US Asian Post February 19, 2016

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Aquino failed to prepare PHL vs. Chinese incursion: Enrile MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Senator Juan Ponce Enrile on Saturday criticized President Benigno Aquino III for failing to prepare the Philippines against Chinese incursion, which he said was already seen coming way back in the 1980s.

“A country that cannot defend itself does not deserve to exist in this planet,” he said.

Enrile, who served as the Defense Minister of late President Ferdinand Marcos, claimed that then Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Attaché Fu Ying had dissuaded him against making moves to avert a looming Chinese intrusion.

China then was building two navies, one for the Western Pacific for the Bashi and Balintang Channel, and the other one in Indian Ocean, he said.

“Their preparation is 10 years.

What is (our) preparation ... to protect ourselves? Nothing,” he added.

Specialists from Christie’s examine the confiscated jewelries of former First Lady Imelda Marcos during an appraisal authorized by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas headquarters in Manila Tuesday.(MNS photo)

Also, Enrile hit the country’s reliance on other nations to defend its borders, saying funding for some projects should have been spent for defense.

“Maybe we will not be begging America ... to save our asses. Why are we beholden to America? Because we have no security cover against the regional hegemon, China.”

But he admitted that partnering with other countries, specifically the US, may be the only way the Philippines could protect its sovereignty, at least for now.

“This I agree with the Aquino administration, is to maintain and strengthen our alliance with the United States of America. The United States of America will be strongest, the richest, and the most secure and stable country in the world in this century.” he said.

While the Philippines has strong bonds with the Association See AQUINO FAILED, page 12

Binay hits Aquino administration for ‘sin’ of poverty MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay blamed the Aquino administration for committing the “sin” of poverty despite claims of a booming economy.

In his speech before a crowd of residents in Barangay 178, Pasay City at the covered court on Monday, Binay said the administration should be faulted for ignoring the poor while making the wealthy richer as the country experiences economic growth.

Binay blamed the administration for misgovernance.

He said the Aquino government is awash with funds, but it has preserved its savings instead of

spending these for social services.

“Ang administrasyon na ito ay may kasalanan kung bakit patuloy ang kahirapan dahil sa maling pamamahala,” Binay said before a frenzied crowd who cheered for him in between his speech.

“Pinagmamalaki ang magandang ekonomiya, pero ang mayaman, lalong yumayaman; ang mahirap, lalong himihirap,” Binay said Binay reiterated his rosy promise to provide free social services to the poor.

“Ang pag-iisip ng administrasyon na ito, mag-ipon ng mag-ipon; dahil sa pag-iipon, walang halos See BINAY HITS, page 12

Binay lead slips; Chiz, Marcos tied in VP race: SWS

MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – Senators Francis Escudero and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. are now tied in the vice-presidential race while Vice-President Jejomar Binay’s lead in the presidential race dipped slightly in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) pre-election survey.

The latest BusinessWorld-Social Weather Stations (BW-SWS) pre-election survey conducted last February 5 to 7 showed Binay’s lead in the presidential race slipping from 31 percent in January to 29 percent in February.

On the other hand, Davao City Mayor and presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte’s numbers went up from 20 percent in January to 24 percent in February. He is now tied with Sen. Grace Poe who retained her 24 percent voter support.

Former DILG chief Mar Roxas’ numbers also slipped in the latest survey, from 21 percent voter support in January to 18 percent in February. Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s numbers went up from 3 percent to 4 percent during the survey period.

Voter support for former ambassador Roy Seneres went down from 0.1 percent in January to zero percent in February. Seneres passed away on February 8, right after the survey period.

The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 validated voters, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The survey has sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas See LEAD SLIPS, page 12

Mock polls prove glitches in software already ‘resolved’ STA. ROSA, LAGUNA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Top officials from the Commission on Elections said Saturday’s nationwide mock elections show that the glitches found in the components of the automated election system last week have been resolved.

Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista said the simulation of the May 9 polls was able to proceed—from voting to See RESOLVED, page 12

Presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe gestures while addressing her supporters during the start of the national elections campaign in Plaza Miranda, Quiapo on Tuesday.

Running mate Sen. Chiz Escudero and the Team Galing at Puso senatorial slate joined Poe during the sortie.(MNS photo)

Ex-NBA player banned Poe’s biological parents, blood relatives ‘must come to her rescue’: Enrile in PHL for cursing MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) but you are not a natural born commissioner -- Sen. Grace Poe needs the help Filipino if you are a foundling,” he

M a n i l a , P h i l i p pines | AFP | Sunday 2/14/2016 – The Philippines’ professional basketball league has banned former NBA player Ivan Johnson for life after he cursed at its commissioner during a game, a spokesman said Sunday.

Johnson, who plays with local team Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, was banned mid-game after he used “the F-word” in an argument with Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Chito Narvasa, said PBA media officer Willie Marcial.

Talk ‘N Text were playing the Meralco Bolts on Saturday when Johnson was ejected for two technical fouls. However an angry Johnson contested this, Marcial told AFP. “That is when he stood up.

See BANNED, page 12

of her biological relatives to once and for all settle her citizenship woes, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile said Saturday.

“I respect her position, that she was born not knowing her parents.

I have to take her word. But you do not come out into this world without parents. The question now is who are those parents,” he explained. “If they’re alive, they should at least come to her rescue.

If they’re dead, there at least their relatives who must have known, should be around to speak out for her,” Enrile said. Enrile said foundlings need to know their relatives to claim blood status in the Philippines. “(We’re) unlike America- they base it on place of birth, usually. So you have to trace your blood from the race existing in the country if you are a foundling. You will be taken as part of the system,

said. What truly concerns Enrile in Poe’s pending disqualification cases is her residency, which he views as more important in evaluating her qualifications for the presidency.

“I am not saying that she is not qualified... (But) you have to remember that Grace is being challenged, qualification-wise, on two grounds: citizenship and residency. I think the residency is more problematic because that is a matter of documents,” Enrile said.

Though he views Poe amiably, the senator believes she must prove to be sound in both fronts before she could represent the Philippines as its president.

“We are reposing our democratic trust on a person of doubtful qualification. I like her as a person but we’re talking here about legalism,” Enrile said. (MNS)

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Escudero vows to work harder as Marcos ties him in SWS poll

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr.(right) leads the destruction of P2.67 billion worth of dangerous drugs at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. in Cavite City on Thursday.

Destroyed through thermal decomposition were 1.6 metric tons of assorted drugs. (MNS photo)

Chiz hopeful of favorable SC ruling for Poe in March PANGASINAN—Independent vice-presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero is looking forward to a favorable Supreme Court ruling for his presidential running mate Sen. Grace Poe as they expect the high court to hand down its decision next month.

During the campaign sortie of the Partido Galing at Puso in vote-rich Pangasinan province, Escudero said the SC was expected to conclude within the month hearing the oral arguments on Poe’s consolidated petition against two Commission on Elections (Comelec) decisions canceling her certificate of candidacy (COC) for president.

“Inaasahan namin na matatapos sa buwan ng Pebrero ang oral arguments sa kaso ni Sen. Grace. Inaasahan namin na lalabas sa buwan ng Marso ang kanilang (SC) pasya at desisyon, at buo ang pag-asa namin na ito’y papabor kay Sen. Grace,” Escudero told a press conference.

In canceling Poe’s COC, the Comelec claimed that she made “material misrepresentations” regarding her citizenship and residency.

Poe, the frontrunner in recent presidential voter preference surveys, had petitioned the SC to reverse the Comelec rulings on

ground that the poll body committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction.

She also insisted that just like all other foundlings found in the Philippines, she is a natural-born Filipino citizen, and that she complied with the 10-year residency requirement for presidential candidates having been a resident of the country since May 24, 2005.

Escudero believes the 15-member tribunal will not go beyond its 2004 decision that declared Poe’s father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., whose citizenship was also questioned when he ran for president at the time, a natural-born Filipino.

“Sa kaso tungkol sa kababayan nyong si FPJ, sinabi ng Korte Suprema sa pamamagitan ni Chief Justice (Reynato) Puno, sa wikang Ingles: ‘We cannot leave to the unelected members of this court the power and right to decide who the next president will be. That decision is best left to the sovereign Filipino people,’” Escudero said referring to the late actor, who is a native of San Carlos City in Pangasinan.

“Kung susundin nila (SC justices) ‘yun, walang rason para hindi sila pumabor kay Sen. Grace,” he added.

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MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – Senator Francis Escudero on Monday vowed to “work harder” and reach out to more people after Senator Ferdinand Marcos tied him for first place in the latest Social Weather Station’s (SWS) survey for the vice presidential race.

“It means we have to work harder and, given our limited resources, find innovative yet not-so-expensive ways to reach our more people with our message of hope and progress,” Escudero, an independent candidate, said in a text message to reporters.

The senator was the consistent frontrunner in various surveys until the latest SWS survey conducted from February 5 to 7, showing

him and Marcos sharing the top spot with 26 percent votes of the 1,200 respondents.

Escudero’s rating dipped two percent from last month’s 28 percent while Marcos gained one point.

In third place is administration’s bet, Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo with 19 percent, followed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano with 16 percent, Senator Gringo Honasan with 6 percent and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with 5 percent.

Escudero is running mate of presidential aspirant, Senator Grace Poe, who shared the second spot in the same survey with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with 24 percent. Vice

President Jejomar Binay remained the voters’ top choice for president with 29 percent.

But like in the past, Poe’s camp was unfazed by her standing in the latest survey. “Like all other survey results, we will use the data provided as guide for our next moves,” Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, said in a statement.

“Our resolve is to continue to focus on our message of inclusive governance: Gobyernong may Puso. We will also continue to detail to our voters that Sen. Poe is still a candidate in the running in the upcoming elections,” Gatchalian added.(MNS)

VP Binay bats for gov’t transparency MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday said he will issue an executive order mandating access to government records as a way of promoting transparency and addressing graft and corruption.

The EO would be similar to the Freedom of Information bill.

“Sa first 100 days ko, magpapalabas ako ng executive order para ‘yong FOI natin ay magkatotoo na – para maging transparent,” Binay said.

He lamented the delay in the passage of FOI bill which has been languish-

ing in Congress for years.

Binay said that, as President, he would take matters into his own hands.

“Dahil sa matagal ho ang nangyayari diyan sa Kongreso ay gagawa ako ng executive order. Yon ay isang magandang pamamaraan upang mabawasan o mawala ang graft and corruption,” he said.

The Vice President also emphasized the importance of choosing former Cabinet members and those with successful track records as public servants, saying they would part of his future Cabinet.

He specified Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jon-

vic” Remulla, whom he would like to appoint as secretary of Interior and Local Government.

He reiterated that If his runningmate Senator Gregorio Honasan II wind the vice presidential race, Binay said he would appoint the former Army official as his administration’s anti-crime czar.

“Para wala nang learning curve [dahil] maiksi ang panahon. At naging successful na Cabinet at kilala naman na magaling magtrabaho… Karanasan, kakayahan – ‘yon ang magiging qualifications sa simula’t simula,” the Vice President said. (MNS)

VP Binay ready to open bank accounts MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay reiterated Monday his openness to make public his bank accounts as he pushed for the passage of the Freedom of Information bill to fight corruption.

Binay said the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has already scrutinized his bank accounts and even those of his friends.

“Unang-una ay open ako diyan (na buksan ang bank account) pero ‘yung AMLC e hinalukat na lahat. Pati nga ‘yung mga account ng kaibigan ko ichinarge pa sa akin,” he said in an interview after his guesting on Unang Hirit’s Hiritan.

He further said that his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth gives authority to the Ombudsman to check on his bank accounts.

“Meron naman SALN e.

Nakalagay dun ‘yung bank accounts. ‘Yun nga lang hindi identified pero ‘pag pinaano e tignan mo kung magkano ‘yung pera dun,” he said.

Binay scored the Aquino administration’s failure to pass the FOI bill.

“Pagdidiinan ko ‘yung Freedom of Information e nakakalungkot, panahon pa ni President GMA (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo).

“E itong panahong ito

hindi makapasa-pasa sa Kongreso. Siguro maraming interest ang pinag-iingatan,” he said.

“Pero ako, labis na naniniwala na ang FOI isa hong pamamaraan ‘yan para harapin ang problema ng graft and corruption,” he said.

The FOI bill seeks to promote transparency in government transactions and data.

Binay is facing plunder, graft and corruption charges before the Ombudsman in connection with alleged corrupt acts, among them the overpricing of the Makati City Hall parking building.

(MNS)

US missile system in S. Korea would hurt China’s interests: Beijing B e i j i n g , C h i na | AFP | Monday 2/15/2016 –The possible US deployment of a missile defence system on the Korean peninsula in response to Pyongyang’s ballistic missile programme would threaten China’s strategic interests, Beijing said on Monday. Washington and Seoul will begin talks about the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD), they said a week ago following a surprise nuclear test and satellite launch by the hermit kingdom that raised fresh concerns about its weapons ambitions.

“We are firmly opposed to the relevant country’s attempts to damage China’s strategic and security interests, with the nuclear issue as an excuse,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular briefing.

China was “seriously concerned about the possible deployment of the THAAD system”, he added, saying

it “covers a range that is far beyond the needs of defence of the Korean peninsula”.

Beijing argues that the THAAD deployment would trigger an arms race in the region.

The system fires anti-ballistic missiles into the sky to smash into enemy missiles either inside or outside the Earth’s atmosphere during their final flight phase.

The interceptor missiles carry no warheads, instead relying on kinetic energy to destroy their targets.

China summoned the South Korean ambassador in Beijing following the country’s announcement that it would begin talks with the US, expected as early as this week.

“We will not allow our legitimate rights and national security interests to be damaged,” Hong said.

China has long urged a resumption of talks over North Korea’s nuclear programme, arguing that sanctions are not an end in

themselves.

The government-published China Daily said in an editorial Monday that new United Nations measures “should truly bite”— but added that the proposed THAAD deployment could prevent agreement on a resolution.

The potential collapse of North Korea is a perennial worry for Beijing, which sees it as a buffer against the US military presence in South Korea and worries that instability could unleash a flood of refugees across its border.

Washington says it will not sit down with Pyongyang until the country takes steps towards halting its nuclear programme, a position that Beijing argues has led to the current impasse.

For its part, the US has long called for Beijing to use its role as one of Pyongyang’s most important economic lifelines to pressure the country into changing its behavior.

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DNA rice breakthrough raises ‘green revolution’ hopes

By Cecil Morella

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines | AFP | Monday 2/15/2016 – Rice-growing techniques learned through thousands of years of trial and error are about to be turbocharged with DNA technology in a breakthrough hailed by scientists as a potential second “green revolution”.

Over the next few years farmers are expected to have new genome sequencing technology at their disposal, helping to offset a myriad of problems that threaten to curtail production of the grain that feeds half of humanity.

Drawing on a massive bank of varieties stored in the Philippines and state-ofthe-art Chinese technology, scientists recently completed the DNA sequencing of more than 3,000 of the world’s most significant types of rice.

With the huge pool of data unlocked, rice breeders will soon be able to produce higher-yielding varieties much more quickly and under increasingly stressful conditions, scientists involved with the project told AFP. Other potential new varieties being dreamt about are ones that are resistant to certain pests and diseases, or types that pack more nutrients and vitamins.

“This will be a big help to strengthen food security for rice eaters,” said Kenneth McNally, an American biochemist at the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute

(IRRI).

Since rice was first domesticated thousands of years ago, farmers have improved yields through various planting techniques.

For the past century breeders have isolated traits, such as high yields and disease resistance, then developed them through cross breeding.

However, they did not know which genes controlled which traits, leaving much of the effort to lengthy guesswork.

The latest breakthroughs in molecular genetics promise to fast-track the process, eliminating much of the mystery, scientists involved in the project told AFP. Better rice varieties can now be expected to be developed and passed on to farmers’ hands in less than three years, compared with 12 without the guidance of DNA sequencing.

Genome sequencing involves decoding DNA, the hereditary material of all living cells and organisms.

The process roughly compares with solving a giant jigsaw puzzle made up of billions of microscopic pieces.

A multinational team undertook the four-year project with the DNA decoding primarily in China by BGI, the world’s biggest genome sequencing firm.

Leaf tissue from the samples, drawn mostly from IRRI’s gene bank of 127,000 varieties were ground by McNally’s team at its laboratory in Los Banos, near Manila’s southern outskirts, before being shipped for

sequencing.

A non-profit research outfit founded in 1960, IRRI works with governments to develop advanced varieties of the grain.

Threats to rice Farmers and breeders will need the new DNA tools, which scientists take pains to say is not genetic modification, because of the increasingly stressful conditions for rice growing expected in the 21st Century.

While there will be many more millions to feed, there is expected to be less land available for planting as farms are converted for urban development, destroyed by rising sea levels or converted to other crops.

Rice-paddy destroying floods, drought and storms are also expected to worsen with climate change. Meanwhile, pests and diseases that evolve to resist herbicides and pesticides will be more difficult to kill.

And fresh water, vital for growing rice, is expected to become an increasingly scarce commodity in many parts of the world.

As scientists develop the tools necessary to harness the full advantages of the rice genome database, the hope is that new varieties can be developed to combat all those problems.

“Essentially, you will be able to design what properties you want in rice, in terms of the drought resistance, resistance to diseases, high yields, and others,” said Russian bioanalytics expert and IRRI team member Nickolai Alexandrov.

John Paul II had ‘intense’ friendship with married woman: BBC

By James Pheby

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Monday 2/15/2016 – Pope John Paul II had a close relationship with a married woman which lasted over 30 years according to letters which feature in a documentary being shown by the BBC on Monday.

The documentary does not claim he broke his vow of celibacy with Polish-born philosopher and writer Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, although the tone of some of his letters to her points to intense feelings between them, the broadcaster says.

The two spent camping and skiing holidays together and went on country walks.

In one letter from September 1976, he calls her a “gift from God”.

“My dear Teresa,” he writes. “You write about being torn apart, but I could find no answer to these words.”

Also in September 1976, he writes: “Already last year I was looking for an answer to these words, ‘I belong

to you’, and finally, before leaving Poland, I found a way – a scapular.”

A scapular is a piece of cloth worn as part of the habit of monastic orders and the then Cardinal Karol Wojtyla gave Tymieniecka his. “The dimension in which I accept and feel you everywhere in all kinds of situations, when you are close, and when you are far away,” he adds.

Edward Stourton, the senior BBC journalist who made the documentary, said more than 350 letters were found at the National Library of Poland, the first dated in 1973 and the last a few months before his death in 2005. “I would say they were more than friends but less than lovers,” he said.

“One of the fascinating stories that comes out of these letters is of a struggle to contain what was certainly a very intense relationship which mixed emotions and philosophical ideas in proper Christian boundaries.”

But the Vatican said there was “nothing out of

the ordinary in the fact that pope John Paul II had close friendships with different people, whether men or women.”

“Nobody will be amazed at this information,” a spokesman said.

Denials of ‘fiancee’ The Polish library also rejected the BBC’s interpretation of the correspondence, saying that John Paul II had many friends and that such relationships were not confidential or “exceptional”.

A close associate of John Paul II said it was “possible” that a married woman had fallen in love with him before he became head of the Roman Catholic church.

“Women fall in love with priests all the time, and it’s always a big headache,” Father Adam Boniecki, editor-in-chief of the progressive Tygodnik Powszechny Catholic weekly, told AFP. “If she was in love with (Karol) Wojtyla, she was most likely not alone,” said Boniecki, himself the author of a detailed account of the pontiff’s life.

‘No basis’ for claims John Paul II had improper relationship: library W a r s a w , P o land | AFP | Monday 2/15/2016 – Poland’s national library on Monday said there was “no basis” for suggestions that pope John Paul II had improper relations with a married woman, after a BBC documentary, based on letters from its archives, detailed their “intense” 30-year friendship.

While the report does not claim the late pontiff broke his vow of celibacy with Polish-born philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, it does say that the tone of some of his letters to her point to intense feelings between them.

But the library said its documents did not point to anything improper in their relationship. “The statements made in the media

have no basis in the content of the letters of John Paul II to Anna Teresa Tymieniecka which are in the National Library of Poland’s archives,” it said in a statement Monday ahead of the programme’s broadcast.

“John Paul II was surrounded by a circle of friends – including clergymen, nuns and laypeople—with whom he stayed in close contact.

“Anna Teresa Tymieniecka was within this circle of friends – John Paul II’s friendship with her was neither secret nor extraordinary.” But a close associate of John Paul II said it was “possible” that a married woman had fallen in love with him before he became head of the Roman Catholic Church.

“Women fall in love with priests all the time, and

it’s always a big headache,” Father Adam Boniecki, editor-in-chief of the progressive Tygodnik Powszechny Catholic weekly, told AFP. “If she was in love with Wojtyla, she was most likely not alone,” said Boniecki, himself the author of a detailed account of the pope-turned-saint’s life. Tymieniecka “translated Karol Wojtyla’s books into English, making his work known to US academics... but her translations caused tension between the two,” Boniecki told AFP. Edward Stourton, the senior BBC journalist who made the documentary, said more than 350 letters were found at the National Library of Poland, the first dated in 1973 and the last a few months before his death in 2005.

Drawing on a massive bank of varieties stored in the Philippines and state-of-the-art Chinese technology, scientists recently completed the DNA sequencing of more than 3,000 of the world’s most significant types of rice.

Food revolution Scientists behind the project hope it will lead to a second “green revolution”.

The first began in the 1960s as the development of higher-yielding varieties of wheat and rice was credited with preventing massive global food shortages around the world.

That giant leap to producing more food involved the cross-breeding of unrelated varieties to produce

new ones that grew faster and produced higher yields, mainly by being able to respond better to fertiliser.

But the massive gains of the earlier efforts, which earnt US geneticist Norman Borlaug the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, have since reached a plateau.

Although the DNA breakthrough has generated much optimism, IRRI scientists caution it is not a magic bullet for all rice-growing

problems, and believe that genetically modifying is also necessary. They also warn that governments will still need to implement the right policies, such as in regards to land and water use.

One of the key priorities of IRRI is to pack more nutrients into rice, transforming it into a tool to fight ailments linked to inadequate diets in poor countries as well as lifestyle diseases in wealthier countries.

Pope Francis asks indigenous Mexicans for forgiveness

By Jean-Louis DE LA VAISSIERE / Yemeli ORTEGA

San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico | AFP | Monday 2/15/2016 – Pope Francis asked Mexico’s indigenous population on Monday for forgiveness over the exclusion they have suffered as he led an open-air mass in native languages in impoverished Chiapas state.

The pope said a short phrase in one of the southern region’s native tongues in a sign of his effort to reach out to indigenous communities of the country’s poorest and least Catholic state.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to a sports field in the southern city of San Cristobal de las Casas for the service, as women dressed in embroidered dresses led biblical readings and hymns in the Chol, Tzotzil and Tzeltal languages.

“On many occasions, in a systematic and organized way, your people have been misunderstood and excluded from society,” the 79-yearold Argentine-born pontiff said. “Some have considered your values, culture and tra-

ditions to be inferior. Others, intoxicated by power, money and market trends, have stolen your lands or contaminated them. How sad this is,” he said.

“How worthwhile it would be for each of us to examine our conscience and learn to say, ‘Forgive me!’”

The pope issued a decree allowing indigenous languages to be used during Catholic masses. More than a quarter of Chiapas’s population speaks an indigenous language.

“If the church is to stop the hemorrhaging of indigenous (populations) in Chiapas and across Latin America, it must offer more masses in indigenous languages and recruit indigenous priests who are very small in numbers,” Andrew Chesnut, religious studies professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, told AFP. While Mexico is the world’s second most populous Catholic nation after Brazil, with 82 percent of its population of 122 million identifying with the religion,

only 58 percent are loyal to the Vatican in Chiapas.

Environmental crisis “Long live the pope of the indigenous people!” some shouted from the roofs of their homes as the pope arrived at the field, where a replica of the yellow facade of the city’s cathedral served as background to the large stage.

The pope’s visit comes in the middle of an intense, five-day trip that he has used to speak out against crime and corruption.

Francis also used the mass to warn that the Earth faces “one of the greatest environmental crises in world history,” saying that indigenous people have much to teach about how to “interact harmoniously with nature.”

After the mass Francis will visit San Cristobal’s cathedral, where he is expected to visit the tomb of Samuel Ruiz, a bishop who defended the causes of the Mayan people and acted as mediator between the government and the Zapatista guerrilla movement that rose up in 1994.

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Reject candidates identified with Martial Law: Lagman TABACO CITY, Albay, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Former House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman on Saturday urged the electorate not to vote for candidates who benefited from the Martial Law era.

“I think the people should reject all those who benefited from Martial Law until now,” Lagman told reporters on the sidelines of the Liberal Paty’s campaign sortie in Albay province.

Lagman, who is running for a Congress seat representing the province’s First District, joined national candidates of the LP-led Daang Matuwid coalition in the Tabaco City leg of the campaign sortie.

“There is no reason why we should elect people who are identified with Martial Law that had brought so much sacrifices and abuses to the Filipino people,” he said.

“Ang lahat nang nakabenepisyo sa Martial Law, katulad nitong tumatakbo ngayon bilang Bise Presidente, ‘wag iboto,” he added.

Lagman’s brother, Hermon, was among the victims of enforced disappearances during the Martial Law era.

He said he is supporting the candidacy of LP vice-presidential candidate Leni Robredo, the incumbent congresswoman of Camarines Sur, and “the true Bicolano.”

Three other vice-presidential candidates are said to split the votes of the Bicol Region: Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gringo Honasan, and Antonio Trillanes IV. “Ang sinasabi ko ay ang katotohanan na doon sa mga nagsasabi na Bicolano sila at tumatakbo pagka Bise Presidente, isa lamang ang ipinanganak sa Bicol, isa lamang ang nag-aral sa Bicol, isa lamang ang asawa ng Bicolano, isa lamang ang ngayon, dito sa Bicol nakatira at ang magulang, purong Bicolano,” he said. (MNS)

Baring health status not required, but ‘important’ campaign issue: Comelec chief MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – Presidential candidates are not required to disclose their medical records to the public, but health concerns may be considered an “important” campaign issue, Commission on Elections chair Andres Bautista said on Monday.

Bautista said the poll body cannot force the candidates to bare their medical records, as it is not mandated by law.

“Hindi po [namin maaaring i-require] kasi walang mandato ang batas o ibinibigay na kapangyarihan na hingin ang impormasyon na ito,” he said.

However, he admitted that any doubt raised about a candidate’s health may be part of the public’s criteria in choosing their next president. “Hindi po nakasaad sa batas na kailangang sabihin ‘yan sa taumbayan, pero ito po ay mahalagang campaign issue. And again, tingnan natin— nasa sa mga kandidato ‘yan kung gusto nilang ibunyag ang kanilang records. Kung sakaling meron mang duda, maaaring maging batayan ‘yan ng mga botante,” Bautista said.

All five presidential candidates have said they are healthy enough to go through the 90-day nationwide campaign and take over the highest elective post if elected in May. Three of them—Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, and former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas—are open to releasing their medical records.

However, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte refuse to do so.

Santiago, who announced in June 2014 that she had Stage 4 lung cancer, said her disease is “in remission.” There have been calls for her to release her medical records, to which she invoked her right to privacy.

Duterte, meanwhile, said he has stopped smoking, which has “controlled” a disease that affects blood circulation.

Last week, he was forced to skip a speaking engagement at a doctors’ convention due to migraine.

Before announcing his presidential bid, the tough-talking local executive was hounded by rumors that he had throat cancer, which he said came from Roxas’ camp.

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OPINION

Noynoy Aquino, the worst president of all time: Enrile MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Opposition kingpin Juan Ponce Enrile on Saturday labelled President Benigno Aquino III as “the worst president this country ever had”.

The Senate minority leader made the statement in a media forum where he gave his assessment of Oplan Exodus or the police mission that resulted in the infamous Mamasapano encounter in January 2015.

He said the mission’s failure could be laid entirely at the feet of President Aquino.

“Yung mga sundalo, theirs is not to reason why, theirs is just to do and die... Who can defy a president?

In this country, a president is the precipatory power.

He is the head of state, head of government, chief executive, commander in chief, and the top policeman,” Enrile said in a media forum.

“Sabi ni (Justice Secretary Leila) de Lima, walang command chain ang police. Paano aandar yung kapulisan kung walang command chain? The command chain is from the chief executive,” he added.

Enrile was defense secretary in the Marcos and the first Aquino administration.

The 91-year-old opposition lawmaker said he did not expect Aquino to turn out to be a “lousy” leader.

“I measure him, he’s the worst president this country ever had,” he said.

“He is the one guilty,” Enrile later remarked.

He said while then Special Action Force commander Getulio Napeñas made his share of mistakes during the police operation, he couldn’t have defied orders from the president even with the knowledge that these instructions were inadequate.

“Sinasabi ninyo tanga si Napeñas. Ipagpalagay nating tanga, pero sino ang mas tanga? Yung inutusan na tanga or yung nag-utos ng tanga?” Enrile said.

He then cited, despite his misgivings about the US, President Barack Obama’s famous order to get US forces to safety after taking down Al Qaeda head Osa-

ma Bin Laden as an action Aquino should emulate.

“The president can use the power of being the king, the head of state... he is the only one who can save anybody in this country. He can pardon you... he can use the powers of the police or the military to save your life if necessary,” Enrile remarked.

“Ang narinig ko na lang na sinabi, okay, be calm, keep your head. ‘Di natin pababayaan ang tropa natin- patay nang lahat sila nung sinabi ‘yun,” he added.

While the US downplayed their involvement in the operation, Enrile said the bounty on suspected bombmaker Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan showed how much Washington valued his capture or death more than the Philippines did.

“The dollar reward is $5 million. At P40 per dollar, that’s P200 million. What is the reward given by PNoy? P7 million. That is the worth of Marwan as a threat to us compared to the threat to America,” he said. Recent statements by US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg also proved the government’s attempt at portraying the Mamasapano encounter as a purely Filipino attempt at combating terrorism as false.

“Kinonfirm na ni Goldberg na they participated at the request of the Philippine government. What more proof do you need? Second: if this is solely a Philippine project why was there a dollar reward bigger than the peso reward?” Enrile said.

The country’s inability to defend itself at home made it clear that the government was unprepared to engage China, whom Enrile insisted had designs on the Philippines.

“This government is not serious, they don’t understand what’s going on... They talk big. They cannot even handle the Mamasapano, do you think they can handle an invasion?” Enrile said.

“China is a vulnerable country. But against us, they can impose their will,” he added.(MNS)

Roxas on Duterte’s ‘tuli’ challenge: Wala akong panahon dyan LIGAO CITY, Albay, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Saturday shrugged off the challenge of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to prove that he’s circumcised.

“Wala akong panahon para sa mga walang kwentang bagay na ‘yan,” Roxas told reporters in an ambush interview here. On Friday, Duterte said he was willing to disclose his medical records in response to Roxas’ statement that presidential candidates should make public their state of health.

But Duterte said he will only do this on one condition, “Dapat ipakita muna ni Roxas na tuli na siya

(Roxas should prove that he’s cut).”

Both Roxas and Duterte are gunning for the presidency in the May elections.

LP spokesperson and Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo said Duterte offers nothing more but “great entertainment.”

“He offers great entertainment value and people will realize, you know what he offers is just that. We’re not here for laughs,” Quimbo said.

“We’re here for the welfare of the 104 million people. He makes good fantastic entertainment. We’re not here to elect a comedian,” he added. (MNS)

Duterte ‘buoyed’ by gain in SWS poll; Roxas says he’s made progress MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – Presidential candidates on Monday expressed optimism following the release of the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which showed that Vice President Jejomar Binay remains to be the most preferred presidential candidate but by a dipping margin.

The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said that the tough-talking mayor’s four-point gain in the Feb. 5-7 SWS poll supposedly shows that the electorate is seeking “real change.”

The results of the February SWS poll showed Duterte and independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe tied at second place at 24 percent.

“We are hopeful that as the campaign progresses, we would be able to continue this upward trend and gain more supporters,” Duterte spokesperson Peter Laviña said in a statement.

“This is proof of the rising clamor for genuine change. Our country is mired in increasing drugs, crime, corruption and poverty,” he added.

On the other hand, the camp of administration bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said that despite the former Interior secretary’s current fourth place ranking, they are positive that his numbers will improve.

Daang Matuwid Coalition spokesperson and Akbayan Representative Barry Gutierrez said that with the survey’s three percent margin of error, Roxas—who posted 18 percent in the latest poll—should be in second place along with Duterte and Poe. “We started out at 4 percent last year, now we’re tied with our rivals. We’ve definitely made progress,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

He said that with the tight race, the only poll that would matter to them is the May 9 elections.

“We’re confident that Mar’s numbers will continue to improve and that we will emerge on top in the most important survey—the May elections,” the lawmaker said.

Binay topped the survey with 29 percent, suffering a two-point slip from his rating last January.

Roxas also suffered a dip in his numbers: from January’s 21 percent, he only got 18 percent in the February poll.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago remains in last place with four percent of respondents choosing her as the country’s next president.

The survey was conducted with 1,200 validated voters as respondents and with sampling error margins of +/-3 percent.(MNS)

Admin bets confident PNoy ratings will translate into votes IRIGA CITY, Camarines Sur, Feb 12 (Mabuhay) -- Senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party (LP)-led Daang Matuwid coalition hope to convert President Benigno Aquino III’s trust and popularity ratings into votes for the administration bets come election day.

Aquino earlier said he will be active in tagging along the campaign sorties of their candidates led by standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and his running mate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

“Kung titingnan ang recent history, I think this is the only President who has maintained such a high rating at this late a stage,” Senate President Franklin Drilon, a re-electionist, told reporters here.

“We are confident that the popularity of President Aquino will carry us through the elections,” he added.

Former Senator Francis Pangilinan, who is eyeing a return to the Senate, said Aquino’s presence in sorties is “very important” as the coalition seeks to win “every percentage point” in the surveys in case of a close match on May 9.

Citing an example, Pangilinan mentioned that Vice President Jejomar Binay won a close fight against Roxas in the 2010 vice-presidential race. Roxas lost by 700,000 votes to Binay.

Binay and Roxas are both running for president

in the May elections.

“If it’s gonna come to that, and it’s a close fight, every percentage point matters,” Pangilinan said.

COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Cresente Paez, one of the least popular candidates of the administration coalition, remains confident that he will make it to the Top 12 because of Aquino’s support.

“Ang problema lang ngayon is information drive.

‘Yung trustworthiness ng President at sinusuportahan kami, that will radiate sa mga kandidato kaya excited ako kahit hindi ako masyadong kilala,” said Paez.(MNS)

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ENTERT Sunshine on rumors of Cesar fathering a child: ‘E di wow’ “MERON na ba? Ilan na ba? Talaga? E di wow.”

This was the response of Sunshine Cruz when asked by the entertainment press on rumors circulating in showbiz grapevine that her estranged husband Cesar Montano has fathered a child.

“Whatever it is, everybody deserves to be happy.

He deserves to be happy, he deserves to be in love and ganun din naman ako. Kung totoo ‘yan, karapatan niya ‘yan bilang isang tao,” she said at the media launch of the newest primetime series “Dolce Amore”.

Cruz also said that it was none of her business because they have been separated for three years now. She said her main concern is only her children.

“Sa totoo lang, kahit ano pang maging isyu sa kanya, it doesn’t matter anymore.

It’s none of my business at buhay na niya yan. We’ve been separated for three years and ang akin lang e cooperation na lang sa mga cases. Yun na lang talaga.

And I also hope that he will exert more effort sa mga kids,” she said.

When asked if her daughters are aware that there are rumors about Montano allegedly having a child out of wedlock, she said they are old enough to learn about this kind of issue.

Cruz said that if the rumor was indeed true, she knows her children will understand it.

Sunshine Cruz

“Noon pa merong nag message sa kanila. Someone telling them that is someone is pregnant. It was them who told me that, ‘Mom, someone messaged me on Instagram”.

“Wala silang problem kung sakaling totoo ‘yan or hindi. Wala namang kasalanan ang mga sanggol.

Of course, they will accept, kung totoo ‘yan, with open arms.”

Meanwhile, Cruz questioned the timing of news reports about the Quezon City Prosecutors Office decision junking the child abuse case she filed against Montano.

The actress explained that the decision was released two weeks ago but it was only recently when the news story is coming out.

“The timing lang e bakit parang ngayon pa? Pwede naman kahapon or last

week. How come just now?” she said.

“We’ve know it for two to three weeks already kaya it is so surprising na kung kailan ako may presscon e may lumabas about it. As much as I want nga sana, I don’t want to talk about it.”

She said her lawyer is taking care of the case and her children were informed about the result.

Cruz added that she wants to focus more on her children because they need her now more than ever.

“They’re doing okay.

They’re are happy kids, they’re doing good in school.

And open kami with each other. They know what is happening now.”

“Whatever it is, nandiyan naman ang lawyer ko to fix everything,” she ended.

(MNS)

Irma Adlawan, teen son fight off armed burglar Irma Adlawan and her teen son survived a home invasion, sustaining gashes and bruises, the actress’ daughter Mara Marasigan shared on Facebook Friday afternoon.

According to Marasigan, a knife-wielding burglar entered their family home in Cavite around 11 p.m. Thursday night. Her brother Ben and mother, however, were able to subdue the burglar, who was identified to be a man named Ricardo Estorres.

“Ben went out to the family room at around 11 p.m. last night because he thought that he left the fan turned on. He saw a man with a bandana wrapped around his nostrils and mouth. Man took out a balisong (a large knife), pointed it at my brother and said, huwag kang maingay,” narrated Marasigan.

“My brother attributes his next moves to watching Walking Dead- grabbed the balisong by the hilt with his bare hand, wrestled the guy, got him in a headlock and shouted for my mom.”

“The guy bit Ben and my brother tried to bite back but couldn’t so he pushed the guy on the floor and hit him on the head.. My mom came out of the room and helped Ben tackle the guy.”

Marasigan’s brother Ben fought off the burglar who was wielding a balisong. Luckily, he only sustained bite wounds. Photo from Marasigan’s Facebook page “My grandfather, woken up by the commotion, came out with a gun but couldn’t fire because the guy was wrestling with my mom and my brother. The man pleaded with my brother and my mom to stop when my mom had pinned him down on the floor with the knife at his neck.”

“The noise woke up our neighbors and Jun (Gretchen) called over the tanods and they rushed immediately to help my family.”

Marasigan added that the man had two other accomplices, who have yet to be identified and caught. She then expressed her gratitude towards those who came to help her family.

“My grandfather and my mom cannot sleep what with my 16 year old brother having to defend our family from that unspeakable evil who had every intention of killing him.”

“Dear lord, no one should have to go through that and at 16! I’m so proud of my brother, so thankful that he was there but

Irma Adlawan

what I would give for him to not have gone through that.

“And my grandparents - to feel unprotected and vulnerable at their age and my grandpa having to pull out a gun in the middle of the night - thank god that encounter didn’t cause a heart attack.”

Marasigan continued: “Pinaghihirapan po namin ang kung ano mang meron kami.

Hindi kami nagnanakaw. Hindi kami nanglalamang. How dare you let them go through this traumatizing experience.”

“How dare you intrude in our home. How dare you make us feel afraid and vulnerable. How dare you threaten their lives. Mga hayop kayo.”

“Constant vigilance for everyone. Our house has been there since my mom was a kid and we always thought that we knew the people our neighborhood, but no one is spared,” she concluded. (MNS)

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INMENT Eugene Domingo says no to kids, marriage EUGENE Domingo revealed she has no plan to settle down or have kids, but keen to fall in love.

In an interview with the seasoned actress at the “Dear Uge” press launch, her latest comedy anthology on GMA-7, which premiered on Valentine’s Day, the 44-year-old said she is contented with her professional and private life.

Domingo hinted that there is someone special and added that she is at her happiest.

“I’m very happy right now. I care for someone,” she said.

The actress continued: “I’m not yet in love on a romantic level but I’m really inspired.

I now understand how to care and to look forward to someone, to seeing someone.”

With her stature in the industry, Domingo admitted that it is difficult to find someone who is not intimidated of her job or personality.

“Medyo (mahirap maghanap), but that’s not my fault. Hindi naman madami (nanligaw) pero meron naman. Pero mas madami akong attempt e.”

The actress said she’s more open now when it comes to falling in love even if it will sometimes lead to heartbreak.

“I should be open. I should give myself a chance to realize and to give in to the feeling.

Huwag matakot masaktan, ma-frustrate, mag-expect,” she said.

“Babangon ka rin naman. Andiyan ang mga kaibigan mo para bigyan ka ng pag-asa.

Ang importante ma-in love. Nakaramdam ka that you care... that someone cared for you,” she added.

But when asked about kids and marriage, she said no to both.

Domingo said it would be “selfish” to have children at her age.

“Ayoko ng magka-baby. That’s being too selfish. I’m already 44. Yung lusog na meron sa akin ngayon e sa akin na lang yun. Pwede ko naman masubaybayan but it’s not my objective,” she said.

Amid having no kids or not being married at 44, the seasoned actress reiterated that she regret nothing.

Eugene Domingo

Domingo said she is happy that she prioritized her career because she is living the life she dreamt of.

“Corny man sabihin pero masyado akong nag concentrate sa passion ko sa acting. But I am happy. Parang you’re just happy where you are. Of course I wish better health for me and my family, but I am okay. I’m happy,” she ended. (MNS)

6

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UTREACH Los Angeles passes $1.87-B homeless plan Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Wednesday 2/10/2016 − Los Angeles, sometimes called the homeless capital of America, adopted a $1.87 billion plan Tuesday to help its 44,000 down-and-out people without homes.

The 10-year plan adopted by the city council, with the ambitious goal of ending LA’s growing homelessness, includes hiring social workers, offering quality housing and building permanent housing.

In addition, Los Angeles County supervisors also agreed to release $100 million over several years ($42 million in the first 12 months) toward housing the homeless.

Homelessness is “the most serious humanitarian crisis confronting our county today,” said county CEO Sachi Hamai.

Plans for funding the initiatives still must be adopted, with the city of Los Angeles scheduled to vote on its budget in April.

City Councilman Jose Huizar, who co-chairs the Homelessness and Poverty Committee, acknowledged that a series of past plans to reduce homelessness had failed.

Between 2013 and 2015, the number of homeless in Los Angeles County soared by 12.4 percent, with the percent of those living in the street or in their car—without access to emergency shelter—soaring by 85 percent.

Of the 44,000 homeless people living in the county, some 29,000 or two-thirds, sleep in the streets, tents or their cars, according to a spokesman for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

The 2008-2009 economic crisis took a hefty toll on Californians, while housing inflation has drastically limited affordable options.

In addition, many homeless opt to live in Los Angeles due to its mild weather and social services, notably near Skid Row, where some 5,000 homeless live.

By comparison, the homeless population in New York, America’s largest metropolis, is larger at 57,000 people, but 95 percent of them live in shelters or temporary housing funded by local authorities and the state.

Los Angeles County spends around $1 billion a year on medical, psychiatric and social welfare care for its homeless, not including police expenditures.

“A real bed is much less expensive than a jail bed or a hospital bed,” Phil Ansell, director of the county’s Homeless Initiative, told the Los Angeles City Council.

California grants driver’s licenses to 605,000 undocumented Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Tuesday 2/9/2016 − Some 605,000 undocumented immigrants who live in California were granted driver’s licenses in 2015, the first year they have been able to enjoy that benefit, officials said Monday.

The law known as AB60 took effect on January 2, 2015. The California Department of Motor Vehicles

(DMV) expects a total of about 1.4 million people will get their license under the law by late 2017.

Governor Jerry Brown, a Democrat, signed the law in October 2013 to give a legal document to the 2.5 million undocumented immigrants in California alone − most from Latin America and particularly neighboring Mexico.

California officials be-

lieve the program − which does not give license holders any US federal benefits − does make roads in the most populous US state safer, several state sources said.

It does not allow license holders, for example, the right to fly on airplanes inside the United States, nor does it give anyone legal residency status, the right to work or to seek a US passport.

But among the upsides are that California drivers with the document can drive legally across the entire vast United States, without being fined or facing fear of having their vehicle impounded. “If you can approve policies that integrate immigrants, I think it’s a win-win for all people in a big state like California,” said Luis Alejo, a California Assembly.

OC atty. jailed for helping witness in ‘Chinese birthing house’ probe try to flee from US SANTA ANA, California – An Irvine-based immigration attorney has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for obstructing justice in relation to a scheme in which he agreed to help a Chinese national flee from the United States after the woman had been designated as a “material witness” in a criminal investigation into “birthing houses” operating in Southern California.

Ken Zhiyi Liang, 39, of Irvine, was sentenced yesterday afternoon by United States District Judge Andrew J. Guildford.

Liang was found guilty in September of conspiring to obstruct justice, obstructing justice, and tampering with a witness, who is referred to

in court papers as “D.L.” Liang “was caught on hours of video and audio recordings selling and marketing his abilities to D.L. to help smuggle her out of the United States in violation of court orders, in exchange for a $6,000 fee to himself and a $1,500 to $3,000 fee for three co-conspirators that would assist him,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing brief filed with the court.

The Chinese national had been designated as a material witness in the federal investigation, meaning she was subject to a court order preventing her from leaving the United States without authorization from the government or court. Liang had represented the witness in the matter for about a month until the court removed him as attorney of record, over his objections, in April 2015.

“As an attorney and officer of the court, Mr. Liang owed a heightened duty to respect and follow court

orders,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker.

“Instead Mr. Liang chose to violate those court orders, and induced others to violate court orders, for his own personal profit. Today’s sentence is a reminder of the importance of court orders and protecting the integrity of federal investigations.”

The federal investigation, which became known when authorities executed dozens of search warrants nearly a year ago, focuses on so-called birthing houses that “provided services to Chinese nationals, who travelled into the United States from China, for the purpose of giving birth to children so that the children could obtain United States citizenship,” according to court documents.

Unbeknownst to Liang at the time, D.L. was cooperating with federal agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, who were monitoring con-

versations between Liang and the witness. Liang was arrested on May 15 by federal authorities as he was walking with the witness towards his car, supposedly to begin a trip to a coffee shop in Corona, where he was going to introduce D.L. to the co-conspirators. After his arrest, Liang led agents back to his office, where he returned the $6,000 he had accepted from the witness.

Liang has remained in custody since his arrest last spring.

According to court documents, Liang provided assistance to two other material witnesses who fled to China, and to another material witness who was intercepted at Los Angeles International Airport onApril 15.

The investigation into the birthing houses is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and IRS – Criminal Investigation.

BOE considers lowering gasoline excise tax rate for third year in a row Sacramento – The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) will consider lowering the excise tax rate for gasoline by 2.2 cents for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17 during its February 23, 2016 meeting in Culver City. If adopted, the excise tax rate on gas will be 27.8 cents per gallon from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. The current excise tax rate of 30 cents per gallon remains in effect until June 30, 2016.

California drivers pay two types of state taxes on gas: sales tax, which is a percentage of the price and a per-gallon excise tax.

Before AB x8 6 and SB 70 – collectively referred to as the “fuel tax swap”—took effect in 2010, drivers paid the

full sales tax rate (then 8.25 percent), and an excise tax rate of 18 cents per gallon.

The fuel tax swap lowered the sales tax rate on gasoline to 2.25 percent and requires the BOE to set a per-gallon excise tax rate annually before March 1.

“What is probably most important to California drivers is the fact that this excise tax rate is calculated such that drivers still pay the same amount in overall taxes at the pump that they would have paid before the swap,” said BOE Chairman Jerome Horton.

In FY 2014-15, the BOE collected nearly $5.4 billion in excise tax for the state’s Motor Vehicle Fuel Account, which helps pay

for highways, roads, and other public transportation projects. The sales tax on gasoline also helps fund a variety of state and local road programs.

How the rate is determined The excise tax rate takes into account a number of factors including: projected gas price, forecasted amount of gallons sold, sales tax revenue that would have been collected prior to the fuel tax swap, and tax revenue over- or under-collected in the prior fiscal year.

The rate ensures that over a three-year period, motorists do not pay more or less in overall gas taxes than they would have prior to the swap.

Beyoncé takes US by storm with new activist role

By Shaun Tandon

New York, United States | AFP | Monday 2/8/2016 − With slogans against police brutality and celebrations of African beauty in her new song, Beyoncé has suddenly transformed from crowd-pleasing entertainer to outspoken spokeswoman for the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement.

The 34-year-old superstar, who had been relatively quiet in 2015, returned in spectacular fashion Saturday with a surprise new song, “Formation,” marked by a video rich in political imagery and a raw bounce beat in the style of Southern hip-hop.

One day later, Beyoncé took the message to the largest possible audi-

ence as she performed the song during the halftime show of the Super Bowl, the most watched US television broadcast of the year which drew more than 111 million viewers.

Trading her soaring vocal range for a rap delivery, Beyoncé − who is estimated with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z, to be worth a combined $1 billion − takes on much of the attitude of hip-hop and boasts of her success.

But in Beyoncé ’s version, the bragging also turns political as she insists that she remains true to her African American heritage.

She describes herself as a “black Bill Gates in the making” − referring to the Microsoft billionaire turned philanthropist.

“Earned all this money but they never take the country out of me / I got hot sauce in my bag, swag,” sings Beyoncé , who was born in Houston to parents from Louisiana and Alabama.

‘Stop shooting us’ The video brings together fleeting but poignant scenes of African American struggles, especially the string of killings of black men by police in the past two years that have triggered the Black Lives Matter protest movement.

In the most striking image, a boy in a hoodie dances before a phalanx of police in riot gear. Later, the police raise their hands up like people under arrest as graffiti on the wall reads, “Stop shooting us.”

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PHL procurement policy makers exchange best practices with US counterparts WASHINGTON, D.C. − Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. received yesterday at the Philippine Embassy a high-level delegation from the Philippine Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) that is in the United States in connection with the Philippines Procurement Assistance Program under the Global Procurement Initiative of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

The Philippine delegation is composed of Undersecretaries Carlo Carag (Finance), Ardeliza Medenilla (Public Works and Highways), Analiza Rebuelta Teh (Environment and Natural Resources), Edwin Enrile (Interior and Local Government), Catherine Gonzales (Transportation and Communication), Raul Aguilos (Energy), Carol Yorobe (Science and Technolo-

gy) and Rolando Tungpalan (NEDA); and other officials from the Departments of Budget and Management, Education, Health, Public Works and Highways, and Trade and Industry, as well as the GPPB Technical Support Office. The delegation is in Washington, DC on 6-10 February, and will then proceed to Boston (10-11 February), New York (11-14 February) and Los Angeles (14-17 February).

The study visit is a follow-up to the three-day workshop held in September 2015 in Manila that provided training to fifty (50) public procurement officials from various Philippine government agencies with respect to incorporating life-cycle cost analysis and value for money elements into government procurement practices in order to obtain the best value for government funds and improve overall procurement

outcomes.

Ambassador Cuisia expressed full support for the project and emphasized the importance of improving efficiency in government procurement during his brief remarks to the delegation.

“While the Aquino Administration has implemented a menu of crucial policy reforms, the inter-agency effort to reform the public procurement process may be one of the most critical, yet relatively underemphasized, initiative in ensuring bureaucratic efficiency while the Government gears public procurement and government spending towards attaining the best value for the Filipino people,” the Ambassador remarked.

Executive Director Dennis S. Santiago of the GPPB Technical Support Office echoed the message of the Ambassador, reiterating his earlier statement during

the Manila workshop that, “as the Philippine economy further accelerates, it becomes even more crucial for government to work efficiently to support the country’s growth.”

According to USTDA, the Procurement Assistance Program will advance the Philippine Government’s 2016 agenda to reform public procurement and increase infrastructure spending.

Andrea Lupo, Director for Global Programs at the USTDA, said, “It has been an honor for USTDA to host our partners from the Government of the Philippines to strengthen our cooperation under the Global Procurement Initiative. Such high-level representation on this visit demonstrates the Government’s commitment to obtaining the greatest value for public funds and the best development outcomes for the citizens of the

CARE launches California Council on Carpet Recycling 18-member advisory group to give voice to diverse stakeholders Sacramento, CA, February 11, 2016 – The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has announced the formation of the California Council on Carpet Recycling (Carpet Council), an 18-member advisory group, selected to provide guidance to CARE on California’s carpet recycling efforts. The Council represents diverse stakeholders from across the state and carpet recycling industry, including carpet retailers and installers; collectors, haulers and processors of recycled carpet; manufacturers of products made from recycled carpet;

as well as non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and local government agencies. ”Carpet recycling, both in California and nationally, is a challenging and complex endeavor that needs the input and feedback from all parties that have a stake in this emerging industry. CARE welcomes the talents, expertise and commitment to our goals that our Council members share and are very much looking forward to working with them,” said CARE’s Executive Director Dr. Robert Peoples.

The principal tasks of the Carpet Council will be to ensure all aspects of the product chain are taken into account as CARE works to increase the

amount of carpet diverted from landfill, improve waste prevention and reuse efforts, raise recycling rates and strengthen the economic viability of recycled carpet products, as required under the California Carpet Stewardship Plan (commonly referred to as AB 2398). In performing this work, the Carpet Council will maximize the collaboration with the existing infrastructure stakeholders, to make the California Carpet Stewardship Program as successful and effective as possible.

Carpet Council member Christine Flowers, Assistant Executive Director at the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), supports the effort: “CPSC applauds

CARE’s initiative to form the Council to assure greater communication among stakeholders resulting in timely program improvements.”

The first meeting of the California Council on Carpet Recycling will take place on Wednesday, February 24th in Sacramento. For more information about the Council and for a full list of Council members visit www.carpetrecovery. org/carpetcouncil.

In addition to launching the Council, CARE is inviting feedback from all interested parties at two free public stakeholder workshops, hosted in Southern and Northern California on March 8th and 10th. For details and to register visit https://carpetrecovery.

Philippines.”

In Washington, DC, the delegation is expected to have a briefing on Best Value for Money, Innovations and Best Practices in Government Acquisition, as well as an overview of the U.S. Procurement System. In the other cities, they are expected to meet with procurement officials and to view case studies in value-based procurement. In Boston, the delegation will also visit MIT’s Concrete Sustainability Hub to hear about innovative life-cycle cost analysis models for public infrastructure projects. The USTDA Global Procurement Initiative (GPI) aims to educate public procurement officials about the use of best value and life-cycle cost analysis in the procurement process. Through the GPI, the USTDA has partnered with world-class experts from the George

Washington University Government Procurement Law Program to provide in-country workshops, orientation visits/study tours to the United States, and in-house procurement technical advisors. Ambassador Cuisia thanked the USTDA officials who accompanied the Philippine delegation for the Philippines Procurement Assistance Program.

He said that the program will promote transparency and accountability, and contribute to the sustainability of good governance and reform in government procurement.

“This program and visit of the GPPB delegation early on in the 70th year of Philippine-US diplomatic relations is also a clear manifestation of our dynamic bilateral ties, and a testament to the strength of our partnership for mutual prosperity,” the Ambassador added.

Bedans of SoCal induction April 16

San Beda College Alumni Association of Southern California (SBCAASC) is having their 34th Annual Induction Ball on April 16, 2016(Saturday) to be held at Anaheim Marriott Suites located at 12015 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840 from 6:00 pm to midnight.

This annual event is one of their ongoing yearly event to help indigent students in the Philippines to pursue their college dreams thru their scholarship program. Every Bedan, their family and friends are all invited to their “Our Fellowship Never Ceases” formal dinner and dance night. Tickets are available at the venue or by calling the 2016 SBCAASC President Rey Castillo at (714) 749-2971.

Sponsorship and advertisement on their souvenir programs are also available. Submission of artwork and payment must be received beforeMarch 16, 2016 (Wednesday). Please contact Teddy Relatos at (818 468-2429.

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Eating breakfast can boost activity levels says new study The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Bath, UK, looked at a possible link between breakfast, body weight and health and builds on previous research as part of the three-year BBSRC-funded ‘Bath Breakfast Project’.

In this new study, researchers from the University’s Department for Health split 23 participants aged 21- 60 into two groups, ‘breakfasting’ and

‘fasting’.

The researchers asked the breakfasting group to eat at least 700 calories by 11 am for a six-week period.

The group could choose whatever they wanted to eat, but the first half of the calories had to be consumed within two hours of the participant waking up.

The fasting group however could not consume anything except water un-

til at least midday.

The team found that during the day both groups consumed a similar amount of calories overall, with those who fasted compensating for the lack of morning calories by eating more later in the day, whereas the breakfasting group ate less; however the team also found that the breakfasting groups participated in more physical activity in the mornings.

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New study reveals the secrets of the effortlessly slim A team from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA, studied the behavior of 112 adults who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t follow any kind of restrictive diet and who managed to stay slim without any particular effort, and another group of 35 adults who regularly dieted, thought about food often and were highly conscious of what they ate, particularly in terms of calories.

The participants, who signed up to the study voluntarily, answered a series of 92 questions about eating habits, exercise and daily routines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to see what health behaviors differed between those struggling to lose or maintain weight and the mindlessly slim,â&#x20AC;? explains Brian Wansink, the studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-author and director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab. After comparing answers from the two groups, the scientists were surprised to find that those who stayed slim naturally chose strategies that differ from traditional advice about how to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. They realized that mindlessly slim

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American researchers have investigated how some people manage to stay slim all their lives without following strict diets and with no apparent effort. They found that the secrets of success among the â&#x20AC;&#x153;mindlessly slimâ&#x20AC;? include approaching food with pleasure rather than guilt and home cooking with quality produce.

individuals tended to choose cohol and 7% were vegehigh-quality foods and cook tarian. For breakfast, 31% them at home, and that they included eggs in their meal and listened to their bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner and 51% included fruit %8< cues in order to stay slim. vegetables. Fresh fruit

*(7 44% was Another important factor a favorite snack for 2)) and For was their attitude to food, as nuts for 21%. drinks, the slim participants didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t 37% never consumed soda, feel as guilty about the idea while 33% mentioned a of overeating, and generally â&#x20AC;&#x153;dietâ&#x20AC;? soft drink and 25% approached food and eating drank regular sodas. with enjoyment.

The study showed that The questionnaire found exercise played a key part that chicken was the favor- in the lifestyles of the mind &RPSOHWH )XOO )DFLDO 'LDPRQG 3HHO 0LFURGHUPDEUDVLRQ ite meat of 61% of the mind- lessly slim, with 42% exer &ROODJHQ DQG 2[\JHQ ,QIXVLRQ

lessly slim participants and cising five to seven times a that 35% had salad for week, 27% exercising three lunch every day. Plus, 65% to four times a week and ate vegetables at dinner 32% working out zero to two time, 33% didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink al- times a week.

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A new study has found that immersing patients in a virtual reality world could help treat patients suffering from depression.Š Jochen Schoenfeld/Shutterstock.com

Virtual reality therapy could help people with depression A new study has found that for some patients, immersion in a virtual reality world could help treat symptoms of depression.

To test virtual reality therapy as a possible new treatment for patients with depression, teams from UCL (University College London) and ICREA-University of Barcelona, recruited 15 patients with depression aged 23 - 61. The patients were asked to wear a virtual reality headset which gave them a new perspective from the point of view of a life-size â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;avatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, or virtual body. The patients could see this avatar in a mirror, moving in the same way as their own body, giving participants the feeling that it was in fact their own body, an experience known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;embodimentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

During the study the patients were embodied in two different avatars. In the first, participants were in an adult avatar, and were trained to express compas-

sion. They had to use this training to express compassion towards a distressed and crying virtual child, who eventually stopped crying and became calmer in response to the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compassionate behavior.

So that they could then experience this compassion, the patients then switched roles and were then embodied in a virtual child before they saw their own adult avatar behave compassionately towards them.

This short, eight-minute experience was repeated with the patients three times at weekly intervals.

When there was a follow-up with the patients a month later, the team found that nine reported a decrease in the severity of their depressive symptoms, with four of the nine reporting a clinically significant reduction in symptoms.

The researchers also saw an increase in self-compassion and reduction in self-criticism, both common

problems in patients with depression.

Although this study shows promising results, as a small trial without a control group it does have limitations, making it difficult for the researchers to say for sure that it was the virtual reality world that was responsible for the reduction in symptoms.

The studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-author Professor Mel Slater said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We now hope to develop the technique further to conduct a larger controlled trial, so that we can confidently determine any clinical benefit. If a substantial benefit is seen, then this therapy could have huge potential. The recent marketing of low-cost home virtual reality systems means that methods such as this could potentially be part of every home and be used on a widespread basis.â&#x20AC;?

The findings were published in the journal British Journal of Psychiatry Open.

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PRAYERS PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short

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MOTORING Toyota’s new pickup dares you to get it dirty TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, and it’s a department within the company that has helped the brand break into all kinds of endurance and offroad competitions. And it’s the TRD’s expertise that ensures the new pickup can cut it, no matter how hard it’s pushed.

So the Tacoma gets tuned front springs and rear suspension, tuned FOX 2.5 internal Bypass shocks, a special front aluminum skid plate and its 16-inch wheels are wrapped in Kevlar-reinforced tires.

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 with variable valve timing that can send power to any of the four wheels as traction demands. There are a number of electronic off-roading aids including crawl control, Hill Start As-

sist Control and electronic locking differentials.

The truck also gets the Toyota Multi-terrain Select system and active traction control features found on its flagship Land Cruiser SUV. So that owners can take the rough with the smooth, the interior is a place of comfort with leather heated sports seats, a premium sound system, smartphone connectivity and a number of active driver aids including Blind Spot Monitor and rear parking assist sonar.

The final touch for offroad and endurance fanatics is simple integration for GoPro action cams. There’s a dedicated mount on the dashboard.

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will go on sale this fall, just as the weather starts to turn.

BMW plugs in to the trend for greener luxury with hybrid flagship sedan Keeping its promise to bring hybrid power and greater fuel efficiency to more cars in its range, BMW will be showcasing the 740e iPerformance, a more environmentally responsible take on its high-tech flagship executive sedan, at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, taking place March 3-13.

The announcement comes as the company is also preparing to reveal a fire-breathing, supercar-baiting version of the 7-Series—the M760Li

xDrive V12 -- at the same event.

And while the 6.6-liter, 592bhp executive sedan can go from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited 250km/h (155mph) top speed, it emits 294 g/km in CO2 and returns 12.6 l/100 km (22.4 mpg) in terms of fuel efficiency in the process.

In stark contrast, the 740e iPerformance is a plug-in hybrid with just 322bhp on tap. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h

in 5.6 seconds. But it has a similar top speed to its V12 brethren and thanks to a hybrid system that enables the car to cover up to 25 miles (40km) just on electric power as well as stepping in to give the four-cylinder 2-litre gas engine a helping hand, the 740e boasts a fuel economy of 134.5mpg (2.1l/100km).

And it gets better. The 740e is available with the same X-Drive four wheel drive system for even greater grip, control and fun

in the bends. Tick the options box and the system shaves 0.1 seconds off that 0-100km/h time.

For those that prefer comfort, there’s also a long wheelbase version. However, both these variants will impact very slightly on fuel economy and the standard car’s CO2 emissions of 53g/ km.

Regardless of variant, the battery pack powering the electric motor can be recharged from a domestic power socket in four hours.

BMW is doing everything in its power to ensure the 740e isn’t short of driving fun as well as environmental responsibility. As well as full electric and comfort modes, the car has a proper ‘Sport’ setting and the fact that the company is going to start calling its hybrid models ‘iPerformance’ is meant to make potential clients think of the capabilities of the i8 (BMW’s hybrid super sports car) rather than of making a performance sacrifice for the good of the

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The finishing touch is the interior. Although BMW is yet to announce prices for the new model, owners won’t have to select many extra equipment options as the 740e will come with a host of features from satellite navigation to its ConnectedDrive infotainment platform as standard.

The BMW 740e iPerformance and the M760Li xDrive V12 will both be unveiled on March 1 at the Geneva Motor Show.

THE US ASIAN POST Friday - Thursday, February 19 - 25, 2016

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11

KITCHENOMICS

FAMILY FEATURES

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n ancient grain with roots that trace back as far as 8000 B.C., sorghum is seeing a resurgence as demand for non-GMO and gluten-free food grows.

Sorghum is an excellent substitute for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, and can be used to make both leavened and unleavened breads, various fermented and unfermented beverages DQG FDQ EH VWHDPHG SRSSHG Ă&#x20AC;DNHG RU FRQVXPHG DV D ZKROH JUDLQ RU V\UXS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sorghum is light in color, has a pleasing texture and tastes similar to wheat, which makes it perfect for use in gluten-free baking,â&#x20AC;? said gluten-free expert and cookbook author Carol Fenster.

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Pearled Sorghum Tangy Pear Salad &RQWULEXWHG E\ 1X /LIH 0DUNHW Salad: 1/2 cup cooked Nu Life Market Pearled Sorghum Grain 8 cups prepared mixed baby greens 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced 1/3 cup dried cranberries Toppings: 2 red Anjou pears, halved vertically and thinly sliced Dressing: Favorite dressing or balsamic vinaigrette To cook sorghum, a ratio of one part sorghum to four parts water should be used. In appropriate size saucepan, add water and heat until boiling. Add sorghum and allow to simmer on medium heat, stirring RFFDVLRQDOO\ IRU DSSUR[L PDWHO\ minutes or until desired tenderness.

Once cooked, drain water from pan and rinse cooked grain. Allow FRRNHG VRUJKXP WR FRRO FRPSOHWHO\ before adding to salad, to avoid wilted lettuce.

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Mushroom and Garlic Pearled Sorghum &RQWULEXWHG E\ 1X /LIH 0DUNHW 1/2 cup of Nu Life Market Pearled Sorghum Grain 2 cups vegetable stock 1/4 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup mushrooms, quartered 3â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4 asparagus shoots 1/4 cup thyme, chopped Bring sorghum and veggie stock to a boil and simmer for DSSUR[LPDWHO\ PLQXWHV In small skillet, over medium heat saute onion, garlic and mushrooms until tender. Add to cooked sorghum. Garnish with VWHDPHG DVSDUDJXV VKRRWV DQG IUHVK WK\PH 6HUYH

12

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Lauro Vizconde dies

BANNED From page 1

He was told to calm down.

But that was when he said the F-word and that is to a commissioner, the highest official of the PBA,” Marcial recalled.

Narvasa then convened a technical committee at the game’s halftime and had Johnson banned and fined 250,000 pesos ($5,600) even before the game was over, said Marcial.

Foreign imports are highly-valued in the basketball-crazy Philippines where they can play a dominant role in the highly-competi-

tive PBA. But Johnson, 31, had already been in trouble, having previously been suspended for one game earlier this month for fighting with players of an opposing team.

The six-foot, eight-inch (two metre)-tall power forward was previously banned for life by the Korean Basketball League in 2010 for making an obscene gesture at a referee and also had a controversial career in the NBA. Johnson, who played with the Atlanta Hawks from

2011-2013, was initially defiant over his latest ban, posting “the devil is working overtime,” and “what’s the hate against me?” on his Twitter account.

But he later appeared contrite, apologising to Narvasa and his fans for the incident. “Maybe he should reflect on what happened.

Maybe he should undergo anger management. It is a shame. He is a good player,” said Marcial.

Many fans expressed shock and anger over the speedy decision.

(VCM) and canvassing consolidation system (CCS).

The creation of CCS’s ISO image—or the “installable” part of the software—had to be repeated.

This was after connectivity trouble was found in the system, which in turn merited a rebuilding of the software of the EMS, considered the “brains” of the automated polls as a whole.

Meanwhile, the VCM’s “threshold” for stray marks was lowered after units rejected 1 to 2 percent of ballots in a verification test conducted Monday, Feb. 8.

The rebuilds forced the Comelec to put off the required depositing of all three sets of codes at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas from Tuesday, Feb. 9, to Friday, Feb. 12.

Asked then if putting the codes on escrow was the indicator that there were no

longer any problems, Bautista said, “We have the mock elections. Let’s wait and see.” “We’re going through a process. Having issues is not something that should be feared. I think it can help us improve in terms of making sure that come election day, all systems go and clear,” he told reporters.

Guia pointed out that it was a “risk” for the poll body to push through with Saturday’s mock elections.

“People would say the more prudent thing to do would have been to hold the test in private muna, and make sure everything is okay before you showcase it,” he said.

He added: “The idea for us is for the public to share with us their observations.

They might see things that we’re not able to see. This is our elections. Ambag ambag tayo sa panukala.” (MNS)

RESOLVED From page 1

transmission—because the “rebuilds” on the system have been successful.

“Kung may problema man, hindi natin matatapos ‘yung halalan,” he said.

“So ‘yung mock elections in itself is a proof... May mga source code kasi lahat ‘yan, so this is a positive development in respect of the glitches.”

For his part, Commissioner Luie Tito Guia said, “Generally, I think this is the test that will prove that, by and large, the software issues have been addressed.”

“You’ve seen the result.

I mean, basically, okay naman. Of course, there are things we have to improve on, but the solution might be just procedural—in other words, hindi naman technical—but of course we would want to wait for the complete results of the mock elections,” he said.

Series of glitches The simulation involved a total of 40 precincts in 20 sites around the Philippines.

It came at the end of the week when Comelec announced that issues were found in the trusted builds of the vote counting machine

AQUINO FAILED From page 1

of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said each economy is looking after their own interests.

“It is a (group) of countries with separate national

interests. Do we profit by it? Economically, militarily, security-wise, or politically, do we benefit from ASEAN, I don’t know,” Enrile said.

(MNS)

MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Lauro Vizconde, the man who lost his entire family in what later came to be known as the Vizconde massacre in 1991, has died, his niece Jonah Vizconde de Luna confirmed.

Vizconde died at 5:15 p.m. today in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Unihealth-Parañaque Hospital, where he had been confined

since Friday. He was rushed to the hospital following his fourth heart attack.

In June 1991, Vizconde, who was then overseas, lost his wife and two daughters.

The Vizcondes were stabbed to death in their home in Parañaque. His daughter Carmela was also raped.

Several men, including former Senator Freddie Webb’s son, Hubert, were

THE US ASIAN POST

charged for the crime. They were eventually convicted by the trial court in 2000.

The Supreme Court, however, overturned the decision in 2010 and acquitted all of the accused.

Vizconde was the chairman emeritus of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), a group he co-founded with Dante Jimenez in 1998.(MNS)

Noynoy Aquino, the worst president of all time: Enrile MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Opposition kingpin Juan Ponce Enrile on Saturday labelled President Benigno Aquino III as “the worst president this country ever had”.

The Senate minority leader made the statement in a media forum where he gave his assessment of Oplan Exodus or the police mission that resulted

in the infamous Mamasapano encounter in January 2015. He said the mission’s failure could be laid entirely at the feet of President Aquino. “Yung mga sundalo, theirs is not to reason why, theirs is just to do and die... Who can defy a president?

In this country, a president is the precipatory power. He is the head of state, head of

government, chief executive, commander in chief, and the top policeman,” Enrile said in a media forum.

“Sabi ni (Justice Secretary Leila) de Lima, walang command chain ang police. Paano aandar yung kapulisan kung walang command chain? The command chain is from the chief executive,” he added.

ducted.

The tie came after Marcos’ numbers improved by one percentage point, from 25 percent in January to 26 percent in February. On the other hand, Escudero’s numbers dipped slightly from 28 percent in January to 26 percent this month.

Three other vice-presidential candidates - Leni Robredo, Alan Peter Cayetano and Sonny Trillanes - also showed improved numbers in the latest SWS survey.

Support for Robredo im-

proved from 17 percent in January to 19 percent in February, while Cayetano’s numbers improved from 14 percent in January to 16 percent in February. Trillanes’ numbers improved from 3 percent to 5 percent voter support during the same period.

Support for Sen. Gregorio Honasan, the vice-presidential candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance, declined from 8 percent to six percent during the survey period.(MNS)

istration would signal the dawn of change as he vowed to provide free social services to the poor.

“Bisperas na po ng makabuluhang pagbabago,” Binay said.

As the vice president gave out his promise of giving social services for children,

an elderly lady was heard saying: “Sige, push mo ‘yan,” before walking out.

Despite this, Binay was generally received by the crowd with a warm response, cheering for him with his every promise, especially his vow to improve the conditional cash transfer.(MNS)

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and Mindanao.

The survey asked respondents to choose which candidate they would vote for if the May elections were held today. The latest survey also showed vice-presidential candidate Marcos tied with Escudero at the top of the vice-presidential race. Both candidates now have 26% voter support in the latest SWS survey.

This is the first time that Escudero has lost the lead in the vice-presidential race since the surveys were con-

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ginagastos para maging dekalidad ang serbisyo,” Binay said.

“Tama bang pamamahala ‘yan, ipon ng ipon? Ang trabaho ng goberyno ay gumastos para tumaas ang serbisyo sa bayan,” Binay said.

Binay said his admin-