May 2013 Fortnightly issue

UK & Europe Edition

May 2013 / Fortnightly

Volume 4 - Number 10

page 26

Connecting Global News & Views For The Community

Fortnightly

Celeb Scoop

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Comelec proclaims six winning senatorial bets; Nancy Binay a no-show

The six winning senatorial bets

AFTER only three days, the Commission on Elections en banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, proclaimed six winning senatorial candidates in the May 13 midterm elections.

The rest of the winners are expected to be announced Friday.

The six were former MTRCB chairperson Grace Poe; reelectionist senators Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, and Alan Peter Cayetano; Nancy Binay; and Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara.

Binay was not present during the proclamation and was represented by her lawyer, Donna Camitan, to the proclamation. All except her ran under the Liberal Party-led administration coalition.

Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, ran under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), which earlier asked the Comelec to defer the proclamation.

UNA’s motion was junked by the poll

bodyearlier in the day.

Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle said Binay’s absence was connected to UNA’s petition.

Accompanied by loved ones.

Legarda was accompanied by her son Leandro, father Tony and her yaya, Nanay Fely.

She wore a barong top with a tinguian necklace from Abra.

Escudero, meanwhile, arrived with his girlfriend, actress Heart Evangelista.

Poe, who wore a white dress, was accompanied by her mother Susan Roces, her husband and children.

Poe’s arrival at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), where the canvassing was held, was greeted by cheers.

Sonny Angara was with his family and father Sen. Edgardo Angara. Cayetano was also accompanied by his wife, reelected Taguig mayor Lani Cayetano.

Also present in the proclamation are Mother

Lily Monteverde, former poll commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting chairman Henrietta de Villa.

Alphabetical order. The Comelec commissioners took turns in giving to the six their respective certificates of proclamation.

Poll chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. clarified that “we don’t have votes as yet” so the certificates were distributed in alphabetical order.

Camitan initially wanted to receive the certificate of proclamation for Binay, but Brillantes thumbed down her request, saying she needs to wait for the formal proclamation to end before getting the document.

Camitan did not state the reason why Binay was absent in the event The winning candidates will serve for six years starting June 30, 2013. ■ Amita Legaspi / with Marc

Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News / May 16, 2013 / Updated 8:13 pm

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Comelec tallies 66 out of 301 COCs, Team PNoy holds 9-3 lead MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 5:55PM) The trend continues in favor of Team P-Noy with 9 administration and 3 United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidates still in the Magic 12 as the Commission on Elections finished counting 66 out of 301 Certificates of Canvass (CoCs) late Thursday afternoon. Comelec as the National Board of Canvassers earlier counted only 36 out of 301 Certificates of Canvass (COCs) from 80 provinces, some highly urbanized cities, and overseas absentee voting (OAV).

The 66 CoCs represented 12,285,497 voters.

The latest tally furnished media showed Grace Poe Llamanzares still in the number one slot. Tailing her are Loren Legarda at second, Alan Peter Cayetano at third and Chiz Escudero in the fourth rank. At fifth place is UNA’s Nancy Binay. Here’s the tally for the top 15 senators from 66 COCs:

Earlier on Thursday morning, the Comelec sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) had added only 36 out of 301 COCs from the 80 provinces, some highly urbanized cities, and overseas absentee voting (OAV).

These were electronically transmitted to the NBOC server for use in the official tabulation.

Aside from the 301 electronically transmitted results from Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) and City Board of Canvassers (CBOC), there are still three COCs from Macau, Agana in Guam, and another OAV site to be manually transmitted to Comelec.

The number of voters who actually voted based on these 36 COCs is 6,172,254 of the 52,695,140 registered voters.

Here, is the tally for the 47 CoCs with 8,790,441 number of votes actually voted:

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Candidates Poe, Grace Legarda, Loren Cayetano, Alan Peter Escudero, Francis Binay, Nancy Angara, Juan Edgardo Aquino, Bam Pimentel, Aquilino III Trillanes, Antonio IV Ejercito, JV Villar, Cynthia Honasan, Gregorio Gordon, Richard Zubiri, Juan Miguel Enrile, Jack

Votes 6504294 5967495 5597679 5581201 5315184 5232977 4927748 4828881 4666117 4602150 4504611 4335339 4254472 3838705 3686140

Candidate Poe, Grace Legarda, Loren Escudero, Francis Joseph Cayetano, Alan Peter Binay, Nancy Angara, Juan Edgardo Aquino, Benigno Pimentel, Aquilino III Trillanes, Antonio IV Ejercito, Juan Victor Villar, Cynthia Honasan, Gringo Gordon, Richard Enrile, Jack Zubiri, Juan Miguel

Votes 4,729,889 4,343,113 4,067,421 4,049,550 3,825,405 3,709,897 3,535,501 3,510,976 3,325,169 3,319,079 3,249,937 3,191,420 3,177,270 2,704,522 2,697,780

Aside from the 301 electronically transmitted results from Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) and City Board of Canvassers (CBOC), there were still three COCs from Macau, Agana in Guam, and another OAV site to be manually transmitted to Comelec.

The number of voters who actually voted based on the 36 COCs as of early Thursday morning is 6,172,254 of the 52,695,140 registered voters.

The following CoCs had been officially tabulated by NBOC as of late Wednesday: 1. Antique; 2.

Baguio City; 3. Bataan; 4. Batanes; 5. Benguet; 6. Brasilia, Brazil; 7.

Budapest, Hungary; 8. Cagayan De Oro City; 9. Cairo, Egypt; 10.

Camiguin Island; 11. Colombia; 12. Dinagat Islands; 13. Guimaras; 14. Hong Kong; 15. Iligan City; 16.

Lapu-Lapu City; 17. Las Pinas City; 18. Makati City; 19. Mandaluyong City; 20. Mexico; 21. Misamis Occidental; 22. Mountain Province; 23. Nairobi; 24. Navotas City; 25.

Nueva Vizcaya; 26. Paranaque City; 27. Pasig City; 28. Pretoria, South Africa; 29. Quirino; 30.

Rizal; 31. Romblon; 32. Santiago, Chile 33. Singapore; 34. Siquijor; 35. Southern Leyte; 36. Warsaw, Poland.

According to Comelec, the NBOC has received 52 CoCs but only 36 CoCs have been officially tabulated and consolidated in the official canvass report. ■ Ernie Reyes, InterAksyon.com / May 16, 2013 6:16 AM

5,000 cops fielded in Eastern Visayas; soldiers escorting PCOS machines face off with rebels

TACLOBAN CITY – Following its full alert status, the Philippine National Police will deploy some 5,000 policemen in various fields in Eastern Visayas region to render duties for the May 13 polls.

C/Supt. Elmer Soria, Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) regional director, said the deployment is to boost security coverage before, during and after balloting. The maximum deployment plan includes the activation of the company-sized PNP Reactionary Standby Support Force (PNP-RSSF) from the PRO 8 headquarters and the Public Safety Companies (PSCs) of the provincial and city police offices. These police units may be deployed when the need arises.

Meanwhile, the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City also deployed its troops to help the PNP secure the midterm election and conduct patrols, checkpoints and anti-crime operations.

PCOS-escorting troops face rebels. Meanwhile, in Paranas town, Army troops escorting the

transport of PCOS machines and election paraphernalia clashed with 15 New People’s Army rebels at the vicinity of Barangay Nawi, on Friday.

Lt. Colonel Cerilo Balaoro Jr, commander of the 87th Infantry Battalion said his men chanced upon insurgents reportedly extorting money and campaigning in favor of NPA-backed political candidates and left-leaning party list groups.

The government forces recovered one caliber .45 pistol, one caliber .38 revolver, three (3) magazines and ammunitions for M16 rifle, one blasting cap for IED, NPA flag and subversive documents, seven combat packs, assorted medicines and personal belongings, among others.

No one was reported dead on both camps, as the insurgents managed to flee in different directions.

Captain Amado Gutierrez, chief of the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said the encounter happened two days after the arrest

of NPA leader Renato Abadiano aka Tiboy, by combined elements of 87IB and PNP in Brgy Dolores, San Sebastian, Samar.

Abadiano was waiting for the Permit To Campaign and Permit To Win fees and other extorted items from political candidates at the time of his arrest.

Major General Gerardo Layug, commander of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City said: “The security efforts of government troops are consistent with the Comelec mandate to secure the elections and prevent armed groups from terrorizing the people.” ■ Ricky J. Bautista / InterAksyon. com / May 11, 2013 8:39 PM

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

6 NPA guerrillas ‘seeking’ permits to campaign from candidates arrested in Bulacan SIX suspected communist New People’s Army rebels were arrested in Bulacan province Saturday morning while allegedly trying to collect money from local candidates in exchange for so-called permits to campaign.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the six yielded materials with information on permits to campaign, radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported.

Maj. Emmanuel Garcia, AFP deputy public affairs office chief, cited sketchy initial reports indicating the six also yielded assorted firearms when they were intercepted at Doña Remedios Trinidad town.

A separate dzBB report said the vehicle the six was using when intercepted was made to resemble a military truck carrying troops.

In a separate interview on government-run dzRB, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said their information showed... “Yung sasakyan pinintahan parang sasakyan ng AFP. April arrest. Last April 27, 11 members of the NPA were also

arrested in Bulacan while allegedly trying to mulct money from politicians in exchange for “permits to campaign.”

Saturday’s arrest came two days before Filipinos are to troop to polling centers to elect 12 senators and local officials.

In Southern Luzon, on the other hand, Calabarzon regional police detained five men – one of them an incumbent barangay chairman – and seized firearms in raids in Batangas province, radio dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz reported Saturday.

In Barangay Quilo-Quilo in Padre Garcia town, police seized from the house of village chairman Felix Tumambing a 9-mm pistol, and ammunition for cal-.45 and 9-mm pistols.

In Barangay Tamak, police seized a cal-.45 pistol, ammunition for a cal.45 handgun, and six rifle grenades from the house of former village chairman Rene Maala.

Tumambing, Maala and at least three other suspects were taken into custody. ■ LBG, GMA News / May 11, 2013 12:25pm

Palace ‘expresses sorrow’ for Taiwanese fisherman’s death MALACAÑANG on Sunday expressed “regret” over the death of a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman in a shooting incident off disputed waters last Thursday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Manila Economic and Cultural Office representative Antonio Basilio already visited the family of the victim and “offered his apologies on behalf of the Philippine government.”

“As the Philippine Coast Guard has stated, we express our heartfelt sorrow on the unfortunate situation that occurred during one of the anti-illegal fishing patrols conducted by a Philippine fishery law enforcement vessel (MCS 3001) within the maritime jurisdiction (waters off the Batanes group of islands) of the Philippines on the morning of May 9, which tragically resulted in the death of a fisherman from one of the fishing vessels reportedly poaching in the area,” a Malacañang statement quoted her as saying.

A Taiwan news report said President Ma Ying-jeou convened a high-ranking meeting Saturday night, and demanded four things from the Philippines: • a formal apology • compensation for the losses • getting to the bottom of the incident and punishing the perpetrators of the killing • fisheries talks between the Philippines and Taiwan as soon as possible.

Taiwan warned it will suspend the importation of Philippine labor, recall its representative in Manila, and ask the Philippine envoy in Taiwan to return to his home country if there is no favorable response by Tuesday.

Valte said the investigation into the incident has started with the arrival of the commander of MCS 3001. She added the vessel’s commander and his crew “have been relieved of their duties.”

“Moving forward, relevant agencies will look into ways to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future,” she said.

Ready for talks. Meanwhile, Taiwan on Sunday said it is ready to start fisheries talks with the Philippines.

Fisheries Agency DirectorGeneral James Sha said the negotiations can begin at any time, according to a report by Taiwan’s Central News Agency.

Deputy Director-General Tsai Jih-yao added Taiwan had long been interested in negotiating a fisheries agreement with the Philippines but Manila had been reluctant.

Presently, both sides have set up a working group to deal with fishing disputes involving fishermen from both sides.

The CNA report said the group was formed under a memorandum of understanding on fisheries and agriculture cooperation signed by both sides in 2005. ■ BM/HS, GMA News / May 12, 2013 7:00pm

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CA lifts freeze order on Ongpin’s bank accounts

MANILA - The Court of Appeals (CA) has lifted the freeze order on the bank accounts of businessman Roberto V. Ongpin and former officials of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

The free order was issued in line with allegations that state-run DBP in 2009 had granted “behest” loans to Ongpin.

In a resolution promulgated on May 7, the Fifth Division of the CA said it lifted the freeze order after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), which represents the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), “failed to prove its case.”

Justice Leoncia Real Dimagiba, who penned the resolution, said, “Bank accounts are property rights and prolonged freezing thereof will already amount to intrusion, even violation of such basic rights.”

“In all the accounts we have caused to be frozen pursuant to our 6 December 2012 Resolution, we failed to see the links between the alleged unlawful activity and the accounts. We cannot rely on surmises and speculations. We need direct and hard evidence otherwise we will be depriving the account holders of the use of their legitimate incomes,” the CA order read.

On April 15, Ongpin filed a petition for mandamus before the Supreme

Court, saying the CA should have resolved the various motions to lift the freeze order within the original 20-day period provided for under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The CA had extended the freeze order for six months.

The current DBP leadership sued Ongpin and several former bank officials for alleged behest loans, the proceeds of which were used to purchase shares in Philex Mining Corp that were then sold to First Pacific Co Ltd. InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5, which along with Philex is chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan, who is also managing director of First Pacific.

Sandiganbayan. Last Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan held a hearing to determine if there was merit to an Ombudsman case against Ongpin and 24 co-accused, including former DBP president Reynaldo David.

During yesterday’s hearing, the legal counsels of Ongpin and the former DBP officials objected to the term “behest” as this meant that the loan was not paid or non-performing.

They argued that the P660million loan that Ongpin took out from DBP in April 2009 -- including interest amounting to P9.6 milion -- was paid on December 8 of that same year.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), an office under the Ombudsman, said the loan was under-collateralized and Ongpinowned Delta Venture Resources Inc (DVRI) was undercapitalized, thus not fit to receive such a loan.

The OSP argued that DVRI had a paid up capital of only P620,000 and that it had no assets, which led the Sandiganbayan to ask if “authorized capital stock” would not qualify as well.

The OSP also said the loans were undercapitalized, with the first loan amounting to P150 milllion and guaranteed by Philweb shares that were valued at P303 million at the time the credit was approved.

In response, the counsel of the former DBP officials said bank rules require a loan-to-collateral ratio of only 2:1 if the collateral is in the form of listed shares. Otherwise, the ratio should be 4:1, the lawyer said. ■ Likha Cuevas-Miel / InterAksyon.com / May 8, 2013 7:04 PM

Ang tipo kong kandidato: The factors that influence voters’ choice

MANILA, Philippines - Madaling lapitan (Easy to ask help from). As in the past elections, voters will largely prefer candidates who could readily help them in times of need.

In 1995 and 2003, the nongovernment Institute for Political and Economic Reforms (IPER) came out with two studies on the voting behavior of the Filipino electorate noting that the “benefit factor” had always been among the major determinants of votes.

In this year’s mid-term polls, the benefit factor will still influence the voters’ choice of candidates along with the latter’s popularity and their endorsement by “traditional network and organizations” such as the church and the bets’ kin, according to IPER executive Ramon Casiple.

“There’s still benefit factor, the way na ‘yong voter tumitingin sa kandidato as somebody na nakakatulong in a personal way sa kanyang pamilya, sa kanyang clan,” Casiple tells InterAksyon.com.

[There’s still benefit factor, the way the voter sees the candidate as somebody who could help an individual or one’s family or clan in a personal way.]

“The vast majority [of voters] are on that kind of frame…Madaling maattract ang mga botante na ganoon ang pag-isip sa ganoong klase ng pulitika,” adds Casiple.

[Voters who think like that can easily be attracted by such kind of politics.]

University of the PhilippinesNational College of Public Administration and Governance professor Prospero E. De Vera made similar observations.

De Vera cited the case of former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. whom he helped in his campaign strategy two years before the 2004 presidential elections.

“Kasi si Nene di ba hindi corrupt, lumalaban... Ang problema hindi ‘yan ang hinahanap ng botante.

Hinahanap madaling lapitan,” says De Vera.

[Nene is not corrupt, he is a fighter…The problem is that’s not what voters are looking for. They want somebody who’s accessible.]

Meanwhile, Casiple says that except in communities whose livelihood are being directly threatened by large-scale projects

and developments, party programs and platforms won’t still be a major vote determinant in this year’s polls especially when the electorates’ preferences are still not based on political ideologies.

In the videos below, InterAksyon. com’s Bernard Testa roamed Metro Manila and nearby Luzon areas and asked voters what characteristics do they look for in candidates of the May 2013 polls.

Though there’s not enough sampling to conclude that the benefit factor is a major vote determinant, many of those recently interviewed by InterAksyon.com said they would vote for someone who is approachable and could readily help them. Still, other interviewees said they were looking for bets who have track record and are credible and honest. ■

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Taiwan boosts patrols in waters near PH, demands action in 72 hrs before hiring freeze

OFWs are seen at the Manila airport in this file photo. Taiwan, which hosts some 80,000 Filipino workers, has threatened sanctions, including a hiring freeze, if it does not get “positive” action from Manila on the shooting of a Taiwanese vessel, killing a fisherman.

TAIPEI - Taiwan Sunday sent four coastguard and naval vessels to strengthen patrols in waters near the Philippines following public outrage over the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Filipino coastguards.

“The government is determined to protect our fishermen,” cabinet spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen said in a statement as a frigate and coastguard vessels set sail for the area where the 65-year-old fisherman was killed Thursday.

Taiwan in a strongly-worded statement late Saturday demanded Manila apologize and compensate the victim’s family or face a freeze on the hiring of its nationals.

It also asked the Philippines to bring to justice the coastguards responsible and start negotiating a fisheries agreement.

“If the Filipino government fails to respond in a positive manner within 72 hours, the hiring of Philippine workers will be frozen,” said presidential office spokeswoman Lee Chia-fei.

There are about 87,000 Philippine domestic helpers and other workers in Taiwan and they send home hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

More than 50 bullets hit the 15-tonne “Kuang Ta Hsin No 28”, killing skipper Hung Shih-cheng.

“This is nothing but a slaughter,” prosecutor Liu Chia-kai said after examining the ship.

President Ma Ying-jeou Sunday visited the victim’s family on an island off the southern city of Kaohsiung and promised to pursue the strong protest against the Philippine government.

Taiwan’s government confirmed that websites of several government agencies, including the presidential office, the defense ministry and the coastguard administration, had been hacked, after Internet attacks on Philippine government websites were reported Friday night.

Several fishermen’s groups said

they plan to file a protest at the Philippine mission in Taipei Monday.

Manila recognizes Beijing but not Taipei.

In Manila Abigail Valte, a spokeswoman for President Benigno Aquino, said Saturday that authorities had launched a “transparent and impartial investigation” into the incident.

She expressed hope that economic ties with Taipei would not be affected and added that the coastguard crew involved in the incident had been temporarily suspended from duty to ensure a fair inquiry.

Taiwan’s government has come under pressure from the opposition and the media to take action, with the Philippines refusing so far to apologize and saying the coastguard was tackling illegal fishing.

Philippine coastguard spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said Friday the incident took place in Philippine waters and the crew had been carrying out their duty to stop illegal fishing.

“If somebody died, they deserve our sympathy but not an apology,” Balilo told reporters.

The victim’s son, who was with his father and two other sailors on the boat at the time, has insisted they did not cross into Philippine waters.

The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions around the region over rival claims to the nearby South China Sea. China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims to parts of the sea.

China’s state media stood by Taiwan over the latest incident, asking Beijing to “teach Manila a lesson”.

The media said the Philippines was trying to vent its anger and frustration over a dispute with China about the Spratly islands. ■ Agence France-Presse / May 12, 2013 8:52 PM

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Exports contract in 1Q, as shipments hardly rise in March

MANILA - (UPDATE 2, 10:05 a.m.)

Sales overseas of Philippine-made goods were flat at the close of the first quarter, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said on Friday.

In a report, the NSO said exports eked out a 0.1 percent year-on-year gain to $4.328 billion last March.

This led the first-quarter shipments to contract six percent.

Electronics shipments, which comprised 40 percent of the country’s total exports last March, slipped 22.3 percent from a year ago.

Whatever growth there was in March came from agriculture and

mineral exports, which surged 39 percent and 71 percent, respectively.

Either commodity group however comprised only 9.5 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, thus the flat growth overall for exports that month.

Japan emerged as the Philippines’ top export market in March at 18.5 percent of the total shipments and rising 17 percent year-on-year.

The next top two markets -- the US and China -- however bought less from the Philippines, with shipments to either countries contracting seven percent and 11 percent, respectively.

■ InterAksyon.com / May 10, 2013 9:37 AM

BUSINESS & FINANCE

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Real estate exposure of banks not yet worrisome, Tetangco says

MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the real estate exposure of the country’s banks is not yet worrisome, even under the central bank’s expanded definition.

In a briefing late Thursday, BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said the real estate exposure of universal, commercial and thrift banks stood at P821.7 billion at end2012, or 20.9 percent of the banking system’s total loan portfolio.

Of this total, P703.2 billion were real estate loans while the rest were in the form of investments in the securities of property companies.

The loans were equally divided between residential and commercial real estate.

Tetangco said the updated definition of real estate exposure cannot be compared with the 20-percent cap under the old definition, which considered only commercial real estate loans.

He said the old definition was premised on commercial real estate lending being riskier than residential loans, since repayment is higher for those who borrow to finance the homes they live in.

Tetangco said commercial real estate lending usually “triggers

problems” in other countries.

Under the new definition, real estate exposure also includes loans by developers of socialized and lowcost housing, loans to individuals, loans supported by non-risk collaterals of state-owned Home Guarantee Corp, exposures of thrift banks and trust entities.

Tetangco said monetary authorities still have to study whether they would adjust the cap given the broader considerations.

To put things in perspective, he said other related data should be

looked at, such as the stable real estate non-performing loans ratio at 3.7 percent at end-2012.

Tetangco said that semestral stress-tests on banks consistently show that their balance sheets can withstand trigger events. The capital adequacy ratio of universal, commercial and thrift banks stood at 15.77 percent, still above the mandatory level of 10 percent, even if 50 percent defaulted on their residential real estate loans.

“These are not the usual approach used in other countries. We want to be proactive,” Tetangco said, adding that the latest data was not a concern since banks can handle their exposure.

“We’re satisfied that the banks are extending credit in a responsible way and are not lowering their [underwriting] standards,” he said.

Tetangco said it is important that stakeholders appreciate the quality of credit standards, “especially at this juncture where market rates have declined against historical norms.”

Despite this, Tetangco said there is still no evidence of an asset bubble.

■ Likha Cuevas-Miel, InterAksyon.com / May 10,

2013 9:21 PM

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

Gov’t to prepay old ODA loans

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Globe taps 7 merchants for rewards program

MANILA – Globe Telecom has partnered with seven merchants for its subscribers’ reward program.

The Ayala-led telco said it partnered with Enchanted Kingdom, Petron, Figaro Coffee, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Sunglass Hut and Wendy’s Hamburgers.

“The positive impact the rewards program has impressed on subscribers is translated to the brands’ churn rates being sustained at low levels. The subscribers’ continued use of Globe services was also reinforced as a result of giving subscribes the type of rewards no other mobile network can offer,” Jay Beltran, head of Customer Lifecycle Management at Globe said.

Globe’s average monthly churn rate for prepaid subscribers stood at 5.1 percent at end-March, down from 5.4 percent in the same period last year.

For postpaid, Globe’s churn rate was 1.6 percent at end-March from 1.7 percent last year.

As a result, net subscriber additions increased to two million, more than double last year’s 984,000 and 90 percent higher than the previous quarter’s 1.1 million.

Globe’s total subscriber base stood at 35.14 million at end-March, up 13 percent from last year’s 31.02 million. Of the total, Globe had 1.86 million postpaid subscribers and 33.28 million prepaid subscribers.

Besides new partner merchant, Globe Rewards catalog includes call and text services, shopping, dining and leisure items and gadgets.

At present, over 12 million Globe subscribers have been actively using their points to redeem rewards. ■

MANILA - Job-creating foreign investments in the Philippines jumped by 127 percent year-on-year last February, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Friday.

In a press release, the BSP said the country enjoyed net inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) amounting to $436 million in the second month of the year, more than double the $192 million in the same month of last year.

The surge was brought about by a 74 percent increase in fresh equity investments to $230 million this year from $132 million last year, as well as the 72 percent drop in withdrawals from $55 million to $15 million over the same period.

Likewise, foreign companies more than quadrupled the amount of money they lent their domestic units to the tune of $161 million this

year from $30 million last year.

Foreigners however reinvested less of their earnings from their Philippine operations, with the figure dropping 29 percent to $60 million this year from $85 million last year.

The February net FDI brought the year-to-date figure to $1.012 billion, or 19 percent less than the $1.245 billion in the same two-month period last year. This is because investments flows last January were halved from a year ago.

The government is banking on the country’s recent upgrade to investment status to bring about more bricks-and-mortar investments, and help reduce unemployment, which remains stubborn at seven percent despite the record economic growth last year. ■ InterAksyon.com / May 10, 2013 2:17

Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / May 12, 2013 12:31 PM

Job-creating foreign investments surge in February

PM

MANILA - (UPDATED 8:09 p.m.)

As part of its liability management program, the Aquino administration will pay old debts secured from foreign donors ahead of maturity, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told reporters in a briefing last week that the Philippines would reitre old and expensive debts, mostly in the form of official development assistance (ODA).

Although these are long term and carry low interest rates, old ODA loans are more expensive now since it is cheaper for the government to borrow commercially. This after the Philippines bagged investment grade status.

Purisima said the old ODA loans carry interest rates of 4-5 percent, whereas 10-year loans from commercial lenders can be had for less than four percent.

He cannot say how much of the old ODA loans the government would prepay. “It depends on how much we can find. where there’s a willing seller, or where there’s a willing partner that will want to preterminate our debt.”

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Retiring old commercial debts however is out of the question right now, he said. “The challenge with [prepaying] commercial [debts] is that the price of our debt -- given that we are investment grade now -- is very high. It does not make financial sense at this point, at these current prices, to buy our debt and prepay.

It’s better to hold it to maturity.”

Onshore dollar bonds. The government is slated to tap the foreign currency deposit units (FCDUs) of local banks later this year for its dollar needs, which it did last year through its $500-million onshore dollar bond float.

Earlier, First Metro Investment Corp said the government can double to P1 billion its onshore dollar bond sale from last year.

“Basically the guidelines I gave the national treasury is to try and just borrow enough so that it’s enough for our amortization requirements.

At the same time whatever we will need for pretermination of our more expensive debts,” Purisima said.

He could not say whether the government needs to borrow up to $1 billion, adding that there was no point in buying more dollars that it cannot use.

“So the amount would be the amount of dollars we would need for amortization and any liability management opportunity we’ll be able to close. Because we don’t keep dollars anyway, we keep pesos. If we borrow dollars we’ll sell it to the central bank, so it’s pointless to borrow more than what is needed,” Purisima said.

The government has maturing foreign debts and it needs dollars to pay for those, including interest.

It has to tap either the global debt markets or source its dollar needs locally to finance these payments. ■ Likha Cuevas-Miel / InterAksyon.com / May 11, 2013 8:14 AM

Higher ‘sin tax’ rates, volatile fuel prices halve San Miguel’s earnings

MANILA - Earnings of San Miguel Corp (SMC) fell by half because of higher sin taxes on its beer and liquor businesses as well as volatile crude prices.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the diversified conglomerate said its net income attributable to the equity holders of the parent reached P4.2 billion in the first quarter. This is 51 percent lower than the P8.5 billion a year ago.

Despite external challenges that affected a number of its businesses,

consolidated revenues rose by a quarter to P178.3 billion.

“While we have had mixed results on a per business basis owing to various challenges in the different industries, overall the company is off to a good start,” said Ramon S. Ang, SMC president and chief operating officer.

“We will continue to work at executing well, managing our capital efficiently by deploying it in key opportunities consistent with our strategies in each business, and invest in areas that offer the most promise for profitable growth for the larger San Miguel Group,” Ang said.

An increase in excise taxes the government implemented at the start of the year weighed on the performance of San Miguel Brewery Inc and Ginebra San Miguel Inc.

Another unit, Petron Corp, suffered lower earnings because of volatile crude prices. Earnings from affiliates also declined due to higher maintenance costs and other operating expenses incurred by Philippine Airlines and PAL Express.

Having said the above, San Miguel noted that its beer and oil refining businesses have displayed signs of recovery at the start of the second quarter. PAL and PAL Express may also narrow losses once new routes are opened and new aircraft are put into service.

SMC Global Power Holdings Corp, the holding firm for the conglomerate’s energy ventures, as well as the food business boosted consolidated operating income by seven percent to P15.4 billion. ■ Krista Angela M. Montealegre / InterAksyon.com / May 10, 2013 8:29 PM

Mindanao power crisis: DOE orders gasoline stations to use generators

MANILA - The Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered oil companies to use the generators in their retail stations to ensure enough power supply throughout Election Day. “All oil companies are strongly encouraged to use their own generators in the operations of their retail gasoline stations, depots and other facilities on election day, especially in Mindanao to lessen the demand and increase the available power to the grid,” read Department Circular No. DC2013-05-0007 signed by Energy Secretary Carlos

Jericho L. Petilla on May 10.

The circular cited that “most gasoline stations nationwide are equipped with standby generators.”

The DOE earlier sought the support of establishments and industries in Mindanao for the voluntary reduction in the use of power on May 13 to ensure sufficient power supply.

The agency noted that “the latest supply and demand forecast for the power situation in Mindanao indicates thin reserves despite the directive to run all power plants at full capacity particularly the hydropower

plant,” hence members of the DOE-led Power Task Force Election 2013 have asked power-intensive industries in the island to voluntary de-load or reduce their operation hours from 12 noon of May 12 until 12 noon of May 14. ■ Ben Arnold O. De Vera / InterAksyon.com / May 11, 2013 7:30 PM

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

www.hello-philippines.com

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Zest Air adds 2 foreign, one domestic flights Purefoods plans share sale to help

MANILA - Zest Airways launched one domestic and two Asian flights today.

Flight Z2948 left Manila at 6:45 a.m. and arrived in Kuala Lumpur’s Low Cost Carrier Terminal at 10:25 a.m. where guests and passengers received a warm welcome from Tourism Malaysia.

Flight Z2501 bound for Kota Kinabalu left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:35 a.m. carrying travel bloggers and guests, including celebrity singer and songwriter Jim Paredes, who will visit the Malaysian city, known for its tropical islands and rainforest, for the first time.

Last year, more than 500,000 Filipinos visited Malaysia for work or pleasure. Director Fazdila Mansor of Tourism Malaysia Philippines said this number is expected to grow this year.

“Tourism Malaysia is delighted that Zest Air is launching its maiden flights to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. This initiative certainly comes at the perfect time since Malaysia will be celebrating its fourth Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) in 2014

and this year has been designated as the VMY promotional campaign year,” said Fazdila Mansor, director of Tourism Malaysia Manila.

“We seek to attract more tourists from the Philippines to Malaysia.

Last year, the country welcomed 508,744 Filipino tourists, which was a growth of 40.5 percent compared to 362,101 Filipino tourists in 2011.

I am confident that this enhanced connectivity will be able to boost tourist arrivals from the Philippines to Malaysia,” Mansor said.

Zest Air’s daily service to Kuala Lumpur provides accessibility to the famous Petronas Twin Towers as well as a multitude of shops, theme parks and art galleries. Those who are looking for some adrenaline rush may explore Kota Kinabalu’s lush jungles, wildlife and other natural wonders. Mount Kinabalu, known to be one of the most accessible mountains in the world and the highest peak in Southeast Asia, is popular among hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Zest Air flies to Kota Kinabalu every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

San Miguel finance energy ventures

Besides the flights to Malaysia, the airline also launched its ManilaBacolod flights.

“The launch of these three new routes in one day affirms our commitment to provide passengers across the region with great value and refreshing travel experience,” said Butch Rodriguez, Zest Air senior vice president for commercial and external affairs.

Zest Air said one-peso promo fares from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Cebu, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo (Boracay), Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Tacloban, Bacolod, Davao, Cebu and Cagayan de Oor are still up for grabs until May 12, 2013 through www.flyzest.com and www.airasia.com. Travel period for this promo is extended from May 10, 2013 to April 30, 2014. ■ Eric B. Apolonio / InterAksyon.com / May 10, 2013 10:52 PM

Philippines’ heavy traffic is biggest peeve among foreign tourists, NSCB says MANILA – Forget substandard airport facilities or the country’s peace and order problem. As far as foreign tourists are concerned, heavy traffic on Metro Manila’s roads is their biggest peeve.

Citing a survey of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said one in every four tourists consider “heavy traffic” as the thing they hated the most about visiting the Philippines last year. This was more than the one out of five who said the same thing in 2011.

Only three in every a hundred said peace and order was a problem in the country, and about the same

number said poor airport facilities turned them off.

Other marginal concerns were pollution, poverty, unemployment, bad weather, language barrier, poor service and dishonest or reckless taxi drivers.

Asked what they liked the most about the country, more than half said “warm hospitality and kindness of people,” while less than a fourth cited “beautiful sceneries or nice beaches.”

Other minor reasons for visiting the country were good food/liquor/ fruits, the chance to see relatives or friends, a good place for relaxation, and good climate.

Data from DOT showed visitor

PDIC sues former ExportBank execs for unsafe, unsound practices

MANILA - Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) has sued former officials of Export and Industry Bank (EIB) for employing unsafe and unsound practices that led to its closure.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), state-run PDIC on May 9 filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a criminal complaint against former EIB chairman Jaime C. Gonzales, former presidents Juan Victor S. Tanjuatco and Nilo L. Pacheco Jr., former chief financial officer Teresita Q. de Ocampo, former treasury group head Alex Luis M. Pesigan, and former vice president for risk management Adeline L. Grimares.

“The filing of these charges by the PDIC highlights our commitment to protecting the interests of the Filipino depositor. We in the DOF,

PDIC, and attached agencies will not abide by practices that selfishly endanger the savings of Filipinos for the personal gain of a few,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said in a statement.

Based on the PDIC complaint, the accused authorized and allowed the payment of a success fee when the obligation to pay such a fee has not cropped up. The success fee amounted to US$4.8 million, around $3 million of which was received

by AO Capital Partners Ltd, which Gonzales also chairs. ■ Likha Cuevas-

Miel / InterAksyon.com / May 10, 2013 8:26 PM

arrivals reached the four million mark for the first time, reaching 4,272,811 visitors in 2012, but short of the 4.5 million target for the year.

In the last three years, the increase in visitor arrivals had been decelerating: 16.7 percent in 2010, 11.3 percent in 2011, and 9.1 percent in 2012.

The top three countries-of-origin were Korea, accounting for 24.1 percent; the US, 15.3 percent; and Japan, 9.6 percent. Growth however was fastest among Malaysians at 24.8 percent; Taiwanese, 19.1 percent; and Australians, 12 percent.

Data also showed that the Philippines was among the cellar-

MANILA - San Miguel Pure Foods Co Inc is looking to sell more shares to hike its public float and aid its parent firm finance an investment in the energy business.

“It’s not a problem now to sell more because it’s a listed company.

We can sell more because a lot of investors are interested in the company, as long as we keep majority,” Ramon S. Ang, San Miguel Corp (SMC) president and chief operating officer, told reporters on the sidelines of its food unit’s stockholders’ meeting.

Ferdinand Constantino, SMC chief finance officer and treasurer, said wider public ownership in Purefoods will “get the public more involved” and provide the big investors the flexibility to trade their shares.

Late last year, Purefoods avoided delisting with a P6-billion equity deal that boosted its public float to 15 percent, allowing the company to meet the 10-percent minimum public ownership rule as part of the continuing listing requirement of the local bourse.

The food company is eyeing cornerstone investors with the share sale, which will likely comprise secondary shares. SMC will use the proceeds to finance its expansion program.

dwellers among Asean destinations.

Malaysia had the highest share of 25.7 percent, followed by Thailand at 19.8 percent.

“I am hoping that more of our tycoons, other than Gokengwei, can significantly invest in making this country more marketable not only to foreign tourists, but to local tourists as well,” said NSCB secretarygeneral Jose Ramon Albert.

The diversifying conglomerate is engaged in “active” negotiation for a $5-billion equity investment in an energy business, Ang said.

“If we can sell something, it can help. But for now, we have enough funding for that,” he said.

“What’s important to us is to acquire a company that gives us a good cash flow, and a business that has a good future – growing business and growing prospect – and not a sunset industry,” Ang said.

SMC has been trimming its stake in its traditional businesses of food, beverage and packaging since 2007 to support its diversification into high-growth sectors of infrastructure, power, oil retailing, telecommunications and mining.

Last year, it acquired 49 percent stake in Philippine Airlines and Airphil Express for $500 million. ■ Krista Angela M. Montealegre / InterAksyon.com / May 10, 2013 8:48 PM

“I also hope that our hotels can try to be more competitive with their accommodation costs as total revenues are a sum of unit prices multiplied by quantities. These hotels can certainly bring down their costs and get more volume, and still yield a nifty profit,” he added.

The government aims to generate six million tourists, three million jobs and $4.6 billion in tourism revenues by 2016, allowing the sector to contribute 6.35 percent to gross domestic product. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / May 12, 2013 10:46 AM

Record harvest, rebound in fisheries lift Jan-Mar farm output

MANILA - Record rice and corn harvests allowed the farm sector to register a 3.3 percent growth in the first three months of the year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday.

“An upward trend was noted in the crops subsector. Livestock and poultry production grew, but, at slower rates. The fisheries subsector recovered from last year’s negative growth and posted the highest growth rate among the subsectors,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said.

The crops subsector, which accounted for half of the country’s farm output, registered a 3.6 percent increase.

Rice and corn increased 4.45

percent and 11.43 percent, respectively, as palay harvest hit 4.17 million metric tons, while that of corn, 2.25 million.

Alcala said early planting, ample irrigation and higher average yields led to the record harvests.

The government is aiming for self-sufficiency in rice and corn,

production of which is expected to hit 20 million MT and 8.4 million MT, respectively.

“Our efforts are paying off, and we hope to attain our sufficiency targets by year-end,” he said.

The fisheries subsector, which made up 16.3 percent of Philippine agriculture, recovered from last year’s slump with a 5.6 percent growth. To recall, the subsector suffered from several fishing bans that were in force last year.

The poultry subsector, which comprised 14.4 percent of farm output, gained 2.8 percent, while the livestock subsector -- at 15.3 percent of total agriculture -- was flat. ■ Orti Despuez / InterAksyon.com / May

10, 2013 3:27 PM

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Top 2 telcos upbeat on broadband revenues on Pinoy’s rising purchasing power

MANILA – The country’s two largest telecom companies expect their broadband revenues to grow on the back of the rising purchasing power that accompanies economic growth.

Napoleon L. Nazareno, president of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) said the outlook for broadband in the Philippines is “very attractive.”

“The Philippine population is entering a ‘demographic window’ where more than 50 percent of the population is aged between 15-64 years old: with improving purchasing power, literate and many already users of data,” he said.

Although smartphone penetration remains low, the take-up has started to increase, Nazareno said.

Of the 14 million active datacapable handsets on PLDT’s network, about 7.7 million are 3G handsets.

At end-March, the PLDT Group’s combined broadband subscriber base stood at 3.2 million. Of the total, 1.74 million were Smart wireless broadband subscribers while 854,000 were PLDT myDSL subscribers. Sun Cellular had a total of 70,000 DSL subscribers.

PLDT’s total broadband and

internet revenues for the first quarter amounted to P6.4 billion, a 10 percent growth year-on-year.

In the case of Globe Telecom, first-quarter broadband revenues amounted to P4.24 billion, or 15 percent more than the P3.68 billion last year.

Its broadband subscribers stood at 1.38 million at end-March, up by 17 percent from last year’s 1.19 million.

“We are likewise upbeat and optimistic about the growth prospects for our broadband business after recording successive quarters of revenue gains. As we near the completion of our network and IT infrastructure upgrade, we recognize the need to augment our capacity and coverage in the business districts by building more

sites as a result of the changing skyline due to the construction of several high-rise residential and commercial projects,” Ernest Cu, Globe president and chief executive said.

“We believe that we will be able to sustain this strong performance as we become better-equipped to deliver enhanced services and ensure that all our subscribers get superior quality calls, texts, and browsing experience,” he added.

The National Telecommunications Commission earlier said broadband was the next growth area for the industry as text messaging nears maturity. At present, the country’s mobile phone subscriber base stood at more than 100 million. ■

www.hello-philippines.com

Stock market climbs to new record at 7,262.38

MANILA - (UPDATED 8:37 p.m.)

Philippine share prices on Friday returned above the 7,200 level, capping the week with a record performance to extend its gains for the third consecutive session.

At the Philippine Stock Exchange, the benchmark index rose 67.95 points or 0.94 percent to close at a new all-time high of 7,262.38.

This surpassed its previous record of 7,215.35 on May 3 when the market cheered Standard & Poor’s upgrade of the country’s debt rating to investment status.

“We are running out of explanations for the market’s record performance. The market has been relentless,” said Jose Vistan of AB Capital Securities Inc.

So far, the PSE index has broken record levels 29 times this year to bring year-to-date gains to 24.94 percent. The holding firms, property and services indices gained at least a percent each to lead the market’s advance.

Losers beat gainers, 92 to 72, while 48 issues were unchanged. A total of 3 billion stocks worth P7.52 billion changed hands.

“The market closed higher on better first quarter earnings and the boost from investment grade. The market is still poised to see 7,300 levels but could be vulnerable to profit-taking near the tops,” said Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at BDO Unibank Inc. ■

Krista Angela M. Montealegre / InterAksyon. com / May 10, 2013 3:38 PM

Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / May 12, 2013 1:48 PM

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May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

AFP: Negotiations for release Clinically dead Pinay in Kuwait hospital of four Pinoy peacekeepers returns to life after baby is born in Golan progressing well THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said the negotiations for the release of the four Filipino United Nations peacekeepers abducted by Syrian rebels on Tuesday are progressing well.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan said, “We have hopes that they will be released eventually. We are hoping that they will be released immediately or as soon as possible.”

“We are hopeful that this would be resolved immediately,” he added.

Tutaan explained that the negotiations are led by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), the UN agency that the abducted Filipino peacekeepers are working for.

He said the UNDOF is in “continuous talks” with the abductors of the four soldiers.

“So far, what we believe is they are okay where they are right now. But again, we will finally know when we are able to get them back or when they are released,” Tutaan said.

Withdrawal of troops. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Friday that he has recommended to President Benigno S. Aquino III to withdraw more than 300 Filipino peacekeepers from the Golan Heights as soon as possible following the second kidnapping of Philippine troops in the volatile region by rebels.

“We have served with dedication in that area but because of the changed circumstances...our recommendation would encompass an early pull out of our people there because we believe that exposure now is beyond tolerable limits,” Del Rosario told a forum hosted by the

Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap).

Del Rosario’s pronouncement came after a second group of Filipinos, who are part of the U.N. mission monitoring the armistice line in Golan Heights between Syria and Israel following the 1973 ArabIsraeli war, were seized by rebels, who called themselves “Yarmuk Martyrs Brigade,” on March 7 in AlJamla.

Manila called for the “immediate and safe release” of the four Filipinos, who were among the 343 Philippine military and police contingent serving in the Golan Heights for the last three years.

This is the second time that Filipino peacekeepers were taken as hostages this year. Last March, 21 Filipino peacekeepers were abducted by Syrian rebels and were freed after four days.

Del Rosario called the abduction of the peacekeepers a “violation of international law.”

“We don’t want to expose our people any further anymore than we need to,” he said.

“If you look at the situation there the people who abducted the peacekeepers were actually under siege and they are using our people to be able to get out of the situation that they found themselves in. That’s not healthy for us,” Del Rosario added.

The Philippines has a total of 742 police, military and jail personnel in eight U.N. peacekeeping operations, namely Haiti, Liberia, South Sudan, Cote d’ Ivoire, the disputed territory of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan, the India-Pakistan border and Afghanistan. ■ Michaela del Callar / VVP, GMA News / May 10, 2013 3:00pm

Pinay housemaids in UAE to hold pageant for distressed OFWs FILIPINO housemaids in Dubai will hold a beauty pageant on May 10, Friday, to help women domestic helpers in distress in the United Arab Emirates.

The maids, who belong to the “Kabayan Kapit Bisig” group based in Dubai, will hold the “Miss Kabayan Kapit Bisig (KKB) 2013” where the contestants are domestic helpers.

“We want to help distressed women, many of whom are maids who want to go back [home]. Funds raised from the event will be used to buy tickets for them. About 70 maids will participate and will be judged on the basis of their beauty, intelligence as well as work,” Zussie, leader of the Kabayan Kapit Bisig, said in an interview on Gulf News.

Proceeds of the pageant to be held in Deira will go to helping women who seek assistance from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office

to buy tickets to return home.

The Gulf News report said contestants had been rehearsing catwalks and question-answer routines for the event.

But the organizers also said the event aims as well to boost the maids’ confidence.

“If you come across a Filipina housemaid, you would be quick to notice that they feel they are lower than everyone else around them.

They feel their work is not something that they can be proud of and usually have low confidence. In the months through the preparation, the members have emerged confident and the contest will play a good role in boosting their morale,” said Jaja, one of the judges.

Meanwhile, the group’s members have been busy selling tickets for the event. ■ LBG, GMA News / May 9, 2013 7:47am

IN what doctors termed a “scientific miracle,” a Filipina mother who was deemed clinically dead came back to life after giving birth to a boy in Kuwait, two days before Mother’s Day. The drama took place at the AlFarwaniya Hospital, according to a report by Kuwait’s state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

“The woman and her baby are now in stable condition,” KUNA quoted Dr. Mohammad Hassan, who sponsored the operation, as saying.

KUNA reported the 36-year-old Filipina was admitted to the hospital at 3:30 a.m. Friday and had to undergo a Caesarean section.

“As soon as the woman was first checked up, she was declared clinically dead, thereby the maternity

division of the hospital was put on the alert for a Caesarean,” said Hassan.

Hospital director Dr. Humoud AlZo’abi told KUNA Saturday that the woman “entered in clinical death with neither heartbeat nor breathing.”

“Physicians battled to rescue her life until their effort proved successful,” he said.

He added what happened was “a scientific miracle,” but also noted the woman’s poor health, as she suffers from very high blood pressure.

Scientific miracle. A separate report on Gulf News quoted doctors at the hospital as saying what happened was “a scientific miracle at all levels.”

It added the medics had around five minutes to deliver the child, which weighed 3.1 kilos.

“A healthy 3.1-kg boy was born simultaneously with his mother’s resuscitation,” Hassan, who supervised the operation, was quoted by Gulf News as saying.

“This is a scientific miracle at all levels. As soon as the woman was checked and declared clinically dead, the maternity division of the hospital was put on alert for a Caesarean.

The woman and her baby are now in stable condition,” he added.

The Gulf News report said the C-section was performed without anaesthesia as the mother was considered dead.

Medics at the hospital said they were grateful for the success of the delivery of the baby and the resuscitation of the mother. ■ BM, GMA News / May 12, 2013 4:53pm

Four-year-old Fil-Czech singing sensation becomes ‘boyfriend’ of Ellen DeGeneres

FOUR-YEAR-OLD Fil-Czech YouTube singing sensation Kai Langer made a comeback to the highly popular “The Ellen Show” in the United States on Wednesday and did something the audience did not expect: he got host Ellen DeGeneres to be his “girlfriend.”

Wearing a fedora hat like his pop idol Bruno Mars, Kai was interviewed by the comedienne before he sang.

While they were talking, Ellen asked Kai, “What do got in your hand there?”

Kai replied, “It’s a bracelet for you. And it says my name because I want you always to remember me.”

Ellen, who is married to actress Portia de Rossi, then continued the banter by asking Kai if accepting the bracelet meant she would become his girlfriend.

“And you have a bracelet with my name on your wrist? Oh that’s so sweet. Does that mean we’re going steady? You’re my boyfriend, then, that’s what that means, and I’m your

Kai “captivated” not only Ellen but the people behind the show as well.

girlfriend?” Ellen said.

“Yeah. You’re my girlfriend,” quipped Kai. He proceeded to sing “When I Was Your Man” afterwards, to loud applause.

After Kai’s performance, Ellen gave him a superhero costume as a gift. On the suit, the words “Super Kai” are seen in front, while “I’m Super Fly” was written at the back.

Ellen and Kai then hugged afterwards.

Bruno Mars. After Kai’s first appearance on The Ellen Show,

he actually met Bruno Mars on the plane he took during his flight back home.

Kai proudly described the encounter on the show, and told Ellen that he immediately sang “Grenade” after Bruno Mars told him to “hit it.”

“The adorable four-year-old crooner was back to put the moves on our host, and to make everybody in the audience melt. This kid is too adorable!” The Ellen Show said on the description of the video segment where Kai appeared.

In a post on its Twitter account, YouTube also posted a comment about Langer’s performance.

“Four-year-old soul man Kai Langer returns to @TheEllenShow for another adorable Bruno Mars cover,” it said.

Kai’s first appearance on The Ellen Show, where he sang Bruno Mars’ “Grenade,” has gotten more than nine million views as of May. ■

Gian C. Geronimo / VVP, GMA News / May 10, 2013 5:00pm

Report: 10k Pinoys may avail of concessions to exit Saudi Arabia

SOME 10,000 Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia may seek to avail of recent concessions by the Kingdom’s government to go home, a Saudi news site reported Sunday.

A report on Arab News said the Saudi Ministry of Labor ordered all labor offices to work in the evening and even on Thursdays to handle applications by those availing of the concessions.

The report said “tens of thousands” of illegals have registered with their consulates in the last 30 days to get airline tickets.

It said these include “nearly 10,000 Filipinos” along with 6,000 Pakistanis, 60,000 Indians, 7,000 Sri Lankans and other nationalities.

Last Friday, the government announced concessions for the

rectification of residence and labor status of expatriates in the Kingdom.

The report said 90 percent of services for expats are done online to avoid long queues at labor offices.

On Saturday night, Labor Minister Adel Fakeih met behind closed doors in Riyadh with diplomats from laborsupplying countries to discuss the new regulations on expatriate labor.

Representatives from Pakistan India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines and other countries participated.

The Arab News quoted a South Asian diplomat as saying the meeting was “excellent.”

Expat teachers. But the report said expat teachers found little relief in Friday’s announcement, as the Ministries of Labor and Interior have not covered expats under the

sponsorship of relatives in their concessions.

It added school authorities have expressed concern regarding the transfer of iqamas (residential permits) of female staff.

The report said teachers want a guarantee that they can transfer their iqamas to the sponsorship of their fathers or husbands in case their contracts are terminated.

Also, if their male guardians lose jobs, they may be allowed to continue residing in the Kingdom on a “mahram” status since women need male guardians to live in the Kingdom.

They also want schools to give workers family status should they decide to transfer their iqamas to the schools’ sponsorship. ■ LBG, GMA News / May 12, 2013 8:55am

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

WORLD NEWS

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China marks anniversary of killer Sichuan quake

BEIJING (AFP) - China Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake which killed more than 80,000 but some said questions remained over the thousands of children who died as their schools collapsed.

The 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern province of Sichuan on the afternoon of May 12, 2008, with its epicentre at Wenchuan county. Another 4.45 million were hurt in China’s worst quake in more than three decades.

The mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, the People’s Daily, praised government efforts towards reconstruction but outspoken Internet commentators remembered the thousands of children who died.

“It’s the fifth anniversary of the earthquake as well as Mother’s Day. Hard to forget those young faces lying under the school buildings,” said Fengguo De Wuhou 1117 on a microblog.

“Five years and the promise to thoroughly investigate the ‘tofu-built’ projects in the quake area still lingers around the ears,” said the posting,

using a Chinese phrase for shoddy construction.

Thousands of children died and 7,000 schools were badly damaged in the earthquake, triggering accusations of poor construction and corruption, especially as some other buildings nearby remained standing.

Calls for transparency from the government on how many students were killed led to beatings and arrests of activists, including dissident artist Ai Weiwei.

Ai on Sunday tweeted a link to his work “Remembrance”, voice recordings of people reading the names of students who died in the earthquake, which he puts at more than 5,000 (http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=GFHrRLEy5yI).

Ai was badly beaten by police

when he tried to testify in support of activist Tan Zuoren, who had investigated the school buildings.

The state-run People’s Daily newspaper called the earthquake a “grave catastrophe” but said the recovery was a symbol of China’s strength.

“In less than three years, the Wenchuan disaster zone has completed the task of reconstruction with impressive speed,” the newspaper said in a front-page commentary.

“To achieve a new victory of building a prosperous society, this is the best way to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake,” it said.

The China Daily newspaper said the country had learned lessons from the disaster as schools and hospitals were able to withstand another quake in the region last month.

That 6.6-magnitude tremor centred in Sichuan’s Lushan county killed 196 people, with 21 missing and more than 13,000 injured, according to state media. ■ AFP /

12/05/2013 05h08 GMT

EU’s poorest country Bulgaria votes in tense election

SOFIA (AFP) - Bulgarians voted Sunday in a tight and tense snap general election marred by accusations of fraud and expected to result in political stalemate and fresh protests in the EU’s poorest member.

Despite its ouster by massive public unrest just three months ago, the conservative GERB party of former bodyguard ex-premier Boyko Borisov was tipped to win the most votes.

Eve-of-ballot polls however showed GERB pulling just 29-35 percent support, suggesting a slim win that would bring them nowhere near a governing majority.

The socialist BSP party was also snapping at GERB’s heels on 25-32 percent, with some surveys putting them neck-and-neck.

Whichever party comes first will face the tough task of finding at least two coalition partners in a severely fragmented parliament that might include up to five other parties.

These could include the ultranationalst Ataka party, the Turkish minority party MRF and potential kingmaker DGB, a new centrist party formed by ex-European commissioner Meglena Kuneva.

The campaign has focused more on a wiretapping scandal than on the grinding poverty -- almost a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line -- that so angered Bulgarians over the winter.

Six people have died after setting themselves on fire in protest or despair.

The failure by politicians to address ordinary Bulgarians’ top concern has added to apathy among the country’s 6.9 million voters, and to predictions that people will be out on the streets again before too long.

“We are also headed for fresh social protests,” Gallup analyst Zhivko Georgiev told state BNT television late Saturday. Voter turnout is expected to be around 50 percent.

Voters’ dim view of the system six years after joining the EU was exacerbated Saturday with the discovery of 350,000 illegal ballot papers at a printing firm whose owner is reportedly close to GERB. The head of the socialists accused Borisov’s party of preparing for the “total falsification of the elections.”

Worries about election irregularities in the former communist country had already

prompted the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to send its biggest monitoring mission to Bulgaria since 1990.

Five parties -- but not GERB -- have also commissioned an independent vote count, prompting analysts’ fears that the election result may be challenged for the first time since the country’s first post-communist election 23 years ago.

“I won’t vote. They’ve lost all respect for their own people,” fumed Stefka Popova, a retired metallurgy worker forced to supplement her meagre pension by selling newspapers.

“It’s not enough that they give me a monthly pension of 160 leva (82 euros, $106), but now they thought they could give me a ballot that’s already filled in. How dare they!”

“I have no words to express my

11

Damascus being behind Turkey bombings

DAMASCUS (AFP) - A Syrian minister on Sunday denied accusations that Damascus was behind a bomb attack in a Turkish town that left dozens dead, a day after Ankara blamed supporters of President Bashar al-Assad for the blasts.

“Syria did not commit and would never commit such an act, not because we don’t have the capacity, but because our values would not allow that,” Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi said at a press conference broadcast by state television.

“We were saddened by the martyrs’ deaths” Saturday in the town of Reyhanli, in southern Turkey and near the Syrian border, said Zohbi.

“It is (Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip) Erdogan who should be asked about this act... He and his party bear direct responsibility,” he added, describing the Turkish leader as an “assassin”.

“As an assassin, he should resign,” said Zohbi.

“Why this timing? Why these attacks, just days before the meeting between Erdogan and (US President Barack) Obama? Does he (Erdogan), whose country is a NATO member, want to incite the United States (into intervening in Syria) by telling him his country has been attacked?”

Zohbi said.

Saturday’s attack, which left at least 43 people dead and 100 others wounded, was the deadliest in Turkey in recent years.

It is the latest in a string of attacks in that country since the start of the Syrian conflict more than two years ago.

“The people and the organisation who carried out this attack have been identified. We have established that they are linked to groups supporting the Syrian regime and its intelligence services,” Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler had said.

Zohbi added Sunday: “No one has the right to make arbitrary accusations. He accuses us first, and then says he will find the proof. That actually means he will fabricate the evidence.”

Turkey distanced itself from its erstwhile ally soon after Assad started cracking down on prodemocracy protests in 2011.

Ankara has since become a rear base for the Syrian rebellion and Damascus has already been blamed for a string of attacks on Turkish soil.

Turkey hosts at least 326,000 Syrians forced to flee conflict in their country, the UN says.

In the same press conference, Zohbi said Syria has a right “now and whenever it wants to take action on the issue of the (Israeli-occupied) Golan Heights”.

He described the area as “Arab, Syrian land... even if Israel’s army is deployed there. We have the right to enter and exit the area whenever we want, and in whichever way we want”.

Zohbi’s statements come three days after Damascus ally in Lebanon, the chief of Shiite movement Hezbollah, said Syria will open “to resistance fighters the front in the Golan”, annexed by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel last week reportedly carried out two air strikes near Damascus. ■

disgust. I don’t think anything like this has ever happened in a EU state,” said retired economist Stefka Georgieva, 60, after casting her ballot for the Socialists.

“People should understand that BSP is the only truly social party, all the rest work for the rich only. As to GERB -- there never were bigger liars in this country than them,” her friend, teacher Svetla Krasteva, added.

“I voted for GERB. I don’t think they did enough for people, for mothers like me, but I don’t think anyone else can do better. It’s always

been all talk and no deeds, you know,” Gergana, 27, said pushing her toddler in a pram.

A hung parliament or fresh elections is also the last thing the Bulgarian economy needs, with growth of only 0.8 percent last year and badly needed foreign investment falling sharply.

Exit polls were expected around 8:00 pm (1700 GMT) when the more than 11,700 polling stations close, with the first partial official results not expected until Monday morning.

NHS Choices / 12/05/2013 11h34 GMT

■ Diana Simeonova / AFP / 12/05/2013 09h13

GMT

12

www.hello-philippines.com

Iran condemns use of chemical weapons

BERLIN (AFP) - Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday condemned the use of chemical weapons and appeared to offer to mediate in the Syria crisis.

“We condemn chemical weapons,” Ali Akbar Salehi told Germany’s Der Spiegel newsweekly in an interview published on Sunday.

His comments come after US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday said there was “strong evidence” the regime of President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons against rebel forces.

Iran, a strong Damascus ally, was itself a victim of chemical warfare during its conflict with Iraq in the 1980s, Salehi recalled.

But when pushed to say whether Iran would abandon its ally in the event that Assad’s regime was found to be using the weapons, the minister remained cagey.

Tehran is “categorically against all weapons of mass destruction”, he said.

Iran is currently facing criticism over its nuclear programme which the West suspects is a front for developing weapons.

Both the Damascus regime and the rebels are suspected of having resorted to chemical weapons but Washington and the UN have

said there was no incontrovertible evidence yet.

With fears the war, now in its third year, could turn even deadlier, diplomatic efforts have been ramped up, with Russia and the US last week renewing joint efforts to find a solution to the crisis.

Salehi told Spiegel his country was willing to take part in an international conference on Syria proposed by the US and Russia, which could take place later this month.

Iran could “launch talks between Syria’s government and opposition”, he said, marking a step towards greater involvement for Iran which has until now called only for talks between Syria rebels and the regime to form a transition government.

Salehi said he was “confident” that progress was being made in the conflict, which is estimated to have killed 70,000 and displaced millions more internally and in neighbouring countries. ■ AFP / 12/05/2013 06h33 GMT

WORLD NEWS

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

N. Korea slams US aircraft carrier’s arrival

SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea has criticised the arrival of the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South for a joint drill as an “extremely reckless” provocation and a rehearsal for war against the communist state.

A US naval strike group led by the nuclear-powered Nimitz arrived off the South’s southern port of Busan Saturday for the drill to be staged this week, following joint exercises that infuriated North Korea in recent months.

The 97,000-ton Nimitz, one of the world’s largest warships, will participate in joint search-andrescue operations as well as “sea manoeuvring” around the Korean Peninsula, the South’s defence ministry said.

The North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea that handles cross-border affairs called the arrival of the US fleet “a grave military provocation” that would dramatically ratchet up tension.

“The joint naval drill involving the latest weaponry including the nuclear aircraft carrier is a wanton blackmail against us and demonstrates... that their attempt to invade us has reached an extremely reckless level,” it said.

“The risk of a nuclear war in the peninsula has risen further due to the madcap nuclear war practice by the US and the South’s enemy forces,” the committee said in a

statement carried by state-run KCNA Saturday night.

The latest joint naval drill between the two allies is expected to be staged off the South’s eastern coast from Monday to Tuesday, Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unnamed Seoul official.

Military tensions on the Korean peninsula have been high for months, with the North under the young leader Kim Jong-Un issuing a series of apocalyptic threats over what it sees as intensely provocative US-South joint exercises.

The friction has abated somewhat after the annual ground exercises were wrapped up at the end of April, and a US defence official said North Korea had moved two medium-

range missiles off their launch pads.

North Korean troops near the disputed Yellow Sea border have been ordered to strike back if “even a single shell drops” in their territorial waters, the North’s army command said in a statement last week.

Any subsequent counterstrike would trigger an escalated military reaction that would see South Korea’s border islands engulfed in a “sea of flames”, it said.

The tense sea border off the west coast saw deadly naval clashes in 1999, 2002 and 2009. The North shelled one of the islands, Yeonpyeong, in November 2010, killing four South Koreans and sparking brief fears of a full-scale conflict. ■ AFP / 12/05/2013 05h25 GMT

Syrian rebels free Philippine peacekeepers

NY Times bureau chief expelled from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - The New York Times bureau chief in Pakistan was expelled from the country early Sunday after being ordered to leave for unspecified “undesirable activities”.

Declan Walsh, who was hired by the newspaper last year after covering Pakistan for British newspaper The Guardian since 2004, was handed an expulsion order at his home at 12:30 am, according to the Times.

“Here I go. Hard to believe this is happening,” the 39-year-old tweeted early Sunday after filing his last report on the country’s landmark general elections.

He was dropped at the airport by Pakistani columnist Cyril Almeida and escorted by a convoy of security officials’ vehicles. He later tweeted messages of thanks to friends and well-wishers.

The expulsion order stated: “It

is informed that your visa is hereby cancelled in view of your undesirable activities,” according to the Times.

“You are therefore advised to leave the country within 72 hours.”

Walsh has written about the country’s political strife, its insurgency and its sometimes tense relations with the United States.

“72 hours, wheels up,” he tweeted.

“To all friends, especially in Pakistan, who offered overwhelming support in recent days, thank you so much.”

Jill Abramson, the newspaper’s executive editor, sent a letter to Pakistani authorities describing Walsh as a “reporter of integrity who has at all times offered balanced, nuanced and factual reporting on Pakistan”.

She called the accusation of undesirable activities “vague and unsupported”. ■ AFP / 12/05/2013 07h15 GMT

MANILA (AFP) - Syrian rebels Sunday freed four Filipino peacekeepers five days after seizing them in the Golan Heights, the Philippines said as it called on combatants to respect United Nations personnel.

The four were turned over by a Syrian rebel group which calls itself the “Yarmuk Martyrs’ Brigade” to the head of the Filipino contingent five days after they were taken at an observation post, chief military spokesman Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan told AFP. “We are happy that this has been resolved and the soldiers have been released and seemingly unharmed,” Tutaan said. “They are fine, but as a matter of procedure they will have to undergo stress debriefing and a medical check-up.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the four had been escorted to UN-controlled Camp Ziuoani in the Golan Heights.

The Philippines expressed “deep appreciation” for the return of the four, but reiterated its call for combatants not to harm or impede the movements of UN peacekeepers anywhere in the world.

The Filipinos were seized on Tuesday as they patrolled the Jamlah locality in the tense ceasefire zone between Syria and Israel.

The Syrian rebels, in a video they

released of the kidnapped Filipinos last week, said the abduction was carried out so that forces loyal to besieged Syrian leader Bashar alAssad could not take refuge with them.

Manila had called on the Security Council to exert all efforts to ensure their safe release, and warned it may withdraw its contingent of 340 troops permanently if the UN could not adequately protect them.

In March, 21 Filipino soldiers were abducted by the same group and held for four days.

The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has been monitoring a ceasefire in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria since 1974.

The ceasefire zone has become increasingly dangerous because of the two-year-old Syrian civil war, which has cost more than 70,000 lives.

Syrian government forces and rebels are fighting inside the area.

Shells from the Syrian side have been hitting Israeli-held territory and Israel’s military has been firing back.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Friday the Philippines may soon pull out of UNDOF entirely because of the mounting security concerns.

“The people that abducted our peacekeepers were actually under

siege and they are using our people to get themselves out of the situation they find themselves in. That thing is not for us,” del Rosario said.

“We don’t want to expose our people any further, any more than we need to,” he said.

UNDOF numbers about 1,000 peacekeepers and civilian staff from Austria, India, Morocco, Moldova and the Philippines.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte declined to comment when asked if del Rosario’s recommendation still stood despite the release of the rebels.

Brigadier General Tutaan said the Philippine military would leave any decision on pulling out the troops to the government, but stressed no decision had been reached.

“It’s a matter that the government has to decide. We will just wait for instructions from the higher ups in the matter of their being recalled,” he said. ■ AFP / Jason Gutierrez / 12/05/2013 09h22 GMT

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

WORLD NEWS

www.hello-philippines.com

13

Sharif triumphs in historic Pakistan elections

LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) - Former Pakistani leader Nawaz Sharif appealed for cross-party support to help rebuild the nuclear-armed but economically crippled nation after winning historic elections that defied Taliban violence.

Partial, unofficial results from Saturday’s election represented a stunning comeback for the wealthy 63-year-old tycoon who was deposed as prime minister in a 1999 military coup and spent years in jail and exile.

But Sharif looked short of an outright majority, raising the prospect of coalition rule, as the party of former cricket star Imran Khan achieved its own breakthrough on an anti-corruption platform that resonated with younger voters.

Khan’s party was set to take over the provincial government in the restive northwest, where he has vowed to end US drone strikes.

Sharif too has tapped into public anger about the missile attacks and pledged peace talks with the Taliban.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai Sunday called on Sharif’s incoming government to help negotiate an end to the Taliban insurgency that has ravaged his country since 2001.

Pakistan has its own home-grown problem with the Islamist militants.

“We hope that the government paves the way for peace and

brotherhood with Afghanistan and cooperates in fighting terrorism and sincerely rooting out terrorist sanctuaries,” Karzai said.

Pakistan, which has had three coups and four military rulers, is marking the first time that one elected civilian administration will hand power to another after a full term in office.

TV projections suggested no single party would win an absolute majority in the 342-seat national assembly.

But Sharif’s centre-right Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) was well ahead with at least 115 of the chamber’s 272 directly elected seats, according to various projections by private channels, and as many as 128 according to Geo TV. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was projected to win more

than 30 seats, after a high-octane campaign that ended with the former cricketer immobile in hospital after falling at a rally.

The Bhutto clan’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which led the outgoing coalition government, was trailing in third place as voters punished its record of ineffectual administration over the past five years.

Flanked by his brother and daughter, Sharif gave a victory speech late Saturday to hundreds of jubilant supporters at PML-N headquarters in Lahore.

“We should thank Allah that he has given PML-N another chance to serve you and Pakistan,” he said, after nearly 60 percent of the 86 million electorate turned out to vote despite polling-day attacks by the Taliban that left 24 dead.

Sharif, who has vowed a probusiness agenda to revive the feeble economy, struck a conciliatory tone following Khan’s emergence as a new powerbroker in Pakistan’s clandominated politics.

“I appeal for all parties to come to the table and sit with me and solve the country’s problems,” Sharif said.

The election was defined by the tanking economy, an energy crisis that causes power cuts of up to 20 hours a day, the unpopular alliance in the US-led “war on terror” and chronic corruption.

Prime minister twice before in the 1990s, Sharif’s third term will begin only after he brokers a coalition deal with rivals.

Analysts said the PML-N would most likely have to team up with its opponents from the outgoing PPP government.

“(Sharif) needs to solve the issue of terrorism and other problems crippling the economy. If he delivers quickly, fair enough, if not then he will face crisis and criticism,” political pundit Hasan Askari told AFP. But Sharif’s supporters hailed a new dawn for the nuclear-armed country. Youths in Lahore danced in the streets holding stuffed tigers -- the PML-N’s election symbol -- and people offered each other celebratory sweets.

Chief Election Commissioner Fakharuddin Ebrahim praised authorities for cooperating to allow “free and fair elections” and the highest turnout figure since 1977.

But there were complaints of voterigging. Khan’s PTI said it would meet later Sunday to look into allegations of ballot fraud including against the PML-N in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province and Sharif’s political heartland.

Besides the national assembly, voters also elected four provincial assemblies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan.

Khan’s party emerged on top in the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and PTI member Shaukat Yousafzai said “we will form our government here with the help of like-minded political parties”. ■ Damon Wake / AFP / 12/05/2013 09h43 GMT

EVENTS

www.hello-philippines.com

14

DATE / TIME

EVENT

VENUE

18 May, Saturday 6:00pm – late 18 May, Saturday 6:00pm – 11:00pm 19 May 2013, Sunday 2.00pm-6.00pm

Miss London NABA 2013

24 - 26 May Friday until Sunday 25 May Saturday 12.00 noon

Cornwall Pilgrimage Chaplain: Fr Ari Dy, SJ Santa Cruzan in East London

Cornwall

1 & 2 June, Sat. & Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm 1 June, Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm 0pening Reception 03 June 2013, Monday 6.30pm Exhibition runs from 04-09 June 2013 9.30am-5.00pm 8 June Saturday 8 June Saturday 8 June Saturday 8 & 9 June Saturday & Sunday 9 June, Sunday 3:00pm 15 June, Saturday 8:30am – 6:00pm

Bristol Barrio Fiesta 2013

Eastville Park, Muller Road, Eastville, Bristol BS5 6XA The Racecourse Boroughbridge Road Ripon HG4 1UG Philippine Embassy 10 Suffolk Street London SW1Y 4HG

16 June 2013, Sunday 2.00pm-6.00pm

5th Rizal’s Youth Workshop Series and Graduation Day

20 June 2013 Thursday 7.15pm

“Boses”, First Screening in UK This is the first screening in the UK of this highly-acclaimed Filipino film directed by Ellen Ongkeko Marfil, with the acknowledgement of the Philippine Embassy, London.

Aguman Kapampangan Summer Disco 4th Rizal’s Youth Workshop Series

Yorkshire Barrio Fiesta Digital Abstraction, An Exhibition of Digital Paintings by ANTONIO GORORDO

115th Philippine Independence Day Celebration FWA-UK’s 25th Philippine National Day Dinner & Dance Hawaiian Party for Bantay Bata & Sagip Kapamilya 115th Philippine Independence Day Celebration Independence Day Mass 115th Philippine Independence Day Celebration

Camden Centre, Euston Road, London WC1H 9JE (Opposite Kings Cross Station) Baden Powell House, 65 – 67 Queens Gate, London SW7 5JS Philippine Embassy, 10 Suffolk St. London, SW1Y 4HG

St. Anthony’s Church Forest Gate London E7 9QB

St John’s Church Hall Hayocks Road Stevenston, Ayrshire KA20 4DE Palace Suite, Royal Garden Hotel 24 Kensington High Street London W8 4PT Plaistow Community Centre, 63 Queens Road West, London E13 0PE Morden Park,London Road, MordenSurrey SM4 5DX Church of Our Lady of Victories, 235A Kensington High Street, London W8 6SA The Quadrangle Conference and Exhibition Centre, The Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Road, Oxford OX4 4XP Philippine Embassy, 10 Suffolk St. London SW1Y 4HG Riverside Studios Crisp Rd., London W6 9RL (Nearest Tube Stn: Hammersmith)

24-30 June 2013 Monday-Sunday

Max Balatbat Solo Art Exhibit

Chelsea Gallery, Chelsea Library Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London SW3 5EZ

29 June Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm 30 June, Sunday 8:00am – 6:00pm 6 July 2013 Saturday 7.30pm

Northern Ireland Barrio Fiesta 2013

Lower Botanic Gardens Belfast

Barrio Fiesta Sa Bradford 2013

Ladyhill Park, Allerton Road Bradford BD15 St. John’s Smith Square London SW1P 3HA

6 July Saturday 7 July Sunday 6 & 7 July Saturday & Sunday 7 July Sunday 12 - 15 July Friday - Monday

Pistahan sa Newcastle 2013

13 July Saturday

Fiesta sa Cardiff 2013

13 & 14 July Saturday & Sunday 20 & 21 July Saturday & Sunday 10:00am – 7:00pm 27 July, Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm 3 & 4 August Saturday & Sunday

Birmingham Barrio Fiesta 2013

17 August Saturday 30 & 31 August Saturday 19.30 & Sunday 15.00 / 19.30 7 September Saturday 14 September Saturday 19 October Saturday

Mr & Miss Bicolandia UK ‘13 Sayaw

November Date tbc

Parokya Ni Edgar Comeback Concert

London Piano Trio and Friends, In association with The Inter-Cultural Society of London

Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2013 Pista Sa Bristol 2013 Pista Sa Paris Pilgrimage to Lourdes France Coach trip

29th Barrio Fiesta sa London 2013

Mitcham Barrio Fiesta 2013 Milton Keynes Barrio Fiesta 2013

Miss Philippines & Mr Philippines UK 2013 Mama Mary’s Birthday 20th Anniversary Dinner & Dance

Blaydon Rugby Club Hexham Road, Swalwell Newcastle Upton Tyne NE16 3BN Event Field Temple Newsam Road Leeds LS15 0AE Eastville Park, Muller Road, Bristol, BS5 6XA Stade de la Muette 60 Bd. Lannes 75016 Paris Lourdes, France

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition ORGANISER

Aguman Kapampangan UK Organized by the Order of the Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal, London Chapter, UK The Community Prayer CrusadeWest London Filipino Community in East London, London East End Rosary Crusade, and Leyte-Samar Organization in UK Filipino Community Bristol Yorkshire Maharlika Filipino Club

Phil-Scot Trust Filipino Women’s Association UK

Bayanihan in UK Philippine Embassy Filipino Community of Oxfordshire

CONTACT / REMARKS Sabrina Maxim: 07850 880 635 / Ryan Abeleda: 07515 252 235 / lfbcommunity@gmail.com Reggie: 07847 092 029 Omie: 07832 597 530 Sir Alfonso Taguiang KCR Area Commander for UK & Ireland and Lady Aurea Taguiang, Pres.,Ladies for Rizal / taguiang.alfonsoaurea@gmail.com Mario: 07818021874 / 07557348240 Myrna Cunningham: 02085343316 Ella Taylor: 02082576713 Andy & Norie Andres: 02074732715 Rey Corpus: 02034906098 Gerome Gomez: 07717 884 293 Honeylyn Sarao: 07783 343 848 Lolita Boddy: 07973469450

Nally Carroll: 01294 461 709 Arlene Hunter: 01294 601 628 Imee Pinto: 0776 9588 640 / Nieves Bates: 0777 9286 351/ Clarita Richardson: 020 8767 0180 Mr & Mrs Joey & Luz Figueroa 07878 349 127 Tess Juval: 07956 593 236 Gil Zarcilla: 020 8204 7808 Organised in co-operation with the Philippine Embassy in London Jose Ariel Lanada chairman@filcomoxford.org.uk

Organized by the Order of the Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal, London Chapter, UK “Boses” is a poignant tale about a gifted boy made mute by his unbearable experiences and his emotionally damaged mentor as they find their voice through the redemptive and healing power of music. Q&A follows with Director Marfil and lead actor and violinist Coke Bolipata.

Organized by Mr. Ver Cuizon (Art Impresario), in cooperation with the Batangas Association UK (BAUK) Proud Filipinos of Northern Ireland with TFC Fiesta Caravan

Sir Alfonso Taguiang KCR Area Commander for UK & Ireland and Lady Aurea Taguiang, Pres.,Ladies for Rizal / taguiang.alfonsoaurea@gmail.com For more details, call the Box Office at 02082371111 or visit www.riversidestudios.co.uk.

British-Filipino Association of Bradford The London Piano Trio, Robert Atchison, Olga Dudnik, and David Jones are pleased to return to St John’s with renowned friends William Hawkes and Christopher Laurence. The concert features two very well known pieces by Mozart and Schubert together with the world premiere of Jed Balsamo’s work, Piano Trio No.2, commissioned for the London Piano Trio by The Inter-Cultural Society of London.

Filipino Community of Newcastle Upon Tyne (FILCAN) Filipino Leeds Association (FLA)

Nina Ricci Santos: 07780 076 256

Association of Filipino-British in Bristol TFC Fiesta Caravan Batangas Association UK

Tickets at £9.50, concession at £8.50.

TFC: 00 800 7868 4535

Box Office: 020 7222 1061

Sally Sellars: 07886 742 417/ Bong Bangayan: 07824 338 251 Eden: 07809 404 580 / Chris: 07766 015 698 Wilma: 07846 088 537/ filipinoleedsassociation@gmail.com Julius 0778 632 0131 / marksburyrd44@yahoo.co.uk TFC: 00 800 7868 4535 Ched Gomez: 07980066209 / Julie Villanueva: 07956422068 / Lorna Fortunado - 07776223212 / Tita Leus McCarthy 07958732406 Richard: 07414 442 151 Jhune: 07855 294 528 Lito: 07956 211 903 Rozen Malonzo: 07985 159 203 / Dennis Cortes: 07737 540 136 Marlo Quilang: 07531 022 269 Omie Rocha: 07867 940 447 londonbarriofiesta@yahoo.com

University Hospital of Wales, Sports and Social Club, Heath park, Cardiff CF14 4XW Woodgate Valley County Park, Clapgate Lane Bartley Green Birmingham B32 3DS Apps Court Farm near Hampton Court, Hurst Road, Walton-on-Thames Surrey KT12 2EG Three Kings Piece, Commonside West Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 4HA Campbell Park, Avebury Boulevard, MK City Centre, Milton Keynes MK9 4AN

Star Dragon Events in cooperation with Samar Leyte Association Wales UK (SLAWUK) Filipino Association of Birmingham ABS-CBN Europe Limited and Philippine Centre Mitcham Filipino British Association Filipino British Society

Atty. Romulo Rivera, 07891 604 638 or 07789 930 496 Ronald Dalida: 07766 314 207 Maria Davis: 07737 676 850 Grace: 07951 939 090

Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square Holborn, WC1R 4RL The Cockpit Theatre Gateforth Street Marylebone NW8 8EH ILEC Conference Centre and Ibis Hotel 47 Lillie Road, Earls Court, London SW6 1UD Holy Cross Chapel Charing Cross Hospital Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, Portman Square, London W1H 7BG

Bicol Association UK Ltd

Jules Maristela: 078 2333 6085

LK Dance Company

Ronnie del Barrio: 07445 132 613 hello@lkdance.org.uk www.lkdance.org.uk Eva Macadangdang: 07983593914 / Marlowe: 07956944520 MP_UK@yahoo.co.uk / www.philippines-uk.org Mario: 07818021874 / 07557348240

TBC

Philippines UK Org

Batangas Association UK

Gloria Diaz - 07572795321 / Julie Villanueva - 079422068; Ched Gomez - 07980066209 / Tita Leus McCarthy 07958732406 Alaistair Macdonald: 07584 242 763 Rodolfo Alvia: 07855 294 528

FREE LISTING of your events on the Hello Philippines newspaper and if you know of any Events please contact us and submit your event via email to the following at info@hello-philippines.com DISCLAIMER: The Events Diary Listing does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Hello Philippines newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper. This is merely an Events Diary Listing of what is happening within the Filipino Communities in Europe. This is for general information only.

2013 Monthly Filipino Community Masses in Greater London 1st Sunday

2:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

2nd Saturday

4:00 p.m.

2nd Sunday

2:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

3rd Sunday

3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Last Saturday

6:00 p.m.

Last Sunday

2:00 p.m.

Every Sunday

5:00 p.m.

First Wednesdays

6:30 p.m.

Five Precious Wounds Parish, Brentfield Road, Stonebridge Park, NW10 8ER Ms. Mervic Monocillo 07894636140 Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Friary Road, Peckham SE15 1RH Mr. Allen Abeleda 077 1362 5888 St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 103 Woolwich New Road, SE18 6EF Mr. Moises Espanola 078 9464 8639 English Martyrs Church, Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park, HA9 9EW Ms. Becky Sarinas 079 4985 7699 or 074 2576 1519 St. Dominic Catholic Church, 243 Violet Lane, Waddon, CR0 4HN Ms. Merlie Mirto 077 2221 6462 St. Anselm and St. Cecilia, 70 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3JA Mr. Feliciano Ramirez 07733680748 Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Priory, Quex Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 4PS Mr. Sheidrick de Leon: 07738210202 Blessed Sacrament Parish, 157 Copenhagen Street, Islington N1 0SR Ms. Christy Sangalang: 07709119969 Our Lady of Dolours, Servite Parish Church, 264 Fulham Road, London, SW10 4EL Fr. Allan Satur: 02073526965/ fulhamroad@rcdow.org.uk/ Mr. Roland Adap r_adap@hotmail.com St. Joseph’s Catholic Church/ 218 Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4LE Mr. Rafael Santiago 077 9525 4451 Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 20 Brixton Road (Oval), SW9 6BU Mr. Ben Ortiz 0772 331 8486 Filipino Mass and Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Farm Street Church of the Immaculate Conception (Jesuit House Chapel) Access on 114 Mount Street , W1K 3AY / Josie Ramos 077 2302 4591

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

COMMUNITY EVENT fOCUs

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15

Pinoy communities join mass for migrants At least seven Filipino associations represented the Philippines in the annual ‘Mass for Migrants’ on May 6, bank holiday Monday. The Eucharist, which is held in honor of St. Joseph for all migrant workers, was presided

by Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster.

A banner procession took place at 10:30 am. Among those who joined are the Filipino Club – Westminster Cathedral, e-Learning Group UK, Filipino Community – Scalabrini Centre (Holy Redeemer Church London), FILCHAMP, El Shaddai London Chapter and the recentlyinstituted Camarines Sur Filipino Community UK. Mr. Senen T. Mangalile, new consul general of the Philippine Embassy London, graced the event. Representatives of other nationalities also came with fashion of their respective countries. European delegates include the Portuguese with their banner of Our Lady of Fatima, Citizens UK, and the Slovak Catholic Mission in London, who celebrates the 1150th Anniversary of their patron Saints Cyril and Methodius. The Chinese Catholic

Association UK, delegates from Goa, India, and the Syro-Malabar Church London (India) ‘embodied Asia’.

South America has Brazil, with a ‘WYD Rio2013’ banner that signifies the venue of this year’s World Youth Day. Africa has the largest group next to the Philippines – Catholics from Equatorial Guinea, the Zambia Catholic Community and Friends UK, Ghana Catholic Chaplaincy UK and small numbers from other African countries. The Ghanaians performed a native song and music as they enter the cathedral. Some MPs were present, as well as some dignitaries, including ambassadors from countries who have a significant number of Christians.

In his Homily, Most Rev. Vincent Nichols described London as a city where people from different cultures mingle and live peacefully, and that we are all given dignity by God himself.

“This work of welcome makes such a difference. So do the efforts made to integrate migrants into the life and worship of the parish,” he said. He expressed the unity among strangers but share the same faith, evidently

shown in the celebration. “We all share a place before God our Heavenly Father. We all share the precious relationship with Jesus, our brother, our Lord, our King. We all share the language of the heart in prayer, the language of the Holy Spirit who has been poured into our hearts. We all come to the same sacraments that the Lord may nourish us.”

The objectives and purpose of the celebration are deeply rooted in the Gaudiem et Spes (human dignity), Rerum Novarum (Of New Things) and Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) social teachings of the Church.

“Labour is a fundamental element for the dignity of the person,” Most Rev. Nichols said. “It is a God-given capacity ‘to maintain ourselves, our family, to contribute to the growth of our nations.” He added.

After the Homily, bidding prayers were said in different languages including Filipino.

The event was supported by the Diocese of Westminster, Diocese of Brentwood, Archdiocese of Southwark, and local parishioners. ■

Junart Kim S. Nieva / Wednesday 8th May 2013

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COMMUNITY EVENT fOCUs

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

BAUK holds family gathering

IT was a rocking night at The Dome (Boston Arms) in Tufnell Park on Sunday, the 5th of May 2013, when the Batangas Association UK held its annual Family Gathering Party.

Among those who attended were Consul Myla Macahilig and Tourism Officer Chit Afuang from the Philippine Embassy, along with officers and members of the FWA UK, Aguman Kapampangan, Royal Mail employees, and other FilCom organisations, businesses and individuals. The association would like to express its gratitude to Niall Murray of The Dome (Boston Arms), Andy and Claire Andres for the music, and Natalie Valencia for the food. ■ Peps Villanueva

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All in the family: Dynasties tighten grip on Philippines MANILA, Philippines -- Another Benigno Aquino is set to become one of the Philippines’ most powerful politicians next week thanks to his name, part of what analysts warn is an increasingly destructive system of dynastic rule.

Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, or “Bam,” the 36-year-old cousin and namesake of the current president, is one of the frontrunners to be elected to the Senate in Monday’s midterm elections, with many other favorites also owing their expected success to bloodlines.

Political dynasties have long been a feature of politics in the Philippines but analysts say that clan rule is becoming more entrenched, with remarkably few families dominating elected posts at national and local levels.

“We say we have a democracy but we don’t actually have many options ... power is being effectively monopolized,” Ronald Mendoza, an economist at the Asian Institute of Management who has extensively researched dynasties, told AFP. While other countries also have famous political dynasties -- such as the Kennedys in the United States or the Gandhi family in India -- Manilabased Mendoza said dynastic rule was more deeply ingrained in the Philippines.

Seven out of every 10 members of the House of Representatives belong to a political dynasty -defined as having other relatives in elected positions -- with the figure climbing to 80 percent in the Senate, according to Mendoza.

One of the most famous and powerful families is the Aquino clan.

President Benigno Aquino III was propelled into office in 2010 with a landslide election victory that was largely due to a sudden surge of emotional support following the death from cancer of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, who was the symbol of the uprising that overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, then served as president for six years.

Her husband, former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was a wealthy landowner and politician assassinated by Marcos forces in 1983.

Bam Aquino emerged from political obscurity -- he has no experience in elected office -to become one of the favorites for a Senate seat after similarly campaigning on his family name.

Another political neophyte polling well is Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar

President Benigno Aquino III and his cousin Paolo Benigno IV, or ‘Bam,’ shake hands at a rally of Team PNoy.

Binay. Once a human rights lawyer, the patriarch is building his own dynasty, with two other children -- Makati Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. and Makati Representative Mar-Len Abigail Binay -- already holding top political posts.

Other likely new senators will be JV Ejercito, son of ex-president Joseph Estrada, and Jack Enrile, son of current Senate president and former Marcos defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile.

Political activists say the problem is just as bad at the provincial and local levels, where families often rule regions like fiefdoms for generations, controlling the economies as well as political structures.

In Monday’s elections, 18,000 local, provincial and national posts will be up for grabs but critics of dynastic rule say the event is not genuinely democratic because

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition voters will rarely have a genuine range of choices.

“Elections provide the mechanism for conferring legitimacy to elite power and create the illusion once every three years that ‘change’ is possible”, the Center for People Empowerment in Governance, a think-tank, wrote in a study on the issue.

Even when someone has the money or celebrity power to break a family’s stranglehold on an electorate, they typically start building their own dynasty.

One current example is boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, a former street kid who used his hero status and wealth from sports to beat an entrenched dynastic ruler of a southern province for a House seat in 2010.

For next week’s polls, Pacquiao has deployed his wife, Jinkee, a former shopping mall saleswoman with no political experience, to run for vice governor of Sarangani province.

One of Pacquiao’s brothers, Roel, is also aiming to join him in Congress representing South Cotabato province.

There are immense social and economic impacts for the Philippines as a result of such a monopolization of power at local and national levels, according to analysts.

One study by Mendoza, formerly an economist with the United Nations, shows that poverty levels in areas ruled by dynasties are five percentage points worse than in those that are represented by politicians without family links.

He also warned that, by electing politicians from such a small gene pool, the country is not tapping the potential of countless other talents.

Mendoza and other analysts say the dynastic phenomenon is largely due to poverty, corruption and a historic culture of patronage.

This translates into politicians doling out taxpayers’ money for infrastructure and other projects but claiming personal credit, and also giving cash directly to voters.

So the voters become dependent on their patron.

While activist groups are trying to pressure Congress to pass a law that would ban dynasties, Mendoza said the key to breaking elite rule was addressing poverty, a lack of social security and other deeprooted problems.

“Without a strong social safety net, you will always need the patron,” he said. “Only a person who is secure in his or her economic status can demand of a leader ... what is good for our country.” ■ Karl Malakunas / Agence France-Presse / May 10, 2013 12:08 PM

Cops nab NBI agents, seize guns outside home of Sen. Revilla

MANILA, Philippines -- Police arrested six agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and seized their weapons outside the residential compound of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Barangay Panapan 7, Bacoor City, Cavite on Monday.

The senator said later he had sought assistance because of threats to his security.

Superintendent Rommel Estolano, Cavite police spokesman, clarified earlier reports emanating from Camp Crame that authorities had been engaged in a standoff with 30 gunmen who sought shelter inside Revilla’s compound.

Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. earlier said the

gunmen, some wearing vests with NBI and National Police Commission markings, the others introducing themselves as “Kabayan Bikers,” had positioned themselves around the Revilla residence, prompting the police Regional Public Safety Battalion to check the situation and triggering the standoff.

The earlier reports also said the gunmen had five vehicles loaded with firearms when they retreated into the Revilla compound.

But Estolano later said no such standoff had occurred and that the five vehicles were oustide, not within, the senator’s property.

He also said that police had applied the “plain view doctrine,” which allows authorities to act only

on what is immediately visible to them, to seize the firearms from the vehicles instead of waiting for a court-issued search warrant they had applied for.

Estolano identified the six NBI agents as Honor Santos, Efifanio Baria, Rosauro Estardo, Rizalos Ronario, Danilo Cruz and Frederick Galvez.

He also denied Revilla’s accusation that police had been harassing his supporters.

“Walang katotohanan na naging biased ang PNP. Non-partisan ang PNP (It’s not true the PNP is biased.

The PNP is non-partisan),” he said.

Explaining what happened, Cerbo said the NBI agents “were accosted by the joint elements of the Cavite Provincial Police Office and the

Regional Public Safety Battalion 4A, after they were reported to be armed with high powered firearms.”

Cerbo said the six claimed they were on a legitimate operation but this was denied by NBI officials in Manila.

Revilla decries harassment. In an interview with News5 anchor Erwin Tulfo, Revilla, chairman of LakasCMD, expressed disappointment with the police action and the apparent harassment.

He particularly felt bad that authorities earlier tagged one of his brothers as involved in vote-buying, noting that he is wheelchair-bound.

The senator’s son Jolo is the running mate of incumbent Governor Juanito Victor Remulla.

Cavite police inspect arms cache recovered on a vehicle left by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation at Justin Village, Panapaan, Bacoor, Cavite. (Paulo Vecina/ Interaksyon.com)

They are running against third district Representative Ayong Maliksi, a former governor seeking to regain the post, and Ronald Jay Lacson, son of Senator Panfilo Lacson, who are the administration’s bets. ■ Abigail Kwok / InterAksyon.com / May 13, 2013 12:44 PM / with reports from Jaime Sinapit, InterAksyon.com

Gov’t turns to Land Bank, DBP in buyout of MRT3 creditors Albay eyes ordinance penalizing CLARK FREEPORT The Philippines and Development Bank MRTC after signing a cooperation climbing to Mayon Volcano crater

Aquino administration will tap two government financial institutions (GFIs) for the purchase of the remaining bonds held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp (MRTC).

“In terms of financing we have already identified in the budget or even for the GFIs if they can already first pay out like they did on the 80 percent economic interest. If they get the bonds, they will get the returns. They’re the ones also benefiting from the coupons of the bonds,” National Treasurer Rosalia B. de Leon told reporters on the sidelines of the EJAP-San Miguel Business Journalism Seminar here.

De Leon said the Land Bank of the

of the Philippines (DBP) can start buying the 25 percent stake held by bondholders, even as she admitted that an agreement has yet to be signed with the GFIs on the matter.

Land Bank and DBP also hold the 80 percent economic interest in Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

Under Executive Order No. 126 issued last March, Malacanang directed the Departments of Finance (DOF) and of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to buy out MRT3 from MRTC pursuant to a build-lease-transfer (BLT) agreement.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC) controls 48 percent of

agreement with various groups that hold rights and interests in MRT3, including Metro Rail Transit Holdings Inc, Metro Rail Transit 2 Inc and Monumento Rail Transit Corp.

The DOTC had said the buying out the MRT3 would cost $1 billion.

The planned buyout of the private investors is meant to wind down the 15 percent equity rental the government shells out under the contract.

In the past 10 years, the government has given out a P75 billion subsidy for MRT3 and almost the same amount for Light Rail Transit Line 1. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar /

InterAksyon.com / May 13, 2013 12:54 AM

WITH the death of at least five people following a steam-driven eruption at Mayon Volcano Tuesday, the Albay provincial government is mulling penalizing climbing up to the volcano’s crater.

Albay Governor Jose Salceda said the provincial government may pass an ordinance that disallows going all the way to the crater, radio dzBB reported Friday.

The dzBB report quoted Salceda as saying the ordinance may also reiterate that crater climbing is to be “perpetually prohibited.”

Besides, he noted people are not to venture within the permanent danger zone of up to six kilometers from the crater.

“Perpetually prohibited na ang crater climbing... It’s going to the crater that will be penalized,” he said in an interview aired Thursday night on “Saksi.”

A steam-driven eruption Tuesday caused Mayon to spew ash and smoke. Mayon has since calmed down, however.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least five people, four of them foreigners, were killed after getting caught in the explosion.

It added at least nine people were injured, while another seven were unharmed. ■ KG, GMA News / May 10, 2013 8:53am

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NEWS

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May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Black rice for ‘emperors’ now available Female broadcaster abducted in Quezon, TV crew assaulted in Ozamis City to ordinary homes in N. Cotabato KIDAPAWAN CITY — The black rice, once considered ‘forbidden’ and food served only for the emperors, now comes to ordinary homes in Central Mindanao.

At least 500 hectares of land in the region are planted to black rice, according to Romano Laurilla, general manager of the Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC).

Their products are certified organic by certifying bodies in Europe and in the Philippines, he said.

These indigenous varieties of rice are rich in fiber and anti-oxidants and are consumed by health consciouspeople and those wanting to lose weight or on a diet, he added.

The MPC and the Don Bosco Foundation, Inc., had since promoted organic farming since the early ‘90s.

“Yet, it’s only very recently that we have exported large tons of organic rice to rich countries such as Dubai,” said Laurilla at a press briefing held at the DA-12 Research Outreach Station in Kidapawan City on Friday.

For the first time in 40 years, Philippines had a large shipment of black rice to other counties, Laurilla said.

On May 6, the cooperative, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), exported at least 15 metric tons of aromatic, long-grain, and organic black rice to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

These tons of black rice, according to DA-12 executive director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, were produced by farmers in the town M’lang, who are members of the Don Bosco MPC. Hectares and hectares of black rice can also be seen in the towns of Tulunan and Midsayap, as well as Surallah and Santo Niño in South Cotabato.

Datukan said additional tons of black rice and other organic rice would be shipped anytime this month to Macau, The Netherlands, and in other countries in Europe.

She said the exportation of black rice from Central Mindanao through partnership with the Don Bosco MPC will continue and would open ‘bigger market tie-ups.’

Laurilla was also happy about the expansion of their advocacy on organic farming and sustainable agriculture.

He said it was not easy to introduce organic rice, much more black rice, to local farmers and consumers.

“Many of our farmers are hesitant to produce black rice because they think there would be no enough market for their products.

Local consumers also do not want to eat black rice because of its color. Little did they know this black rice is a lot healthier than the hybrid rice,” he said.

To encourage farmers to plant black and other colored rice, the MPC gives P3 for every kilo of their products as incentive.

In Kidapawan City, a kilo of black rice is sold at P47.

The Don Bosco MPC has at least seven outlets in Central and Southern Mindanao: 2 in Kidapawan City; 1 in M’lang, North Cotabato; 2 in Davao City; and one each in cities of Koronadal and General Santos.

The co-op is the first to receive an international certification from Certification of Environmental Standards (Ceres), a Europeanbased certifying body, according to Laurilla. Also, they have certification from the Organic Certifying Center of the Philippines The black rice, based on research, is high in nutritional value and contains 18 amino acids, iron, zinc, copper, carotene, and important vitamins.

In China, black rice is claimed to be good for the kidney, stomach, and liver.

Black rice is a deep black color and usually turns deep purple when cooked. ■ Malu Cadelina Manar /LBG, GMA Newws / May 11, 2013 4:04pm

Foreign cargo drives up volumes at Philippine ports

MANILA - The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said cargo volume rose in the first quarter of the year on higher shipments of grains, cement and fertilizer.

Data from the state-owned agency showed that cargo volume went up by 2.82 percent to 41.42 million metric tons in the January to March period from 40.28 million MT in the same period last year.

Driving up volumes was foreign cargo, which climbed 7.47 percent to 23.13 million MT, offsetting the 2.5 percent drop to 18.29 million MT in domestic cargo.

PPA attributed the increase in cargo volume to the higher shipment of grains, cement, fertilizer and copra, as well as higher imports of copper, rock phosphates, fertilizer and chemical.

Passenger volume for the first

three months went up by 8.30 percent to 12.43 million from 11.48 million last year.

Domestic passengers grew by 8.3 percent to 12.41 million from 11.45 million last year. Foreign passengers also went up by 7.40 percent to 21,870.

PPA said containerized cargoes grew 2.23 percent to 1.27 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 1.24 million last year. Ship calls for the period went down by 2.23

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 7:49 p.m.) A female radio broadcaster in Quezon province was abducted by unidentified suspects early Sunday, police said.

And in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the mayoralty candidate of the Liberal Party drew his pistol on a member of a local television crew Sunday morning but the weapon misfired.

An alert sent by the NUJP’s Mindanao Safety Office quoted the media group’s Ozamis chapter chairman, Neptali Batolenio, as saying Rolando Romero, who is the incumbent city vice mayor, and some aides also assaulted the TV crew, destroying their equipment.

In Quezon, Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, regional police director of Calabarzon, identified the victim as Melinda Jennifer Glefonea, a broadcaster at the local radio station 103.1 Edge Radio.

Glefonea was abducted by two unidentified suspects shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday on Argao Street, Barangay Poblacion, Candelaria, Quezon.

The victim was said to be eating at a nearby restaurant when she was taken by the suspects who were both armed with handguns. Glefonea was forced inside a silver Toyota Innova with a “7858” conduction sticker. The vehicle fled toward the Candelaria bypass road.

Pursuit operations were launched by policemen.

Investigation is still ongoing to determine the motive behind the abduction.

Meanwhile, Batolenio said the victimized Ozamis TV crew -- reporter Ellena Pelare, cameraman Melito Opena and anchor Danny Pilar -- work for Ronda Balita, a program bankrolled by the city government that airs over a local cable channel.

Romero is running against the National Unity Party’s Reynaldo

Parojinog Sr., father of incumbent Mayor Nova Princess ParojinogEchavez.

Batolenio said Pilar approached Romero to interview him as he alit from his vehicle in Barangay Dona Consuelo around 11 a.m.

However, the candidate grabbed her microphone and hurled it into the sea as a female aide of Romero snatched the Canon 3CCD camera of Opena and smashed it to the ground.

Romero then drew his pistol on Opena but the gun misfired and another aide, armed with a rifle, then assaulted the cameraman.

The LP bet then snatched Pelare’s Nikon D3000 camera as he threatened other journalists who witnessed the incident.

Romero continued to threaten the journalists as they scampered for safety, Batolenio said.

However, in a text message to Batolenio, Representative Loreto Leo Ocampos, an LP member running for reelection, blamed the Ronda Balita crew, accusing them of “provoking” Romero, who “defended himself.” ■ Abigail Kwok / InterAksyon.com / May 12, 2013 11:06 AM

Comelec allows 44,000 prisoners in 212 jails to vote

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections is allowing 44,000 prisoners in 212 detention centers from 140 municipalities to cast their votes in Monday’s midterm elections, under the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Commissioner Lui Guia explained Sunday the basis for the poll body’s action: “[In the case of] prisoners with no final judgment from the court, the right to suffrage is preserved because they are not yet convicted, they were only charged. The Comelec gave them the right to vote.”

In an interview at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) where the Comelec will convene late Monday as the National Board of Canvassers for the senatorial race, Guia said that the Comelec had categorized jailed voters into two: 1. For jails with more than 50 voters – The poll body will create a Special Board of Elections Inspectors (SBEI) to facilitate the voting process and establish a special voting place inside the jail, but no PCOS machines will be used.

percent to 84,663 from 86,59 last year. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / May 13, 2013 12:51 AM

2. For jails with less than 50 voters – Inmates will be escorted to the polling place by the BJMP with assistance from the police upon obtaining a court order for the purpose.

He said around 41,000 inmates are eligible to vote inside the special polling places in jails; while about 2,900 prisoners will be escorted to polling places outside their detention centers.

The SBEI, Guia said, will get from the mother precincts the exact number of ballots corresponding to the number of registered voters.

The SBEI “will get from the mother precinct the exact number of ballots on the number of registered voters in a particular detention facility, and bring these to the jail, and after the voting process, will return these to the mother precinct,” Guia explained.

Inmates may vote for all national and local positions and voting in the special polling place inside jails will start at exactly 7:00 a.m., and end at exactly 3:00 p.m. the same day.

Filled-up and unused ballots

will be brought back to the mother precinct for counting and inventory.

Ballots of the jailed voters will be the last to be counted by the mother precinct.

The voting process will be monitored by representatives of the Commission on Human Rights, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Prison Ministry, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Philippine National Police, BJMP and other nongovernment organizations. ■ Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / May 13, 2013 12:44 AM

Early morning Cavite City gun battle leads to arrest of gun-shot suspect

A suspect was arrested early Monday morning after Cavite City police officers got into a gun battle with around 10 gunmen along Lopez Jaena St. in Barangay Buwan-buwan.

According to a radio dzBB report, the arrested suspect was badly wounded in the hand and was taken to hospital.

Police units had initially rushed

to the area after they received word that a group of around 10 armed men were driving around the area.

The gunmen were driving around in a white van, a car and a motorcycle.

As of posting time, Cavity City police chief Supt. Ruben Andiso would not comment as the police operation was ongoing. ■ DVM, GMA News / May 13, 2013 12:29am

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HEALTH and Lifestyle

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Kids’ teeth Q&As

GET your children to care for their teeth from a young age and you could help them enjoy trouble-free teeth for life.

Establishing good habits can help your child avoid oral health problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Can I let my child have sweets?

Most children want sweets, but you can help prevent problems by making sure they don’t eat them often and encouraging them only to eat their sweets with a meal. This way, your child avoids the extra acid caused by eating sweets between meals.

Try not to give sweets or sweet drinks as rewards.

What are the best snacks to give my child?

The best snacks are fruit and raw vegetables. Try tangerines, bananas, pieces of cucumber or carrot sticks. Other good snacks include breadsticks, crackers, rice cakes and plain popcorn.

Should I let my child have fizzy drinks?

No. Fizzy drinks contain acids that can affect the enamel on your

child’s teeth, making it thinner.

What are the best drinks for my child’s teeth?

The best drinks for children over one year old are water or milk. Cows’ milk is not suitable as a drink until your baby is 12 months old.

Use full-fat milk (whole milk) from the age of 12 months to two years. Semi-skimmed milk can be introduced from the age of two, as long as your child is a good eater and growing well for their age. Skimmed milk doesn’t contain enough fat, so

is not recommended for children under five.

Fruit juices contain sugars and acids, so it’s best to have these only at mealtimes and use a straw.

If your child is thirsty, it’s better to give them water than to encourage a taste for sweet drinks. Try to avoid giving babies fruit-flavoured ‘baby juices’, and never give them in feeding bottles.

Fruit juice is not suitable for babies under six months. ■ NHS Choices (read more in the June issue of Hello Philippines)

10 dental myths exploded

Fact or fiction?

Are white teeth healthier? Is there fluoride in our tap water? Here is the truth behind 10 dental myths.

MYTH No one uses NHS dentists any more.

FACT Almost 30 million people (more than half the population of England) saw an NHS dentist between 2009 and 2011. This is an increase of more than a million since March 2006.

MYTH Children today have terrible teeth.

FACT The dental health of British schoolchildren is steadily improving.

Six out of ten children start school with no tooth decay. But it’s important to introduce a good dental health regime as early as possible.

MYTH White teeth are healthier teeth.

FACT We may think they look better, but teeth aren’t meant to be pure white. You can help keep your teeth as white as possible by brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing. Avoiding food and drinks that can stain teeth, such as tea, coffee and red wine, will also help to keep them white.

MYTH I have to see a dentist every six months.

FACT Your dentist will tell you how often you should come in for a dental check-up, and if you have very good oral health, this may be no more than once every two years.

MYTH There is fluoride in our water supply.

FACT Only around 10% of the UK’s water supply has enough fluoride in it to benefit your dental health. You can find out if there’s fluoride in your water from your water supplier.

MYTH Baby toothpaste is better for young children.

FACT Some baby toothpaste brands don’t have enough fluoride in them to help prevent tooth decay.

Choose a brand that contains at least 1,000ppm fluoride. Check the packaging to see if it contains enough fluoride.

MYTH Only the sugar in sweets, cakes, fizzy drinks and chocolate is bad for my teeth.

FACT While all these foods are bad for your teeth (and your general health), dried fruit, fruit juice and honey contain natural sugars that can cause tooth decay. Limit the amount of these foods that you eat, don’t have them between meals and brush your teeth twice a day.

MYTH There’s no need to brush milk teeth.

FACT Even though your child will lose their milk teeth, they still have to be brushed. Establishing good habits early in life helps ensure lifelong dental health. Brush your baby’s teeth twice daily from the moment their first tooth cuts through.

MYTH I’ll need false teeth when I’m older.

FACT Improvements in dental hygiene mean that more of us keep our natural teeth into old age. In 1968, 37% of adults had no natural teeth. By 1998, the figure had fallen to 12%.

MYTH Bad breath is only caused by not brushing your teeth properly.

FACT Most cases (up to 90%) of halitosis (bad breath) are caused by bad oral hygiene.

Regular brushing, flossing, eating and drinking healthily, and taking plenty of exercise are the best ways to avoid bad breath. ■ NHS Choices

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Children’s teeth FROM brushing their first tooth to their first trip to the dentist, here’s how to take care of your children’s teeth.

A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health.

Follow these tips and you can help keep your kids’ teeth decay-free: • Start to brush your baby’s gums with a soft toothbrush at bath time, or even let your baby have a go themselves as long as you supervise them. This establishes brushing their teeth as part of the washing routine.

• Start brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through (usually at around six months, but it can be earlier or later). It’s important to use a fluoride paste as this helps prevent and control tooth decay.

• Children under the age of three can use a smear of family toothpaste containing at least 1,000ppm (parts per million) fluoride. Toothpaste with less fluoride is not as effective at preventing decay. Children between the ages of three and six should use a pea-sized blob of toothpaste containing 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride.

Check the toothpaste packet for this information or ask your dentist.

• Make sure your child doesn’t eat or lick the toothpaste from the tube.

• Brush your child’s teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, once just before bedtime and at least one other time during the day. Encourage them to spit out excess toothpaste but not to rinse with lots of water.

• Supervise tooth brushing until your child is seven or eight years old, either by brushing their teeth yourself or, if they brush their own teeth, by watching how they do it.

From the age of seven or eight they should be able to brush their own teeth, but it’s still a good idea to watch them now and again to make sure they brush properly and for the whole two minutes.

Making sure they brush properly • Guide your child’s hand so they can feel the correct movement.

• Use a mirror to help your child see exactly where the brush is cleaning their teeth.

• Make tooth brushing as fun as possible, using an egg timer to time it for at least two minutes.

• Don’t let children run around with a toothbrush in their mouth as

they may damage their mouths or choke if they fall over.

Taking your child to the dentist.

Once you’ve established a good tooth-brushing routine at home, the next step is the first trip to the dentist. These tips can make this a lot easier: • Take your child to the dentist when they’re as young as possible and at least once by the time they’re two. This is so they become familiar with the environment and get to know the dentist. The dentist can help to prevent decay and identify any health problems at an early stage. Just opening up the child’s mouth for the dentist to take a look is useful practice for when they could benefit from future preventive care.

• When you visit the dentist, be positive about it and make the trip fun. This will stop your child worrying about future visits. NHS dental care for children is free.

• Take your child with you when you go for your own dental check-up appointments so they get used to it.

Fluoride varnish and fissure sealants. Two quick and painless preventive treatments – fissure sealant and fluoride varnish – are available on the NHS from your dentist, and sometimes from your child’s primary school.

Fissure sealants can be done once your child’s permanent teeth have started to come through (usually at the age of about six or seven) to protect them from decay.

This is where the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are covered with a special thin plastic coating to keep germs and food particles out of the grooves. The sealant can last for as long as 5 to 10 years.

Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth. The process involves painting a varnish containing high levels of fluoride onto the surface of the tooth every six months to prevent decay. It works by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

Ask your dentist if your child could benefit from fissure sealing or fluoride varnish. Some areas of the country provide the procedures in primary schools using mobile dental clinics. You will, as a parent, be asked for written permission before either procedure is used on your child. ■ NHS Choices

The Making of the Philippine Flag

by Marcela Marino de Agoncillo and company’s manual sewing.

President Emilio Aguinaldo, 1st President of the Philippines and he conceptualized the Philippine Flag while on exile.

The Philippine Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines.

CONCEPTUALIZED, CREATED AND COPYRIGHT:

1898 - 2013

Aguinaldo Shrine where Emilio Aguinaldo declared the country’s Independence from Spain.

Y A D E C N E D N E P E D N I E N I P 115TH PHILIP O L A S O L A S D N A S S A M G THANKSGIVIN Sunday, 9 June 2013 at 3:00pm Church of Our Lady of Victories, 235A Kensington High Street, Kensington, London W8 6SA (Tube Station: High Street Kensington Station Buses: 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 52, 70 328, 452 and C1)

www.hello-philippines.com

Fat: the facts 24

WE all need some fat in our diet.

But too much of a particular kind of fat – saturated fat – can raise our cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart disease. It’s important to cut down on fat and choose foods that contain unsaturated fat.

Eating too much fat can also make us more likely to put on weight, because foods that are high in fat are high in energy (calories) too. Being overweight raises our risk of serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as coronary heart disease.

But this doesn’t mean that all fat is bad. We need some fat in our diet because it helps the body absorb certain nutrients. Fat is a source of energy as well as some vitamins (such as vitamins A and D), and provides essential fatty acids that the body can’t make itself.

There are two main types of fat found in food: saturated and unsaturated. But which fats should we be eating more of?

Fats to cut down on. As part of a healthy diet, we should try to cut down on food that is high in saturated fat.

Saturated fat. Most people in the UK eat too much saturated fat: about 20% more than the recommended maximum, according to the British Dietetic Association.

• The average man should eat no more than 30g of saturated fat a day.

• The average woman should eat no more than 20g of saturated fat a day.

Eating a diet high in saturated fat can cause the level of cholesterol in your blood to build up over time.

Raised cholesterol increases your

risk of heart disease.

Foods high in saturated fat include: • fatty cuts of meat • meat products, including sausages and pies • butter, ghee and lard • cheese, especially hard cheese • cream, soured cream and ice cream • some savoury snacks and chocolate confectionery • biscuits, cakes and pastries Trans fats. Trans fats are found naturally at low levels in some foods, such as those from animals, including meat and dairy products.

They can also be found in foods containing hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Hydrogenated vegetable oils may contain trans fats. If a food contains hydrogenated vegetable oil then this must be declared on the ingredients list.

Like saturated fats, trans fats can raise cholesterol levels in the blood.

This is why it’s recommended that trans fats should make up no more than 2% of the energy (calories) we get from our diet. For adults, this is no more than about 5g a day.

However, most people in the UK don’t eat a lot of trans fats.

On average, we eat about half the recommended maximum. Most of the supermarkets in the UK have removed hydrogenated vegetable oil from all their own-brand products.

We eat a lot more saturated fats than trans fats. This means that when looking at the amount of fat in your diet, it’s more important to focus on reducing the amount of saturated fat.

HEALTH and Lifestyle food

Fats we can eat more of (unsaturated fats) Remember, we don’t need to cut down on every type of fat. Some fats are not only good for us, most people should be eating more of them.

Unsaturated fats.

Eating unsaturated fats instead of saturated can help lower blood cholesterol.

Unsaturated fat, such as omega-3 essential fatty acids, is found in: • oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel • nuts and seeds • sunflower and olive oils Unsaturated fats are also found in fruit and vegetables, such as avocados.

Tips on eating less fat. These tips can help you cut the total amount of fat in your diet: • Compare nutrition labels when shopping, so you can pick foods lower in fat. Use the ‘per serving’ or ‘per 100g’ information to compare different foods. Remember, servings may vary, so read the label carefully.

• Ask your butcher for lean cuts of meat, or compare nutrition labels on meat packaging.

• Choose lower-fat dairy products, such as 1% fat milk or lower-fat cheese.

• Grill, bake, poach or steam food rather than frying or roasting, so that you won’t need to add any extra fat.

• Measure oil with tablespoons

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

rather than pouring it straight from a container: this will help you use less.

• Trim visible fat and take skin off meat before cooking.

• Use the grill instead of the frying pan, whatever meat you’re cooking.

• Put more vegetables or beans in casseroles, stews and curries, and a bit less meat. And skim the fat off the top before serving.

• When making sandwiches, try leaving out the butter or spread: you might not need it if you’re using a moist filling. When you do use spread, go for a reduced-fat variety and choose one that is soft straight from the fridge, so it’s easier to spread thinly.

Nutrition labels. The nutrition labels on food packaging can help you to cut down on total fat and saturated fat.

Labels containing nutrition information are usually on the back of food packaging. This label will often tell you how much fat and saturated fat is contained in 100g of the food, and sometimes the amount per portion or per serving.

Some packaging also displays nutrition labels on the front, which give at-a-glance information on specific nutrients. These labels may contain information on guideline daily amounts (GDAs) or traffic light colour coding to help you make healthier choices.

Healthy food swaps CHOOSING healthier foods is easier than you may think. By changing just a few eating habits you can make a big difference to your diet.

Making small changes to your diet can help you to shed excess pounds and achieve a healthy weight.

It can also help you to achieve your five daily portions of fruit and vegetables: learn more in Why 5 A DAY? It’s all about eating fewer foods that are high in calories, fat, salt and sugars and swapping them for something healthier, including more fruit and vegetables and whole grains. Remember, small changes can add up to make a big overall difference to your diet.

Food and drink swaps Try these small changes when you have your next meal or drink, or when you open the cupboard or fridge for a snack.

Once you’ve got started, try thinking of your own healthier

swaps, too. Food labels can help you to choose healthier options: Breakfast • Swap from whole milk to semiskimmed, 1% fat or even skimmed milk.

• Swap a sugar-coated breakfast cereal for a wholegrain breakfast cereal such as porridge or shredded wholegrain wheat cereal, with no added sugar.

• Swap a sprinkle of sugar on your breakfast cereal for a topping of fresh or dried fruit, which counts towards one of your five a day.

• Swap full-fat Greek yoghurt for lower-fat or fat-free Greek yoghurt or natural low-fat yoghurt.

Lunch • Swap white breads, bagels and muffins for wholegrain varieties.

• Swap butter and cheese in your jacket potato for reduced fat spread and reduced salt and sugar baked beans.

• Swap a tuna melt panini for a tuna salad sandwich on wholemeal

bread, without mayo.

• Swap a cheddar cheese filling in your sandwich for reduced-fat hard cheese.

Dinner • Swap creamy or cheesy sauces

for tomato- or vegetable-based sauces on your pasta, meat or fish dishes.

• Swap mashed potato made with butter and whole milk for mash with low-fat spread and a lower-fat

When traffic lights are used on food labels, red means ‘high’. Leave red foods for the occasional treat, and aim to eat mainly foods that are green or amber.

Total fat. So what counts as high fat and low fat?

• High: more than 20g of fat per 100g. May display a red traffic light.

• Low: 3g of fat or less per 100g.

May display a green traffic light.

Saturated fat. Look out for ‘saturates’ or ‘sat fat’ on the label: this tells you how much saturated fat is in the food.

• High: more than 5g saturates per 100g. May display a red traffic light.

• Low: 1.5g saturates or less per 100g. May display a green traffic light.

If the amount of fat or saturated fat per 100g is in between these figures, that’s a medium level, and may be colour-coded amber.

What ‘lower fat’ or ‘reduced fat’ really means. Just because a food packet contains the words ‘lower fat’ or ‘reduced fat’ doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a healthy choice.

The lower-fat claim simply means that the food is 30% lower in fat than the standard equivalent. So if the type of food in question is high in fat in the first place, the lower-fat version may also still be high in fat.

For example, a lower-fat mayonnaise is 30% lower in fat than the standard version, but is still high in fat.

Also, these foods aren’t necessarily low in calories. Often the fat is replaced with sugar, and the food may end up with the same, or an even higher, calorie content.

To be sure of the fat content and the calorie content, remember to check the nutrition label on the packet. ■ NHS Choices milk such as semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed.

• Choose leaner cuts of meat, for example, swap streaky bacon for back bacon.

• Swap the frying pan for the grill when cooking meat.

Drinks • Swap your usual coffee made with whole milk to a ’skinny’ coffee made with skimmed milk.

• Swap your cordial for a cordial with no added sugars.

• Swap a few of your sugary drinks for a glass of water.

• Swap hot chocolate made with whole milk and served with whipped cream for a hot chocolate made with skimmed milk and no cream.

Snacks • Swap a blueberry muffin for a currant bun on its own or with some reduced fat spread.

• Swap yoghurt-coated raisins for plain raisins.

• Swap salted nuts for unsalted nuts.

• Swap cheese straws for rice cakes with lower-fat cream cheese ■ NHS Choices

Filipino Community of Oxfordshire invites everyone to the

115th Philippine Independence Day Celebration “Filipino integration to the British Society” Saturday - 15 June 2013

The Quadrangle Conference and Exhibition Centre The Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Road, Oxford, OX4 4XP

Activities:

08:30 - Muse and Flower Parade • 11:00 - Con-celebrated Mass • 12:30 - Lunch (Salo-Salo) • 14:00 - Cultural Show • 18:00 – End of Event The Filipino Community of Oxfordshire (FilCom Oxford) was founded in 2002. Its Mission and Vision is to bring Filipinos in Oxfordshire together, united as one big family in promoting our cultural heritage and advocating fair and equal treatment in the community through proper education, training and good citizenship.

FREE FOR ALL - NO ENTRANCE FEE – FREE PARKING

For sponsorship, stalls and performances please email: Ariel Lanada chairman@filcomoxford.org.uk

www.filcomoxford.org.uk Major Sponsor:

Sponsors:

Media Partner:

26

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CELEBRITY, SHOWBIZ &ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

GMA Life TV celebrates five years of being the first international Filipino lifestyle channel

GMA Life TV, the first international Filipino lifestyle channel by GMA International, is commemorating five years of celebrating the best in Pinoy lifestyle this May through a colorful and vibrant television campaign representing all the wonderful things that the channel is known for.

For five years already, GMA Life TV – one of GMA’s overseas channels alongside its flagship channel GMA Pinoy TV and international news channel GMA News TV International – has been a leading source of not only informative and entertaining, but also inspiring and meaningful Filipino lifestyle shows among Filipinos outside of the country.

To celebrate this important milestone, GMA Life TV has tapped six of the Network’s most sought after stars - Alden Richards, Mikael

Daez, Rocco Nacino, Maxene Magalona, Bela Padilla and Louise Delos Reyes - to be the faces of the channel for its GMA Life TV: Fly High @ Five anniversary campaign. As the GMA Life TV VJs, they will take turns in introducing each program lending the channel their unique and colorful personalities.

“Highlighting the distinct and exceptional traits of the Pinoy lifestyle has ever been the primary goal of GMA Life TV,” said GMA Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia. “This year, we want to make things even more exciting as we present the GMA Life TV VJs, who equally embody the best traits of the channel – being fun, hip, original and inspirational.”

GMA Life TV prides itself in being the first and only Filipino lifestyle channel abroad to air English-

dubbed Filipino drama series and the only Filipino channel offering classic black and white Pinoy films.

In the coming months, viewers must especially await new movie titles (both mainstream and independent) as well as the premiere of GMA Life TV’s first documentary series “Home is Where the Heart Is,” which will take a peek into the homes of Filipinos living abroad.

The channel is set to even further diversify and enrich its content through the launch of new programs created by the country’s pioneer publisher of glossy magazines, One Mega Group. Such programs include a new fashion/reality program, a cooking show and also a home design show that fit right into the channel’s diverse mix of program genres focusing on home, fashion, food, travel, drama and reality.

GMA Life TV is available in the U.S, Canada, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Hong Kong, Guam, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Madagascar with an estimated one million viewers

from all over the world. It will also be launched in additional pay-TV systems in North Africa and the Asia Pacific Region this year. ■ For more information on the channel, interested parties may visit www.gmanetwork.com/international.

Giselle Sanchez goes wholesome with one-woman play ‘Salaminkera’ Janna Dominguez at Mickey Ablan, BELIEVE it or not, Giselle Sanchez will be doing a wholesome show for the very first time.

The stand-up comedienne, known for her borderline risqué comedy shows, is presenting something different this time around. Taking inspiration from the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tale “Snow White”, Giselle takes the concept of the magic mirror and brings it to life with “Salaminkera”, a one-woman show scheduled on June 8, 3PM at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati.

“In this case, the ‘Salaminkera’ is the woman in the mirror who will actually talk to you about your career, family life, and love life. Ako ‘yung magsasabi kung haggard na kayo at kung ano pa ang pwede niyong i-expect sa buhay n’yo,” Giselle told InterAksyon during the recent press launch of the show.

Coined after the term “salamangkero,” a Filipino word for magician or wizard, Giselle said “Salaminkera” is like the best friend next door who you love for not mincing words and always saying the truth.

And because it’s a comedy show, most of Giselle’s “predictions”, told in her inimitably witty and sometimes brutally honest manner, are of course, played for laughs.

“The show will also include song and dance numbers as well as several comedy sketches and, of course, monologues. Actually, para din siyang The Vagina Monologues pero walang word na vagina,” she quipped. “Because this is a wholesome show for women, the words that you will hear a lot are family, career, balance and beauty.”

As with every Giselle Sanchez show, audience participation is also standard fare. “But this time, I am going to get the women in the

may wish para kay Iwa Moto

audience to participate, which is also a first. Dati kasi, lalaki ang pinapasali ko pero this time, mga babae naman so the guys in the audience won’t have to be on the edge of their seats and worry na baka kunin na naman sila ni Giselle Sanchez sa pagkakaupo nila.”

Giselle assured, however, that those who are asked to participate will have fun and not be made fun as is usually the case with many comedy shows. “Pero, of course, kung ayaw naman nila, they can always say, ‘No deal’! Ganun lang ‘yun,” she promised.

One thing she won’t do in her oneact play is political sketches, despite the clamor for these types of jokes in this election season.

“I decided to be apolitical this time around. Like I said, this is a show for women and women empowerment. Hayaan na lang natin ‘yun kila Pokwang and their ‘4 Da Vote’ show,” she said.

Not that she doesn’t have her own preferences. In fact, Giselle admitted that she is busy campaigning for several candidates, including senatorial aspirant Bam Aquino.

“But unlike before, I’m more selective when it comes to lending my endorsement or actively campaigning for any candidate.

Mas mapili ako ngayon. Inaaral ko

munang mabuti kung sino ang inaakala kong puwede kong i-endorse,” she admitted.

As for his upcoming shows for the year, Giselle also candidly confessed that she has made a conscious effort this year to do less shows abroad to spend more time with her husband, corporate executive and former rock musician Emil Buencamino, and their two growing children.

“I’m excited about my upcoming shows with David Pomeranz starting July 10 so that’s something I really look forward to,” she mused.

As for a possible repeat of “Salaminkera” if the show becomes a hit, Giselle hopes it does click with her intended target audience.

“For once, I’m very proud to do wholesome show so I do hope people will watch and bring their whole families. Even my daughter whom I usually ban from watching my own shows will watch me this time so I’m really excited about this,” she enthused.

Presented by organic iron supplement Sangobion, “Salaminkera” one-act play will have a preview on May 30, 11AM at the Rigodon Ball at the Peninsula Manila Hotel before commencing its regular show on June 8, 3PM at Glorietta 2 in Makati City. ■ Edwin P. Sallan, InterAksyon. com / Friday, May 10, 2013 / 2:49 pm

HANGAD nina Janna Dominguez at Mickey Ablan ang kaligayan ni Iwa Moto na nagdadalang-tao ngayon sa piling ng bagong nobyo na si Pampi Lacson.

Sa showbiz talkshow na Startalk nitong Sabado, inihayag din nina Janna at Mickey na umaasa silang magpapatuloy na ang katahimikan sa kanila at magiging maayos na ang lahat.

Matapos na mabinyagan ang anak nilang si Caely, naitanong kina Janna at Mickey kung kasal na kaya ang isusunod ng dalawa. Ngunit magiging balakid dito ang kasal noon ni Mickey kay Iwa na dati niyang nobya.

Pero pagtiyak ni Mickey, “malapit na may mga inaayos basta malapit na.”

Nais umano niyang maayos na ang tungkol sa kasal upang lubos na silang maging malaya.

Ngunit kung si Janna ang

tatanungin, may higit na mas mahalaga kaysa sa kasal.

“Seremonya lang yun e, gets mo?

Sa papel lang naman ‘yan e. Pero yung importante yung kayo, ‘di mo kailangan yung papel para mapatibay na mahal niyo yung isa’t isa,” paliwanag ni Janna.

Dahil buntis ngayon si Iwa sa baby nila ni Pampi, umaasa ang dalawa na magpapatuloy na ang kaligayahan ng dating Starstruck alumna.

“Kung masaya na talaga siya wala na tapos na. Saka okey na naman siya so wala nang reason para gumulo pa uli,” ani Janna.

Dagdag pa ni Janna, ngayong magiging ina na rin si Iwa, mararamdaman na rin umano ng aktres ang kanyang mga napagdaanan habang nagbubuntis at magbabago na ang pananaw kapag naging ganap nang isang ina. ■ FRJimenez, GMA News / May 11, 2013 7:08pm

LJ Reyes, inusisa tungkol sa umano’y paghihiwalay nila ni Paulo Avelino SA showbiz talk show na “Startalk” nitong Sabado, inusisa ang Kapuso actress na si LJ Reyes tungkol sa umano’y pag-amin nito na hiwalay na sila ni Paulo Avelino.

Last year, lalong lumakas ang hinala na hiwalay na ang dalawa nang hindi banggitin at pasalamatan ni Paulo si LJ at kanilang baby na si Akio nang tanggapin nito ang kanyang award sa Urian.

Sa panayam ng “Startalk” kay LJ, nakangiting inihayag ng aktres na: “Basta for me ang importante masaya ako, masaya si Akio, masaya kami.”

Umaasa din siyang mabibigyan at rerespetuhin ang kanilang privacy sa naturang isyu ng kanilang pagsasama.

“Basta happy kami... basta sana happy tayo lahat parati,” dagdag ng aktres. ■ FRJ, GMA News / May 11, 2013

8:06pm

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Like Richard Gordon, Bamboo doesn’t believe in celebs endorsing politicians

THE former Bamboo frontman and the Red Cross chairman may have more in common than they thought. Both are vehemently against celebrities endorsing politicians.

“Yun itatak nyo sa bato talaga. I will never endorse anybody, ever,” singer Bamboo Mañalac declares.

“I don’t believe in endorsing politicians. I’ve always held that standard. I don’t believe in endorsing anyone because I believe that if you wanna vote for someone, don’t let someone tell you who to vote for. Do the research, vote on the issues. Yun ang importante sa akin,” he adds.

UNA senatorial bet Richard Gordon echoes this sentiment, revealing that it’s easy to use showbiz connections to get ahead in the senatorial race. However, he has refused to do so.

“Ako wala akong ginagamit na artista na i-endorse ako. Kaibigan ko si Marian [Rivera] pero hindi ko siya hinihingan na i-endorse niya ako,”

says Gordon of his friendship with the Kapuso actress, who is a constant volunteer in Red Cross missions.

“Kasi pag inindorse mo, bakit anong kinalaman halimbawa ni Marian o nang mag i-endorse sa kakayahan mo?” he adds.

So how does a celebrity who doesn’t believe in championing a political hopeful turn down a political endorsement deal?

“It’s a matter of respect lang.

I think they have to respect my position, my principle lang naman eh,” concludes Bamboo, who is not endorsing Gordon, either. ■ Anna G. Cañoneo / InterAksyon.com / Sunday, May 12, 2013 / 7:44 pm

Ricky Lee says ‘Burgos: A Mother’s Love’ renewed his passion for screenwriting

AS an activist who once lived the life of a fugitive and, later, a political detainee under the Martial Law era, award-winning screenwriter Ricky Lee is no stranger to military atrocities.

But even he is careful in saying that he knows how it feels to endure the loss of a loved one who suddenly disappeared and was never found.

“I was in prison for a year during Martial Law. I had friends who disappeared and I’ve talked to mothers of the disappeared,” he recalled to InterAksyon in a recent interview.

“I don’t want to say I know how it feels, because you can never really know what the loved ones of the disappeared really go through. But I do know that the torment never ends.

You have to admire their tenacity, and love, commitment and compassion.

They are heroes in their own right.”

With all these things in mind, Lee and director Joel Lamangan take on the true story of the celebrated disappearance of Jonas Burgos, who was abducted six years ago by members of the Philippine Army and has yet to resurface to this day. In presenting the story from the point of view of family matriarch Edita Burgos, played in the film by Lorna Tolentino, Lee and Lamangan both agreed in giving audiences just “one simple, hard truth.”

“The idea to present the movie from Edita’s point of view seemed very

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Marjorie Barretto says photo scandal is ‘closed’, but Gretchen reveals otherwise “CLOSED.” That’s how actress-turnedpolitician Marjorie Barretto when asked on “The Buzz” if she considers the matter of her recent photo scandal a closed book.

Marjorie was interviewed earlier after performing a duet with daughter Julia Barretto on a Mother’s Day special on “ASAP” where she said being a mother to her kids comes first before everything else.

“Once you’re a mother, you no longer own yourself so you give yourself one, two, three days to cry,” she said in reference to the issue.

“After that, you pick up yourself and then life goes on. Life moves on kasi may mga anak pa ako. Yeah, malalakas naman ang loob ng mga anak so walang dahilan para hindi ako maging matapang din. Life has moved on.”

But sister Gretchen Barretto, who was co-hosting the show, said that the issue is far from settled.

After admitting to Boy Abunda that Marjorie is indeed the person in

those scandalous photos that were circulated online, Gretchen said there are times when Marjorie is okay and times when she is not.

The equally controversial actress said she also directly asked her sister what she intends to do about the situation and according to her, Marjorie said: “Gretch, hintayin natin na matapos ang eleksyon. Magsasalita ako, ilalabas ko kung ano ang dapat ilabas. Wala akong itinatago. Meron lang akong pinuprotektahan,” Gretchen quoted her sister as saying before adding that she hopes and pray that Marjorie makes good on her word.

“Be patient, konting araw na lang naman,” Gretchen asked the show’s viewers.

Earlier, Marjorie appeared with her lawyers from the Kapunan, Garcia & Castillo law offices and distributed a statement warning media outlets and private netizens from continuously circulating those pictures which are in violation of Republic Act No. 9995 known as the

Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.

Marjorie has also posted certain quotes on her Instagram account in showing how she is coping with the controversy. From the daily quote site, “Quotediary.me”, she posted, “A successful Woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks thrown at her.”

And from the song, “Titanium” by David Guetta, she posted the line, “I’m bullet proof nothing to lose fire away fire away…Ricochet you take your aim…fire away fire away…You shoot me down BUT I WON’T FALL I AM TITANIUM.” ■ Edwin P. Sallan, InterAksyon. com / Sunday, May 12, 2013 / 7:59 pm

Why Christian Bautista is suddenly mum on love life

natural. Parang automatically both Joel and I wanted to let the audince experience the journey of a mother looking for her son. We wanted something very internal, very simple and almost one-track,” he pointed out.

Both writer and director were also one in opting for a far less clichéd approach in tackling their very delicate subject matter.

“Pareho rin kami ng decision na huwag gawing rah-rah ang pelikula, although that seems to be inevitable, given our subject and our advocacy.

But we really tried to minimize the rahrah,” he said.

So how much of the film is actually factual? Lee acknowledged that while there are certain liberties that needed to be taken, much of what actually happened is accurately captured for the big screen.

“In this film, we had to stick as closely as possible to actual facts and incidents. This means that our agreement with Edita is that as much as possible nothing would be invented or fictionalized. Siyempre may konti pa ring naging tweaking pero halos lahat

FRESH from his stint in Taiwan where he performed for the Flower of May concert last May 5, Christian Bautista is back in the country and ready to talk business. However, the singer-actor, who recently transferred to the Kapuso Network from ABSCBN, has reportedly been told to keep quiet on the subject of his love life.

“Okay, next!” a smiling Christian answered when asked whether it’s okay to talk about girlfriend Carla Dunareanu.

Reports are rife that Christian’s new home network is planning to revive his loveteam with former flame Rachelle Ann Go. Although Christian refused to talk about the subject, he was quite vocal, however, about the coming elections and his bets for the Senate.

The multi - platinum - selling performer is part of the People Power Volunteers for Reform’s Rock the Vote

2013, a series of concerts featuring local artists and celebrities promoting Team PNoy’s Daang Matuwid.

“We invite everybody, listen to our music and then we have a message to say,” Christian said during the Batangas leg of the concert rally.

Christian was there to show support to Team PNoy bets Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros and Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. “Mapili ako sa mga sinusuportahan,” Christian explained when questioned regarding his endorsees. He then blurted out a list of qualifications.

“Educated, para sa bayan, track record and malalaman mo kung honest sila eh. Kung sa artista merong X-factor, sa isang pulitiko makikita mo sa kanila kung merong puso sila para sa bayan.”

He also has a message to supporters and non-supporters alike come May 13.

“Kung concerned po tayo sa buhay natin dito sa Pilipinas, kailangan po tayong bumoto at bumoto ng tama.

Kung wala po tayong pakialam na hindi natin inaaral o nire-research ang mga iboboto natin, tapos magrereklamo po tayo, eh wala po tayong masasabi dun.

So vote wisely,” advised Christian. ■

talagang totoong nangyari, at totoong sinabi ng mga character. Kaya mahirap ding gawin on our part. Minsan kasi mas madali pa ang mag-imbento,” the writer candidly admitted.

With regards to his personal impressions of Edita and the rest of the family that will be portrayed by Tirso Cruz III, Allen Dizon, Dimples Romana, Bangs Garcia, Kerbie Zamora and Rocco Nacino, Lee admits that he is very much impressed with their strong characters and firm resolve.

“The Burgos family is a very strong family. They are tremendously united, more so after the disappearance of Jonas. Pero si Edita ang strongest sa kanila. It is her faith that keeps the family going. Talking to her,

tumatapang ka rin at hindi ka nawawalan ng faith,” he marveled.

Lead actress Lorna Tolentino holds up a poster of abducted activist Jonas Burgos.

As Lee has not written any screenplay for the last seven years and has instead concentrated on writing novels, he is very happy to have “Burgos: A Mother’s Love” as his comeback film, especially since it deals with a theme that is very close to his heart.

“I’ve always felt very strongly about the issue of enforced disapperances.

I’ve done a previous work, a short story called “Kabilang Sa Mga Nawawala”, also about desaparecidos. It had magic realism in it and it was quite

long. Pero hanggang ngayon, it remains one of the favorite stories that I’ve written. I also did a teleplay before on ‘Desaparecidos’ which starred Jaclyn Jose and was directed by Laurice Guillen,” he further recalled.

More than stimulating his creative juices, “Burgos: A Mother’s Love” also renewed his passion for screenwriting in general.

“Akala ko di ko mami-miss ang pagsusulat ng pelikula, pero noong sinusulat ko na ang ‘Burgos’, na-realize kong na-miss ko rin pala. Now, I am doing three other films immediately after this project, namely ‘Lihis’, “Lauriana’ and ‘Para Kay B’,” he announced. ■ Edwin P. Sallan, InterAksyon.

Anna G. Cañoneo, InterAksyon.com / Friday, May 10, 2013 / 10:35 am

com / Thursday, May 9, 2013 / 9:08 pm

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May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Packed like sardines, voters struggle at QC polling center

ARRIVING in the first hour of voting on Monday didn’t guarantee early birds of smooth voting, as they found themselves stuck in long and slow moving lines.

At the President Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, the crowd was so thick that one 66-year-old woman fell and was unable to make her way to her precinct even with help from her 13-year-old companion.

Unlike in other polling precincts, there were no express lanes for senior citizens at the said school as of Monday morning, according to GMA News’ Joseph Morong, who helped the woman.

Morong said it was no easy feat to reach the woman’s precinct, and they had to request permission to pass through another precinct because there were too many people in the hallways of the school.

Despite the challenging crowd, the grandmother, who was not identified in the report, insisted on

voting, as she had never missed an election.

Other senior citizens were unable to vote, as they could not join the crowd, which was packed like sardines from the first to fourth floor.

According to the report, voters were not used to the tight space, as they used to be assigned to the nearby and much larger high school building.

With over 31,000 registered voters and only 33 PCOS machines, an average of 900 to 1,000 voters were assigned to every clustered precinct, the report said.

Long lines. Another problem was the lack of clear entrances and exits, Morong noted. Some voters stayed outside the school as they waited for the crowd to thin.

Voters were advised to bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration while lining up.

The lines got longer later in the day, with several incidents of voters shoving each other and cutting in

Garlic supply contract with Ilocos Sur farmers still under negotiation — Jollibee Foundation NEGOTIATIONS with Ilocos Sur farmers on a supply contract for garlic are in the early stages and will likely not bear fruit this year, a representative of Jollibee Foundation (JF) said Friday.

“It (the agreement) has not yet been implemented... There will be no garlic and garlic products supply coming from Sinait... but we’re under negotiations... it has not been finalized yet,” according to a representative of JF, Jollibee Foods Corp.’s corporate social responsibility arm, who asked not to be named as she has not been assigned to speak on the matter.

While clarifying a statement by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAR) on the supply contract with the Sinait Garlic Center of the North Producers Cooperative,

Jollibee Foundation confirmed it is holding leadership training and entrepreneurial programs for the cooperative.

“This has been running since 2008, and we have helped 500 farmers already,” the JF representative said.

On Thursday, the Department of Agriculture’s BAR announced that the cooperative will supply Jollibee Foods and Splash Foods Corporation with garlic and garlic products starting June.

According to the cooperative, it was slated to deliver 8 metric tons (MT) of peeled garlic to Jollibee Foods per month, and 4 MT of peeled garlic and 1.5 MT of powdered garlic to Splash Foods. ■

line. On the other hand, there were also inspiring stories.

Seventy-year-old Magdalena Datono was among the thousands of voters at the school who arrived despite her disability of having only one leg. Using a plastic stool with a thin cloth as cushioning, Datono

fell in line with the rest of the voters.

According to the report, she never missed an election, as television reports would always remind her of her responsibility to vote.

Other voters who saw her situation volunteered to carry her to the second floor, where she was allowed

News / May 13, 2013 3:47pm

Philippine vote seen as referendum on Aquino

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines goes to the polls Monday to choose thousands of local leaders plus national legislators in what is seen as a referendum on the presidency of reformist Benigno Aquino III. Police and the military have been placed on heightened alert for expected poll-related violence that has already claimed about 60 lives since campaigning began in February.

“The president is asking voters to put their confidence in those on the administration slate to help him carry out the rest of his reform agenda as they have committed,” deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte told AFP. “We reiterate our appeal for everybody to go out and exercise your right to suffrage and your right to vote.”

Polls open at 7 a.m. (2300 GMT Sunday) nationwide for more than

52 million eligible voters.

At stake are more than 18,000 positions, ranging from town and city mayors to provincial governors and members of the legislature in an exercise traditionally dominated by political dynasties, but also attracting colorful characters.

Aquino won the presidency by a landslide in 2010 on a promise to crush the corruption which he blames for widespread poverty in the nation of 100 million.

He has consistently scored high popularity ratings for nursing the Philippines back to fiscal health and prosecuting erring officials, including predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now in detention while being tried for alleged massive corruption.

The reforms have received international praise and won international credit ratings upgrades.

Aquino is also close to signing

Family members and sympathizers who joined the convoy to Himlayang Pilipino placed white balloons on their vehicles.

Marie Cherrie died last week after a mixer truck that went out of control pinned her in Quezon City.

Her family has forgiven the driver, who maintained what happened was an accident.

But the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has since required owners and operators of mixer trucks to put visible “Loaded with cement... Keep Distance” signs on their vehicles. ■ RSJ, GMA

a final peace deal with the main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), potentially ending a rebellion in the south that has killed more than 150,000 since the 1970s.

The aim is to get both houses of Congress -- the Senate and the House of Representatives -- to pass a law creating a new autonomous region to be governed by the MILF in the south.

All the seats in the lower house and half in the Senate are being contested in Monday’s mid-term elections.

Valte said Monday’s vote was a referendum of sorts for Aquino, who has promised more reforms in the second half of his six-year term.

“If you are happy with what you have seen in the past three years, (and) if you want us to continue, then vote for Team PNoy,” she said, referring to Aquino’s nickname.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, a strategist for Aquino’s Liberal Party, said the president in the next three years would focus on expanding the tax base and reforming the mining sector so that big firms pay higher taxes.

But problems that have long plagued the Philippines are also expected to mar Monday’s vote, including politicians who jostle for power by bribing, intimidating or launching attacks against opponents.

Activists have also long called for a ban on political dynasties whose stranglehold on the country has led to a chasm between the rich and the poor. ■ Agence France-Presse / May 13,

News / April 29, 2013 12:06pm

2013 7:06 AM

Kin, schoolmates attend Mass for student killed in QC mixer accident RELATIVES and schoolmates on Monday attended a Mass for a 20-year-old student who was killed in a mixer truck accident in Quezon City last week.

Several of those at the 8 a.m.

Mass became emotional as they bade farewell to Marie Cherrie Inzon at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, radio dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported.

After the Mass, Cherrie’s mother Salvacion thanked the sympathizers who came, while Cherrie’s former boyfriend rendered a song for her.

Marie Cherrie’s remains were then brought to the Himlayang Pilipino in Tandang Sora in Quezon City where she would be laid to rest.

Voters push and shove each other as they overcrowd a corridor leading to a polling precinct at the Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City on Monday, May 13. Asti Flores

to vote ahead of others despite their having been there for hours.

“Para makinabang sila sa akin, ako makinabang din sa kanila,” a smiling Datono said when asked why she continues to vote.

Other inspiring stories of PWD (persons with disabilities) voters included an armless voter in Cagayan, and a Makati voter who arrived at his precinct on board a skateboard, his main form of transport after losing both his legs.

Last year, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued Resolution No. 9485 to make voting easier for PWDs. As of June 2012, Comelec said there were at least 24,573 PWDs who registered and updated their records.

The figure would only be six percent of the estimated 400,000 Filipino PWDs are eligible to vote, according to Fully Abled Nation, a Disability-Inclusive Elections initiative. ■ Carmela G. Lapeña/KBK, GMA

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Q&A: Source code issues still hound Comelec at the eleventh hour

MANILA, Philippines -- It is two days before election day, and the Commission on Elections has just started to iron out the kinks by presenting to the public the muchanticipated source code of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines that will be used on Monday.

The PCOS source code, the subject of a long and much-publicized debate between the Comelec and various civil society groups, has only been turned over to the Comelec by its original supplier, Dominion Voting Systems, after resolving a legal dispute with Smartmatic, the PCOS machine vendor, in the US. But things may be a little too late for Comelec to allay the fears of citizens with a third-party review by political parties and citizen groups, considering that election day is just a few days away.

One election watchdog, Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch), stressed that Thursday’s public display of the PCOS source code is a mere “piece of candy” given out to appease the so-called critics of Comelec’s PCOS machines, and will do very little to ensure the credibility of the polls, considering that source code reviews usually take anywhere from six months to one year.

“Even as Smartmatic-TIM has released the source code of the election management system (EMS) and the canvassing and

consolidation system (CCS), the source code of the PCOS machines has long been withheld,” said Lito Averia, president of the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team, and a member of AES Watch.

“How will candidates, political parties, and voters know that the errors found in the PCOS program that will run the machines have been corrected even after handing down the supposed source code?” Averia added.

InterAksyon.com prepared the following FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) to aid voters in making sense of the entire source code debacle the Comelec is currently embroiled in.

Why is the PCOS source code important?

The source code is basically the heart, brain, and soul of the PCOS machine. The millions of lines of programming code instruct the machine on what to do when certain events happen, such as when a ballot is inserted, or when a circle on the ballot is erroneously shaded.

The source code also determines how the PCOS machine will count a vote for a certain candidate--and will also determine if a certain ballot, with possible errors in shading or instances of overvoting, will be rejected by the system.

The source code acts as the DNA of the PCOS machine, according to Francis Martin Sevilla, a software programmer and Chief Technology

Officer at local startup RealtyCheck. ph. “If it were a cellphone, then the source code of the cellphone is what you call the operating system, such as Android, iOS, or Windows Phone,” he explained.

In fact, source codes are so important that there could be catastrophic results when these land in the hands of the wrong people, such as when security software firm Symantec had its source code leaked by a group of Indian hackers in early 2012, leading to the exposure of vulnerabilities in one of the company’s software.

Since the source code determines how votes in the ballots are counted, it therefore performs a central function in the entire PCOS machinery. This is why concerned groups and citizens are clamoring for a review of the source code that will be used for the PCOS machines in the 2013 elections; the source code will ultimately tell the story of how the votes are going to be counted, or if manipulation of the numbers are possible.

Why did the Comelec secure the source code only now?

The delay in the release of the

PLDT-TV5 Election Partnership: InterAksyon news offered FREE to mobile phone users MANILA, Philippines - As part of TV5’s election coverage efforts, mobile phone subscribers of Smart and Talk N Text can get election and other news updates for free via Headlines, a news aggregation service offered by Smart.

The app, which gathers feeds from various sources, will banner InterAksyon’s special coverage of the mid-term polls, “Pagbabago 2013.”

This will give Smart and Talk N Text users the most timely updates on events, as Filipinos go out to vote 12 senators and thousands of local officials into government on May 13.

“Online news alerts and social media are playing a very active role in the coming election coverage.

Through Headlines, we are bringing the latest InterAksyon updates to our mobile subscribers even if they do not have load,” said Mon Isberto, Public Affairs Head for PLDT and Smart Communications.

Developed by Voyager Innovation, the app enables cellular subscribers to browse news articles free of standard mobile Internet data charges, whether they are on a regular feature phone or a smartphone.

Users of Android of iOS smartphones can access Headlines

via SmartNet, Smart’s platform of selected mobile applications.

Feature phone users can get updates by going to the websitehttp://m. headlines.com.ph/ via their browser.

Voyager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Smart focused on digital growth and opportunities beyond traditional voice, SMS and data offerings.

InterAksyon is the online news arm of TV5.

“This initiative is part of the partnership of the PLDT Group

with TV5 to provide the public a comprehensive, timely and fair election coverage that will help protect the integrity of the election process. Our telecoms networks and news-gathering facilities have all been primed for this election. Much more than before, our people will be relying on broadcast media and interactive social and mobile media, to help them participate in the polls and to vote smart,” added Isberto. ■ InterAksyon.com / May 11, 2013 6:12 PM

source code stems from a legal dispute between Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems in the US, with the latter canceling its licensing agreement with the Venezuelan company back in May 2012, holding the source code in hostage.

With the legal debacle still ongoing, Dominion refused to hand over the master copy of the PCOS source code to the Comelec.

To comply with the third-party certification requirement in the law, Comelec used the source code delivered by Smartmatic in 2011, which will supposedly be used for the shelved ARMM elections, that will also be used for the May 2013 midterm elections.

This week, the two parties reportedly agreed to resolve their legal dispute in the US, allowing Dominion to hand over the PCOS source code to the Comelec.

Can the PCOS machines run even without the source code?

Technically, no. All digital systems have to be run by some form of code, one way or another. But the code that is left on the machines is different from the source code that tells it what to do.

Source codes, basically, are the human-readable lines of instructions that tell a computer what to do.

After writing, these codes are then run through a process called “compiling,” which translates the source codes into machine codes, or a language that a computer processor understands.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes explains: “All the instructions for PCOS are in the source code, but it’s not the source code, but the binary code, that is introduced into the machine. The machine cannot read English, it reads codal language, giving the instructions. People can read the source code, but the machine reads the binary codes.”

Binary codes are the foundation of computer processes. They are represented by the numbers 1 and 0, and can be combined to represent any data, such as a letter in the alphabet or a pixel on the screen.

Machine codes are the types of codes that the computer understands, and these are the types of codes that the Comelec has in its possession, which are then stored in every CF card that is shipped with the PCOS machines.

“If the source code of the PCOS program is loaded into the PCOS, the PCOS will not understand the instructions and will fail to perform the tasks that it is designed to do,” PH-CERT’s Averia explains. “It is why it is necessary to translate the ‘human readable’ source code into machine language or the Binary Code – the machine-understandable code.”

Is it possible to cheat the counting by altering the source code?

Basic programming nuance says

yes. According to RealtyCheck. ph’s Sevilla, software makers often create a “backdoor code” that is incorporated into every source code, so that the original creator could enter the software without the need for administrative access should the need arise for it.

“A backdoor route is a line in the source code that allows whoever created the application access even without the administrators permission,” Sevilla explains.

“Backdoors are usually what ‘hackers’ look for to ultimately take control of the system.”

It is not known, however, if the PCOS system contains such a backdoor code, although a thirdparty certification firm, Systest Labs, Inc., had already certified that the PCOS source code is secure and is fit for usage during the elections.

How do we make sure that the PCOS machine, and its source code, counts the votes from the ballots properly?

The law prescribes two ways by which the public can be assured that the source code is legitimately counting the votes of the public: one, via a certification process conducted by an “established international certification entity” as stated in Section 9 of Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law; and two, via a source code review by political parties, candidates, and the Comelec’s citizens’ arm, as prescribed in Section 12 of the same law.

The third-party certification entity, in this case Systest Labs, Inc., is mandated to check and audit the accuracy, functionality, and controls of the system, as well as perform a source code review to ensure that the source code reviewed is one and the same as the one loaded onto the PCOS machine.

The Comelec did away with the source code review by political parties and citizen groups this year, arguing that the law does not require the said review and that there was no similar source code review during the first automated elections in 2010.

But without a source code review by the public, AES Watch co-convenor Dr. Pablo Manalastas said it remains unknown whether the bug fixes that were requested by the Comelec after the 2010 elections were incorporated into the 2013 version of the code.

“There were more than 40 bug fixes (or enhancements, using the words of Smartmatic) requested by Comelec, but these bug fixes were never acted upon because of the court battle between Smartmatic and Dominion in the Court of Delaware,” Manalastas said.

With only two days left before the elections, the Comelec and its critics may have to face a new battle, this time in the court of law. ■ JM Tuazon /

InterAksyon.com / May 11, 2013 4:12 PM

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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD

Second Generation Swiss-Filipinos holds workshop on Philippine dances

Ambassador Salinas Promotes Philippine Investment and Tourism in Madrid

MADRID, 9 May 2013 – Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas made a presentation before more than 50 representatives from various Spanish business sectors during a meeting arranged by the Philippine Embassy and the Madrid Chamber of Commerce on 9 May 2013 in Madrid, Spain.

Ambassador Salinas encouraged Spanish businesses to invest in the Philippines, participate in the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program, and

THE Network of Independent Pinoys (Noi-P), a network of second generation Swiss-Filipinos, held a dance workshop on Philippine dances in Zurich on 04 May 2013. The workshop, which was participated in by eighteen (18) Swiss-Filipinos and Swiss young professionals, was conducted by Ms. Lannie Knab, an active member of the Filipino community in Switzerland who is married to a Swiss national.

The participants learned from the one-day workshop a couple of Philippine dances- the malong (a traditional tube skirt worn by women in southern Philippines) dance and the fan dance.

Apart from offering the second generation Swiss-Filipinos an opportunity to socialize with their peers, the workshop became a platform for them to explore more about their Philippine heritage through traditional dances. They commented that it was nice to see different kinds of Philippine dances

apart from the more popular bamboo dance, Tinikling.

For their Swiss friends, the workshop became an encounter with the rich Philippine traditional dances. One of the participants who is a teacher from Liechtenstein said that it was fun and that it would be nice to teach the dances to her students who, she is confident, would likewise enjoy the experience as she did.

Noi-P, which came into being in 2010, has had a number of activities that help promote various aspects of Philippine culture. Despite being a young association, the group has already staged seminars, workshops and conferences that promote a better understanding of the Philippines and teach young Swiss-Filipinos their Philippine heritage, as well as raise funds in support of a number of charitable and educational projects in the Philippines.

Among the projects the network has organized include an

integration project for whereby teachers are taught how to handle Filipino schoolchildren; a Tagalong course for second generation Filipinos; a conference/seminar on the Philippines; screening of the documentary about the Kalinga tribe entitled, “Luminawa”; provision of school supplies for underprivileged children in the Philippines; a video conference among second generation Filipinos in Switzerland, other parts of Europe, and the US, aimed to link second generation Filipinos across the globe and share experiences; and a visit to Schaffhausen, the first city in Switzerland where Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, stayed.

Second generation Filipinos is one group that the Philippine Embassy nurtures; because they straddle two cultures, they could play a critical role in creating awareness on the Philippines in Switzerland and could easily promote the country among the young generation of Swiss. ■

enjoy the country’s many beautiful tourist destinations.

The attendees expressed positive feedback with the latest important developments in the Philippines and have expressed interest in considering the country as a possible destination for their business and investment.

Because of the strong interest displayed by the attendees, the Embassy is arranging more business presentations focusing on the Philippines’ priority sectors. ■

PH Embassy Welcomes Convictions in Two EJK Cases in the Philippines

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippine Embassy today welcomed the reported conviction of the gunmen involved in two cases of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, saying this underscores Manila’s strong commitment to address human rights violations.

In a statement, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. said the convictions should convince the international community and civil society that the Aquino Government is exerting serious efforts to bring perpetrators of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations to justice.

“These convictions are muchawaited developments that show that the Philippines is heading toward the right direction,” Ambassador Cuisia said as he expressed confidence that the Department of Justice would be able to successfully prosecute other reported cases of political killings in the country.

“There is no denying that the Philippines still has a long way to go when it comes to human rights but these two convictions should leave no room for doubt about the Aquino

May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Administration’s firm resolve to put an end to the culture of impunity that pervaded in our country,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

The latest conviction announced on Wednesday by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was that of Marlon Recamata, the confessed gunman in the murder of Palawan broadcaster and environmentalist Dr. Gerry Ortega.

Recamata was sentenced

by Judge Angelo Rizala of the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court to reclusion perpetua to life imprisonment for shooting Ortega to death on 24 January 2011.

Recamata’s conviction followed that of Clarito Arizobal alias Boy Zapanta, the accused gunman in the killing of Bicol journalist Rowell Endrinal.

Arizobal was found guilty of murder and sentenced to serve the penalty of reclusion perpetua

by Judge Frank E. Lobrigo of the Regional Trial Court of Legazpi City on Monday for killing Endrinal, publisher of the Bicol Metro News and commentator of radio station DZRC, on 11 February 2004. ■

Embassy intensifies outreach to Filipinos in Switzerland AMBASSADOR Leslie Baja, together with some Embassy officials, attended the 19th anniversary celebration of El Shaddai-Frick Chapter on 04 May 2013 and the Perfect Way Au Pair Annual gathering in Brugg in canton Aargau on 5 May 2013, as part of its outreach to Filipinos in Switzerland.

The El Shaddai celebration was attended by more than sixty (60) people, both Filipinos and Swiss, while the Au Pair gathering was attended by more than 50 AuPairs from different cantons of Switzerland.

Ambassador Baja congratulated the members of El Shaddai on their anniversary celebration and encouraged them to continue helping spread and preserve the Filipino catholic tradition and values.

He underscored the role of El Shaddai in helping unite the Filipino community in Switzerland, not only for religious purposes, but also for the greater good of the community and the country.

Ambassador Baja encouraged

Filipino Au Pairs to continue upholding the excellent reputation of Filipinos in Switzerland as hardworking and trustworthy foreign nationals. He pointed out that this excellent reputation makes the Filipinos the better ambassadors of the Philippines to this country.

He reminded those present of the on-going elections and enjoined them to cast their ballots and exercise their right of suffrage to help make a difference in the political culture of the country. Relatedly, he informed them of the newlylaunched Tambayan Pinoy Swiss (TFC) Channel,whose pilot episode is about overseas voting. He added that the TPS was created primarily to reach out to Filipinos using various social media to inform them of developments that are of relevance to them.

Ambassador Baja also encouraged them to support and participate in the forthcoming celebration of the Philippine Independence, which will be held on 15 June in Volketswil, Zurich. ■

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Payback? 2 days before elections, govt. websites downed by massive DDoS attacks

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2 - 4:02 p.m.) With only two days before the 2013 midterm elections, several government websites, including that of the Office of the President, were downed by massive denial of service attacks in what appeared to be retaliation for the killing of a Taiwanese fishermen by the Philippine Coast Guard this week.

The death of Hung Shih-cheng, 65, has enraged Taiwanese and raised the possibility of sanctions against the Philippines by Taiwan, which employes an estimated 80,000 Filipinos. But the Coast Guard defended its personnel’s actions, saying they were forced to fire in self defense when the Taiwanese fishing vessel Hung was on tried to ram a Philippine patrol vessel.

The Information and Communications Technology Office, in a message to InterAksyon.com, confirmed that there were indeed DDoS attacks on several government websites on Saturday, but could not detail what sites were affected and where the attacks were coming from.

However, on a Chinese bulletin board (http://disp.cc/b/163-5EZX), the purported DDoS attackers

posted an online tool that can be launched through a user’s browser to effectively target Philippine websites, overwhelming the latter’s servers and forcing a downtime.

‘Keyboard war.’ The online DDoS tool uses a script that loads every target website and automatically refreshes the page to cause a surge in traffic and render the website inaccessible in an operation they called a “keyboard war.”

“Think dry dry sense of shame, as the people of Taiwan, instead of looking forward to officially apologize (push to apologize to the diplomatic personnel stationed in Taiwan?),” the attacker’s message, loosely translated from Chinese via Google Translate, read.

The goal of the attackers was clear: “To compel the Philippine government to formally apologize to Taiwan, and compensation for the families of the victims.” it stressed.

Among the websites that could not be accessed on Saturday were those of the Office of the President (http://op.gov.ph/), Philippine National Police (www.pnp.gov. ph), the Philippine News Agency (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.

php), Department of Interior and Local Government (http://www.dilg. gov.ph/) and the Commission on Elections (www.comelec.gov.ph).

A random check of other government sites also found these targetted by the attacks: • Armed Forces of the Philippines (http://www.afp.mil.ph/) • Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dost.gov.ph/) • Philippine Senate (http://www. senate.gov.ph/) • Department of Education (http://www.deped.gov.ph/) • Department of Energy (http:// www.doe.gov.ph/) • Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.ph/) • Department of Transportation and Communications (http://www. dotc.gov.ph/) • Philippine Army (http://www. army.mil.ph/)

PCOS Glitches: 200 of 77,000 voting machines malfunctioned - Comelec

MANILA, Philippines – Glitches were encountered in only 200, or less than one-half of one percent, of the 77,000 voting machines deployed in at least 96 precincts, the Commission on Elections said Monday.

“The general report is may kaunting glitches sa PCOS machines, konti lang (The general report is there are some glitches in the PCOS machines, just some),” Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said, referring to the precinct counting optical scan machines.

In the 2010 elections, Brillantes

noted, more PCOS machines had glitches: 400 of 70,000.

Elections Commissioner Lucenito Tagle said the poll body noted PCOS problems in only 96 clustered precincts throughout the country. He did not say how many voters were affected by the glitches in these precincts.

The poll chief said local election officers sent technical teams to these places to either fix the glitches or replace the machines.

Despite these electronic hiccups, “in general, the voting process went smoothly,” he said.

going to happen, if the volume can be sustained. We hope the volume can go back to the same level last year but last four months we have lost a lot of volume,” Ang said.

At the start of the year, the government implemented a new law that increased excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products.

SMC chairman Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr said GSMI is upbeat that its recovery in 2012 will continue this year. The liquor maker narrowed its loss to P849 million last year from P982 million in 2011.

“We recognize that our biggest advantage lies in our history and the deep connection of the Filipino working class with the Ginebra brand,” said Cojuangco.

Aside from the tax hikes, the shift in market preference to light alcoholic drinks has also contributed

com / May 11, 2013 10:32 AM

Leni Robredo seeks disqualification of Villafuertes over alleged vote-buying

How to fix. Brillantes explained that if a machine rejects a ballot, “orient the machines nang paiba-iba hanggang sa tanggapin ang balota (different ways until the ballot is accepted).”

The poll chief said that in general, all ballots were fine except in some “isolated cases.” ■ Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / Philippine News Agency / May 13, 2013 6:12 PM

San Miguel says ‘sin tax’ hike, shift in buyer preference eroding beer, liquor sales

MANILA – San Miguel Corp (SMC) on Thursday said sales volume of its beer and hard liquor businesses fell by nearly a third because of higher excise taxes that took effect at the start of the year.

“The government just increased the taxes of beer and liquor last January and our volume went down [by] as much as 30 percent. We are only seeing a slow recovery because of the election,” Ramon S. Ang, SMC president and chief operating officer, told reporters on the sidelines of Ginbera San Miguel Inc’s (GSMI) stockholders’ meeting.

Ang said volumes usually increase by 20-30 percent in the run up to an election, but this was not evident this year as a result of the tax increase.

SMC owns GSMI and San Miguel Brewery Inc (SMB).

“We don’t really know what’s

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including media, were also reported to have been targetted.

Earlier, the local hacktivist group Anonymous #OccupyPhilippines, which has been involved in major site defacements and DDoS attacks in the past, stressed they will not be launching any hacking operations ahead of the elections.

“Wala pong magaganap na OP ang Anonymous #OccupyPhilippines para sa magaganap na eleksyon ... hindi po kami gagalaw dahil baka sa amin pa po ibintang kapag nagkabukingan na may dayaan (Anonymous #OccupyPhilippines is undertaking no operation for the elections … we will not move because we might be blamed for any fraud that happens),” the group clarified on its Facebook page.

Malacanang had yet to issue a statement on the attacks.

While some of the inaccessible websites have no direct impact on the elections, the downtime of the Comelec website could become crucial as it hosts a wealth of resources related to Monday’s polls, such as the precinct locator and the official results of the elections. ■ JM Tuazon / InterAksyon.

THE widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, lawyer Leni Robredo, has filed two disqualification cases against Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte and his wife, Nelly, for alleged vote-buying.

On Thursday, Mrs. Robredo filed a disqualification case against the Villafuertes with the Prosecutor’s Office in Naga City. A similiar case was filed with the Commission on Elections office in Camarines Sur on Friday afternoon.

Mrs. Robredo is seeking the congressional post in Camarines Sur’s third district. Villafuerte is running for governor while his wife is seeking the congressional post against Mrs. Robredo.

Sought for comment, Cong.

Villafuerte would not answer GMA News Online repeated phone calls.

Apart from three witnesses, Pancho Alvarez, a volunteer on

Robredo’s campaign, said their camp has a video showing people leaving the Villafuerte’s home with brown envelopes allegedly containing cash.

“May mga taong lumalabas with envelopes na may laman na pera.

They get the money and throw the envelope,” Alvarez told GMA News Online on Friday, adding that the incident allegedly happened at the Villafuerte residence in Brgy. Balatas along Magsaysay Ave. in Naga City.

“Sa gabi, may mga jeep na nagbibigay ng libreng sakay papunta sa house nila tapos ‘yung iba siguro kusa na lang pumupunta sa bahay nila [Villafuerte]… dun pa lang, you know some stuff are going on,” Alvarez said.

Each voter can receive at least P300, Alvarez claimed. ■ Rouchelle R. Dinglasan / RSJ, GMA News / May 10, 2013 6:00pm

NDRRMC: 8,000 stranded at Sorsogon port due to damaged ramp

to the decline in volumes, Bernard Marquez, GSMI president, said.

“We keep on pursuing the growth of our core business, which is the gin category. As mentioned by our chairman, we were able to grow the gin business by 19 percent versus 2011. Tingin po namin ito po ang pagmumulan ng paglaki ng kumpanya sa mga darating na panahon,” Marquez said. ■ Krista Angela M. Montealegre / InterAksyon.com / May 9, 2013 6:35 PM

AT least 8,000 people have been stranded at Sorsogon Port since Friday due to delays caused by a damaged ramp that lets vehicles board roll-on-roll-off (RORO) vessels, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Saturday night.

In its 8 p.m. report posted on its website early Sunday, the NDRRMC said the damaged ramp had been causing delays as early as Friday.

The NDRRMC said that as of Saturday night, there were 8,041 stranded passengers, 333 trucks, 98 buses and 69 cars in a queue that stretched six kilometers from the port.

“The number of stranded

passengers and vehicles continue to increase,” it added.

So far, the NDRRMC said the Philippine Ports Authority’s port manager requested help from the Philippine Navy.

It asked the Navy to send a Landing Ship Tank, a “civilian equivalent” of a RORO vessel, to expedite the transport of passengers and vehicles.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will release 1,000 family packs to bolster the community kitchen, though the Red Cross will handle the distribution as it is still election period. ■ ELR, GMA

News / May 12, 2013 5:10am

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May 2013 / Fortnightly – No. 10 • UK & Europe Edition

Azkals drop one spot in latest FIFA World Rankings ‘Buong Pilipinas, masaya!’ declares

AFTER grabbing a historic high in the world football ladder, the Philippines dropped one spot in the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday.

The Azkals moved to 144th from the country’s all-time high ranking at 143rd last month to tie Kazakhstan in the ladder. The Philippines, however, still remained as the third best team in Southeast Asia behind Vietnam (132nd) and Thailand (142nd).

The drop in the rankings could be attributed to the lack of matches the Azkals have played in the past month. They last saw action in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers last March, where they beat Cambodia and Turkmenistan on their way to booking a ticket to the tournament proper in Maldives next year.

The Azkals will play their next match on June 4 against Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Japan remained as

Ginebra superstar Mark Caguioa IT’S a fiesta for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Superstar guard Mark Caguioa knows that better than anybody else, as the Gin Kings booked their first finals appearance in two years on Sunday night with a Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game Five victory over Talk ‘N Text.

“Kapag nananalo Ginebra, buong Pilipinas masaya,” Caguioa told InterAKTV. He had a cameo in the victory,

the best team in Asia, followed by South Korea, Australia, Iran and Uzbekistan to complete the top five.

Spain also stayed at the top of the world rankings, followed by Germany, Argentina, Croatia and Portugal.

World governing football body FIFA calculates every country’s

seeing action in the dying seconds to the delight of the mammoth crowd of 21,408. The pro-Ginebra crowd serenaded him with chants of “M-V-P!” as he stepped to the line for two free throws, his only points of the game.

“It was more like a relief for me,” said Caguioa. “That’s why when the game ended, I held the ball in my hand until the final buzzer sounded, as if saying this is for you guys.” ■ Rey Joble/

InterAKTV / Sunday, May 12, 2013 / 9:57 pm

ranking based on match results (a win, a loss or a draw), its importance (i.e. a friendly or a World Cup match), and the strength of the nation’s opponent ranking-wise.

These points are then accumulated from the country’s past results in the previous four years. ■ Karl Decena / InterAKTV / Thursday, May 9, 2013 / 6:15 pm

Brandon Rios ready to go toe-to-toe with Manny Pacquiao

BRANDON Rios doesn’t expect his November 24 clash in Macau with Manny Pacquiao to look like an episode of Dancing With The Stars.

“These are two guys going toeto-toe,” said Rios in an overseas interview from his homebase in Oxnard, California.

Fight fans were treated to a hohum of a fight over the weekend when Floyd Mayweather won against Robert Guerrero in Las Vegas.

But Pacquiao-Rios will be a lot different.

“We’ll go at it. It’ll be a great fight.”

Rios, 27, had craved for a Pacquiao fight the last three yars, confident in his skills, punching

power, and aggression.

“This is a fight that I wanted for so long.”

A few days ago, Rios’ dream was finally fulfileld when Top Rank head Bob Arum disclosed that the fight is indeed on and will be staged at the 15,000-capacity CotaiArena where Arum also held his first foray into Macau with a slambang show starring Zou Shiming.

Like Filipino boxing analyst Moy Lainez, Rios believes the long layoff won’t affect Pacquiao’s performance.

“He’s a veteran and Floyd showed (recently) that it (inactivity) can’t be a factor. They know how to fight. (They

know how to) recuperate.”

Lainez had also expressed the belief that Pacquiao is in a different level that he would know how to deal with a long absence frm the ring.

Pacquiao’s last outing ended in catastrophy.

Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico knocked him out in six rounds late last year. ■ Lee Jimenez / InterAKTV / Thursday, May 9, 2013 / 1:45 pm

James Yap apologizes to San Mig Coffee teammates, fans for missing final game with back injury SAN Mig Coffee superstar James Yap battled through a painful back injury in the Commissioner’s Cup before finally being forced to sit out Game Four of the Mixers’ semifinals series against Alaska.

As it turned out, it was the Mixers’ final game of the tournament, as the

Aces defeated San Mig Coffee to eliminate the defending champions.

After the game, Yap felt he had to apologize for having to miss the crucial match.

“Syempre nalulungkot ako, kasi ang gusto ko laging makatulong sa team. Maski nga hindi ako naka-tape parang gusto ko na lumaro kanina lalo na nung nakakahabol yung Alaska. Bahala na lang,” said Yap “Ganun siguro talaga kapag ikaw sanay na naglalaro ng semis at finals, gustong-gusto mo maglaro pero wala akong naitulong kanina dahil andun lang ako sa bench. Sorry sa mga teammates ko at sa mga fans.

Ginawa naman ng mga teammates ko lahat pero hindi tayo pinalad.”

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo noted that Yap could have made a big difference in the game.

“James, he could’ve helped them,” he said. “They lacked one more weapon inside.”

Yap condition had worsened, making doubtful even if the series

had gone to a do-or-die Game Five.

He said that his low intake of fluids contributed to the slow progress of his back injury.

“Ewan ko ba mahina rin kasi ako uminom ng tubig. Kulang daw kasi ako sa tubig eh,” said Yap, who added that he plans to drink pure buko juice and make it part of his diet.

Now that the conference is over for the Mixers, Yap will have more time to rest his back and come back strong for the third conference.

“Kailangan tuloy tuloy yung therapy. Ang hirap maglaro ng may nararamdaman,” said Yap. Before the game, San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone paid tribute to Yap’s grit.

“All I can say is that he’s shown great character trying to battle through this. A lesser player would have backed off long before now. I’m really proud of him,” said Cone. ■ Rey Joble / InterAKTV / Saturday, May 11, 2013 / 10:49 pm

Loyola grabs second UFL spot with win over Pasargad THE Loyola Meralco Sparks broke loose in the second half en route to a 4-2 victory over Pasargad FC in United Football League action Thursday night at the Emperador Stadium in Mckinley Hill in Taguig.

Star striker Phil Younghusband scored two goals to lead the Sparks, who took the second spot in the League table with the victory.

Byeong Yeong Jeol opened the game’s scoring with a shot at the 13th minute which gave Loyola an early 1-nil lead.

Emmanuel Mbata then answered moments after, firing a long-range shot at the 22nd minute which brought the match to a 1-1 deadlock at the half.

Younghusband then made his presence felt right after the break as he nailed a goal at the 47th minute off a Mark Hartmann dish to put Loyola on top, 2-1.

Just a few minutes after his first

shot, Younghusband showed the other side of his game, this time dishing an assist to Matt Hartmann, who sank a goal at the 61st minute to give the Sparks a comfortable 3-1 edge.

Younghusband then bagged a brace after converting a penalty kick at the 81st minute for his second goal of the match and Loyola’s 4-1 cushion.

Younousse Yaogo then nailed a goal at the 92nd minute for Pasargad, but that wasn’t enough for his squad to overcome the Sparks’ lead in the match.

The victory put Loyola at the second spot in the standings with 32 points after grabbing its 10th win of the season along with two draws and a loss.

Meanwhile, Pasargad suffered its eighth loss along with three wins and two losses to stay at seventh place with 11 points. ■ Karl Decena / InterAKTV /

Thursday, May 9, 2013 / 11:09 pm

Media Partner:

sport With Alaska in finals, Calvin Abueva extends personal winning tradition to PBA

BEAST. Rebounder. Rough player.

Energy guy. Flopper.

Calvin Abueva has been called many names, but above all, the Alaska rookie is one thing: a winner.

With the Aces playing in the finals of the Commissioner’s Cup, Abueva is once again competing for a title.

It’s something that comes as no surprise for anyone familiar with Abueva’s young basketball career.

As a first-year forward, he helped San Sebastian win the NCAA title. In his four-year career in the collegiate league, he led the Stags to the finals three times.

He also won a championship with Excelroof in the Philippine Basketball League and three titles with NLEX in the PBA D-League.

Abueva was drafted second overall by the Aces last year, and his impact has been immediate. Alaska failed to make it to the semifinals of any tournament last season, but

made the final four of the Philippine Cup in Abueva’s first tournament.

On Friday night, Abueva led the Aces to the championship round, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the final period to put away defending champion San Mig Coffee.

“Siyempre masaya dahil may chance ako to win a championship with Alaska,” Abueva told InterAKTV. Fans of Gatas Republik, who have been energized by Abueva’s entry, share the same sentiment, and hope he can continue to bring his winning ways to the Aces for the next round.

■ Rey Joble, InterAKTV / Saturday, May 11, 2013

/ 10:28 pm

Manny Pacquiao to return November 24 against dangerous Brandon Rios in Macau

MANNY Pacquiao is going to get the chance to redeem himself when he takes on rugged puncher Brandon Rios in his much-awaited ring return on November 24 at The Venetian in Macau.

Coming off a sixth-round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, the 34-year-old Filipino star will have to deal with the punishing fists of the 27-year-old Rios, who hardly takes a

backward step whenever he is on top of the ring.

TopRankbossBobArumsaidacopyof the fight contract will be given to Pacquiao anytime this week by his Canadian agent Mike Koncz, who negotiated on the fighter’s behalf while in the United States.

Arum said a multi-city tour of key Chinese cities will kick off in late-July and theHallofFamecarnivalbarkermentioned Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou as the

stops. A similar but shorter tour will take place in the US in September.

Like Pacquiao, Rios, who hails from Oxnard, California, is coming off a defeat, dropping a decision to Mike Alvarado of Denver. Alvarado had also been eyed to battle Pacquiao, but Rios’ never-say-die attitude on top of the ring was the clincher.

Koncz said Rios is expected to stand in there and trade with Pacquiao

at close range, making it easier for Pacquiao to come out the big winner.

Arum said the fight will take place at around noontime in Macau so the US audience can also watch it live (on the night of November 23).

HBO Pay-Per-View will broadcast the fight in America, while Top Rank is also selling it to the Chinese market. ■

Lee Jimenez / InterAKTV / Tuesday, May 7, 2013 / 9:46 am