Philippine Canadian Inquirer #360

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MARCH 1, 2019

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VOL. 3 NO. 360

METRO MANILA SUBWAY PROJECT

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (4th from left), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (3rd from left), Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (5th from right), Japan Ambassador

Koji Haneda (6th from right), and other government officials lead the groundbreaking ceremony of Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase 1 held at Barangay Ugong in Valenzuela City Story on page 10.

JOEY O. RAZON / PNA

Good governance to reign in BARMM: BTA chief

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA – Good governance will be delivered in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim administrator of the newly-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Moro

Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Murad Ebrahim Al Haj promised on Tuesday.

Murad, recently appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the interim Chief Minister of the BARMM, vowed to eradicate the culture of corruption and sustain the gains of the Autonomous Re-

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1.8 million Pinoy families victimized by common crimes in Q4 of 2018 — SWS

14 Pinks and warrior metallics among Oscar fashion highlights

❱❱ PAGE 7 Good governance

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❱❱ PAGES 26

Trudeau waives almost all confidentiality restrictions on Wilson-Raybould

Philippine News

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MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Albayalde orders crackdown vs. illegal use of ‘wang-wang’

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN Philippine News Agency MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday ordered a crackdown on motorists who persist on illegally using blinkers and sirens more commonly known as ‘wang-wang’.

Albayalde said he has tasked the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to strictly enforce the provisions of Presidential Decree 96 that prohibits “use of siren, bell, horn, whistle, or other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices.”

The move comes after reports of violations by convoys and motorcades of political parties and candidates for the 2019 mid-term elections.

“We are moving forcefully against the indiscriminate use of prohibited sirens, bells, horns, whistles, or similar gadgets that produce staggering sounds; as well

as illegal domelights, signaling or flashing devices,” Albayalde said in a statement.

Under the law, these gadgets or devices mentioned may be attached to and used only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances.

Violation of PD 96 may be penalized with cancellation or revocation of the certificate of registration of the motor vehicle involved.

At the same time, the PNP also reminded candidates and parties to observe road safety protocol and courtesy when holding campaign motorcades and convoys along national highways and main thoroughfares to prevent accidents and unnecessary inconvenience to other motorists.

HPG advised organizers of large convoys and motorcades to coordinate their activities with local government units and local PNP offices for appropriate assistance. ■

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Officials lead the flag-raising ceremony during the 33rd Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, themed "EDSA 2019: Pagkakaisa tungo sa Pambansang Kapayapaan," held at the EDSA People Power Monument at the corner of EDSA and White Plains Avenue in Quezon City.

JOEY O. RAZON/PNA

Over a thousand gather to mark 33rd EDSA revolt anniversary

BY MA. TERESA MONTEMAYOR Philippine News Agency MANILA — More than a thousand Filipinos gathered on Monday at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Multi-sectorial groups, officials and personnel of government agencies, religious groups, academe, students, civic and other non-government organizations attended the event to commemorate the historic event, which ended the two-decade leadership of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines led the commemorative program, which included the flagraising rites, ecumenical prayer, wreathlaying rites, conferment of Freedom Awards and Spirit of EDSA and Good Citizenship Movement Awards, and singing of patriotic songs.

In his speech, Joey Concepcion, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and EDSA People Power Commission vice president, said the People Power Revolution instilled in the youth — at that time — the kind of courage that pushes them to rise up and fulfill their dreams.

“Today, there is a different kind of revolution, which is creating inclusivity for all Filipino people. Our President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is to create an inclusive road making every Filipino a part of a growing country,” he said.

Concepcion added that real democracy has to be translated into real economic democracy “where the country is not controlled by the rich and where those

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at the bottom of the pyramid and the middle-class are aspiring to be wealthy.”

Meanwhile, public relations practitioner Reli German said most Filipinos have a wrong understanding of the real message of the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

“Marami sa atin ang nag-iisip na ito ay magdadala sa atin ng himala, na ito ay magdadala ng instant solution sa mga problema ng bansapagkatapos ng Feb. 25, 1986 revolution ay mawawala na ang kahirapaan, katiwalian, traditional politicians, hindi iyan mangyayari sa loob ng ilang buwan o taon (Many among us think that it will give us a miracle, that it will give an instant solution to our country’s problems … that after February 25, 1986 revolution there’ll be no nore poverty, corruption, traditional politicians, that won’t happen in a few months or years),” he said.

German urged the public to decide on “creating such miracle in a day-today basis” for the fulfillment of national goals.

On the other hand, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, Lorna Dig-Dino, said the revolution promoted “usap, unawa at kalinga (communication, understanding and care)” back then.

“Sa pagkakalinga, may pagmamalasakit sa kapwa (In caring, there is compassion for others). All our schools are child-friendly schools so that our students may learn peace, they do something for our country even if they’re still young” she said, adding that the DepEd promotes school activities, which help students think of solutions to problems and serve the country in any way they can. ■

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Philippine News

MARCH 1, 2019

ARMM formally turns over power to newlycreated BARMM

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE AUTONOMOUS Region in Muslim Mindanao formally turned over its power to the newly-formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Cotabato City on Tuesday, February 26.

“Pormal ko ngayong ipapasa ang pamunuan sa BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) sa pamumuno ho ni interim Chief Minister Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim.

Pormal ko ring isinasara ang kabanata ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at binubuksan ang ating bagong kabanata ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (I formally turn over the leadership to the BTA under interim Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim. I also formally close the last chapter of the ARMM and open the new chapter of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” outgoing ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said in his speech during the turnover rites.

With this, the 80-member BTA, which will govern the BARMM for the threeyear transition period until 2022, officially assumes leadership. The body, composed of 41 representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and 39 others from the government, took their oath of office before President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang last February 22.

During the transition period, the interim chief minister will exercise the executive authority, while the BTA mem-

bers will exercise the legislative powers.

Ebrahim, on the other hand, announced at the ceremony the officials who will head the ministries in BARMM. Some of those who are named are as follows: MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal (Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education); MILF Central Committee member Eduard Guerra (Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management); Bangsamoro Transition Commissioner Raissa Jajurie (Ministry of Social Services); lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo (Ministry of Local Government); and Ebrahim (Ministry of Public Works), among others.

Former MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, meanwhile, will serve as the speaker of the parliament.

In his speech, Ebrahim said they are still planning when the inauguration of BARMM will be, but hopes that it will happen within March.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC), in January proclaimed the ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), after a majority of people in the ARMM voted in favor of it.

Replacing the ARMM, the BARMM will have more have more powers, resources, and a larger area.

Results of the two-part BOL plebiscite which took place last January 21 and February 6 showed that the Provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, as well as cities of Marawi, Lamitan, Cotabato, and 63 villages in North Cotabato form the new region. ■

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte greets one of the guests during the ceremonial confirmation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite canvass results and oath-taking ceremony of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

(SIMEON CELI, JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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Duterte to Peter Lim: If I see you in PH, you’re dead

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA – Rodrigo R. Duterte warned Peter Lim anew from being caught noting that the fugitive and alleged drug lord would not be able to make it out alive.

“Ikaw Peter Lim ka, ‘wag ka talagang magpakita dito sa police, military o ako kasi ‘pag nakita kita, papatayin kita (You, Peter Lim, don’t show yourself to police, military or me because when I see you, I’ll kill you),” Duterte said during the 1st National Assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilpinas in Pasay City on Monday night.

“Wala akong pakialam. Punta ka doon sa China, balik ka. Bahala ka. Pero ‘pag nakita kita dito sa Pilipinas, you’re dead (I don’t care. Go to China, return. It’s up to you. But if I see you in the Philippines, you’re dead),” he added.

Duterte recalled a time when he was still the mayor of Davao City and Lim wanted to speak to him to “explain” and deny his alleged links to illegal drugs.

“Di ba nag-usap kami, bago pa akong Presidente. Nakipagkita siya sa akin kasi gusto niyang mag-explain. Sabi niya, ‘Mayor, hindi ko magawa. May mga anak ako (We were able to speak before I became President. He met me because he wanted to explain. He said, ‘Mayor, I can’t do it. I have kids’),” Duterte said.

The President said that because Lim didn’t have a case filed against him or arrest warrant yet, he just listened to his explanation.

However, Duterte said that had there been a case or arrest warrant, he might have done things differently.

“Eh wala pa kasing kaso noon na may

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warrant eh. Kaya kung noon ‘yung panahon na ‘yon may warrant na siya, pagkatapos ng interview barilin ko na siya doon sa hagdanan (That time he didn’t have any case or warrant. If there was already a warrant against him, after the interview, I’d shoot him by the stairs),” Duterte said.

Last Wednesday, Duterte called on the Cebu-based businessman to just commit suicide rather than surrender to the authorities.

“I am warning yung mga nasa Visayas.

Peter Lim, if I were you, I would commit suicide, never ever surrender to me alive, you will commit suicide. I-abbreviate mo na, ikaw pa magtali sa leeg mo ( just tie a rope around your neck),” Duterte said in his speech during the signing of Universal Health Care law.

Lim is currently facing an arrest warrant for two counts of the non-bailable offense of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trade, along with self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) tagged Lim as the source of “shabu” being sold by the Espinosa group.

Meanwhile, Dutete warned drug addicts from loitering in public places.

“Kayong mga drug addicts, ‘wag kayong mag-istambay diyan sa mga daan.

Kasi para sa publiko ‘yan na sumusunod sa batas. Ngayon kung kriminal ka, wala kang karapatan (You, drug addicts.

Don’t loiter there in the streets. Because those are for law-abiding citizens only.

Now, if you’re a criminal, you have no right),” Duterte said. ■

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FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

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Philippine News

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Palace to apply ‘full force’ vs. illegal Chinese workers in PH

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Malacañang on Monday assured that the government will apply immigration laws with “full force” against illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo clarified an earlier remark made by President Rodrigo R. Duterte saying he would rather allow illegal Chinese workers to work here than put at risk Filipino workers in China who could lose their jobs.

“We wish to clarify that the President’s policy on Chinese workers who are illegally staying in the country remains the same, which is the enforcement of immigration laws against violators,” Panelo said in a statement.

“Our laws will be applied with full force and effect equally to all foreign nationals who violate them,” he added.

Panelo further said that Chi-

nese citizens in blatant violation of our immigration laws “will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.”

He, however, noted that because the President prioritized the plight of our Filipino workers in China, the government will be “cautious” in dealing with illegal Chinese workers in the country.

“The government will tread cautiously and in accordance with the Constitution in dealing with any matter involving Chinese migrants perceived or alleged to be staying illegally, given the situation of thousands of Filipinos staying in China not in accordance with its laws,” Panelo said.

“The plight of our overseas Filipino workers remains foremost in the President’s mind,” he added.

He noted that the government will enforce immigration laws, but also stressed that it cannot afford to act “recklessly” on perceived violations of Chinese citizens.

“To do so would be a danger-

ous policy as we have, as the President stressed in his campaign rally speech, thousands of Filipinos in China and its government might enforce a policy of tit for tat to the detriment of our countrymen in China,” Panelo said.

Meanwhile, Panelo said that Chinese workers who have working permits and compliant with immigration rules and do not violate the laws of the land will be given protection.

He emphasized that Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua, in his courtesy call with the President, said that while the Chinese government enforces China’s laws against foreign nationals who violate them, Philippine laws will also be enforced against foreign citizens, including Chinese nationals who transgress them.

On February 23, Duterte, in a speech during the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Biñan, Laguna, said he would allow illegal Chinese workers in the country since there are more than 300,000 Filipinos working in

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

China.

“Iyong mga Chinese dito, hayaan mo ‘yan na dito magtrabaho. Hayaan mo. Bakit? (The Chinese, let them work here.

Let them be. Why?) We have 300,000 Filipinos in China,” Duterte said.

YANCY LIM / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“Kaya hindi ako maka — sabihin, o umalis kayo dito, deport ka doon. Eh kung bigla paalisin ‘yun doon 300,000 of them (That’s why I can’t say just leave, or have them deported.

What if they send all 300,000 Filipinos away)?” he added. ■

PDEA chief Aquino confirms Duterte’s remarks over entry of Colombian drug cartel to PH

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer PHILIPPINE DRUG Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino on Tuesday, February 26, confirmed President Rodrigo Duterte remarks that a Colombian drug cartel is now having its operations inside the country.

“Tama ang ating Presidente nung sinabi niyang pumapasok na ang Colombian drug cartel sa atin kasi based doon sa nakuha nating representative sample sa Matnog, Sorsogon noong 2018, lumalabas na itong cocaine na ito ay sa Colombia (Our President was right when he said that a Colombian drug cartel has already entered our country because based on the representative sample we have obtained from Matnog, Sorsogon last 2018, it was found out that

this cocaine came from Colombia),” Aquino told GMA’s Unang Balita in a phone interview.

The PDEA chief said these drug syndicates are making the country a “drug hub” for cocaine and that they might be using the cocaine blocks recently discovered floating on Philippine shores as a diversionary tactic to smuggle in more illegal drugs into the country.

“Sabi ko nga tatlong teorya ‘yan: number one, transshipment point. Pangalawa, ‘yung ating diversionary tactic na ginagawa ng drug syndicate, at ‘yung pangatlo kung naisakay nila ito sa speed boat nila. Itong mga smuggler ay makikitang nafi-feel nila na sila ay mahuhuli o masasabat ng mga awtoridad, ito’y tinatapon sa karagatan and later on ire-recover din naman ito, kaya nga lang hindi lahat nare-recover

(As I have said there are three theories: number one, transshipment point; number two, the drug syndicates are doing diversionary tactics; and number three, if they were able to put these drugs on board their speed boats. Whenever these smugglers feel that they can be caught by the authorities, they throw the drugs into the sea and later on recover it, but not all of it),” Aquino stressed.

In his speech during the first National Assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas in Pasay City on Monday, Duterte said the recovery of cocaine bricks in the Philippine waters is an indication that the Medellin group of Colombia has set foot in the country.

The President said the drugs came from old trawlers and that global positioning system (GPS) devices were attached to it before these were thrown www.canadianinquirer.net

into the sea.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier reported that 36 blocks of suspected cocaine were recovered anew on Sunday along the shoreline of Davao Oriental. Meanwhile, 34 similar bricks were also found on the same day in Surigao del Sur. Despite the recovery of the drugs worth millions of pesos, Aquino said the government is still winning on its campaign against illegal drugs.

“Based sa ating mga arrests at mga operations naman natin, ay talagang nananalo naman tayo sa giyera sa iligal na droga.

Maliban diyan meron naman tayong lumabas na survey sa SWS (Social Weather Stations) na seven out of 10 Filipinos believe na kumokonti na ang drug users sa ating bansa (Based on the number of our arrests and operations we have conduct-

ed, we are really winning in the war on illegal drugs. Aside from that, there is also an SWS survey which states that seven out of 10 Filipinos believe that there are fewer drug users in the country),” he noted.

According to the Fourth Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey released on February 16, 66 percent of adult Filipinos said the number of drug addicts in their area has “decreased,” while 14 percent said it has “increased” and seven percent said it has “remained the same.”

The pollster said those who believe that there are fewer drug addicts last year was the “highest” in Mindanao with 83 percent, followed by Visayas with 71 percent, Metro Manila with 67 percent, and Balance Luzon with 54 percent. ■

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

Philippine News

Good governance...

Ballot printing for May polls ‘at full capacity’: Comelec

❰❰ 1

gion in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The trust and responsibility is now in our hands.

We are accountable to it, to Allah, and our fellow Bangsamoro,” he said in a ceremonial handover event at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex inside the ARMM compound in Cotabato City.

Murad said the Bangsamoro people are now entering a new struggle, which is to instill the culture of good governance in the autonomous region.

“Our enemy during this struggle is not the soldiers. Our enemy is not the government.

Our enemy is oppression, our enemy is exploitation, our enemies are those anti-people,” Murad said.

“We are now entering another level of Jihad. Our Jihad will be more intense and more challenging. Our Jihad, firstly, will be against our own self. Our enemy is graft and corruption.

Our enemy is manipulation of the government. Our enemy is nepotism. Our enemy is all those ills of the government,” he added.

Murad cited the interim government’s main agenda that would ensure the delivery of services to the Moro and nonMoro people residing in the BARMM. “Our government shall take responsibility for the education of our children. Our government shall take responsibility for the health of our constituents. Our government shall take responsibility for the economic development of our region. Our government shall take responsibility for the infrastructure development of our areas. I shall be responsible for leading a morally upright bureaucracy,” he said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said he is confident that the BTA members can fulfill their mandate since they are people with “sincerity, dedication, and commitment in pushing for the realization of the Bangsamoro aspirations”.

Galvez urged the BTA to “work for the common good of the Bangsamoro people”.

“The bottom line here is to bring good governance through clean governmental transaction. This will show our sincerity to provide the needed services that the people in the

BY FERDINAND PATINIO Philippine News Agency

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Bangsamoro truly deserve,” Galvez said in a speech.

Galvez emphasized the significance of unity in diversity, urging the new leadership to work together as a team.

“Just like a rainbow, it is composed of different hues. Each color is uniquely beautiful and has a special purpose. It is reflective of the various tribes and beliefs that co-exist in the Bangsamoro homeland. But we can only maximize its beauty and power if we work harmoniously and collectively,” he said.

Immediately after the ceremonial handover, the new Bangsamoro government hit the ground running as Murad presided a Cabinet meeting to set the direction and focus of the new administration.

Another meeting was set on Wednesday to identify the parliament’s priorities for the next 100 days, which include the establishment of the key legislative structures such as Electoral, Local Government, Education, Administrative, Revenue, and Civil Service Codes.

Prior to Tuesday’s event, Murad met with Galvez and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Yusop Jikiri to discuss issues that need to be resolved to ensure a seamless transition. Among them is the status of ARMM employees.

“We agreed that there will be no retrenchment. All employees, except those who are coterminus, will be retained until the end of the year,” Galvez said.

Galvez echoed Duterte’s

guidance to put a premium on the welfare of the Bangsamoro and every Filipino.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said he is elated at bowing down from the office since he is leaving a more developed ARMM. “Iiwan natin ang rehiyon nang mas malakas, mas maunlad (We will be leaving the region stronger, more developed),” he said emotionally.

ARMM’s economic growth has improved in recent years.

In 2017, its gross regional domestic product had its peak in history with 12.1 percent, making it the fastest in the country. Its employment rate also surged at 97.4 percent last year.

The BARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. The autonomous region’s territory has expanded to include the city of Cotabato and 63 villages in North Cotabato province following the plebiscites in these areas.

The establishment of the BARMM is the result of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law -- the legal document operationalizing the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, including all the previous peace agreements that the government has entered into with the Moro fronts.

Duterte earlier described the new BARMM as a realization of everyone’s dream to end the armed struggle in Mindanao. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

7

stration purposes.

On the other hand, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they are on track to hit MANILA — The printing of bal- their target of finishing the lots to be used in the May 13, printing by April 25. Ballot 2019 National and Local Elec- printing started on February 9. tions (NLE) at the National Meanwhile, the poll body will Printing Office (NPO) is now create the Comelec Controlled averaging 1.1 million per day, Committee (CCC), in case an the Commission on Elections area will be declared under its (Comelec) reported Monday. control.

The total number of ballots to “The CCC shall have the aube printed is 63,662,481. thority to create Special Task With this, the poll body noted Force Team/s (Task Force) that they have already complet- which will act as the impleed the printing of menting arm 1.7 million overwith regards to seas absentee the decisions, voters’ ballots order, and othlast February 16. er issuances in The voting for relation to the At present, overseas votenforcement of the total ers will begin on Comelec Connumber April 13, a month trol,” said the of ballots ahead of election Comelec Resoalready day in the counlution No. 10501 printed try. promulgated on stands at Aside from February 21.

11,346,352, the OAV ballots, The CCC will or 17.82 the poll body be chaired and percent of said ballots for vice chaired by the total other priority a Comelec Comnumber of areas have also missioner while ballots to be been completed, its members will printed. which include be composed of provinces forrepresentatives merly comprisfrom the Philiping the Autonopine National mous Region in Police (PNP), Muslim MindArmed Forces of anao (ARMM), Region 13 or the the Philippines (AFP) and ProjCaraga Administrative Region, ect Management Office for the and Region 12 or Soccsksargen. elections.

“Printing of ballots for these On the other hand, the task areas will be followed by those force will be composed of repfor the Visayas provinces, resentatives from Department Luzon provinces, and lastly of the Interior and Local Govthe National Capital Region ernment; the Comelec Field (NCR),” the Comelec said in a Office/Office of Election Ofstatement. ficer, Regional Director, Police At present, the total num- Regional Office, PNP; either the ber of ballots already printed Division or Brigade Commandstands at 11,346,352, or 17.82 er with the highest rank desigpercent of the total number of nated by the AFP and Regional ballots to be printed.

Election Director.

There are 61,843,750 regThe poll body may place any istered voters for the May 13 political subdivision under its polls, but more than 1.1 million direct control and supervision ballots will be printed for use if, among others, there is a hisin the Final Testing and Sealing tory of, or current intense polit(FTS) process, while the rest ical rivalry among contending are demonstration ballots allot- parties, and as such, rivalries ted for vote-counting machine could motivate people to en(VCM) roadshow and demon- gage in violent acts. ■

Philippine News

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MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

1.8 million Pinoy families victimized by common crimes in Q4 of 2018 — SWS Correspondent/Hosts Bea Kirstein T. Manalaysay Joanna Belle Deala Gianna Llanes Arianne Grace U. Lacanilao Violeta Arevelo Babes Newland Graphic Design Shanice Garcia Ginno Alcantara Arlnie Colleene Talain Singca Account Manager Kristopher Yong Director/Producer Boom Dayupay Photographers/Videographers Ginno Alcantara Maria Crizandra Baylon Sales Aireen De Asis Paul Acosta Dennis Cruz Operations and Admin Victoria Yong Amelia Insigne Management Alan Yong Victoria Yong For photo submissions, please email editor@canadianinquirer.net For General Inquiries, please email info@canadianinquirer.net For Sales Inquiries, please email sales@canadianinquirer.net or contact 778-788-4998 Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 11951 Hammersmith Way, Suite 108 Richmond, B.C. V7A 5H9 Canada

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BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE SOCIAL Weather Stations (SWS) released a latest survey, revealing that the number of Filipino families who have been victimized by common crimes increased to 7.6 percent or an estimated 1.8 million during the last quarter of 2018.

“This is 1.5 points above the 6.1% (est.

1.4 million) in September 2018, and the highest since the 7.6 in December 2017,” the pollster said.

Common crimes in this survey refer to pickpocketing or robbery of personal property, break-ins, carjacking, and physical violence.

According to the SWS, 5. 3percent or at least 1.2 million families fell victim to the street robbery during the past six months, while 2.8 percent or an estimated 655,000 families were victimized by break-ins.

Victimization by street robbery remained “highest” in Metro Manila with 10.0 percent, followed by Mindanao at 8.3 percent, and Visayas at 2.5 percent.

However, it slightly decreased in Balance Luzon from 3.9 percent in September to only 3.3 percent in December.

The number of families who suffered break-ins rose in Metro Manila with 4.7 percent, Mindanao with 4.2 percent, and Balance Luzon with 2.5 percent. It fell down in Visayas from 2.3 percent to 0.6 percent in December.

The pollster also noted that among those who own any type of motor vehicle, 0.1 percent or 9,000 families said they were robbed of it.

From zero case in September 2018, the carjacking cases rose in Metro Manila at 1.0 percent, while no vehicle-owning families in Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao experienced carjacking.

The latest survey also showed that there were 1.3 percent or 303,000 Filipino families with members hurt by physical violence within the past six months.

The proportion of families victimized by physical violence climbed in Metro Manila at 2.8 percent, Balance Luzon at 1.4 percent, and Mindanao at 1.1 percent.

Cases of this common crime, however, declined in Visayas from September’s 1.7 percent to 0.3 percent.

The SWS has been asking its respondents since 1989 if any member of their household fell prey to street robbery, home break-in, or violence in the last six months. It was in 1992 when the pollster included motor vehicle theft to its list of crimes.

“Except in March 2013 and June 2016 when it was at 10.5% and 11.4% respectively, victimization of families by any

common crime has been at single-digit levels from March 2012 to December 2018,” it said.

The latest survey also showed that 61 percent of Filipino adults were fearful of burglary, a nine-point jump from the 52 percent in September 2018.

Meanwhile, more than half them or 54 percent, were found to be fearful of walking the streets at night, which was higher than September’s 46 percent.

The proportion of those who notice many drug addicts in their neighborhood, on the other hand, went down to 39 percent from the 41 percent recorded in June and September last year.

The poll was conducted from December 16 to 19, 2018, using face-to-face interviews of 1,440 Filipino adults nationwide; 360 each from Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. ■

MRT passenger nabbed for possession of grenade

BY MA. TERESA MONTEMAYOR Philippine News Agency MANILA — Authorities nabbed a passenger of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) after an explosive was found inside his baggage at MRT-3 Cubao station.

In a statement, the MRT-3 management said bag inspectors found a live hand grenade inside the baggage of Christian Guzman, 29, at the inspection area on Saturday at 7:10 pm.

“The live grenade was wrapped by

a packaging tape and placed inside a cellphone box. The incident was immediately reported by MRT-3 guards to police officers inside the station,” the statement read.

After questioning, Guzman was immediately brought to the police detachment in Shaw Boulevard for further investigation.

He was charged of violating RA 9516 or Illegal Possession of Ammunition and Explosives, and is now in the custody of Police Station 7 in Cubao.

He is set to undergo inquest proceeding at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Of-

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fice later Sunday.

The management stressed that they will take the case seriously.

“We ask the patience and cooperation of our passengers as we further tighten the security measures being implemented in our stations. Please understand that these measures are being done to protect the safety and security of our passengers,” the statement read.

It also encouraged passengers to remain vigilant and to report immediately to security personnel items, activities, and even individuals that they may find suspicious inside the trains or stations. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

9

AO to hasten land Right to peaceful assembly use conversion proven in 33rd EDSA Day rites process: DAR

BY PRIAM NEPOMUCENO Philippine News Agency

BY CHRISTINE CUDIS Philippine News Agency MANILA — The proposed administrative order (AO) for land use conversion applications is meant to streamline the tedious process the farmers have to undergo, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said Tuesday.

The agency made the remarks as it slammed some individuals and groups with vested interests, who are circulating fake and misleading allegations in relation to the proposed DAR Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2019 regarding the streamlining of the process for land use conversion applications.

“In compliance with the directives and timeline set by the President, DAR is awaiting the finalization of the Joint Memorandum Circular by an interagency committee, comprising of other executive departments and government offices who are involved in the Land Use Conversion process,” DAR said in a statement.

“There is no basis for them to assail the said AO, considering that the same is not yet effective as law,” it added.

The draft AO was uploaded to DAR’s internal memo system merely for vetting and review by other third level officials.

Article 2 of the New Civil Code of the Philippines provides that publication in any newspaper of general circulation is required for this regulation to take effect.

The Joint Memorandum Circular, due on the first week of March, will dictate the final draft of AO No.1 and will provide clear cut policies and a defined timeline for DAR and the other Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program implementing agencies to follow in the processing of land use conversion applications.

The timelines contained in the proposed AO is merely a reiteration of previous administrative orders defining the periods in the process for land use conversions applications.

“There is no truth to the erroneous and malicious allegations that the proposed AO is anti-farmer,” the statement included.

The law, which covers the substantial requirements of conversion, is enshrined under Section 65 of Republic Act 6657, which protects agricultural lands from being capriciously and whimsically converted for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes.

Applications for land use conversion under this proposed AO will not mean automatic approval but will be evaluated in accordance with the unconditional requirements under Section 65 of Republic Act 6657, as amended.

DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Luis Pangulayan earlier denied former Secretary Rafael Mariano’s claims the directive is in support of the President’s cronies.

“The former secretary has to understand that the directive of the President is for us to act accordingly and do it with a reasonable time so people will feel the services of the government,” he said in a separate interview.

In previous reports, the President has observed that Mariano had backlogs in land use conversion cases during his tenure.

Duterte also said the long process will be stressful for the applicants and would result in them giving up, adding that it will also be grounds for corruption as it takes several clearances from various agencies before it reaches the last stage.

Mariano, one of several leftists appointed by Duterte after he won the presidency in 2016, was rejected by the Commission on Appointments in 2017.

Meanwhile, the agency projects to distribute at least 41,077 hectares of land to 31,132 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) this year.

The target figure has a positive note as DAR exceeded 2018’s projection of 60,777 hectares that were distributed to 41,787 ARBs. ■

MANILA — The people’s right to hold peaceful assembly and express their views was proven anew during the 33rd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Monday.

This was emphasized by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in a message to reporters Tuesday.

“Those who intended to peaceably assemble and express their views were able to do so as enshrined in the Constitution. The AFP adheres to and supports this provision and thus, together with the PNP (Philippine National Police), has ensured that our citizens were able to exercise such rights,” Arevalo said.

He added that this year’s commemoration has been peaceful and meaningful.

“There was a simple ceremony at the People Power Monument in the morning attended by local government officials and representatives from the AFP and PNP,” the military official said.

“We will continue to imbibe the lessons of nationalism, pa-

www.canadianinquirer.net

AFP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.

triotism, and most importantly, unity. These are the values that make your Armed Forces a dependable institution that is always ready to protect the people and secure the sovereignty of the state,” said Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP public affairs office chief.

Also, this means that whatever challenges the country faces, despite the differences

JOY GUMATAY, PTV / FACEBOOK

in organizations and groups, Filipinos remains united and loyal to country and its Constitution.

“Rest assured that the AFP, together with the PNP and other security forces, is here to ensure the safety of the people present in today’s celebration.

We will not let our guards down for any possible threat that may arise,” Detoyato earlier said. ■

10

Philippine News

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Don’t commit drug-related crimes here and abroad: PRRD to Pinoys

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency

Government officials led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (partly hidden), Transportation Secretary Arthur

Tugade (blue polo), Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Secretary of Public Works Mark Villar (5th from right), and Japan Ambassador Koji Haneda, lead the lowering of capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase 1 Partial Operability Section, held at Barangay Ugong in Valenzuela City

JOEY O. RAZON / PNA

DOTr signs deal for Metro Manila Subway’s first 3 stations

BY AEROL JOHN PATENA Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed a deal with a private contractor for the design and build contract for the first three stations of the Metro Manila Subway System.

The subway system, which will have its groundbreaking on Wednesday, is expected to start its partial operations in 2022 with three stations: Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora and Mindanao Avenue.

The DOTr signed the contract with the joint venture of Shimizu Corporation, Fujita Corporation, Takenaka Civil Engineering Co., Ltd., and EEI Corporation last February 20.

“The Shimizu Joint Venture

will be pursuing the design and build of the Subway’s partial operability section, which consists of its first three underground stations (Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora and North Avenue), tunnel structures, the Valenzuela Depot, and the building and facilities for the Philippine Railway Institute,” the DOTr said in a statement over the weekend.

The Metro Manila Subway will have 15 stations from Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City, which is seen to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

The underground rail system is expected to serve up to 370,000 passengers per day, with a capacity of serving up to 1.5 million passengers per day once it starts its full operations

in 2025.

“Our countrymen will finally see that the dream of a railway system running underground in this country is soon becoming a reality. Of course there will be some inconvenience along the way, but that is nothing compared to the long-lasting comfort this project will bring to the Filipino people,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Tugade and other officials were in Osaka, Japan last week to inspect tunnel boring machines that will be used for the construction of the Metro Manila Subway.

The Philippine and Japanese governments signed a loan agreement for the subway project, with an initial tranche amounting to PHP51.37 billion (104.5 billion Japanese yen), in March last year. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday night warned Filipinos against committing drug-related crimes here and abroad, stressing that he would not be able to get them off the hook.

Duterte, who earlier said he would push for a “harsher” crackdown on illegal drugs, said he did not care whether the drug suspect is a Filipino or a foreigner.

“It is during my time that it would be very, very dangerous for anybody to do drugs. Whether as a drug lord, wala akong pakialam kung galing kang China, galing kang Taiwan, galing kang Manila (I don’t care if they’re from China, Taiwan or Manila),” Duterte said in his speech during the first national assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas in Pasay City.

“Pag pumunta kayo dito at ginawa ninyo ‘yan, papatayin ko talaga kayo (If you come here and do that, I’ll really kill you),” he added.

Duterte warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in particular, against committing illegal drug-related crimes abroad since some countries impose capital punishment.

“Kaya kayong mga Pilipino sa labas, wag ninyong gawin ‘yan kasi papatayin din kayo doon (That’s why you, Filipinos abroad, don’t do that because you’ll also be killed there). Do not be committing crimes in other countries,” Duterte said.

“I cannot help you and I won’t help you. ’Yan tandaan ninyo (Remember that),” he added.

Duterte said his warning also applies to government workers and officials, noting that some had been “hiding” their involvement in the drug trade until he became President.

“I realized that in waging a war against drugs, I would be fighting my own government,” Duterte said. “‘Yun ang malas ko. At nabuksan lang ‘yan nung Presidente na ako. Tinago nila ng tinago ‘yan (That’s my bad luck. And this was only discovered when I became President. They kept hiding it),” he added.

It was not clear if Duterte was referring to current or sacked government officials.

Meanwhile, Duterte also lambasted human rights groups for claiming his war on drugs only targeted the poor.

“Sinabi nila, pinapatay ni Duterte ang mahirap. Wala kang alam, tonto ka, torpe ka (They say, Duterte targets only the poor. You don’t know anything. You’re stupid),” he added.

Duterte reiterated that shabu has “caused a social dysfunction” by ruining the lives of many families.

The President has vowed to end the illegal drug trade before he steps down in 2022. ■

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

Philippine News

Digitization of birth registration pushed

PLDT to improve 8888 hotline

BY MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA Philippine News Agency

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer

MANILA — An umbrella organization of children’s rights groups on Wednesday called on the government to institutionalize a comprehensive civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system or digitization of data.

In a media forum during the “Register Every Pinoy Child Now” campaign launch in line with the Birth Registration Month, the Child Rights Network (CRN) urged lawmakers and local government units that the CRVS system could address the 2.6 million unregistered Filipino children nationwide.

“An efficient CRVS system should address the difficulties of birth registration by making it accessible to people, simplifying the procedures, and removing or minimizing the fees required for birth registration,” Pauline de Guzman of CRN said.

“Every Pinoy child should have an access to civil registration,” she said.

The CRN is also pushing for digitization of data and establishment of culturally-sensitive Barangay Civil Registration System.

“This is to encourage more Muslim and indigenous people communities to have their vi-

tal events registered as soon as possible,” de Guzman said.

The CRN is calling on LGUs to waive fees on delayed registration as it hinders poor Filipinos from getting their legal identity.

“The right to an identity is one of the rights that most people have taken for granted.

Without a legal identity, he or she is invisible in the eyes of government,” de Guzman said.

“Poverty and geographical barriers are among the reasons why many children cannot have their births registered on time,” she added.

De Guzman noted that 2.6 million is just 35 percent of the

total unregistered Filipinos, which means that 7.5 million Filipinos do not have access to civil registry documents.

“Without a birth certificate, a child can’t enroll in school, can’t travel overseas and can’t avail of government health and education services, among others,” de Guzman said.

Meanwhile, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said it is important for the government to continue to fight for the welfare of the children.

“Fighting for children’s rights is one of my advocacies in my nine years as congressman of ❱❱ PAGE 11 Digitization of

TELECOMMUNICATIONS GIANT PLDT Incorporated on Tuesday, February 26, assured the public that it will improve the citizen’s complaint hotline 8888.

“We’re gonna put more lines than the 20 mandated in the contract with the government, and we will man it,” PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

His remarks came after President Rodrigo Duterte last Sunday threatened to shut down the telco company if they did not set up more trunk lines for the government’s public complaints hotline.

“Og naa moy nakit-an nga corruption, tawga ko o pahibaw-a ko sa 8888. Kin — Bong [Go], padungagi ra na’g trunk line. Dili kaya sa present setup.

Sigebusy. Ingnang PLDT (If you see corruption, tell me. Call 8888. Bong, add another trunk line. The present setup can’t accommodate all the calls. It’s always busy. Tell PLDT,” the President said in his speech during the campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Cebu City.

Pangilinan explained that the reason why the line was always busy is that the 8888 call center does not have enough person-

11

nel who will respond to all the calls.

“Apparently, the 8888 is really a call center operations for both telcos. We have 20 lines each. We’re supposed to provide the lines, which we have provided but the lines are not manned properly,” he said.

To solve the problem, Pangilinan said they will “forget what the agreement said” and “will increase the number of lines to accommodate the calls, and we will man it ourselves.”

Pangilinan apologized for the inconvenience and thanked Duterte for calling out their attention.

In 2016, the President signed Executive Order (EO) No. 6, establishing 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center. Under the EO, the hotline number will serve as a “mechanism where citizens may report their complaints and grievances on acts of red tape as defined under RA (Republic Act) No. 9485 and other relevant laws, and/or corruption of any national government agency, government-owned or -controlled corporation, government financial institution, and other instrumentalities of the government.”

The trunkline operates 24/7, excluding national holidays and work suspensions. ■

DOST taps Robogals to urge studes in robotics, eng’g

BY MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 10 (Northern Mindanao) has tapped Robogals Cagayan de Oro to encourage more students to try the fields of robotics and engineering.

Robogals is a non-government organization that aims to encourage students to engage in engineering topics by providing them free robotics classes.

According to DOST-10, Robogals aims to increase female en-

rollment in Engineering and Information Technology courses.

It was DOST-10 that approached Robogals, Science Research Specialist Julie Anne Baculio told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday.

“The partnership started last February 3. The DOST-10 approached Robogals after the group’s presentation at the Quantum Information Technology Convention 11,” she said.

Baculio acknowledged that DOST needs to draft a memorandum of agreement to make the partnership formal. “We are hoping to sustain the partnership for years. The longer,

the better,” she said.

Under the DOST-Robogals partnership, the latter will provide free robotics seminars during the agency’s Science and Technology (S&T) caravan in Lanao del Norte on February 28.

The second and third leg of the S&T caravan will happen in Camiguin in May, and in Misamis Occidental in August, according to Baculio.

The S&T caravan will be held in municipal covered courts, she added.

“Robogals would accommodate 30 students per caravan because there are only three www.canadianinquirer.net

volunteers available,” she said.

Baculio noted that DOST-10 also wants to partner with Robogals for the observance of the Regional S&T Week in Malaybalay, Bukidnon on November 12-14.

“We can reach more students during the S&T Week because this is scheduled for three days.

We target 1,500 participants for the whole event,” she said.

By partnering with DOST, Baculio said Robogals would benefit from the promotion or exposure, and would also enable the group to reach more students.

“They told us they’re having

a hard time entering schools to give free classes because they are not well known. This year, they target to be recognized as a non-stock, non-profit organization under the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission),” she explained.

Meanwhile, aside from the free robotics workshops courtesy of Robogals, Baculio said attendees of the caravan can also expect some free services from DOST-10.

“We’ll give free water testing (pH, color, turbidity), free calibration of weighing scales up to 60 kg., and free materials on our programs,” she said. ■

12

Philippine News

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Don’t harm priests; they’re not part of political ruckus: PRRD

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Despite his personal tiff with the Catholic Church, President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned those who threaten to harm priests and bishops to stop, noting that they are not part of the “political ruckus.”

Duterte’s warning came after Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in a text message to former presidential aide, Christopher “Bong” Go, reported that some priests have been receiving death threats.

“Ang sagot ko ganito: ‘Yang away ko sa Katoliko, amin lang

‘yan — personal. Kayong mga adik, ‘wag ninyong totohanin (This is my answer: My feud with the Catholic Church, it’s just personal. You addicts, don’t take it seriously),” the President said during the 1st National Assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas in Pasay City Monday.

“Hindi ‘yan sila kasali sa ruckus — political ruckus. Ako, I was just responding — sinagot ko lang ‘yung sabi ng pari (na) mamatay ako. Pero huwag ninyong patayin talaga ‘yung mga obispo, pati pari (They’re not part of the political ruckus.

I was just responding to the priest who wished me dead. But

don’t kill bishops and priests).

It is not allowed,” he added.

Those who harm bishops and priests would have to answer to him, Duterte said, noting that he would not get anything from having clerics killed. “‘Pag ginawa mo ‘yan sa kanila, ako mismo ang kalaban mo at ako ang hihirit sa iyo kasi ginagawa ninyo ‘yan para siraan ako. Ano man ang makuha ko ‘pag patayin ko ‘yang pari?

(If you harm them, you’ll have to face me. I’m going to make you pay because you’re doing it to destroy my reputation. What do I get from having priests killed?),” he said.

Duterte admitted that he is

angered by how priests do not have to pay taxes, but said he is not “mad” at the Catholic Church.

“Alam mo hindi ako galit sa simbahan. Pero itong mga obispo ng mga elitista dito sa Maynila, ‘yung hindi nagbabayad ng buwis, nakaupo diyan sa lupa ng gobyerno na walang bayad for so many years (You know, I’m not mad at the Church. But these bishops of elitists in Manila, the ones who don’t pay taxes, but sit on government land without paying for so many years),” he said.

Under the Constitution, religious organizations are exempted from the payment of taxes.

This is not the first time Duterte has warned against killing bishops and priests. He first brought up Tagle’s text message during the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Cebu City on Sunday night.

He said that according to Tagle, priests have been receiving death threats from persons, who claimed to be working for the first family. However, he denied this and warned impostors to “lay off.”

“Religious (leaders) has nothing to do with the vagaries of life. Lay off! Stop threatening them or ako ang makalaban ninyo (you’ll have to face me),” Duterte said. ■

Trillanes downplays Duterte’s Albayalde orders subpoena threat vs. his mother probe on ambush of 2 gun-for-hire suspects

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer SENATOR ANTONIO “Sonny” Trillanes IV will not try to stop President Rodrigo Duterte from issuing a subpoena against his mother over her alleged business dealings with the military.

“Just do it and let it be another humiliating episode for you like the fake offshore bank accounts you alleged against me,” Trillanes said in a statement on Wednesday, February 27.

“Mahirap dito kay Duterte hindi lang ako kaya, kaya ang Nanay kong may sakit ang pinagdidiskitahan. Sige lang (The thing about Duterte is that he cannot pick on me that is why he is now singling out my sick mother. Go ahead), do your worst while I count the days,” he added.

The President on Tuesday said he will summon Estelita Trillanes whom he accused of having supply transactions with the Philippine Navy when the senator and his deceased father, Antonio Trillanes, Sr., were still in the military service.

He made the allegations during his televised interview with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo last September 2018.

“Since September last year,

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN Philippine News Agency

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Duterte has been saying that he asked different agencies to investigate the supposed anomalous transactions of my Mother,” Trillanes said.

“But up to now, he has yet to show even a shred of evidence to prove his baseless allegations,” he continued.

Duterte, in November 2018, said the government is already investigating the alleged transactions of Trillanes’s 84-yearold mother who is suffering from advanced Parkinson’s Disease.

The lawmaker had denied the President’s claims and

SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK

criticized him for dragging his mother into their squabble.

Trillanes also earlier said that he will “voluntarily” go to any jail, even in Duterte’s hometown, Davao City, if it can be proven that his mother had been involved in any anomalies.

Aside from this, the senator has been facing a number of charges. Just yesterday, the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office indicted him on the charge of inciting to sedition over his statements against the President after the latter issued a proclamation that revoked his amnesty. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday ordered a probe on the killing of two-self confessed gun-for-hire suspects while onboard a police mobile on their way back to jail.

“That will be investigated and I have already asked the IAS (Internal Affairs Service) to investigate it. I also asked the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to explain what happened. Remember, these are members of gun-for-hire groups.

They are high-risk detainees and are supposed to have security escort when they undergo inquest proceedings,” Albayalde told reporters when sought for a comment on the incident.

On Tuesday, Police Officer (PO) 1 Joven Miguel and PO2 Mark De Lima, both assigned at the MPD station 4, were onboard a police mobile patrol car with the suspects Apolonio Flores and Patrick Cortez who underwent inquest proceedings at a Manila court.

While on their way back from the court, six motorcycle-riding suspects blocked their vehicle.

The suspects disarmed de Lima and Miguel at gunpoint

and ordered them to alight from the vehicle and lie face down.

The gunmen then shot dead Flores and Cortez through the vehicle’s window and fled from the scene.

Flores was arrested on Monday for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban.

Police found in his cellphone kill orders from an alleged middleman, prompting the cops to conduct a follow-up investigation.

The middleman, who was later identified as Cortez, was arrested during an operation conducted in Tondo, Manila.

For his part, NCRPO chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar, said the killing of Flores and Cortez could have been ordered by drug syndicates as they admitted that they work for them particularly by killing drug pushers who fail to remit money from drug transactions.

“Probably they were silenced so they cannot reveal anything about the groups they are transacting with,” Eleazar said in Filipino.

Eleazar, however, said he is not ruling out a possible involvement of erring policemen in the incident.

Miguel and De Lima will also undergo investigation to determine their lapses in complying with operational procedures. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

Digitization of... ❰❰ 11

Ifugao,” Baguilat add- bills as its legislative agenda ed. such as the Juvenile Justice, Baguilat, one of the Universal Birth Registration, authors of the CRVS Bill in the Statutory Rape, Positive Dis17th Congress, said the pro- cipline, Inclusive Education, posed measure is Child Marriage now in the comand Exploitamittee level. tion of Children, “I express my whether online full support to or offline. register all FiliThe CRN is the Without pinos. I thank largest alliance a birth the CRN for their of organizations certificate, support,” he said. and agencies a child can’t “We shall conpushing for chilenroll in tinue to advocate dren’s rights regschool, can’t against the child istration in the travel overseas marriage and Philippines. It and can’t avail banning children has 47 memberof government from armed conorganizations health and flict,” he added. across the couneducation On the other try. services, hand, Connie Among othamong others.

Salcedo, head of ers, its members the Policy and are the PhilipPlans Division pine Legislators of the Council Committee on for the Welfare of Children, Population and Development, said there are already seven Foundation, Inc., Bahay Tubills filed in Congress regarding luyan, Plan International and CRVS. World Vision. ■ The CRN cited the seven

13

CA rejects GMA Network plea in labor row

BY BENJAMIN PULTA Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Court of Appeals (CA) has turned down the appeal filed by broadcasting giant GMA Network Inc. which challenged a labor arbiter’s ruling declaring 97 talents of the company as regular employees and as such are entitled to security of tenure and all benefits and rights.

The decision of the CA’s Special Fourteenth Division dated Feb. 20 written by Associate Justice Zenaida T. GalapateLaguilles upheld the Sept. 30, 2015 decision of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) that the private respondents are regular employees. Associate Justices Mario V. Lopez and Gabriel T. Robeniol concurred in the ruling.

“The four fold test to determine the existence of an

employer-employee relationship i.e. the selection and engagement of the employee; the payment of wages; the power of dismissal; and the power to control the employee’s conduct was duly established in this case,” the appellate court said in its ruling.

The talents were assigned to different programs and were paid talent fees from 2006 to 2013 and held positions as writers, segment producers, production assistants, researchers among others.

The case was prompted by a revenue regulation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in compliance with which GMA required its talents on April 14, 2014 to register with the BIR as independent contractors and issue receipts for the talent fees being paid to them.

The talents claimed they were regular employees and not independent contractors

and filed a complaint against GMA before the labor arbiter.

GMA, however, insisted that there is no employer-employee relationship between the network and its talents. “(T)he presumption is that when the work is done is an integral part of the regular business of the employer and when the worker, relative to the employer, does not furnish an independent business or professional service, such work is a regular employment of such employee and not an independent contractor. The Court will peruse beyond any such agreement to examine the facts that typify the parties’ actual relationship,” the appellate court said in ruling against GMA. ■

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14

Canada News Trudeau waives almost all confidentiality restrictions on Wilson-Raybould

BY MIA RABSON AND TERESA WRIGHT The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is waiving both solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidentiality for his former attorney general, paving the way for Jody WilsonRaybould to finally tell her side of the SNC-Lavalin saga to the House of Commons justice committee and the ethics commissioner.

An order-in-council published Monday evening lifts both confidentiality restrictions on Wilson-Raybould and anyone she talked to about her role in deciding whether or not to prosecute SNC-Lavalin for bribery and fraud to cooperate with ongoing investigations by both the committee and the ethics commissioner.

That could include conversations she is known to have had with Trudeau himself, his former principal secretary Gerald Butts, chief of staff Katie Telford and Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick.

The order specifically notes, however, that Wilson-Raybould cannot speak publicly about any information or communications she had with director of public prosecutions Kathleen Roussel about the case.

Trudeau hinted at the order to come during question period Monday.

“I am pleased also to confirm that later today the government will confirm that the member for Vancouver-Granville will

be able to address relevant matters at the committee, while ensuring that the two active court cases are not jeopardized,” he said.

Wilson-Raybould may appear at the House of Commons justice committee as early as Wednesday to explain what type of pressure she felt she was under not to pursue a criminal prosecution of the Quebec engineering giant, and allow the firm to negotiate a remediation agreement instead.

The two cases Trudeau referenced are the ongoing criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin for allegedly bribing Libyan officials to secure contracts there, and a request by SNC-Lavalin executives that a judge overturn the decision by the director of public prosecutions not to enter into a remediation agreement.

Earlier this month anonymous sources told the Globe and Mail newspaper that Wilson-Raybould had been pressured by Trudeau and his aides to overturn the public prosecutor and proceed to a remediation agreement. Trudeau has said he was always clear that the final decision rested with her, though he acknowledges both he and his aides had several conversations with her throughout the fall to provide her with information to help her make the decision.

Trudeau and Wilson-Raybould have both been awaiting legal advice on the extent of solicitor-client privilege protecting their conversations. She has said more than once that the

ART BABYCH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

decision to waive that privilege is not hers to make.

In a letter to the Commons justice committee Monday she said she was “anxious” to appear but wasn’t going to confirm her attendance until she had “clarity” about what she can say.

The committee offered her times on both Tuesday and Wednesday this week, but as of Monday evening, there was no formal notice of her appearance.

She has asked to deliver a 30-minute opening statement before she takes questions from committee members, which is about three times the length most witnesses are granted.

The chances Trudeau gets asked to testify at the commit-

www.canadianinquirer.net

tee himself fell from slim to almost none Monday after the Liberals defeated a Tory motion asking the House of Commons to order the prime minister to appear.

Arif Virani, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of justice, said the committee can decide for itself what witnesses to call. Liberal MP Marc Miller noted that over the course of the last week, Trudeau had answered at least 40 questions on the matter in the House of Commons.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said Canadians should be “outraged” that Liberal politicians made any attempt to influence the outcome of a criminal case and the prime minister needs to explain himself.

“Quite simply what we’ve seen unfold over the last two weeks is a textbook case of government corruption with those at the very top of the Prime Minister’s Office implicated in what could very well be the obstruction of justice,” Scheer said in a news conference.

Scheer said the known facts include that SNC-Lavalin successfully lobbied the government for the Criminal Code to be changed to allow for remediation agreements. Then, when the public prosecutor decided the company wasn’t going to be eligible for one, the Liberals launched “an unsolicited, co-ordinated and sustained effort by the PM himself to get Wilson-Raybould” to override that decision.

Wilson-Raybould was shuffled out of justice into veterans affairs in mid-January, and the Conservatives allege she was moved because she didn’t do what the Prime Minister’s Office wanted on SNC-Lavalin.

A spokeswoman for the PMO said Monday the government does not comment about human resource decisions.

Wilson-Raybould resigned from cabinet altogether a few days after the allegations first surfaced but remains a Liberal MP and says she intends to run again as a Liberal in the next election.

The justice committee heard from a number of legal experts Monday who offered their opinions on the Shawcross doctrine, which says an attorney general ❱❱ PAGE 16 Trudeau waives

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

15

Singh cements leadership with B.C. byelection win but NDP loses Outremont

BY JOAN BRYDEN The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Jagmeet Singh tightened his shaky grip on the reins of the NDP Monday by winning a do-or-die federal byelection in British Columbia.

But the challenge he now faces in reviving the party’s flagging fortunes in time for this fall’s national election was underscored by the NDP’s simultaneous loss to the Liberals in Outremont — the Montreal riding that served as a launching pad for the orange wave that swept Quebec in 2011.

With most polls reporting, Singh captured Burnaby South with more than 38 per cent of the vote, ahead of the Liberal contender with 26 per cent and the Conservative with 22 per cent.

Had he lost, Singh would almost certainly have faced demands to resign as leader. Going into Monday’s byelection, many New Democrats — including Singh’s predecessor, Tom Mulcair — had questioned how Singh could lead the party in the October federal election if he couldn’t win a seat for himself.

“We made history today,” a triumphant Singh told supporters at a victory party.

“When I was growing up as a kid, I could’ve never imagined someone like me ever running to be prime minister. Guess what? We just told a lot of kids out there: ‘Yes, you can.’”

However, the loss of Outremont cast a pall over Singh’s victory celebration.

Lawyer Rachel Bendayan reclaimed the riding for the Liberals with 40 per cent of

the vote, even as the governing party struggles with the fallout from allegations that the Prime Minister’s Office improperly pressured former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to halt criminal proceedings against Montreal engineering giant SNC-Lavalin.

The NDP’s Julia Sanchez captured almost 27 per cent.

Outremont was a longtime Liberal stronghold until 2007, when Mulcair scored a byelection upset for the NDP, creating a beachhead for the party in Quebec, from which it eventually went on to sweep the province in 2011 and vault into official Opposition status for the first time in party history.

Since those heady days, the party has fallen back to its traditional third-party status. It won just 44 seats in the 2015 election, 16 of them in Quebec. Monday’s loss of Outremont gives credence to polls that suggest the party risks being wiped out altogether in Quebec this fall.

Vancouver NDP MP Jenny Kwan acknowledged the loss of Outremont was “a disappointment.”

“What we’re going to do, of course, is learn from this experience and then we’re going to redouble our efforts to ensure that the people of Quebec know we are there for them,” she said at Singh’s victory party.

Singh, who plans to visit Quebec next week to lay out his vision, said the party will build support in the province by championing the environment and opposition to pipelines.

As for whether his criticism of the Liberal government’s handling of the SNC-Lavalin affair may be backfiring in the com-

pany’s home province, Singh suggested Quebecers, like other Canadians, “don’t believe we should be giving preferential treatment to one corporation.”

In a third byelection Monday, the Conservatives handily hung on to the Ontario riding of York-Simcoe, which had been held since 2004 by former Conservative cabinet minister Peter Van Loan. Scot Davidson took 53 per cent of the vote for the Tories, well ahead of Liberal Shaun Tanaka with 30 per cent.

There were, however, a couple of potentially bad omens for the Conservatives in Monday’s results.

The breakaway People’s Party of Canada, created last summer by one-time Tory leadership contender Maxime Bernier, faced its first electoral test in the byelections and results suggest it could be a spoiler that deprives the Conservatives of victory in tight contests come the fall.

While the fledgling party won no more than two per cent of the vote in Outremont and York-Simcoe, it did surprisingly well in Burnaby South, where Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson won about 11 per cent of the vote after running on a “Canadians first” campaign that was denounced by some supporters of rival candidates.

And in Outremont, the Conservative candidate ran a distant fifth with just seven per cent of the vote, behind the Liberals, NDP, Greens, and Bloc Quebecois.

The Greens, who’ve watched their vote share increase in a number of other recent byelection contests, came third in Outremont with some 13 per cent of

Jagmeet Singh.

the vote — up 10 points from the 2015 election. However, the party’s vote share was down slightly in York-Simcoe, at less than three per cent. The Greens did not run a candidate in Burnaby South, as a courtesy to Singh.

Singh’s win was all the sweeter for the fact that Burnaby South was not a natural home or a safe seat for the former Ontario provincial politician. New Democrat Kennedy Stewart, now mayor of Vancouver, won the riding by just over 500 votes ahead of the Liberals in 2015.

His victory will give Singh some much-needed visibility in the House of Commons in the run-up to the general election and will help put to rest grumbling within NDP ranks about his underwhelming performance since being chosen leader almost 18 months ago.

But his problems go well beyond his low profile on the main stage of federal politics.

Singh has faced criticism about his seeming unfamiliarity with federal issues and his handling of internal caucus discipline.

Under his leadership, the NDP has plunged to its low-

JAGMEET SINGH / FACEBOOK

est standings in public opinion polls since 2000, when it won just 13 seats. The party is mired in debt and its fundraising results have been dismal. As well, at least 11 of the 44 MPs who won seats for the party in 2015 have announced they won’t seek re-election this fall.

While the Liberals could celebrate victory in Outremont, the party’s vote share dropped by about seven percentage points in each of the other two byelections — at least in part likely due to the fallout from the SNC-Lavalin affair.

In Burnaby South, the ruling party was likely also hurt by the fact that it dumped its original candidate after she identified Singh as being of “Indian descent” and contrasted herself as the “only” Chinese candidate in a riding with a large ChineseCanadian population.

Voter turnout, which is typically low in byelections, was just under 30 per cent in Burnaby South and less than 20 per cent in the other two ridings. ■ With files from Laura Kane in Vancouver.

Canada a leader, but more must be done for women in conflict zones: UN official

BY TERESA WRIGHT The Canadian Press OTTAWA – Canada is a trailblazer when it comes to assisting women in humanitarian crises around the world, but far

more needs to be done to improve outcomes for women and girls in conflict zones, says the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

Mark Lowcock, who also serves as the emergency relief

co-ordinator for the humanitarian affairs office of the UN, delivered remarks in Ottawa on Friday as part of a panel discussion delving into the growing need for a more gender-responsive approach to humanitarian emergencies. www.canadianinquirer.net

He applauded the Trudeau government’s feminist international assistance policy – which includes a plan to eventually ensure 95 per cent of Canada’s foreign aid goes toward initiatives that improve the lives of women and girls – as an exam-

ple for other countries to emulate.

But he also pointed to many examples of women who continue to face extreme risks of sexual and gender-based ❱❱ PAGE 16 Canada a

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Canada News

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Canada a... ❰❰ 15

violence in areas of conflict around the world, saying more needs to be done to ensure humanitarian aid actually helps the women and girls who are being disproportionately affected.

“The world’s humanitarian agencies do a good job in saving lives and reducing suffering among people caught up in conflict,” Lowcock said. “But we do not do a good enough job for women and girls.”

The Yazidi women who were forced into sexual slavery in Iraq and Syria.

The Chibok girls kidnapped in Nigeria.

The Rohingya refugees who were gang raped, tortured and lost family members in brutal mass slaughters in Myanmar.

These are the stories of women in crisis zones that have captured the world’s attention, Lowcock said, pointing also to women he has met in other regions who continue to live in dangerous situations with fewer opportunities than men to thrive.

Humanitarian assistance often does not address the specific needs of women, he said.

Every day more than 500 women and girls die from pregnancy and childbirth complications in crisis-affected countries. Also, inadequate help with

Mark Lowcock.

@UNRELIEFCHIEF / TWITTER

menstrual hygiene keeps girls confined to tents and shelters, preventing them from accessing services and limiting their mobility.

Girls in conflict zones are more than twice as likely as boys to be out of school and women are often more likely to be infected in disease outbreaks because their cultural practices make them caregivers of the sick.

These are all areas that highlight why women’s needs must be top-of-mind

and at the decision-making table when humanitarian aid is rolled out to crisis zones, to ensure they are not only free of further victimization, but also more empowered, Lowcock said.

“Let me be clear that we are making strides in the right direction with all these challenges. But let me be equally be blunt – far more needs to be done.”

One key element is the way in which humanitarian aid is donated.

Often money raised through the UN or other aid organizations comes with conditions attached by donors that it must be spent on certain things, such as immunizations or specific programming.

This may not be what women need most for themselves and their families, said Julie Delahanty, executive director of Oxfam Canada.

“That’s not an empowering feeling for the women who are receiving that cash,” she said.

“We have to be asking them what kind of modality they want that assistance

in – they may prefer food, and if they prefer food, what kind of food do they want? We often don’t ask them such basic questions.”

Oxfam Canada published a report in October that took a close look at how Canada provides international humanitarian aid and the gaps that exist when it comes to outcomes for women and girls in refugee situations.

It noted that while Canada has made great improvements with its focus on gender equality and feminism as part of its domestic and foreign policy agenda, Canada’s international assistance spending is at a near-historic low, reaching 0.26 per cent of gross national income, as compared to the UN aid target of 0.7 per cent.

The organization has called on Canada to develop a 10-year plan to achieve the United Nations aid target and also wants Canada to dedicate a slice of its humanitarian assistance to the needs of women and girls.

International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, who also took part in the panel on Friday, pointed to the steps the Trudeau government has already taken, pointing out that half of humanitarian programs previously funded by her department were “completely gender blind,” which has been almost entirely reversed.

“We are making this big, big shift, making sure all our humanitarian partners are paying attention to the specific needs of women and girls,” Bibeau said.

“And not only seeing them as beneficiaries or victims, but really bringing local women around the table for decisions and making sure that throughout implementation of projects, they are building their capacities their leadership, providing opportunities for empowerment.” ■

Trudeau waives... ❰❰ 14

can consult with officials on decisions about whether to move forward with a criminal prosecution, but that those consultations cannot veer into pressure.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, a former Saskatchewan judge who is currently senior associate counsel for Woodward and Co. LLP, said she believes anyone who approached Wilson-Raybould to discuss the SNC-Lavalin case after the decision had been made to prosecute should only have only done so under a specific legal authority – and added her belief the Shawcross doctrine offers only a “flimsy foundation” for such meetings.

“It is not inappropriate for a public official for to engage with prosecutors and say, ‘Should you require additional information, I am standing ready to provide it to you’,” Turpel-Lafond told the committee.

www.canadianinquirer.net

“If the purpose was to persuade the attorney general as chief prosecutor to take a different position on a prosecution, it triggers a serious rule-of-law concern.”

She added that she felt it was important to hear from all parties involved to determine the scope of those discussions in the SNC-Lavalin case.

The committee also heard from two lawyers who spoke in favour of remediation agreements with corporations that face charges such as bribery and fraud.

Kenneth Jull of Gardiner Roberts LLP said these agreements offer an incentive for companies to self-report issues of malfeasance, giving them options to fix problems while not penalizing employees, pensioners and customers who would suffer if the business goes under as a result of prosecution. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

OPP deputy commissioner threatens to sue Premier Ford for defamation

BY SHAWN JEFFORDS The Canadian Press TORONTO — One of Ontario’s highest-ranking police officers is threatening to sue Premier Doug Ford accusing him of defamation.

In a notice of intent to sue filed last month, lawyers for Ontario Provincial Police Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair allege that Ford damaged the officer’s reputation when he accused him of breaking the Police Services Act by speaking out against the hiring of a Ford family friend for the force’s top job.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

FORDNATION/FACEBOOK Blair’s lawyer Julian Falconer further alleges that Ford’s com- until an investigation could be the OPP to look into obtaining ments were meant to intimi- conducted by the province’s a “cost-effective used van” for date his client, who publicly ombudsman. him to work and travel in across criticized Toronto police suAfter the ombudsman de- the province. perintendent Ron Taverner’s clined to investigate, Blair “The emails sent to the OPP appointment as OPP commis- launched a legal challenge in an from a member of the premier’s sioner. attempt to force the watchdog office staff are not an official “Specifically, it is alleged that to probe the hiring. Ontario’s procurement of a van, instead you intentionally, deliberately, Divisional Court is expected to they are a cost estimate and and maliciously made state- hear the case in April. reveal an effort to minimize exments you knew or ought to The court documents filed pense,” Simon Jefferies said in have known to be false,” Fal- in the case also contain more an email. coner said in a Blair’s lawyers letter to Ford. said they filed Falconer said the notice of inFord told media tent to sue for that Blair had aldefamation after Mr. Blair is an unsuccessful legedly violated the government candidate, and still appears to be the act, when failed to respond clearly upset that he did not get there is no evito four letters the job. dence the veterseeking to clarify an officer did so if Blair was unat any time durder a Police Sering his career. details about Blair’s allegations vices Act investigation.

“The preparation, distribu- that Ford’s chief of staff asked Jefferies denied Ford’s statetion and publication of these the OPP to purchase a “larger ments were a reprisal against defamatory words have caused camper type vehicle” and have Blair. extensive harm to Deputy it modified to the specifications “Mr. Blair is an unsuccessful Commissioner Blair’s profes- of the premier’s office, with the candidate, and still appears to sional and personal reputation, costs associated with the vehi- be clearly upset that he did not as well as other damages to be cle “kept off the books.” get the job,” he said, adding that specified at a later date,” FalThe documents show the the premier would respond to coner said. cost to taxpayers for the van re- any legal proceedings through In December, Blair said OPP model would be over $50,000, his counsel if necessary. officers had expressed con- not including the cost of the NDP Leader Andrea Horwath cerns the selection process vehicle itself. The custom fea- called Ford’s actions “shamewhich resulted in Taverner’s tures were to include a 32-inch ful” and said his comments appointment was unfair and television with Blu-Ray player, were an attempt to intimidate could raise doubts about the a mini-fridge, black leather Blair. police service’s independence. captain’s chairs and a reclining “I think it’s another indicator Blair, who was also in the leather sofa bench, the docu- of this government’s desire to running for the commissioner’s ments said. put a chill on anybody that’s gojob, also suggested that TavA spokesman for Ford said ing to speak out against them,” erner’s appointment be delayed Monday that the premier asked she said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

17

New immigration projects offer caregivers pathway to permanent residence

BY TERESA WRIGHT The Canadian Press OTTAWA – The Trudeau government is launching two new immigration pilot programs that will allow caregivers to come to Canada with their families while also offering them the opportunity to become permanent residents.

Under the newly designed programs, caregivers will be given greater flexibility to change jobs quickly, if needed.

Current barriers that prevent caregivers’ family members from coming with them to Canada will also be removed, and open work permits will be offered to their spouses and common-law partners as well as study permits for dependent children.

“Caregivers provide care to families in Canada that need it, and it’s time for Canada to care for them in return,” said Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen.

“We are providing them with both the opportunity to bring their family members here and access permanent residency to demonstrate our commitment.”

Applicants will be assessed for permanent residence criteria before they begin working in Canada. Once they obtain a work permit and have two years

of work experience under their belts, they will have access to a direct pathway to become a permanent resident.

These five-year pilot programs are replacing the expiring ‘Caring for Children’ and ‘Caring for People with High Medical Needs’ pilot programs, which Hussen says were ineffective.

The new Home Child Care Provider pilot and the Home Support Worker pilot will begin later this year with a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants each, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants per year. Spouses, common-law partners and dependent children will not count against these limits.

For caregivers already in Canada who arrived after changes made in 2014 to the caregiver program that were not well understood, an interim Pathway for Caregivers program is also being launched.

A number of caregivers began working for families in Canada only to find out later they would not qualify for permanent residence under any existing programs. This new temporary program with modified criteria will provide those caregivers who, in good faith, came to Canada and are providing care to Canadians, a new chance to stay in Canada permanently.

This interim program will be open from March 4 to June 4, 2019. ■

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World News

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Facing prison, Manafort asks First Saudi female for leniency in Mueller case ambassador replaces

BY CHAD DAY AND ERIC TUCKER The Associated Press

ing. The plea came after a jury in a separate case in Virginia convicted Manafort on eight financial charges involving the hiding of millions of dollars from the IRS that he made overseas.

As part of the plea agreement, Manafort agreed to co-operate with federal prosecutors, but late last year, Mueller’s team said he had lied to federal agents and a grand jury. In a ruling earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who will decide Manafort’s sentence, agreed. She found that he had lied about several subjects, including his interactions with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate who the U.S. says has ties to Russian intelligence.

Manafort, who has been jailed since June, hasn’t been

tampering allegations, for example, they agree it was improper, but they stressed that Manafort didn’t offer the witnesses bribes or threaten them with physical WASHINGTON — Paul harm to give false testimony.

Manafort, the longtime poRegarding the illegal lobbylitical consultant who once led ing, the attorneys argued that Donald Trump’s presidential such cases are rarely prosecutcampaign, asked a federal judge ed and, but for Mueller, their for leniency Monday as he faces client likely would have avoidthe potential of spending the ed indictment. Manafort’s case rest of his life in prison in crim“involves a magnitude of harshinal cases stemming from the ness previously unknown in Russia investigation. the enforcement” of the statute In a new court filing, known as the Foreign Agents Manafort’s attorneys described Registration Act, they wrote. the 69-year-old as a victim of The sentencing memo also circumstance, prosecuted by portrays Manafort as a hardspecial counsel Robert Mueller working professional who came only because the government from humble beginnings and couldn’t make the case that he went on to serve as an adviser to colluded with the Kremlin’s infour presidents and lead the sucterference in the cessful Trump 2016 presidential campaign for election.

They several pivotal also dismissed months in 2016. It prosecutors’ includes personal Mr. Manafort has been punished characterization letters and anecsubstantially, including the of Manafort as a dotes describing forfeiture of most of his assets. hardened crimihim as a devoted nal, saying he was family man and merely a wealthy describes some of consultant who committed accused of any crimes related his international work in glowing “garden variety” crimes by ille- to Russian election interfer- terms. The memo contends that gally lobbying for Ukrainian in- ence, but court papers have Manafort persuaded Kenya’s forterests and hiding millions from revealed that Manafort gave mer president in 1989 to publicly the IRS. Kilimnik polling data related burn millions of dollars’ worth “The Special Counsel’s at- to the Trump campaign dur- of ivory obtained by illegal eltempt to portray him as a life- ing the 2016 election. A Muel- ephant poaching — an event they long and irredeemable felon ler prosecutor also said that an said was featured on the cover of is beyond the pale and grossly August 2016 meeting between Time magazine. overstates the facts before this the two men goes to the “heart” The lawyers also implored Court,” they argued, noting that of the Russia probe. The meet- the judge to consider the toll the prosecution has “devastat- ing involved a discussion of a of incarceration on Manafort’s ed him personally, profession- potential peace plan between well-being. ally, and financially.”

Russia and Ukraine, but many Manafort was relatively The lawyers’ arguments other details about it have been healthy when he was taken into echoed much of the criticism redacted in court papers. custody, but he has deteriorated levelled at the Russia investigaIn the filing Monday, rapidly since then, his lawyers tion by Trump, who has increas- Manafort’s lawyers asked Jack- say. He requires a wheelchair ingly cast the probe as a politi- son to choose a sentence that is and cane, has severe gout that cally motivated “witch hunt” “significantly below the statu- causes pain and swelling in his even as Mueller has methodi- tory maximum” of five years foot and takes medication for cally brought charges against six on each count. They also asked health ailments including high of his associates, including his that any sentence run at the cholesterol, high blood presformer personal lawyer, his one- same time as any prison time sure and arthritis. Doctors also time national security adviser in the separate case in Virginia, recently diagnosed a “potential and a longtime confidant. The where he faces the possibility of thyroid problem,” they noted. filing also comes as Manafort’s more than 19 years behind bars.

“Mr. Manafort has been punattorneys have sought to conEven as Manafort’s lawyers ished substantially, including tain the fallout from the unrav- said their client takes responsibil- the forfeiture of most of his aseling of his plea deal this month. ity for his actions, they sought to sets,” the lawyers said. “In light Manafort pleaded guilty last downplay his crimes, noting that of his age and health concerns, year to two felony counts— con- his conduct, “while certainly il- a significant additional perispiracy against the United States legal, unquestionably falls on the od of incarceration will likely and conspiracy to obstruct jus- less serious end of the spectrum amount to a life sentence for a tice— related to his illegal lobby- of federal felonies.” In the witness first time offender.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

king’s son in US

BY JON GAMBRELL The Associated Press DUBAI, UNITED Arab Emirates – Saudi Arabia appointed its first female ambassador early Sunday to serve as its top diplomat in the United States, pulling a son of King Salman back to the kingdom to serve as deputy defence minister amid deteriorating ties with America after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.

Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, a daughter of the kingdom’s longtime ambassador to Washington Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, faces a stark challenge in improving ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

She replaces Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, a son of King Salman and a former fighter pilot who insisted after Khashoggi’s disappearance Oct. 2 that the Washington Post columnist simply left the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul.

Instead, members of the entourage of his brother, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, allegedly assassinated and dismembered Khashoggi inside the diplomatic post.

The Post, citing unnamed sources in November, also reported that U.S. intelligence agencies reviewed a phone call that Prince Khalid had with Khashoggi, in which he allegedly told the writer he’d be safe going to the consulate to retrieve the documents he needed to get married.

The newspaper said it was not known whether the ambassador knew Khashoggi would be killed, though he made the call

at the direction of the crown prince. The Saudi Embassy in Washington has denied the call took place.

Princess Reema, who studied in America and is known in the kingdom for her philanthropic work, lived in the U.S. during her father’s over 20 years as the Saudi ambassador there. Her father also served as the head of the country’s intelligence service.

“I will work with God’s permission to serve my country, its leaders and all its children and I will spare no effort to that end,” Princess Reema wrote on Twitter after her appointment.

Prince Khalid returns to Riyadh as a deputy defence minister. Prince Mohammed has held the position of defence minister even after becoming the next in line to the throne of the oil-rich kingdom. His naming comes as Saudi Arabia remains mired in its yearslong war in Yemen, which also have strained American relations to the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has faced growing Western criticism over its airstrikes hitting markets and clinics, killing civilians. U.S. lawmakers increasingly are pushing to withdraw American support for the conflict, which pits the kingdom and its allies against the Houthi rebels that hold the capital of the Arab world’s poorest nation.

Another royal decree from King Salman overnight granted a month’s salary as a bonus to Saudi soldiers defending the kingdom’s southern border with Yemen, where the Houthis have launched a series of bloody attacks. ■

Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM_FLICKR, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

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FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

Pope vows to end abuse coverups but victims disappointed

BY NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis closed out his extraordinary summit on preventing clergy sex abuse by vowing Sunday to confront abusers with “the wrath of God” felt by the faithful, end the coverups by their superiors and prioritize the victims of this “brazen, aggressive and destructive evil.”

But his failure to offer a concrete action plan to hold bishops accountable when they failed to protect their flocks from predators disappointed survivors, who had expected more from the first-ever global Catholic summit of its kind.

Francis delivered his remarks at the end of Mass before 190 Catholic bishops and religious superiors who were summoned to Rome after more abuse scandals sparked a credibility crisis in the Catholic hierarchy and in Francis’ own leadership.

“Brothers and sisters, today we find ourselves before a manifestation of brazen, aggressive and destructive evil,” the pope said.

In a sign of new measures being taken, the Vatican announced that it would soon issue a new law creating a child protection policy for Vatican City State that covers the Holy See bureaucracy.

The Associated Press reported last year that the headquar-

ters of the Catholic Church had no such policy, even though it insisted in 2011 that local churches have one and told the United Nations five years ago that a policy for Vatican City was in the works.

“It’s not like there is an enormous diffusion of these crimes inside Vatican City State or the Curia,” summit moderator the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.

“But since we insist that we need laws and rigorous procedure (elsewhere), they should also exist where we are and in our institutions, starting with the Vatican City State.”

In his final remarks to the summit, Francis noted that the vast majority of sexual abuse happens in the family. And he offered a global review of the broader societal problem of sexual tourism and online pornography, in a bid to contextualize what he said was once a taboo subject.

But he said the sexual abuse of children becomes even more scandalous when it occurs in the Catholic Church, “for it is utterly incompatible with her moral authority and ethical credibility.”

Francis summoned the bishops from around the world to the four-day meeting to impress upon them that clergy sex abuse and coverups aren’t just a problem in some countries but a global problem that threatens the very mission of the Catholic Church.

He offered an eight-point pledge of priorities going forward, calling for a change in the church’s defensive mentality and a vow to never again coverup cases. Victims, he said, must take centre stage while priests must undergo a continuing path of purity with the “holy fear of God” guiding the examination of their own failures.

“If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse – which already in itself represents an atrocity – that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness,” he said. “Indeed, in people’s justified anger, the church sees the reflection of the wrath of God, betrayed and insulted by these deceitful consecrated persons.”

But survivors who came to Rome expecting solid, concrete action were disappointed.

“I have been waiting for seven years for all of this to change,” Italian survivor Alessandro Battaglia said. “There are people who have been waiting for 30 years that all this will change. Why don’t they start with something concrete like removing the bishops who cover up?”

U.S. survivor Peter Isely, of the victim advocacy group Ending Clergy Abuse, said the pope didn’t go far enough.

“There is nothing in his remarks about releasing documents that demonstrate the truth of how they are and have been covering up child sex

PRASZKIEWICZ / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

crimes,” he said. “So what that is, is secrecy. So, if he is against secrecy about coverups, on Monday morning, we would be seeing those archives and criminal evidence released.”

Francis did propose one concrete step going forward, saying he wants to change church law governing child pornography.

Currently the church only considers it a “grave delict” — or a crime handled by the Vatican office that processes sex abuse cases — if the child in question is under age 14. Francis wants to raise the age to 18 to cover all minors.

It wasn’t clear if the change was inspired by a recent case involving an Argentine bishop close to Francis.

The AP has reported that the Vatican knew as early as 2015 about Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta’s inappropriate behaviour with seminarians. Yet he was allowed to stay on as bishop of the northern Argentine diocese of Oran on until 2017, when he resigned suddenly, only to be given a top job at the Vatican by Francis, his confessor.

New diocesan documents published by the Tribune of Salta newspaper show that the original 2015 complaint reported that Zanchetta had gay porn on his cellphone involving “young people” having sex, as well as naked images of Zanchetta masturbating that he sent to others. The age of the “young people” isn’t clear. ■

Japan’s crown prince hopes to continue father’s legacy

BY HARUKA NUGA The Associated Press TOKYO – Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito says he hopes to continue the close relationship his father built with the people when he succeeds him as emperor later this year.

Naruhito, who turns 59 on Saturday, will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 after Emperor Akihito abdicates.

“I feel very solemn when I think about the future,” he said at an annual pre-birthday news

conference Thursday. His remarks were embargoed from publication until Saturday.

“While I continue to prepare for this role, I would like to maintain the past emperors’ work. I would like to think about the people and pray for the people,” he said.

His wife, Masako will also assume a new role as empress.

The former diplomat has suffered from stress and has often skipped public events, and it’s unclear how she will manage her new role as empress.

“Although Masako is steadily recovering, her condition still

fluctuates. I would like Masako to continue to slowly widen her contribution in her role,” Naruhito said, adding he hopes to support his wife just as she has supported him.

Naruhito’s younger brother, Prince Akishino, and his family are also expected to play a major role. The Japanese throne is only inherited by male heirs, and Naruhito’s only child is a daughter. Prince Akishino and his young son Hisahito are next in the line of succession after Naruhito.

Akihito’s desire to leave the throne revived a debate about www.canadianinquirer.net

the country’s 2,000-year-old monarchy, one of the world’s oldest, as well as discussion about improving the status of female members of the shrinking royal population.

“This problem will relate to the imperial family of the future. I would like to refrain from giving any opinions on the system,” the crown prince said.

Those who are concerned about the future of the royal family with shrinking membership want to allow women to ascend the throne and others to keep their royal status so they can keep performing public du-

ties, but a government panel has avoided the divisive issue.

Even before the 1947 Imperial Law, reigning empresses were rare, usually serving as stand-ins for a few years until a suitable male can be installed.

The last reigning empress was Gosakuramachi, who assumed the throne in 1763.

Debate over the succession law, however, is emotional.

Some conservatives proposed a revival of concubines to produce imperial heirs, and others argued that allowing a woman on the throne would destroy a precious Japanese tradition. ■

World News

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MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Pell’s trial draws attention to court suppression orders

BY ROD MCGUIRK The Associated Press MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Cardinal George Pell’s trial on child abuse charges is probably the highest profile criminal case ever shrouded in secrecy by an Australian suppression order.

The ban on media reporting of his trial in any format accessible from Australia accentuated the free-speech arguments against such court orders that are commonplace in every Australian state and in Britain.

The order also highlighted the difficulty in enforcing such an order in the digital world and in an historic case against Pope Francis’ finance minister that carries global ramifications.

The point of suppressing news of the August-September trial, which ended in a deadlocked jury, and his retrial in November and December was to keep 12 Melbourne jurors in

Pell’s next trial in the dark.

Prosecutors and defence lawyers agreed that knowledge Pell had previously been accused of child sex offences could colour the jurors’ judgment when they heard another child abuse case against him in a second trial in April.

But prosecutor Fran Dalziel told the Victoria state County Court on Tuesday that charges alleging Pell indecently assaulted two boys aged 9 or 10 and 11 or 12 as a young priest in the late 1970s in a public pool in his hometown of Ballarat had been dropped.

His lawyer Robert Richter initially wanted an opportunity to ask an appeal court to issue its own suppression order in case Pell’s convictions were overturned and he faced a retrial. An appeal of his convictions was filed last week.

Dalziel objected, saying Pell “was not a special case.” Richter eventually withdrew his application to prevent the suppres-

Pandit Mahadeva

403 909 6993 W h i te field D r N E , Calga r y

sion order being lifted.

Breaching a suppression order could result in a prison sentence for the guilty reporter and a fine for a media company that has assets in Australia that put it within reach of the law.

Journalists and media organizations beyond Australian shores are unaffected, even if the reporting is visible on the internet from Australia.

The U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment would prevent such censorship in the United States. But many lawyers argue that suppression orders are preferable to an alternative ed tug-of-war between judges came law. exercised in many countries, and reporters recognize there Bosland also found that closed courts. is a problem with the principle around 200 suppression orders Concerns are mounting in of open justice in Victoria. were made a year from 2008 Australia that the courts have Both Australia and Britain and 2013 for often unclear reagot the balance wrong between are bound by the 1913 ruling sons and unlimited periods. ensuring fair trials and the pub- of the British House of Lords, “It’s in the public interest lic’s right to know. once the highest court of appeal that justice be done but it’s That balance could also be for both countries, that justice also in the public interest that shifting away from open courts must not only be done, it must justice be seen to be done. So because a fragmented media be seen to be done. there’s this tension between the industry is losworkings of the ing the resources courts and puband the commerlicity,” Bosland cial incentive to told The AP. fight for greater “When an apWe have procurement last year and access to the plication is made there will be a portion of our 2019 courts. for a suppression budget that will be allocated for The Austraorder, the judge the capability enhancement. lian journalists’ may be inclined union — Media, to make it out of Entertainment an abundance of and Arts Alliance — argues that The right to a fair and public caution,” he added.

Victoria and South Australia trial are included in the EuroThe Victorian government is were two states that stood out pean Convention on Human planning to change the laws in for their propensity to make Rights and Fundamental Free- favour of open courts following suppression orders to prevent doms as well as the Interna- a review of suppression orders media reporting some or all as- tional Covenant on Civil and by retired judge Frank Vincent. pects of courts cases. Compari- Political Rights The government supports sons are difficult to make since The Victorian parliament most of the review’s recomVictoria is the only state that passed the Open Courts Act mendations, including allowing keeps records of how many or- in 2013 that legislates “a pre- a five-day window for media to ders are made. sumption in favour of disclo- make submissions against any The Alliance is also con- sure of information to which a suppression order before that cerned that the courts consider court or tribunal must have re- order became permanent. themselves the sole judges of gard in determining whether to “We are taking action to enwhat is in the public interest. make a suppression order.” sure suppression orders are The Alliance cites former Courts are also required to clear and only made when abVictorian judge Betty King who limit the scope of suppression solutely necessary,” Attorney boasted in a speech in 2009 that orders and their durations to General Martin Pakula said. she was “probably responsible what is essential to achieve the But the government is less for the majority of suppression order’s purpose. enthusiastic about Vincent’s orders imposed in Victoria in Jason Bosland, the deputy di- recommendation for a statethe last three years.” rector of the Center for Media appointed advocate to argue King added that for every and Communications Law at for the public’s right to know in worthy media court report, Melbourne University, found cases where suppression orders there were others that were that the new laws failed to are sought. “inaccurate, salacious, mischie- reduce the frequency of supSuch a champion for open vous, morally indefensible and pression orders that Victorian justice would fill a role that mejust plain prurient.” judges made over the two years But others outside the lopsid- since the Open Courts Act be❱❱ PAGE 22 Pell’s trial www.canadianinquirer.net

21

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

Former New Zealand leader must pay millions in compensation

BY NICK PERRY The Associated Press

Michael Cohen leaves federal court after a hearing on April 16, 2018, in New York.

JSTONE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Cohen prepared testimony: Trump is ‘racist,’ ‘liar,’ ‘cheat’

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK AND MICHAEL R. SISAK The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer is preparing to tell a House committee Wednesday that Trump knew ahead of time that WikiLeaks had emails damaging to his rival Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and that he is a “racist,” a “conman” and a “cheat.”

Michael Cohen suggests in prepared testimony obtained by The Associated Press that Trump also implicitly told him to lie about a Moscow real estate project.

Cohen has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the project, which he says Trump knew about as Cohen was negotiating with Russia during the election.

Cohen says Trump did not directly tell him to lie, but that “he would look me in the eye and tell me there’s no business in Russia and then go out and lie to the American people by saying the same thing.”

Cohen said that “in his way, he was telling me to lie.”

In the testimony, Cohen apologizes for his actions and says “I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump’s illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience.”

On WikiLeaks, Cohen says he was in Trump’s office in July 2016 when his longtime adviser Roger Stone called Trump. He says Trump put Stone on speakerphone and Stone said that “within a couple of days, there would be a massive dump of emails that would damage Hillary Clinton’s campaign.”

Trump responded by saying “wouldn’t that be great,” according to Cohen.

“A lot of people have asked me about whether Mr. Trump knew about the release of the hacked Democratic National Committee emails ahead of time,” Cohen says in the testimony. “The answer is yes.”

Cohen also says that Trump made racist comments about African-Americans, saying at one point that black people would never vote for him because they

were too stupid. Cohen says that he and Trump once drove through a struggling neighbourhood in Chicago and that Trump remarked that only black people could live that way.

He also says Trump once asked him to name a country run by a black person that wasn’t falling apart, though he says Trump used a vulgarism. At the time Barack Obama was America’s president.

Looking ahead to his public testimony, Cohen said Tuesday that the American people can decide “exactly who is telling the truth” when he appears Wednesday before the House Oversight and Reform committee, setting the stage for an explosive public hearing that threatens to overshadow Trump’s summit in Vietnam with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Cohen, once Trump’s loyal attorney and fixer, has turned on his former boss and co-operated with special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.

He begins a three-year prison sentence in May after he pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in 2017 and committing campaign finance violations while he was working for Trump.

He met with the Senate intelligence committee for more than nine hours behind closed doors on Tuesday. Cohen said he appreciated the opportunity to “clear the record and tell the truth” after acknowledging he lied to the committee in 2017.

It was the first of three consecutive days of congressional appearances for Cohen. After the public hearing Wednesday, he will appear before the House intelligence panel Thursday, again speaking in private.

Republicans are expected to aggressively attempt to discredit Cohen, given that he has acknowledged lying previously. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement Tuesday it was “laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar like Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given yet another opportunity to spread his lies.”

One Republican House member did

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — A judge on Tuesday ordered a former New Zealand prime minister to pay several million dollars in compensation for her role in the collapse of a construction company.

Dame Jenny Shipley, who from 1997 to 1999 served as the nation’s first female leader, began serving as board chair of the construction company Mainzeal in 2004, after she left politics. The company built landmark buildings throughout New Zealand, including the Supreme Court in the capital, Wellington.

The company collapsed in 2013, owing creditors 110 million New Zealand dollars ($76 million). The company’s receivers then sued the board of directors, including Shipley.

In a written decision, High Court judge Francis Cooke found the directors had engaged in reckless trading by using money owed to subcontractors to continue operating over several years.

The judge found that China-based company Richina Pacific had extracted money from Mainzeal to buy assets in China, while the directors relied on

❱❱ PAGE 22 Cohen prepared

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promises from Richina that Mainzeal would get money when it needed it.

One of the directors, William Yan, was a significant shareholder in Richina and benefited from the arrangement, the judge found. The judge found Yan had induced the other directors to breach their duties.

The judge found Shipley had acted in good faith and not for personal gain. She was ordered to pay up to NZ$6 million ($4.1 million) as part of a NZ$36 million finding against the directors.

The judge noted that the directors collectively had liability insurance for NZ$20 million.

Shipley’s law firm Chapman Tripp said in a statement that the court ruling appeared to have “novel aspects” and it was considering its options, which would include appealing.

Shipley last year told the court that she and the other directors had hoped they could find ways to save the company and its 450 employees.

Shipley, a conservative, gained the premiership in 1997 after toppling the previous leader in a power struggle. She then lost the next election, but remained opposition leader for two more years. ■

World News

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MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Cohen prepared... ❰❰ 21

more than just question Cohen’s credibility.

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz tweeted Tuesday that the world is “about to learn a lot” about Cohen and suggested he knew of disparaging information that could come out during the hearing. The Trump ally offered no evidence to support

his remarks and waved off the notion that he appeared to be threatening or intimidating a witness.

After a barrage of criticism, Gaetz apologized and said he was deleting the tweet and should have chosen better words to show his intent.

Lanny Davis, one of Cohen’s lawyers, said in a statement

that he wouldn’t respond to Gaetz’s “despicable lies and personal smears, except to say we trust that his colleagues in the House, both Republicans and Democrats, will repudiate his words and his conduct.”

Democrats have been alternately suspicious of Cohen and eager to hear what he has to say.

Sen. Mark Warner, the intel-

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ligence panel’s top Democrat, suggested in a brief statement to reporters outside Tuesday’s interview that Cohen had provided important information.

“Two years ago when this investigation started I said it may be the most important thing I am involved in in my public life in the Senate, and nothing I’ve heard today dissuades me from that view,” Warner said.

In addition to lying to Congress, Cohen pleaded guilty last year to campaign finance violations for his involvement in payments to two women who allege they had affairs with Trump.

Federal prosecutors in New York have said Trump directed Cohen to arrange the payments to buy the silence of porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal in the run-up to the 2016 campaign. Cohen told a judge that he agreed to cover up Trump’s “dirty deeds” out of “blind loyalty.”

In his prepared testimony, Cohen says he will present the committee with a copy of the check Trump wrote from his

personal bank account after he became president to reimburse him for the hush money payments.

Trump has denied the allegations and said Cohen lied to get a lighter sentence.

Cohen is not expected to discuss matters related to Russia in the public hearing, saving that information for the closeddoor interviews with the intelligence committees. House Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah Cummings has said he doesn’t want to interfere with Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and links to Trump’s campaign.

Members of the Oversight panel are expected to ask questions about the campaign finance violations, Trump’s business practices and compliance with tax laws and “the accuracy of the president’s public statements,” according to a memo laying out the scope of the hearing. ■ Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman and Lisa Mascaro contributed from Washington.

Pell’s trial... ❰❰ 20

dia lawyers are less likely to play as fewer media companies assign dedicated court reporters.

Australian suppression orders have proven wanting in a digital media environment, particularly in cases that attract international interest.

Victorian judge Elizabeth Hollingworth in 2014 tried to protect Australia’s national security and internationals relations by suppressing the names of Indonesian, Malaysian and Vietnamese officials and political leaders both past and present that were raised in a foreign bribery conspiracy trial involving two Australian central bank subsidiaries.

But the suppression order was published by WikiLeaks, including the names of the 17 Southeast Asian political figures that were barred from publication.

International news outlets subsequently republished the suppression order and disclosed its contents.

Despite mainstream Australian media obeying the terms of

the order, Hollingworth decided the order no longer served a purpose and lifted it.

“In this case, it is the overseas publications that have the greatest potential to cause future harm to Australia’s interests. The existing overseas publication is widespread and cannot be undone,” she said.

Australia Federal Police investigated the course of the leak but were unable to find someone to charge.

Bosland said the internet was a game changer for suppression orders. While once broadcast news disappeared into the ether and newspaper editions quickly faded away after their publication dates, information remained widely accessible on the internet regardless of suppression orders.

“Given the global nature of the internet, in certain cases it’s becoming pretty apparent that if there’s sufficient public interest worldwide, then suppression orders can potentially be ineffective,” Bosland said. ■

23

Entertainment Clint Bondad asks public to ‘chillax’ over breakup with Catriona Gray

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer CLINT BONDAD assured the public that there is nothing to worry about him after news broke that he and Miss Universe Catriona Gray had broken their six-year relationship as a couple.

“Gosh guys, just chillax! I am supposed to be on vacation,” he wrote in a series of Instagram stories.

“It really is no biggy. We are ahead of you guys in time so we are all call. We were matured to talk about this happening. The feeling is mutual and comes from a caring side for each other,” he continued.

The model-actor said this as

he posted a screenshot of a concerned netizen’s message, commenting that she can still “feel the pain” in Clint’s eyes even though the latter was wearing a sunglasses in the photo he shared in one of his stories.

“Omg! And also stop sending me these!!! Haha it’s a sunny day!” Clint said, referring to the message along with the hashtag #nodrama.

Catriona confirmed last Friday in an interview with Tonight With Boy Abunda (TWBA) that she and Clint had parted their ways.

Wanting to keep things private, Catriona did not go into specific details about the reason behind their breakup, but said that she and her now exboyfriend “kind of outgrow

each other in a way.”

Although he cannot be on Catriona’s side every step of the way anymore, Clint still hopes that everything will go well for the beauty queen.

“I stand by all I have ever said about you. You are still the most beautiful woman that I have ever met. I wish you the very best on your path, wherever it will carry you…Truly,” Clint said.

“This is certainly not what we both wanted, but most certainly what we both need at this point of our life,” he added.

Catriona was the only person Clint was following on his Instagram account, but he has since unfollowed the FilipinoAustralian beauty after the revelation about their breakup.

Clint Bondad.

Despite this, all of his photos of Catriona remain on his account.

The beauty queen is cur-

@CLINTBONDAD / INSTAGRAM

rently in the country for her homecoming events after she was crowned last December in Bangkok, Thailand. ■

Jay Baruchel has trained the dragon, now he’s letting go with ‘The Hidden World’

BY VICTORIA AHEARN The Canadian Press TORONTO — The first time actor Jay Baruchel stepped into a recording booth to voice a young Viking named Hiccup for “How to Train Your Dragon,” it was summer 2007 and his career was skyrocketing.

“Knocked Up” had hit theatres around that time, with Baruchel playing one of the slacker friends to Seth Rogen’s character, and the now-engaged Montreal-raised comedy star was in a different phase of life — just hitting his stride on the big screen, not yet the writer-director-author he is now.

“Nowhere close to the virile alpha male sat before you,” Baruchel, 36, said jokingly in a recent interview in Toronto, where he lives.

Hiccup, too, was much different — still a teen, still learning to train fire-breathing crea-

tures.

Two dragon sequels and franchise TV series later, both Baruchel and Hiccup are now at the end of their coming-of-age journey together, with Friday’s release of “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.”

The final instalment in the Oscar-nominated animated film trilogy finds Hiccup as a young adult, contemplating his future and finding a new home for his dragon, Toothless, and the rest of the pack, which includes new female friend.

“It’s inherently kind of melancholy,” Baruchel said of the conclusion to a huge chapter of his life.

“I haven’t quite processed it, to be honest. I know that I’m proud of being part of it, I’m proud of what we’ve done, and I’m especially proud of this movie. But it’s definitely a little sad.”

Yet he and Canadian writerdirector Dean DeBlois, who also

did the first two films, weren’t sentimental about wrapping it up. It must be the Canuck in them, they joked.

“There was absolutely zero fanfare on our last session,” Baruchel said with a laugh, sitting beside DeBlois, who hails from Aylmer, Que. “I don’t know if either of us had clocked that it wasn’t the last session, and even if we had, neither of us wants to make a big fuss. So we finished and I was like, ‘Oh, it that it? Yeah, I think that’s it. Holy smokes.

Twelve years, eh? Yeah, that’s crazy.’

“Everyone has asked me, ‘So what was the last session like?

Were you crying?’ I was like, ‘No, for God’s sakes. We didn’t wear Hawaiian shirts to work or something.’ It was very ‘Just the facts, ma’am.”‘ The two are matter-of-fact about the saga ending because they’ve always known how it would wrap up, they said. www.canadianinquirer.net

The trilogy is loosely based on the book series by Cressida Cowell and DeBlois said his goal has always been to make the ending reflect on the opening words of the first volume: “There were dragons when I was a boy.”

“It suggests they’re gone, it suggests he’s much older and there was some kind of transformation from this kid to this old man reflecting back on his youth,” said DeBlois, who got Oscar nominations for best animated feature for the first two dragon films.

“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” includes many of the same voice cast from the previous films, except for T.J. Miller, who was replaced by Justin Rupple as twin Tuffnut.

DeBlois, who co-directed the first dragon film with Chris Sanders, said the look of the Hidden World was inspired by a dream he had of a volcano un-

der a body of water much like Niagara Falls.

“The Hidden World is Buffalo,” Baruchel jested.

The story touches on themes including accepting change, personal transformation and the extinction of creatures on Earth.

It’s an emotional farewell that might have audiences tearing up, which was DeBlois’ intention.

“That’s a measure of success for me, this time around,” he said with a laugh. “Like, I actually had it as a goal: ‘I really want to make the audience cry.’

“I was determined to be as truthful to that kind of story motif as possible, the one where you have a bittersweet parting of friends — because I think it’s true to life and it applies to young and old and really amplifies the theme of the movie, which is learning to let go.” ■

24

Entertainment

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Indie actor Kristoffer King dies at 36

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

KRISTOFER KING / FACEBOOK

AWARD-WINNING ACTOR Christopher Reyes, better known as Kristoffer King, has passed away at 36 years old last Saturday, February 23 after being rushed to the intensive care unit at Adventist Medical Center Manila in Pasay City on the same day.

The news was initially confirmed by the actor’s guardian Sunny King, posting on social media, “It is with deep sadness that I share with you, our actor and friend, Kristoffer King has passed away at 8:45 p.m. today.

May he rest in peace.” Although

there is no confirmation for Kristoffer’s cause of death, his family has shared that he was a diabetic and suffered from heartburn, infection, pneumonia, and sciatica, losing his heartbeat within five minutes after arriving in the hospital.

Kristoffer was born on May 22, 1982 and is known for his works in Director Brillante Mendoza’s films, like “Masahista” (The Masseur), which was released in 2005 and “Foster Child” and “Tirador” co-starring Coco Martin. Director Brillante, who was named 2009 Cannes Film Festival Best Director, paid tribute to Kristoffer hailing him as his “best actor.” In 2008, Kristoffer even got to compete

in the prestigious film festival in France in a film with Coco entitled “Serbis.” In 2016, King was featured in the ABS-CBN series “Ang Probinsyano,” two years later appearing on GMA’s shows “Inday Will Always Love You” and “The Stepdaughters.”

Film critic Joel David also shared a word about Kristoffer’s death, saying, “Mourning the loss of the best male film performer in the country, who never got his due. One of my long-term plans was to survey his output chronologically & provide an evaluation with his assistance as primary source, so that will now have to be done without his help. Hail & farewell Mr K.” ■

Korina Sanchez, Cuaron’s ‘Roma’ gives Mexico Mar Roxas welcome 1st foreign language film Oscar twins to their family

BY REGINA GARCIA CANO The Associated Press

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

12 ounces. They are both perfectly healthy.” They add in Filipino, “Finally, what we’ve long been praying for is finally here.

SENATORIAL CANDIDATE We thought it wouldn’t happen.

Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and After years of working on our “Rated K” journalist/host Ko- baby project, this is the miracle rina Sanchez have announced from heaven,” concluding, “We the arrival of their first children cherish this moment and thank together born via surrogacy.

God for His grace of allowing The 54-year-old celebrity and us to complete our family. The 61-year-old politician posted mother is really caring to feed the news on their social media the baby every two hours, while pages last Thursthe doting father day, February remains speech21, captioning a less.” The entire photo of the bafamily is currentby’s feet, “I think ly in Pennsylvaif you believe I never nia for privacy. hard enough, the Korina only stopped miracle you most hinted that they believing. want can come are expecting a true. Announccouple of days ing the arrival of ago, posting a our little boy and photo holding little girl.” baby gifts at a store.

Korina adds, “We’re thinkKorina and Mar initially tied ing of names. Any suggestions? the knot last October 2009. Mar Jack and Jill? Sonny and Cher? has a 25-year-old son named MariKor and KoriMar? Dan- Paolo with former beauty iel and Kathryn? Did you ever queen Maricar Zaldarriaga. think it could still happen for The couple has previously exme? I never stopped believing.” pressed their desire to have a The couple tells the media, baby together, Korina telling “The little boy arrived first at 5 Ricky Lo last year that, “Mar pounds 4 ounces and one and and I are taking this ‘project’ a half hours later, his fraternal seriously and we are working twin sister arrived at 4 pounds hard at it.” ■

LOS ANGELES – “Roma,” the touching black-and-white portrait of a domestic worker and the middle-class family she cares for in 1970s Mexico City, won the Oscar for best foreign language film Sunday, giving Mexico its long-sought first win in that category.

Director Alfonso Cuaron’s deeply personal film with dialogue in Spanish and Mixtec beat four other contenders that also told the stories of individuals and families facing tumultuous social and historical times.

The Netflix-produced film ended the night with Oscars for Cuaron for best director and best cinematography.

“This award belongs to Mexico. It’s a Mexican film in every single front,” he told reporters after the ceremony. “It’s not that 95 per cent of the crew was a Mexican crew, and the cast is 100 per cent Mexican, but the thematic, the country, the landscape, everything is Mexico.

This film doesn’t exist if it’s not for Mexico. I could not be here if it was not because of Mexico.”

“Roma,” which was inspired

by Cuaron’s own youth, follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a young indigenous woman who works devoutly for an affluent family www.canadianinquirer.net

that lives in the Roma neighbourhood of the Mexican capital. But life inside the pictureperfect family is crumbling.

The film develops in the midst of the turmoil that rocked Mexico in the early ‘70s, including the student demonstrations that in 1971 led to a massacre by a group backed by authorities.

Society is fraying and the women of the house seem to take the brunt as they try to keep the family of four children afloat.

While the foreign language Oscar will go to Mexico’s film academy, it was also a night of personal triumph for Cuaron, who took home best director and best cinematography statuettes. “Roma” also competed for best picture, but lost out at the end of the night to “Green Book.”

Mexico has competed for the trophy eight other times, most recently in 2011 with “Biutiful”

by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, but had never won.

The other nominated films Sunday were Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski’s 20th-century romance “Cold War;” German director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s artist biopic “Never Look Away;” Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda’s’s subtle family story “Shoplifters;” and “Capernaum,” a powerful neo-realist drama about a Syrian child

refugee from Lebanon’s Nadine Labaki.

“I grew up watching foreign language films and learning so much from them and being inspired,” he said while clutching his statuette for this category on stage and crediting “Citizen Kane,” “The Godfather” and other movies for inspiration.

“When asked about in the book about the New Wave, Claude Chabrol said, ‘There are no waves, there’s only the ocean.’

I think that the nominees tonight have proven that we are part of the same ocean.”

The Mexican Institute of Cinematography tweeted praise for the win, including a virtual chant of “Mexico, Mexico, Mexico!”

“Roma” represented Cuaron’s return to Mexico as director since he made his international debut with “Y Tu Mama Tambien” in 2001, which earned him nominations for the Golden Globes and Oscars.

His credits since then include “Great Expectations,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and “Gravity.” ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

25

BPCI confirms continuation of MUP ownership

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Rami Malek at the 91st Annual Academy Awards - Press Room held at the Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles, USA. TINSELTOWN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Rami Malek wins best actor Oscar for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

BY LYNN ELBER The Associated Press LOS ANGELES – Rami Malek had difficult moments making “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but he has an Oscar to show for it.

Malek, receiving the best actor trophy Sunday for his portrayal of the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, called it a “monumental moment.” He thanked members of the band in attendance.

“I may not have been the obvious choice, but I guess it worked out,” Malek said. “Thank you, Queen, thank you, guys, for allowing me to be the tiniest part of your phenomenal, extraordinary legacy. I am forever in your debt.”

Malek speculated about what he would have made of the honour as a child.

“I think his curly haired mind would have been blown,” he said. “That kid was struggling with his identity, trying to figure himself out.”

He lauded “Bohemian Rhapsody” for telling the story of a gay man and an immigrant who lived his life as “unapologetically himself.” Mercury, who was born in Zanzibar to parents from India, moved to England with his family as a teenager.

Malek noted that he himself is the son of immigrants, from Egypt, and a firstgeneration American. He gave a shout-out to his mother – “I love you, lady” – and regretted that his father was not alive.

“My dad didn’t get to see me do any of this, but I think he’s looking down on me right now,” said Malek, who gained attention in the TV series “Mr. Robot.”

The actor had a brief scare on his big night, taking a fall in the theatre after he accepted his trophy. He was checked by medical staff and appeared uninjured when he came backstage to talk to re-

porters.

He was asked about what the role meant, especially on an Oscar night that celebrated diversity in movies ranging from “Roma” to “Black Panther.”

“I grew up in a world where I never thought I was going to I was going to play the lead on ‘Mr. Robot’ because I never saw anyone in a lead role that looked like me,” Malek said. “I never thought I could play Freddie Mercury until I realized his (birth) name was Farrokh Bulsara.”

He lauded Mercury for his ability to use his personal struggle to reach others and convey an important message: “We are all human beings and, forgive me for this, collectively we are the champions.”

Growing emotional when he called the award “beyond any expectation” that he or his family could have had, he said it was proof that “anything is possible.”

Best known for his award-winning role as a disturbed hacker in TV’s “Mr. Robot,” Malek was the front-runner coming into the Oscars, having collected an armful of awards including Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild trophies.

He has spoken, briefly but publicly, about the difficulty of working with director Bryan Singer before Singer was fired from “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It was “not pleasant, not pleasant at all,” he said earlier this month at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Singer’s firing came for not showing up on set. Shortly afterward, sexual abuse allegations were lodged against the director, which he has categorically denied and weren’t cited as the reason for his being dropped from the film.

The other nominees in the category for best actor were Christian Bale for “Vice”; Bradley Cooper in “A Star Is Born”; Willem Dafoe with “At Eternity’s Gate” and Viggo Mortensen in “Green Book. ■

IN HONOR of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s homecoming, the Miss Universe Organization has decided to debunk rumours of former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson being the new owner of the Philippine franchise of the prestigious pageant and release an official statement that it will remain with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) headed by Stella Marquez Araneta. The BPCI has had ownership of the franchise since 1964.

In a statement to the Manila Bulletin, the international organization confirmed, “In our continuing efforts to build and evolve the Miss Universe brand in the Philippines, the Miss Universe Organization has explored many options and opportunities to enhance Binibining and grow it into a dynamic, multi-faceted platform. While exploring these opportunities, we sought the input of all of our partners and will continue to do so,” elaborating that they came to this decision, “in seek-

ing to modernize and grow the brand into more than a one day special,” adding that Singson has agreed to support [them] in efforts to do so.”

The statement concludes, “We look forward to the collaboration and innovation to bring an exciting future to Miss Universe Philippines and our beloved fans in the country.”

With that, the Binibining Pilipinas competition is confirmed to happen in June, where the BPCI will choose the country’s representative for Miss Universe 2019 in South Korea. Singson agreed to host the candidates in his hometown at Vigan, just as he did in 2017.

Earlier in the year, confusion sparked when the former politician and businessman told the media that the franchise is with him, saying that it should be “announced this January or February when Catriona comes back again to the Philippines.” However, Araneta was quick to declare falsity to his statement.

In the meantime, 24-year-old beauty queen Gray still remains in the Philippines to close off her homecoming parade festivities this weekend. ■

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26

Lifestyle Pinks and warrior metallics among Oscar fashion highlights

BY LEANNE ITALIE The Associated Press NEW YORK — Lady Gaga sported the Tiffany Diamond around her neck and Glenn Close wore 40 pounds of gold dress to the Oscars. Charlize Theron rocked a bob in transformative dark brown and Jennifer Lopez was fit for battle in a head-to-toe mirror mosaic on a mighty silver dress.

Hollywood’s fashion show Sunday in Los Angeles went technicolour and soft, ruffly and classic. It showed off pink and red, white and black, all in plenty of tulle, chiffon, crepe and velvet.

Theron donned Dior in dusty periwinkle, a colour called “unexpected” by People’s style and beauty director, Andrea Lavinthal. Regina King “looked so elegant in her perfectly-tailor white gown” by Oscar de la Renta, and Lopez took Lavinthal’s best-dressed spot.

Some highlights as the awards season comes to a close: Lady Gaga

Her platinum locks were high in a side-swept updo. Her Alexander McQueen gown had an Old Hollywood feel, with long gloves to match. But it was the hefty yellow bauble around her neck that stole her look.

Weighing in at 128.54 carats, the 142-year-old diamond from a South Africa mine is one of the world’s largest yellow diamonds and rarely worn. In fact, it was only the third time it has been worn and the first time it has appeared at a major award

ceremony and on a red carpet.

“From Lady Gaga debuting Tiffany’s most precious diamond to Charlize Theron dripping herself in Bulgari earrings, necklaces and bracelets, bling is most certainly back,” said Joyann King, executive digital editor for Harper’s Bazaar.

Gaga’s diamond was previously worn in 1957 and by Audrey Hepburn in 1961 publicity photos for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Gaga was more Old Hollywood than her usual shock-flash.

“She really toned down the theatrics during award season but not at the expense of her style,” said Channing Hargrove, a fashion news writer for the millennial-focused site Refinery29.com.

Parade of pink

It came in a variety of shades, from a honeysuckle pink lace gown by Jenny Packham worn by declutter guru Marie Kondo (she has a Netflix series) to the tiered confection donned by Kacey Musgraves, by Giambattista Valli Couture.

King said Gemma Chan’s voluminous bright pink Valentino Couture dress with a high ruffle neck “stole every fashion editor’s heart.” And, bonus, it had pockets.

But Avril Graham, executive fashion and beauty editor for Harper’s, said Chan’s large and loose dress proved that hugging every curve “does not always a successful Oscar red carpet gown make.”

King said Musgraves’ gown “may have had one too many ruffles to be taken seriously for

years to come.”

Julia Roberts wore bright pink to present the best picture award.

Overall, major pink gowns, including Angela Bassett in custom Reem Acra, were showstoppers.

The warriors

Lopez, with Alex Rodriguez at her side, was ready for battle in a long-sleeve silver Tom Ford gown that stood out for its chunky embellishment.

“Tom Ford famously only dresses one star every season on the red carpet. When it comes to rocking a mirrored metallic sheath, no one could possibly work the look more elegantly right than Jennifer Lopez,” said People’s Lavinthal.

Brie Larson and Emma Stone were also fierce, Larson in silver Celine by Hedi Slimane. It was a sparkly halter look with a high neck, another trend of the evening. The Lopez look also included a high neck.

Stone was in burnished Louis Vuitton with structured short sleeves that could have taken flight.

Glenn Close may not have won a best actress statuette, but she won the carpet in a gold gown with long sleeves and a long cape by Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera.

Graham’s best in gold was Danai Gurira in textured Brock Collection. She called her gown with black detailing “a beautiful take on a strapless princess look.” Gurira wore “just the right amount of jewels,” including sleep droplet earrings by Fred Leighton.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Alexis Ohanian.

The look, Graham said, was ornate, luxe and elegantly red carpet perfect.

The guys took it

Nicholas Hoult wore lopsided lapels with a side sash piece, thanks to Dior Men by Kim Jones. There was colour, including Stephan James in red velvet custom Etro and David Oyelowo in custom Etro done in green velvet.

And then there was Billy Porter, dressed in a custom tuxedo and a tuxedo ball gown combined, by Christian Siriano.

The dudes took risks and they paid off.

Chadwick Boseman wore Givenchy Haute Couture, designed by Clare Waight Keller.

It was a play on classic tails,

@THEEBILLYPORTER / INSTAGRAM

with the tail hanging nearly to the ground, in a Japanese design embellished with black and blue beads and sequins.

Jason Momoa wore pink Fendi, telling The Associated Press it was likely the last custom look Karl Lagerfeld designed for Fendi before he died last week.

“I loved all of the black men who were not afraid to shy away from texture,” Hargrove said.

Siriano said on E! that Porter’s dress was pulled together in a week, using the “Pose” actor’s assistant as a fit model.

“Billy looked great,” Hargrove said.

So did Spike Lee, in purple from head to nearly toe. On his feet were golden custom Air Jordans. ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

27

‘Ugly produce’ trend Reddit co-founder pushes may have limits, hard for paternity leave as grocers end tests

BY ALEXANDRA OLSON The Associated Press

BY CANDICE CHOI AND SCOTT MCFETRIDGE The Associated Press URBANDALE, IOWA — Is the “ugly produce”‘ trend already reaching the end of its shelf life in supermarkets?

Walmart and Whole Foods in recent years tried selling some blemished fruits and vegetables at a discount, produce they said might otherwise be trashed because it’s not quite the right size, shape or colour. But the two chains and others quietly ended their tests, suggesting dented apples and undersized potatoes may not be all that appealing in stores where better looking fruits and vegetables are on display.

“Customers didn’t accept it as much as we had hoped,” said Mona Golub of Price Chopper, a grocery chain in the Northeast that also discontinued its offering of ugly produce.

Still, some stores and home delivery startups haven’t given up on the idea of selling lessthan-perfect produce to reduce food waste and say they’re doing well.

At a Hy-Vee store in Iowa, a recent display of “Misfits” produce included packs of apples, lemons and oranges that were either too big or small, or otherwise substandard in appearance. A sign explained that “6 million pounds of fresh produce goes unused each year,” though the packages didn’t specify why the produce might have otherwise been thrown away.

“I like the cost savings and it is good to help and not throw so much away,” said shopper Brian Tice, who bought a pack of small oranges.

Another shopper, Jamie Shae, said she didn’t realize there was anything special about the fruit “I happened to see the bags of lemons,” said Shae, who was in a rush and grabbed two bags.

Shopper Joan Hitzel, who was browsing other produce nearby, said she thought the Misfits were a good idea given the tons of food that gets thrown away, but didn’t plan to buy any that day.

The supplier of the Misfits produce to supermarkets, Robinson Fresh, said about 300 grocery locations still sell the fruits and vegetables, including the Hy-Vee stores. Kroger also said it still plans to introduce its “Pickuliar Picks” this spring.

But among other regional chains that have stopped carrying ugly produce are Meijer in the Midwest, Hannaford based in Maine and Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle, which cited “inconsistent customer interest” for pulling the plug on its “Produce with Personality.”

Walmart no longer offers the damaged “I’m Perfect” apples it introduced in Florida in 2016.

The efforts channeled growing interest in reducing food waste. Government agencies say the best way to reduce waste is to stop producing too much food.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 31 per cent of the 430 billion pounds of the nation’s food supply goes uneaten.

That does not include the fruits and vegetables that get tossed at the farm level, before foods reach stores.

For fruits and vegetables that don’t meet supermarket standards, some may get processed for products like juices and some go to food banks. Startups delivering ugly produce say there’s so much they’re not taking from food banks.

Shopper preferences may not be the only challenge for ugly produce in supermarkets.

“Retailers really prize their produce sections,” said Imperfect Produce CEO Ben Simon, whose company had partnered with Whole Foods on a test at the chain. Grocers might worry that cheaper produce will cannibalize sales of regular produce, or give off a bad image, he said.

Delivery startups say they’re seeing interest in their services.

But they are up against shoppers who inspect the fruits and vegetables they buy and those who worry about all the packaging.

“I’ve been food shopping online, and I started thinking ❱❱ PAGE 33 ‘Ugly produce’

NEW YORK — Alexis Ohanian wants other guys to be jealous of him. Not because he’s a multimillionaire venture capitalist.

Or because he’s married to tennis pro Serena Williams.

The Reddit co-founder wants men to covet the time he gets to spend with his 1-year-old daughter, Olympia.

The pair is all over Instagram cheering for mom at her tennis matches, make silly faces with Mickey Mouse ears and toting around favourite doll Qai Qai, who has her own Instagram account with 114,000 followers.

It’s all part of his advocacy for making paid paternity leave the new normal in America. When Olympia was born on Sept. 1, 2017, Ohanian was very public about taking the full 16 weeks of paid leave available to him at Initialized Capital, the venture capital firm he co-founded and now runs.

He wants all men in the U.S. to have that option, especially those without his privileges and resources. That includes advocating both for companies to adopt more generous family leave policies and encouraging men to take time off without fear of being stigmatized as uncommitted to their work.

“After coming back, I started hearing from Silicon Valley founders, from employees, who all said the same thing, which was that they appreciated this kind of air cover,” Ohanian said in interview with The Associated Press. “Because it meant that there was clear sign from someone who was very ambitious, very career-driven, very goal oriented, and yet I made this a priority.”

Ohanian, 35, was in New York this week to launch a twopronged Dove Men+Care initiative to champion paternity leave.

The Unilever-owned brand started a $1 million fund for fathers with no access to paid leave through their employers.

Employees who only get unpaid leave, freelancers and selfemployed men are encouraged to apply for a $5,000 grant. The other initiative is a “Pledge for www.canadianinquirer.net

Alexis Ohanian.

Paternity Leave,” asking men to commit to taking their full leave and share their experience. It asks business leaders to pledge to enact paid paternity leave policies.

The U.S. is the only industrialized country that does not federally mandate paid parental leave. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, many, but not all, employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave following the birth or adoption of a child without penalty of losing their positions. It is up to employers whether to offer paid leave.

But it’s a good time to be fighting for paid leave in the U.S. High-profile companies, fighting for talent in a tight job market, are trying to outdo each other in expanding leave for mothers and non-birth parents, with some throwing in unique perks. Amazon, for instance, pays for the spouses of employees to take time off.

Global tech company Cisco System offers three days of paid time off for grandparents. Netflix allows parents to take off as much time as they want during the baby’s first year.

The prevalence of employers offering paid paternity leave rose to 29 per cent in 2018 from 21 per cent two years earlier, according to a report by the Society for Human Resources Management, which polled a randomly selected sample of its 285,000 HR professional members.

There is also increasing bipartisan momentum for a federal paid leave mandate. Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is running for president,

@ALEXISOHANIAN / INSTAGRAM

has introduced a plan to provide workers with 12 weeks of family leave at partial pay. President Donald Trump proposed a plan in his budget this year for six weeks of paid leave.

Still, there is lingering stigma over taking leave for both women and men. A 2016 survey by consulting firm Deloitte found that 57 per cent of men and 51 per cent of women feared their employers would think them uncommitted if they took parental leave.

Ohanian said he cannot imagine how new parents cope without paid time off. Williams faced complications that left her bedridden after Olympia was born and Ohanian was able to shoulder a lot of the work because of his leave.

“With all the advantages we had, it was still a really stressful period,” Ohanian said. “I could not have showed up at work a week later, or two weeks later, knowing that my wife literally could not get herself out of bed with a 2-week-old at home. They would have had to fire me.”

Now that Olympia is a chubby-cheeked toddler and Williams is back competing for Grand Slam titles, Ohanian emphasizes the delights of fatherhood. He hopes more and more dads will do the same, saying it could almost be a good thing if fatherhood becomes an object of social media “fomo” (fear of missing out).

“Let’s be real. We are not posting photos of the 2 a.m. blow out.

We are still posting those idyllic, polished moments but if we are going to use social to create ‘fomo,’ let it be for showing up for your kid,” Ohanian said. ■

28

Lifestyle

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

Liz Weston:

Should you move abroad for health care?

BY LIZ WESTON OF NERDWALLET The Associated Press THE NOTION that health care outside the U.S. could be good as well as cheap is a foreign one to many Americans.

Kathleen Peddicord frequently hears from such skeptics as founder of Live and Invest Overseas, a site for people curious about living abroad.

Actual expats like her, however, tell of good-quality care at a fraction of the U.S. price. Treatment for a motorbike accident in Panama cost her $20. Emergency dental surgery that might cost $10,000 or more in the U.S. was $4,500 in Paris. In many countries, medications that would require a prescription in the States are available directly from licensed pharmacies at low prices, thanks to government subsidies or regulation.

“The health care in a lot of places around the world is very good, as good as in the United States,” says Peddicord, who currently divides her time between Paris and Panama.

“Some places, it is better.”

Low-cost, quality health care usually isn't the main reason people move abroad, says expat and Mexico resident Don Murray, who writes for rival site International Living. But reduced medical expenses are part of the lower living costs

that prompt many Americans to relocate, he says.

pier with the care near their Yucatan Peninsula home, where next-day appointments are the norm and doctors are typically trained in the U.S. or Europe, he says.

“It's like in the U.S. -- if you live in Possum Belly, Alabama, and they don't have a hospital and the nearest one is an hour and a half away, the health care isn't going to be the same” as in a major city, Murray says.

Expat numbers are on the rise

About 9 million Americans who aren't in the military live outside the U.S., according to State Department estimates.

That's increased considerably from its 1999 estimate of 3 million to 6 million. The number could rise in coming years as millions more Americans barrel toward retirement without enough income to maintain their standard of living at home.

Health care is a particular concern for Americans who want to retire before age 65, when Medicare, the government health program for seniors, kicks in.

Currently, early retirees can buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act, but it's not always truly affordable and its future is uncertain.

Some who would otherwise retire plan to keep working, rather than risk being uninsured. But a move abroad could be an option for those intrepid enough to try it.

Cheaper health care also may appeal to gig economy workers who aren't tied to stateside jobs. Freelance science writer Erica Rex, for example, recently wrote an opinion column for The New York Times about moving to the United Kingdom and then France after her 2009 cancer diagnosis. “Moving to Europe was a choice weighed

Options for health care access

against other, grimmer options for health care, which included the strong possibility of being bankrupted by cancer treatment and winding up at the mercy of New York State's welfare system,” she wrote.

Health care quality varies by destination

Not all expat havens have great health care systems. Belize, for example, encourages immigration by exempting retirees from most income taxes -- but many expats there cross the border to Mexico for health care, Peddicord says.

France, on the other hand, is

known for its excellent health care system. International Living and Live and Invest Overseas give the country top marks, along with Mexico, Ecuador and Malaysia. International Living praises Thailand and Costa Rica as well, while Live and Invest Overseas says Portugal, Italy and Malta have admirable health care.

With any country, quality can vary -- especially in sparsely populated areas. Murray and his wife, Diane, left their first retirement destination, a small town in Ecuador, after encountering broken equipment and few doctors. They're much hap-

Expats may be able to qualify for a country's public health care system if they become residents. Otherwise, there's typically a private system in which people can pay out of pocket and get reimbursed if they have private health insurance.

Peddicord and her husband, Lief Simon, who are in their 50s, have an international health insurance policy that covers them whether they're travelling or at home in France or Panama. The annual cost is about $3,000 for both of them, she says. Murray, 69, says he and his wife pay about $80 each month for Mexico's public health system, but use private doctors and pay out of pocket for most care (including $8 for a recent hospital visit to treat an eye infection).

“My personal budget no longer contains a line for health care expenses,” Murray says.

“They are so inconsequential there is no need.” ■

Turning point of historic 1986 People Power Revolution recalled

BY BEN CAL Philippine News Agency MANILA – The turning point of the four-day historic People Power Revolution in February 1986 occurred when elements of the 15th Strike Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) defected to the Enrile-Ramos camp on the third day of the uprising, tilting the balance of firepower to the rebel soldiers.

It was an unexpected turn of events as then Col. Antonio Sotelo, commander of the 15th Strike Wing, led his officers and men in defecting en mass, bringing with them a total of

five choppers, including some UH-1H Huey helicopters and some T-28 “Tora-Tora” planes.

Sotelo aboard a Sikorsky helicopter gunship, flying with several choppers armed with air-to-ground rockets, 20-mm cannons, and M-60 caliber machine guns, was ordered to attack Camp Crame where rebel forces of Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and Constabulary Chief Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos were holed up for a final stand against government forces loyal to then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

For several minutes, there was tension all over Camp Crame when the helicopter gun-

ships circled overhead, everybody was preparing for an air strike.

However, instead of attacking, the pilots landed the helicopter at the camp’s playground and declared their allegiance to the Enrile-Ramos forces.

All were jubilant and many cried – apparently tears of joy when they saw Sotelo, smiling and waving to the crowd as he stepped out from the helicopter.

The defection of Sotelo and his men was a big blow to the Marcos forces.

Other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines followed suit, breaking the standwww.canadianinquirer.net

off in favor of the rebel forces.

However, prior to the tense moment before the defection, rebel troops thought they were about to be attacked as they prayed and through the intercession of the Blessed Mother for protection while manning their battle stations come what may.

However, there was a sigh of relief when the saw the choppers landed without firing a shot and Sotelo was smiling, waving his hands to the rebel forces.

The crowd cheered as the rest of the gunships landed one by one.

“We followed our conscience.

I think I have not really done much in my life. For once, I wanted to make a decision for my country,” Sotelo said.

Then, two PAF F-5 fighter planes thundered overhead at Edsa where millions of people gathered for what is now known as People Power that ousted Marcos from power he ruled for two decades.

Marcos and his family fled Malacanang Palace and were flown by US plane to Honolulu, Hawaii as Corazon Aquino was sworn in as President of the Republic of the Philippines. ■

29

Sports Gilas Pilipinas books entryway NU Bullpups sweep ticket to FIBA World Cup 2019 UAAP S81 finals for after crucial win over Kazakhstan championship title

against Ateneo

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE GILAS Pilipinas is officially going to the FIBA World Cup in China after dominating Team Kazakhstan 93-75 during the Asian qualifiers game last Sunday, February 24 at the Velodrome Saryarka in Astana.

Former National Basketball Association (NBA) star Andray Blatche led the way for team Philippines with a huge game at 41 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks, scoring 17 of those points in the first quarter alone. Jayson Castro also contributed double digits at 15 points, while June Mar Fajardo chipped nine points and seven rebounds. Paul Lee and Marcio Lassiter each contributed eight points. For Team Kazakhstan, it was Anthony Clemmons who shone at 27 points, but it was not enough to lead his team to the win.

In response to their game, the naturalized Blatche shares, “It was a really emotional game for us. It was either win or go home. I feel like we competed from the jump till the end.” Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao added, “Andray carried

BY GIANNA LLANES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Former NBA star Andray Blatche.

us on his shoulders in the first half. He was on fire. I was kind of worried that the rest of the guys would over-rely on him.

But the second half, the rest of the guys stepped up.”

He concluded, “We’re just glad it’s over. We were feeling the pressure prior to this game.

We really wanted to win.” The last time Team Philippines and the Kazakhstan representatives faced each other was in November at the Mall of Asia Arena, but the situation was different then, with the Kazakhs dominating.

GILAS PILIPINAS/FACEBOOK

Coach Guiao looked back saying, “We have a lot of respect for the Kazakhstan team. They beat us in Manila in a close game. We prepared hard for this game. We tried to remedy the mistakes that we made in Manila, but even then, it was still a tough game for us.”

The next time the Guiao-led squad will be seeing action is for the World Cup, where Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Iran, and host China are also qualified, the games set to begin at the end of August this year. ■

AFTER THREE years, Nazareth School of National University (NU) has again reigned victorious in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP), dethroning defending champions Ateneo in the second game of the best-of-three series for season 81 last Friday, February 22 at the Flying V Filoil Arena in San Juan.

The score ended at 64-53 in favor of the Bullpups with almost everyone on the team performing. Terrence Fortea led the way with 15 points, four assists, and two rebounds, while Carl Tamayo, who was hailed Finals’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) also performed with a double-double at 13 points and 10 rebounds. Kevin Quiambao chipped eight points, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, while Cyril Gonzales chipped a double-double at 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.

Reyland Torres contributed

eight points and nine rebounds, while Ernest Felicilda added 12 rebounds, two points, two assists, and a steal. Before his second unsportsmanlike foul in the third quarter that led to his ejection from the game, Gerry Abadiano totalled eight points and nine rebounds for NU. This is the first championship title for head coach Goldwin Monteverde since he took over the squad a few years ago; the team’s latest championship in 2016. He shared, “It’s my first UAAP championship.

We’re very happy that we accomplished the goal that we pursued. The only thing seen is the talent of our team but there are the sacrifices that come with it and the time spent. At least we won it.” He added, “As a high school team, our goal is to keep the players growing, learning. Of course this is just a level for them and maybe after a year, they’ll go to college. We have to prepare for them also.

That’s where we are focused as a team.” ■

Grassroots sports program to shield youth from illegal drugs

BY PERLA LENA Philippine News Agency ILOILO CITY — Local government officials on Sunday vowed to support grassroots sports programs in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s goal to shield the youth from illegal drugs.

“The city government supports the program of the President that through sports we stop illegal drugs in this part of the country,” Iloilo City Mayor

Jose Espinosa III said in his welcome message during the opening of the Batang Pinoy Visayas leg at the Iloilo Sports Complex here.

“They (youth) are the future leaders of our community that we should protect and preserve,” he added as he welcomed 2,849 athletes from 71 local government units (LGUs).

Espinosa encouraged everyone to ensure that the Philippines “will be in good hands” by seeing to it that the future gen-

erations are free from influence of illegal drugs.

He thanked former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go for helping him to get an appointment with the President for his program “Utos ni President, Utos ni Mayor: No to Corruption, No to Criminality, No to illegal drugs”.

Go together with former Philippine National Police Director-General Ronald dela Rosa graced the opening ceremonies www.canadianinquirer.net

of the week-long sport event.

In a media interview, Go said the Batang Pinoy is a program of the government to protect children from the drug menace.

“This will be one of our priorities, sports development, especially for the grassroots,” Go said.

He said athletes should get the much-needed support and big incentives.

“They should be supported from the start up to their training, especially those with po-

tentials,” he said.

Go, a senatorial aspirant like dela Rosa, pointed out that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) should be given additional budget.

Batang Pinoy is the PSC’s grassroots sports development program for children 15 years old and below with national winners bound to get opportunity to be part of the national pool. ❱❱ PAGE 32 Grassroots sports

30

Business Poultry growers call for 40% Another ceasefire: Can the US and China tariff on deboned meat end their trade war?

BY LILYBETH ISON Philippine News Agency MANILA — An alliance of poultry growers is urging the government to revert the 40 percent tariff on mechanically deboned meat (MDM) as mandated under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement which the Philippines recognizes.

The 40 percent tariff on MDM was temporarily adjusted to 5 percent in 2012 as a concession to the quantitative restriction imposed on rice importation. This rate would revert to 40 percent by Jan. 1, 2021 as stipulated in WTO rules.

“Since we already have a rice tariff law signed by President (Rodrigo) Duterte, it is high time that the government slap 40 percent tariff on MDM,” said Rosendo So, chairman of Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), in a radio interview over the weekend.

“Dapat ibalik na ang 40 percent na taripa sa MDM bilang proteksyon sa mga poultry growers natin (The 40 percent tariff for MDM should be returned as protection to our poultry growers),” he added.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), in an earlier statement, said it would still write a memorandum to the Office of the President to express the position of the agency and agriculture stakeholders on the matter.

DA Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano disclosed that the Tariff Commission found that reverting tariffs on MDM imports to its 2012 level of 40 percent would not have a “substantial” economic impact.

The government slashed the tariff on MDM to 5 percent as a concession to the country’s trade partners for allowing the Philippines to extend its special treatment for rice.

Serrano said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has already factored in the 40 per-

BY PAUL WISEMAN AND DARLENE SUPERVILLE The Associated Press

cent tariff on MDM in its inflation forecast.

Citing the BSP’s study, he said the government would still achieve its inflation targets even if the tariff level on MDM imports would go back to its 2012 level which is 40 percent.

“Why would agriculture have to pay just so they could get few more basis points (off ) the inflation rate? There is no substantial reason to maintain (the 5 percent tariff ),” Serrano said.

He said maintaining the 5-percent tariff on MDM imports would prolong the prejudice to the poultry subsector.

“It was a concession made at a cost to a sector so that (the said) sector should get relief,” he said. “The protection should be reinstated.”

In a separate statement, the Alliance of Philippine Poultry Growers (APPG) said the influx of imported poultry products, following the lifting by the government of the special safeguard duty (SSG) on these imports, has seriously affected the Philippine poultry industry.

“The importation of chicken has become deregulated and uncontrolled. This has seriously affected local poultry raisers,” APPG said.

According to the group, data shows that importation of grandparent stocks surged 106 percent between 2014 and 2018, while inbound shipments of parent stocks jumped 68 percent. Frozen chicken imports also increased 74 percent during the period.

APPG said the situation was aggravated in August 2018, when the government lifted the SSG on poultry imports, which caused intense flooding of the domestic market, without bringing down retail prices.

“The lifting by the government of the special safeguard duty on poultry imports last August was aimed at cutting retail prices and easing inflation.

However, this zero-tariff measure did not significantly reduce the retail prices of chicken meat,” the group noted. ❱❱ PAGE 36 Poultry growers

www.canadianinquirer.net

WASHINGTON — Relief swept across world financial markets Monday after President Donald Trump pushed back a March 2 deadline in a trade dispute with China.

But the respite might not last.

The world’s two biggest economies have squared off over Beijing’s aggressive campaign to turn Chinese companies into world leaders in advanced industries such as robotics and electric vehicles. Both sides have said they’ve made progress but haven’t provided much detail.

“Popping the champagne today would be premature,” Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, wrote in a research note.

Daco added that vast differences between the two countries “will prevent a significant de-escalation of trade tensions between the two giants.”

In the United States, business groups and lawmakers fear that Trump will settle for a deal that doesn’t require China to change its sharp-elbowed business practices.

A look at the dispute: What are the U.S. and China fighting about?

The United States accuses China of deploying predatory tactics in a headlong push to challenge American technological dominance. These, the U.S. says, include: outright theft of trade secrets, forcing foreign companies to hand over technology as the price of access to the Chinese market, and unfairly subsidizing Chinese tech companies and using regulations to hobble their foreign competitors.

The accusations elevate the standoff from a typical trade dispute to a battle over wheth-

er the United States or China dominates the industries of the future, the outcome of which has implications for national security.

Trump is also obsessed with America’s massive trade deficit with China, $336 billion in 2017 and likely higher last year.

Critics complain that the administration has been inconsistent about what it wants — sometimes demanding sweeping changes in Chinese economic policy, sometimes seeming willing to settle for China just buying more American stuff to narrow the trade deficit.

Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Wilson Center think-tank , said he would be disappointed if the Trump administration settles only for more exports to China and vague promises to make structural reforms. “The Trump administration could have had that in week one,” Daly said.

What’s happened so far?

In July, the Trump administration gradually began slapping import taxes on Chinese goods to pressure Beijing into changing its policies. It now has imposed 10 per cent tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports and 25 per cent tariffs on another $50 billion.

Twice, Trump has pushed back plans to raise the tariffs on the $200 billion to 25 per cent.

He extended a Jan. 1 deadline by three months after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires Dec. 1. And on Sunday, following meetings last week between U.S. and Chinese negotiators, he delayed indefinitely the tariff hike that was scheduled to kick in at 12:01 EST March 2.

The U.S. is also restricting Chinese investment in hightech American industries and ❱❱ PAGE 38 Can the

Business

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

31

PRRD urged to ‘promptly’ name next BSP chief

BY JOANN VILLANUEVA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Philippines’ economic journalists have called on President Rodrigo R. Duterte to “promptly” name the successor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr., who died of cancer Saturday, to address any market uncertainty.

“Even as we mourn, we urge President Rodrigo Duterte to ease market uncertainties by promptly filling the void with someone just as suitable and committed to the BSP’s mandate of price and financial stability — one who can hit the ground running and ensure policy continuity,” the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) said in a statement on Sunday.

EJAP dubbed Espenilla, 60, as “an exemplary public servant who heeded the call of duty even when he was grappling with his own health issues.”

“Governor Espenilla’s nearly four-decade service to the country was marked by dogged banking supervision while pioneering the use of digital means to achieve financial inclusion,” it added.

The BSP chief was diagnosed with tongue cancer in November 2017.

He took time off from his work several times since then to seek medical treatment, including the one overseas last January.

He headed the BSP starting July 3, 2017 after the end of the two six-year terms of BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. Prior to this, he was Deputy Governor responsible for the central bank’s Supervision and Examination Sector, which oversees banks and non-bank institutions.

BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board, in a special meeting Saturday, “designated Deputy Governor Almasara Cyd Tuano-Amador as BSP Officer-inCharge effective immediately

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pays his last respects to the late Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. at the Heritage Park in Taguig City SCREENSHOT FROM HUAWEI MOBILE / FACEBOOK

until such time that Duterte shall have designated an OIC or

appointed a successor.”

Espenilla graduated magna

cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business economics from the University of the Philippines.

He also had a master of science degree in policy science from the Graduate Institute of Policy Science in Tokyo, Japan.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Teresita Festin Espenilla; daughter, Jacqueline Joyce and son-in-law, Ben Baltazar; sons Nikko Nestor and Leonardo Nestor; and, grandchild, Zev Eron.

Relatively, Voyager President and Chief Executive Officer Orlando B. Vea said Espenilla’s death “is a sad day for the country and the financial services industry.”

He described Espenilla as a “humble public servant, progressive central banker, and relentless champion of financial inclusion.”

“His legacy lives on in every effort that we all do to serve the unbanked, uncarded and underserved Filipinos with digital financial services,” he added. ■

Concert 8 Solutions Inc. Enters into a Strategic Partnership with Benchmark Email Concert 8 Solutions Inc. partners with Benchmark Email to cross-market each other’s services.

Concert 8 Solutions Inc, (“Concert 8” of the “Company”) a technology company focused on the provision of new economy outsourcing services such as live Chat Software, 24/7 Live Staffing, and Omni Channel communication is pleased to announce a new cross-marketing promotional Partnership with Benchmark Email LLC, a global leader in email marketing solutions based in California USA. Through this strategic partnership, the companies will collaborate to deliver a unique experience focused on improving customer service and client engagement by combining the benefits of Concert 8’s 24/7 proactive live chat and Benchmark’s advanced email marketing tools to help businesses and organizations of all sizes nurture leads and grow client engagement. The Partnership will engage in a series of co-marketing activities, the first of which will launch in the Asia Pacific region with campaigns beginning in the Philippines in March 2019.

“Concert 8 continues to expand its collaboration with global Web Marketing and SaaS partners by integrating our live ‘YourChatTeam’ service with our partner’s service offerings. The result is a dramatic increase in the conversion of the visitors they bring to their client’s websites into sales, or into leads while boosting CSAT scores. We are very excited to partner with one of the largest and best-known brands in the Digital Marketing Industry.” Said Concert 8 CEO, Alan Yong. According to a study by Bain & Company, a 5% increase in customer retention rate will result in up to a 95% increase in profits. One of the first capabilities of this partnership is building trust and positive rapport with the customer base to promote an increase in market penetration and client retention.

“We are excited to partner with Concert 8 Solutions Inc., specifically their 24/7 proactive live chat staffing service,” says Joy Aspacio, country head of Benchmark Email LLC Philippines. “It is clear that the new trend of taking

businesses offline to online affects the marketing and customer service model.

By offering an end to end service, we can streamline the customer journey and create a business necessity. With the success of Concert 8 and http://www. yourchatteam.com’s successful track record of converting visitors into leads, we are now able to offer an end to end solution for customer acquisition.”

About Benchmark Email Benchmark Email is an international, internet-based service provider of email marketing with headquarters in Los Alamitos, CA. The company offers various free and paid editions. Benchmark is a member of Returnpath.net and the Email Sender & Provider Coalition industry consortiums. Expansion into international markets has been pursued by the company, translating the software from English into Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Italian and establishing offices in the Philippines, Japan, China, India, Spain, Taiwan and Italy among several other countries. Recently, the website was also launched in French. In 2017, Benchmark Email was named one of the “20 B2B Technologies To Try in 2017” by Forbes.

About YourChatTeam ‘YourChatTeam’, a division of Concert 8 specializes in providing Live Chat staffing solutions for business. Their highly trained live chat experts combine advanced analytics with live chat to proactively engage with website visitors in real time, answering questions, driving engagement and increasing sales and lead generation.

Concert 8 Solutions is a Canadian based, full-service, Business Process Outsourcing provider for the new economy. Concert 8 provides a complete range of outsourcing services including virtual staffing, multi-platform customer service, sales and support over Voice, E-mail, Live Chat & Social Media. http://www.YourChatTeam.com http://www.concert8.com

www.canadianinquirer.net

32

Technology Israel flying to moon after SpaceX launch

BY MARCIA DUNN The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. — An Israeli spacecraft rocketed toward the moon for the country’s first attempted lunar landing, following a launch Thursday night by SpaceX. A communications satellite for Indonesia was the main cargo aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, which illuminated the sky as it took flight. But Israel’s privately funded lunar lander — a first not just for Israel but commercial space — generated the buzz.

Israel seeks to become only the fourth country to successfully land on the moon, after Russia, the U.S. and China. The spacecraft — called Beresheet, Hebrew for Genesis or “In The Beginning” — will take nearly two months to reach the moon.

“We thought it’s about time for a change, and we want to get little Israel all the way to the moon,” said Yonatan Winetraub, co-founder of Israel’s SpaceIL , a non-profit organization behind the effort.

The moon, nearly full and glowing brightly, beckoned as it rose in the eastern sky. Within an hour after liftoff, Beresheet was already sending back data and had successfully deployed its landing legs, according to SpaceIL.

“We’ll keep analyzing the data, but bottom line is we entered the very exclusive group of countries that have launched a spacecraft to the moon,” said Yigal Harel, head of SpaceIL’s spacecraft program.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was watching the launch live from the Israeli control centre in Yehud, near Tel Aviv.

“This is a big step for Israel, but a giant step for Israeli technology,” he said.

The four-legged Beresheet, barely the size of a washing machine, will circle Earth in ever bigger loops until it’s captured by lunar gravity and goes into orbit around the moon. Touchdown would be April 11 at the Sea of Serenity.

NASA’s Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s took about three days to get astronauts to the moon, but they used monstrous Saturn V rockets. The $100 million Beresheet mission couldn’t afford its own rocket — even a little one — so the organizers opted for a ride share.

That makes for a much longer trip; the moon right now is nearly 230,000 miles (370,000 kilometres) away.

“This is Uber-style space exploration, so we’re riding shotgun on the rocket,” Winetraub explained at a news conference on the eve of launch.

The U.S. Air Force also has a small research spacecraft aboard the rocket, for a one-year mission in orbit around Earth.

The Soviet Union was the first to put a spacecraft on the moon, Luna 2, in 1959. NASA followed with the Ranger 4 spacecraft in 1962. Last month, China became the first country to land on the far side of the moon.

Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin quickly offered congratulations following Thursday’s launch. So did NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who

called it “a historic step for all nations and commercial space as we look to extend our collaborations beyond low-Earth orbit and on to the moon.” NASA has a laser reflector aboard Beresheet and is offering its Deep Space Network for communication.

“All the best to ?TeamSpaceIL as it starts its journey tonight on a ?SpaceX #Falcon9 from Florida to my old stomping ground ...the moon,” Aldrin tweeted.

The Beresheet mission origi-

PSC’s grassroots program.

Defensor is hoping the country’s first ever Olympic gold medalist will come from Batang Pinoy.

“The Philippines since it joined the Olympic Games has not won a gold medal. Maybe through the Batang Pinoy, they can discover athletes who can

compete and win the coveted gold medal in the Olympics” he said.

The opening rite was also attended by PSC chairperson

Liftoff!

@SPACEX / TWITTER

nally was part of the Google Lunar XPrize competition and even made the final cut before the contest ended last year without a winner. The organizers decided to press ahead on their own, with donations from billionaires as well as schoolchildren.

Lunar surface operations are meant to last just two days.

Beresheet will measure the magnetic field at the landing site, and send back data and pictures. A time capsule is aboard the lander — which includes a picture of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who died aboard space shuttle Columbia in 2003 — as well as a lunar library containing 30 million pages on a disk from the U.S.-based Arch Mission Foundation.

Ramon’s widow, Rona, was a big supporter of Beresheet; she died of cancer in December.

Following liftoff, SpaceX recovered the first-stage booster, which flew twice last year. The booster landed smoothly on an offshore ocean platform, after the hottest re-entry yet, according to SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk. Sparks from burning metal were visible in the landing video.

Musk said the booster will fly a fourth time in April, during a launch abort test of the new crew Dragon capsule. No one will be aboard. ■

Grassroots sports... ❰❰ 29

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., for his part, also expressed strong support of the provincial government to the

www.canadianinquirer.net

William Ramirez and Commissioners Charles Raymond Maxey, Arnold Agustin and Ramon Fernandez. ■

Technology

FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

China’s Huawei unveils 5G phone with folding screen

BY KELVIN CHAN The Associated Press BARCELONA, SPAIN — China’s Huawei unveiled a new folding-screen phone on Sunday, joining the latest trend for bendable devices as it challenges the global smartphone market’s dominant players, Apple and Samsung.

Huawei revealed its Mate X phone on the eve of MWC Barcelona, a four-day showcase of mobile devices, as the company battles U.S. allegations it is a cybersecurity risk.

The device can be used on superfast next-generation mobile networks that are due to come online in the coming years.

Device makers are looking to folding screens as the industry’s next big thing to help them break out of an innovation malaise, although most analysts think the market is limited, at least in the early days.

The Mate X is the answer to a question Huawei faced as it sought to satisfy smartphone users’ demands for bigger screens and longer battery life, said Richard Yu, CEO of its consumer business group.

“How can we bring the more big innovation to this smartphone industry?” Yu said at a glitzy media launch.

The Mate X will sell for 2,299 euros ($2,600) when it goes on sale by midyear. That’s even more than Samsung’s recently revealed Galaxy Fold, priced at nearly $2,000.

The Mate X’s screen wraps around the outside so users can still view it when it’s closed, unlike the Galaxy Fold, which has a screen that folds shut. Unfolded, the Mate X’s screen is 8 inches diagonally, making it the size of a small tablet.

Yu said Huawei engineers spent three years working on the device’s hinge, which doesn’t leave a gap when shut.

“No matter how innovative and technology-advanced the new device is, it will take a lot more time for a critical mass of consumers to experience the benefits of foldable phones and 5G technology,” Forrester analyst Thomas Husson said.

Huawei still “has to find its own brand voice to differenti-

Smile: Some airliners have cameras on seat back screens

BY DAVID KOENIG The Associated Press

Huawei Mate X

ate from Samsung and Apple and stop acting as a technology challenger.”

Huawei Technologies is trying to raise its profile in the fiercely competitive smartphone market. Almost everyone with a smartphone has heard of Apple and Samsung, the top device makers, and Google, the power behind Android’s pervasive software.

Huawei, a Chinese company with a name many people in the West don’t know how to pronounce (it’s “HWA-way”), wants to join the market’s upper echelon.

It’s getting close. Samsung was the No. 1 smartphone seller for all of last year, followed by Apple, according to research firm International Data Corp.

Huawei came third, though in some quarters it took second place, IDC data showed.

The company stealthily became an industry star by plowing into new markets, honing its technology, and developing a line-up of phones that offer affordable options for low-income households and luxury models that are siphoning upper-crust sales from Apple and Samsung in China and Europe.

But Huawei’s products are few and far between in the U.S. The scarcity stems from longrunning security concerns that the company could facilitate digital espionage on behalf of China’s government. Washington has been lobbying European allies to keep its equipment out of new 5G networks.

The cloud over Huawei also includes U.S. criminal charges filed last month against the company and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who U.S. prosecutors want to extradite

SCREENSHOT FROM HUAWEI MOBILE / FACEBOOK

from Canada. They accuse her of fraud and say the company stole trade secrets, including technology that mobile carrier T-Mobile used to test smartphones.

Huawei is making its push at a time that both Samsung and Apple are struggling with declining smartphone sales amid a lull in industry innovation that is causing more consumers to hold on to the devices until they wear out instead of upgrading to the latest model as quickly as they once did.

The company sells highpriced smartphones as well as an extensive range of cheaper models priced from $200 to $600 that offer a good camera and other features most consumers want, analysts said.

But Huawei wouldn’t be where it is today if it had been content focusing merely on China and other Asian markets.

The company took a huge step forward several years ago when it began pouring millions into promoting its brand and building partnerships in major European markets such as Germany, France, Britain, Spain and Italy.

Research firm Gartner estimates it now sells about 13 per cent of its phones in Europe.

As for the U.S., Huawei can only make so much headway as long as the government is casting the company as a cyber-villain, said Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen.

“Brand building is a longterm exercise, but it’s going to be especially difficult in the U.S. because of the way they have branded all of China,” he said.

“The barriers in the U.S. are just getting more difficult.” ■ Mike Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report. www.canadianinquirer.net

33

NOW THERE is one more place where cameras could start watching you — from 30,000 feet.

Newer seat-back entertainment systems on some airplanes operated by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines have cameras, and it’s likely they are also on planes used by other carriers.

All four airlines said that they have never activated the cameras and have no plans to use them.

However, companies that make the entertainment systems are installing cameras to offer future options such as seat-to-seat video conferencing, according to an American Airlines spokesman.

A passenger on a Singapore flight posted a photo of the seat-back display last week, and the tweet was shared several hundred times and drew media notice. Buzzfeed first reported that the cameras are also on some American planes.

A United spokeswoman repeatedly told a reporter Friday that none of its entertainment systems had cameras before apologizing and saying that some did. On Saturday, Delta also said some of its in-flight entertainment screens have the cameras.

The airlines stressed that they didn’t add the cameras — manufacturers embedded them in the entertainment systems. American’s systems are made by Panasonic, while Singapore uses Panasonic and Thales, according to airline representatives. Neither Panasonic nor Thales responded immediately for comment.

As they shrink, cameras are being built into more devices,

including laptops and smartphones. The presence of cameras in aircraft entertainment systems was known in aviation circles at least two years ago, although not among the travelling public.

Seth Miller, a journalist who wrote about the issue in 2017, thinks that equipment makers didn’t consider the privacy implications. There were already cameras on planes — although not so intrusive — and the companies assumed that passengers would trade their images for convenience, as they do with facialrecognition technology at immigration checkpoints, he said.

“Now they’re facing blowback from a small but vocal group questioning the value of the system that isn’t even active,” Miller said.

American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein said cameras are in “premium economy” seats on 82 Boeing 777 and Airbus A330-200 jets. American has nearly 1,000 planes.

“Cameras are a standard feature on many in-flight entertainment systems used by multiple airlines,” he said.

Singapore spokesman James Boyd said cameras are on 84 Airbus A350s, Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s and 787s. The carrier has 117 planes.

While the airlines say they have no plans to use the cameras, a Twitter user named Vitaly Kamluk, who snapped the photo of the camera on his Singapore flight, suggested that just to be sure the carriers should slap stickers over the lenses.

“The cameras are probably not used now,” he tweeted. “But if they are wired, operational, bundled with mic, it’s a matter of one smart hack to use them on 84+ aircrafts and spy on passengers.” ■

‘Ugly produce...’ ❰❰ 27

about all the boxes, all that cardboard,” said Nyasha Wilson, a New York City resident who carefully selects apples for ripeness at a farmer’s market.

The companies say they might at least change shoppers’

views on discarded produce.

Evan Lutz, CEO of the startup Hungry Harvest, said most of it is just too small or slightly discolored.

“The vast majority that would go to waste isn’t really that ugly,” he said. ■

MARCH 1, 2019

34

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35

Travel Baguio City remains all-time favorite summer destination

BY PRIAM NEPOMUCENO Philippine News Agency MANILA — With the scorching months of March, April and May coming soon, expect thousands of Filipinos to flock to Baguio City (aka the City of Pines) to escape the searing heat.

Located 4,810 feet or 1,470 meters above sea level, the nation’s Summer Capital is also known for its “Panagbenga” or the annual Flower Festival, which highlights the city’s diverse cultural heritage and unique environment.

John Eric Mendoza, 20, of Caloocan, described Baguio as “cold and beautiful”.

“Kahit summer, ang lamig.

Gustong-gusto ko yung lamig.

Mas malamig nang (k)onti sa

aircon (It’s really cold, even in summer. I really love the cold.

It’s slightly colder than an air conditioner),” Mendoza said, recalling his visit to the city last year.

He said he would love to go back to the city because of its cold climate, yummy treats, and the pine trees, though he only saw a few when he went there.

“Masasarap mga (pasalubong) ‘dun, saka mura. Strawberry, pili nuts. Actually ’yung Baguio, stopover ko lang ‘yun, kasi pagpunta ko galing ako Mountain Province, may sinamahan ako, nagpa-tattoo ako sa (The food that they sell are delicious. I bought strawberries and pili nuts. Actually, I only had a stopover in Baguio.

I went to Mountain Province to accompany a friend. I also got a

tattoo. We went to the) Mountain Province, Sagada, Bontoc, then Banaue, Baguio,” he narrated.

For 21-year-old Christian Sigua of Antipolo, aside from the cold climate of the city, the warm welcome of its people is what he fell in love with.

“More than the beauty of the place and its cold weather, I fell in love with Baguio because of its people who are very welcoming,” he added.

Alvin Ilustrisimo, 20, of Rodriguez, Rizal, meanwhile marvels at the city’s unique beauty and climate.

“Ang ganda talaga sa Baguio tapos ang lamig-lamig pa. Tapos aantabayanan mo rin yung sunrise, kasi ang ganda talaga (Baguio City is really a beautiful and cool place. Also, you will

SIR MILDRED PIERCE / FLICKR, CC BY 2.0

really look forward to its sunrise),” he said.

Monreal, 18, a tourist from Manila, however, expressed a different view.

“Nung pumunta kami, parang Maynila rin. Mainit, pero sa bandang hapon malamig,” he said, noting that he nonetheless

loves the city.

“Nagustuhan ko yung klima at ang lamig dun sa Baguio (I enjoyed Baguio’s cool climate),” Flor Frivaldo, a 50-year-old professor stated. ■ With reports from Darwin C. Pesco

Travellers can retrace ‘Green Book’ path with some research

BY RUSSELL CONTRERAS AND JAY REEVES The Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Oscar-nominated interracial road trip movie “Green Book” has spurred interest in the real guidebook that helped black travellers navigate segregated America. With a little research, travellers can find copies of “The Negro Motorist Green Book” online and retrace the route in the movie or develop their own tours of sites that once provided refuge to African-Americans.

The Peter Farrelly film follows an Italian-American bouncer, played by Viggo Mortensen, as he drives a prominent black classical pianist, played by Mahershala Ali, during a 1962 music tour through Jim Crow-era America. To avoid conflict and to protect the pianist, Mortensen’s character uses the Green Book — a guide published from 1936 to 1966 by

Harlem postal worker Victor H. Green.

The Green Book offered black travellers tips on places to eat, visit and sleep while on the road. The taverns, hotels and gas stations were often blackowned and were identified via word-of-mouth or through advertisements.

“Carry your Green Book with you,” the book warned readers on its cover. “You may need it!”

Today, curious travellers can find copies of every edition of the Green Book for free at the New York Public Library Digital Collections or purchase replicas from the Camarillo, California-based About Comics publisher. Inside, readers will find listings in almost every state with addresses of places that catered to African American travellers amid of world of “Whites Only” restaurants, hotels and other establishments across the United States.

Some of the places featured in the travel guide still exist, at least as shadows of their former

Mahershala Ali (L) and Viggo Mortensen (R) arrive at AFI FEST 2018 - "Green Book" Gala Screening on November 9, 2018 at The TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.

VLADIMIR YAZEV / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

selves.

In Birmingham, Alabama, the city of the final performance in the movie, the once blackowned A.G. Gaston Motel is now part of a national monument established by thenPresident Barack Obama. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and aides stayed at the motel while planning demonstrations www.canadianinquirer.net

against legalized racial segregation in the city in 1963.

Now abandoned and owned by the city, the motel once was an upscale haven with a restaurant and live music for blacks seeking safety in a place known as the most segregated city in America. It eventually will be refurbished as part of plans that call for it to become a center-

piece of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

About 90 miles to the south, in Montgomery, King often got his hair cut in a barber shop inside the Ben Moore Hotel, which was a Green Book fixture at the time King was pastoring a church in Alabama’s capital in the 1950s.

The hotel still stands on a corner, vacant and decaying.

Meanwhile, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the De Anza Motor Lodge, a business owned

by Zuni trader and Indian art collector Charles G. Wallace, along the historic Route 66 is still standing, barely. It offered black motorists opportunities for a good night’s rest and a chance to catch a nearby show of American Indian and Mexican-American doo-wop singers.

The motel was listed in some editions of the Green Book and is undergoing renovation after years of being abandoned.

The Threatt Filling Station in Luther, Oklahoma, is on the ❱❱ PAGE 36 Travellers can

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Poultry growers... ❰❰ 30

It said despite the lifting of the SSG, wet market retail prices still ranged between PHP125 and PHP160 per kilogram.

“This obviously showed that the SSG lifting had no significant effect on retail prices, the reduction of which was the original intention,” the group said.

APPG said what the SSG lifting had affected seriously the farm gate prices which at PHP38 per kilo, was way below the cost-to-produce at PHP80 to PHP85 per kilo live weight.

“This is pushing local farmers to quit raising chicken due to huge losses,” it said.

APPG said while better production conditions had caused the increase of local supply, the lifting of SSG definitely increased imports, causing intense flooding of the market.

“The government has to rethink its strategy and impose import control,” it said.

Meanwhile, the United Broilers Raisers Association (UBRA) also claimed that the lifting of the SSG on imported poultry resulted in “forgone govern-

ment revenues and windfall profits for importers.”

UBRA said the lifting of the SSG also caused the collapse of farm-gate prices way below the cost-to-produce, without pulling down retail prices.

Data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) show that as of November 2018, chicken leg quarter imports reached 61,434,860 kilograms (kg), eclipsing the 44,834,405 kg which were brought in the whole of 2017.

Separate data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) show that meat imports climbed 22.7 percent in 2018 to a record 850,000 metric tons (MT) which were mainly used as raw materials for meat processors.

Chicken meat imports alone climbed 18.1 percent in 2018 to 288,202.817 MT from 244,104.419 MT in 2017.

Of the total poultry imports, nearly two-thirds were MDM or raw materials for meat processors mainly to produce hotdogs, sausages and chicken nuggets. ■

MARCH 1, 2019

FRIDAY

China closes Tibet to foreigners for sensitive anniversaries

BY CHRISTOPHER BODEEN The Associated Press BEIJING — China is barring foreign travellers from Tibet over a period of several weeks that includes a pair of sensitive political anniversaries questioning the legitimacy of Beijing’s rule over the Himalayan region.

Travel agencies contacted Wednesday said foreign tourists would not be allowed back into Tibet until April 1. It’s not clear when the ban started, although some monitoring groups said it began this month.

The ban was confirmed by the online customer service portal of the Tibet Youth International Travel Service, as well as staff at the Tibet Vista and Go to Tibet travel agencies.

Both are based in the southwestern city of Chengdu — the main jumping-off point for visits to Tibet.

Staff members declined to give their names or offer details.

March 10 is the 60th anniversary of an abortive 1959 uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet, while anti-government riots occurred March 14, 2008, in the regional capital Lhasa.

Although the foreigner travel ban is an annual occurrence, the occasion of the 60th anniversary is drawing added atten-

tion.

Amid heavy security on the ground, Tibet is almost entirely closed to foreign journalists and diplomats and information about actual conditions there is difficult to obtain.

The 1959 uprising resulted in the flight of Tibet’s traditional Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, into exile in India and the beginning of increasingly harsh Chinese rule over the region.

Nearly five decades later, anger exploded in a series of protests in an around Lhasa that culminated in attacks on Chinese individuals and businesses in which the government says rioters killed 18 people.

An unknown number of Tibetans were killed by security forces in the aftermath.

China claims Tibet has been part of its territory for more than seven centuries and regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist.

Many Tibetans insist they were essentially independent for most of that time and have protested what they regard as China’s heavy-handed rule imposed after the People’s Liberation Army’s battled its way into the Himalayan region in 1950.

More recently, traditionally Tibetan regions of western China have been racked by a series of self-immolations by Buddhist clergy and lay people protesting Chinese rule and calling for the return of the Da-

lai Lama, now aged 83.

Despite the suffocating level of security, Tibet is an increasingly popular destination for tourists looking for mountain adventure and monuments to its unique Buddhist culture.

In 2017, more than 25 million trips from around the world were made to Tibet, an increase of 10.6 per cent over the year before, generating 37.9 billion yuan ($5.6 billion) in tourist revenue, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Numbers of visits rose again last year to more than 33 million, a rise of 31.5 per cent, Xinhua said.

While Chinese may travel to Tibet at will, foreigners are required to obtain a special permit in addition to their Chinese visas.

While China has at times denied closing Tibet and never offered an explanation for any such measures, monitoring groups say it’s part of a strategy of concealing the extent of repression in the region.

“This most recent development is part of the overall policy of the Chinese government to restrict access to Tibet for independent observers in order to maintain an iron grip in the region while at the same time avoiding any form of external scrutiny,” Washington, D.C.based International Campaign for Tibet said in an emailed statement. ■

book to see what’s there now. “I also wanted my grandchild to see this book for themselves,” Becknell said.

To be sure, some of the sites mentioned in the Green Book no longer exist and the buildings that once housed them have been replaced or torn down.

Frank’s Restaurant in New York City’s Harlem neighbourhood, advertised in the 1959 Green Book edition, is long gone and a now defunct discount store occupies the spot.

The former Booker Washing Hotel and Courts in San Francisco, which once offered black travellers “splendidly deco-

rated suites” and a “cocktail lounge,” is now a Safeway grocery store and apartments.

Still, visitors can use the guide to visit the sites and see how a place that once provided safe haven has evolved and contemplate what it meant for black travellers more than 50 years ago.

The movie “Green Book” is nominated for best picture at the 91st Academy Awards scheduled to air Sunday on ABC. Mortensen is nominated for the best actor award and Ali as best-supporting actor. ■

Travellers can... ❰❰ 35

National Register of Historic Places for its distinction as a blackowned filling station along the Route 66 “Mother Road.” The Threatt family’s recent partnership with historians to preserve the former station and the movie “Green Book” have brought about a renaissance of sorts for the structure, The Oklahoman reported in December.

Charles Becknell, Sr., 77, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, said he bought a 1954 edition of the Green Book online after he saw the movie. The retired educator plans on visiting some of the sites mentioned in the www.canadianinquirer.net

Reeves reported from Birmingham, Alabama.

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Food Herbs and Spices Café – More than a Café, It’s a Filipino Cuisine Adventure STARTING AND opening a restaurant from scratch in Vancouver is a Herculean task. It’s not a simple business. It entails hard work and you have to know the different components of it. However, as an entrepreneur, you’re bound not to know everything which is why you hire the right people to help you with the restaurant.

The restaurant business is very volatile — it’s like a rollercoaster ride. Now, it’s a different ball game altogether when your goal is to not just open a restaurant, but specifically, a Filipino upscale restaurant in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It can be highly rewarding but it is not without its challenges.

With Filipinos being the third largest foreign-born group in Canada, it is about time our Filipino cuisine become mainstream just like Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cuisines. But why is it that the Filipino cuisine still has not become quite a culinary mainstream just like its’ Asian counterparts? Perhaps it’s because Filipinos are great in adapting; you put a Filipino in any part of the world and he/she will surely adapt to whatever culture that place has. Perhaps another reason is the lack of nongovernmental gastrodiplomacy – we need more Filipino-Canadian restaurateurs to aggressively market and promote our Filipino cuisine to the international community. This has become my family’s, specifically, our Mom’s dream: to promote

the beauty and deliciousness of our very diverse cuisine to the Canadian culinary stage. Thus, Herbs and Spices café was born.

Established in May 2017, Herbs and Spices Cafe was bought and rebuilt by a family of Filipina-Canadian women.

These women turned their visions into realities through their passion for food, beverage, service and finance. These women are not intimidated by things they do not know; instead, they learn through everyday experiences. They persevere, they work smart and they lean on each other.

Herbs and Spices Cafe is more than a cafe bistro in Vancouver. It is the daily real-life adventures of Filipina-Canadian women who support each other through thick and thin. The café has only been opened for 21 months and already it has gone through a lot of changes.

First of all, it changed from its original basement location at 666 Park Place, Burrard St. to a ground floor location which overlooks a beautiful courtyard inside the Cathedral Building at 925 West Georgia St. It’s been an internal joke amongst our team that we have transitioned from “666” basement of hell to the Cathedral close to the Anglican church next door, we’ve been uplifted! Changing restaurant location is not a walk in the park. Imagine moving houses but 10 times more difficult because you have commercial equipment to take with you.

It was like we started all over

again. However, the difficulties was all worth it. The change in location has done wonders for Herbs and Spices Café – we get more foot traffic now. We’ve also kept our trademark décor: classic black and white.

Our menu is prepared by highly experienced Chefs – Charlie Lopez and Nelia Pingol Lopez – they were a part of the opening team at Seasons in the Park, Sharks Club, Cardero’s, Tea House and Hotel Georgia. They also had the incredible opportunity to cook for Former US President Bill Clinton during a state visit to Vancouver. We’re very fortunate that we have great Chefs – Chef Charlie and Chef Nellie (a husband and wife team) – are dedicated perfectionists when it comes to Filipino taste and food presentation. At Herbs and Spices Cafe, we work as a family, as a team. It’s very important to have the right team. Our kitchen team are very passionate, they sing while they work, they’re inspired. That’s what matters. We’re like one big family. We all share the same vision – to promote Filipino cuisine to everyone here in Vancouver.

Herbs and Spices Café is not just here to serve Filipino Fusion cuisine. We are here to serve as a voice, as a platform for bringing Filipino cuisine to the hearts (and stomachs) of the international community.

We chose the downtown location because there aren’t really any Filipino restaurants in downtown. We have quite a selection of Filipino food in

SUPPLIED

our menu (Beef Caldereta, Beef Kare Kare, Lechon Kawali, to name a few). We also offer Filipino lunch buffet on Mondays. So far, most of our nonFilipino guests have been so receptive to our cuisine. They like our Chicken Adobo in Ube Pandesal, they are attracted to the colour purple of our bread and the delicious taste of our chicken adobo. Our non-Filipino guests love our Lechon Kawali, our beef caldereta, and our beef kare kare. They are intrigued with our pancit (Filipino noodles) and our daing na bangus (deep fried milkfish belly). People also love our take on Filipino street food – fish and squid balls – presented on a bed of lettuce. Our all-day Filipino breakfasts “Silogs” (Longsilog, Tapsilog, Bangsilog and To-

cilog) are becoming favourites among our non-Filipino regulars. They find our home-made longaniza savoury and delectable.

Herbs and Spices Café is open Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 3pm. We offer Filipino lunch buffet on Mondays from 11:30am to 2:30pm for only $15+ tax. We also offer International lunch buffet on Fridays from 11:30am to 2:30pm for the same price, $15+tax. We have combo quick meals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We also open for brunch on Sundays from 9am to 3pm.

Serving Filipino fusion cuisine is just the icing on the cake, our true business philosophy is built on the strong desire to promote Filipino cuisine at its best. ■

A silky smooth soup with a big dose of healthy greens AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN WHEN CONSIDERING uses for sturdy greens like kale and Swiss chard, a smooth pureed soup may not immediately come to mind. But we had high

hopes for a silky-smooth soup that delivered a big dose of healthy greens packed with essential nutrients.

First, we built a flavourful foundation of sweet caramelized onions and earthy sauteed mushrooms. We added broth, water and lots of leafy greens

(we liked a mix of chard, kale, arugula, and parsley, each with unique nutritional qualities), and simmered the greens until tender before blending them until smooth.

We were happy with the soup's depth of flavour, but it was watery and too thin. Many www.canadianinquirer.net

pureed soups call for excessive amounts of cream to create a velvety consistency.

Instead, we used Arborio rice: The rice's high starch content thickened our soup perfectly and without dulling the bright flavours of the greens.

And rather than adding dairy

richness by the cupful, we drizzled each bowl with just a tablespoon or two of yogurt enlivened with lemon and tarragon.

Super greens soup

Servings: 6

❱❱ PAGE 38 A silky

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Food

MARCH 1, 2019

A pasta dish that’ll have your family asking for seconds AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN THERE IS something magical about this recipe, which coaxes the ultimate flavour out of just a few humble supermarket ingredients, turning them into a rich-tasting and well-balanced pasta dish that will have your family reaching for seconds.

After browning the sausage, we sauteed a hefty amount of sliced onions, along with sliced fennel, which added texture and flavour to the dish. And while it may seem like a mistake to add an entire can of tomato paste and no other tomato product to make the sauce, the concentrated, bold flavour of the tomato paste intensified during cooking and added rich notes to the dish.

To pull everything together, we added 2 cups of boiling water, simmering the mixture until thick. Sharp Pecorino cheese, added to the sausage-onion mixture, enriched the sauce by giving it a salty bite. Chopped fennel fronds added pleasant anise notes upon serving.

Ziti with fennel and Italian sausage

Servings: 4-6 Start to finish: 30 minutes

• 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed

YUSUKE TOYODA / FLICKR, CC BY-SA 2.0

• 2 onions, halved and sliced thin • 1 fennel bulb, fronds chopped, stalks discarded, bulb halved, cored, and sliced into 1/2inch pieces • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste • 1 pound ziti • Salt and pepper • 1 ounce Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (1/2 cup), plus extra for serving Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot for pasta. Cook sausage in Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Stir in onions and fennel, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Uncover, reduce heat to medium, and continue to cook until vegetables are golden, 10 to 12 minutes.

Add tomato paste and cook

until darkened, about 3 minutes. Stir in 2 cups boiling pasta water and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente.

Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot. Add sausage mixture, Pecorino, and 1 cup reserved cooking water and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add remaining cooking water as needed to adjust consistency.

Sprinkle individual portions with fennel fronds and extra Pecorino before serving. ■

FRIDAY

A silky... ❰❰ 37

Start to finish: 1 hour, 20 minutes

• 1/2 cup organic plain low-fat yogurt • 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon cold-pressed extravirgin olive oil • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon • 1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest plus 1/2 teaspoon juice • Salt and pepper • 1 onion, halved through root end and sliced thin • 3/4 teaspoon light brown sugar • 3 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced thin • 2 garlic cloves, minced • Pinch cayenne pepper • 3 cups water • 3 cups homemade or lowsodium chicken or vegetable broth • 1/3 cup Arborio rice • 12 ounces Swiss chard, stemmed and chopped coarse • 9 ounces kale, stemmed and chopped coarse • 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves • 2 ounces (2 cups) baby arugula

Nutrition information per serving: 550 calories; 187 calories from fat; 21 g fat ( g saturated; 7 g trans fats); 48 mg cholesterol; 929 mg sodium; 68 g carbohydrate; 6 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 21 g protein.

Combine yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon oil, tarragon, and lemon zest and juice in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Stir in onion, sugar, and

his economic policies. Investors’ view is clear: When U.S.China negotiations go well, American stocks rise. When talks falter, they drop.

So the question is whether Trump, having taken U.S.China economic relations to the brink, has the patience to hold out in the face of likely stock-market volatility for an enforceable deal that requires China to change its behaviour. Or whether he’ll agree to more exports and promises of change.

“If the U.S. has already achieved quite a bit, and we are just clarifying the details of substantial Chinese concessions, then that’s not a huge concern,” said Scott Kennedy, a China ex-

pert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “But if the U.S. has come away with very little in terms of binding commitments (after dropping the tariff deadline), then the chance of getting more in the coming weeks could be quite low.”

Daly at the Wilson Center faulted the administration for not imposing a new deadline.

“They are expert at the use of time and delay until conditions have changed and leverage has been lost, to get a better outcome,” he said.

Trump has also alarmed Canada and critics by suggesting the U.S. might drop criminal charges against Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei

1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion releases some moisture, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often and scraping up any browned bits, until onion is deeply browned and slightly sticky, about 30 minutes. (If onion is sizzling or scorching, reduce heat. If onion is not browning after 15 to 20 minutes, increase heat.)

Stir in mushrooms and cook until they have released their moisture, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in water, broth, and rice, scraping up any browned bits, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir in chard, kale, and parsley, 1 handful at a time, until wilted and submerged in liquid.

Return to simmer, cover, and cook until greens are tender, about 10 minutes.

Off heat, stir in arugula until wilted. Working in batches, process soup in blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Return pureed soup to clean pot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle individual portions with lemon-tarragon yogurt, and serve. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 152 calories; 52 calories from fat; 6 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 388 mg sodium; 20 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 7 g protein.

Can the... ❰❰ 30

U.S. exports of sensitive technology to China.

Meanwhile, the Chinese have punched back by slapping import taxes on $110 billion in U.S. goods, focusing on soybeans and agricultural products in a direct shot at Trump supporters in the American farm belt.

Forecasters at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have all downgraded their forecasts for the global economy, citing the heightened trade tensions.

provided many particulars.

Trump tweeted Sunday that negotiators had made “substantial progress” on issues including protection of intellectual property, coerced tech transfer, currency manipulation and U.S. access to the Chinese farm and services markets among “many other issues.” China’s official Xinhua news agency echoed that assessment.

Trump has said he would likely have to meet one-on-one with Xi — probably late next month at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida — to resolve the thorniest issues.

Are U.S. and Chinese negotiators making headway?

What happens next?

They say they are but haven’t

Trump sees the stock market as a measure of the success of

www.canadianinquirer.net

and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in a quest to cut a deal. The U.S. has charged Huawei with lying about violating sanctions against Iran and with stealing trade secrets.

Canada arrested Meng Dec. 1 at America’s request and is weighing whether to extradite her to the United States. China arrested two Canadians in apparent retaliation.

Former Canadian Ambassador to China David Mulroney tweeted Monday that “it’s now the US that has to hang tough, and not sell out its integrity in Huawei case for a trade deal with China.” ■ Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.

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FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019

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MARCH 1, 2019

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FRIDAY