic“Kleng-kleng” tim’s family said had been reshe was a lesbihearsing by heran who, despite self since Monhaving no reguday, and those Why are you lar jobs, had been around her took doing this to looking after the this as a clear my sister? welfare of her sign that she nieces. wanted to mend “Her mother her ways. The really wanted contest, after all, her to change her carried the theme: “Barangay ways,” said Ruby Libuna, RaTuloy sa Pagbabago (Village mos’ sister-inlaw. “She has been heading toward change).” monitoring her and we can see But no, the Feb. 25 dance-off that Klengkleng also wanted to will be missing one eager con- make progress. If (Ramos) is testant. still using drugs, why not just According to witnesses in- send her to jail? Why kill her?” terviewed by the Inquirer, four “I thought the killings would masked men in jackets and caps stop because Tokhang had been entered her house at Iyos Com- suspended and (the police) are pound shortly after midnight now focusing on illegal gamon Saturday, going all the way bling,” Libuna said. to the second floor where they Since July, there have been found Ramos playing cards around 800 Tokhang surrenwith her brother Moses. derers in Barangay Batasan One of the men asked Ramos: Hills, according to QCPD re“What’s your name? What’s cords. your nickname?” According to Cleopas Gaspay, After getting an answer, the the barangay executive officer, man dragged Ramos down- Ramos was one of the surrenstairs while his cohorts held derers whowere expected to the other shocked members of join the Feb. 25 dance contest, the household at gunpoint. Mo- one of the activities marking ses could only cry out in terror: the anniversary of Batasan “Why are you doing this to my Hills. ■
BY MARLON RAMOS AND ERIKA SAULER Philippine Daily Inquirer FORMER SEN. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has secured a critical legal victory in his attempt to unseat Vice President Leni Robredo, whom he has accused of fraud in last year’s elections. In a resolution dated Jan. 24, the Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), said that the complaint of Marcos was sufficient in form and substance and was “beyond dispute,” paving the way for a formal hearing. The eight-page resolution “emphasized that, as to the veracity of the protestant’s allegations, nothing had yet been proved.” “The protest is only sufficient for the tribunal to proceed and give the protestant the opportunity to prove his case in accordance with the 2010 PET rules,” according to the resolution, a copy of which was released to the media by the Marcos camp on Thursday. “We are hoping that with this resolution, there will be an end to all these delays and we can finally move forward. There is a need to ferret out the truth as to what really transpired during the vice presidential race last May,” said Marcos’ lawyer Victor Rodriguez in a statement. “We just want the truth to come out. It’s that simple.” In upholding Marcos’ complaint, the poll tribunal dismissed Robredo’s argument that it had no jurisdiction over the matter since the former senator had questioned the authenticity of the certificates of canvass (COCs). Robredo’s lawyers said the issue should have been raised by the namesake son of the late
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EDWARD GANAL / PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INFORMATION BUREAU
dictator Ferdinand Marcos through a pre-proclamation case in Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, as spelled out in Republic Act No. 9369, or the Election Automation Law. Robredo erred
But the PET said Robredo erred in claiming that the tribunal did not have the authority to hear Marcos’ complaint, arguing that Section 4, Article VII, of the 1987 Constitution stated that the tribunal “shall be the sole judge of all elections contests relating to the election, returns and disqualifications of the President or Vice President of the Philippines.” “The phrase ‘election, returns and qualifications’ refers to all matters affecting the validity of the contestee’s title, which includes questions on the validity, authenticity and correctness of the COCs,” it said. Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s lawyer, dismissed the PET ruling as simply “a procedural
matter.” “It only means that the PET will proceed with the case. It does not in any way reflect the validity or merits of any allegation of fraud or irregularity contesting the proclamation of Vice President Leni Robredo,” Macalintal said in a statement. Macalintal said the case would still go through the usual tedious and lengthy process of revision and recount of the ballots. “The ballot boxes and their contents would be retrieved from various provinces to be brought to the PET for the recount,” he said. Macalintal said the purpose of assailing the substance of Marcos’ protest was to verify its compliance with the strict requirements of the rules as applied by the Supreme Court in various election protests. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
13
SolGen’s move... erred in convicting Napoles of illegal detention, as the evidence presented during the trial did not support the guilty finding. Calida said he was not seeking to overturn the lower court’s decision, but only making his opinion known to the appeals court. He said it was his duty not to allow an “innocent person to go to the gallows.”
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Shock and surprise
Calida’s intervention came as a shock for the prosecution and as a surprise, because the court had not ordered the Office of the Solicitor General to comment on Napoles’ appeal. On Thursday, Sen. Bam Aquino questioned Calida’s wading into the case to rescue Napoles. “Why did the government need to protect Janet Napoles?” Aquino asked in a statement. He also asked whether it was proper for the Solicitor General to use taxpayer money “to defend those involved in the biggest case of theft of the people’s money.” “It is clear there is something wrong in this move and that our justice system [favors] the rich and the influential,” he said. Aquino also asked whether this was the justice system to which Congress would give the power to reimpose the
death penalty. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, an ally of President Duterte, said he, too, wanted an explanation for Calida’s action, but added: “I know this government does not act without a strategy.” Cayetano, however, said he was not sure whether Calida’s move was part of a government strategy, as he had not yet talked with either the Solicitor General or Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. “If there is no strategy, then this is a bad thing to happen,” he told reporters. Speaking to reporters in Malacañang on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella offered no explanation for Calida’s move, but said President Duterte “trusts” the SolGen’s decision to boost Napoles’ effort to overturn her conviction. No Du30 hand
Abella quickly dismissed as “speculations” claims that Mr. Duterte’s association with Napoles’ lawyers had to do with Calida’s decision to intervene on the jailed businesswoman’s behalf. He also pointed out that the illegal detention case against Napoles was separate from the string of graft and plunder cases she was facing in the Sandiganbayan. Asked if Calida had consulted Mr.
with the families of victims.” “Several congregations have centers that respond to the needs of those in need of rehabilitation,” Kuizon added. But President Duterte himself in his anti-Church rhetoric has belied the Church has not been doing anything. “I’m really appalled by so many groups and individuals, including priests and bishops, complaining about the number of persons killed in the operation against drugs,” he said in a speech in Zamboanga last October. “If I stop, the next generation would be lost.” The President has likewise asserted that the Church had no moral ascendancy because of its own record of abuses. In the Inquirer Multimedia interview, Villegas pointed out that the Church was still standing after “2,000 years of the sinfulness of its men and women.” “The moral ascendancy of the Church does not even come from its leaders,” he explained. “The moral ascendancy of the Church comes from the Lord himself. So there is no pretense.” Clearly the bishops are now rallying “men and women” of the laity to oppose the killings and the death penalty revival. Cardinal Tagle referred to the need to
Customs appointment
Mr. Duterte has appointed Lanee David, one of Napoles’ lawyers, deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, which he had described as the most corrupt government agency. David’s husband, Stephen, who is Napoles’ chief counsel, has been seen at official functions in Malacañang. Abella said he did not know whether Stephen David had been appointed to some position in the government. The Davids and two other lawyers for Napoles—Dennis Buenaventura and Bruce Rivera—are graduates of San Beda College, Mr. Duterte’s alma mater. In the House of Representatives on Thursday, Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque gave assurance that justice would prevail in Napoles’ cases. “She’s not off the hook and I will really lose it if she is absolved of the cases against her. But while she has not been
absolved of the plunder cases yet, let’s not worry because it would be difficult to absolve her given the evidence against her,” Roque said. He expressed hope that Napoles herself would come clean and disclose all she knew about the pork barrel scam, as “she would really end up in jail anyway.” Roque also said he would not oppose any “arrangement” with Napoles that would encourage her to tell all about the pork barrel scam. “All of them, regardless of who they are, should be punished for plunder stemming from what Janet Lim-Napoles did,” he said. ‘Gravely appalled’
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said in a statement that he was “gravely appalled” by Calida’s move. “What the [Solicitor General] did was worrisome. Why is it that of all the cases in the [Office of the Solicitor General], there is a special interest in the Napoles case?” Zarate said. It is ironic that the government wants to jail peacemakers, referring to the consultants to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in peace talks with the Duterte administration, while freeing people who stole billions of pesos from the people, he said. ■
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Duterte before riding to Napoles’ rescue, Abella said he did not know, but added: “The President trusts his alter ego’s decision.” But Calida’s view in Napoles’ case “doesn’t change [Mr. Duterte’s] position regarding corruption,” which the President vowed to eradicate during his tenure, Abella said.
cultivate a “culture of nonviolent political action.” Tagle said all Christians and other Filipinos should be aware of actions and measures happening in their midst— abortion, environmental destruction, graft and corruption, and EJKs. “One important aspect of this Walk for Life is strengthening and propagating the culture of nonviolent political action,” he said. Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David disclosed that one of his diocesan drug-rehab volunteers had just been shot down by “masked men with bonnets.” He urged the ralliers to inculcate a culture where life is respected. “Yes to the culture of life, no to the culture of death,” he added. Pabillo, bishop-adviser of Layko, urged ralliers to lobby in Congress against the death penalty and a measure to lower the age of criminal liability to nine so as to send kids to adult prisons, not juvenile reformatories. The challenge now is for the bishops, the religious and the laity to consolidate the powers unleashed by the Walk of Life and channel them as effective political action to check the perceived excesses of the Duterte administration and stop “antilife” legislations in Congress. ■
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1114
Opinion
14
FEBRUARY 17, 2017
FRIDAY
to tarnish credibility of Senate reporters
Transgender solon welcome, says AFP
PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY
BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer
Andanar clarifies bribery claim not meant
MANILA — Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday stressed that his claim that as much as USD1,000 was given to journalists who covered the press conference of former policeman and selfconfessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) leader Arturo Lascañas was not intended to taint the credibility of Senate reporters. In a press briefing in Malcañang, Andanar pointed out that he did not allude to any reporter in his interview with CNN Philippines, as shown in the official transcript of the interview. “I have already released a statement yesterday (Monday). If we are to look at the CNN transcript, we can see there that no reporter was alluded to as the recipient of this kind of offer, in dollar or peso,” he stressed. The Palace official said that he was just pointing to the fact that there is this concerted ef-
fort to conduct a massive protest during the EDSA Power Revolution celebrations on February 25. He said that he knew the Senate reporters and holds them in high regard. “It was not intended to say that the reporters at the Senate are corrupt. They are not! I know the reporters there (Senate). I hold them in high esteem and the fact that I said, in the same interview with Pinky Webb, that there was nothing in the intelligence report that says that the money was received, that proves that the reporter of the Senate are good reporters and they stuck to their journalistic integrity,” Andanar said. Lascañas on Monday recanted his earlier testimony denying the existence of the DDS. The former Davao police officer said his conscience led him to allegedly tell the truth and back the claim of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato that the group was real. Malacañang has downplayed
the disclosures and said that it was all part of a political drama aimed at ousting President Rodrigo Duterte. “The press conference of selfconfessed hitman SPO3 Arthur Lascañas is part of a protracted political drama aimed to destroy the President and to topple his administration,” Andanar said. He said that the public is aware that the revelations are nothing but vicious politics being orchestrated by Duterte’s detractors. “Our people are aware that this character assassination is nothing but vicious politics orchestrated by sectors affected by the reforms initiated by the Duterte administration,” the Palace official said. Andanar also pointed out that “the Commission on Human Rights, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Senate Committee on Justice already cleared the President of extrajudicial killing and his involvement in the Davao Death Squad.” ■
THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said it welcomed the expressed intent of Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine Roman, the country’s first transgender legislator, to join the military and become an officer of its Reserve Force. The AFP said in a statement that it does not discriminate applicants in terms of gender, either in the regular or reserve force of the military. It said the military institution has its own gender and development program that handles gender issues. “The AFP welcomes the expressed interest of Rep. Roman. We highly value the patriotism of our citizens and will work to cultivate this. She will be a welcome addition to the reservists force,” the statement said. The AFP reminded all applicants who will train in the military service that they would be entering an institution placed in high esteem. “As such, we admonish them to
maintain the dignity of the uniform; observe discipline, propriety and decorum; and measure up to the steep standards of the service,” the statement said. Commendation
In a statement, Roman commended the AFP for its policy of accepting members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community and expressed her strong support for the return of the Reserve Officers Training Command (ROTC) for the youth. “Change is truly happening in our country now as promised by President Duterte,” Roman said, as she thanked the President, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief Gen. Eduardo Año for allowing the entry of the LGBT in the military force. To show her support for the the President, Roman said she will encourage the youth to join and promote the ROTC. She said this will prepare them for the country’s defense and for earthquake and typhoon rescue operations. ■
AT LARGE
Stoking the outrage By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer Is there no end to the outrage being visited upon us? Or put another way: Is there no end to the ways this Duterte administration can devise to stoke our outrage, if not enrage everyone who loves our country and favors the rule of law? Consider what transpired this week alone: The Solicitor General, considered the “lawyer” of the government, issues an unsolicited statement that he believes “pork queen” Janet Lim Napoles is innocent of the illegal detention charge that sent her to prison; the Supreme Court allows the electoral protest of failed vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos to proceed; and now, the Department of Justice files charges against Sen. Leila de Lima that she conspired with drug lords during her term as secretary of justice. One would think the branches of government are working in concert to twist the meaning and essence of
the law. And to turn back the hands down on any vocal opposition [to than orchestrate a case against of time. It’s as if the last few years this administration’s] support for a the senator. In the process, they never happened. As if the lessons policy of EJK (extrajudicial killing) have been “softening” the ground learned, and the principles pur- in dealing with suspected crimi- of public opinion against her, even sued, all went up in smoke the min- nals.” pursuing her former driver-lover ute Dudirty and his cohorts, all of To my mind, that’s even a very to the wilds of Pangasinan just to whom have ties with previous dis- lawyerly way of looking at things. get him to link her even more dicredited administrations, stepped I sense a deeper wellspring of per- rectly to the imprisoned drug lords, into power. sonal animosity against De Lima, even as congressmen lost no time *** aggravated by the fact that not feasting on the sexual-romantic Almost from the first days of only is she a woman (and outspo- angle of their past liaison. the Duterte adFrom the beministration, the ginning, I wonFor much of his term—which is less than a year old—Mr. President and his dered how the case Duterte and his men have done nothing more, it seems, than lackeys—led by against De Lima orchestrate a case against the senator. the Wigged One— could be pursued launched a camwhen it was based paign not merely to discredit De ken women seem to have a gift for mainly on the self-serving testiLima, but to bury her under a tsu- getting the President’s goat), but a mony of convicted high profile nami of charges that would eventu- woman who once dared to investi- drug personalities who, of course, ally land her behind bars. gate him for the extrajudicial kill- had nothing to lose and everything The charges did not really come ings that took place while he was to gain in implicating the senator. as a surprise to the senator, who mayor of Davao City. Now those drug lords even got airsaid she had “long prepared myself Indeed, the filing of charges conditioned rooms in exchange for to be the first political prisoner un- against De Lima strikes me as their cooperation! der this regime.” She said the con- somewhat anticlimactic. For much *** certed campaign of prosecution of his term—which is less than a No matter how big or small the against her is “nothing less than a year old—Mr. Duterte and his men crowd, the upcoming show of solipolitically motivated act … to clamp have done nothing more, it seems, darity on Feb. 25, which marks the
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anniversary of our one proud moment on the world stage, gains unprecedented importance at this time, and at this nadir in the national mood. The Duterte administration has planned a “low-key” commemoration in Camp Aguinaldo, with his spokespersons advising us to “move on” from our memories of those days. On the contrary, all the more should we remember those days, and the years since martial law when Filipinos overthrew the dictatorship and a returning icon gave his life to draw his nation together. We the Filipino people owe it to the martyrs of the past, to ourselves, and, more importantly, to all younger generations and those yet to come, to send a powerful message. In this era of trolls and scary social media, it may be difficult to put a finger on the public pulse. But what YOU feel, what YOU think matters nonetheless. Together, our individual outrage can gather heat and turn into a conflagration. ■
Opinion
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
15
PUBLIC LIVES
Using criminals as witnesses By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer President Duterte and his controversial justice secretary, Vitaliano Aguirre II, are so confident the government has built foolproof cases against archcritic and incumbent senator Leila de Lima that they expect to see her locked up in jail any time soon. For the sake of the credibility of our justice system—or what remains of it—I hope they are right. I hope they have the objective evidence to corroborate the testimonies of the chorus of convicted criminals who have been recruited as witnesses for the sole purpose of pinning down the senator. If they don’t, then they would have knowingly shredded the institutional integrity of the whole justice system in the vain hope of silencing a sworn critic of the administration. They would have set a dangerous record in the use of criminal convicts as political weapons. The three cases that were filed the other day by a special panel of prosecutors from the Department of Justice all pertain to Senator De Lima’s alleged toleration of the supposed drug trade in the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa in exchange for election campaign funds. Two of these were filed at
the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial And, each time they were prompt- link to Judge Trott’s lecture, “The Court (rather than the Sandigan- ed to do so, they dutifully dragged use of a criminal as a witness: A bayan, which is explicitly mandat- the name of Senator De Lima into special problem.” ed to decide cases involving public every nefarious activity in which First: “Criminals are likely to say officials). A third—for alleged vio- they were engaged. and do almost anything to get what lations of the Anti-Graft and CorWithout corroborating facts, no they want, especially when what rupt Practices Act and the Code of reasonable person would assign they want is to get out of trouble Conduct and Ethical Standard for evidentiary value to their state- with the law…. Many are outright Public Officials and Employees— ments. As prisoners looking for conscienceless sociopaths to whom was forwarded to the Office of the a way to negotiate their liberty, ‘truth’ is a wholly meaningless conOmbudsman for action. shorten their jail terms, or earn cept. To some, ‘conning’ people is a For the purpose of this column, privileges while in prison, these way of life. Others are just basically what is remarkable is this: The men would have said anything that unstable people.’” same DOJ resolution carries a re- those who had the power over their Second: “Ordinary decent people quest for the dismissal of the il- fates ordered them to say. Their are predisposed to dislike, distrust, legal drugs cases and frequently filed against Herdespise criminals In a case that, by itself, is already heavily tainted by the bert Colanggo, who ‘sell out’ and color of political persecution, the choice of convicted criminals as Engelberto Acenas become prosecuwitnesses for the state is reckless and pathetic. Durano, Vicente tion witnesses. JuSy, Jojo Baligad, rors suspect their and Wu Tuan Yuan alias Peter Co, use as state’s witnesses is a danger- motives from the moment they “since they will be utilized as pros- ous maneuver that is done only to hear about them in a case, and ecution witnesses.” get at the truth, rather than to get they frequently disregard their We may be familiar with some someone. testimony altogether as highly unof these names. We first saw them Judge Stephen S. Trott, senior trustworthy and unreliable, openly up close during the nationally tele- circuit judge of the US Court of Ap- expressing disgust with the prosvised House hearings on the Bilibid peals for the 9th Circuit, sums up ecution for making deals with such drug trade. Glib and often cocky, the lessons he has learned about ‘scum.’” these convicts were let out on pris- “cooperating criminals” from his We don’t have the jury system in on passes so they could serve as leg- 40-year experience in the Ameri- this country, of course. I wish we islative resource persons. Gamely can justice system. It would do well did. But, having been treated to a playing their parts in what seemed for the DOJ prosecutors who have preview of the kind of statements like a crudely written script, they taken on the unpleasant task of in- that the deployed Bilibid convicts regaled the assembled legislators dicting the former head of their of- are likely to make before the courts, with endless tales of survival and fice to heed the wise words of this the public would be highly sensiintrigue inside the prison system. venerable magistrate. Here’s the tive to any attempt to treat these
testimonies as though they could stand on their own. The first problem of the government prosecutors is precisely the credibility of their prime witnesses. In a case that, by itself, is already heavily tainted by the color of political persecution, the choice of convicted criminals as witnesses for the state is reckless and pathetic. In a functioning justice system, the defense would easily enjoy the upper hand in such cases. As Judge Trott puts it, “[I]n the hands of a skillful defense tactician, all the liabilities and the unseverable baggage that such a witness brings to your case, along with the ‘confession’ or the revelations, become the elements of reasonable doubt the defense is looking for and the brush with which the rest of your case is then tarred.” In short, the prosecution would have a hard time proving its case. But, perhaps, that’s not the main goal here. The object of the entire exercise could simply be to arrest Senator De Lima, put her in jail, keep her there indefinitely as the case drags on, and teach her a lesson. What lesson? In chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo’s words, she will experience what she made Gloria Arroyo experience: “Matitikman niya na iyong pinatikim niya kay Arroyo.”■
LOOKING BACK
Art as documentary By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer Art Fair Philippines 2017 is on until the end of the week in a Makati car park that has been temporarily enclosed, air-conditioned, and dolled up to exhibit the best of Philippine contemporary art. By and large it is a trade fair, with many of the lowest-priced works on display well beyond the lifetime earnings of Pinoys below the poverty line. It is quite sad when art becomes unreachable, and perhaps irrelevant to the majority of the people it is supposed to inspire. To balance this growing notion of Philippine art being the toys of those with a large disposable income, some spaces are devoted to commentary on current social issues. In the center of the main, the first floor of the four-floor fair, Jose Tence Ruiz created an installation in blood-red to remind well-
heeled art patrons of the extrajudicial killings that continue every day beyond Forbes Park and other gated communities. Padded oversized armchairs with thick leather belts and large brass buckles and pins are not a backdrop for BDSM porn, but a grim reminder of the Bilibid electric chair known to those born before the millennial generation. It is a reminder of the death penalty that this administration wants restored to instill fear among the people. I think I was the only one brave enough to take the artist’s unspoken invitation to sit on one of the chairs and feel the discomfort and fear that should inspire more people to speak up on EJKs, an issue more pressing than Ferdinand Marcos’ burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Look at the numbers: The body count in the 20 years of Marcos rule was about 3,000, compared to the more than 7,000 under the Duterte administration that
has not even crossed the one-year mark of a six-year term. Marcos is a ghost that continues to haunt contemporary times, and artists use their art in a process that is both a remembering and an exorcism. The booth curated by Erwin Romulo sends all sorts of creepy and screeching sounds throughout the hall, interrupting the million-peso sales of adjoining booths that may be driven to complain to the organizers about the “noise.” But then all this is political memory. There are spools of audio tape inside the booth, on reels and cassettes that seem Jurassic to millennials who know only of compact discs, thumb drives, mp3 and mp4. There is an installation made from a frame of glass jalousies painted white. When open it reveals a black-and-white vintage photo of the young Imelda Marcos in her signature terno and umbrella. When the jalousies noisily
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slam shut for a split-second, they cover Imelda with a grainy image of Marcos’ mistress Dovie Beams, a still from the forgotten 1968 film “Maharlika.” As a historian, I find that the most intriguing part of the installation is hearing a snippet of the fabled audio recording of one tryst that has all the sound effects, including a creaking bed. Then we hear a snippet of Marcos crooning in bed, serenading Beams with the traditional Ilocano song “Pamulinawen.” It has been suggested that the tape is fake, that it was black propaganda against Marcos when he was seeking a second term in 1969. Beams first played the tape at a press conference before she left Manila, and I have yet to hear the complete tape and validate whether it is indeed Marcos himself singing not just “Pamulinawen” but also “Acercate mas” (sung in English as “Get closer to me”). This booth alone is worth the
price of admission to the Art Fair, and should generate not just a revisiting of history but a discussion as well of revisionist history and alternative facts. If you do not want to be disturbed by art, there is a lot more that is comforting. Works by auction superstar artists, both dead and alive, can be found everywhere: Ronald Ventura, BenCab, Elmer Borlongan, Fernando Zobel, Jose Joya, and everyone else down the price and familiarity scale are on view. So you can choose what part of the Art Fair you want to see—art that makes you momentarily forget the ills of the present world, or art that speaks to wealth and power in the hope of social change. I don’t choose one type of art over the other. I just hope that artists, whether they sell or not, continue to speak to us and document our times for the next generations. ■
16
FEBRUARY 24, 2017
FRIDAY
Canada News Rest in peace: The politics of remembering the personal failings of the dead BY LAUREN KRUGEL The Canadian Press TORONTO — Tradition dictates that when we bury the dead, we also bury their faults, failings and any transgressions. “Don’t speak ill of the dead” is an enduring mantra for many who would rather put their pain to rest than continue to dwell on it. And so revelations that a murdered Winnipeg bus driver was also facing criminal charges has sparked debate over whether such ugliness should be dredged up at all. Irvine Jubal Fraser was stabbed to death early Tuesday on a university campus. When the Winnipeg Free Press reported two days later that Fraser was facing child sexual assault charges at the time of his death, it triggered outrage among readers who objected to reporting unproven, and apparently unrelated, claims. “Ever hear of human decency? Obviously not otherwise you would have allowed his family to mourn in peace. Shame on you,” tweeted one reader with the handle ?HeatherRF68, selfdescribed as a mom of three in suburban Winnipeg. As of Friday afternoon, Winnipeg Free Press editor Paul Samyn said the city desk had received about five calls and that he had received a few emails, as did the two reporters who handled the story. The paper was not accepting comments on the online version of the story. The Canadian Press also reported on
the charges Fraser was facing. “For those who are grieving or shocked by a tragedy, it can be very hard for them to also have to deal with facts that add to their pain or shock,” Samyn said in an email. “But our responsibility as journalists also involves revealing truths that unfortunately, may be also inconvenient for those who only want a certain narrative from the media.” The CBC did not report the charges, arguing in an internal memo to staff that they were not relevant to the central issue of whether bus drivers and their passengers are safe. Sociology professor Elizabeth Comack questioned the purpose of the article, noting the claims were unproven and being handled by the courts. “What is the reader expected to take away from that?” said Comack, an instructor at the University of Manitoba where some students had to step around police tape surrounding the blood-stained pavement at the scene of Fraser’s death. “To raise that as an issue, you’re left with this impression that, OK, does this mean that somehow he’s a less worthy victim? Because of this are we to see him as less deserving of our sympathies and our sorrow?” The article also noted that Fraser had been out on bail awaiting trial, and that his union seemed to have no knowledge of the case. Comack said that implied Fraser wouldn’t have been on the job had he told the union of the charges, and was therefore somewhat responsible for his
Wake of Irvine Jubal Fraser (inset).
own death. While Comack notes it’s unfortunate the complainant will never get a day in court, she adds that Fraser was “violently and tragically killed.” “That’s the story right now.” A journalism ethics professor said he, too, found the Free Press report “quite problematic.” “I think the news value is questionable in a case like this,” said Aneurin Bosley of Carleton University. “The bus driver is really not a public figure beyond the fact that he was killed on the job and obviously he’s never going to get his day in court now so we’ll never find out whether or not the allegations are going to stand up to a trial.” The well-established tradition to avoid criticizing the recently deceased is rooted in basic etiquette, says protocol instructor Leanne Pepper, who teaches university students and serves as general manager of the Faculty Club at the University of Toronto. “I always say that when you go into these events you don’t
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want to be the complainer, the whiner, and if you can’t say anything positive you don’t say anything at all,” said Pepper. “When is it appropriate? That’s a difficult one. If it’s a hard thing to keep inside, you need to find another way to be able to express those feelings. Therapists help.” At the funeral of Toronto mayor Rob Ford, he was lauded as a good father and there was little mention of his international reputation as a cracksmoking mayor, she notes. However, that elicited complaints from some Toronto residents critical of Ford’s behaviour while in office. Charlotte Koven, a Toronto psychotherapist who specializes in grief counselling, says we all present different faces to different people, depending on our relationships. “People tend to glorify someone and it can be very frustrating to those who saw other sides of them. And it can also be very hurtful to the people who knew the person in another way,” said
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Koven, noting that ignoring abusive behaviour can disavow the victims’ pain. “I have actually been at a funeral where I wanted to jump up and say: ‘That’s not the person I knew. He was a such-and-such and I could tell you a lot of other things about this person.”’ But Koven appreciated the honesty of another eulogy in which children stated in a diplomatic but very clear way that their parent could be difficult. Meanwhile, the recent obituary of Leslie Ray Charping, born in Galveston, Texas, is making the rounds online for being remarkably frank in its portrayal of an abusive father: “Leslie’s passing proves that evil does in fact die and hopefully marks a time of healing and safety for all,” says the notice, posted on the Carnes Funeral Home website. It would be ideal to address such relationship issues before someone dies. But Comack acknowledges that a traumatized family member may struggle with conflicting emotions. “The need to actually name your anger, name some of the things the deceased person has done, that is part of the healing, that’s part of being able to move on,” said Comack, who comes from a family of funeral directors. Still, Koven wondered if such pain needs to be acknowledged publicly. She notes that hurtful revelations could blindside family members unaware of abuse, and cause more damage. “Maybe that public forum is not the place where it would be helpful for anybody.” ■
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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2017
17
‘I wouldn’t have let him go’: Minneapolis woman shocked friend walked to Canada BY LAUREN KRUGEL The Canadian Press MINNEAPOLIS — Saciido Shaie says something seemed to be weighing on her friend Mohamed Badal in the days before he vanished. Badal, a Somali man who spent months trekking four continents before landing in the United States, had been preparing to appeal a rejected asylum application when Donald Trump became president. “For an entire week he was anxious, he was scared,” Shaie says over tea at Daalo Grill, a Minneapolis East African restaurant where she, Badal and a big group of friends would regularly hang out. “You can read from his face.” The Trump administration’s hardline views on immigration have rattled many in the Midwestern city’s large Somali community, regardless of their immigration status, says Shaie, a community activist. Trump singled out Somali newcomers at a campaign rally in Minneapolis two days before
November’s election, saying he was. ada. the city had “suffered enough” When Badal finally reached “He was just telling me he from their presence. Somalia Shaie, he was in Winnipeg. was thinking about his mom bewas also among seven Muslim“You’re kidding me,” she re- cause his mom was telling him majority countries targeted in calls saying. “How did you end ‘at least if you want to die, come a travel ban imposed suddenly up there?” die in your country because I last month, which has since He told her he walked for want to see your body.’ been halted in court. hours in the freezing cold “So if he died, no one would Shaie says her friend, who through a snowy field in order have known where he’d end up.” had been authorized to work to cross from North Dakota Badal was among dozens of night shifts in a warehouse, into Manitoba. refuge-seekers found trudging feared he could through snowbe arrested and covered prairie deported at any along the border moment. near the town of She says he He is part of the history of the club. Emerson, Man., feared having He helped the club to be where it is. in recent weeks. to return to the He is back with us and playing at a Most of the war-torn homehigh level. people are from land he had fled. Somalia, Ghana “You don’t and other Afriwant to go back can countries. to Somalia right now. There’s He left his car in MinneapoOn Sunday, RCMP said in no opportunity. There’s noth- lis, so Shaie figures he must a news release that 22 people ing there,” she says. “You have have gotten a lift to a town near were intercepted overnight ilpeople who are 20-something the border. legally crossing the border near who have not even been to By the time Canadian author- Emerson. school.” ities found Badal, one of his legs There’s nothing new about She noticed Badal hadn’t was swollen from the cold and people eschewing official borstopped by Daalo Grill in a he could barely speak. der crossings between the U.S. while and when she tried call“He told me that he thought and Canada, though RCMP say ing, his phone was disconnect- he was going to die,” Shaie says, the numbers have been on the ed. No one else in their circle of recounting their conversation a rise in recent months. friends seemed to know where few days after he entered CanThe tactic is a way to get
around the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, which would cause anyone who had already applied for refugee status in the U.S. to be turned away at an official border crossing in Canada. But if a person crosses somewhere else and applies as a refugee, the case is heard by Canadian authorities. It’s a dangerous gamble to jump the border in the winter. Two men lost fingers to frostbite after a 10-hour trek across Manitoba fields of waist-high snow in sub-zero temperatures over Christmas. Since Badal was found by police in Canada, he can stay in the country while his paperwork is sorted out. Shaie says her friend is doing fine and has since travelled to Toronto, where he has family. She wishes she knew beforehand what he was planning to do. “I would have said ‘you’re crazy.’ I wouldn’t have let him go,” she says. “I would have said ‘we’ll figure out something, we’ll advocate for you, find something for you.’ But walk to Canada?” ■
Montreal adopts sanctuary city designation; migrant rights’ groups call it symbolic BY SIDHARTHA BANERJEE The Canadian Press MONTREAL CITY council passed a motion Monday making it the latest Canadian jurisdiction to declare itself a “sanctuary city” for non-status immigrants. The designation means undocumented refugees will have full access to local services regardless of their situation, with the city following in the footsteps of Toronto, Hamilton and London, Ont. Mayor Denis Coderre told reporters he felt compelled to act because of events south of the border. “One of the reasons I’ve done that is clearly because of what’s happening in the United States and what I’m witnessing in Eu-
rope,” Coderre said. In recent weeks, more and more people have flowed illegally across the U.S. border into Canada as President Donald Trump cracks down on illegal immigration and imposes new restrictions on refugees. Canada Border Services Agency says 452 people filed a claim for refugee asylum at Quebec-U.S. land border crossings in January. Given that current context, several Canadian cities have expressed interest in adopting similar motions, including Ottawa, Saskatoon and Regina. Toronto became Canada’s first sanctuary city in 2013. Coderre, a former federal immigration minister, assured the measures will go beyond symbolism and help those who need it the most.
Available services would include access to municipal programs and buildings, including ibraries and recreation centres, while Coderre said he wants to discuss major issues such as health, housing and education with provincial and federal authorities. “The bottom line is to integrate them,” he said. “And if you don’t have a criminal case (or pose a security risk), we will normalize your situation. You will be able to remain here.” But some migrant rights’ groups called the measure largely symbolic as Montreal joined other North American cities such as San Francisco, Boston, New York and Chicago as designated sanctuary cities. A number of groups told a news conference a few hours before the motion passed that www.canadianinquirer.net
while the gesture would be in good faith, it wouldn’t provide the tangible changes to make Montreal truly a sanctuary city. “He’s coming from a good place, I’m not going to deny that,” said Jaggi Singh, a spokesman for Solidarity Across Borders. “But it doesn’t go far enough.” Singh said the city should at least ensure that Montreal police and transit officials will not collaborate with Canada Border Services Agency and hand over undocumented migrants. Singh said there are countless instances where an arrest on a minor infraction can lead to deportation, while the representative of a sex-workers’ rights group told the news conference that undocumented women working at massage parlours are routinely handed over to immigration officials.
“Honestly, in many ways, having a symbolic motion can be worse than having no motion at all,” said Singh. “What it does is creates a false sense of security and false sense of protection and the moment where the police are deporting people, you destroy any sense of trust.” Coderre said after the motion was adopted the city’s public security committee would study the matter of how police and transit officials deal with the migrants. Opposition Leader Valerie Plante of Projet Montreal said how police work with undocumented people will be key. “I think this is a great decision, but we have to be cautious not to create a false sense of security for those vulnerable people,” she said. ■
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B.C. set to table pre-election pay back budget with surplus cash: government BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press VICTORIA — British Columbia’s finance minister says five consecutive surplus budgets and a nation-leading economy has the government prepared to spend money after years of penny pinching. Mike de Jong said Monday that broad tax relief for residents and small business operators are part of the budget he tables Tuesday, just months ahead of May’s provincial election. The budget comes a week after Premier Christy Clark said her Liberal government will pay back taxpayers for financial sacrifices of recent years. “We are trying to ensure the benefits of our nation-leading economy are shared by the widest possible group,” de Jong said a news conference at a Victoria shoe repair shop. De Jong skipped the budget tradition of buying new shoes again this year and had old pair of black Bostonian brogues shined, stitched and re-soled. B.C. leads Canada in job creation, but RBC forecasts economic growth will slip below the national average for the first time in six years. De Jong said B.C.’s Children
and Family Development Min- other province in the country, istry can expect a budget in- to begin to address priority arcrease. eas, leave more money in citiThe government has been on zens’, taxpayers’ pockets and the defensive over recent tragic not incur deficits to do it,” said deaths of children in its care de Jong. and scathing reports of child Known as a tight-fisted monwelfare system failures. ey manager, de Jong said the He deflected questions about time is right to start spending. calls to cut the provincial sales Ministry of Finance reports tax and medical services premi- projected the budget surplus to ums: “We’ll see.” be about $2.2 billion, but other The right-leaning Canadian than say the new budget will be Taxpayers’ Federation and left- balanced, de Jong has not proleaning Canadian Centre for vided a surplus estimate. government adding up to $300 Policy Alternatives both want The government made sev- million annually the education the government to dump the eral funding announcements budget to fund extra teachers health-care premium of fee in the days prior to the budget, and classroom assistants. that ranges from $11 to $75 per including increasing monthly “There will be no shortage of month for those making over disability payments by $50, a criticism about why didn’t you $24,001 a year. do more here and “We should why wasn’t the eliminate the tax relief greatMSP in B.C.,” er,” said de Jong. said Alex We are trying to ensure the benefits “We try to make Hemingway, a of our nation-leading economy are these choices as centre for policy shared by the widest possible group. best we can.” alternatives anaHe said the lyst. “No other new 10-year, $1.4 province has it. billion health It’s the most unfunding deal fair tax we have.” one-time grant of $29.4 million with the federal government A one percentage cut to B.C.’s to help school districts pur- could impact B.C.’s bottom line seven per cent PST would cut chase classroom supplies and in the coming year. annual revenues by $900 mil- $140 million to improve patient Social welfare groups and lion, while the MSP raised $2.5 access to mental-health initia- opposition say the B.C. governbillion for the government last tives. ment created compassion defiyear. A Supreme Court of Canada cits while pursuing budget sur“I’m very comfortable. We’re ruling last year in favour of pluses. in a position now, unlike any B.C.’s teachers could see the Opposition New Democrat
CHRISTY CLARK / FACEBOOK
Leader John Horgan said relief promises ring hollow, especially vows to increase the children’s ministry budget. “They should have been putting resources in, not in a preelection period, but right off the bat,” he said. Bryan Yu, a senior economist at Central 1 Credit Union, said he doesn’t see the government scrapping the MSP completely. But he said he sees budget priorities aimed at rural B.C. where the economy is hurting. “I suspect there will be some measures focusing on that rural-urban divide because the unemployment rates outside of Metro Vancouver are significantly higher,” Yu said. He said last year’s 15-percent foreign buyers tax and a first-time home buyers loan plan helped ease housing concerns in Metro Vancouver. ■
Ontario legislature resumes Tuesday with a focus on hydro BY ALLISON JONES The Canadian Press TORONTO — When the Ontario legislature returns Tuesday from its winter break, rising hydro rates will be top of mind, as will winter hydro disconnections and the further sale of Hydro One. There are indeed other pressing issues in the province, and in the near future the Liberal government will present its first balanced budget in years, but there is no bigger topic in Ontario politics right now than hydro.
The furor over electricity rates comes at a time when bills have about doubled in the last decade. Ratepayers are angry and Premier Kathleen Wynne is feeling the heat. She has been sounding a note of contrition in the past several months after admitting high bills are her “mistake,” a result of not paying close enough attention to rising costs to consumers while focusing on bigpicture issues such as removing coal from the system and investing in transmission grid upgrades. The government introduced an eight-per-cent rebate on
electricity bills that took effect Jan. 1, with further savings for rural customers, but Ontarians have told Wynne that isn’t enough. Wynne has promised more relief and has been hinting that more across-the-board savings will be introduced, as well as targeted measures for lowincome and rural and northern residents. “We recognize that everyone across the province has seen increases in electricity, precipitous increases, over the last number of years and so we recognize that there’s more that we need to do for everyone,” www.canadianinquirer.net
Wynne said recently. “Beyond that we recognize that there are people who live in rural and northern communities who are having even more of a challenge, and then there are low-income Ontarians who again have an additional burden, who are literally having to choose between paying the rent and paying their electricity bills, so we recognize we have to tackle all those challenges.” A source familiar with government discussions on the issue said that in terms of a universal cut, they are looking at incrementally building on the eight-per-cent rebate.
There is talk of tackling the global adjustment, a charge levied to cover the gap between the guaranteed prices the Liberal government promised electricity generators in long-term contracts and actual market rates, “because it’s one thing we do have some control over,” the source said. Extra relief for low-income ratepayers may come from taxpayers, the source said, instead of other ratepayers, as in current programs such as the Ontario Electricity Support Program. That program has ❱❱ PAGE 25 Ontario legislature
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Singaporean PM, hosting Netanyahu, endorses ‘two state’ plan
US Agencies suggest a fence rather a wall
BY ANNABELLE LIANG The Associated Press
BY PHOEBE BALUBAR Philippine Canadian Inquirer
SINGAPOREAN PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong, hosting a visit by his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Monday his country believes in a “two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Lee explained his stand at a joint news briefing with Netanyahu, who does not endorse the two-nation approach. Lee said he realizes a two-state solution is difficult to achieve, but said it is the only way to achieve peace. Netanyahu’s official visit is the first to Singapore by an Israeli head of government. Last year Lee became the first Singaporean prime minister to visit Israel. Netanyahu referred to Singapore and Israel at the news conference as being “kindred spirits.” Both nations are small, with significant defence and high-tech industries. The two
countries established diplomatic relations in 1969, but have ties dating back to 1965, when Israeli military advisers covertly assisted Singapore after its declaration of independence. Acknowledging the “very complex situation” between Palestinians and Israel, Lee called for direct negotiations that will ensure “progress toward a just and durable solution to this long-standing and often, unfortunately violent conflict.” Netanyahu did not mention tensions in the Middle East in his remarks at the news briefing, after which questions were not allowed. But afterward, at a state dinner, he said he believes there is an opportunity to seek peace now “because I sense a great change in the Arab world, in many Arab countries, and I hope ... to be able to use that newfound attitude toward Israel to help us solve the Pales-
tinian-Israeli conflict as well.” The two-state approach, in which negotiations aim to lead to an independent Palestinian nation, has wide international support, including from Arab nations. It would likely require Israel to give up occupied territory that is strategically and religiously significant. A two-state solution has anchored American diplomacy in the Middle East for two decades. When U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Netanyahu last week, the American leader signalled a policy shift, saying both a two-state and a single-state solution should be considered. Netanyahu also said Israel was pivoting toward Asia “in a very clear and purposeful way.” “Next month I’ll go to China. Somewhat later this year, Prime Minister Modi of India will come to visit Israel,” he said. Poised in the middle, he said, is Singapore, “our perfect partner.” ■
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US AUTHORITIES confirmed that it is not feasible to build a border wall. Rather, they are pushing for a construction of an 18ft fence made of steel with a cement base. However, the President had previously insisted that he wants a wall and nothing else. According to Border Security experts, building a wall isn’t feasible for technical reasons. According to the Government Accountability Office, the government will spend $2.3 billion to extend fences to 654 miles out of the 2,000-mile border. Currently, it consists of 354 miles of pedestrian borders and 300 miles of vehicle barriers. For the past five years, the original Legacy fence had been breached more than 9,000 times. Experts also mentioned that
a fence would be more secure than a wall as security personnel would be able to monitor possible activities on the other side of the border. If authorities would be able to convince Trump to go with a border fence rather than a wall, it would only cost $5 billion, instead of $12 billion which Trump agreed to. The border fence would also not be from coast to coast as experts believe that it is just illogical to fence inhabitable areas and tough terrain. Given these circumstances, Trump’s “wall” would have a legacy fence where agencies will be tasked to replace 272 miles of fencing and add another 177 miles, with a total length of 831 miles. This will be executed on a three phase plan. The plan will be presented to the President this week. ■
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Conservative group cancels speech by Yiannopoulos THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — Right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos has been disinvited to this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference after his attempt to clarify past comments on relationships between boys and older men fell flat with organizers. Hours later, his publisher cancelled his book “Dangerous,” which had been scheduled to come out in June. The American Conservative Union founded and hosts CPAC, which is being held Wednesday through Saturday outside Washington. In a tweet on Monday, ACU chairman Matt Schlapp said that “due to the revelation of an offensive video in the past 24 hours condoning pedophilia, the American Conservative Union has decided to rescind the invitation of Milo Yiannopoulos to speak.” After the polarizing Breitbart News editor was invited, his invitation sparked a backlash. The conservative Reagan Battalion blog tweeted video clips Sunday in which Yiannopoulos discussed Jews, sexual consent, statutory rape, child abuse and homosexuality. In one clip, Yiannopoulos defends sexual relationships between men and boys as young as 13 years old. He also speaks approvingly of his own sexual relationship with a 29-year-old priest when he was 17. “In the homosexual world, particularly, some of those relationships between younger boys and older men — the sort of ‘coming of age’ relationship — those relationships in which those older men help those young boys discover who they are and give them security and safety and provide them with love and a reliable, sort of rock, where they can’t speak to their parents,” he said. Later Monday, Simon & Schuster and its Threshold Editions imprint announced that “after careful consideration” they had pulled Yiannopoulos’ book, for which pre-orders placed it high on Amazon.com’s bestseller lists. The subject of intense controversy from the start, “Dangerous” was origi-
Global arms trade hits cold war levels, driven by demand from Asia, Middle East PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY
MILO YIANNOPOULOS / FACEBOOK
nally scheduled to come out in March. But Yiannopoulos pushed back the release to June so he could write about the protests during his recent campus tour, including a cancelled appearance at the University of California, Berkeley. At the time of his publisher’s decision Monday, “Dangerous” ranked No. 83 on Amazon’s overall list and No. 1 in the subcategory of “Censorship & Politics.” Simon & Schuster did not offer any specific reason for pulling “Dangerous.” In Facebook postings Monday night, Yiannopoulous wrote: “They cancelled my book” and “I’ve gone through worse. This will not defeat me.” Yiannopoulos is known for his vicious criticism of women and Muslims, among others. Last summer, he helped instigate a harassment campaign against “Ghostbusters” star Leslie Jones that led to his banishment from Twitter. More than 100 Simon & Schuster authors had objected to his book deal, which was announced last December, and prominent feminist writer Roxane Gay withdrew a planned book. Some bookstores had said they would not sell it, although the National Coalition Against Censorship and other free speech organizations had defended the publisher. Threshold is a conservative imprint that has published books by President Donald Trump,
who has defended Yiannopoulos, and former Vice-President Dick Cheney, among others. On Facebook, Yiannopoulos blamed deceptive editing and his own “sloppy phrasing” for any indication he supported pedophilia. The British author said he spoke of his own relationship when he was 17 with a man who was 29. The age of consent in the United Kingdom is 16. It’s unclear who edited the videos. “We realize that Mr. Yiannopoulos has responded on Facebook, but it is insufficient,” Schlapp said. “We urge him to immediately further address these disturbing comments.” Schlapp said the invitation was initially extended knowing that free speech on college campuses is a “battlefield where we need brave, conservative standard-bearers.” But he added: “There is no disagreement among our attendees on the evils of sexual abuse of children.” Breitbart is considered by many a platform for the socalled “alt-right” movement, an offshoot of conservatism that mixes racism, white nationalism and populism. Its former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is now a senior adviser to President Donald Trump. ■ Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann in Washington and AP National Writer Hillel Italie in New York contributed to this report. www.canadianinquirer.net
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MOSCOW — The global arms trade reached levels not seen since the Cold War between 2012 and 2016, a Swedish research institute revealed February 20, driven by new demand in Asia and a huge jump in the Middle East. The volume of arms trading grew by 8.4% when compared with the previous five year period, from 2007 to 2011, according to a new study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The United States and Russia remain the world’s biggest suppliers of heavy weapons, selling 33% and 23% of the global total, respectively, with nearly half of US weapons exports going to the Middle East and the majority of Russia’s to Asia. China (6.2%), France (6%) and Germany (5.6%) made up the rest of the top five, which among them accounted for nearly three quarters of total arms exports. China in particular increased its exports by more than 70% over the previous five years; both France and Germany saw their exports decline significantly. States in Asia and Oceania accounted for 43% of global arms imports between 2012 and 2016, with India alone buying up 13% of the global total to take the prize of world’s largest importer of major arms. India increased its imports by 43% in the five year period, buying far more than neighbors China and Pakistan. The country, which has the world’s fourth biggest defense budget, is also accelerating efforts to produce weapons at home, though for now it remains dependent on external suppliers, SIPRI noted. “With no regional arms control instruments in place, states in Asia continue to expand their arsenals,” said Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Program. Imports by Southeast Asian
countries also jumped, with Vietnam vaulting from the 29th largest importer in the previous period to the 10th largest now, taking in 3% of global arms imports. China lined up behind Russia to be the second biggest suppliers of weapons to Asia. The Middle East, where demand grew by 86% between 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016 to reach 29% of all imports, gets most of its destructive technology from the US and France. Saudi Arabia takes second place among arms importers, and purchased 212% more arms than in the previous period. Little Qatar has also developed an astonishing thirst for arms and increased its weapons imports by a massive 245%. Almost all the states in the region increased their arms buying, the report points out. “Despite low oil prices, countries in the region continued to order more weapons in 2016, perceiving them as crucial tools for dealing with conflicts and regional tensions,” said Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Program Pieter Wezeman. Tanks Armata of the mechanized columns of the Central Military District’s Moscow Garrison during the rehearsal of the military parade to mark the 71st Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, at the Alabino training ground, Moscow Region. Rounding out the top five importers were the UAE at number three, China — a top exporter and importer — and Algeria. Of the top five, Saudi Arabia and the UAE got most of their weapons from the US; China, Algeria and India got most of their weapons systems from Russia. Arms imports to Europe, Africa and the Americas all fell, though the study authors point out that individual trading volumes varied widely. While imports to the Americas fell overall, Mexico increased its weapons buying by nearly 200%. The study does not cover small arms and uses data from a variety of public sources. ■
Community News
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2017
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Queen’s Park, Here Comes A Fil-Canadian... BY BOLET AREVALO
“UNITED WE make the mark, and seat a Pinoy to Ontario’s Queen’s Park.” That is seemingly the battle cry of the supporters and longtime Mississauga-based Filipino leaders who are campaigning with the Ontario Progressive Conservative (ON PC) Party to seat Pinoy-blooded Atty. Angely Pacis as Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) at Ontario’s Legislative Assembly at Queens Park, this coming 2018. The strong message for all Pinoys in the Greater Toronto Area West is to gather their strengths together to enable this kababayan to champion their causes from the electoral constituency district of Mississauga-Centre, where there is a large concentration of Filipino residents. Team Pacis organized a press conference with Filipino members of the local press last February 10 at Max’s Restaurant near Dufferin and Steeles St. West in Vaughn, Ontario. Press luminaries who attended included veteran newspapermen of Philippine dailies and magazines in the past, as well as those who have established their own footprints in Ontario journalists’ circle. Among them were: Ms. Rose Tijam, current president of the Philippine Press Club of Ontario (PPCO); Eduardo Lee, publisher of Atin Ito; Marisa Roque, Inquirer. net correspondent; the husband and wife team of Mila and
Hermie Garcia of Philippine Reporter; Tony San Juan, community writer Rodel Ramos, Ronnie Della Gana from iKubo Media, and Bolet Arevalo, Toronto correspondent for Philippine Canadian Inquirer, among others. Firing up the group with his vision for Ontario was ON PC Party leader Patrick Brown, MPP for Simcoe North, who presented his advocacy platform which touched upon many issues that are top of mind for Ontarians today. These include healthcare, lack of affordable housing, access to quality education, soaring hydro prices, and the need for investment in public transportation. Confessing to be an avid admirer of Filipino hospitality, Patrick had rallied the Pinoys present to join him, Angely and his party to achieve some good measure of accomplishments in putting these issues at the forefront of the local government’s legislative agenda. Patrick Brown expressed confidence in the capabilities of Angely to become a champion for these advocacies, and those
especially important to FilCanadian residents and voters in Ontario. However, Angely’s first step to Queen’s Park has to be the Filipino community’s challenge to unite and help win a seat for her. In a sideline conversation with Atty. Pacis, this correspondent remarked that it is not a shot-in-the-dark to make her win a seat at Queen’s Park. Pinoys in the Vancouver-Kensington riding area in British Columbia had done it for Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mable Elmore, who is running
for her third term next election. The solid support of the Filipino communities in this area has been acknowledged by the NDP as a winning factor in conquering the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and seating the first and lone member of Filipino descent. After all, Atty. Angely Pacis is ripe for this representation. She has to her credit a string of accomplishments in the areas of equality, unity, justice and good governance. A member of the Barreau du Quebec and the Law Society of Upper Canada,
Atty Pacis is a senior immigration attorney, as well as an aboriginal and constitutional lawyer. Aware of the persisting problems not only in Ontario but in many parts of the country, Angely believes “The problem lies with poor governance in the areas of integration, accreditation and the economy. Ontario’s economy has been shrinking... Without an expanding economy, Ontario’s population cannot be properly supported with job opportunities or with a sufficient tax base to pay for the social programs that support a healthy population.” Solving the ills of society is always an uphill battle for any politician. But as the saying goes, you will never know what a man can do unless you let him do it. More than a win for Angely and her team, this coming election in this specific riding is a litmus test on how best the FilCanadians of Ontario can solidify their support to make Pacis win, just as they did for MLA Mable Elmore of Vancouver, British Columbia. ■
Chatr unveils more self-serve options with the launch of Data Plus and online price plan changes Chatr is now offering customers more ways to use data without having to worry about pay-per-use charges. • Starting today, chatr data customers have access to Data Plus, a convenient, one-time top-up that allows them to purchase additional data once they’ve reached their monthly allotment. • Customers on a $25, $35 or $45 Talk & Text plan (with data add-on) will receive an SMS at 75% and 100% of their monthly data allotment and customers on a $40, $45 or $50 in-zone Talk, Text & Data plan will receive an SMS at 90% and 100% of their monthly 3G speed allotment. • The SMS will give customers the option to purchase a data bucket that
can be used up to 3 times per billing cycle. o $5 for 200MB (chatr Talk & Text plan with data add-on) o $5 for 500MB (chatr in-zone Talk, Text & Data plan) • Visit My chatr account to add Data Plus. Plus, chatr is making things easier for customers by introducing more self-serve options. In addition to Data Plus, customers will also be able to change their price plan online through their My chatr account. Previously only available through Care, customers can now manage their plans with a few simple clicks.
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FEBRUARY 24, 2017
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Entertainment ‘Humayo’ screens Where will Maja Salvador in the United States unleash her wild side? Critic hails Diaz film as ‘an epic of resistance’ BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer FILIPINO FILMMAKER Lav Diaz’s Venice-winning “Ang Babaeng Humayo” finally had its premiere in the United States— at the Francesca Beale Theater in New York and under the auspices of the Lincoln Film Society, no less. The screening was held on Feb. 18, as a preview of the scheduled run at the Lincoln Film Society on May 19. The Lincoln Film Society’s website describes this “Tolstoyinspired epic…[as a] story of revenge deferred.” The site also quotes Film Comment critic Olaf Moller, who hails “Humayo” as “a meditation on the nature of Goodness in a world of deceit and corruption.” The site asserts that the film “functions as a slow-build tale of urban theater and class warfare, and a sensitive expression of family and forgiveness.” “Humayo,” which won the Golden Lion at the Venice film fest last September, will also be shown at the Harvard Film Archive on March 4. On the Harvard website, critic Haden Guest calls “Humayo” a “magnum opus…a formally stunning durational epic of resistance that uses its extended length to render vivid the hard struggle for dignity and survival fought by Filipinos during the long…brutal reign of the Marcoses.”
While “Humayo” marks Diaz’s return to familiar territory previously and “powerfully explored” in acclaimed masterpieces like “Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino” (2004) and “Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon” (2014), it also evinces a distinct departure “from the choral and multicharacter focus” of his other films. According to Guest, “Humayo” allows veteran actress Charo Santos-Concio to take “mesmerizing center stage,” delivering “an iconic performance” in the process. The critic praises Concio’s portrayal as “a moving emblem of the longsuffering country.” He points out that Concio’s “brave heroine gives hope that the most marginalized victims might find the strength to rise and challenge, and perhaps even change, the abuse of power that continues to destroy lives and livelihoods, not only in the Philippines, but also in all countries, the US included, now twisted by the new rise of fascist demagoguery.” Guest remarks that Diaz “again poignantly demonstrates the unique history lessons that cinema alone can teach, not by restaging known, recorded events, but by patiently evoking the quotidian, quiet resistance of citizens unwilling to ignore injustice and indignity.” Diaz, who is a fellow of the Radcliffe-Film Study Center at Harvard, will present and discuss the film at the screening. ■
BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S A dream role for me. It’s really challenging to be ‘wild,’” said Maja Salvador of her latest role in the newest Kapamilya show “Wildflower.” In “Wildflower,” Maja plays the character Lily Cruz, also known as Ivy Aguas—a beautiful, intelligent and headstrong young woman, who is out to exact revenge. Like Ivy, Maja admitted to being wild, but only “on the dance floor.” How else is she different from the character she plays? “The real Maja is not like Ivy at all,” she said. “While Ivy is wild, I have perfect control over my emotions. Ivy’s not just wild physically, but also mentally. She’s out to get the people who hurt her.” Asked whether her audience should expect her love scenes with leading men RK Bagatsing, Vin Abrenica and Joseph Marco to be wild, too, the actress quipped: “They have to watch what I will do to the three men.” Maja further pointed out: “Many people have hurt me, especially those who said negative things about me in order to pull me down. I’m not the type who bears ill feelings. I choose to forgive and forget. “I just pray to God so that one day, they will realize that what
they’re doing is wrong, and that they will just learn to be happy for the blessings that other people are receiving.” For her, the best revenge is “for them to see me hanging out with successful and accomplished people. I learn from these individuals a lot.” Maja said she was proud to be part of such an “effective” cast as that of “Wildflower.” It also features Tirso Cruz III, Aiko Melendez, Wendell Ramos and Sunshine Cruz. “It’s from them that I get the emotion I need to be Ivy. I would not be able to do it without them,” Maja explained. For a guy to make her fall in love, Maja enumerated the following qualities—God-fear-
ing, respectful, loving “and of course, neat-looking.” Vin, a new Kapamilya talent, said he learned so much during the short time he had been working with Maja: “The other night, she surprised me with her performance. When I first read the script for the scene that we were supposed to do, I thought it was just a simple one, but she still gave it her best. We ended up getting cuts and bruises while making it. Viewers would get to see that scene during the show’s second week.” “Wildflower,” conceptualized by Ruel S. Bayani and directed by Onat Diaz, airs weekdays before “TV Patrol,” on ABS-CBN. ■
Actor Shia LaBeouf brings anti Trump piece to New Mexico THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANG BABAENG HUMAYO / FACEBOOK
MAJA SALVADOR / FACEBOOK
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Actor Shia LaBeouf has brought a performance-art piece against President Donald Trump to New Mexico’s largest city. The Albuquerque Journal reports that LaBeouf, along www.canadianinquirer.net
with two other artists, brought on Saturday a 24-hour livestreaming camera mounted to a wall with the message in block letters: “He will not divide us,” referring to Trump. The artists want people to go up to the camera and repeat the phrase LaBeouf told the Journal: “We are anti the normalization
of division. That’s it. The rest of the info is right there, chief, I got nothing else to say to you.” LaBeouf was arrested in New York City last month after he got into an altercation with another man during the performance art project. He faces a misdemeanour assault charge and is due in court April 4. ■
Entertainment
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GMA Network brightens up Sunday nights with Full House Tonight BEGINNING FEBRUARY 19, Sunday nights are bound to get outrageously and hilariously better as GMA Network launches its newest comedy-musical show, Full House Tonight, top billed by no other than Asia’s Songbird Regine VelasquezAlcasid. Regine said she is ecstatic to be hosting a comedy-musical show, but more so on performing and singing on the small screen again. “I’m of course very excited and very thankful that GMA has given me this kind of show kasi medyo na miss ko na yung variety show. At least dito kumakanta ako ulit, hindi lang yun, nagco-comedy rin, tsaka binibigyan din naman ako ng freedom to choose the songs [I’m of course very excited and very thankful that GMA has given me this kind of show because I’ve missed doing variety shows. In this show, I would get to sing again and do comedy as well. I also appreciate that they
give me freedom to choose the songs],” the multi-awarded artist happily shared. This spectacle features a twist on the usual comedy show with on stage musical performances from various guests, riotous stand-up comedy, improvisation (improv), parodies, and sketches inside and outside the studio that will surely give its Kapuso viewers a different kind of entertainment experience. “It’s actually harder to make people laugh than to make them cry, so medyo may kaba kaming lahat pero it’s mostly exciting for all of us [It’s actually harder to make people laugh than to make them cry, so we’re a bit nervous but it’s mostly exciting for all of us],” Regine adds. “But I’m sure the viewers will love it and have fun watching every episode.” Adding flavor to the program are Kapuso stars Solenn Heussaff and teen idols Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix, together with versatile artist Joross
Gamboa. Comedians Philip Lazaro, Kim Idol, Terry Gian, Sarah Brakensiek, Tammy Brown, and Nar Cabico will also spice up the show with their
Angelina Jolie in Cambodia for premiere of her new film BY JAKE COYLE The Associated Press SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA — Angelina Jolie said Saturday that she hopes her new film about Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge will help educate the world about the brutality of the 1970s regime and shed a light on the plight of young people in war zones today. “First They Killed My Father” is based on author and human rights activist Loung Ung’s account of her survival as a child under the 1975-79 communist Khmer Rouge regime, believed to be responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million Cambodians from starvation, disease and execution. Speaking at a news conference ahead of the film’s premiere, the actress-turneddirector said she hopes the movie will “remind everybody that there are little Loung’s
all around the world today” in various war zones and corners of the world. “Her story is their story and so this is, in many ways, universal, and we hope that that is something that you think about as well,” said Jolie, who directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Loung. Jolie has had an affinity for Cambodia since she began goodwill work for the U.N.’s refugee agency in 2001, and her eldest son, Maddox, 15, was adopted from the country. She also has established a foundation to promote social development in rural Cambodia. However, the Hollywood superstar stressed that Cambodia’s history is not just the war. “I hope that the young people, when they see this film, that yes, they will learn part of their history, but I hope they also see — I hope all of you see — that this is a country of talent and art and love and beauty,”
Jolie said. Maddox worked on the production of the movie, which was shot on location in Cambodia in late 2015 and early 2016. Jolie said that Maddox is very proud of his Cambodian heritage and that she and her children see Cambodia as their “second home.” “The children are very close to the children who are in the film and, in fact, many of them are best friends,” she said. “So, they’re simply happy to be back with their friends. Maddox is happy to be back in his country.” The film, a Netflix original production, will be shown on the streaming service later this year. Jolie’s previous directorial projects include the 2015 marriage drama “By the Sea,” in which she starred alongside then-husband Brad Pitt, and the 2014 survival story “Unbroken.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
comical flairs. Under the direction of Louie Ignacio, cap off every Sunday night with quality music, comedy, and all-around entertain-
ment with Full House Tonight beginning February 19 in the Asia Pacific, US, and Canada on GMA’s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV. ■
Ontario legislature... come under fire both for not signing up everyone who is eligible and also spending almost $12 million on consultants and advertising to get them to register. Recipients have also criticized the OESP for not providing enough support. A single person earning less than $28,000 gets a $30 monthly credit on their bill, while those eligible for the maximum $50 credit have to be a household of six and earn less than $28,000 or a household of seven or more earning $39,000 or less. The promised new relief will be announced some time before the spring budget, but the first order of business for both opposition parties on Tuesday is winter disconnections. The NDP says it will ask for a section of an omnibus bill that could stop local distribution companies from disconnecting electricity in winter to be tabled as a separate bill on Tuesday. “Because of the urgent nature of this situation for those families under threat of discon❰❰ 18
nection, our proposal also allows for the bill to pass all three stages and become law on the same day that it is introduced,” NDP house leader Gilles Bisson wrote to government house leader Yasir Naqvi. Progressive Conservative Todd Smith said he will table a private member’s bill Tuesday that will take the winter disconnection section of the omnibus bill verbatim. He will seek unanimous consent for it to be immediately passed into law. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said she will also use the session to continue pressuring the government to halt the selloff of Hydro One shares. “The Liberals are still driving this province in the wrong direction,” she said. “The premier is still selling off Hydro One and selling out control over our hydro assets.” Wynne acknowledged the session’s focus would largely be electricity bills, but she also said the government is working on education issues, such as implementing new child-care spaces. ■
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Lifestyle How art has become sexy, and for everyone Almost without exception, the artworks on exhibit are stronger and better presented, the artists more willing to push the envelope BY ERIC S. CARUNCHO Philippine Daily Inquirer THERE’S A lot to get your juices flowing at Art Fair Philippines 2017, which ends today, Sunday And the art isn’t bad, either. It’s only Day 1 of the fourday annual event, and judging from the lines at the door and the throngs of people crowding two floors of exhibits by 46 galleries, all roads in the metro lead to The Link Carpark at Ayala Center, where the fair is taking place. About five years ago, Simon Napier-Bell wrote in Huffington Post that “for young people with something to express, art is the new rock and roll.” The Art Fair is a case in point. For the past few years, the Philippine contemporary art scene has been generating the kind of energy and excitement that used to be the exclusive province of alternative music. Today it has its own rock stars, its grizzled veterans, its unsung geniuses, its punk upstarts, its own subculture and a diverse and growing audience. Ritual gathering
Most of the time, the art scene is diffuse, scattered among different galleries and cliques, connected only through social networks. But once a year they converge in real life. For the local art scene, the Art Fair is like Toycon and Malasimbo rolled into one, a ritual gathering of the tribes. Apart from the usual suspects—the well-heeled collec-
tors, the chin-stroking professional appreciators, the aging bohemians and the ubiquitous hipsters—there are young couples, high school students, office workers on lunch break, silver-haired senior citizens and kids who look like they came here on their skateboards. It’s a far cry from past decades when art was a rarefied experience enjoyed by a privileged few in the exalted cathedrals of culture. Today art is everywhere, in the frenetic local gallery scene, in the malls, on Facebook pages and Instagram posts. Far from being a rarefied experience, it has become a part of daily life, at least among pluggedin, urban-dwelling Filipinos. For diverse reasons, not least of which is its growing young demographic, contemporary Filipino art has become democratized and—for lack of a better word—sexy.
SHANICE GARCIA / PCI
magnitude, but even a cursory skim through the exhibits reveals two things: One, everyone has leveled up his game. Almost without exception, the artworks on exhibit are stronger and better presented, the artists more willing to push the envelope in terms of content, execution and experimentalism. Dominant themes
Biggest one yet
This year’s Art Fair is the sexiest one yet, and somehow, it feels more crucial than in previous years. Perhaps it’s true that repression breeds expression, and that art provides a necessary humanizing counterbalance to an oppressive prevailing social and political order, a light against encroaching darkness, a shield against the ugliness of the world. Perhaps nothing jumpstarts an artist’s creativity like death squads roaming the night, dropping bodies in the street. In any case, sensory overload is a given at any art event of this
Two, even with the diversity in styles, media and subject matter, two themes seem to dominate the works on exhibit this year: sex and politics. There is plenty of frank eroticism to go around, of both the cosmic and the earthbound variety: from Agnes Arellano’s Tantric goddesses and fertility figures, to Orley Ypon’s naked exotics, to Japanese cult figure Nobuyoshi Araki’s photographs of bondage and other kinks. “This is the new punk, and punk is pink,” says José Tence Ruiz as he pulls me toward Maria Jeona Zoleta’s riotous installation in which painting,
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film, photography and sound collide in an orgasmic release of sparks and color and frontal nudity. Tence Ruiz’s own installation swings the other way, toward the more political end of the spectrum: the “Langue Lounge,” a suite of electric chairs around a giant totemic head that looks suspiciously like President Duterte’s. There are plenty more political statements if one cares to look, from Kawayan de Guia’s construction that also plays on the president’s visage to Kiri Dalena’s suite of First Quarter Storm-era photographs, with the placards blanked out as if asking the viewer to fill them in themselves. Global reach
Local art aficionados might act locally, but they think globally. In the Kogure x YOD booth, overseen by a couple of hipsters rocking sukajan jackets, I meet Taichi Kondo, a young Japanese painter.
“Compared to the market in Japan, the Philippine market is more energetic,” he says. “In Japan it’s more quiet.” Many young Japanese artists are struggling because of the economic downturn, he continues, which is why he opted to expand his horizons. After noticing that his Facebook posts were getting a lot of hits from the Philippines, he joined a group exhibit at Finale Art File last year, and now here he was. “I feel this is the best way to explore my art,” he says. With the internet, contemporary art is increasingly global in reach, and art fairs provide a platform for bridging distances between artists and audiences from different parts of the world, or indeed different eras. Madrid-based Galeria Cayan, for instance, was back this year with another collection of early Fernando Zobels. León Gallery presented a José Joya retrospective showing the evolution of the National Artist’s style ❱❱ PAGE 28 How art
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RETRO RESURGENCE: Study: Struggling college students get The unlikely return of cassette a hand to graduate tapes in Canadian music BY MARIA DANILOVA The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Getting through college isn’t easy, and it can be even harder for lowincome and first generation students with few support resources. A new tool involving big data can help those at risk. Researchers at Georgia State University spent four years analyzing students’ grades, test scores and other information in order to identify those in potential trouble, and promptly assisted them. The study shows the number of students graduating has jumped by 30 per cent and that students are spending less time and money to earn a degree. “These are really encouraging gains,” said Timothy Renick, the school’s vice-president for enrolment management and student success and the principal investigator in the study. “Because of these proactive interventions all students benefited, but the students who benefited the most were first generation, low-income and students of colour.” Renick presented the study at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Boston on Saturday. Inspired by Renick’s results, the Education Department awarded a four-year $8.9 million grant that will significantly expand his study. The project, which kicked off last year, will involve 10,000 lowincome and first generation students at Georgia State and 10 other large public research universities. While some students are good at keeping track of their academic progress, students from low-income backgrounds may find it more difficult to spot a problem, choose the right courses from an abundance of offerings and navigate the university bureaucracy. That’s because they may not have relatives or friends who had gone to college and could offer advice. Gabriella Salinas, a 21-yearold junior at Georgia State majoring in marketing, said she was doing well academically, but then received an F early in her finance class. She successfully completed the course with
extra help from her professor. “Not everybody has somebody to turn to and when an academic adviser asks them ‘Hey is there anything we can do, what’s going on?’ They feel as if they have somebody to turn to who actually cares about their success,” she said. Renick analyzed past student data at Georgia State to make forecasts about current students’ academic outcomes, a type of study known as predictive analytics. For instance, a grade of C in an entry-level class in a student’s major was a sign that student would struggle with more advanced courses. Scoring poorly in a math class meant problems for STEM majors. When such warning signs were spotted, academic advisers reached out to students to guide and counsel them. As a result, STEM degrees awarded to black students rose by 69 per cent, to black male students by 111 per cent and to Hispanics by 226 per cent. The average time to a bachelor’s degree at Georgia State decreased by more than half a semester, enabling the Class of 2016 to save $15 million in tuitions and fees. Some experts have voiced concern that the large amounts of student data collected could be used for profiling. But Ellen Wagner, a researcher who has studied predictive analytics in education, said it would be hard to help the students without first identifying their problems. “Why would we want to put a metaphorical Band-Aid on a headache?” Wagner said. “If we can remove the guesswork of trying to support students to be the most successful they can be, then we owe them the respect to find where they are strong and where we can help them be stronger and get on with their lives.” Ryan Baker, associate professor at University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, said that similar algorithms have been proved successful in auto insurance and banking. “Any technology can get misused, but I tend to think that for students at risk, prediction systems are doing more good than harm,” Baker said. ■
BY DAVID FRIEND The Canadian Press TORONTO — Tyson Wiebe firmly believes the audio cassette hasn’t been played out. Many, many years after most music fans tossed their tapes in the trash, the Lethbridge, Alta., musician got behind the dated format in a big way — by forming an independent record label intent on resurrecting the once-loved cassette. Through production runs of 100 copies, Wiebe hopes to convince more homegrown artists that releasing tapes makes sense in 2017. He sees it as a way for musicians to stand apart in the age of streaming music, and get more people to actually play a full album. “It sounds great to us and it’s a lot more inexpensive than doing something like vinyl,” the founder of Norwegian Blue Records says. “You go to any indie rock show right now, anybody worth their salt is starting to put a tape out.” As both physical and digital sales dwindled last year in Canada, sales of cassettes were surprisingly on the upswing. About 7,000 tapes were bought in 2016, which represented a year-over-year spike of 79 per cent, according to Nielsen Music Canada. While it’s not a huge volume, the figure was enough to give some in the music industry a shred of hope for a new revenue stream. “When you’re a touring band you need something that can get you to the next town,” says Wiebe. “For us it’s huge.” For some listeners, the lo-fi format never really died. Punk and hardcore music fans, in particular, clung onto cassettes saying the format’s audio hisses and distortion gave texture to songs. www.canadianinquirer.net
But a few years ago, the cassette began to make its way beyond the fringes of the music scene. Marvel’s 2014 summer blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy” helped drag the tape back into the conversation with a soundtrack of classic rock hits that topped the charts. Helped by a special cassette release designed to look like a throwback mixtape, it became the top-selling tape in both 2015 and 2016 in the United States. Whether people were actually listening to the tapes isn’t so clear. One of the biggest hurdles in embracing the cassette trend is finding a way to play them. Decades of decluttering have left many households without a good player. Few hung on to their Walkman, the smaller portable players that were once so commonplace. Some bands question the merits of encouraging fans to go backwards to a technology that many listeners considered faulty in the first place. Cassettes were hindered by problems like wearing out, getting eaten by tape decks and melting in hot cars. Vancouver rockers Jap a n -
droids raised an eyebrow when their former record label pushed out their albums “PostNothing” and “Celebration Rock” on tape. “I think we both found it a bit baffling,” admits drummer David Prowse. But his bandmate Brian King fondly recalls some fans enjoying the initial novelty. “People wanted them, or at least some people did,” he says. “I’m not exactly sure ... if they’re actually listening to them.” But Japandroids were never really committed to the cassette’s revival and when they signed to Arts & Crafts for their latest album, manufacturing a tape wasn’t even discussed as a possibility. Other indie labels have seized the opportunity, including Toronto-based Dine Alone Records, which is one of the country’s most enthusiastic tape supporters. Dozens of their artists have albums on tape, including City and Colour, the Sheepdogs and Alexisonfire. ❱❱ PAGE 36 Retro resurgence
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Why you should wear sunscreen even when you’re just in the car Don’t rely on makeup that contains SPF ‘since you won’t be putting on a teaspoon of makeup on your face’ BY CHECHE V. MORAL Philippine Daily Inquirer ONE TEASPOON — that’s how much sunscreen your face and neck need to get the full benefit of the daily recommended SPF 30. The most common mistake Filipinos make about sun protection is that “they don’t wear any, or not enough,” said Dr. Raissa I. Francisco-Pasion. The dermatologist says most Filipinos believe that, because their skin is not fair like Caucasians, who are typically more prone to skin cancer, they don’t really need to wear sunblock. “Remember that Bob Marley died of melanoma,” FranciscoPasion said. The music legend was a person of color, and his skin cancer started on his toes. He died at 36. While Marley’s case was rare and was possibly genetic, dermatologists like FranciscoPasion advise their patients to protect themselves against the sun’s harmful UV rays primarily to prevent skin cancer. Heavy after-feel
Then there are the cosmetic concerns: overexposure to the sun causes wrinkles, sun spots,
freckles and a leathery skin texture. “UVB rays bounce off on glass, but UVA, which has a longer wavelength, penetrates through glass,” she said. “So even if you don’t walk around under the sun on a daily basis, you still need to apply sunscreen. If you drive, your left arm will have more freckles and wrinkles without sun protection. It will also have more sun spots. That’s all the UVA coming in.” The UVB is what causes the skin to get dark, she added. Laboratory studies have found that you need a certain amount of thickness of the sunscreen to get the minimum recommended SPF 30, which is one teaspoon, she added. “A pea-sized amount decreases that to an SPF 5.” That’s why it’s imperative to not rely on makeup that contains SPF “since you won’t be putting on a teaspoon of makeup on your face.” She noted that many are discouraged from using sunscreen because they don’t want that heavy, greasy after-feel of many suncare products, especially in the country’s humid weather. They don’t want to pile on too many products on their face. To avoid that, “I always sug-
gest to skip the moisturizer in the morning and go for the sunscreen, because that would be enough moisturization,” she said. It’s also prudent to choose the right kind of formulation. Water-resistant sunscreen sticks to the skin better, which makes them ideal for the beach, but they’re also typically heavier than the ones recommended for everyday use, she added.
teraction, from Tence Ruiz’s installation where viewers are encouraged to strap themselves into the chairs and have their pictures taken, to the sound art installation by WSK where viewers can join in the cacophony, to Dex Fernandez’s Garanimation Project, in which he provides viewers with a template they can draw on, to be incorporated into the final work. Having reached saturation point, I make my way to the exit.
it was because they were where I least expected them to be: the Secret Fresh booth. Starting out as a venue for limited-edition custom toys and collectibles, Secret Fresh has evolved into a full-service gallery, while still holding on to its pop-art identity. For the art fair, BenCab collaborated with Secret Fresh on a set of limited edition figurines, including a dancing Sabel series, and a frieze of “evil clown” faces—a little more playful than the usual BenCab works one encounters in the auction houses. “That’s why I like the Secret Fresh group,” says Bencab. “They’re young and open to new things.”
Homegrown brand
Francisco-Pasion was a speaker at the launch of homegrown beauty brand Happy Skin’s first sun care line, Catch The Sun, which consists of two products: the Brightening UV Gel Cream SPF 40 PA+++, and the On The Go Hydrating UV Mist SPF 35 PA+++. The former is an ultra-light formula that delivers that matte, shine-free finish favored by many Filipinas. Its moringa seed oil ingredient is also claimed to offer protection from pollution and free radicals that speed up skin aging. The UV mist doubles as makeup setting spray and a sunscreen touch-up that can be sprayed over makeup. Its unique formula allows it to adhere to the skin without melting your makeup. It’s ideal and
convenient, as it’s a must to reapply sunscreen every two hours, said the doctor. The SPF indicated in the bottles usually gives a “false sense of security,” since people are taught that the SPF indicates that you can stay under the sun protected for 10 times longer than someone who has none; an SPF 30 means you can stay for 300 hours under the sun without burning. “But you sweat or wipe your face, so the need to reapply as often as possible,” she said. New products
“Studies have seen no improvement beyond SPF 50,” she said. “SPF 15 filters 93 percent of the sun’s rays, while SPF 30 filters 97 percent.” SPF 50 fil-
ters 98 percent, which isn’t a big jump from SPF 30. Therefore, it’s unnecessary to pay for more with products claiming to have an SPF higher than 50. Happy Skin also launched new product lines, including a quick and easy makeup brush cleanser, Come Clean Conditioning Brush Cleanser—spray, wipe off, and dries in seconds; Bye Bye, Blues Brightening Concealer Wand, an under-eye concealer with light-diffusing technology; the mattifying Tickled Pink Skin Perfecting Super Absorbent Charcoal Blotting Sheets; as well as limited sets of the brand’s bestselling matte liquid lip colors and lip liners. All new products are now available at Happy Skin stores and counters. ■
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from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Audience immersion
At the Joya exhibit I find historian Ambeth Ocampo, who has curated two current exhibits of works by National Artist Arturo Luz, one at the Ayala Museum and another at the Ateneo Art Gallery. He observes that many of the people attending the Art Fair seem more concerned with taking selfies with the artwork and, if possible, the artist than looking at the paintings. This only seems to emphasize how the way we appreciate, experience and consume art has changed. Many of the exhibits invite audience immersion and in-
Playful BenCabs
On the way out, I run into BenCab and Annie Sarthou, who’s wearing a T-shirt that says “Stand up for human rights.” I hadn’t noticed any BenCabs on exhibit, and as it turned out,
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After gamely posing for selfies with mobs of admirers, he offers his take on the whole art fair experience. “It’s exciting, and it’s fun,” he says. “It’s a challenge to be noticed because there are a lot of galleries, so artists try their best to outdo each other.” Which might explain the high quality of the work on offer: each year the bar is raised, and each year the artists deliver. Trade fair
Of course, at the end of the day, an art fair is still basically a trade fair, and from all indications, business was brisk. At least two of the gallery owners I talked to said they were completely sold out, and this was just Day 1.
“You can’t not be here,” one of them said. “Otherwise you’ll be left behind.” Before parting ways, BenCab poses for a photograph with pink-haired pixie Yeo Kaa, whose works are among the featured exhibits in the Secret Fresh booth. At least 50 years separate the National Artist from the emerging young painter, yet here they both are, on a level playing field, with the same opportunities to have their work enjoyed and appreciated. More than the attendance figures, which will probably top last year’s, and the galleries’ sales, which will probably also do the same, this best sums up what the art fair is all about. ■
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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2017
Sports Rejuvenated and reinvented, Aussie rider Toure integral to Man City again Crawford of Kinan Team captures Le Tour de Filipinas title BY STEVE DOUGLAS The Associated Press
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — It has been one of the great sights of English soccer in recent years, Yaya Toure picking up possession in Manchester City’s central midfield, rampaging upfield and scattering opponents in his path. Those days appear to have gone. Toure is now found sitting in YAYA TOURÉ / FACEBOOK front of City’s defence, reading the game, dictating its tempo, picking off opposition passes Such is his change in status He is back with us and playing and starting attacks rather than and importance that he was at a high level.” finishing them. one of the few players rested by Monaco will be a big test for His reinvention over the last Guardiola for the FA Cup match Toure. The French league leadthree months as a holding mid- at Huddersfield on Saturday ers have scored more goals than fielder — and one of Pep Guar- ahead of City’s match against any other team in Europe’s top diola’s most integral players Monaco in the last 16 of the five leagues this season, and — is one of the stories of City’s Champions League on Tuesday. are lethal on the counterattack season and has coincided with “He has been unbeliev- thanks to their ultra-fast tranan upturn in the team’s for- able since the game he came sition play involving forwards tunes. It’s as much a tale of the back,” City midfielder Kevin Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappe 33-year-old Toure’s enduring De Bruyne said Monday. “Last and Valere Germain. quality and hunger as circum- year, he wasn’t that sharp. Give Toure will be tasked with stance and opportunism. him credit for coming back and stopping them from getting at The former Ivory Coast cap- doing very well.” City’s backline, and that’s no tain started the season ostraGuardiola has settled on a easy job. The games in which he cized by Guardiola, who was central-midfield trio of Toure, struggled since his return have unhappy at both been the losses Toure’s fitness to Liverpool and levels and the Everton, who criticism coming played a highfrom the player’s He is part of the history of the club. energy and upoutspoken agent, He helped the club to be where it is. tempo style. Dimitri Seluk. He is back with us and playing at a Monaco will be Toure was even high level. a level up from omitted from that. City’s squad for Yet these are the Champions exactly the sort League but he knuckled down, as the protector of the defence, of games that Guardiola will lost about 14 pounds, and wait- and De Bruyne and David Silva lean on the experienced Toure, ed for his chance. That came as the playmakers, and it is a Champions League winner when one fellow midfielder proving an ideal mix. City has under the Spanish coach at Bar(Fernandinho) was hit with a conceded only one goal in its celona in 2009. four-match ban and another last five games, and its previIn those days, he also played (Ilkay Gundogan) sustained a ously shaky defence kept five as a holding midfielder and it is season-ending knee injury. clean sheets in its last six away in that position that he’s set to Toure — looking lean and fit — games. end his career. started a Premier League game Toure has said he feels like a “I judge players on whether against Watford on Dec. 14 and kid again under Guardiola. they are able to go to Anfield, has played every match since, “He is so important for his Old Trafford, the Nou Camp, excelling as the team’s deep-ly- personality,” Guardiola said or Madrid or Turin and if they ing midfielder and no longer the Monday of Toure. “He is part are able to react,” Guardiola has box-to-box player that City fans of the history of the club. He said. “There is no doubt about have been used to seeing. helped the club to be where it is. Yaya with that.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
BY PRIMO P. AGATEP Philippines News Agency LUCENA CITY — Aussie rider Jai Crawford of Kinan Cycling Team kept himself in the Top 10 Individual General Classification throughout the first three stages, attacking strategically, but made a big move in Tuesday’s 4th and final stage enroute to capture the coveted title in the Le Tour de Filipinas eight edition. Crawford, 33, of Tazmania (Australia), father of two boys, posted a four-day aggregate time of 17 hours 33:07 minutes spanning the natural wonders of Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Quezon provinces which covered a total distance of 726.56 kilometers. British rider Daniel Whitehouse of Terengganu Cycling Team, three-day holder of the yellow jersey (symbol of overall individual supremacy), who was in the main group towards the fourth stage finish, tried to breakaway to keep in striking distance with the 7-man lead pack, aiming to protect his 23 ticks advantage, however, failed to do so as he landed second overall, clocking 17:33:35, 28 seconds behind eventual winner Crawford. Spanish rider Fernando Grijalba of Kuwait Cartucho.ES, the third stage winner finished third overall, posting a time of 17:33:58 in the race presented by AIR21 and especially produced by Ube Media Inc. “It’s very difficult in the KOM (King of the Mountain- route in Atimonan zigzag-Category 2, with elevation of 220 meters). I tried to keep the group intact and I want the guys to help get out the mountains and push towards the flat roads going into the last 10 kilometers,” said
Crawford, who led a seven-man breakaway in the first 30 kilometers from the start in Daet, Camarines Norte. “Two riders in my group tried to attacked me going down the mountains but I held on my gear — and the crosswind made it harder, and in the last 3,000 meters I kept rolling for the finish line,” said Crawford, who was in the ninth spot with 23 seconds behind on erstwhile overall individual leader Whitehouse going into the final lap from Daet, Camarines Sur to Lucena City, Quezon at 207.35 kilometers distance. The Aussie rider, grateful to his teammates for their support and to some other riders and organizers for keeping them safe throughout the race, pocketed the top USD950 for his four-day effort. German rider Mario Vogt of Attaque Team Gusto accumulated 24 points to win the Best Climber’s Classification while Whitehouse took the Best Young Rider honor with MVP Sports Foundation, Smart Communications and Petron as principal sponsors of the race. Korean rider Park Sanghong of LX Cycling team, who led the seven-man breakaway in the early going and demonstrated mountain climbing skills, sustained his energy towards the flat terrain and sprinted himself to the finish to win the last stage at five hours and 13 seconds, covering a distance of 207.35 kilometers. The top three overall team winners in this race supported by Advance Solutions Inc., Cargohaus, Inc., CCN Sports Philippines, Nague Malic Magnawa & Associates Customs Brokers (NMM), Phenom Sportswear and Unionbank are- Team Ukyo (52:47:14), Kinan Cycling Team (52:54:39), and 53:01:34. ■
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FRIDAY
Business Quebec turns up the maple syrup taps amid internal revolt, foreign competition BY ROSS MAROWITS The Canadian Press
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
MICC eyes threemonth review of PHL mining ops PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The multi-stakeholder team of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) has proposed a threemonth review of the operations of 23 mining firms ordered close by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said members of the team, which had their first meeting Monday, had agreed on the “composition, scope and process by which we will undertake the review.” “No programs (yet but) essentially the matter by which we will undertake the review,” he told members of the media after the review team’s meeting that finished Monday night. Agabin, the Department of Finance’s (DOF) Legal Affairs head and in charge of the Domestic Finance Group (DFG), said they planned to start the review by March but the team must first get the approval of the MICC on administrative issues as well as on the budget. “We will certainly try to start as soon as we can,” he said. Agabin said the team planned to get experts from the academe but decided to exclude those from mining companies as part of the review team. He, how-
ever, declined to give names as they have yet to talk to these people. He said the study will be “done in a scientific manner” and will take into account the “technical, economic, and social aspects of the mining operations.” He said any decision on mine site visits would depend on the review team. Results of the fact-finding measure would be submitted to the MICC and recommendatory in line with Executive Order (EO) 79, which established the MICC, he said. Agabin said MICC was mandated to conduct review of the country’s mining operations every two years, thus, the team and the MICC, as a whole, would respect the DENR orders. Asked what the team’s decision would be if its audit had different results than that of the DENR, the DOF official said: “I do not know if there is a mismatch.” “We’ll just have to see what the review team comes up,” he said. The review would not include the cancellations of 75 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSA) of sites that were within watershed areas, he said. Agabin added that they had not decided when the next meeting of the review team would be. ■
lometres south of Quebec City, disagrees. Grenier has spent $150,000 in legal fees to fight $400,000 MONTREAL — Quebec, the in fines for bypassing the fedworld’s largest producer of maeration to sell her syrup to a ple syrup, is ramping up output buyer in New Brunswick. The as it fends off rising competiSupreme Court of Canada has tion from the U.S. and neighto decide whether to hear an bouring provinces as well as a appeal in her case. farmer rebellion from within. “Producers here are limited The province is adding five on everything,” Grenier says. million taps over the next two “In Quebec, you’re not able to years to its existing 43 million have a little freedom.” spigots. Simon Trepanier, exA lot is riding on the court’s ecutive director of the Quebec decision in Grenier’s case, says Maple Syrup Federation, says Nicole Varin, a farmer facing that is intended to satisfy a about $500,000 in fines for sellgrowing appetite for the natuing maple butter, candy and ral sugar, which is increasingly other products outside the purbeing used as an ingredient in view of the federation to sugar food and drinks. shacks and small “We allowed fruit stands. those new taps “If Mrs. Greto fulfil the denier wins, we will mand and make (It) has come to promote the win freedom to sure that Quebec development of the maple industry sell to whom we is still producing everywhere ... except Quebec. want,” she said and being part of from her thirdthe expansion of generation farm the market right in Oka, west of now,” Trepanier says. “If the Quebec model is to Montreal. More than 90 per cent of the survive, it needs to evolve,” the There is plenty of money at record 73 million kilograms of report said. “(It) has come to stake. Last year’s record maple maple syrup made in Canada promote the development of syrup harvest in Canada yieldlast year was tapped in Quebec, the maple industry everywhere ed nearly $487 million. according to Statistics Canada. ... except Quebec.” The price of syrup runs at Yet the province’s near-monopSo far, the report has fallen about $2.88 per pound, accordoly over the maple syrup mar- on deaf ears. The government ing to the Quebec Maple Syrup ket is loosening. hasn’t acted on its recommen- Federation, making it 10 times Despite a 30 per cent increase dations and said the agriculture more valuable than crude. The in production over the last de- minister wasn’t available for commodity is so valuable that cade, Quebec’s share of global comment. it was targeted in a daring 2012 output has fallen from a high The federation says its system heist that saw about $18 milof about 82 per cent in 2003 to of quotas helps bring stability to lion worth taken from a rural nearly 71 per cent last year, ac- supply and prices in an industry warehouse that stores Quebec’s cording to data from Statistics subject to the whims of weather, reserve. Canada and the U.S. Depart- among other factors. Sylvain Charlebois, a profesment of Agriculture. “We are not sheiks in a build- sor of food distribution and The problem, some say, lies ing in Longueuil,” Trepanier policy at Dalhousie University with the tight grip that the Que- says in response to criticisms in Halifax, said the federation’s bec Maple Syrup Federation that the federation operates decision to allow for more maple has over the province’s maple like an OPEC-like cartel. syrup taps indicates it’s aware of syrup producers. The group “We are not Goliath. We rep- a rising competitive threat. sets quotas and prices that Que- resent producers.” “I think they are recognizing bec sugar shacks have to abide Angele Grenier, a maple that there are some failures out by, requires they sell to autho- syrup producer in Sainte-Clo- there and they’re trying to adrized buyers and pay an admin- tilde-de-Beauce, about 100 ki- dress them,” he said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
istrative fee on their output. Faced with no such restrictions, Quebec’s competitors have been tapping trees at a rapid pace. Tony VanGlad, president of the New York State Maple Producers Association, says production in the state has grown five to 10 per cent annually over the last few years. “The bigger guys that we have just keep getting bigger,” he says. Competition aside, Quebec’s managed production system has also come under fire from within. The provincial government released a report last year that called for a series of changes to Quebec’s maple syrup sector, including the dismantling of quotas.
Business
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
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Consolidation in PH stock market seen to continue BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE LOCAL stock barometer is seen to continue consolidating this week as investors digest the ongoing stream of local corporate earnings and offshore developments. Last week, the main-share
Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by a meager 9.58 points or 0.13 percent to close on Friday at 7,244.79. Investors tended to dump shares whenever the index neared the 7,300 barrier and buy anew whenever the barometer slipped to the 7,100 levels. “Stock market benchmark index remained range bound, finishing the week almost unchanged at 7,244.79. Renewed
rate hike fears in the US, following (US Federal Reserve) Fed chair Janet Yellen’s statement in Congress, caused local players to lighten up their position,” said Jonathan Ravelas, chief strategist at BDO Unibank. Chart-wise, Ravelas said the week’s close at 7,244.79 continued to suggest that the market would remain range-bound between the 7,000–7,400 levels in
the near term. “Only a move above the 7,500 levels will call the bulls back to play,” he said. Meanwhile, the peso continued to weaken for the second straight week last week, touching the 50:$1 barrier after Yellen said theUS central bank was on course to raise interest rates. According to Yellen, waiting too long to remove accommodation
is seen unwise as the committee will evaluate whether employment and inflation are continuing to evolve in line with these expectations in their upcoming meetings. In the near term, Ravelas said the peso could trade within the 49.70–50 levels. “A break above the 50 levels could test the 50.17 (2008 high) levels,” Ravelas said. ■
FUND MANAGER Q&A:
A diversified approach to income investing BY ALEX VEIGA The Associated Press BOND INVESTORS aren’t exactly known as risk-seekers. But when interest rates and inflation could be on the rise, playing it too safe in a “vanilla” bond index fund may not cut it. That drives the strategy for Eaton Vance Management’s Multisector Income Fund (EVBAX). The fund, which was founded in 2013, approaches fixed-income investing by taking positions in a variety of bonds and other types of debt, including those issued by companies and governments outside the U.S. It also buys stocks and doesn’t shy away from higher-yield, and therefore higher-risk, bonds. In addition to its more riskfriendly pursuit of return, the fund’s diversified approach may also lessen the impact of interest rate fluctuations, something that can often weigh on bond investors, Eaton Vance says. The fund ended last year with a gain of about 22 per cent, compared with a gain of 3.1 per cent for its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index. Kathleen Gaffney, portfolio manager of the fund, details how a diversified approach that includes higher-yielding, lower-rated bonds may be a good way to go. Questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity: Q: How does your fund differ from other fixed-income bond funds? A: It’s definitely not your plain vanilla bond fund. I tend
to think of it as not your average bond fund. It’s really about best ideas and opportunities in the fixed-income universe, and a very broad universe. I have the ability to own corporate bonds, investment-grade, high-yield, non-U.S., developed world and emerging. I can own convertible bonds, preferred, bank loans, structured finance, munis. So it’s a really broad mandate to look for best ideas. It’s a very o p portu-
I’m looking at the areas where I can invest away from the benchmark, because I think that’s where you’ll find the best long-term opportunities. Q: Which types of investments are you avoiding now, given the expected rise in interest rates?
nist i c strategy and that’s where it’s not typical. To be opportunistic, you’re willing to veer away from a static benchmark. Q: What’s an example of how a plain fund would not be as opportunistic as yours? A: A plain vanilla bond fund would really orient itself around the government credit index as a benchmark and make smaller decisions about what was going to be the best areas within that index in order to outperform.
A: If you look back in history, over the last couple of decades, with the decline in interest rates, Treasurys almost outperformed everything. But there is a view, and I do believe, that tailwind of a declining interest rate environment has come to an end. www.canadianinquirer.net
So, right now, I don’t own Treasurys. I view it as a lot of risk, because Treasurys are the most interest-rate sensitive fixed-income security you can hold and there’s very little return there. So then your next option is taking credit risk in investment-grade corporate. And, generally, that’s really tied to where we are in the business cycle. If we’re full-steam ahead, it’s good to be in corporate bonds, as long as you’re getting compensated for taking t h a t risk.
But t h e likelihood of General Electric or Apple or Verizon not paying you back is really almost zero. Q: How do you look for better returns while still remaining a fixed-income fund? You’re buying stocks, too, correct? And higher-risk bonds? A: The two constraints on the
fund are a maximum of 35 per cent below investment grade, but also 20 per cent in equities. I’m really thinking about what are the best fundamentals out there that I can invest in, whether it’s a company, a country or a currency that is mispriced by the market because they’re taking a short-term view. I like to look through the cycle in order to find the best opportunities. For example, we own Seagate Technology. It was investment grade and has been downgraded, so it’s a fallen angel. And that’s an interesting place to find good opportunities, because if the company is on the right track but it’s going to take some time for it to de-lever and for its credit metrics to improve, there may be enough uncertainty about their ability to do that, that you’re actually getting paid for taking that credit risk. We think it has the ability to get back to investment grade over time. Q: Are you investing in utilities and other bond-proxies? A: Right now I’m not. I think they’re overvalued and they’re much more sensitive to interest rate risk. When I think about the types of risk I can hold in the fund, it can be a security that has interest rate risk, or some degree of credit risk or some degree of country or currency risk. And right now, I think because there’s not a lot of value out there, I’m very focused on specific credit or company risk, and specific country or currency risk. Those are the best opportunities right now. ■
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FRIDAY
Technology Zuckerberg’s goal: Remake a world Facebook helped create BY BARBARA ORTUTAY The Associated Press NEW YORK — Mark Zuckerberg helped create the modern world by connecting nearly a quarter of its citizens to Facebook and giving them a platform to share, well, everything — baby pictures and Pepe memes, social updates and abusive bullying, helpful how-to videos and live-streamed violence. Now he wants to remake it, too, in a way that counters isolationism, promotes global connections and addresses social ills — while also cementing Facebook’s central role as a builder of online “community” for its nearly 2 billion users. The Facebook founder laid out his thoughts on Thursday in a sweeping 5,800-word manifesto that hews closer to utopian social guide than business plan. Are we, he asked in the document, “building the world we all want?” In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Zuckerberg stressed that he wasn’t motivated by the recent U.S. election or any other particular event. Rather, he said, it’s the growing sentiment in many parts of the world that “connecting the world” — the founding idea behind Facebook — is no longer a good thing. “Across the world there are people left behind by globalization, and movements for withdrawing from global connection,” Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook in a Harvard dorm
room in 2004, wrote on Thursday. So it falls to his company to “develop the social infrastructure to give people the power to build a global community that works for all of us.” Connecting in Facebook’s interest
Zuckerberg, 32, told the AP that he still strongly believes that more connectedness is the right direction for the world. But, he added, it’s “not enough if it’s good for some people but it’s doesn’t work for other people. We really have to bring everyone along.” It’s hardly a surprise that Zuckerberg wants to find ways to bring more people together, especially on Facebook. After all, getting more people to come together on the social network more frequently would give Facebook more opportunities to sell the ads that generate most of its revenue, which totalled $27 billion last year. And bringing in more money probably would boost Facebook’s stock price to make Zuckerberg — already worth an estimated $56 billion — even richer. And while the idea of unifying the world is laudable, some critics — backed by various studies — contend that Facebook makes some people feel lonelier and more isolated as they scroll through the mostly ebullient posts and photos shared on the social network. Facebook’s famous “like” button also makes it easy to engage in a form of “one-click” communication that can displace meaningful dialogue.
Facebook also has been lambasted as a polarizing force by circulating posts espousing similar viewpoints and interests among like-minded people, creating an “echo chamber” that can harden opinions and widen political and cultural chasms. Community support
Today, most of Facebook’s 1.86 billion members — about 85 per cent — live outside of the U.S. and Canada. The Menlo Park, California-based company has offices everywhere from Amsterdam to Jakarta, Indonesia, to Tel Aviv, Israel. (It is banned in China, the world’s most populous country, though some people get around the ban.) Naturally, Zuckerberg takes a global view of Facebook and sees potential that goes beyond borders, cities and nations. Equally naturally, he sees the social network stepping up as more traditional cultural ties fray. People already use Facebook to connect with strangers who have the same rare disease, to post political diatribes, to share news links (and sometimes fake news links ). Facebook has also pushed its users to register to vote, to donate to causes, to mark themselves safe after natural disasters, and to “go live .” For many, it’s become a utility. Some 1.23 billion people use it daily. “Our next focus will be developing the social infrastructure for community — for supporting us, for keeping us safe, for informing us, for civic engage-
www.canadianinquirer.net
MARK ZUCKERBERG / FACEBOOK
ment, and for inclusion of all,” he wrote. Long view
Zuckerberg has gotten Facebook to this position of global dominance — one that Myspace and Twitter, for instance, never even approached — partly thanks to his audacious, longterm view of the company and its place in the world. Last fall, Zuckerberg and his wife, the doctor Priscilla Chan, unveiled the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a long-term effort aimed at eradicating all disease by the end of this century. Then, as now, Zuckerberg preferred to look far down the road to the potential of scientific and technological innovations that have not been perfected, or even invented yet. That includes artificial intelligence, which in this case means software that’s capable of “thinking” enough like humans to start making the sorts of judgments that Facebook sometimes bobbles. Last September, for instance, the service briefly barred the famous Vietnam War-era
photograph dubbed “Napalm Girl” because it featured a nude child, and only reversed its decision after users — including the prime minister of Norway — protested. AI systems could also comb through the vast amount of material users post on Facebook to detect everything from bullying to the early signs of suicidal thinking to extremist recruiting. AI, Zuckerberg wrote, could “understand more quickly and accurately what is happening across our community.” Speaking to the AP, Zuckerberg said he understands that we might not “solve all the issues that we want” in the short term. “One of my favourite quotes is this Bill Gates quote, that ‘people overestimate what they can get done in two years and underestimate what they can get done in 10 years.’ And that’s an important mindset that I hope more people take today,” he said. ■ AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this story.
Technology
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2017
Uber to investigate Atlanta, other cities eye test sexual harassment tracks for self-driving cars claim by engineer BY JEFF MARTIN The Associated Press
BY DANICA KIRKA The Associated Press LONDON — Uber’s chief executive ordered an urgent investigation Monday into a sexual harassment claim made by a female engineer who alleged her prospects at the company evaporated after she complained about advances from her boss. Travis Kalanick responded on Twitter to an open statement by Susan Fowler Rigetti about her year at the ride-hailing app. In a blog post titled “Reflecting On One Very, Very Strange Year At Uber,” Rigetti says the company’s human resources department ignored her complaints because her boss was a high performer. “What’s described here is abhorrent & against everything we believe in,” Kalanick tweeted Monday. “Anyone who behaves this way or thinks this is OK will be fired.” In her blog, Rigetti said she joined Uber as a site reliability engineer in November 2015 in San Francisco. On her first official day with the company, Rigetti says her boss propositioned her in a string of messages on the company chat. As it was “clearly out of line,” she took screen shots of the remarks. “Upper management told me that he “was a high performer” (i.e. had stellar performance reviews from his superiors) and they wouldn’t feel comfortable punishing him for what was probably just an innocent mistake on his part,” she wrote. Rigetti, who did not name the manager, left the team. But she
said as she tried to progress in the company, she found her way blocked. She alleged sexism was rampant in the company, and that when she pointed that out at a company meeting, she was rebuffed. In a particularly comical moment, she said the director of engineering ordered leather jackets for the site’s reliability engineers, but later decided it would only give the jackets to male engineers because there were too few women in the company to qualify for a bulk purchase discount. “The director replied back, saying that if we women really wanted equality, then we should realize we were getting equality by not getting the leather jackets,” she wrote. “He said that because there were so many men in the org, they had gotten a significant discount on the men’s jackets but not on the women’s jackets, and it wouldn’t be equal or fair, he argued, to give the women leather jackets that cost a little more.” Kalanick said he has instructed the company’s chief human resources officer to look into the blog post, adding “there can be absolutely no place for this kind of behaviour at Uber.” Rigetti’s remarks will strike a nerve among those trying to bolster the number of women in science and engineering, who have long argued that maledominated atmospheres are discouraging the talented from seeking careers in the sector. Rigetti said she temporarily disabled comments on her blog post “because there were too many for me to keep up with.” ■
JINNA SARDSONGVIT / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
jor catastrophe befalls us.” Court’s group worked with California transportation officials as they developed rules ATLANTA — Self-driving vefor testing vehicles developed hicles could begin tooling down by Google and other compaa bustling Atlanta street full of nies. Now, Court and others are cars, buses, bicyclists and colwatching to see how often hulege students, as the city vies man drivers must take over to with other communities naprevent accidents as vehicles tionwide to test the emerging are tested in California. technology. Tying together massive Atlanta would become one of amounts of data from so many the largest urban areas for testsources “will pose myriad secuing self-driving vehicles if plans rity challenges,” Atlanta Mayor come together for a demonstraKasim Reed acknowledged in tion as early as September. a report last year on a related Nationwide, 10 sites were initiative to transform Atlanta designated last month as “provinto a “smart city.” Researchers ing grounds” for automated veat Georgia Tech, Reed said, will hicles by the U.S. Department be key to that effort. of Transportation. Public acceptance of the veThey include North Carohicles is among the main challina turnpikes, the eastern lenges to their widespread use Iowa prairie and a Michigan on city streets and highways, site where World War II bombBrubaker said. ing aircraft were produced in a He and others see Atlanta as factory built by a logical base for automobile piothe emerging inneer Henry Ford. dustry. Atlanta isn’t on Atlanta’s nothe list, but city I don’t think our society is going to torious traffic officials neverwant a robot glitch or a software hack congestion could theless hope to to be responsible for mass deaths. lead residents make an impact. to welcome Backers of such vehicles, driverless cars Brubaker said. say they could “In any city be part of a broader effort to this has been in development that has that level of congestion, rebuild the nation’s infrastruc- for quite some time.” people have a relatively open ture, something President DonNorth Avenue would first be mind to embracing technology ald Trump has pledged to do. As equipped with devices and sen- solutions that will improve the roads and highways are rebuilt, sors, enabling vehicles to com- traffic flow,” Brubaker said. “we think it would be very, municate with traffic signals However, critics say the cars very wise to build modern in- and warning self-driving cars of are not yet able to safely navifrastructure with 21st-century red lights or treacherous condi- gate clogged streets with tradicapability in mind,” said Paul tions such as snow or ice, the tional cars and pedestrians. Brubaker, president and CEO city documents show. “The technology really is of the Washington, D.C.-based Cameras would provide live not ready to be used on urban Alliance for Transportation In- video of traffic, and comput- streets, unless they are going novation. ers would analyze data on road to be cleared of human drivers Self-driving vehicles, he said, conditions, concerts or other and dedicated strictly to auton“should be a national priority.” events likely to clog streets. omous vehicles,” Court said. The Trump administration Security is a key concern, “The real problem is these hasn’t revealed its approach however. technologies tend to fail when to the technology, but two U.S. “Imagine if these vehicles they’re around pedestrians, cysenators this month announced were hacked. Imagine if the clists, human drivers,” Court a bipartisan effort to help speed system that controls them were said. The key obstacle, he said: deployment of the vehicles on hacked,” said Jamie Court, pres- “human behaviour is really unthe nation’s roads. Republican ident of Consumer Watchdog. predictable.” John Thune of South Dakota “I don’t think our society is At one North Avenue interand Democrat Gary Peters of going to want a robot glitch or a section near Georgia Tech’s Michigan said they’re consider- software hack to be responsible football stadium, “students ing legislation that “clears hur- for mass deaths,” he said. “If we tend to jaywalk, so it can get a dles and advances innovation in sanction robots controlling these little bit messy over there,” said self-driving vehicle technology.” vehicles without really knowing Georgia Tech student Maura Atlanta has sought propos- the risks, I think the technology Currie, 19. She called it “a hectic als from companies for a dem- will go under when the first ma- stretch of road.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
onstration of an autonomous vehicle on North Avenue later this year, city documents show. The street, which connects the Georgia Institute of Technology campus to some of the South’s tallest skyscrapers, would be among the busiest urban environments yet for such testing. In Atlanta, city officials say a key goal is to create optimal conditions on North Avenue for such vehicles to operate. The goal of September’s demonstration is to show how such a vehicle would navigate in realworld traffic, though a driver will be inside and can take the controls if needed, said Faye DiMassimo, an Atlanta official involved in the North Avenue project. “We still think that autonomous vehicles are sort of ‘The Jetsons,’ right?” DiMassimo said. “When you looked at all the information, you realize not only is this here and now,
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CANADA
CAREGIVER NEEDED ASAP Seeking a full time caregiver to assist in an English speaking household environment, to provide personal Care, hygiene, cooking, assist in all aspects of daily routine, with day outings, appointments to a social and demanding middle-age high-quad Male. With light house & yard keeping duties. Applicant must be Canadian Citizen, Permanent resident, Foreign Worker. Living-in and with valid Drivers license for adapted minivan. Completed Caregiver’s course or nursing qualifications. Emphasis will be based on reliability, communication skills, comprehension, trust, honesty, loyalty, initiative & flexibility. Rate of Pay: $13.00/h, plus benefits. Guaranteed 168 hours bi-weekly (plus free R&B). Location: Devon. Alberta. To appy email Glen at maryglen@telusplanet.net
Shifts: Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night
PROVIDE CHILD CARE FOR 4.5 YEAR OLD FULL-TIME, permanent position, $12.00 hour, 32 - 40 hours per week. Start ASAP. Location, Milton, ON. Provide child care for 4 year old. Preferably min. 3 years experience and has first aid certificate. Duties include; supervision care of child, organize activities for child, instruct child w/ personal hygiene and social development. P/u child from school. Prepare and serve nutritious meals. Light housekeeping and cleaning duties. Must speak, read and write English. Education equivalent to high schools graduate in Canada. Accommodation available at no charge on a live-in basis. (This is not a condition of employment). Relocation costs and medical equivalent to OHIP covered by employer.
Please email resume to jicconsulting@hotmail.com or call mobile: (905) 691 0776
Toronto Enquiries: salestoronto@canadianinquirer.net Philippine Enquiries: salesphilippines@canadianinquirer.net
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Tel: (1) 647-521-5155
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Travel La Trinidad ready for 2017 Strawberry Festival PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET — It’s all systems go for the 2017 Strawberry Festival which will kick off on February 20. With this year’s theme “Sustaining the Fruits of La Trinidad’s Agro-Eco Tourism,” the festival will be highlighted with the presentation of a giant strawberry cake which is capable of feeding thousands of people. La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda on Friday said there are some 27 activities lined up for the month-long celebration of the 36th Strawberry Festival that will end on March 31. Salda said the festivities will start with the opening of the agro-industrial fair where barangays or villages will display their best products at the Km.5 parking area on February 20. On February 23, individuals are encouraged to join the mural competition at the municipal park which will be followed by the Search for Strawberry Festival Hymn on February 24. Residents in the 16 barangays are asked to actively join in the municipalwide clean-up campaign on February 24-25 while photo enthusiasts will feature the town during the art and photo contest at the Art and Photo Lane lo-
When you happen to visit Baguio City these days, you surely won’t miss the colorful houses in Sitios Stonehill, Botiwtiw and Sadjap or StoBoSa in Balili, La Trinidad if you are planning to visit the vegetable trading post and do some strawberry picking in La Trinidad, Benguet. JOEY O. RAZON / PNA
cated within the municipal park on the same dates. Likewise, coffee enthusiasts will have a chance to taste the town’s best coffee during the scheduled coffee summit at the municipal gym on February 24-26 while the opening program of the festival will be on March 6 at the municipal gym.
A job fair is scheduled on March 10 while separate concerts at the park will be scheduled in the municipal park between March 6 and 31. The search for the biggest and sweetest strawberries will be on March 11 at the municipal park. On March 17, there will be the pre-
pageant for the search for Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad at the municipal gym that will be preceded by a flower arrangement contest at the municipal park. On March 18, the civic parade from Km. 6 to the municipal grounds will be held, to be followed by the “Owik Tan Tayaw” (butchering of the pig and dances) and multi-cultural cultural celebration at the municipal gym. On March 19, there will be street dance, drum and lyre and float parade from Km. 6 to the municipal gym which will be followed by the serving of the replica of the giant strawberry cake created years ago at the Lednicky Hall. The strawberry cake competition will be on March 21 at the municipal gym. The municipal government will sponsor a mass wedding on March 24 at the municipal gym while the Cordillera film fest will be launched on the same date at the Wangal Sports Complex. The pageant night for the search for Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad will be at the Benguet State University (BSU) closed gym on March 25 while the Dumba ni Kavadjo (horse race) will be at the Wangal Sports Complex on March 25. The festival will culminate with the awarding of winners in the different competitions on March 31 at the municipal gym. ■
Bali earns best island title in 12 consecutive years by DestinAsian PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY JAKARTA — Indonesia’s resort island of Bali has earned the Best Island title awarded by Singapore-based influential travel website DestinAsian through its recent 2017 Readers Choice Award (RCA). It was the 12th of such a title received by the island from the media consecutively. The award was resulted from the readers’ picks on best Asian prominent destination islands asked by the website. Natural beauties, cultural and culinary richness, commendable hospitality accommodation and local people’s friendliness were accounted as reasons to pick Bali as the best Asian destination island. “This is a praiseworthy title. Bali now has earned it in 12 consecutive years as the best island picked by DestinAsian Readers Choice Awards (RCA),” Tourism Deputy Minister for Foreign Mar-
keting I Gde Pitana said recently to welcome the award. Bali outclassed Phuket, Maldives and Langkawi in DestinAsian RCA’s 10 best Asian destinations with Indonesia’s Lombok picked at the tenth. In hospitality category, the DestinAsian readers picked Bali’s Alila Villas Uluwatu as the Best boutique hotel. Meanwhile in hotel spa category, Bali won the readers’ pick with Ayana Spa and Bali Four Season Resort’s The Spa secured the third rank. Apart from those categories, Destinasian readers ranked state-run airline Garuda Indonesia as the third in best economy class for airline category. In airline frequent flier program category, Garuda was ranked the fifth. Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya hailed such an appreciation from the reputable travel review website, saying that it would encourage the efforts to further boost the tourism sector which has been declared as the nation’s core
business. “We should go further in pursuing world class reputation so as to place our Wonderful Indonesia brand exists in any competition,” the minister said in a
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statement. Previously in 2015, Bali earned the world’s second best island title after Galapagos from Travel+Leisure magazine. ■
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Northern New England gets buried in snow, and skiers love it BY LISA RATHKE The Associated Press BURKE, VT. — The gods have answered the call of skiers, snowmobilers and dog mushers, dumping mounds of snow in northern New England following little snow last season during the warmest winter on record in some spots. The biggest snowstorms of this season, followed by days of flurries, have unloaded more than 2 feet of snow — higher amounts in the mountains — in the past week across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. “I haven’t seen skiing this good in Vermont in over 20 years,” said Tom Luxon, of Norwich, on Thursday as he was leaving the slopes at Burke Mountain. Brian Thompson drove five hours from New Haven, Connecticut, to experience the powder. “It’s just been unreal,” he said of the conditions at Burke.
The snow bounty comes just a year after the region suffered one of its mildest winters. Due to the warmer conditions, ski resorts were left scrambling for enough snow. Ice fishing derbies and snowmobiling events had to be postponed, moved or cancelled. This year couldn’t be more different. A series of storms in the last week has pummeled the region. The Maine town of Eastport reported 69 inches in a 10-day period while the state’s largest ski resorts, Sunday River and Sugarloaf, reported recordsetting snowfalls for February, with 4 feet in the last week. Burke Mountain reported 20 inches overnight WednesdayThursday. In the Moosehead Lake region in Maine’s snow belt a sled dog race that had to be cancelled last year went on this month as scheduled. “Obviously with no snow it’s a challenge, but this year there was plenty,” said Karen
Lewsen, of Greenville, Maine. “We’ve had 80 inches of snow.” Visits to Cannon Mountain Ski Area in Franconia, New Hampshire, are up by 65 per cent, and snow cover is three times what it was last year at this time, spokesman Greg Keeler said. “It’s completely different. People are excited. We have been busy,” Keeler said, adding that the Christmas week numbers were some of the biggest in
Local, international kiteboarders see action in Boracay PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY BORACAY ISLAND, AKLAN — Greeted with a sunny-windy weather, participants of the Boracay leg of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 4 flaunt their jaw-dropping moves during the start of the 3-day competition. Some 60 competing participants and 22 social guests are joining the Boracay event being held in Bulabog Beach. Among the international participants are from Korea, Sweden, France, Turkey, China, Netherlands, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Singapore, United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland and Russia. Participants from the Philippines, including the Boracay locals are also joining the com-
Tourists relax under the sunny shorelines of the world famous Boracay Island. AVITO C. DALAN / PNA
petition. Competition categories include: twin tip race (masters), novice twin tip race, freestyle and hangtime. Cash prize worth ,000 and goods from Cabrinha worth ,500 will be during its awarding on February 20. Meanwhile, participants will also be treated with sunset jam-
ming during the 3-day competition. The tour organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association kicked off in Cuyo Island, Palawan on November of last year and continued in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island in Cebu last January 13 to 15. The tour will end in Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon on March 3 to 5. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
the resort’s history. The dramatic rebound has helped some resorts begin to recover from a disastrous year in which skier and snowboard visits were down, including 32 per cent in Vermont. But it also served to highlight the growing challenges that come with being part of the ski business at a time when the climate is changing. Some resorts are preparing for the weather fluctua-
tions while also saving energy costs and making better quality snow by adding energy efficient snowmaking that allows them to make snow at higher temperatures and at a lower cost, said Parker Riehle, president of the Vermont Ski Areas Association. That allows the ski areas to start making snow earlier and extend their seasons longer, he said. “Obviously, it’s always a good feeling when you are having a good winter and it’s snowing. You roll with what you are dealt with,” Keeler said. “I wouldn’t assume next year will be like this year. The best you can do is to make investments like energy efficient snow guns like we do so that we are able have more flexibility as to when we make snow and how much we make.” ■ Associated Press reporters David Sharp, in Portland, Maine, and Michael Casey, in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.
Retro resurgence... Canadian indie musician Ty Trumbull experienced mixed results after buying into the early revival of tapes back in 2014. Looking to drive sales at his live shows, he says the low overhead costs made it easy to sell cassettes for an affordable $5 at the merchandise table. He was confident that “Pull the Cork,” the 2014 album with his band Scoop Trumbull & The Wrong Notes, would he a surefire hit. But sales were volatile depending on where in Canada he played. “Toronto put a bit more value in kitsch things like that,” he says. “When you start touring out to New Brunswick there were less people interested ... you’d maybe sell one or two.” Whether there’s enough interest to keep cassette popularity growing is still uncertain, and early signs suggest the upswing may already be losing stream. Over the past two months, ❰❰ 27
cassette sales hit a ceiling and haven’t recovered. Sales volumes have dropped 33 per cent so far this year, with only 400 tapes sold across the country by the second week of February. That’s about 200 fewer copies versus this time last year. There’s also a catch to the recent sales renaissance. Like vinyl records, many cassettes are packaged with download codes that let anyone enjoy the music on their computer or phone. Critics say that’s falsely propped up the popularity of the format, and suggest that many tapes are just trendy, ironic bedroom decor for teenagers. Tom Howie, half of Vancouver-raised electronic duo Bob Moses, isn’t betting on tapes finding widespread popularity again. “The resurgence of cassettes is solely an offshoot of hipster culture,” he says. “But it’s a cool marketing strategy. Everyone wants something they can’t get.” ■
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Food Go for the king of English street food: fish and chips THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA THANKS TO our global food community, we have more opportunities than ever to sample cuisines from the farthest corners of the world. Even in America’s smallest towns, food lovers are exploring traditional Indian, Ethiopian, or Spanish tapas restaurants, and we’re constantly on the hunt for our new favourite. As our palates grow accustomed to savory spices and tongue-numbing chiles, it’s easy to forget the classics of our close friends just across the pond. With their quirky names like Bubble and Squeak, Bangers and Mash, and Toadin-the-Hole, we love traditional English pub fare for its comfort food appeal. When we think of classic English food, our minds wander to freshly made sausage, creamy potatoes, and rich gravy. But maybe the most iconic dish is the king of street food: fish and chips. The Culinary Institute of America’s recipe for Fish and Chips gets right to the point. Flaky, tender cod in a crispy batter, served alongside twicefried potatoes (fries, not chips, which are crisps. Got it?). For the perfect complement to the richness of the dish, we’ve added an herby dipping sauce that is creamy and tangy, thanks to white wine vinegar and capers. In the fish and chip world, a common debate lies in the choice between cod and haddock. Both are flaky white fish, with similar flavours and textures. Haddock may be slightly more flavourful, and a bit drier in texture, but both are excellent options. One consideration to keep in mind is that the Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch (which advises on ocean-friendly choices when purchasing seafood) considers Pacific cod caught in Alaska to be a more sustainable option than haddock in general. Of course, your cod may be com-
ing from another source, so check out seafoodwatch.org or their handy app for more information. Our all-purpose fish batter is kept crisp and airy with the addition of sparkling water. You’ll love the crunch in contrast to the buttery fish, but it is also perfectly suited as a coating for chicken or vegetables. Try it on sliced sweet potatoes, onions, and even Brussels sprouts. To ensure a crispy exterior that isn’t too greasy, keep the batter as cold as possible and whisk it right before use. If you’re craving something green on your plate, fish and chips are seamlessly paired with sweet green peas (mash them for a classic English touch). For some variety, serve the dish with a sesame-based cabbage slaw and soy dipping sauce, or a tangy jicama salad and mango salsa. But if you’re traditional, a nice cold beer will do the trick.
lows) • All-purpose flour, as needed • Chips (recipe follows) Clean the fish and cut it into 3-inch x 1 1/2-inch rectangles. Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F. As the oil is heating, prepare tempura batter and dipping sauce. Place all-purpose flour into a sealable plastic bag. Place a piece of fish into the bag and shake it until the flour completely coats the fish. Dip the fish in flour to coat it and shake off excess flour and dip it into the batter. Remove the fish using tongs and briefly let any excess batter drip off. Carefully lower the battered fish into the hot oil. When it starts to bubble, release it. Cook until golden brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Place on a paper towel to soak up excess oil. Serve hot with chips and dipping sauce.
Fish and Chips
Start to finish: 1 hour Servings: 4
• 2 pounds of skinless and boneless cod or hake fish • Oil, as needed for frying • Tempura Batter (recipe follows) • Dipping Sauce (recipe fol-
Tempura batter
Makes 4 servings
• 3 eggs, beaten • 1 pint sparkling water • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder Mix all ingredients in a bowl
large enough to dip the pieces of fish. Set aside. Dipping sauce
Makes 4 to 6 servings
• 1 cup mayonnaise • 1/2 cup sour cream • 3 tablespoons chopped tarragon or chopped thyme • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley • 2 tablespoons minced shallot • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar • 2 teaspoons finely chopped capers • 3 finely chopped white anchovy fillets • Tabasco, to taste • Salt, to taste Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Chips
Makes 4 servings
• 6 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 5-inch x 1/2-inch rectangles • Oil, as needed for frying • Pinch of salt, and as needed for seasoning Rinse, drain, and dry the potatoes thoroughly. (Alternatively, the potatoes may be held in cold water until ready
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to cook. Dry them thoroughly before cooking, or the oil will splatter when they are added to it.) Heat the oil in a large castiron skillet or a 14-inch wok, preferably one with a handle, over high heat until it reaches 300 degrees F. Add the potatoes, and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for approximately 15 minutes, gently jiggling the pan from time to time. Do not stir, to avoid breaking the fries. Remove the fries from the oil. Increase the heat of the oil to 375 to 400 degrees F. Add the fries back into the oil, stirring occasionally, and cook until golden brown, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly. Season with salt and serve immediately. ■ Nutrition information per serving of the fish: 782 calories; 236 calories from fat; 26 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 125 mg cholesterol; 861 mg sodium; 92 g carbohydrate; 9 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 44 g protein. Nutrition information per serving of the dipping sauce: 361 calories; 336 calories from fat; 37 g fat (8 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 37 mg cholesterol; 420 mg sodium; 2 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 2 g protein.
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This sweet potato and carrot KitchenWise: dish sparkles with vinaigrette Cheesy Baked Grits a
deeply satisfying staple
BY MELISSA D’ARABIAN The Associated Press STARCHY SIDES are a mainstay of the classic American dinner. It’s easy to get complacent and rely on a trusty, if unimaginative, rotation of mealtime regulars: rice, potatoes, noodles. The problem with serving essentially the same (white) thing over and over is that we are missing an opportunity to bring a variety of nutrients to the table in that starchy side. And we are missing out on the joys of new colours and flavours if we just stick to the stuff that looks and tastes remarkable similar. So why not add a few colorful and interesting options to the dinner starch repertoire? Sweet potatoes are a great start, but also consider vegetables like peas, corn, winter squashes (such as spaghetti, acorn and butternut), and sweet root vegetables like carrots and parsnips as potential stand-ins for rice or pasta. One of my favourite ways to prepare these starchy sides in colder months is to toss them in a quick vinaigrette and then roast. The vinaigrette can be quite simple: even vinegar, salt and pepper and a bit of oil will perk up the flavour. My recipe today brings together both a starch and a root vegetable. Red-fleshed sweet potatoes (often called “yams” in American supermarkets) and carrots are tossed in a soy sauce and rice vinegar marinade, which caramelizes beautifully in the oven. The resulting side dish is less Asian than the ingredients would suggest, and it marries perfectly with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or alongside spicy lentils or just a hearty salad if you are eating vegetarian. The sweet potatoes are jampacked with a variety of vitamins and minerals, most notably vitamin C and K and potassium. The carrots are lower calorie than the starchier sweet potato and they complement the nutrient profile with a ton of vitamin A as well as good quantities of vitamin C and potassium. The two together become a nutrition powerhouse
BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press
compared to standard starches. Plus, the dinner plate just looks pretty with the gorgeous orange colour. Roasted sweet potato and carrots in quick soy sauce marinade
Start to finish: 40 minutes Servings: 4
• 1 medium red-flesh sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks (about 2 cups total) • 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks (about 2 cups) • 2 tablespoon soy sauce • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar • 2 teaspoons olive oil • 1 small shallot, roughly chopped • 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced or grated • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice • Olive oil in a mister • Parsley for garnish, optional Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil over high heat, and once boiling, add the sweet potato and carrot cubes and cook just for three minutes. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile place the soy sauce, vinegar, olive oil, shallot,
garlic, ginger and lemon juice in a blender and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. (For chunkier marinade, just mince everything and whisk together.) Pat the sweet potato and carrot dry with a paper towel, and place in bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the cubes and toss to coat. Let marinate for 10 minutes (or up to a couple of hours), stirring at least once. Cover the bottom of a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Drain the excess marinade and discard. Scatter the sweet potato and carrot cubes across the baking sheet. Mist lightly with olive oil (or use nonstick spray). Roast until tender, and the edges show a slight char, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Options: add red pepper flakes and a teaspoon of maple syrup for a sweet and spicy version, or a little sesame oil for a more Asian version, or top with cilantro, chopped green onions and lime juice. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 115 calories; 32 calories from fat; 4 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 647 mg sodium; 18 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 2 g protein. www.canadianinquirer.net
A KIND of carbo-licious porridge made from dried and coarsely ground corn, grits are to Southern cuisine what potatoes are to Northern cuisine — a deeply satisfying staple. Like squash, tomatoes and deeppit barbecuing, grits came to define Southern cooking via the cuisines of such southeast American Indian tribes as the Caddo, Choctaw and Seminole. These days we’re starting to see grits all over the country. Often they’ll show up at breakfast seasoned with salt and pepper, topped with a pat of butter and nestled alongside some bacon and eggs. They’re also a signature element in Shrimp and Grits, one of the succulent delights of the cuisine of coastal South Carolina and Georgia, which has also migrated widely. But wonderful as they are, grits can be a chore — if not slightly dangerous — to make. I’m speaking of regular oldfashioned stone-ground grits, which trump “quick grits” and “instant grits” in both flavour and texture. Made the usual way, old-fashioned grits need to be stirred relentlessly to avoid clumping. You also have to handle with care; this hot mush has a tendency to bubble up and burn the cook. Here’s a way to avoid those problems: Make it in the oven instead of on the stovetop. You simply combine the grits and the liquid in a ceramic pie dish (a total of 10 minutes hands-on time) and pop it into the oven for 45 to 50 minutes. Then stir in the flavourings — sharp cheddar cheese, in this case —
and it’s done. How easy is that? One note, though. The ceramic pie plate (or any shallow ceramic baking dish with the same capacity) is key. Pie plates made of metal or glass do not conduct heat as effectively. Cheesy baked grits
Start to finish: 1 hour, 5 minutes (10 active) Servings: 4 to 6 • 2 1/2 cups water combined with either 2 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth or 5 cups water • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into pieces • 1 cup grits (not quick-cooking) • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 4 ounces grated sharp cheddar • Freshly ground black pepper to taste Preheat the oven to 350 F. Stir together the water, butter, grits and salt (if using salted vegetable or chicken stock, do not add salt) in a 1-quart ceramic pie plate set on a rimmed sheet pan. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven, uncovered, for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and preheat the broiler. Stir in three-quarters of the cheese, stirring until melted. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and put the grits on a shelf in the upper third of the oven, under the broiler until nicely browned. Serve right away. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 196 calories; 114 calories from fat; 13 g fat (7 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 37 mg cholesterol; 708 mg sodium; 11 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 9 g protein.
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