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NOVEMBER 9, 2018

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VOL. 11 NO. 345

PAROL MAKER

A hard-working grandmother makes more "parol" to meet orders and earn extra income for the coming Christmas season at the Plaza Quezon in Las Pinas City.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

PRRD inaugurates PH’s first ‘landport’

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BY JELLY MUSICO Philippine News Agency

PAO eyes murder raps in Dengvaxia case

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday led the inauguration of the country’s first intermodal terminal designed to offer passengers state-of-theart and convenient terminal experience.

In his speech, Duterte congratulated the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Megawide and Walter Mart (MWM) Terminal Inc. for build-

ing the Philippines’ first "landport" in southwestern part of Metro Manila.

“So, I am impressed, I am proud na ginawa nila itong magandang (that they built this beautiful) structure. And it will serve the Filipino and that is what’s very important to me,” Duterte said.

Duterte thanked DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade as well as MWM chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra and president Manuel Louie Ferrer.

15 Saints inspire people and connect them to God: parish priest

❱❱ PAGE 13 PRRD inaugurates

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❱❱ PAGE 26

Canada Revenue Agency ‘going after’ refugees: NDP MP Jenny Kwan

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NOVEMBER 9, 2018

PRRD’s All Saints’ Day jest, not meant to offend Catholics

BY JELLY MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s remarks questioning the Catholics’ commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day were said in jest and not meant to offend religion, Malacañang said Saturday.

“The President’s remarks, as described by news articles, were said in jest,” Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said in a press statement.

After last Thursday’s situation briefing on Typhoon Rosita in Isabela province, Duterte greeted the crowd “Happy All Saints’ Day” but jokingly questioned the observance of the Catholic tradition.

“So happy All Saints’…Bakit naman… Sabagay itong t****** talaga itong mga Katolikong p***. Bakit naman may All Souls’ Day tapos may All Saints’ Day? Hindi nga natin alam kung sino ‘yang mga santo na ‘yon. Sino ‘yung mga g*** na ‘yon? Mga lasenggo (These f****** Catholics, why do they observe All Souls’ Day then there is also All Saints’ Day? We don’t even know who those saints are. Who are those stupid? drunkards?),” Duterte said.

“Dito na lang kayo. I’ll give you one pat — ah isang patron na ano para hindi na kayo mag-pasyal. Get hold of a picture of mine. ‘Yan ang ilagay niyo sa altar — Santo Rodrigo. (You stay with me. I’ll give you one patron so you don’t have to go around. Get hold of a picture of mine.

Put it on the altar — Saint Rodrigo)” he added, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma reportedly criticized Duterte’s remarks, saying the President is “not a theologian nor

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

has even studied catechesis or theology” to interpret Catholic doctrines.

Panelo said even reporters covering the event knew that Duterte was “only making light of a serious situation.”

“The fact that they burst into laughter (as shown by the video clips of the TV news) showed that they were not offended by what the good Bishop and a few critics perceived to be an offensive religious statement against the celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day,” Panelo said.

“Hence, PRRD’s remarks should not be viewed beyond the description of the reporters covering the event. A joke is a joke and the same does not require an explanation. Nor should it be given as a religious slight,” he added.

Panelo said Duterte had even visited his parents’ tombs in Davao City last Thursday night coming straight from the Isabela situation briefing.

“Actions should be given more weight than the spoken words when one ascertains the true attributes of a person for certainly actions speak louder than words,” Panelo said.

“Immediately prior to ending the said briefing, the President made the parting words, ‘We all have our obligations to the dead. It’s practically part of the culture but more than that, it’s something that is very important for us to commune with our ancestors’,’” he added.

He said the strength and credibility of a religious faith “cannot be affected by what some deem as an assault by nonbelievers nor will its faithful be offended by any playful jab on its saints.”

“Christianity, or any major religion that preceded it, will always survive the test of time,” he added. ■

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CHR praises Sister Fox’s ‘dedication’ to human rights cause in PH

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

prohibited among foreigners, left the country on Saturday after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) rejected her request to extend her temporary visitor’s visa.

THE COMMISSION on Human Rights Fox’s missionary visa expired last Sep(CHR) praised Australian missionary tember 5, however, she was given a temnun Patricia Fox for her dedication to porary visitor’s visa valid for 59 days, or push for the rights of every Filipino. only until November 3.

“Founded on the universality of huBefore she leaves the country, Fox left man rights, being a foreign national did a farewell message to President Rodrigo not prevent her from dedication almost Duterte. three decades of her life addressing, “Sana nakikinig siya sa daing ng mga within her means, an array of injus- maliit na tao, hindi lang ang military, tices and violations hindi lang ang mga against the rights of business people, pero the most vulnerable ang mga urban poor, and marginalised mga magsasaka, mga in our country,” the manggagawa, mga CHR, through its I hope he katutubo (I hope he spokesperson, lawlistens to the listens to the comyer Jacqueline de complaints of plaints of ordinary Guia, said on Monordinary people. people, not just the day, November 5. military, not just the “We recognize with business people, but gratitude the dedicaalso to the urban tion of Sister Patricia poor, the farmers, Fox to the human rights cause in the the workers, the indigenous people),” Philippines, especially for our farmers, she said in a press conference after her laborers, and the urban poor,” it added. farewell mass at Saint Joseph’s Church The CHR also reminded the govern- in Quezon City. ment of its “human rights obligations” It was in April when Fox, a human to all people in the country whether they rights advocate, was arrested pursuant are Filipinos or not, “in line with the hu- to a mission order issued by BI Commisman rights conventions it has accepted sioner Jaime Morente but was released in the interest of upholding the dignity the following day for further investigaof all.” tion.

De Guia issued this statement followA few days after, Duterte admitted ing Fox’s departure from the Philippines that he was the one who ordered the buwhich served as her home for nearly reau to conduct an investigation on Fox three decades. for her alleged “disorderly conduct” but The missionary nun, who has been ac- denied that he ordered her arrest and cused of engaging in “political activities” deportation. ■

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Philippine News

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FRIDAY

OFW saved from UAE death row returns

BY JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA Philippine News Agency MANILA — After serving four years in jail, Jennifer Dalquez, who was sentenced to death for murder but was acquitted in 2017, finally arrived home Friday morning after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government released her from prison.

The emotional Dalquez faced the media after being reunited with her parents in Manila.

She expressed her gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine Embassy in UAE for their untiring effort for her to be released from jail.

Dalguez also thanked her family and her friends for the prayers for her life to be spared.

Accompanied by officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Dalquez arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at about 8:15 a.m. She was welcomed by her mother, Alicia, and father, Abdul Hamid.

“Ilang taon din naming hinintay ito at ngayon nandito na siya. Salamat, maraming salamat sa inyong nagbigay

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte embraces an emotional Jennifer Dalquez as the latter met with the President at the Malacañan Palace on November 6, 2018. Dalquez returned to the Philippines after she was acquitted of murder charges and saved from death row in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

ROLANDO MAILO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

ng suporta at dasal (We waited for years for this [for her to be freed] and now she is here. Thank you so much to all those who supported and prayed for her),” Alicia told the media.

She and her parents will soon go back to their hometown in General Santos.

In a briefing shortly after Dalquez’s

plane landed in NAIA, Migrant Workers Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said PHP100,000 cash will be given to the OFW’s family under the DFA’s assistance to nationals fund.

She added that her release “is a victory not only for Jennifer but also for the Philippines.”

Arriola said Dalquez’s acquittal underscores how serious the Duterte Administration is in promoting the rights and protecting the welfare of Filipinos abroad.

“We thank the government of UAE for giving justice to Jennifer Dalquez. We have been following her case since 2015 and we are very thankful that she was eventually acquitted and now she is back in the Philippines,” she said.

“The DFA, together with the DOLE and OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) will coordinate to assist Jennifer to have a fresh start in the country,” she added.

OWWA Deputy Administrator for Operations Brigido Dulay, meanwhile, said Dalquez will receive a livelihood and educational assistance.

Dalquez returned home after she was found guilty and sentenced to death by an Abu Dhabi court for the fatal stabbing of her employer in 2014 after he threatened to kill her for refusing to have sex with him.

The Embassy, through its lawyers, immediately appealed the conviction and had it overturned by a local court in 2017.

Dalquez was released from Al Ain Central Jail on November 1 and reportedly taken immediately to the airport. ■

Inflation remains unchanged at 6.7% in October

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE RISE in the price of goods and services, or inflation, did not even change a bit as it remained steady at 6.7 percent in October, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday, November 6.

This figure was the same with the inflation rate recorded in the previous month.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier projected the inflation this month to settle between 6.2 to seven percent, while the Department of Finance (DOF) expected inflation to ease at 6.5 percent in October.

According to PSA, slowdowns in the annual increments were seen in the indices of food and non-alcoholic beverages which is at 9.4 percent from the 9.7 percent last month, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 21.6 percent from September’s 21.8 percent.

Higher annual increases, it said, were observed in the indices of the following commodity groups: housing, water, electricity gas, and other fuels www.canadianinquirer.net

(4.8 percent); furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (3.7 percent); health (4.3 percent); transport (8.8 percent); recreation and culture (3.1 percent), and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services (4.2 percent).

Moreover, inflation in the National Capital Region (NCR) slowed down to 6.1 percent compared to the 6.3 percent recorded in the previous month.

Inflation in areas outside NCR, meanwhile, stayed at 6.8 percent in October.

Bicol region remained to be the region with the highest inflation rate of 9.9 percent, while Central Luzon still recorded the lowest inflation rate of 4.4 percent.

BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla, in his statement, said the October inflation data “supports the view that inflation pressures are finally moderating,” believing that there is a “significant deceleration” even though October’s inflation rate remains elevated.

He added that the Monetary Board will also take into account the data, including gross domestic product (GDP) in its next policy meeting as it determines if further policy rate adjustment is needed. ■

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Significant drop in Mindanao crime rate due to martial law: PNP

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said crime rate in Mindanao significantly declined since martial law was implemented last year.

Citing PNP data, PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde said that from the 8.79 crime rate in Mindanao in 2017, it went down to 5.92 from January to September this year.

“We can attribute that basically to the imposition of martial law. Martial law actually just strengthened the peace and order operations like the checkpoints and military operations,” Albayalde said during a press briefing.

The six-month extension of the martial law rule in Mindanao is set to end next month.

Mindanao was placed under martial law following the attack of ISIS-inspired armed men in Marawi City in May last year.

Albayalde was quick to clarify, however, that Malacañang

has not yet asked the PNP if it is supportive of another extension of martial law.

“If they ask the opinion of the PNP, if ever that they will ask for the agency’s position, we will support the extension especially with the incoming elections mas maganda yan,” he said.

Albayalde also expressed doubts that there would be abuses, saying it did not happen while Mindanao was under martial law the past months.

He said most of Mindanao residents are even supportive of the martial law.

“As for us, if only we want to maintain the peace and order and if only, they want to have a peaceful plebiscite, martial law is good because it is not the Marcos-time martial law.

There is no curtailing of freedom there. We only see massive checkpoints and surrender of firearms. Also, based on the feedbacks of the people, they want martial law,” the PNP chief said.

Earlier, Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs of-

fice chief, said troops in the field are still gathering data to determine whether martial law in Mindanao would again be extended.

Detoyato said the review on the possible extension of martial law in the region had been ongoing since it was first implemented.

Last Nov. 2, Malacañang announced the possibility of further extending martial law in Mindanao which was discussed when President Rodrigo Duterte recently convened the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ECNSC).

“Taking into account the lingering terrorist and communist threats, the EC-NSC committed to put into study the possible lifting or further extension of martial law therein,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said among the factors initially considered during the EC-NSC meeting was the outlook of the people of Mindanao, an overwhelming majority of whom support martial law “in view of the present situ-

PNP Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde.

ation they are in.”

Martial law in Mindanao was declared on May 23, 2017 following attacks launched by the Maute Group in Marawi City.

Congress, in a special joint session in July last year, granted the extension of martial law until Dec. 31, 2017 at the Presi-

JOEY A. RAZON / PNA

dent’s request.

In another joint session in December last year, the Senate and House of Representatives granted the Chief Executive’s request for the extension of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus until Dec. 31, 2018. ■

PRRD inaugurates PH’s first ‘landport’

BY JELLY MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Listed Filipino agricultural exporter AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI) signed a deal on Tuesday with Beijing-based Sinochem Corporation for the supply of fertilizer to ANI’s contract growers in the Philippines and for the purchase of the Filipino farmers’ produce, for export to Hong Kong and China.

The deal involves USD37.6 million and was signed at the first-ever China International Import Expo, which opened in Shanghai on Monday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping leading the launch.

“The deal will expand ANI’s closed ecosystem and enable it to bridge farm requirements to market access,” ANI president and CEO Antonio Tiu said in a statement on Wednesday.

As part of the deal, Sinochem The deal was signed by Tiu Shanghai was designed to bolwill supply affordable fertiliz- and Cui Yan, Sinochem general ster China’s image as an open ers to ANI’s contract growers in manager and Party Secretary of market, “one that is ready to the country.

Sinochem subsidiary Sinochem support different suppliers The state-owned Chinese International. across the globe,” Tiu noted. firm will also purchase the pro“The deal would provide At least 3,000 businessmen duce of the local contract grow- much-needed support to Phil- from around the world gathers and market these in Hong ippine farmers and growers and ered at the Shanghai event.

Kong and China, One of the top where the com100 companies pany is engaged in the Fortune in trading.

500 list, the SinSinochem is The deal will expand ANI’s closed ochem Group is a a conglomerate ecosystem and enable it to bridge state-owned enengaged in the farm requirements to market terprise founded production and access. in 1950. trading of chemIts predecesicals, fertilizers, sor was China and other agriNational Chemicultural products. boost the country’s market ac- cals Import and Export. It is “Specifically, Sinochem has cess to China,” Tiu continued. also one of China’s four largest committed to purchase for Sinochem would also enable state oil companies, China’s the next three years tropical ANI to have a “more efficient leading chemical service profruits from the Philippines ecosystem” with its commit- vider, a major agricultural prosold through ANI’s contract ment to supply more affordable vider and integrated service growers,” Tiu said, describing fertilizers, he pointed out. operator. the agreement as “a landmark The newly opened China Its five business units are deal.”

International Import Expo in energy, chemicals, agriculture, www.canadianinquirer.net

real estate, and finance.

ANI, meanwhile, is a listed company led by Tiu. It is one of the Philippines’ major exporters to the world market.

At present, ANI supplies home-grown fruits like mangoes, bananas, and pineapple to customers in Hong Kong, mainland China, the Middle East, and to different European countries.

ANI ventured into the importation and trading of rice in the first quarter of 2015 and has since then participated in the rice importation program for the private sector under the National Food Authority.

Its Philippine operations group is organized into three business units — export, local distribution, and retail and franchising.

Meanwhile, the foreign operations group is principally engaged in fruits and vegetable trading in Hong Kong and China. ■

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Philippine News

PRRD forms inter-agency task force on federalism

Palace defends OP reorganization, Cabinet composition

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte created an InterAgency Task Force on Federalism (IATF) to raise public awareness on the proposed new system of government, amid survey results showing it is the least of Filipinos’ concerns.

Under Memorandum circular No. 52 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of the President on Oct. 31, the IATF will take charge of “integrating, harmonizing, and coordinating ongoing efforts towards federalism and constitutional reform.”

“The conduct of public information drive and advocacy campaign at the grassroots level is necessary to raise public awareness on federalism and constitutional reform as well as to ensure widest public participation in the ongoing initiatives to amend or revise the fundamental law of the land,” the memorandum read.

“Constant consultations with all sectors of society is essential in every stage of the process of constitutional reform so that all such efforts towards reform will embody the sovereign will and reflect the ideals and aspirations of our people,” it added.

Among the inter-agency’s tasks are to develop strategies and implement such activities necessary and proper to raise public awareness on federalism and constitutional reform and prepare an information dissemination and public communication plan to ensure an effective, efficient, and uniform undertaking of advocacy activities.

Moreover, the IATF will undertake consultations with the former members of the Consultative Committee, government agencies, the private sector, and the public in general concerning federalism and constitutional reform.

The IATF will be composed of Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government or his equivalent as Chairperson; Secretary Menardo Guevarra of the Department of Justice, as ViceChairperson; and the heads of

BY JELLY MUSICO Philippines News Agency

RENE LUMAWAG / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

the Office of the Cabinet Secretary; Presidential Management Staff; Presidential Communications Operations Office; Office of the Presidential Spokesperson; Presidential Legislative Liaison Office; Office of the Political Adviser; Commission on Higher Education; Development Academy of the Philippines; and University of the Philippines Law Center.

According to the memorandum, members may designate their respective permanent representatives to the IATF with the rank of Undersecretary or Assistant Secretary.

The IATF shall submit quarterly reports on its activities and accomplishments to the President.

Meanwhile, budgetary requirements for the operations of the IATF shall be sourced from appropriate funding sources that the Department of Budget and Management may identify, subject to relevant laws, rules, and regulations.

In August, Malacañang announced that the proposed Federal Constitution drafted by the Consultative Committee is open for public feedback to help improve the proposal after some Cabinet members expressed apprehensions on the proposal’s economic aspects.

Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier

said the President will consider people’s comments before officially transmitting the proposed Federal Constitution to Congress.

Feedback on the Federal Constitution can be given to the Office of the President, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, or PCOO in writing, e-mail, or personally.

Under the ConCom’s draft charter, there are 18 proposed federated regions composed of 16 symmetrical regions — existing regions plus Negrosanon Federated Region which will include the province of Siquijor and two asymmetrical regions namely Bangsamoro and Cordillera.

Earlier, Duterte admitted that he could not convince everyone to support his push for federalism but noted that it will benefit the entire country through its wealth and power sharing feature.

Duterte said federalism might not assure improved economic condition right away but believes there is a chance it would spread the country’s wealth and resources evenly among the regions.

“It might help, it cannot guarantee prosperity kaagad (immediately) but it might help distribute the wealth of the nation among the local units,” Duterte said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — Malacañang said former National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Lead Convenor Liza Maza has a “misplaced” view on President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to reorganize the Office of the President (OP) and to appoint retired military officials in the Cabinet.

“We find it unfortunate that a former member of the Duterte Cabinet and past National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor, Ms. Liza Maza, has a misplaced – if not distorted – view of the reorganization and composition of the Cabinet,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Thursday.

Maza, on her Facebook account, called Executive Order (EO) No. 67, signed by Duterte on Oct. 31, a “horror story” as it transferred eight agencies, including the NAPC, from OP to three line departments, including two headed by retired military officials.

Panelo said the President’s intent to rationalize the Executive Branch is “to promote greater efficiency, agency convergence and participatory governance in the delivery of essential public services to all the sectors of society, given that they are now transferred to line agencies.”

“This is also in line with the campaign promise of PRRD to make the bureaucracy more efficient and responsive to the needs of our people through rightsizing,” he added.

Panelo said the appointment of left-leaning individuals, including Maza, did not make the Cabinet communist “or convert the respective offices they headed, leftist.”

“Her conclusion, therefore, that placing former military men in executive offices, automatically translates to a military junta-led government, is completely erroneous,” he said.

Aside from the NAPC, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor have been

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transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), now headed by former Philippine Army chief Rolando “Rolly” Bautista.

On the other hand, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Commission on Women, and the National Youth Commission are now under the Department of the Interior and Local Government led by former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, Officer-in-Charge Secretary Eduardo Año.

Duterte’s EO 67 has also transferred the Cooperative Development Authority and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), now headed by former police general and Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner Isidro Lapeña, to the Department of Trade and Industry.

He added that the inclusion of left-leaning personalities in the Cabinet is part of Duterte’s sincere effort to end the communist insurgency “by inviting them to put their talents to good use in serving the nation — instead of calling for the government’s ouster — and be agents for peace and unification.”

“In the same vein, the President’s appointment of former uniformed personnel to key Cabinet or sub-Cabinet posts reflects his trust to the military hierarchy, known for its high degree of professionalism, discipline, and can-do attitude,” Panelo said.

“These men have sacrificed many hours of their lives, even at the expense of their personal time with their families, for the love of and loyalty to our country; and this patriotic fervor, not to mention their academic credentials and experience in leading and managing large organizations, qualifies them for the posts that they hold,” he added.

On the legal aspect, Panelo, also Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, explained that the prohibition under Article 16, Section 5(4) of the 1987 Constitution “is similarly immaterial because the men Ms. Maza mentioned are no longer active in the military but are now civilians.” ■

Philippine News

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PAO eyes murder raps in Dengvaxia case

BY BENJAMIN PULTA Philippines News Agency

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MANILA — Former health secretary Janette Garin on Monday formally filed her counter-affidavit before the Department of Justice (DOJ), denying her liability in the deaths of children reportedly due to the Dengvaxia dengue vaccine they received.

In a 68-page plea, Garin stressed that the multi-billion peso program had been initiated years before she was appointed as health secretary and that the program had been the product of conscientious preparation by local and international health agencies concerned.

On the other hand, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida RuedaAcosta said they are “studying the possibility” of pressing for murder charges instead of the lesser charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

PAO is providing legal assistance to families of the victims.

Garin’s counsels, meanwhile, insisted there is also no probable cause to indict her for violation of the Anti-Torture Act “because said law clearly applies only to instances of punishment of person in custody,” In her counter affidavits, Garin insisted that “all vaccines have contraindications and potential risks, which are already anticipated. But these expected events have been determined in the clinical studies as manageable and safe for humans,” “Like in any other vaccine, the dengue vaccine has theoretical risks which were not supported by an empirical data at the time of the implementation of the dengue immunization program. It was only on Nov. 29 ,2017 that Sanofi made a disclosure that based on new data, it would be more advisable to administer the vaccine to seropositive individuals,” Garin said in her plea.

The belated disclosure, complainants claimed, resulted in the deaths because the vaccine resulted in severe illness for “seronegative” patients or those who have not had dengue before the inoculation.

“But it should immediately be clarified that in the Philippine setting, as confirmed by the WHO (World Health Organization), there is already at least 85% seroprevalence. Hence, the introduction of the vaccine is highly beneficial to the population,” Garin said, adding that clear and specific safety guidelines were issued before the implementation of the school-based immunization program.

Garin argued that as early as 2013, the Philippines represented by the Food and Drug Administration has been a member of a WHO-organized initiative, reviewing the product registration of a dengue vaccine.

Janette Garin.

She claimed that the registration of the dengue vaccine, the approval and implementation of the dengue immunization program went through a rigorous process, noting that the decision was backed up with studies that date back several years, conducted by local and international private and public institutions. “(N)othing was done in haste and every step required for its implementation, including the processes for the vaccine registration, funding, procurement and the launch of the program itself were faithfully followed and complied with,” she argued.

Garin said Dengvaxia has been under development for the last two decades and it is also the first dengue vaccine to be licensed in the world.

The issuance of the license for Dengvaxia was based on the results of two very large clinical trials conducted in five countries in Asia and five countries in Latin America involving more than 41,000 subjects, she said.

An initial batch of criminal complaints in connection with children’s deaths attributed to the Dengvaxia may be decided by government prosecutors within the month.

Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Emilia Victorio said her panel will decide whether to pursue the case before the courts within this month after the panel concluded its preliminary investigation last October 30.

The said resolution will determine whether there exists probable cause to indict the respondents, including Garin, for the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under the Revised Penal Code and violations of AntiTorture Act and Consumer Act filed by families of nine children who died after

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (PHILIPPINES) / FACEBOOK

being administered with the vaccine.

The first batch of Dengvaxia cases filed last April and May involved the deaths of Aejay Bautista, Angelica Pestilos, Lenard Baldonado, Zandro Colite, Abbie Hedia, Jansyn Bataan, Mark Axel Ebonia, Rey Justin Almagno and Alexander Jaime.

Aside from Garin, other named respondents are Dr. Vicente Belizario Jr., Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, Dr. Gerardo Bayugo, Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, Dr. Irma Asuncion, Dr. Julius Lecciones, Dr. Joyce Ducusin, Rosalind Vianzon, and Mario Baquilod, Dr. Socorro Lupisan and Dr. Maria Rosario Capeding of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

The executives of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur — Carlito Realuyo, Sanislas Camart, Jean Louis Grunwald, Jean-Francois Vacherand, Conchita Santos, Jazel Anne Calvo, Pearl Grace Cabali and Marie Esther De Antoni — are also included in the complaints.

The officers of distributor Zuellig Pharma in the charge sheet, on the other hand, are Kasigod Jamias, Michael Becker, Ricardo Romulo, Imran Babar Chugtai, Raymund Azurin, Nilo Badiola, John Stokes Davison, Marc Franck, Ashley Gerard Antonio, Ana Liza Peralta, Rosa Maria Chua, Danilo Cahoy, Manuel Concio III, Roland Goco and Ma. Visitacion Barreiro.

The respondents were accused of negligence through “arbitrarily, maliciously, and deliberately failure to inform the Dengvaxia recipients and their parents/ families of the dangers and risks related to Dengvaxia and to obtain their informed consent.”

Two more batches of cases involving 18 other cases are undergoing separate preliminary investigation before the DOJ. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

9

Palace hits HRW proposal to probe cops’ liability in drug war

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippines News Agency

Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

EASTERN MINDANAO COMMAND, AFP / FACEBOOK

Palace hopes Guerrero learns from predecessors’ mistakes

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippines News Agency MANILA — Just because billions worth of shabu have slipped through the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the past, doesn’t mean it’s going to slip through the bureau “forever.”

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this comment as he expressed confidence that newly-appointed BOC chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero will not repeat the same mistakes done by his predecessors.

Guerrero, retired general and Maritime Industry Authority administrator, took the helm at the BOC following the transfer of its former head, Isidro Lapeña, to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Prior to Lapeña, the BOC was headed by Nicanor Faeldon, who is now director of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Both Lapeña and Faeldon were transferred to different agencies after two separate incidents of multi-billion-peso “shabu” shipments slipped past the BOC under their watch.

“It doesn’t mean that when nakalusot ka once ay makakalusot ka forever (when drugs slipped through once, drugs can slip through forever),” Panelo said.

Panelo shrugged off criticism that President Rodrigo R. Duterte was merely appointing the same ex-military men with similar backgrounds.

“Not necessarily, because you

learn from lessons, from mistakes. So hopefully, Commissioner Guerrero would learn from the lessons or the mistakes by the previous administration of that department has committed or has omitted,” Panelo said.

Panelo also defended Duterte’s decision to appoint uniformed men anew noting that appointing them in Cabinet positions is effective because of their so-called “military discipline.”

“The culture of the military men is different from the civilians. They follow orders, they talk less and argue less… they just work. And they’re always on the go,” Panelo said.

Earlier, Duterte said Lapeña and Faeldon were both victims of the rotten system in the BOC. Duterte said “dirty games” being played by corrupt BOC personnel have prompted him to ask the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to take over the BOC. Meanwhile, Panelo said he will ask Duterte about proposals to privatize the BOC during Tuesday night’s Cabinet meeting.

“The President has not made any comment on that. There will be a Cabinet meeting tonight or at 4:45 p.m. today.

Hopefully, I’ll hear something about it and we’ll report to you,” Panelo said.

Panelo also assured that Guerrero is on top of the situation and he will undertake all measures geared towards the elimination of corruption in the bureau. ■

MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday slammed the proposal of Human Rights Watch (HRW) urging the Duterte administration to create an independent commission to investigate the alleged involvement of police personnel in the killing of drug suspects.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo described the proposal as “reckless” noting that the HRW should not merely rely on an interview with a police official as basis to conduct a probe.

Last week, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief for Central Visayas, Chief Supt.

Debold Dinas, bared that policemen in Cebu and nearby provinces are being hired by drug lords as hitmen.

“This proposal by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) for the creation of an independent commission to go after police officers allegedly involved in the killing of drug suspects smacks of another effort of this moribund group, which projects itself as a human rights organization, to intrude into our

www.canadianinquirer.net

domestic affairs,” Panelo said in a press statement.

“Its inference from an interview of a lone police official cannot be a valid ground for such reckless proposal,” he added.

Panelo said the HRW’s proposal is “no different” from accusations hurled by critics of the Duterte administration’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs.

He said that HRW merely resurrected an old issue, which is clearly meant to “undermine the integrity of the government’s institutional mechanisms.”

According to Panelo, there is a need to correct the minds of Filipinos from what he described as “misinformation” being propagated by the HRW. He, meanwhile, assured that existing mechanism is in place to deal with erring cops such as the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) which continues to conduct internal cleansing within the organization.

Moreover, he said an independent Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Congress, a co-equal branch of government, continues to conduct investigations on reported

abuses of authorities.

Panelo also reminded human rights groups, especially foreign ones, to quit interfering with domestic affairs.

“These, among other governmental bodies engaged in counterbalancing measures, are functioning. We thus reiterate our position that we do not need schooling from outsiders on how to run the country,” Panelo said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier criticized the European Union (EU) for interfering in his administration’s drug war efforts.

Duterte has repeatedly defended his war on drugs, noting that police personnel killing criminals in their line of duty is not considered crime against humanity.

In March, Duterte announced that he has decided to withdraw the Philippines’ ratification of the Rome Statute, a United Nations (UN) treaty creating the International Criminal Court.

This, after the ICC Office of the Prosecutor bared in February that it would begin preliminary examination on the crimes against humanity linked to the administration’s drug war. ■

10

Philippine News

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Piñol downplays alleged scolding from PRRD

BY LILIAN MELLEJOR Philippine News Agency DAVAO CITY — Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Sunday said his absence at the post-Typhoon Rosita briefing in Isabela on Nov. 2 was not meant to disrespect President Rodrigo Duterte.

Piñol said the Office of the President was informed he would be represented by Department of Agriculture (DA) Director Narciso Edillo to provide the briefing.

“When I received the adviso- Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol.

MANNYPIÑOL / FACEBOOK ry that the President would visit the typhoon-affected areas, was my personal money.

Isabela trip, where I was repremy staff informed the Office of Piñol said the President sented by an Undersecretary,” the President that I would not was referring to the DA funds, he clarified. be able to make it because of the which “I announced in previ“Although this is no justifitraditional family obligation of ous engagements are ready for cation for officials like me who visiting, offering flowers and disbursement in instances like are sworn to serve, I begged lighting candles in the graves of this.” off from the Isabela visit beour departed relatives, includ“When the Phil. Star said that cause of a revered family tradiing my father,” Piñol said on his my absence in the Isabela trip tion of spending All Souls’ and Facebook post. was a ‘No Show,’ nothing could All Saints’ Day with our loved Piñol reacted to a news story be farther from the truth,” he ones,” he said. on Philippine Star that he was said.

Piñol took the blame and “scolded” by President Duterte According to Piñol, this is apologized if the Office of the because he was President failed a “no-show” in to inform Presia post-Typhoon dent Duterte of Rosita briefing. his request that “The story The Phil. Star article also insinuated he be representmade it appear that my ‘no show’ was a sign of ed by another ofthat I ignored disrespect to the President. ficial in that trip. the advisory re“Allow me to ceived by my publicly apolostaff on Nov. 1 to gize to the Presiproceed to Isadent for my abbela for the Presidential visit,” not the first time that a Cabinet sence in Isabela,” he said, as he he said, adding, “The Phil. Star Secretary who could not make assured he would proceed to article also insinuated that my it to a Presidential engagement Isabela to meet with poultry ‘no show’ was a sign of disre- was represented by an official raisers, whose buildings were spect to the President.” of his department. damaged by the typhoon and to Piñol said the report put Piñol also dismissed accusa- help them market their chicken malice on the statement of the tions he was absent during the and provide support, so they President, where he said “mara- Presidential visits in the after- could recover. mi naman siyang pera, ubusin math of Typhoon Ompong.

“I will also work on the Presinya na ng gastos dito (he has “I was with the President dential directives issued during plenty of money, he can spend it in Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, and his latest visit to Isabela,” he all here)” making it sound like it Benguet, although I missed the added. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

Duterte endorses Freddie Aguilar for senator? Panelo insists no despite proof

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MUSICIAN FREDDIE Aguilar was not endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte for senator, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, insisted on Tuesday, November 6.

Panelo said this in a press briefing when he was asked if Duterte’s move can be considered as premature campaigning when he urged the public to vote for Aguilar in the 2019 midterm elections.

“Hindi naman eh (Not really).

He (Duterte) was just expressing his opinion on the qualification of the person. Hindi niya naman sinabi na iboto niyo ito eh (He did not say that you guys should vote for him),” the spokesman said.

“Ang sinasabi niya lang na (What he said is that) the messages of the songs of Freddie Aguilar has social content.

Magaling siya (He is good), brilliant,” he added.

The reporters, however, read a part of the official transcript of Duterte’s speech during the inauguration of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Monday, where Aguilar performed a song number.

“Kaya ako, nakikiusap, tutal dose [na senador] man ‘yan, ibigay niyo sa isang nationalist. Ang isang taong nagmamahal sa bayan and the protest of his songs are there, makikita ninyo for the next generations and generations to come (That is why I’m appealing to you, since there are 12 seats for senators, give one to a nationalist.

A person that loves the country and the protest of his songs are there, you will see for the next generations and generations to come),” a reporter reiterated Duterte’s words.

Panelo, however, butted in and said, “Wala siyang sinabing iboto niyo ‘yan (He did not say anything that you should vote for him).”

Determined to prove that the President indeed endorsed the folk singer, the media continued to read out the transcript and even mentioned the part where the Chief Executive raised Aguilar’s right hand and uttered, “Vote for Freddie Aguilar.”

“He may not be referring to an election. He may be referring to you people to vote for this man as an outstanding man,” Panelo maintained despite the official transcript and videos of Duterte’s speech uploaded online as proof.

The music icon, known for his hit songs “Magdalena,” “Bulag, Pipi, at Bingi,” and “Anak,” among others, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on October 11.

The party, however, denied that Aguilar was among their candidates for the upcoming polls as he has not received any Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) from them, PDP-Laban Public Information Chair Ron Munsayac had said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Nograles vows to push for regional dev’t as CabSec

BY FILANE MIKEE CERVANTES, Philippine News Agency MANILA — Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles on Monday said he is thankful to President Rodrigo Duterte for the opportunity to serve in the President’s Cabinet, as he vowed to push for the administration’s development agenda especially in the regions.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday confirmed Nograles’ appointment as the new Cabinet Secretary, saying the latter “enjoys the trust and confidence” of the President.

“I thank President Duterte for welcoming me to his Cabinet. As a fellow Mindanaoan and kapwa probinsyano, I hope to contribute to government efforts to bring development to the regions through different programs that place an emphasis on providing more economic opportunities outside Metro Manila,” Nograles said in a statement.

Nograles, who chaired the powerful House appropriations committee, said his experience would provide a “holistic perspective” needed for his new post.

“As appropriations chair, one has to be familiar with the financial resources of the government’s different agencies, as well as have a general idea of

their main thrusts and major programs,” he said.

“This knowledge and experience I believe I can put to good use in my new position. And with the guidance and input of the senior officials in the Cabinet, like Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, I hope to hit the ground running and do whatever I can to help the President,” he added.

Under Executive Order (EO) 67, the Cabinet Secretary shall head the Cabinet Secretariat, which shall serve as the “head secretariat” of the different Cabinet Cluster secretariats.

EO 67 states that the Cabinet Secretariat shall have the function of assisting the President in the establishment of agenda topics for Cabinet deliberation or facilitate the discussion of cabinet meetings.

Leoncio Evasco Jr. stepped down as Cabinet Secretary to run for Bohol governor in the 2019 mid-term polls.

Prior to his appointment, Nograles was serving his third and last term as congressman.

He authored landmark labor laws, such as The Green Jobs Act, JobStart Philippines Act, and a law strengthening the operations of the National Labor Relations Commissions.

He also authored the Free Higher Education Law and the Free Irrigation Law. ■

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CPP: Duterte’s anti-NPA Task Force will ‘fail’ to weaken NPA

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE COMMUNIST Party of the Philippines (CPP) said President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-New People’s Army (NPA) Task Force will not succeed in “weakening” its armed wing.

“Duterte’s anti-NPA Task Force will, however, fail in weakening the NPA,” the CPP said on Friday, November 2.

“On the contrary, with his strongman tactics, Duterte is succeeding only in pushing more and more people to join and support the New People’s Army,” it added.

To recall, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Thursday said Duterte announced the creation of the National Task Force to “address the armed conflict occasioned by the local communists” when he convened the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EC-NSC) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu last Tuesday.

“The President was unwavering with regard to the issue as a result of the communist group’s efforts in infiltrating and overthrowing the government,” Panelo said.

The CPP, however, believes that such move is a “rehash of the so-called ‘whole-of-government’ approach” by the administration of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III “in line with the United States

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

(US) counter-insurgency doctrine.”

“It aims to mobilize and train efforts of all state agencies to deceive the people by pretending to address poverty with superficial programs. This will be combined with so-called ‘localized peace talks’ combined with corruption-laden ‘integration programs,’” the CPP stressed.

The anti-NPA Task Force, it added, will also become a tool against the “legal democratic opposition” that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) call as the “political infrastructure” of the CPP-NPA. “It will surely aim at various organizations and political forces which the AFP has

RENE LUMAWAG / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

recently labeled as fronts or in conspiracy with the CPP,” the group said.

“Duterte’s task force will put the entire state machinery to high gear under the regime’s effort to crackdown against all opposition,” it continued.

During the EC-NSC meeting, Duterte also directed an in-depth investigation into the incident in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, where nine sugarcane workers, including two minors, were shot dead.

The President earlier tagged the communist rebels as suspects behind the farmers’ slay, saying that it was their “style” to kill their comrades and pin the blame on the government. ■

DFA to verify Chinese weather station construction in SCS

BY JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Philippine government “will take the appropriate action” if the reported establishment of weather observation stations in the South China Sea by Beijing has been verified, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

In a statement sent through Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato, the agency said it moni-

tored news reports, quoting officials of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that weather observation stations have been established on three features in the West Philippine Sea. “The Department is coordinating with concerned agencies of the Philippine government and with the Philippine embassy in Beijing to verify the reported establishment of these facilities,” it said.

“The Department will take the appropriate action should these reports be validated,” it ended.

On November 1, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said: “China has begun operating a maritime observation center, a meteorological observatory and a national environmental and air quality monitoring station on reefs of the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands).”

In a transcript posted at the ministry’s website, Lu said: “these projects are designed to observe the maritime, hydrological, meteorological conditions and air qualities and provide such services as maritime www.canadianinquirer.net

warning and forecast, tsunami alert, weather forecast, air quality forecast and disaster prevention and relief.”

He also noted that “China’s constructions on the reefs and islands” in the area “aim to improve civil services and provide public goods and services to countries in this region.”

The official, however, did not cite what specific locations these observation centers were built.

The Philippines and other littoral countries, as well as China who imposes its nine-dash line

in the South China Sea, share overlapping territorial claims in the strategic waters.

In 2016, a Hague-based ruling nullified China’s invisible dots within the region claiming over 80 percent of the waters.

Philippine-Chinese relations have improved after President Rodrigo Duterte decided to temporarily shelve the arbitration court’s decision to give way to friendly and peaceful dialogues aimed at resolving both contentious and non-contentious issues. ■

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Philippine News

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

FRIDAY

De Lima slammed for ‘misleading’ views on infra projects

BY BENJAMIN PULTA Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) slammed detained Senator Leila De Lima for her “misleading” views that the two key projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration would displace hundreds of thousands of informal settler families in Metro Manila.

“The Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways strongly urge Senator Leila de Lima to get her facts straight, on the heels of her call for the Senate to investigate two Build, Build, Build projects which she claims will displace over 180,000 families in Metro Manila,” the DOTr and DPWH said on their joint statement on Tuesday.

This, as De Lima has asked the Senate to conduct a probe into the construction of the North Luzon-South Luzon Ex-

pressway (NLEX-SLEX) Connector Road and the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project claiming this could displace over 180,000 families in Metro Manila.

Both the departments explained that the number of informal settler families affected by the NSCR Project is at 94,132 across the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Bicol.

The NSCR Project consists of the following segments: PNR Clark 1 (38-km, TutubanMalolos), PNR Clark 2 (51-km, Malolos-Clark), PNR Calamba (56-km, Manila-Calamba), and PNR Bicol (653-km, ManilaMatnog; Batangas).

“Contrary to the Senator’s figures, the estimated number of likely affected ISFs (informal settler families) is 344 for PNR Clark 1; 1,173 for PNR Clark 2; 11,384 for PNR Calamba; and 1,700 for the NLEX-SLEX Connector Project. For PNR Bicol, the previous estimate of 79,531 ISFs will be greatly reduced because of the DOTr and PNR’s approach of exploring re-alignments to avoid displacement of

persons, to minimize conflict with road traffic and structures, and to straighten curves to achieve faster operating speeds,” the statement read.

“Even assuming the number of affected ISFs for PNR Bicol is not reduced (which it will), the total number of affected ISFs at 94,132 across four regions is far apart from the good Senator’s erroneous estimation, which unnecessarily misleads the public on the true scale of the projects’ impact,” it added.

The DOTr and DPWH likewise noted that the acquisition of the right of way for the NLEX-SLEX Connector and the NSCR are in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 10752 or the Right of Way Act and Republic Act 7279 or the Urban and Housing Development Act. Public consultation meetings, they argued, had also been conducted by the local interagency committees in various affected areas.

Furthermore, all four phases of the NSCR Project are separately funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Ja-

pan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and China.

“Borrower countries such as the Philippines are required to ensure compliance not just with all applicable local laws and regulations on land acquisition and resettlement, but also with the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement and JICA’s Guidelines for Social Considerations.

This means that part of project preparation and implementation is a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s potential social impact, and the implementation of measures that will ensure that affected persons are left “no worse off,” as required under ADB and JICA Social Safeguards,” according to the DOTr and DPWH. Both departments stressed that the implementation of these projects are necessary to facilitate ease of movement among commuters and boost economic growth in the region.

“It bears repeating that these projects are long overdue, and are ultimately meant to alleviate the decades-long suffering of thousands of Filipino commuters in Luzon. Moreover,

these projects are poised to economically transform the regions, ferrying in commerce, and increasing incomes faster than before. The DOTr and the DPWH, under the Duterte Administration, remain steadfast in its goal of giving a better life for all Filipinos, and will not be diverted by criticisms anchored on false and misleading data,” the DOTr and DPWH said.

De Lima has filed Senate Resolution No. 927 which urged the appropriate Senate committee to look into the impending demolition of thousands of residents’ homes in 38 communities in Manila affected by the construction of the PHP23 billion NLEX-SLEX Connector Road and the PHP171 billion NSCR Project which are scheduled to be rolled out next year.

According to the senator, these two construction projects will result in the massive demolition of houses in at least 38 barangays in Manila composed mainly of homes and small businesses. ■

Duterte: No order for military to take over BOC personnel’s functions

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte on Tuesday, November 6, clarified that he did not order the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to take over the positions of Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel.

“When I called in the Army to help the Bureau of Customs, there was no designation, there was no appointment and there was never an instruction for them to take over the functions of the employee,” Duterte said in a speech during his lecture on militarization and drugs in Malacañang.

Amid the P11-billion shabu (crystal meth) shipment controversy, Duterte announced at the birthday party of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in October that the AFP will temporarily take

over the BOC as all of the agency’s employees were placed on floating status.

In his speech, the President said it will take him 10 years if he will be investigating every BOC staff to determine who among them could be guilty of corruption.

“So ang ginawa ko (what I did) is just really to order them on floating status. But that was a particular order directed for chiefs of offices and section chiefs. Iyong mga assistant nila ang magta–trabaho (Their assistants will be the ones to work),” he stressed.

Duterte added that illegal drugs slipped past the BOC because the bureau has no “law and order.”

“It is not because they are incompetent in computations or that they could not figure out how much the country would be earning if there are no cheaters,” the Chief Executive said.

“What I am worried actually was that shabu is a problem it has been I said raised to the level of a national security threat and the pantalan (port) is a huge door there and shabu is entering the country almost everyday,” he continued.

The President then insisted that unless he is satisfied that law and order is restored in the BOC, the presence of the AFP will remain there.

Duterte earlier assigned Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero, former chief-of-staff of the AFP, to head the BOC, replacing Isidro Lapeña who is now the director general of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Critics had slammed the Chief Executive’s directive to put the graft-ridden bureau under military control, saying that it would violate the Constitution’s prohiwww.canadianinquirer.net

KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

bition on giving civilian posts to active military personnel.

Concerns on whether the military is capable of handling the operations at the agency were also raised.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier clarified that Duterte was not appointing nor designating any member of the AFP at the BOC.

“These people will be there first to make their presence felt and hopefully intimidate those corrupt people there,” Panelo had said in a Palace briefing.

The spokesman also stressed that the military will not take over the functions of the BOC’s employees, but he said, “if it comes to a point that it is needed, the Constitution allows it.” ■

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Philippine News

Lawyer involved in Sagay 9 case killed in Negros Occidental

PRRD inaugurates...

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer A LAWYER who was part of a quick response team of Sagay massacre was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen on last night in Negros Occidental.

Lawyer Benjamin “Ben” Ramos, 56, was shot dead in Kabankalan City as he was taking a rest after he had finished working a legal paper of one of his pro bono clients, Attorney Edre Olalia, National Union of People’s Lawyers’ (NUPL’s) president, said in a statement on Wednesday, November 7.

“We are shocked, devastated and enraged at the premeditated cold-blooded murder of our colleague and fellow people’s lawyer, Atty. Benjamin Tarug Ramos, our Secretary General for the NUPL Negros Occidental Chapter,” Olalia wrote.

The group said Ramos, whom they described as “passionate, dedicated, and articulate yet amiable and jolly,” was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after sustaining three gunshot wounds at the right back side and left upper chest of his body.

“Despite limitations, he was for the longest time the “go-to” pro-bono lawyer of peasants, environmentalists, activists, political prisoners and mass organizations in Negros,” the NUPL noted.

Prior to his death, Ramos offered legal assistance to the families of the nine sugarcane workers who were shot dead in Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier tagged the communist rebels as suspects behind the farmers’ slay, saying that it was their “style” to kill their comrades and pin the blame on the government.

Although perpetrators behind the human rights lawyer’s killing have not been found yet, the group said Ramos was “maliciously and irresponsibly” tagged by the police as among those who are part of the “underground armed movement.”

The NUPL said Ramos was the 34th lawyer killed under Duterte’s regime, and the 24th member of the profession killed excluding judges and prosecu-

Lawyer Benjamin “Ben” Ramos.

tors, and the 8th in the Visayas.

“These beastly attacks by treacherous cowards cannot go on. Not a few of our members have been attacked and killed before while literally practicing their profession and advocacies in the courts, in rallies, in picket lines, in urban poor communities, and in fact-finding missions,” it stressed.

“Of late, a number of us have received threats for handling cases of political prisoners, suspected rebels, environmentalists, and suspected poor drug users,” it added.

Former Bayan Muna partylist Representative Neri Colmenares, meanwhile, blamed Duterte’s “red-tagging” in Ramos’s murder.

“Pres. Duterte you are a lawyer. You know you cannot be attacked on the basis of the clients you chose to represent.

Your red tagging has led to the death of Atty. Ben,” Colmenares, Ramos’s colleague and friend, said in a tweet.

“When human rights lawyers themselves are attacked, where can human rights violations victims go? This has got to stop,” he added.

The former NUPL president then called on the Supreme

EDRE OLALIA / FACEBOOK

Court (SC) to hold the suspects liable for their crimes, stressing that lawyers should not be attacked when they were just merely exercising their profession.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), for its part, also expressed concern on the continuing violence against human rights defenders, following the killing of NUPL’s secretary general.

“We note that, in April this year, Ramos was included in a poster, which was then disseminated in central Negros town of Moises Padilla, tagging him and other personalities as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDFP),” it said.

“But, regardless of his affiliations, Ramos continues to be a human and a Filipino whose rights was supposed to be protected by the government, including his right to life,” it continued.

While it called on the government to act on the matter, the CHR said it has sent a quick response team through its suboffice in Bacolod City to probe the case. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

❰❰ 1

“As the first integrated and multimodal terminal in the southwestern part of Metro Manila, PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange) is a landmark project – a 'landport' that feels and functions like an airport,” he said.

Duterte said PITX is one of the three intermodal terminals that will be developed by the government in cooperation with the private sector.

He said PITX will contribute in decongesting traffic in Metro Manila as it will serve as a transfer point between the provincial buses from Cavite, western Batangas, and other in-city modes of transportation.

“This will help ease traffic by limiting provincial buses plying Metro Manila roads, specifically along Roxas Boulevard and the EDSA-Taft area,” Duterte said.

PITX will have world-class facilities like those of an airport such as departure and arrival areas and baggage handling facilities that can accommodate over 100,000 passengers per day.

The PITX has also automated ticketing and bus monitoring systems and multiple terminals for bus, jeepney, UV express, taxis and transport network services.

In line with making the Filipino comfortable, PITX houses modern concourse facilities such as comfortable seating spaces at waiting areas, free Wi-Fi access, drinking water stations, traveler’s workstation areas, charging points, locker facilities, and telephone booths.

A centralized shopping center is also available inside the terminal, featuring a wide variety of retail, food, and supermarket for passenger needs.

Health and wellness amenities are also ready, such as baby

13

care rooms, breastfeeding stations, clinic, prayer room, payin lounge, and clean restrooms.

Trolleys and wheelchairs are also available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

All operations and activities are monitored through PITX’s 24-hour CCTV monitoring, along with an advanced 24-hour feedback center for all customers.

Duterte has directed the DOTr and MWM Terminals to implement necessary measures to ensure all transport vehicles that will be using PITX are “roadworthy” that complies with environmental laws and proper documentation.

“With the Build, Build, Build program in full swing, I assure our people that the government is exerting all efforts to construct the necessary infrastructure that would sustain our country’s continued development,” Duterte said.

“Together, let us work hard to lay down the physical foundations of a more progressive and prosperous nation so that our countrymen will enjoy at the very least not a rich life, not even a bar lower than that, but at least --- most of them are poor --- but we can assure them of a comfortable --- just a comfortable life,” he added.

After the unveiling of the PITX marker, Tugade and MWM officials toured the President around the world-class terminal.

Aside from Tugade, other Cabinet members present include Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar. ■

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the unveiling of the marker of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) during its inauguration in Parañaque City on November 5, 2018. Accompanying the President are Megawide Construction Corp. Chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

VALERIE ESCALERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

14

Canada News ‘We could be doing even more’: Alberta proposes Business leaders meet with PM tightening ahead of economic update contributions, spending on municipal votes

BY GIUSEPPE VALIANTE The Canadian Press MONTREAL — The industrial conglomerate Siemens would invest more in Canada if the federal government lowered its corporate tax rate, the head of the company’s Canadian operations said Monday after a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Siemens Canada’s president and CEO Faisal Kazi said while his company would welcome lower taxes, Canada remains an attractive investment location due to its talent pool and the government’s ongoing investments in innovation.

“Of course we can invest more if the tax structure was more attractive (in Canada),” Kazi said. “We would be doing even more.”

Kazi and Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton met with Trudeau Monday afternoon during the Most Powerful Women International Summit, hosted by Fortune magazine.

Following a major tax reform in the United States, Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau have been under pressure to respond in order to keep Canada competitive.

Morneau intends to announce policies to bolster Canada’s competitiveness in his Nov. 21 fall economic update.

Humpton said her company is interested by the government’s $950-million “super-

BY DEAN BENNETT The Canadian Press

JUSTIN TRUDEAU / FACEBOOK

cluster” program and its investments in artificial intelligence.

Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains announced last February five technology groups that would share up to $950 million in federal funding to bring together business, academic institutions and other non-profits to create clusters of innovation across the country.

Trudeau also met Monday with Isabelle Marcoux, chair of the board of printer Transcontinental Inc., who said they talked about increasing the role of women in business and additional government help for print journalism.

A lot of progress has been made in government, Marcoux said, but “much more” needs to be done to increase the number of women on the boards of Canadian companies.

She said she is doing her part to build a pool of women executives who will become eligible

for prominent roles in corporations.

“Canadian companies have a responsibility to build that pipeline,” she said.

Marcoux said she also pressed Trudeau on the need for his government to spend more on helping local newspapers through difficult times.

Her company, which used to own many newspapers across the country, sold all but one and divested from all its magazines, she said.

“We are a printer, and we see that our clients — especially the local press — are suffering.”

Ottawa promised $50 million over five years to help local journalism in its 2018 budget.

“I think it was not enough,” Marcoux said. “And it’s a little complicated to have access to those funds.”

Trudeau is scheduled to address the conference Monday evening. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

The rules, and any infractions, will be investigated and enforced by the Office of the Election Commissioner.

EDMONTON — The Alberta The bill would allow for third government is tightening up parties to support candidates spending, contribution and dis- through advertising spending, closure rules around municipal but those third parties would be elections. banned from working with or The changes mirror rules al- fundraising for that candidate. ready brought in by Premier Third-party advertisers Rachel Notley’s government to would also be required to regislimit contributions and increase ter with each local jurisdiction transparency around provin- where they intend to advertise. cial campaigns.

Among the Under the bill other changes, introduced Monthe money could day by Municipal be collected only Affairs Minister during the calShaye Anderson, If the bill is endar year when corporate and passed, the the election is union donations new rules held. will be banned. would kick Outside of “After conin Jan. 1. that period, the sulting over the proposed rules summer with Alwould allow only bertans, we have small fundraistaken their feeding for doorback and are proposing these knocking and other activities updates to get big money out of up to a maximum $2,000. local elections, make it easier Any municipality over 5,000 for Albertans to vote, and cre- people would have to offer adate a more transparent election vance polls. process,” Anderson told the legCandidates would be reislature. quired to disclose names and Under the proposed legisla- addresses of those who contribtion, during an election year ute more than $50. individuals can donate up to If the bill is passed, the new $4,000 in total to municipal rules would kick in Jan. 1. campaigns as well as another Alberta has 341 municipal $4,000 total to school board elections and another 60 for races. school boards. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

15

Canada Revenue Agency ‘going after’ refugees: NDP MP Jenny Kwan

BY TERESA WRIGHT The Canadian Press OTTAWA — A family of Syrian refugees in British Columbia got a tax bill for $27,000 after the Canada Revenue Agency asked the parents to prove their children live with them in Canada — by getting a letter from their school in July.

The private group that sponsored both families has raised concern about the way the tax agency dealt with these refugees, which led to one family having its benefits halted and a government demand that they repay money they’d already received.

Leona Etmanski of the refugee support committee at St. Philip’s Anglican Church in Victoria, B.C., says the refugees were asked to prove their children were still living and attending school in Canada, but the documentation they had to produce was difficult for them to gather.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) officials told them to provide a letter from their children’s school verifying the children were enrolled, but one of

the families was asked for this information when school officials were off work for the summer. They were also asked for a letter from their landlords, but due to B.C.’s overheated housing market, the families had moved and tracking down their original landlords for paperwork was challenging.

When the church settlement agency, which is partially funded by the federal government, asked if its members could provide confirmation of the families’ ongoing presence in Canada instead, the CRA said no, Etmanski says.

“I think there could have been other ways for them to gather the information,” she said in an interview Monday. “Could not the settlement agency be the guarantor, because they are the settlement worker from the day they arrived in Canada?” she asked. “Or could not a letter from the sponsorship committee be sufficient to guarantee that they verify that this family has indeed stayed in Canada with their children? There must be better ways, other than gathering information from landlords and school principals, specifically in the summer

months.”

Etmanski also wonders why both of the refugee families that her group has sponsored ended up with audits of their Canada Child Benefit payments and whether this means other refugee newcomers to Canada are also being audited.

“What are the odds — the two families that our committee has sponsored get the audit letter?”

NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan brought the issue to the floor of the House of Commons, raising concern about the CRA targeting refugees rather than focusing on “fat cat CEOs” and corporate taxavoidance schemes.

“It’s very alarming that CRA is going after these refugee families,” she said in an interview. “The government keeps saying that they put $1 billion into going after people who evade paying their taxes and so on — is this what they’re doing with their billion dollars?”

The Canada Revenue Agency denies any suggestion it is targeting refugees with audits.

The agency promotes awareness of the Canada Child Benefit to newcomers and is part of a multi-departmental effort

Jenny Kwan.

to provide information to refugees on tax filing and benefit entitlements when they arrive Canada, said Emilie Gagnon, press secretary for National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier.

“Let me be clear, the CRA does not target refugees nor any other subset of the Canadian population with their benefit review process,” said Emilie Gagnon, press secretary for National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier.

JENNY KWAN/ FACEBOOK

“The CRA works closely with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to ensure that all benefit related questions are answered and also aims to quickly resolve any problematic cases that arise.”

But Etmanski believes the tax agency should change its policies on how it deals with refugees, given their language barriers and lack of knowledge about how to handle Canadian bureaucracy. ■

Atlantic Canada trade mission hopes to bolster region’s trade links to China THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX — A federal-provincial trade mission is heading to China this week with hopes of bolstering Atlantic Canada’s presence in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence McAulay, Treasury Board president Scott Brison, and the premiers of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, will join more than 70 businesses, universities, and organizations participating in trade shows and business-to-business meetings.

The aim is to promote Atlantic Canada’s food, education, clean growth, and tourism sectors.

In an interview Monday, Brison said the co-operative effort is part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy launched by Ottawa and the four provinces in 2016.

“A regional approach, where the federal government helps support the work of our businesses in Atlantic Canada and the work of our provincial governments, can make a real difference and take the level of trade and opportunity over time to a new level,” said Brison, a Nova Scotia MP. He said the goal is to build on the trust and relationships that have been established in the Chinese market.

“That requires face-to-face interactions and meetings, and you can’t just go there once, you have to go there repeatedly over

a sustained period.”

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil will be travelling to China for the second time this year — it will be his sixth trip overall.

According to the federal government, exports to China from Atlantic Canada grew 37 per cent last year to more than $1.5 billion, with seafood exports having doubled in the past five years alone.

Chinese tourism is also on the rise, while Atlantic Canadian universities currently get more than 30 per cent of their international students from the economic powerhouse.

Brison said about 30 million Chinese enter the middle class every year, and that country’s consumer culture has developed tastes for such items as www.canadianinquirer.net

high-quality food and wine.

He said they are trends that represent a great opportunity for Atlantic Canada, which is producing world renowned seafood, particularly lobster.

“We have opportunities that simply didn’t exist 10 years ago in terms of the China relationship,” he said.

In Nova Scotia’s case, China is the province’s second largest trading partner after the U.S., with exports having grown from $150 million in 2012 to $494 million in 2016.

McNeil said opening China to products such as lobster has been key to keeping prices at higher market levels.

“That has allowed the extra money received for that price to be spun around in every ru-

ral community across the province,” he said. “It’s one of the best rural economic strategies that we have.”

Another key is convincing even more Chinese students to study in the region, the premier said.

“They currently are the largest number of international students who come here. We believe that number can grow substantially to continue to help sustain our post-secondary institutions.”

The trade delegation is to visit the cities of Qingdao, Shanghai, and Beijing, where it will take part in the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, the China International Import Expo, and the Canada China Business Council Annual General Meeting and Business Forum. ■

16

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FRIDAY

Alberta NDP Feds promise $165 million backbencher protests in compensation after ‘toxic culture,’ refuses shortchanging 270,000 veterans to sit in legislature

BY LEE BERTHIAUME The Canadian Press

BY DEAN BENNETT The Canadian Press EDMONTON — A backbencher with Alberta’s governing NDP says she won’t take her seat in the legislature to protest what she calls a “toxic culture” in the party caucus.

Robyn Luff, a first-term legislature member for Calgary East, says she can’t do her job representing her constituents because of strict controls placed on her by officials in Premier Rachel Notley’s government.

“I have felt bullied by the NDP leadership for over 3 1/2 years and it must stop,” Luff said in a letter released Monday.

“Under Rachel Notley’s leadership, every power that MLAs are supposed to have to be able to represent their constituents in the legislature has been taken away or denied from the start.”

Luff could not be immediately reached for comment.

In her letter, Luff said questions backbenchers ask of ministers in the house, designed to address issues of importance to constituents, are instead written by the ministries for the backbencher to deliver.

Such questions, colloquially derided as “puffballs,” have been used by previous administrations and governments in some other provinces.

Luff also said backbenchers can lose the privilege of making a statement in the house if a previous statement is deemed inappropriate.

She said party leadership decides who speaks on which bill, and statements and questions at committee hearings are all scripted.

Those who step out of line fear punishment, such as losing a spot on a committee or chances to speak in the house, she said.

“I have had members statements taken away, and ( backbencher-sponsored) private members bills edited ‘til they

weren’t what I intended.”

Luff added that she was told that “not jumping when a (departmental) chief of staff told me to” has stalled her career.

She wants Notley to lead a public discussion on the issue and said she won’t return to the house until that happens.

Government house leader Brian Mason said the party is aware of Luff’s concerns and were trying to work them out.

He rejected Luff’s assertion that she can’t speak her mind and represent her constituents, and added that governing demands working together.

“People are permitted to speak their minds, and they have an opportunity to do that,” said Mason. “Everybody in a caucus, especially large caucuses, is frustrated from time to time.

“But you take decisions and you go forward, and people have to realize that that’s the way government works.”

Mason said Luff needs to make a decision rather than sit in legislative limbo.

“I don’t think it’s fair to her constituents to just say, ‘I’m not happy with how things work, so I’m not going to show up for work,”‘ said Mason.

Luff is the second backbencher to quit Notley’s caucus.

A year ago, Calgary legislature member Karen McPherson quit and later joined the Alberta Party. McPherson said she has reached out to Luff and said Luff’s concerns dovetail with her experience in Notley’s caucus.

“I can certainly understand where Robyn is coming from,” said McPherson. “That was a lot of the reason why I crossed the floor.”

Jason Nixon, house leader for the Opposition United Conservatives, called Luff’s allegations “shocking and extremely alarming.” The NDP needs to take cues from his party and let people speak up, he said.

“That is not how our caucus operates,” said Nixon. “We have open discussions. Sometimes we’ve had free votes.” ■

OTTAWA — Repaying hundreds of thousands of disabled veterans and their survivors for a calculating error that deprived them of some of their pensions for seven years will cost $165 million, the federal government says.

Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan revealed the error and compensation package Monday, on the eve of Remembrance Day, even as the federal NDP called on the government to ensure all money earmarked for veterans’ benefits is actually spent.

O’Regan’s department miscalculated adjustments to the disability pensions of 270,000 veterans, RCMP members and their survivors between 2003 and 2010 because it didn’t properly account for a change in personal tax exemptions, he said.

“Most individuals will receive a few hundred dollars, while the maximum amount to be paid would be a couple of thousand dollars,” he said.

The miscalculation was identified last year by veterans’ ombudsman Guy Parent, who told The Canadian Press that his team stumbled upon the problem while looking at another issue and subsequently flagged it to the government.

While O’Regan promised that all veterans would be compensated, payments aren’t expected to begin until 2020, which the minister blamed on the sheer number of Canadians affected by the problem.

Complicating matters is the fact as many as 120,000 of the affected veterans, notably those who served in the Second World War and in Korea, have died.

O’Regan’s spokesman, Alex Wellstead, said their survivors and estates will still be eligible.

Parent said the error would have had a disproportionate impact on low-income veterans from the Second World War and Korea who relied on their pensions, and while he couldn’t say exactly how it happened, he www.canadianinquirer.net

Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan.

hoped the government will ensure it is not repeated.

News of the error and compensation came as the New Democrats tabled a motion on Monday designed to pressure the Liberals to spend $372 million that’s been earmarked for veterans’ benefits in recent years but wasn’t spent.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said veterans have received inadequate assistance and faced barriers when it comes to accessing services and support for far too long because money approved by Parliament ends up going unused and being returned to the treasury.

The routine of letting money “lapse” needs to end, Singh said, which is why the NDP decided to use a rare opposition day to introduce a non-binding motion calling on the government to roll unspent money into budgets for the next year.

Members of Parliament were scheduled to debate the motion into the evening on Monday and vote on it Tuesday.

Successive governments have defended their inability to spend all the money set aside for veterans, saying they often ask Parliament for too much money to ensure there isn’t a shortfall when former service members need assistance.

O’Regan was to make the same point in the House of

SEAMUS O'REGAN / FACEBOOK

Commons on Monday night, saying in prepared remarks: “Whether 10 veterans come forward or 10,000, no veteran who is eligible for a benefit will be turned away because we do not have the funds.

“If a veteran is eligible for a benefit, they get it. When that pendulum swings the other way and there are fewer veterans seeking a particular benefit; the money stays in the consolidated revenue.”

Critics, however, have blamed the lapses on long wait times and other barriers that make it difficult for veterans to access services, and said the unspent money could be used to help veterans in a variety of other ways.

There also remains an ongoing issue with many veterans not knowing what benefits and services are actually available, Parent said.

“If you’re going to allocate funds to administer and deliver benefits, you should make sure that the population that you’re actually trying to help knows about it,” he said. “If communications in Veterans Affairs Canada would be better, more people may apply for benefits and therefore there wouldn’t be any more funds lapsing at the end of the year.” ■ with reporting by Janice Dickson

Canada News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

17

Ontario Proud’s arrival on federal scene renews fears about third party collusion

BY JOAN BRYDEN The Canadian Press OTTAWA — A conservative political advocacy group that was instrumental in taking down the Liberals in Ontario is going national, aiming to do to Justin Trudeau what it did to Kathleen Wynne.

But the arrival of Ontario Proud on the federal scene renews questions about when political advocacy crosses the line into collusion with a political party, enabling the party to raise and spend more money than legally allowed and, in the process, undoing decades of effort to neutralize the influence of big money on Canadian elections.

Ontario Proud was founded

by Jeff Ballingall, a digitally savvy former Harper-era Conservative staffer and erstwhile employee of the short-lived

Sun News Network.

It unabashedly promoted Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives in last spring’s Ontario election, using social media to create viral videos and memes that mercilessly mocked Wynne before shifting to attack the NDP once polls showed the premier’s party cratering.

In a “victory update” to supporters in June, Ballingall boasted that Ontario Proud’s Facebook content was viewed almost 67 million times — more interactions than the Facebook pages of the three main parties, their leaders, the unions and all other political advocacy groups “combined!”

The group ran “an aggressive voter contact campaign” to identify Progressive Conservative supporters and mobilize them to vote, by way of one million-plus text messages and 2.5 million phone calls. It hired

“street teams” to hand out 15,000 brochures and mailed out 600 “unplug Wynne” lawn signs.

Ontario Proud “drove the narrative” of the campaign, Ballingall boasted in the update.

“We delivered on our goals: a defeat of the Kathleen Wynneled Liberals and a ‘sunlight’ campaign that exposed the NDP’s extreme candidates and agenda, ultimately helping to deliver a majority government for the Progressive Conservatives.”

All as a registered third party — legal parlance for a political advocacy group — that bills itself as a non-partisan, not-forprofit, grassroots organization.

And it’s now gearing up to the do the same for Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives in next fall’s federal election.

“Just like we did with Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Proud

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Jeff Ballingall, Ontario Proud founder.

@JEFFBALLINGALL / TWITTER

is building a war chest to take down Justin Trudeau,” the group announced in a recent fundraising email.

The Liberal party is bracing for the onslaught, warning in its own fundraising plea last week that Ontario Proud, “founded and directed by alumni of Stephen Harper’s government,” will use tactics known for “low-

ering the bar for political discourse.”

Ballingall says Ontario Proud’s precise plans for the Trudeau takedown will depend on the rules for third parties, which are in flux at the moment.

Currently under the Canada ❱❱ PAGE 18 Ontario Proud’s

18

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Ontario Proud’s... ❰❰ 17

Elections Act, third parties that spend more than $500 during a federal election must register with Elections Canada. They can spend just over $200,000 on advertising during a campaign but as much as they want before its official start. Whereas political parties are banned from accepting donations from corporations or unions and face a strict $1,575cap on individual donations, third parties face no restrictions on donors or the size of their contributions.

The act expressly forbids colluding with political parties to circumvent the spending limits imposed on parties in a bid to level the monetary playing field.

Despite that, in the run-up to the 2015 election, concern mounted that third parties in Canada were morphing into the kind of big-money political action committees that front for political parties in the U.S., rendering spending limits there virtually meaningless.

The fear was stoked by the emergence of Engage Canada, a group founded by one-time Liberal and NDP strategists who aimed to make Harper’s Conservatives “unelectable.”

In turn, former Conservative advisers created HarperPAC to support the Tories, a shortlived group that shut down after the Conservative campaign team objected.

Concerns were also raised about Canadian environmental advocacy groups using foreign money — primarily from the U.S. — to influence the outcome of the election.

In response, the Trudeau government has taken steps to rein in third parties in Bill C-76, omnibus legislation that the government intends to have in place in time for next fall’s election.

It would increase the spending limits for third parties but broaden the scope of expenses to cover all their political activities, not just advertising, and apply the limits to the months immediately prior to the elec-

tion call.

It would also spell out that collusion includes sharing of any information between a third party and a political party.

But there have been few instances in which third parties have been caught colluding in the past and C-76 is unlikely to change that in future.

“It’s very difficult to prove,” Marc Mayrand, Canada’s former chief electoral officer, said in an interview.

“Mere circumstances or coincidences are not sufficient. You have to establish there was at least a tacit agreement between the two parties to achieve a common goal.”

In one of the rare instances where proof was established, Fair Vote Canada, a group that promotes proportional representation, and an NDP campaign manager were found to have colluded in a 2017 byelection in Ottawa-Vanier.

According to compliance agreements struck with the commissioner of elections last May, the two admitted to work-

ing together to produce a brochure that denounced Trudeau for reneging on his promise of electoral reform and urged electors to vote for either the NDP or Green candidates. The campaign manager also advised Fair Vote Canada on where to distribute the pamphlet for maximum impact.

For their part, both Ontario Proud and the Conservative party deny they are working in concert.

“We don’t take orders from anyone,” Ballingall said in an interview.

He insisted Ontario Proud, which has sister organizations in British Columbia and Alberta, is pro-Conservative only to the extent that it is “the lesser of evils.”

“Obviously, we have our own proclivity for smaller government, more responsible government, for stronger national defence,” he said.

“So obviously that aligns more with the Conservatives but it’s not like we’re rah-rah pro-Conservative; we’re just mostly (saying), ‘We need to

stop Justin Trudeau because he’s bad for Canada.”‘ Although former Conservative MP Maxime Bernier’s upstart People’s Party of Canada might also be viewed as a natural ally, Ballingall ruled out supporting that option, calling Bernier “more or less a joke.”

Conservative party spokesman Cory Hann likewise insisted “there’s no affiliation whatsoever” with Ontario Proud.

Mayrand believes the elections commissioner might be “much better equipped to detect incidents of collusion” in future thanks to new powers conferred in C-76 to compel testimony and demand the production of documents.

Still, given the way third parties have been evolving, he thinks limits may eventually have to be imposed on who can donate and how much they can give to third parties — as is done for political parties.

“Otherwise,” Mayrand said, “it’s a run around the Elections Act.” ■

‘Same trends:’ Researcher warns Canadian life expectancy could fall like in U.S.

BY BOB WEBER The Canadian Press TORONTO — A paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests life expectancy in Canada could be threatened by the same factors that are causing it to fall in the United States.

“There are some signs which are pointing in the same direction,” said Juergen Rehm of Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a large teaching and research hospital.

“We find the same (trends), to a much lesser degree, in Canada.”

Rehm said life expectancy in the U.S. has begun to decline slightly — something so rare in a rich nation that the last time it occurred in the U.S. was during the Second World War. Most of the new decline is due to an increase of “deaths of despair”: drug overdoses, suicide or alcohol abuse.

The increase deaths are heavily correlated to areas with

poorer and more rural people, said Rehm.

“Ninety per cent of what’s happening with deaths of despair in the United States is happening in rural America,” he said. “You cannot let large parts of a country have a net loss in salary over 10 to 15 years and expect those people to be as happy and as clear as before.”

In a commentary in the journal, Rehm said a similar trend appears to be taking hold in Canada.

Overdose deaths have been increasing, to about 4,000 in 2017. “They used to be under 2,000 not that long ago,” Rehm said.

Deaths from alcohol-related diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver are also increasing.

And while Canadian income inequality is far from U.S. levels, Rehm points to World Bank figures showing it is on the rise.

“Our life expectancy is increasing, but it’s plateauing.”

Findings from a separate paper in the same journal back

him up.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the average Canadian lifespan is 82 years — still the 10th-longest in the world.

But it’s up only slightly from 81 years in 2006. And Canada’s current ranking is two notches lower than it was a decade ago.

The same study finds the death rate from mental and substance use disorders increased by 11 per cent from 2006 to 2016.

The agency found Canadians are generally in good health, although health issues in an aging population are shifting to disease and disability.

Rehm said there are ways for Canada to avoid a decline in life expectancy driven by deaths of despair.

Don’t make booze cheap, for one. Rehm refers to dozens of studies linking price and availability of alcohol to its abuse.

“We have people speaking about one buck a beer, or nonsense like that,” said Rehm, referring to a popular campaign www.canadianinquirer.net

CARIBB / FLICKR, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

promise by Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

Rehm also suggested doctors need to re-examine why and when they prescribe opioid painkillers.

“While Canada has seen half the prescription opioids in the U.S., we’re still the secondhighest country in the world.”

And politicians need to think about the impact of what they pass into law.

“We should allow those poli-

cies that are at least not worsening our gap between the rich and the poor.”

Rehm makes no apologies about straddling the worlds of health research and economic policy.

“I’m a statistician,” he said.

“I’m not a member of a political party, I’m not a member of anything. I look at the data.

“Will I convince everybody?

No, but I’ll do my best.” ■

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19

Obama praises Donnelly, says voters don’t want ‘a yes man’

BY BRIAN SLODYSKO AND SARA BURNETT The Associated Press GARY, IND. — Former President Barack Obama praised Indiana Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly on Sunday for being willing to break with his party, telling a roaring crowd at a rally in the state that “you don’t want just a yes man.”

Donnelly has sounded more like President Donald Trump while trying to persuade voters in the conservative Midwestern state to grant him a second term. He’s angered some Democrats by tacking to the right in recent weeks and embracing some of Trump’s pet priorities, such as building a border wall with Mexico.

But Obama told voters during the rally in Gary that Donnelly “tries to do right by people” — not just his party — and noted he supported the Affordable Care Act, the health care overhaul passed under Obama.

“Joe Donnelly and I didn’t agree all the time. But Joe always let me know where he stood and I knew what he believed in and that he always was focused on: ‘What’s the best thing for the Hoosiers that he served?”‘ Obama said. “He was honest and he was direct. So you can count on that. That’s what you want. You don’t want just a yes man all the time.”

Obama’s stop was sandwiched between his successor’s trips to the state Friday and

Monday on behalf of GOP Senate candidate Mike Braun.

For Braun, a businessman who has campaigned as a steadfast Trump ally, the current president’s appearances in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are no-brainers in a state he won two years ago by 19 points. But for Donnelly, who frequently touts how often he votes with Trump, the Obama rally was a little more complicated.

“If he does need to inoculate himself from some of his firmer conservative rhetoric, it’s a pretty effective way to do it,” said Christina Hale, a former state lawmaker and the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2016.

Obama has proven a polarizing figure with independent and Republican voters and is credited with some of Indiana’s rightward political shift, even though he won the state in 2008. To win in Tuesday’s election, Donnelly not only needs high turnout from his party’s base but also must peel off some moderate Republicans and independents.

That’s why Sunday’s rally in Gary, a heavily AfricanAmerican city that has more in common with the Democratic stronghold of nearby Chicago than deep red parts of the state, could prove strategic.

The northwest Indiana region supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, and driving turnout there on Tuesday will be critical for Donnelly.

A spokesman for Braun, Josh

BECKYF / FLICKR, CC BY 2.0)

Kelley, said Donnelly was “doubling down on the liberal resistance movement” by campaigning with Obama.

Obama criticized Republicans for passing a tax bill that benefited the wealthy, and for trying to end protections for pre-existing conditions provided through the Affordable Care Act. And without mentioning Trump’s name, he told the crowd they could return the country to a kinder, less divisive kind of politics.

“On Tuesday you can vote for politics that is decent and honest and lawful and tries to do right by people like Joe Donnelly does,” he said, adding at one point that his voice was growing hoarse from all his campaigning in recent days.

Trump was keenly aware of Obama’s visit, which he mentioned Friday during an event at an Indianapolis-area high school.

“It’s no surprise that Joe Donnelly is holding a rally this weekend with Barack H. Obama,” Trump said as the crowd jeered. He later added: “We don’t want to go back to the Obama days.”

As a red-state Democrat, Donnelly has had a target on his back ever since he unexpectedly defeated Republican Richard Mourdock in 2012, when the former state treasurer said a woman who gets pregnant from her rapist is carrying a “gift from God.” Donnelly has walked a delicate line since then, often frus-

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trating his own party and Republicans alike with the votes he takes.

Trump was having none of it on Friday, tying Donnelly to “radical left” figures in the party who are widely reviled by the GOP base.

“This Tuesday I need the people of Indiana to send a message to Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters and the radical Democrats by voting for Mike Braun,” Trump said as the crowd erupted in boos. “I’m really speaking more to the television cameras than to you because I don’t think we have too many Donnelly voters.

Anybody going to vote for Donnelly in this room?”

The boos grew even louder. ■

CLOSE DAVIS TO VIL SUBW LE AY STOP

20

World News

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

FRIDAY

Trump calls Fox’s Hannity onstage at campaign rally

BY DAVID BAUDER The Associated Press NEW YORK — Sean Hannity spoke from the stage of President Donald Trump’s last midterm election rally on Monday, after Fox News Channel and its most popular personality had insisted all day that he wouldn’t.

Hannity appeared on the podium in a Missouri arena after being called to the stage by Trump. Another Fox News host, Jeanine Pirro, also appeared onstage with the president.

“By the way, all those people in the back are fake news,” Hannity told the audience.

It was an extraordinary scene after the news network had worked Monday to establish distance between Hannity and the campaign. Trump’s campaign had billed Hannity as a “special guest” at the rally, but Fox had said that wasn’t so.

Hannity himself had tweeted: “To be clear, I will not be on stage campaigning with the

president. I am covering final rally for the show.”

But Trump called him to the stage after saying, “they’re very special, they’ve done an incredible job for us. They’ve been with us from the beginning.”

Hannity hugged the president when he came onstage and, after echoing Trump’s traditional epithets about the media, recited some economic statistics.

A Fox News spokeswoman did not immediate return a message seeking comment.

“Either Fox News lied all day about their direct collaboration with the Trump campaign, or the network simply doesn’t have any control over Sean Hannity,” said Angelo Carusone, president of the liberal media watchdog Media Matters for America, which has urged an advertiser boycott of Hannity in the past. “This is a problem.

It’s dangerous for democracy and a threat to a free press.”

Hannity has been rebuked

by Fox in the past. In 2016, he was part of a Trump political

GAGE SKIDMORE / FLICKR, CC BY-SA 2.0

video, which Fox said it had not known about in advance and told Hannity not to do so again.

When Fox found out in 2010 that the Tea Party had advertised that Hannity would be appearing at one of his fundraising rallies, Fox said it had not approved the arrangement and ordered him back to New York.

Monday’s rally appearance was not shown on Fox News Channel, but was aired on C-

www.canadianinquirer.net

SPAN. It came after Hannity’s prime-time show aired from the rally site. He played the role of cheerleader from the side as the crowd waited for Trump’s appearance. He pleaded with viewers to vote Republican on Tuesday to support Trump, and his opening monologue echoed a campaign slogan seen on signs at the arena: “Promises made, promises kept.”

He moved backstage, and with six minutes before the end of his show, Trump appeared for a billed interview that was largely bereft of questions.

Trump told Hannity he had seen the beginning of his show.

“I never miss your opening monologue,” he said.

Hannity’s role at the rally had been put in question by Trump campaign itself. It announced on Sunday that Hannity was to be a guest, along with radio commentator Rush Limbaugh and singer Lee Greenwood. Fox said it did not know how that impression had been created and Michael Glassner, chief operating officer for the campaign, did not respond to a request for comment.

Despite Fox’s disavowal, the Trump campaign continued to list Hannity as a guest throughout Monday at the link where people could seek tickets to the event. ■ Associated Press writer Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.

21

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

USOC moves to shut down USA Gymnastics after Nassar scandal

BY EDDIE PELLS The Associated Press THE U.S. Olympic Committee took steps Monday to decertify USA Gymnastics as the governing body for the sport at the Olympic level, choosing to pursue the nuclear option for an organization that botched its own rebuilding attempt in the wake of a sex-abuse scandal involving former team doctor Larry Nassar.

In an open letter to the gymnastics community, USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland said “you deserve better,” and that the challenges facing USA Gymnastics are more than it is capable of overcoming as currently constructed.

The USOC itself also has faced criticism for not responding quickly and appropriately to sex abuse cases, and though the move was cheered by the gymnast whose own revelations helped propel Nassar’s years of abuse to the fore — “THANK YOU,” tweeted Rachel Denhollander — others viewed it as a ploy to shift blame for the scandal.

“Today’s announcement by USOC seeks only to deflect from their total failure over decades to protect the gymnasts in their care,” said a statement from attorneys Michelle Simpson Tuegel and Mo Aziz, who represent Olympian Tasha Schwikert and her sister, Jordan, in their lawsuit against USAG and the USOC. Earlier this year, the USOC said it was seeking to remove itself as a defendant from a number of lawsuits — includ-

ing those filed by gold medallists McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman — claiming Nassar never worked for the federation, nor were his crimes foreseeable by the USOC. The lawsuits claim the USOC, as the umbrella organization that oversees USA Gymnastics, should have done more when it learned of the abuse.

It did push for new leadership at USA Gymnastics, but even with a new board of directors that started in June, the organization made repeated mistakes while dealing with the aftermath of revelations that the now-imprisoned Nassar molested Olympians while working as a volunteer. Those included the botched hiring of a program co-ordinator and an interim CEO to replace Kerry Perry, who lasted barely nine months on the job after the USOC forced out Steve Penny.

The announcement comes only days after the U.S. team brought home nine medals from the World Championships in the first major meet in the lead-up to Tokyo in 2020. Five of those were individual medals won by Olympic champion Simone Biles, who is among the athletes who have not hesitated to criticize the organization.

By moving to decertify USA Gymnastics, the USOC is taking major action against an organization that never grasped control over its own rebuilding. But the move could also leave a void that cannot be easily filled. In addition to supporting elite and Olympic athletes, and selecting teams and coaches for international competitions, USA Gymnastics serves more than

150,000 athletes in 3,000 clubs around the country. There is no other organization standing by to fill that need.

“Seeking to revoke recognition is not a decision that we have come to easily, but I believe it is the right action,” Hirshland said. “In the shortterm, we will work to ensure that America’s gymnasts have the support necessary to excel on and off the field of play. We are building plans to do just that no matter the outcome of the revocation process.”

The federal law that governs the USOC gives the federation final say on which organizations represent each sport at the Olympics, and also establishes a process to decertify the organizations. But that process is used only under the most extreme circumstances. One example came in 1994 when the USOC recommended decertifying the NRA as the governing body for shooting, and the NRA accepted the decision. The USOC also has dictated changes and placed its own administrators in charge of smaller NGBs in need of overhauls. The USOC could take a major role in shaping, even possibly running, whatever agency takes USA Gymnastics’ place.

Hirshland said she has given USA Gymnastics the option of surrendering its recognition voluntarily, though there was no indication of which direction USAG would go. It issued a statement saying it was looking at the USOC letter “and is evaluating the best path forward for our athletes, professional members, the organization and staff.”

Sarah Hirshland.

The statement detailed the challenges the new board has faced since taking over in June.

It is in search of its fourth president and CEO in the last 19 months thanks to a series of resignations, all of them under pressure from the USOC or the gymnastics’ community at large.

Penny — named as a co-defendant in several civil lawsuits filed by former elite gymnasts— stepped down in March 2017.

He was arrested last month and charged with destroying or hiding documents related to Nassar’s activities at the Karolyi Ranch, the ex-national training centre near Huntsville, Texas, where a number of gymnasts said Nassar abused them.

The organization named Perry as Penny’s replacement but her tenure lasted barely nine months. She was criticized by several high-profile gymnasts, Biles included, for failing to offer a clear vision on the way forward and quit in September.

Her resignation came shortly after the hiring, then quick removal, of Mary Lee Tracy as

@USOC_CEO / TWITTER

elite development co-ordinator; Tracy had been supportive of Nassar when the allegations first surfaced.

USA Gymnastics brought on former U.S. Representative Mary Bono to serve as interim president and CEO last month.

Bono didn’t last a week, stepping away after drawing criticism for an Instagram post she made shortly before she was hired that was critical of Nike placing former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick at the forefront of a marketing campaign.

All these moves simply added fuel to those who were seeking the total dismantling of USAG. Olympian Jamie Dantzscher, the first gymnast to sue USAG, said she grew tired of USAG’s “cynical PR statements about how much they care about athletes.”

“It is time for this organization to be replaced,” she said.

“My only regret is that it has taken the U.S. Olympic Committee so long to act.” ■ AP Sports Writer Will Graves contributed to this report.

Data recovered from crashed Lion Air data recorder: official THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JAKARTA, INDONESIA — Investigators succeeded in retrieving hours of data from a crashed Lion Air jet’s flight recorder as Indonesian authorities on Sunday extended the search at sea for victims and debris.

National Transportation Safety Committee deputy

chairman Haryo Satmiko told a news conference that 69 hours of flight data was downloaded from the recorder including its fatal flight.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet crashed just minutes after takeoff from Jakarta on Oct. 29, killing all 189 people on board in the country’s worst airline disaster since 1997.

The flight data recorder was

recovered by divers on Thursday in damaged condition and investigators said it required special handling to retrieve its information. The cockpit voice recorder has not been recovered but searchers are focusing on a particular area based on a weak locator signal.

National Search and Rescue Agency chief Muhammad Syaugi said Sunday the search opwww.canadianinquirer.net

eration, now in its 7th day and involving hundreds of personnel and dozens of ships, would continue for another three days.

Syaugi paid tribute to a volunteer diver, Syahrul Anto, who died during the search effort on Friday. The family of the 48-year-old refused an autopsy and he was buried Saturday in Surabaya.

More than 100 body bags of

human remains had been recovered. Syaugi said the number would continue to increase and remains were also now washing up on land.

He said weak signals, potentially from the cockpit voice recorder, were traced to a location but an object hadn’t been found yet due to deep seabed ❱❱ PAGE 22 Data recovered

22

World News

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

FRIDAY

Sri Lanka president summons Jury selection Parliament amid political crisis begins for El

BY BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI The Associated Press

some observers have called a constitutional crisis.

Since his ouster, Wickremesinghe has remained at Temple Trees, the official residence of the prime minister — insisting he is still the legitimate leader because he commands majority support in Parliament.

Wickremesinghe said in an interview with The Associated

Rajapaksa, after one lawmaker from their party joined Rajapaksa’s government.

The Tamil party’s 15 votes COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — Sri could give Wickremesinghe’s Lanka’s president issued an camp a decisive edge over Rajorder Sunday for Parliament apaksa. to reconvene on Nov. 14, when Some 120 lawmakers were lawmakers will get the chance expected by Sunday to support to hold a confidence vote on the a no-confidence vote against nation’s former strongman who Rajapaksa, according to AP has been named prime miniscount. ter.

After sacking The anWickremesingnouncement he, Sirisena anmade in a decree nounced that comes amid a he made the political crisis in Sirisena suspended Parliament replacement the South Asian in an apparent attempt to give in part because island nation Rajapaksa time to muster support Wickremesinghe sparked when to survive any no-confidence vote. and a Cabinet President Maicolleague were thripala Sirisena behind an aldismissed Prime leged assassinaMinister Ranil tion plot against Wickremesinghe and his Cabi- Press that there is credible evi- him. net and replaced him with Ma- dence that Rajapaksa’s party is Details of the alleged plot hinda Rajapaksa last month. attempting to buy support in have not been disclosed and Sirisena suspended Parlia- Parliament. Palitha Range Ban- Wickremesinghe has repeatment in an apparent attempt to dara, a United National Party edly denied the accusation. give Rajapaksa time to muster lawmaker, has said that he was Tensions had been building support to survive any no-con- offered millions of dollars and a between Sirisena and Wickfidence vote. minister portfolio if he crossed remesinghe for some time, as Political opponents, rights over. the president did not approve groups and foreign governLawmakers from Rajapaksa’s of economic reforms introments including the United party have denied the allega- duced by the prime minister.

States and European Union tions.

Sirisena was also critical of have urged Sirisena to sumHowever, seven members investigations into military mon Parliament immediately from Wickremesinghe’s United personnel accused of human and end the crisis. Thousands National Front have defected to rights violations during Sri of Sri Lankans also protested in Rajapaksa’s government.

Lanka’s long civil war, which the capital in the past week deOn Saturday, the Tamil Na- ended in 2009. manding Sirisena immediately tional Alliance —an ethnic miRajapaksa is credited as a convene Parliament. nority Tamil party— said that hero by Sri Lanka’s ethnic SinSirisena’s moves have trig- it will support a no-confidence halese majority for ending the gered a power struggle that motion to be brought against conflict.

Chapo’s US trial

BY TOM HAYS The Associated Press NEW YORK — Jury selection began Monday for the U.S. trial of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman with potential jurors, including a self-described professional Michael Jackson impersonator, quizzed about how much they knew about Guzman’s reputation as a ruthless drug lord in Mexico.

They were also questioned in Brooklyn’s federal court about their views on the legalization of marijuana, their fluency in Spanish and their feelings toward both law enforcement and co-operating witnesses. Guzman sat at the defence table listening through an interpreter and wearing street clothes — a dark suit and a white shirt with an open collar — instead of a jail uniform for the first time since he was extradited to the United States early last year.

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to charges that his Sinaloa cartel smuggled tons of cocaine and other drugs, laundered billions of dollars and oversaw a ruthless campaign of murders and kidnappings. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Opening statements in the trial are expected Nov. 13.

Potential jurors arrived at the courthouse Monday to find it under tight security that in-

cluded heavily armed officers, some doing sweeps with bombsniffing dogs. Prosecutors have also sought to hide the identity of co-operating witnesses out of concerns the cartel could seek retribution, while a judge is keeping the jury anonymous to protect them from intimidation.

Most of the would-be jurors questioned at the outset said Guzman’s name “sounded familiar” to them. Some mentioned they were aware he had escaped from prison in Mexico.

Others recalled how he did an interview with actor Sean Penn while he was on the run.

One potential juror was excused after she indicated the case made her feel unsafe. Another was sent home after she said she couldn’t be impartial, saying, “I feel very bad about drugs.”

One man mentioned that a local deli near where he works has on a menu featuring a bagel sandwich with a name that was a reminder of Guzman.

“I don’t know why it’s called the ‘El Chapo,”‘ he said. “But it’s delicious.”

And as for the Michael Jackson impersonator, prosecutors expressed some concern his identity couldn’t be kept secret because there are so few people in his profession.

Both he and the sandwichlover were kept in the jury pool for the time being.

Data recovered... ❰❰ 21

mud.

Flight tracking websites show the plane had erratic speed and altitude during its 13 minute flight and a previous flight the day before from Bali to Jakarta.

Passengers on the Bali flight reported terrifying descents and in both cases the different cockpit crews requested to return to their departure airport shortly after takeoff. Lion has claimed a technical problem was fixed after the Bali fight.

Syaugi said a considerable amount of aircraft “skin” was

found on the seafloor but not a large intact part of its fuselage as he’d indicated was possible Saturday.

He and other top officials including the military chief plan to meet with families on Monday to explain the search operation.

The Lion Air crash is the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan. In December 2014, an AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore plunged into the sea, killing all 162 on board.

Indonesian airlines were barred in 2007 from flying to Europe because of safety concerns, though several were allowed to resume services in the following decade. The ban was completely lifted in June. The U.S. lifted a decade-long ban in 2016.

Lion Air is one of Indonesia’s youngest airlines but has grown rapidly, flying to dozens of domestic and international destinations. It has been expanding aggressively in Southeast Asia, a fast-growing region of more than 600 million people. www.canadianinquirer.net

El Chapo in US custody after his extradition from Mexico.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT VIA TED PSAHOS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

23

Entertainment Elmo Magalona, Janella Salvador spotted together after controversial rift

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer SOON AFTER Janella Salvador’s feature admitting physical abuse from her rumored exboyfriend actor Elmo Magalona, the two are seen together at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on October 31 as they depart for the Kapamilya concert in Canada. The “One Magical Night” tour includes stops in Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto and spans from November 2 to November 10.

Facebook group One Magical Night Canada 2018 Tour posts a video of Elmo and Janella accompanied by Kathryn Ber-

nardo and Daniel Padilla soon after the ex-couple was spotted at the airport together. The four Kapamilya stars are seen inviting Canadian fans to support their tour, Star Magic Philippines’ Instagram also posts a photograph of the celebrities.

Janella has been in the headlines the past few months following her cryptic tweets about her relationship with Elmo and the possibility of physical abuse.

On September 9, she tweeted, “I think everyone deserves someone who does not hurt them regardless if they’re drunk or not. Men who are raised properly are never supposed to hurt women no matter what.” A few weeks later, her mother Jenine

Desiderio tweets, “Fashion Pulis, how much did Pia Magalona pay you to publish a twisted cover-up story to clean up her son’s image? Da hell!”

Last week, Janella admits to the Philippine Star Elmo’s reaction as the two encountered an altercation last month. She reports that both of them are seeing psychologists and going through therapy, but she does not plan to work with her former love team partner again. In the interview, Janella tells journalist Ricky Lo, “There were so many voices trying to get into my head. I learned to just shut them off,” pertaining to the victim-blaming she receives on social media. She adds that

Elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador with Kathniel.

abuse can happen to everyone, “Even the most intelligent and respected women can be battered. No one is spared. And it’s never the fault of the abused; it’s the abuser who should be blamed.”

@STARMAGICPHILS / INSTAGRAM

Elmo Magalona’s party has yet to respond to the issue, but a few days after the exclusive interview, Janella was spotted at a bar in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) with fellow star Marco Gumabao.

With $50 million debut, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is no poor boy

BY JAKE COYLE The Associated Press NEW YORK — The Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” and 20th Century Fox are — for now, at least — champions of the world.

“Bohemian Rhapsody,” starring Rami Malek as the late Queen frontman, shrugged off production troubles and mediocre reviews to debut with $50 million in weekend ticket sales in U.S. and Canada, and another $72.5 million internationally, according to studio estimates Sunday. That was well beyond expectations, which had pegged the film closer to $35-40 million in its opening weekend.

But audiences rushed to theatres to see the widely praised performance by Malek, the “Mr. Robot” star, and to hear Queen’s foot-stomping anthems like “We are the Champions,” “Another One Bites the Dust” and the operatic title song. The movie, which Bryan

Singer directed before being replaced by Dexter Fletcher, at times has an almost concertlike feel, including a lengthy recreation of the band’s 1985 Live Aid performance.

“It really is a celebration of Queen and their music, and I think we did a really good job of letting people know that that’s what this is,” said Chris Aronson, distribution chief for Fox. In soaring to No. 1, the Fox release trounced one from Disney, which will soon own the studio. Despite a production budget of $125 million, the Walt Disney Co.’s lavish, big-budget “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” opened with just $20 million. Disney is set to merge with Fox in the coming months, effectively ending the 103-yearold Fox, one of Hollywood’s six major studios.

“We were hoping for a stronger start, but we do think it’s a film that people will find as we head into the holidays,” said Cathleen Taff, head of theatrical distribution for Disney.

Though Disney’s record of success is the envy of Hollywood, “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” marks the studio’s third misfire this year following the underperforming “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Solo.”

The studio’s CGI-stuffed resurrection of E.T.A. Hoffmann story was positioned as an early holiday season release, but flopped with critics (34 per cent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) and sparked only modest interest from audiences. It grossed $38.5 million overseas.

“Bohemian Rhapsody,” made for $52 million, was largely dismissed by critics as an overly conventional rock biopic (60 per cent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes). But the film proved more popular with moviegoers, who gave the PG-13 release, produced by Graham King, an A CinemaScore and 4 1/2 stars out of five on Comscore’s PostTrak audience survey.

“Even in the negativity that came out of critics, there was always a ‘but,’ almost univerwww.canadianinquirer.net

sally: ‘But Rami is great,”‘ noted Aronson. “I’m very happy for Graham and Rami and the entire filmmaking team. And I’m happy for the home team. This is a big win for Fox.” Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, praised Fox’s rollout of the film as “pitch perfect.” Dergarabedian also cited Malek’s breakout big-screen performance and the sustained interest in all things musical at the box office.

Musically based films have lately been major draws in theatres, from Fox’s own “The Greatest Showman” earlier in the year to Warner Bros.’ Oscar favourite “A Star Is Born,” which collected another $11.1 million in its fifth weekend for $165.6 million overall.

“It seems that audiences can’t get enough of movies that have music baked into their DNA,” Dergarabedian said. “That’s proving to be a very successful formula.”

Another winning formula — Tiffany Haddish plus anything

— came up short over the weekend.

“Nobody’s Fool,” which paired Haddish with another box-office force in writer-director-producer Tyler Perry, opened in third with a so-so $14 million. While far from disastrous for a movie that cost $19 million to make, the muted performance of “Nobody’s Fool” seemed likely a result of oversaturation. Two films starring Haddish — “Night School” and “The Oath” — have opened in the past six weeks, and “Night School” is still No. 12 at the box office.

In limited release, Joel Edgerton’s acclaimed gay conversion therapy drama “Boy Erased,” starring Lucas Hedges, opened with a strong per-theatre average of $44,000 in five theatres.

Matthew Heineman’s “A Private War,” starring Rosamund Pike as war correspondent Marie Colvin, opened in four theatres with a per-theatre average of $18,000.

24

Entertainment

Producer considers continuing Rico J. Puno’s concert despite passing

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE PRODUCER of the Original Pinoy Music (OPM) legend Rico J. Puno’s concert, along with host-actress Giselle Sanchez and singer-comedienne Marissa Sanchez, is considering not to cancel the show even after the icon’s passing.

In an interview with Philippine Entertainment Portal (Pep.ph) on All Saints’ Day, November 1, Rico’s daughter, Tosca Puno, said she was asked by the producer, whom she referred to as “Tita (Aunt) Baby,” if they will still push through with the concert, Music and Laughter (Sana, Tatlo Ang Puso Ko), which will be held on November 23 at The Theater at Solaire, Parañaque City.

In response to this, Tosca said, ”‘Tita, kung buhay si Papa ngayon (Aunt, if father is still alive), knowing his character, the show must go on.’ Parang… kung ano ang sinimulan niya, dapat tapusin natin (Like… whatever he has started, we must finish it).”

Tosca shared that she and her father was supposed to have a surprise duet on the concert that Rico had conceptualized.

“Kakantahin po sana namin ‘yung (We were supposed to sing) ‘Climb Every Mountain.’

Pinapraktis na po namin (We were practicing it already),” she told Pep.ph “Tapos, noong namatay na siya… ibinulong ko, ‘Papa, ‘di ba, may duet pa tayo (And when he

Late Rico J. Puno.

died… I whispered to him, ‘Father, we still have a duet to do, right)?’“ she added.

If the concert will push through on November 23, Rico’s daughter said her brother, Rox Puno, will be the one to represent their father on stage.

“Ang galing pong maggitara ni Rox (Rox is good at playing guitar),” she said.

It was on October 23, Tuesday, when the OPM legend joined the Lord Creator at the age of 65 due to heart failure, according to his sister-in-law, Anna Puno.

Rico recently staged his 40th anniversary in the local music scene as well as a United States (US) tour along with other OPM icons in the Philippines, but little did everyone know, that that will be his last performance in the live entertainment world.

The veteran singer, known for his songs such as Macho Gwapito, Kapalaran, and May Bukas Pa, was also recently seen in national television, joining other judges in It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan.

On Friday, as the country commemorates All Souls’ Day, hosts of It’s Showtime remembered their unforgettable moments with Rico, who was hailed as “The Total Entertainer.”

Before the hosts, several local artists, such as Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, Jessa Zaragoza, Ogie Alcasid, Zsazsa Padilla, Jenine Desiderio, among others, already took to social media to pay tribute to the OPM legend. Some netizens gave their goodbye messages to Rico.

@RICOJPUNO / INSTAGRAM

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

FRIDAY

Bossa Nova singer Sitti Navarro welcomes first child

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer SINGER SITTI Navarro announces to her fans the birth of her first child with husband Joey Ramirez, baby girl Issiah Danelle who was born through a cesarean section (CS) at 1:30 pm on Saturday, November 3.

Sitti shares the news on her Instagram account posting a photo of the happy family, captioned, “God’s timing is truly amazing. Yesterday morning, I had a feeling that we would deliver soon because Lilibubs would kick me so strongly as if she really wanted to go out already.” She explains the rest of the story saying, “Lilibubs was delivered at just the right time. And she waited for her Daddy to get home before my contractions started. Joey arrived last night. Yesterday and this morning, I’ve been having contractions. Lilibubs’ heart rate decelerated twice so we had to go through emergency CS,” adding a photo of husband ‘Joey ready for his daughter’s delivery wearing a surgical cap and mask. Sitti also adds, “My

Sitti Navarro and Joey Ramirez with their newborn Issiah Danelle. @BOSSAGURL / INSTAGRAM

amniotic fluid was already low, and that Lilibubs twisted her umbilical cord so much because she moved a lot — kaya raw siguro (that’s why maybe) her heartbeat decelerated.”

Sitti was also consistent on reporting about the story of her delivery through her Instagram stories, one video was a close-up of Issiah with Sitti saying, “Lilibubs responding to her Dadd’s voice. I’m in love, am in awe.”

Sitti and Joey married in May 2015. A week before Issiah was born, Joey’s father passed

away, with Sitti commemorating “Daddy Dan” through a series of Instagram posts right before her baby’s birth. Sitti tells her followers, “I take sorrow in how Lilibubs will never get to know just how wonderful and kind and loving and joyful a grandfather she has, but I also take comfort knowing just how happy you are now that you are with our Savior.” She adds on a light note when talking about her father-in-law, “How lucky I am to have been able to call you Daddy, even for a short while.”

Joey Mead King’s partner Angie involved in lifethreatening car accident

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer PROFESSIONAL SPORTS car driver Angie Mead King finds herself in the “shortest race” of her career as she got into a life threatening accident last Sunday, November 4 in Monza, Italy, which left her car completely damaged.

In an Instagram post, Angie reports that she did not get hurt, but the “devastating weekend” left her “sore and depressed with how [her] Finali Mondiali turned out to be a derby instead of a race,” with Angie reflecting, “I am glad I was able to walk away from this www.canadianinquirer.net

accident.”

Model Joey Mead King, who was always supportive of her spouse ever since Angie came out as transgender in 2016, also took to Instagram to share her thoughts. “This weekend was a tough one for Ange,” she shares, but also clarifies, “She is okay!

Not a scratch on her!”

Joey describes feeling “fear, anxiety, and sheer panic” during the incident, adding, “As you can see, the car took a major beating earlier. My heart stopped, my mind blew up, and I ran out to track pit like a bat out of hell looking for her. All I could think was to find her and hold her. Seeing the four-car crashes for the finale race today

had everyone in the hospital room scream in shock.”

She concludes, “You know I support [Angie] and her passions, I love her. But, my god I’m happy [that] race week is done for the year.” With the following of the couple totalling to more than 300,000 followers on social media, as a word to their fans, Joey posts, “Thank you for all the love and typed words of support,” then jokes that Angie should “find another passion.”

Joey and Angelina, who was formerly known as “Ian,” got married in November 2011. Angie is known as the founder of the vehicle service and maintenance shops Gi Automotive Car Porn Racing.

Entertainment

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

25

James Reid surprises girlfriend Nadine with ride in Ferrari for birthday

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Cesar Montano.

@CESAR_MONTANO / INSTAGRAM

Cesar Montano speaks up about viral video greeting

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

requests to focus on the background instead of me. And a hundred other requests are for my voice-over greeting only so the video will zoom in on the ACTOR CESAR Montano has finally background (laughs),” he added. spoken about his birthday video greetAs the said clip surfaced online, seving which recently went viral as an ap- eral netizens also uploaded their own parently naked woman was caught in versions of Cesar’s viral video. the background.

The resigned Tourism board chief, In his controversial video, Cesar was however, did not take offense of the only greeting a councilor whom he ad- spoofs as he himself enjoyed watching dressed as Chris Morales of Sta. Ana those videos. when a woman, who appeared to have “My favorite spoof is by Buknoy. It tono clothes, started walking in the frame. tally cracked me up,” Cesar said.

“Happy birthday Kagawad (CouncilBuknoy, in his entry, was sending his or) Chris Morales of birthday greeting Sta. Ana. More power when a naked man to you. Don’t forget na was seen in the mirmerong Cesar Monror attached on the tanong nagsu-supThe resigned wall at the back. port sa iyo, si Buboy Tourism board Cesar’s video (Do not forget that chief, however, greeting has sparked there is a Cesar Mondid not take curiosity among netitano who will always offense of the zens as to who could support you, there spoofs as he be the woman in the is Buboy). Love you himself enjoyed background. Some men. Happy birthwatching those social media users day. God bless,” Cesar videos. speculated that it was said in the video clip. actress Bela Padilla, It is still unclear but the latter was whether the mysquick to deny it. terious woman was On Friday, the actually naked or she was just wearing 52-year-old actor posted another birthflesh-toned clothing, but many netizens day greeting, this time, for GMA News assumed that the woman had no clothes anchor Arnold Clavio, who just celebraton. ed his 52nd birthday.

On Saturday, Cesar explained his viIn his birthday greeting, Cesar was ral video through his friend, Dolly Anne seen sitting in a sofa chair, saying, ”KonCarjaval, who published the actor’s sehal (Councilor) Igan, happy birthday. statement in her column on the Philip- ‘Wag mong kakalimutan na merong pine Daily Inquirer.

Buboy na nagmamahal sa’yo (Do not for“Bff (Best friend forever), you won’t get that there is Buboy who loves you). believe that I get thousands of requests God bless you. More power.” for video birthday greetings,” Cesar told At the end of the clip, he then jested, Dolly through a text message.

“Sorry, walang (there is no) background “But the thing is, I can’t grant their ha,” referring to his viral video. ■

JADINE FANS went wild after videos circulated of Kapamilya star James Reid surprising his love team partner and offscreen girlfriend Nadine Lustre with a ride in a luxury sports car for her birthday.

Nadine celebrated her birthday on Wednesday, October 31, where she dressed up as the “Powerpuff Girls” villain HIM, for Halloween. The video, initially posted by their friend photographer Andrei Suleik shows James then stepping out of the white Ferrari to greet Nadine for their celebrations.

Numerous fans re-posted the video, one saying in Filipino, “Ate got ‘shookt’ from the birthday gift of ‘hubby,’ you deserve that.”

There are many speculations that the car was James’ gift to Nadine, yet the two have yet to make it clear. The Ferrari 488 Spider is reported to cost a total

of P27 million.

To continue her birthday festivities, both James and Nadine performed at the celebration in The Island PH located in Taguig – the two representing artists from Careless Manila Music label. Other artists who also performed include Sophia Romualdez, Curtismith, Astro Kidd, Massiah, and Bret Jackson. In a series of photos, James shares about the event on his social media, one particular image holding a cake onstage as his girlfriend blows out the candles.

In an Instagram post, Nadine thanks her loved ones saying in honor of her birthday, saying, “Thank you all for making last Halloween super special again!

Been on my toes for a couple of months now and it’s making me dizzy… but it’s cool. I’m 25, alive and it’s a vibe!”

James and Nadine have announced their real-life relationship in February 2016, after the two have starred in films like “Diary ng Panget,” “Talk Back and You’re Dead,” and “On the Wings of Love,” and “This Time” together. ■

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26

Lifestyle Saints inspire people and connect them to God: parish priest

BY MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA Philippines News Agency DUMAGUETE CITY — In an unexpected encounter that he never dreamed of, Catholic priest Msgr. Julius Perpetuo S. Heruela found himself suddenly face to face with the heart relic of the popular Capuchin friar, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio. Padre Pio’s relic, which had visited several places in the Philippines this October, was brought to nearby Cebu for a few days to allow devotees to come and venerate it.

Msgr. Heruela, a long-time devotee of the saint — an Italian priest of the Order of the Franciscan Friars Capuchin (OFM Capuchin) — recounted that he was at the sacristy at a church in Cebu after a mass in honor of Padre Pio when he found that the glass casing containing the “incorrupt” heart was opened, perhaps for cleaning after hundreds of people had venerated it.

And there he stood, almost like frozen in time, staring at the heart of the saint he adored, admired, prayed to for intercession, the very same person whose life has inspired and strengthened him to carry on amidst trials and troubles.

“Ang kalinaw sa kasing-kasing sa akong pagkapari (the peace in my heart as a priest),” was what he felt the minute he laid his eyes on the heart of Padre Pio, the Capuchin friar who was gifted with the stigmata or the five wounds of Christ.

He shared that with his devotion to Santo Padre Pio, he received answers to his prayers through the saint’s intercession, especially with all the trials that he faces as a priest.

Asked why devotees like him venerate saints and seek their intercession, Msgr. Heruela, who is the parish priest of the St. Augustine of Hippo Parish in Bacong, Negros Oriental, explained that “sila ang mu ampo para kanato aron pod kita malangit (they are the ones who pray for us that we, too, would be able to go to heaven).”

In some countries, that is the essence of Halloween or the three-day liturgical celebration of the Western Christian Church in honor of the saints, martyrs, and the faithful departed.

Halloween, also known as All Hallows Day, is celebrated on October 31st, the eve of All Saints Day, which falls on Nov. 1, and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2.

According to Heruela, “sa simbahan gisaulog nato ang kapistahan sa tanang mga santos, ilabi na kadtong wala nato nailhan (we celebrate in our church the feast of all the saints, many of whom are forgotten).”

Because of the countless saints in the Catholic Church, people do not know all of them, only those that are known for their “miraculous” intercessions, he said.

Also, there are the dead relatives who are now in heaven and are also thought of as “saints” and they, along with the canonized saints and the martyrs, pray for the people who are still

on earth, he pointed out.

“It is also a reminder for us that we should be inspired nga kita maningkamot nga mabalaan ang atong kinabuhi masantoson pod kita aron kita malangit pod (that we should strive to live holy and saintly lives, so we can also go to heaven), Heruela said.

“These are the heroes of our church and their lives set an example for the people to follow,” he added.

When people venerate the saints, it is an act of faith that they believe in, since the saints are closer to God, that they can bring forth their petitions and prayers to Him, and in fact, some saints are even known to be “miraculous,” he said.

Heruela further explained that saints can do miraculous things and prayers are also answered through them by the grace of God. And so, people have saints of their choice, whether for per-

www.canadianinquirer.net

sonal intercessions or for common and shared reasons, he said.

For instance, a parish may choose St. Isidore, The Farmer, as their patron saint, because he is known for his intercessory prayers for good harvests.

Others may also choose a saint, also known as a hallow, as their personal patron or for certain invocations, such as St. Anthony who is venerated worldwide because of his popularity as a finder of lost things, even people and spiritual goods, and with miracles attributed to him.

As to why people make physical contact with the icons of saints, such as wiping their handkerchiefs on the arms and feet, the priest pointed out the Bible story of a woman who suffered from hemorrhage for many years.

The woman’s faith led her to believe that even touching the hem of the cloak of Jesus Christ would heal her, and so she did,

and she was healed, Heruela said.

That is a simple but profound explanation of why Catholics show their reverence for the saints, he added.

Saints, he said, were not perfect and free of sin. In fact, if one read about their lives, one would discover that many of them committed many sins but the repentance and conversion that came afterward had brought them to lead holy lives and walk the path of righteousness.

And so, each year, the Bacong parish priest reminds the Catholic lay faithful of the real meaning of Halloween.

It is the celebration of the lives of saints and martyrs who are now in the Church Triumphant or in heaven, whose prayers people seek for those who are in the Church Suffering or Purgatory, and in the Church Militant, or the people who are still on earth, Heruela explained.

Lifestyle

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Moving on through art

BY MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA Philippines News Agency MANILA — “Undas” serves as a time for Filipinos to remember and visit their departed loved ones. Every person has his or her own way of dealing with the pain and going on with life.

For Aleilia Ariola, art has been her medium to battle her feelings and face each day after losing her son.

Almost three years ago, firsttime mom Ariola was so excited about her pregnancy. She would ask other moms some tips about where to buy the best baby bottles and other stuff.

She would carefully choose what to eat, tried hard to avoid coffee, and opted for organics.

The young mom had started painting what she thought her own family would look like.

Ariola gave birth to Andres Kidlat on Oct. 25, 2016. Andres, however, had his final breath just 15 hours after being born.

He died due to complications having a single umbilical artery. “(Andres) was already dead when I was able to hold him. I was just brought down to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), so I could at least hold him,” she told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview on Wednesday.

She said she tried to hold her tears upon learning about what happened. “I had to put a brave face on. I had to be strong because I know my son would feel the same if I would fight,” she remarked, adding that she named her son “Andres” to symbolize bravery.

But the then 30-year old lady is just human. All her tears and emotions went down as she held her baby.

“I was depressed for days. I couldn’t understand what went wrong, because I did everything during pregnancy to make Andres healthy,” she said.

At first, she was blaming the gynecologist “for not telling her the truth” about how serious Andres’ case was. Apparently, during congenital anomaly scan, she wasn’t told about the risks her baby might face.

“But then I realized, what’s the point of blaming the doctor? I just learned a lesson that things would not depend on expensive hospital or doctor

Abandoned Bataan cemetery breeds scary tales

BY LIZA AGOOT Philippines News Agency

fees and on quality service and care,” Ariola said.

There was a point when Ariola began questioning God. “Sometimes I tend to be super bitter. There are those who are weak or unhealthy, those living in the streets. Why are their kids alive? I’ve researched about the healthiest food, about the (right) things to do during pregnancy. Why are these not enough?” she lamented.

She admitted that she kept on asking God about His plans but realized that she couldn’t blame God or anyone for what happened.

“I just hold on to the fact that God has beautiful plans for us. I believe in the saying that ‘God gives the toughest battles to His strongest soldiers’,” Ariola said.

Moving on was hard for Ariola at first. “I could consider anything a joke, but when it comes to Andres, I couldn’t laugh. Losing a child is not easy because it’s like I lost half of me, someone who was ‘OA’ in excitement for my baby,” she continued.

It is still painful, according to her, but clarified that she has learned to accept what happened. “A year after that, I no longer cry every night. I just think that it has a purpose,” she said.

To get herself busy, she focused on art. She started creating small sculptures made from terracotta clay. She didn’t stop

painting, using any medium, to keep her mind busy. Ariola also put up a joint exhibit with her friend. She and her husband also used art to showcase the Lumads and Aetas.

Now, the self-taught artist has done several commissioned paintings, some can be found on various walls and in coffee shops.

Ariola said she could not offer those who also lost their kids the best advice to move on, because until now, she’s trying to heal herself.

“Perhaps, the key is to heal themselves. Let time and their willingness heal their wounds,” she emphasized.

She added that at the end of the day, they need to stay strong not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones who are still alive, as well as for others who are in need. “Hold on to your faith,” she added.

Ariola said it’s too painful seeing her child, who’s supposed to be two years old now, buried in the ground. She described it as “depressing, as if three bouncers are punching (her) in the chest while being so helpless.”

But visiting Andres’ grave is also a stress relief for both her and her husband. “That’s the only place where we find peace,” she said, noting that in their minds and in their hearts, they are complete. www.canadianinquirer.net

27

DINALUPIHAN, BATAAN — For more or less eight years now, an abandoned cemetery in a village here has remained unattended and uncared for, becoming a frequent subject of horror tales by the locals.

With most of the graves already opened and the bones transferred to other burial grounds, a few remaining ones in the closed cemetery of Barangay Kataasan in this town are almost hidden in the middle of trees, shrubs and tall grasses.

Geny Magisa, 23, also complained of big mosquitoes while cleaning the apartment-style tombs of his grandmother, mother and another relative, which are among the few graves left.

“Hindi ko tiyak kung ilan pa ang naglilinis dahil sa ngayon ako lang ang naglilinis. Meron mangilan-ngilan diyan sa unahan (I am not sure how many are still cleaning because as of now, I am the only one. There is a few at the front),” he said when asked how many graves were still intact and being attended to.

The tombs of his relatives were in the middle of opened graves and thick vines.

Asked why they have not transferred the bones of his kin, Magisa said they do not have money yet.

Near the gate of the cemetery

that is believed to be already 100 years old, stands an acacia tree of the same age, near rows of houses.

Artel Aguilar, 38, said residents in the neighborhood often tell stories of many mysterious occurrences near the cemetery, particularly close to the acacia tree.

According to Aguilar, there are residents who have claimed seeing a Japanese soldier haunting the area.

She narrated that once, she had a strange feeling of being extremely weak while sweeping in front of the acacia tree.

Minerva Mercado, 62, also a resident of the area, recalled that the acacia tree was already big even when she was still a child and that only a few were buried in the cemetery.

Kataasan village councilor Lando Guevarra is hoping that the abandoned cemetery would soon be donated to the barangay so that it could be used for some other projects.

He said they were informed that the closed cemetery is owned by the Catholic Church but they do not know what the religious leaders’ plans are.

Guevarra said that burial in the cemetery was stopped sometime between 2008 to 2010.

Records at the planning section of the Dinalupihan municipal government showed that the abandoned cemetery has an area of more or less 6,000 square meters.

28

Lifestyle

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

FRIDAY

Daw-es: Igorots’ cleansing ritual for dead, living

BY LIZA AGOOT Philippines News Agency BAGUIO CITY — In the mountains of Cordillera, up in northern Philippines, the indigenous tribes of Igorots still practice the “Daw-es,” an ancient ritual passed on from generation to generation, even in this age of the worldwide web.

Many of today’s Igorots are also Christians. But unlike the rest of Christendom, they practice the Daw-es, not only in this season of all hallows and souls, but whenever someone died unexpectedly, or was murdered, or met an accident, especially in a massive scale like the Itogon landslide and just recently, the crumbling of the multi-story building that was still being constructed, ironically, for the country’s state builders in Natonin town in Mountain Province.

About a week before Typhoon Rosita battered the Cordillera and sent the mountains’ soil rolling down and engulfed some parts of the region with mud and rainwater on Tuesday afternoon of Oct. 30, the Dawes ritual was done in Itogon town in Benguet.

The ritual was for another massive landslide induced by another typhoon (Ompong) that claimed the lives of at least 80 people, mostly small-scale miners and laborers in the mining town about a month and a half ago.

“It’s all about prayers to ask ‘Kabunyan’ (God) to cleanse the place of evil spirit, clear the people’s mind of the images of death and to thank God for the gift of life for those who were spared,” said Father Francisco Dao-ey, a native of Mountain Province, a retired priest of the Anglican church and who also facilitates the conduct of cultural practices like the Daw-es.

The ritual in Itogon was organized by the local government of Itogon town and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. It was done at Sitio Keystone, Ucab, where recovered bodies in the mid-September landslide were being identified by forensic experts.

The Daw-es is practiced by the Igorots in all parts of the Cordillera, with some variations, depending on the place.

The primary purpose of the

A ‘mambunong’ or a native priest (seated, left) offers prayers in the native language in front of a pig that will be butchered as an offering to ‘Kabunyan’ (mountain god) in an ancient Igorot ritual called ‘Daw-es’ after the landslide that took the lives of at least 80 people in Itogon town amid Typhoon Ompong onslaught in mid-September.

REDGIE MELVIC CAWIS / PIA-CAR

ritual is to “cleanse” the mind from seeing images of death, ritual of the survivors, especially the from having the same unfortuIn 2010, media men in Baguio rescuers, in case of massive nate incident, and to thank ‘Ka- who covered the tragic bus acdeath like in landslides or del- bunyan’ for the gift of life for cident in Banangan, Sablan, uge. those spared,” he explained. where 42 people died, also perIt is also done to rid a place of As for the Itogon tragedy, formed the Daw-es. They kept evil spirits that cause tragedies Dao-ey said he was asked by thinking of the dead bodies befor those living. some Igorot firemen, who were ing brought up from the ravine, Daw-es involves the butcher- directly involved in the search, where the bus had fallen. ing of a dog as offering to “Kabu- rescue, and retrieval of bodThe accident traumatized nyan,” primarily to remove the ies from the landslide area, as not only the families of the vicimages of death in the minds of they were hounded by creepy tims, but also members of the those still living and to dispel thoughts. media and rescue groups, who evil spirits. responded to the Pigs or chickcall for help. ens are also Nel Marilla, a butchered and member of the prayed over for The primary purpose of the ritual volunteer rescue everyone around is to “cleanse” the mind of the group in Baguioto partake. This survivors, especially the rescuers, Benguet area, serves as the in case of massive death like in said the group’s thanksgiving for landslides or deluge. members were the survivors’ unable to sleep gift of life. for days after the The “mamaccident while bunong” (native priest), who “Makitkita da ken saan nga some kept remembering the facilitates the ritual, asks for maikkat ti panunut da (They grim incident.

Kabunyan’s guidance to free kept on thinking and could not Daw-es was conducted at the minds of those “who handle rid their minds of the images of the accident site in Banangan, the dead” of evil spirits, so they the dead people),” he said.

Sablan to drive away the evil won’t be hounded. It is also to Dao-ey said two chickens, spirits and the fear that had pray for guidance to prevent aside from the pigs, were also engulfed those who were at the the same disaster from happen- served to the firemen. site of the incident. It was also ing in town.

“Naaramid diay ritual tapnu done to call on the spirits of Dao-ey said the cleansing rit- sumaysayaat panunut da, mai- those who died for them to “go ual is done in various occasions kkatan da ti fear of evil, fear of home” to where they should be and in different situations. death (The ritual was done to and rest in peace.

“It is done when somebody rid their minds of the fear of the Dao-ey said there might be dies due to an extraordinary evil, fear of death),” he said. evil spirits at the site and it is cause, when someone kills The native priest said the only God who could keep them somebody, when a person is Daw-es is usually done in away, so they prayed. hospitalized, or after an in- groups, as a reminder that they He explained that Igorots carceration of a person due to are united in believing in such pray even during rituals, which whatever reasons. It is a ritual ritual as a cultural tradition. nobody taught them. It was that cleanses the mind of perdone even in the early centusons who handled dead bodies Media, rescuers also do the ries, prior to the arrival of rewww.canadianinquirer.net

ligion and Christianity in the mountains on this part of the country.

The native priest said Daw-es has been the Igorots’ practice since ancient times.

“The sacrifice is a way for the prayers to be lifted and for God to grant the petition we are asking him,” he said.

“God listens even to ancient prayers and rituals. That is why we say prayers in his name even to this day.”

On Feb. 7, 2014, a Florida Bus figured in an accident in Bontoc town in Mountain Province, killing 14 people and injuring 32 others, including comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez.

The residents at Talubin, where the accident happened, also did the Daw-es, for the same purpose of “cleansing” the place and to prevent the same from happening.

Why the dog is used

The animal used in doing the cleansing ritual is a dog.

Michael “Pacsay” Tauli, a believer of the ritual, said the nature of the dog as a guardian is the primary reason for its use in the “cleansing” ritual.

“Agtaul ti aso nga mangipaadayu ti dakes nga tao ken ispiritu, nauyung, agkagat ken mangbanbantay ti aso isu nga aso iti mausar (The dog’s bark shoos away the bad spirit. It bites, and it is a guardian. That is why it is used in the ritual),” he said.

Tauli believes that dogs are both guardians and harbingers of death. They are portrayed as such in different cultures, places, and era, he said.

In mythologies and in ethnic cultures of some indigenous tribes, the dog is portrayed as a symbol of death and portrayed as a symbol of protection, he continued.

In Greek and Roman mythologies, Cerberus, a multiheaded dog, guarded the gates of Hades to prevent those who had crossed the river Styx from escaping and guarded the entrance to the afterworld.

Hounds, in Celtic cultures, have been known for seeing into the “other world” and perceived as guardians of the world people are now in.

In Chinese mythology, the part lion and dragon Fu dogs are meant to guard homes and businesses.

29

Sports ‘The Filipino Flash’ now WBA Super World Bantamweight Champion

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT WAS an unforgettable night for the Philippine boxing community as Nonito Donaire dethroned the undefeated Ryan Burnett for the title of World Boxing Association (WBA) Super World bantamweight champion. “The Filipino Flash” knocked out Burnett in five rounds during the event that happened at the SSE Hydro in Glasglow, Scotland last Sunday, November 4.

Donaire was pegged as the underdog due to his record of

39-5, 25 knockouts (KOs) as compared to Burnett’s 19-1, with nine KOs. However, during the fourth round, the audience witnessed Burnett taking a knee and clutching onto his back signalling a pulled muscle. As soon as Burnett got back on his knees, Donaire gave a striking right hand to his opponent’s injury debilitating him from fighting back. Reacting to the situation, Donaire shared, “I didn’t know what was going on. When he got up, I went straight in, I wasn’t going to stop. It’s possible he got hurt with a body shot in the previous round. Starting the fourth, I fought differently. He couldn’t

catch me.” When it came to his edge, he reported: “You can’t fabricate power.”

About the fight, Donaire shared, “A win is a win and it wasn’t the way I would like to win but he’s an amazing fighter.

He was fast, strong, and caught me with some good punches.

I came into this fight as the bigger guy and my coaches snapped me out of it and told me to box.” He added that he “would like to send prayers of healing to Ryan Burnett and thank him for sharing the ring,” saying, “I told Ryan he’s a great fighter, not to take it as a loss. I know he’ll heal up and be back

Nonito Donaire.

in the ring soon.”

The last time Donaire reigned victorious in the bantamweight division was seven years ago. Now, at age 35 de-

@NONITODONAIRE / INSTAGRAM

feating his 26-year-old opponent from Northern Ireland, he has one message. Triumphant, he stated, “Age ain’t nothing but a number.”

NCAA suspends Lyceum star CJ Phoenix claims Perez for PBA Draft application last QF bonus after

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

ager (who he applied to the Draft through) were given a letter from the NCAA banning the starting forward from three of LPU’s upcoming games. However, the school appealed to the Management Committee of the NCAA, believing that the notice was given in an untimely manner, but the league persisted

Chairman Frank Gusi added, “It should be stressed that the NCAA’s action on this incident was made after carefully conIT WAS a turn of events for Lysidering the best interest of the ceum of the Philippines Unileague and of the student-athversity (LPU) star CJ Perez as letes. It is in accordance with he made headlines from his existing NCAA rules, and is ulsubmission of application to timately intended to promote the 2018 Philippine Basketthe spirit of sportsmanship and ball Association discipline in the (PBA) Rookie league.”

Draft to being CJ Perez aversuspended from ages 18.7 points, the first game It is in accordance with existing 8.4 rebounds, 4.0 of their team’s NCAA rules, and is ultimately assists, and 3.3 finals in the Naintended to promote the spirit of steals per game tional Collegiate sportsmanship and discipline in the as he represents Athletic Assoleague. the LPU Pirates. ciation (NCAA) His team will be against San pursuing the fiBeda. The colnals with his ablegiate league’s sence as they go reigning Most Valuable Player and said, “Perez only informed against the San Beda Red Lions (MVP) failed to alert his cur- the NCAA of his application as they play their first game for rent league of his desire to join days after he submitted the the championship at the Mall of the pros, therefore he will not same to the PBA, after the same Asia Arena on Tuesday, Novembe playing for game one of the was already the subject of nu- ber 6. San Beda defeated LPU finals. merous news reports.” during the final round during Initially, Perez and his manIn support of this, NCAA last year’s season. www.canadianinquirer.net

edging Blackwater

BY IVAN STEWART SALDAJENO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Phoenix secured the last twice-to-beat advantage in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup quarterfinals after beating Blackwater, 97-91, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday night.

The Fuel Masters withstood a second quarter storm from the Elite as an LA Revilla long bomb to end the third sparked their final blow to even move up the team standings right on the final night of the eliminations.

Banking on its defense, Phoenix limited Blackwater to just 18 points in the first quarter.

But the Elite erupted for 30 second quarter points and took a 48-44 halftime lead, which

they would stretch to seven midway through the third.

However, the Fuel Masters got their groove back later in the third as they ended the quarter on an 8-0 run capped by Revilla’s halfcourt heave at the buzzer to go up, 72-69.

They would then hold off the Elite in the final quarter, stretching their lead to as high as nine before withstanding their opponents’ last dash.

Calvin Abueva fired 25 points, while Matt Wright added 23 for Phoenix, which eventually took the second seed as it holds the quotient tiebreaker over Alaska and Magnolia.

Henry Walker made 21 markers, 12 rebounds, five dimes, three steals, and two blocks for Blackwater, which fell to the fifth seed, putting the squad in a twice-to-win disadvantage against Magnolia in the quarterfinals.

30

Business Economic managers: Gov’t measures vs. inflation ‘bearing fruit’

BY LESLIE GATPOLINTAN Philippines News Agency MANILA — Headline inflation stayed at 6.7 percent in October 2018 but declined month-onmonth, with the downward path indicating that concerted government efforts to tame rising prices have been bearing fruit.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday reported that seasonally adjusted month-on-month inflation eased further to 0.3 percent last month since it peaked in August.

Higher annual increases were observed in the indices of transport; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; health; furnishing, equipment and routine maintenance of the house; and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services.

Slowdowns in the annual increments were, however, seen in the indices of food and nonalcoholic beverages at 9.4 percent, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 21.6 percent.

The government’s top economic managers particularly cited the issuance of Administrative Order No. 13 removing restrictions on the importation

of agricultural products, in a bid to boost food supply and bring down the price of staple food items.

“And such promising results further motivate the economic team to work closely with all concerned government agencies to more aggressively implement mitigating measures to ease inflation over the medium- and long-term,” they said in a joint statement.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the government will continue to focus on food, including rice, which remains to be the major contributor to inflation even as its price decelerates.

Economic managers noted that the country’s rice imports, along with the rice inventory of the National Food Authority (NFA), continue to improve with the completion of the Philippines’ government-to-government procurement and the first phase of 2018 Minimum Access Volume (MAV).

They said the National Single Window System must be efficiently operationalized to en-

sure fast and efficient processing of imports.

“To compensate for the lost harvest in typhoon-affected areas, rice imports should be closely monitored to ensure that their arrival is timely and sufficient,” they added.

In a press briefing, National Statistician and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) head Lisa Grace Bersales said regions hit by Typhoon Ompong, including Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Cordillera Administration Region, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), recorded higher inflation in October.

The government earlier reported that the damages and losses to the agriculture sector caused by the typhoon reached PHP26.77 billion, with those in rice contributing the largest share at PHP14.53 billion.

Economic managers further called on concerned government agencies, especially the Department of Agriculture (DA), to speed up initiatives to distribute seed buffer stocks for rice, as well as corn and other high-value crops, in disasterstricken areas in time for the planting season this November

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE / FACEBOOK

to January.

Bersales said food and nonalcoholic beverages contributed 55.4 percent to the overall 6.7-percent inflation in October.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels shared 16 percent, while transport contributed 10.8 percent, the PSA said.

Other commodity groups comprising the consumer price index (CPI) are alcoholic beverages and tobacco; clothing and footwear; health; furnishing, equipment and routine maintenance of the house; communication; recreation and culture; education; and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services.

CPI is an indicator of the change in the average retail

prices of a fixed basket of goods and services commonly purchased by households relative to a base year.

Meanwhile, last month’s adjustments in the overall price level in Metro Manila alone slowed down further to 6.1 percent, while inflation outside Metro Manila remained at 6.8 percent. “If the government continues what it is doing now, inflation will continue to ease,” Bersales added.

Ateneo de Manila University economics professor Alvin Ang also believes that inflation is easing. “Inflation is possibly weakening already with NFA rice becoming available and affordable,” he said.

Moody’s eyes 25 bps hike in BSP rates by yearend

BY JOANN VILLANUEVA Philippines News Agency MANILA — Moody’s Analytics projects a further increase of 25 basis points in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates before the end of 2018.

In a publication issued Friday, the research firm said the additional increase in the central bank’s key rates is projected “to tame inflation, which is hovering near 7 percent year on year, due to a combination of the weak peso, high oil prices, and earlier adverse weather, disrupting fresh produce supplies.”

To date, BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) has increased the central bank’s key rates by a total of 150 basis points to help rein in inflation and ensure price stability.

In the first nine months of the year, the rate of price increases averaged 5 percent, higher than the government’s 2 percent to 4 percent target band for 20182020.

Last September alone, inflation rose to a multiyear high of 6.7 percent due to faster increases of the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index.

This situation has led the in-

ter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) to adjust the inflation assumption for this year from a range of 4 percent to 4.5 percent to 4.8 percent to 5.2 percent.

Authorities, however, said that inflation is seen to go back to within target levels of 2 percent to 4 percent in 2019 with the help of monetary policy decisions, as well as measures identified to address supply issues.

Malacañang has issued a memo directing several government agencies to ensure an adequate supply of rice, vegetawww.canadianinquirer.net

bles, meat and fish.

Among these issuances is Administrative Order (AO) No. 13, which removes non-tariff barriers and streamlines administrative procedures on the import of basic agricultural commodities.

Also, Memorandum Order (MO) No. 26 was issued directing the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement measures that would cut the gap between farm-gate and retail prices of agricultural products.

The Office of the President (OP) also issued MO 27, which

directs the DA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to ensure an efficient and seamless delivery of imported agricultural and fishery products from ports to markets.

MO 28, meanwhile, ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to immediately release last September some 230,000 metric tons (MT) of rice in its warehouses nationwide and immediately distribute 100,000 MT of rice that have been contracted and were expected to be delivered by the end of that month.

Business

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

31

Risk-on sentiments boost local markets after long weekend

BY JOANN VILLANUEVA Philippines News Agency

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

BEN BRIONES / PNA`

NEDA sees FDI rise on eased foreign investment restrictions

BY LESLIE GATPOLINTAN Philippines News Agency MANILA — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) expects a further increase in foreign direct investments (FDI) next year due to the newly-signed 11th regular Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL).

In a press briefing on Monday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said he expects FDI exceeding USD10 billion this year even without liberalization yet, as it takes time for easing of these restrictions “to be absorbed by foreign investment community.”

Pernia cited data indicating that FDI inflows already reached USD6.7 billion in first seven months of 2018, higher compared to the same period last year.

“I think next year, we should see some fruition in foreign investor interest. There are investors who have been waiting.

Maybe November, December next year will be a window for them,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week finally signed Executive Order (EO) 65 promulgating the 11th RFINL that will now allow up to 100-percent foreign participation in five investment areas/activities.

These areas include internet businesses which has been excluded from mass media; teaching at higher education levels provided the subject being taught is not a professional subject; training centers that are

engaged in short-term high-level skills development that do not form part of the formal education system; adjustment companies, lending companies, financing companies and investment houses; and wellness centers.

Pernia, who is also the NEDA Director General, considered the relaxation of foreign investment restrictions through the FINL as marginal improvements or “baby steps to improving our attractiveness to FDIs”.

“So, we need a lot more work in terms of getting more areas and activities liberalized. That is the desire of the economic managers and that is what is needed to be competitive in ASEAN,” he added.

Pernia said there are many bills already in Congress meant to liberalize other areas that remain restricted from foreign investments.

He cited as an example the definition of Public Service Act (PSA), noting more areas will be opened for foreign participation if this is passed.

“According to the EO of the President, the economic managers are mandated to exert utmost efforts in liberalizing the FDI environment. So, we included other areas that still needed legislation, such as the retail trade law also needs legislation,” the NEDA chief said.

“Other areas like setting up of schools, like foreign universities partnering up with local universities is already happening even in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, (and) Indonesia. But this kind of easing still needs legislation,” he added.

MANILA — Both the Philippine Stocks Exchange index (PSEi) and the peso started the week with gains amid the wait-andsee stance created by an anticipation of major economic data releases later this week.

After the long weekend, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained further after it rose by 1.02 percent, or 73.15 points, to 7,213.44 points.

Regina Capital Managing Director Luis Limlingan noted investors’ bullishness, boosted in part by the higher-than-expected rise of US non-farm payroll last October to 250,000 against expectations of an increase of 200,000.

Wages also posted a hike after it grew by 3.1 percent, the first after the latest recession in the world’s largest economy.

Limlingan said investors are also monitoring developments on US’s upcoming mid-term elections.

He also said that “(Chinese

president) Xi (Jinping is) expected to address trade differences at Shanghai Import Expo.”

“Speculators believe Xi may unveil some big-ticket industrial orders at the event,” he said, adding that “the world’s biggest exporter said it wants to boost imports to meet domestic demand and reduce the trade surplus.”

With these factors, all the other indices ended with gains, with the broader All Shares up by 0.48 percent, or 20.99 points, to 4,391.45 points.

The sectors were led by the Services, 1.64 percent; and was followed by the Mining and Oil, 1.23 percent; Holding Firms, 1.16 percent; Industrial, 1.13 percent; Property, 0.44 percent; and Financials, 0.21 percent.

Volume reached 2.82 billion stocks and the amount surged to PHP22.57 billion.

Gainers led losers at 100 to 93 while 44 shares were unchanged.

Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI), in its daily market report, said the local bourse “bucked regional trend” ahead of the re-

lease of October’s domestic inflation figures on Tuesday.

Relatively, the peso ended the trade at 53.22 from 53.535 Wednesday last week. There was no trading last Thursday and Friday, November 1 and 2, due to the commemoration of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. BPI attributed the peso’s strength to drop in global oil prices, which fell to USD62.79 a barrel on Monday “as supply concerns eased given higherthan-expected US crude stockpiles and the US softening sanctions on Iran.”

“Last week, White House announced to grant temporary waiver to eight countries allowing them to continue importing Iranian crude,” it added.

For the day, the local unit opened at 53.27. It traded between 53.31 and its closing level, resulting to an average of 53.269.

Volume reached USD742.25 million.

The peso is seen to trade between 53.15-53.35 to the greenback Tuesday.

$99, will attach magnetically to the iPad for storage and charging.

Apple is bringing a high-resolution display to its low-end MacBook Air, something until now limited to pricier models such as the MacBook Pro products. But the starting price goes up $200 to about $1,200.

The Air also joins higher-end Pros in sporting a fingerprint sensor, something the iPad just lost.

Apple also announced an updated desktop computer, the Mac Mini, starting at about $800.

The company said both Macs will use aluminum left over from producing iPads and other products.

The new MacBook Air and iPad Pros will now use a standard, oval-shaped connector called USB-C. That means accessories using the iPad’s old Lightning port will need adapters, sold separately. The change will allow people to charge their

iPhones through the iPad. The Air also loses the slot for camera memory cards. An adapter costs $39.

Patrick Moorhead, founder of Moor Insights & Strategy, said the refreshed products are likely to please Apple fans and users.

“The company hadn’t updated the Mac Mini for years, and the MacBook Air for a while, so these are very welcome changes,” he said. But he said the new Mac features aren’t significant enough to draw many people away from Windows computers.

“Overall some nice improvements, but I don’t think these are game changers,” he said.

All the new products come out Nov. 7.

Apple also is releasing a free software update for iPhones and iPads on Tuesday with previously announced features such as group video chats on FaceTime.

iPads, Macs... ❰❰ 32

Tom Forte said Apple did “a nice job of rolling out next-generation devices with features customers want to sustain momentum” in iPad sales growth.

The smaller of the two new Pros will have a wider display than before when held horizontally. Its screen is 11 inches rather than 10.5 inches, measured diagonally. It starts at about $800, or $150 more than the 10.5-inch version.

For the larger, 12.9-inch model, Apple is fitting the same-size display into a smaller device — about the size of a standard sheet of paper. That starts at about $1,000, a price hike of $200.

The new iPads will have an LCD screen similar to the iPhone XR rather than the more vibrant one found in the topof-the-line iPhone XS models.

The displays on the new iPads don’t run to the edges as much as they do on iPhones.

An updated pencil, still at www.canadianinquirer.net

32

Technology Chinese ‘gait recognition’ tech IDs people by how they walk

BY DAKE KANG The Associated Press BEIJING — Chinese authorities have begun deploying a new surveillance tool: “gait recognition” software that uses people’s body shapes and how they walk to identify them, even when their faces are hidden from cameras.

Already used by police on the streets of Beijing and Shanghai, “gait recognition” is part of a push across China to develop artificial-intelligence and datadriven surveillance that is raising concern about how far the technology will go.

Huang Yongzhen, the CEO of Watrix, said that its system can identify people from up to 50 metres (165 feet) away, even with their back turned or face covered. This can fill a gap in facial recognition, which needs close-up, high-resolution images of a person’s face to work.

“You don’t need people’s cooperation for us to be able to recognize their identity,” Huang said in an interview in his Beijing office. “Gait analysis can’t be fooled by simply limping, walking with splayed feet or hunching over, because we’re analyzing all the features of an entire body.”

Watrix announced last month that it had raised 100 million yuan ($14.5 million) to accelerate the development and sale of its gait recognition technology, according to Chinese media reports.

Chinese police are using facial recognition to identify people in crowds and nab jaywalkers, and are developing an integrated national system of

surveillance camera data. Not everyone is comfortable with gait recognition’s use.

Security officials in China’s far-western province of Xinjiang, a region whose Muslim population is already subject to intense surveillance and control, have expressed interest in the software.

Shi Shusi, a Chinese columnist and commentator, says it’s unsurprising that the technology is catching on in China faster than the rest of the world because of Beijing’s emphasis on social control.

“Using biometric recognition to maintain social stability and manage society is an unstoppable trend,” he said. “It’s great business.”

The technology isn’t new.

Scientists in Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Defence Information Systems Agency have been researching gait recognition for over a decade, trying different ways to overcome skepticism that people could be recognized by the way they walk. Professors from Osaka University have worked with Japan’s National Police Agency to use gait recognition software on a pilot basis since 2013.

But few have tried to commercialize gait recognition. Israel-based FST Biometrics shut down earlier this year amid company infighting after encountering technical difficulties with its products, according to former advisory board member Gabriel Tal. “It’s more complex than other biometrics, computationally,” said Mark Nixon, a leading expert on gait recognition at the University of Southamp-

ton in Britain. “It takes bigger computers to do gait because you need a sequence of images rather than a single image.”

Watrix’s software extracts a person’s silhouette from video and analyzes the silhouette’s movement to create a model of the way the person walks. It isn’t capable of identifying people in real-time yet. Users must upload video into the program, which takes about 10 minutes to search through an hour of video. It doesn’t require special cameras — the software can use footage from surveillance cameras to analyze gait.

Huang, a former researcher, said he left academia to cofound Watrix in 2016 after seeing how promising the technology had become. The company was incubated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Though the software isn’t as good as facial recognition, Huang said its 94 per cent accuracy rate is good enough for commercial use.

He envisions gait recognition being used alongside face-scanning software.

Beyond surveillance, Huang says gait recognition can also be used to spot people in distress such as elderly individuals who have fallen down. Nixon believes that the technology can make life safer and more convenient.

“People still don’t recognize they can be recognized by their gait, whereas everybody knows you can be recognized by your face,” Nixon said. “We believe you are totally unique in the way you walk.”

Associated Press video producer Olivia Zhang contributed to this story.

www.canadianinquirer.net

APPLE / FACEBOOK

iPads, Macs get new screens as Apple pushes creativity

BY ANICK JESDANUN AND MAE ANDERSON The Associated Press NEW YORK — Apple’s new iPads will more closely resemble its latest iPhones as they ditch a home button and fingerprint sensor to make more room for the screen.

As with the latest iPhone models — the XR and XS —the new iPad Pro will use facialrecognition technology to unlock the device and to authorize app and Apple Pay purchases.

Apple also unveiled new Mac computers, including an overdue refresh of the MacBook Air laptop, now with a high-resolution screen.

Better screens come with

price increases for both iPads and Macs.

Tuesday’s announcements took place at an opera house in New York, where the company emphasized its products’ ability to create music, video and sketches. Neither the Mac nor the iPad generates as much revenue for Apple as iPhones.

Tablet sales have been declining overall, though Apple saw a 3 per cent increase in iPad sales last year to nearly 44 million, commanding a 27 per cent market share, according to research firm IDC. Apple has been promoting its high-end iPad Pro as ideal for artists, photographers and other creators.

D.A. Davidson Co. analyst ❱❱ PAGE 31 iPads, Macs

Technology

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2018

33

Uber wants to resume self-driving car tests on public roads

BY TOM KRISHER The Associated Press DETROIT — Nearly eight months after one of its autonomous test vehicles hit and killed an Arizona pedestrian, Uber wants to resume testing on public roads.

The company has filed an application on with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to test in Pittsburgh, and it has issued a lengthy safety report pledging to put two human backup drivers in each vehicle and take a raft of other precautions to make the vehicles safe.

Company officials acknowledge they have a long way to go to regain public trust after the March 18 crash in Tempe, Arizona, that killed Elaine Herzberg, 49, as she crossed a darkened road outside the lines of a crosswalk.

Police said Uber’s backup driver in the autonomous Volvo SUV was streaming the television show “The Voice” on her phone and looking downward before the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board said the autonomous driving system on the Volvo spotted

Herzberg about six seconds before hitting her, but did not stop because the system used to automatically apply brakes in potentially dangerous situations had been disabled. A Volvo emergency braking system also had been turned off.

“Our goal is to really work to regain that trust and to work to help move the entire industry forward,” Noah Zych, Uber’s head of system safety for selfdriving cars, said in an interview. “We think the right thing to do is to be open and transparent about the things that we are doing.”

Among the other precautions, San Francisco-based Uber will keep the autonomous vehicle system engaged at all times and activating the Volvo’s automatic emergency braking system as a backup.

In addition, Uber is requiring more technical training and expertise of employees sitting behind the wheel of the vehicles, according to a 70-page safety report the company released Friday.

The report comes after the ride-hailing company shut down autonomous vehicle testing to do an internal review of

its safety procedures, as well as an outside review by risk management firm LeClairRyan.

Although the report covered all the main bases, Uber should have gone even further given its self-driving car killed Herzberg, said Bryant Walker Smith, an assistant law professor at the University of South Carolina who has been studying the issues affecting autonomous vehicles. In its most glaring omission, Uber didn’t accept responsibility for Herzberg’s death — the first involving a fully autonomous vehicle, he said.

“Frankly, I’m looking for more from Uber than from other companies, and I suspect that governments may be as well,” Walker Smith said.

Under Pennsylvania’s voluntary autonomous guidelines, the Transportation Department has until Nov. 13 to approve or deny Uber’s application, or to ask further questions.

Pennsylvania law at present doesn’t allow testing of autonomous vehicles without human backup drivers. Google’s Waymo already is carrying passengers in the Phoenix area without human drivers, and General Motors’ Cruise Automation ex-

pects to do that next year.

Pittsburgh officials can’t legally prevent testing, but they are in safety talks with Uber and four other entities that have permits to test autonomous vehicles, said Karina Ricks, the city’s director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

For instance, the city wants to limit self-driving vehicle speeds to 25 miles per hour in urban settings, even if the posted speed is higher.

“Lower rates of speed give more time for the vehicle and the safety driver to react and prevent a crash,” said Ricks, who characterized the talks as fruitful.

Pittsburgh is home to Uber’s autonomous vehicle development centre, making it a logical choice for the resumption of robotic car tests.

“We are engaging with the city, with the officials, and are very eager, I think, to ensure that we make a return to the road in self-driving mode in consultation and close partnership with them,” said Miriam Chaum, head of public policy for Uber’s self-driving vehicles.

Later it will discuss bringing its self-driving cars back to Arizona, California and Toronto, Ontario, its other test sites. Arizona suspended the company’s permission to test after the crash.

Myrtle Sarrosa flies to Thailand to compete in international gaming tournament

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Myrtle playing using Omen by HP lineup against 10 other Asia Pacific nations. @MYRTLEGAIL / INSTAGRAM

FORMER PINOY Big Brother (PBB) big winner and television host Myrtle Sarrosa flies to Thailand on Thursday, November 1 as the first Filipina celebrity to participate in the mobile game competition called Omen

by HP Challenger Series. Myrtle will be playing Player Unknown Battleground (PUBG) with fellow Filipino challengers called AETHER DOGZ. Before she left for her trip, Myrtle spoke to the media about her “[being] nervous and [her] excitement for the upcoming eSports tournament,” saying, “I really didn’t expect that from playing video games for fun that www.canadianinquirer.net

I’m suddenly flying to Thailand to represent Team Philippines.”

She elaborated that “not much people know, but [she’s] really a gamer” and if she were given a choice “to go out and party or to stay in the house,” she would “stay at home to play.”

When it came to how the opportunity came about, Myrtle reported, “A month ago, I joined the PUBG Mobile Star Challenge with a team I formed from my clan but failed to get in the SEA finals. After not qualifying, Omen by HP reached out to me and invited me to join the Team Philippines in the upcoming PUBG Tournament, the Omen by HP Challenger Series.” Myrtle says that “the pressure is from playing for fun and leisure, suddenly you

gotta be more strategic, more competitive,” but she said her motivation is the Philippines, concluding her interview stating, “I’m glad that [gaming] is starting to be more popular here in the Philippines too. I hope that through this competition we gain more attention for Filipino Gamers.”

Competing against the Philippines in Omen by HP Challenger Series are teams from South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. The overall winner will receive up to $50,000 USD. The beginning of the event happened on November 2 and will run until November 4 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

34

CANADA

AMP PROMATIC IS LOOKING FOR PRODUCTION WORKERS Sheet metal manufacturing company is looking to hire workers with some experience on metal cutting machines, plus general labor.

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NANNY/BABYSITTER

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Take children to and from school and appointments, travel with family if needed.

LUCKY SUPERMARKET 10628 King George Blvd, Surrey B.C is hiring all positions such as: store manager, grocery manager, produce manager, office administration, file maintenance clerk, head cashier, cook, BBQ chef, meat cutter, baker, bakery clerk, grocery clerk, frozen clerk, meat clerk, produce clerk, cashier, truck driver and kitchen helper.

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Electronic Technicians Needed Experience in Low Voltage Electrical System installation and Servicing Computers with Networking Email resume to suda@alarmboss.com Call 416-432-1902

www.canadianinquirer.net

35

Travel Occidental Mindoro: a promising sustainable tourism hub

BY JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA Philippines News Agency OCCIDENTAL MINDORO — Occidental Mindoro offers more than its awe-inspiring views of paddy fields and mountain ranges. With unspoiled white beaches, underwater paradise, and other captivating sights, the province is a promising hub for sustainable tourism.

Occidental Mindoro is one of two provinces of Mindoro island. San Jose was made the provisional capital of Occidental until Jan. 1, 1951, when the seat of government was transferred to Mamburao.

Occidental Mindoro, which is the Southern Tagalog region’s second leading rice producer, is composed of 11 municipalities.

In many of these municipalities, agricultural products are not the only things offered. There is also a myriad of natural attractions that remain undiscovered by many, such as Sablayan and San Jose.

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

San Jose, usually known as a transit point to Coron, is more than a stop for tourists seeking the idyllic waters and otherworldly rock formations of Palawan.

Beaches and islands rimmed with golden to cream-colored sand coasts abound, plus there’s a site for pilgrimage that Catholics would find worthy for a long boat ride.

There is the Manadi Island, locally known as White Island, fringed with beached corals and papaya whip-colored sands. Manadi is perfect for those seeking solitude and peace. Since walking in this tiny islet is like walking around the block, a less-than-10-minute stroll will allow one to marvel and tour the whole island.

A small, confined village, not far from Manadi, has two Catholic structures— a newly-built church by a top real estate company, and the other, a chapel that is believed to be miraculous.

Germalyn Pandiño, the Santissima Trinidad Church secretariat, said devotees always come back to Ilin Island to give thanks. “Their prayers here in the Holy Trinity do come true. All those who promise to come back do so,” she said.

An example of this was a mother from Ligaya, Sablayan, whose three-year-old child was presumed dead some years ago.

“She herself said her child was already dead, with only a portion of her upper body warm. Then there’s a faith healer who told her to visit Ilin and get water from its church,” Pandiño narrated.

“So, they decided to rent a boat from Ligaya. Coming back home, the mother rubbed her child with a cloth poured with water she got from the island.

Based on her account, the child woke up, and is now living well,” she added. There are similar accounts, Pandiño said, but another tale of the chapel makes a remarkable backdrop to its origins — the story behind the image hung on its main altar.

Before the chapel was renovated by healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez, the Santissima Trinidad Church was originally made of wood, built by the Spaniards in 1843. During that era, there was said to be a couple whose main source of living was “pagbabaklad” or the use of corrals to catch fish.

Every morning, the fisherman would check if he caught some. Days passed, and he would only get a piece of wood floating inside his fish trap. He threw it repeatedly, but to no avail, the slab would just drift back to his pen.

Frustrated, the fisherman decided to bring it back to his wife to use it as a chopping board. While mincing on it, locals with the same recollection of the lore said, “blood flowed out and revealed an image of three persons.”

There is no formal or official record as to how it arrived in Barangay Iling Proper, but the legend behind the three personas’ image shares the plot with Our Lady of Caysasay’s arrival in Batangas, whose image was fished out of the Pansipit River in Taal.

According to Pandiño, devotees often inundate the village during Holy Week, Christmas, and when Fr. Suarez would hold a mass in the church.

Alighting from Barangay Iling Proper’s pier, a unique experience for tourists on their way to their pump boat is a walk on its mudflat during low-tide, as they await a small banca that would transfer them to the motorized vessel.

From Barangay Iling Proper, tourists can spend their afternoon at the Inasakan Beach in Sitio Maniraga, still in Ilin Island, for lunch, and a serene time with its fine ivory-white sands.

San Jose Mayor Romulo Festin said the town plans to engage further with the Department of Tourism and the De-

A photographer from the San Jose Tourism Office tries to capture a panoramic view of the mangrove forest on Ilin Island.

JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA / PNA

partment of Environment and Natural Resources in developing the province to attract more tourists while adhering to the government’s goal of establishing a sustainable tourism industry in the

country.

“What I plan is to have convergence, to implement best practices, and craft ❱❱ PAGE 36 Occidental Mindoro

# 1 7 9 - 8 1 3 8 1 2 8 S t r e e t S u r r e y, B C

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Travel

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

FRIDAY

Occidental Mindoro... ❰❰ 35

good policies for the province,” he told visiting reporters.

“In fairness to San Jose, we are already implementing these best practices towards sustainable tourism,” he said. To date, the San Jose government is eyeing the construction of a visitor center in the area.

Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Palau to ban sunscreen as it tries to save its coral reefs

BY NICK PERRY The Associated Press WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — In an attempt to protect the coral reefs that divers so admire they have dubbed them the underwater Serengeti, the Pacific nation of Palau will soon ban many types of sunscreen.

President Tommy Remengesau Jr. last week signed legislation that bans “reef-toxic” sunscreen from 2020. Banned sunscreens will be confiscated from tourists who carry them into the country, and merchants selling the banned products will be fined up to $1,000.

Remengesau said in a statement that the penalties find the right balance between “educating tourists and scaring them away.”

The law defines reef-toxic sunscreen as containing any one of 10 chemicals, including oxybenzone, and states that other chemicals may also be banned.

The legislation also requires tour operators to start providing customers with reusable cups, straws and food containers.

Remengesau said a big impetus for the ban was a 2017 report which found that sunscreen products were widespread in Palau's famed Jellyfish Lake, which was closed for more than

a year due to declining jellyfish numbers before being recently reopened.

The president noted legislative findings that “plastic waste, chemical pollution, resource overconsumption, and climate change all continue to threaten the health of our pristine paradise.”

Palau's ban comes after Hawaii in July banned the sale of sunscreen containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate from 2021 in an attempt to protect its reefs. In Hawaii, however, tourists will still be able to bring the banned sunscreen with them into the state or buy it there if they have a doctor's prescription.

Scientists have found that some chemicals in sunscreen can be toxic to coral reefs, which are a vital part of the ocean ecosystem as well as a popular draw for tourists. But some critics say there aren't enough independent scientific studies on the issue while others worry that people will suffer from too much sun exposure if they stop using the products.

Some manufacturers, meanwhile, have already started selling “reef-friendly” sunscreen.

Palau, located east of the Philippines and north of Indonesia, is home to 21,000 people and has an economy that relies on tourism and fishing. It has a compact of free association with the U.S.

About an hour and a half travel time from San Jose via van, one would arrive at the town, where the waves meet.

Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro is a literal label from the Visayan term “sablay,” meaning “wave convergence”.

Seven years ago, with few developments in place, Sablayan only garnered 17,892 foreign and domestic tourists. But in 2017, it grew more than 300 percent with 64,778 visitors.

Tourists coming in for Apo Reef alone generated PHP7.79 million in income to the municipality last year. The existing carrying capacity of the island is 105 visitors a day.

The Apo Reef Natural Park can be considered Sablayan’s most prominent tourist destination. But more than that, the town is radiant with a multitude of activities that won’t fit in a day-tour schedule.

Pandan Grande Island

The secluded Pandan Grande Island is one good setting for those who want a retreat from the urban noise. The island, filled with vegetation teeming with colorful tropical birds, is fringed with cream-colored sands like the white beaches of San Jose.

The resort offers a wide range of activities from scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.

From the zipline drop-off point of the Parola Park, the Pandan Grande Island is just a 20-minute boat ride. Here, it might be best to rent a glassbottom boat onto the resort for a peek at the thriving ecosystem underwater.

Apo Reef Natural Park

In Sablayan’s gem, whether you are a certified diver or a beginner who can only swim on a three-feet pool or snorkeling for the first time, wading through the waters of Apo Reef Natural Park would always be a unique experience.

Apo’s 16,000-hectare reef www.canadianinquirer.net

area is the largest atoll-like reef in Asia and is second to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

According to the park’s superintendent, Celso Almazen, it is a favorite nesting ground for hawksbill and green sea turtles.

The park is unique in its own sense, nestling Asia’s oldest Pagatpat tree within its 11-hectare mangrove forest in the main island.

The low-tide elevation Tinangkapan and the 5-hectare Binanggaan high-tide elevation are both nursery grounds for various marine species, such as reef sharks and the poisonous walo-walo (sea snake).

Just recently, the Napoleon Wrasse, the largest reef fish and the biggest of the wrasse family, has been declared Apo Reef Natural Park’s flagship fish.

“If you would notice, Apo Island’s sand is quite pinkish, not off-white, that’s because of the wrasses. Since they feed on corals when they excrete waste, those get mixed with other elements in the sea and turn into sand,” Almazen said.

Attractions at the Apo Reef Natural Park may be few, but a day or two on the island won’t suffice. Aside from diving, swimming, and snorkeling, visitors can climb its century-old lighthouse.

Historically, this light house is significant, said Almazen.

“That was originally built in 1905. It reminds us of the history that way, way before, there were settlers who lived here and already appreciated the beauty of Apo,” he said.

Admiringly, the Sablayan Tourism Office is maintaining the serenity of the place by balancing its promotion.

Bookings for Apo Reef Natural Park, via both tour operators and walk-ins, are all monitored by the office.

From Sablayan mainland, one may experience this diving mecca for an average budget of PHP2,500 to PHP3,500 if part of a group of 10.

Based on the town’s standard rates, a two-way boat ride from the mainland to the reefs is about PHP8,000 (10 pax), and an additional PHP500 if they opt to spend the night at the Apo Reef Natural Park.

The entrance fee and environmental fee for each local tourist is PHP390, and PHP 780 for each foreign visitor.

Included in a tourist’s budget must be the tour guide fee of PHP1,000, snorkeling gear at PHP150, and the rent for a tent at PHP300 (3 pax), in case of an overnight stay.

Sablayan Mayor Eduardo Gadiano said the municipality is committed to develop more access roads in the town, adding there’s also a plan to construct an airport in Sablayan.

With the promising tourism industry in the area and, at the same time, learning from the fate of Boracay, Gadiano said the local government “adheres first and foremost to conservation and protection.”

“In Apo Reef alone, we already implemented a carrying capacity way before. We don’t want to reach the point where we’ll suffer the same fate as Boracay,” he said.

Rizal, Occidental Mindoro

As the last leg for one’s Occidental Mindoro tour, it is good to spend time with Mindoro’s icon animal — the Tamaraw.

Among others, visiting the last of its kin bred in captivity would raise one’s awareness that there are only a few hundreds of them left in the wild.

In 2018, Bubalus Mindorensis’ count in Mindoro grew to 523, still less than what one would have imagined.

Kalibasib, short for Kalikasang Bagong Sibol, is the only Tamaraw breathing in the Tamaraw Gene Pool Park, after his parents Charlie and Mimi died of old age.

Kalibasib is already 19 years old. While already near 25, the average life span of a wild dwarf buffalo, Kalibasib can still chase and gore a person, his caretaker, Oni Ordo, said.

Although housed within a half-hectare fenced area at the gene pool farm in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Kalibasib lives in conditions like the way Tamaraws would sprawl in the wild.

The farm now serves as a park for tourists and locals after it stopped the captive breeding program.

Summer, of course, is the optimum time to visit the beaches and scattered underwater paradise of Occidental Mindoro. But in November this year, not to be missed is the huge Mimaropa Festival that will be hosted in Mamburao, the provincial capital.

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Food Turn smoked turkey and melty cheddar into an inspired lunch AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN PANINI, SANDWICHES traditionally cooked in a ridged press, are hard to get wrong— but also surprisingly hard to get just right.

To turn a crowd-pleasing combination of smoked turkey and melty cheddar cheese into an inspired lunch, we needed a condiment with some big personality. To that end, we turned to our Simple Cranberry Sauce, spreading it onto both slices of bread for maximum tart, fruity impact. For a fresh finishing touch, we added some baby arugula.

To achieve the signature ridged grill marks without a press, we used a grill pan as the base and a Dutch oven as a weight on top.

A hearty rustic bread with a crusty exterior and substantial, slightly chewy crumb worked best—tasters found that softer sandwich breads flattened out too much.

For easy cleanup, cover the bottom of the Dutch oven with aluminum foil. If you don’t have a nonstick grill pan you can use a nonstick skillet. Buy a rustic 8-inch loaf (often called a boule) with a good crust and cut

it into 1/2-inch slices.

Smoked turkey panini with simple cranberry sauce

Servings: 4 Start to finish: 30 minutes

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 8 (1/2-inch-thick) slices rustic white bread • 1/4 cup Simple Cranberry Sauce (recipe below) • 8 ounces thinly sliced cheddar cheese • 8 ounces thinly sliced smoked turkey • 2 ounces (2 cups) baby arugula Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 F. Brush oil evenly over 1 side of each slice of bread. Flip bread over and spread cranberry sauce evenly over each second side. Assemble 4 sandwiches by layering ingredients as follows between prepared bread (with cranberry sauce inside sandwich): half of cheddar, turkey, arugula, and remaining cheddar.

Heat 12-inch nonstick grill pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot, about 1 minute. Place 2 sandwiches in pan, set Dutch oven on top, and cook until bread is golden and crisp, about 4 minutes per side.

Transfer sandwiches to wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Wipe out skillet with paper towels and repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches. Serve.

Simple Cranberry Sauce:

Cooked fruit sauces combine fruit and a careful selection of complementary ingredients; they pair perfectly with a range of savory foods, bringing sweetness and brightness to salty, creamy, or intensely umamirich dishes.

The key to making a great fruit sauce is treating the different types of fruit in different ways to best bring out their unique characters: Sour fruits need their tartness tamed without becoming cloying, and sweet fruits need their flavours coaxed out and balanced with acidic seasonings.

For our classic cranberry sauce, we found simplest was also best: After testing different sweeteners and cooking liquids, we found that white sugar and water let the natural flavour of the fresh cranberries shine.

We cooked the sauce just long enough to thicken it and break down some of the berries, but not so long that we lost all the cranberries’ signature “pop.”

For a bright and lively peach sauce, we used wine, thyme, mustard, and vinegar to create an aromatic, savory-leaning backbone. For a bold, luxurious cherry sauce, we called on red wine and port to underscore the pure cherry flavour.

Finally, we paired plums with sesame oil, ginger, and lime juice, then processed and strained the sauce for a smooth texture.

Makes about 2 1/4 cups This sauce also makes a great accompaniment to cheese and meat platters. If using frozen cranberries, do not defrost them; just add about 2 minutes to the simmering time.

• 1 cup sugar • 3/4 cup water • 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries Bring sugar, water, and salt to boil in medium saucepan, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Stir in cranberries and return to boil. Reduce to simmer and cook until slightly thickened and about two-thirds of berries have popped open, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl and let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. (Cranberry sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before serving.)

Nutrition information per serving: 571 calories; 263 calories from fat; 29 g fat (12 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 76 mg cholesterol; 1127 mg sodium; 46 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 11 g sugar; 29 g protein.

Pecan pie with a smooth textured filling and a nice crust AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN THERE IS much to love about sweet, nutty pecan pie, but it’s easy for this simple dessert to turn out tooth achingly sugary and void of pecan flavour, with a curdled filling sogging a leathery crust.

We wanted to create the ideal recipe for a not-too-sweet pie with a smooth-textured filling and a properly baked bottom crust. We decided to start from the bottom up.

By partially baking the crust,

we ensured that the filling wouldn’t compromise its texture during baking and serving; we also found that adding the filling while the crust was still warm helped a great deal.

Next, we melted the butter and stirred together the filling in a bowl set over almost-simmering water. This makeshift double-boiler setup helped us maintain gentle heat, which protected against curdling.

We reversed the filling’s sugar overload by using a moderate amount of brown sugar. Its subtle, nuanced sweetness and mo-

lasses taste kept the spotlight trained on the pecans’ toasty flavour. Poured into the warm shell and baked to nutty perfection, this pecan pie moved right to the top of our nice list.

Chill the dough-lined pie plate for at least 30 minutes before beginning the recipe. The crust must still be warm when the filling is added. To serve the pie warm, cool it thoroughly so that it sets, then warm it in a 250 F oven for about 15 minutes and slice.

Classic pecan pie

Servings: 8

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Start to finish: 1 hour (plus 2 hours for cooling) • 1 recipe Basic Single-Crust Pie Dough (recipe follows), fitted into a 9-inch pie plate and chilled • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 cup packed (7 ounces) dark brown sugar • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 3 large eggs • 3/4 cup light corn syrup • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract • 2 cups (8 ounces) pecans, toasted and chopped fine

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 F. Line chilled pie shell with double layer of foil and fill with pie weights. Bake until pie dough looks dry and is light in colour, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer pie plate to wire rack and remove weights and foil. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and reduce oven temperature to 275 F. (Crust must still be warm when filling is added.)

Melt butter in heatproof bowl set in skillet of water main❱❱ PAGE 38 Pecan pie

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Baked brie with jam or fruit is popular for good reason AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN BAKED BRIE topped with jam or fruit is popular for good reason. When the cheese is warmed, it becomes rich and gooey, and pairing it with sweet fruit brings out the savory notes in the cheese.

For sweet and creamy flavour in every bite, we reengineered the traditional whole wheel of baked Brie by trimming off the rind (which doesn’t melt that well) and slicing the cheese into cubes.

This allowed our honey-apricot mixture to be evenly distributed throughout this deconstructed version of the dish, not just spooned on top.

Baking the cheese in a cast-iron skillet seemed like a no-brainer; since the skillet holds on to heat so well, it keeps the cheese in the ideal luscious, fluid state.

We finished the dish with an extra drizzle of honey and some minced chives to reinforce the sweet-savory flavour profile.

Be sure to use a firm, fairly unripe Brie for this recipe. Serve with crackers or Melba toast.

CARO SCURO / FLICKR, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Baked brie with honeyed apricots

Servings: 8-10 Start to finish: 30 minutes

• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots • 1/4 cup honey • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon pepper • 2 (8-ounce) wheels firm brie cheese, rind removed, cheese cut into 1-inch

pieces • 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 F. Microwave apricots, 2 tablespoons honey, rosemary, salt, and pepper in medium bowl until apricots are softened and mixture is fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring halfway through microwaving. Add Brie and toss to combine.

Transfer mixture to 10-inch cast-iron skillet and bake until cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons honey and sprinkle with chives. Serve. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 239 calories; 141 calories from fat; 16 g fat (10 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 57 mg cholesterol; 432 mg sodium; 13 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 13 g sugar; 12 g protein.

Pecan pie... ❰❰ 37

tained at just below simmer.

Remove bowl from skillet and stir in sugar and salt until butter is absorbed. Whisk in eggs, then corn syrup and vanilla until smooth. Return bowl to hot water and stir until mixture is shiny, hot to touch, and registers 130 F. Off heat, stir in pecans.

Pour pecan mixture into warm pie crust. Bake pie until filling looks set but yields when gently pressed with back of spoon, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let pie cool on wire rack until filling has firmed up, about 2 hours; serve slightly warm (see note) or at room temperature.

Basic Single-Crust Pie Dough:

We wanted pie dough that we could count on for reliably flaky, flavourful, crust and achieving it came down to determining the right fat, the right proportion of fat to flour, and the right method for combining them. A proportion of 3 parts butter to 2 parts shortening proved optimal for both flavour and texture, and a high-fat ratio of 2 parts flour to 1 part fat produced a workable, tender dough.

Makes enough for one 9-inch pie Total time: 30 minutes (plus 1 hour for chilling) • 1 1/4 cups (6 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour www.canadianinquirer.net

• 1 tablespoon sugar • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces and chilled • 4-6 tablespoons ice water Process flour, sugar, and salt in food processor until combined. Scatter shortening over top and process until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal, about 10 seconds. Scatter butter pieces over top and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 pulses. Transfer mixture to medium bowl.

Sprinkle 4 tablespoons ice water over mixture. Stir and press dough together, using stiff rubber spatula, until dough sticks together. If dough does not come together, stir in remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it does.

Turn dough onto sheet of plastic wrap and flatten into 4-inch disk. Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Before rolling dough out, let sit on counter to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 659 calories; 375 calories from fat; 42 g fat (13 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 123 mg cholesterol; 338 mg sodium; 70 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 52 g sugar; 7 g protein.

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