US Asian Post March 4, 2016 by Louixse Limbo

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Vol. 5 No. 23

LOS ANGELES

A BALITA MEDIA PUBLICATION

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Sen. Grace Poe insists: US passport not used in 2010 Poe says she last used US passport in 2010, Luna says in 2011

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 February 2016) - Political party lines make no difference as City Mayor Ronnel Rivera share a light moment with the city’s guests, Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Chiz Escudero, during the city government’s Monday morning flag ceremony. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

US presses China on nonPHL hits out at militarization in West PHL Sea Madonna over W a s h i n g t o n , U n i t e d known as Nansha in Chinese. The islands are claimed in part flag stunt States | AFP | Saturday 2/27/2016 – The White House pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to expand his non-militarization pledge to cover the entire South China Sea, despite Beijing’s recent military activity in the area. Daniel Kritenbrink, senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council, spoke amid rising tensions between the two countries over China’s deployment of surface-to-air missiles, radar gear, air strips and fighter jets on an islet there. During a state visit in September, Xi insisted that “China does not intend to pursue militarization” in the Spratly Island chain—

or whole by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. “We think it would be good if that non-militarization pledge, if he (Xi) would extend that across the entire South China Sea,” Kritenbrink told a forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “We’re going to encourage our Chinese friends and other countries in the region to refrain from taking steps that raise tensions.” China claims almost the whole of the area – through which a third of the world’s oil passes – while several other littoral states have

M a n i l a , P h i l i p pines | AFP | Sunday 2/28/2016 – The Philippines criticized Madonna on Sunday for disrespecting its flag during a concert in Manila, and said it would call on organizers of future events to avoid similar incidents. Photos from one of her two concerts last week published in local media showed the 57-year-old American mega-star draped in the Philippine flag. While press reports said the audience roared its approval at the music icon, who was in the country as part of her global “Rebel Heart”

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Palace tells judiciary: Speed up cases of media killings MANILA, Feb 27 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday urged the judiciary to speed up the resolution of cases involving the killing of journalists in light of the call of a United Nations body for the Philippine government to probe the recent killing of a radio reporter in Mindanao. “There have been many instances when we have all been waiting for justice and a resolution dahil mabagal ang proseso sa korte at independiente po ang mga korte, walang magagawa ang pamahalaan doon,” Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III told state-run Radyo ng Bayan. “And it requires constant appeals to the judiciary in a respect-

ful but firm manner to bear in mind that justice delayed is justice denied.” Elvis Ordaniza, reporter for dxWO Power99 FM radio, was killed in his home in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur by unidentified assailants on February 16. He was the first journalist to be murdered this year and the 31st since President Benigno Aquino III took power in June 2010, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. In a statement issued on Thursday, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director General Irina Bokova condemned Ordani See MEDIA KILLINGS, page 12

Sandiganbayan Third Division to handle graft raps vs. Junjun Binay MANILA, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan Third Division will be handling the graft case filed against dismissed Makati City Mayor Erwin “Junjun” Binay and other city officials in connection with the alleged overpriced constuction of the Makati City Hall Building II. On Friday, the case against Binay and 23 other individuals was raffled off to the division headed by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang. Other members of the division are Senior Member Hon. Samuel See SANDIGANBAYAN, page 12

MANILA, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) – The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Friday insisted that she last used her US passport before she renounced her American citizenship. This was the statement issued by her legal counsel George Erwin Garcia, clarifying that her client’s case could not be compared with that of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Rommel Arnado, whose disqualification in 2013 for using his US passport after renunciation was recently made final by the Supreme Court. “Lest the public be misled, the recent SC decision in Arnado vs Comelec is inapplicable to the case of Sen. Grace Poe. No rhyme nor reason to conclude that they are the same,” said Garcia. He said records would show that there was no use of Poe’s US passport after her renunciation of US citizenship in October 2010. Poe’s spokesman said the last time she used that passport was

in March 2010 or seven months before her renunciation. He added that this would be confirmed by the entries on the US passport itself and by immigration records. The lawyer said Poe’s use of her passport before renunciation “was further amplified during the oral argument.” “Malicious as it may seem, the attempt to muddle the facts and circumvent the truth at this point has no other intention but to influence the judicial process and sow confusion among the Filipinos,” said Garcia. Manuelito Luna, legal counsel for former Sen. Francis Tatad who had earlier convinced the Commission on Elections to disqualify Poe from next year’s presidential elections, contested Garcia’s claim that Poe never used her passport after her renunciation. “I have pointed out in our memorandum (filed with the SC) that See POE INSIST, page 2

Poe clarifies: Granting Marcos hero’s burial should be ‘in accordance with law’ MANILA, Feb 27 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe made it clear on Saturday that the decision whether or not to give former President Ferdinand Marcos a hero’s burial must be “in accordance with the law.” “The decision should be harmonized with the intentions in Republic Act 10368 on the reparation and recognition of human rights violations during the Marcos regime,” Poe, who is running for president in May, said in a statement. “The law makes it the policy of the State, and I quote, ‘to recognize the heroism and sacrifices of all Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and

other gross human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos covering the period from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 and restore the victims’ honor and dignity,’” she said. Poe issued the statement after a newspaper reported that she was open to allowing Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The senator denied the statement. “I have been consistent about this from the very beginning. Former President Ferdinand Marcos deserves to be accorded proper burial. As to where, I would like to clarify that I did not state in See HERO’S BURIAL, page 12

UNA seeks deaf-friendly presidential debate MANILA, Feb 27 (Mabuhay) – The United Nationalist Alliance on Saturday urged the Commission on Elections to make the next presidential debate deaf-friendly. “We believe that it is our moral duty to provide them (deaf) the appropriate access to information. It is also their legal right to have equal access to information,” UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan said in a statement. Ilagan said that they are suggesting to the Comelec to provide a sign language interpreter for the hearing-impaired voters who would like to have an active participation in the electoral process. “Nais po nating bigyan ang mga kababayan nating hard-of-hearing ng aktibong papel sa eleksyon sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tamang impormasyon at upang mapakinggan nila ang posisyon ng mga kandidato sa pagkapangulo at pagkapangalawang pangulo,” he said. Aside from providing a sign language interpreter, he said the Comelec should also encourage their media partners in the upcoming presidential debates to air replays in closed-caption format. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that providing a deaf-friendly format during the debates has “already been taken care of.” See DEBATE, page 2

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Late President Quirino’s remains to be transferred to Libingan ng mga Bayani MANILA, Feb 27 (Mabuhay) -- The remains of the late President Elpidio Quirino will be transferred to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday. Quirino, the sixth Philippine president, died of a heart attack on Feb. 29, 1956 at the Philippine Center in New York City and was buried at the Manila South Cemetery in Makati City. His remains’ transfer was

timed with his 60th death anniversary. The Libingan serves as a final resting place for Filipino presidents, dignitaries, soldiers, national artists/scientists/boy scouts, and thousands of soldiers who perished in the Second World War and the Korean War. The Philippine Army said Quirino’s remains will be buried at the Libingan at noon with full military

honors by a brigade-size ceremonial element. The Philippine Army said remains of the late president will arrive at the Libingan at around 11 a.m. Members of the Quirino family, President Benigno Aquino III, officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and other government officials are expected to attend the ceremony.

PHL turtle hatchlings emerge to begin perilous life’s journey President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and former President Fidel Ramos and Bobby Aquino, son of former Senator Butch Aquino, re-enacts the historic “jump” as EDSA Heroes and personalities as a helicopter hovers for confetti and flower drops to culminate the re-enactment of the historic “Salubungan” in front of the People Power Monument during the commemorative activities of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in White Plains Avenue corner Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Friday (February 25). It re-enacts the stopping of the tanks and the convergence of the military and civilian contingents. This year’s theme is “EDSA 30 Pagbabago Ipinaglaban N’yo Itutuloy Ko!” The 1986 peaceful and bloodless uprising ousted the dictatorship and catapulted the late Corazon C. Aquino to the Presidency. (MNS photo)

Police probe mystery of dead German yachtsman

Manila, Philippines | AFP | Monday 2/29/2016 – Police said Monday they were investigating the mystery of a German man whose body was found slumped in the cabin of a yacht that was drifting off the southern Philippines. Documents found on the yacht identified the dead man as Manfred Fritz Ba-

jorat but the cause of death was unclear, with no signs of foul play, said Inspector Mark Navales. “It is still a mystery to us,” said Navales, deputy police chief of Barabo town on Mindanao island where the body was taken. The man was found seated at a desk in the radio room, slumped over on his right arm “like he was

sleeping,” said Navales. Forensic examiners concluded that the man had died more than four days before the yacht was found Thursday by fishermen in the Philippine Sea about 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Barabo, he told AFP. The investigation found no obvious signs of violence but could not determine the cause of death.

Three dead in fresh ferry accident

Manila, Philippines | AFP | Saturday 2/27/2016 – Three people have been killed after a small ferry sank in the Philippines, police said Saturday, the latest in a series of maritime accidents in the archipelago. The Lady Aime ferry was travelling to Alabat Island from the coastal town of Gumaca, 117 kilometres (72 miles) from Manila, when it sank just

200 metres from shore at 4.40pm on Friday, said Chief Inspector Juan Byron Leogo. Fishermen on the seashore were able to rescue 60 passengers and four of the crew, but three passengers were killed, said Leogo, the town police chief. He attributed the sinking to “sudden high and strong waves” and possible “overloading”, saying the boat’s maximum number

of passengers is less than 50. A police report said part of the boat was destroyed by the waves. Authorities are considering criminal charges against the ferry owners. Poorly-maintained, loosely-regulated ferries form the backbone of maritime travel in the Philippines, a sprawling archipelago of 100 million people.

By Cecil Morella

Morong, Philippines | AFP | Monday 2/1/2016 – Hundreds of tiny turtle hatchlings emerge above a Philippine beach at night and immediately look to the sea, hoping to beat huge odds and start a remarkable trans-oceanic journey lasting decades. The olive ridleys, each shorter than a credit card, are among five species of sea turtles in the Philippines that are in danger of extinction, mostly because they are prized as a protein-rich food. “Not too long ago, all marine turtle eggs here ended up in the pot,” said Manolo Ibias, 63, a part-time fisherman and farmer who in his youth stole ridley eggs buried along the coast to eat as omelets. As a late convert to conservation, Ibias has for the past 17 years led Pawikan Conservation Centre, a community-based effort to protect turtles in Morong, a town about 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Manila, which is the olive ridleys’ largest known egg-laying site in the country. Globally, all seven known marine turtle species are declining or near extinction, mostly because of human actions, according to the Swiss-based International Union for the Conservation of Nature. These include accidental capture by giant nets of industrial-scale fishing trawlers, as well as coastal development that rob the migratory reptiles of nesting sites. And while the sea turtle trade is banned under an international convention, their meat and eggs remain a source of food and income for many people, such as those in the mostly poor fishing villages near Morong. They are also harvested

around the world for medicine, religious ceremonies and as articles of fashion. Conservation efforts In the Philippines, government-led conservation efforts began in the early 1980s, said Angelita Viloria, from the government’s threatened species management unit. Viloria said these efforts, focused mainly on educating communities but with little funding, were aimed at protecting about 100 major nesting sites, including at Morong. A law was also passed in 2001 punishing the trafficking of turtles and other endangered species with stiff jail terms and fines. “Our goal is to reach a stable population, when they will no longer be endangered,” she said. However turtle numbers are likely still in decline, according to Romeo Trono, who previously ran the government’s sea turtle conservation programme and is a respected global expert on the animal. While some local communities have been educated, Chinese traders have emerged as the greatest threat, bringing boats close to Philippine islands and filling them with turtles bought from local poachers, Trono said. In China, turtles have for centuries been prized for their medicinal value and as a food, and rising incomes in the world’s most populous nation have fuelled demand. Eleven Chinese fishermen wee arrested for poaching more than 500 marine turtles last year and are on trial on the western Philippine island of Palawan. But Viloria conceded Chinese-orchestrated poaching remains a major problem in the Philippines, a nation of more than 7,000 islands

with a small and poorly funded coast guard. “Our waters are too vast. We cannot effectively conduct patrols,” Viloria said. Slim survival chances Morong’s Pawikan centre, named after the Filipino term for the animal, is promoted as a showcase for the national efforts to protect the species. But it also illustrates the many challenges. For five months starting each October, about 200 turtles lay an astounding 19,000 rubbery, ping pong ball-sized turtle eggs – mostly olive ridley – at Morong. To protect them from poachers, the centre’s 17 volunteers, mostly local fishermen and farmers, dig the eggs up and bury them at a guarded artificial hatchery nearby. They also take turns patrolling the seven-kilometer (four-mile) stretch of South China Sea coastline in an all-terrain buggy in a bid to stop residents of nearby villages from stealing them. Natural predation from birds and fish, as well as human activity, mean just one percent of hatchlings typically survive into adulthood, according to conservation groups. At Morong, the odds are even worse. Relocating the eggs initially to the artificial hatchery cuts their survival chances because they are taken away from their natural habitat, according to Ibias. And with no national government financial support, the centre relies almost entirely on tourists for funding – which has some potentially deadly consequences. As a survival instinct to avoid predators, the hatchlings always emerge from their shells at night and aim to get straight to the water.

Presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte chants “Mabuhay ang Moro people!” before entering his vehicle after his campaign rally in Cotabato City on Saturday. Majority of the Bangsamoros in the event expressed support for Duterte for his clear stance on resolving the Mindanao conflict.(MNS photo)

Money supply grows 11.5% at P8.3T in January: BSP MANILA, Feb 29 (Mabuhay) – Domestic liquidity (M3) or the money circulating in the financial system grew by 11.5 percent at P8.3 trillion in January 2016 from a year earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Monday. “On a month-on-month, seasonally adjusted basis, M3 increased by 2.6 per-

cent,” the central bank noted, saying domestic liquidity expanded by 9.4 percent in December 2015. “Money supply continued to expand due largely to sustained demand for credit,” it said. Credits to the private sector increased at a faster pace, with the bulk of bank loans going to key production activities that

included real estate, utilities, wholesale and retail trade, automotive and motorcycle repairs, manufacturing, and information and communications. “The continued expansion of domestic liquidity during the month indicates that money supply remains adequate to support economic growth,” the central bank said.(MNS)

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NPC adopts Poe, Escudero as presidential, VP bets NPC endorsement of Poe won’t aﬀect Binay’s chances: spokesman MANILA, Feb 29 (Mabuhay) – The endorsement by the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) of the presidential bid of Sen. Grace Poe would not affect the chances in the presidency of Vice President Jejomar Binay, his party spokesperson said Monday. In an interview after a campaign sortie in Las Piñas city, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) spokesperson Mon Ilagan doubts that the support of the NPC is solid for the presidential bid of Poe, who is running as an independent but with the NPC’s backing. Ilagan said Binay has several longtime friends in the NPC back when he was Makati mayor. “Sa NPC, may mga malalim na kaibigan si Vice President Binay noong siya ay naging mayor ng Makati, so hindi naman masasabi na solid ang buong NPC kahit may endorso kay Senator Grace Poe,” Ilagan said. Ilagan said Binay is confident he has the advantage with his face-to-face campaign throughout different barangays. “Lamang kalye. Man on the street. And he wants to do his campaign face to face. Ang partido, definitely makakatulong. Pero what is more important with the campaign is your face-to-face relationship with the people,” Ilagan said. Ilagan said even former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, the son of NPC Chairman Emeritus and businessman Eduardo “Dangding” Cojuangco, is rooting for Binay in the coming elections. It was Mark Cojuangco who lobbied for Binay at a meeting between NPC and Binay on Sept. 2015. Cojuangco is gunning for the gubernatorial seat this year. “I think what’s more important is buo at solid ang core support ni Vice President Binay. Mahirap na magkaroon ng pundasyon. Kung magsisimula ka sa ibaba, sa grassroots level, napakahirap gawin kaysa sa itaas pagdating dito sa pulitika,” Ilagan said. The NPC is the second largest political party in Congress next to President Aquino’s Liberal Party. It has two senators, some 40 House of Representatives members, 22 city mayors and 14 provincial governors.

No link between Lanao unrest, BBL failure: military MANILA, Feb 29 (Mabuhay) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday denied that ongoing militant attacks in Butig, Lanao del Sur are linked to the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). AFP spokesperson Restituto Padilla said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) earlier claimed that rebels from the Maute Group attacked the military to protest the fate of BBL. But Padilla said they have not found any strong evidence supporting this claim. “Wala pong mabigat na katibayang nag-uugnay, nagsasabing sila ay nagsagawa ng ganitong pagatake dahil sa kanilang pag-protesta,” he said. “Ang dami po kasing spoilers diyan na ayaw sa nangyari sa BBL pero ito po ay isa naming nakikitang hindi naman matibay na batayan. “ Padilla said they are still investigating the motive behind the attacks which may have been a test

mission for the new recruits of the Maute Group. “Hindi po namin talaga mabatid kung ano talaga ang naging motibo. Biglaan po ang simula nito. Pero ang hinala po namin, maaaring ginagawang test mission po ito o pangwakas na training ng mga kabataan na nakuha nila,” he said. The conflict in Butig town started last February 20, when the militants attacked the 51st Infantry Batallion detachment in Barangay Tayabao. The military’s counter attacks have since forced the rebels to retreat. Over 60 militants were believed to have been killed so far, including Omar Maute, one of two leaders of the Maute Group. Remaining members of the group, however, are still putting up a fight. Some 4,000 families have been affected displaced by the clashes. The Maute leaders were trained by Indonesian terror suspect Ustadz Sanusi who has ties with the Jemaah Islamiyah.

MANILA, Feb 29 (Mabuhay) – The country’s second largest political party has thrown its support behind the candidacies of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero. In a press conference Monday, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) announced it will adopt Poe and Escudero as its candidates for president

appearing to be aged 14 and above) carrying arms. “May mga edad 14 anyos pataas ang nahikayat ng Maute terror group na sumali sa kanilang pangkat.” A total of 55 rebels have already been killed since clashes erupted last Saturday, Dela Rosa added. Quoting military sources, government forces have suffered five fatalities in the military campaign that has already dragged on for a week. Earlier, Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, claimed that the group is led by brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute, who supposedly have links with the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah. Also, he said that military materiel recovered during last Thursday’s operations were two M16 rifles, two rocket propelled

speculation regarding whose presidential candidate it will carry in the May 2016 national elections. Before choosing Poe, the NPC met with other presidential aspirants such as Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Poe and Escudero, however, are the only presidential and vice presidential candidate whom members of the party met several times before they declared their respective candidacies. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was the only presidential contender who did not meet with party members.

Vice-presidential candidate Sen. Gringo Honasan gamely poses for selfies at a United Nationalist Alliance campaign sortie in Lucban, Quezon. Vice-President Jejomar Binay led UNA candidates in their 2-day campaign in the province of Quezon.(MNS photo)

File formal complaints vs. campaign violators: Comelec chief MANILA, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) – While using social media as an instrument to gather reports of campaign violations, the Commission on Elections said complainants should file formal complaints if they have sufficient evidence against any candidate. According to Comelec chair Andres Bautista, the poll body does monitor social media complaints—particularly those addressed to the

Comelec’s accounts and the hashtag #SumbongKo. However, he acknowledged they have been flooded by complaints. “Mino-monitor namin, pero dahil napakarami, so maganda kung meron talagang paratang at merong ebidensiya, mag-file na lang ng formal complaint,” Bautista said. Complaints made on social media include photos of posters of both national and

local candidates placed at public establishments and beyond designated poster areas. They also include alleged vote-buying and other violations. Among complaints that have been making rounds on social media involve two presidential candidates, Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance and former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas of

the ruling Liberal Party. A video is currently circulating on Facebook, which shows Binay giving away money. His daughter, Sen. Nancy Binay, clarified that it was a video taken during Christmastime a few years ago. Meanwhile, a photo surfaced on social media showing a government vehicle allegedly being used in going around to put up Roxas’ posters.

Rizal province’s Ynares family endorses Bongbong Marcos MANILA, Feb 29 (Mabuhay) - The influential Ynares family of Rizal province together with other incumbent local officials on Monday officially endorsed the vice presidential bid of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In attending the flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal provincial capitol in Antipolo City, Marcos was welcomed by Governor Rebecca Ynares, former governor Casimiro Ynares Jr., Vice Governor Frisco San Juan Jr., Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, Antipolo 1st District Rep. Roberto “Robie” Puno and for-

Troopers overrun rebel camp in Lanao del Sur MANILA, Feb 27 (Mabuhay) – Government troops have already breached the defenses of the camp of the rebel group that has been the subject of military operations in Butig town in Lanao del Sur, an Army official claimed Saturday. Soldiers have broken into the first line of defense of the Maute rebel group and killed two more “terrorists.” “Nakuha na ang first line of defense ... dalawa ang napatay ng mga sundalo,” Cruz quoted Lt. Col. Billy dela Rosa, Commander of the 51st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. Also, Dela Rosa said government troops recovered two armalite rifles, a sniper barret, RPG, a radio and binoculars from a house inside the camp. Moreover, Dela Rosa said soldiers have recovered pictures of several minors (male and female

and vice president, respectively. “We at the NPC wish to announce that we are formally adopting Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares and Senator Francis Escudero for president and vice president, respectively,” announced party president Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao. The NPC’s announcement ended months of

grenades and a home-made cal. 50 rifle, Tan said. Sporadic clashes broke out on the evening of Feb. 20 when the rebels attacked a military detachment in Butig. Government reinforcements came in, leading to a full-blown military campaign. (MNS)

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mer Antipolo Mayor Angelito Gatlabayan. In his speech after the flag-raising ceremony, Vice Gov. San Juan declared that Rizal will forever be a “Marcos country”. San Juan said the Marcos family has done “so much” to usher the province’s progress especially during the term of Marcos Jr.’s father, the late dictator, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “Makakaasa po kayo ang Rizalenos will forever remain a Marcos country,” San Juan said. Meanwhile, the Ynares family led by Ynares Jr. raised Marcos’ hands as a symbol of support. Marcos thanked the political leaders of Rizal, as well as the employees of the provincial cap-

itol for the warm welcome and promised that more livelihood assistance will be extended to the province if he is elected as vice president. “Tama po ang sinabi ni Vice Gov na malapit ang Rizal sa amin at malapit kami sa Rizal. Kaya hindi po mawawala sa isip ng inyong kandidato at ng pamilyang Marcos na talagang tumutulong at iniisip kung paano ang gagawin para mapaganda ang kabuhayan dito,” Marcos said. Before visiting the provincial capitol, Marcos also took part in the flag-raising rites at the Antipolo City hall. Marcos also visited the towns of Teresa, Morong, Tanay, Baras, Pililla and Jalajala. Marcos had earlier secured the endorsements of several dominant political figures

in north Luzon, namely, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, incumbent Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr. and gubernatorial aspirant Mark Cojuangco, incumbent San Fernando City, La Union Mayor Pablo Ortega and gubernatorial aspirant Mario Ortega. Marcos had also secured the endorsements of San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez and the Eusebo family in Pasig as well as the four big transport groups in the country namely, the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Pasang Masda, Association of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP).

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EDSA veteran tells Bongbong: Stop justifying martial law MANILA, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) – A staunch critic of Martial Law has asked Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Friday to stop downplaying the abuses committed during the dictatorship of his late father. Former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. insisted that the extra-judicial killings and suppression of the rights to free speech, press and assembly could never be justified by Marcos’ claims of peace and infrastructure development during Martial Law. “Hindi naman natin sinasabing si Bongbong Marcos will condemn what his father did, maybe that’s too much to expect. Pero huwag naman niya i-justify na magaling,” Pimentel added. “Iyun ang isang bagay na para bang hindi dapat makalimutan ng taumbayan. Bagamat ang kasalanan ng tatay ay huwag naman sanang ibahid sa anak – Pero kung iyung anak is not at all apologetic and would in fact justify kung ano iyung nangyari, palagay ko, hindi na dapat iyun.” The Marcos administration has been marred with allegations of rampant corruption, crony capitalism, human rights violations and extra-judicial killings. Aquilino was one of thousands of opposition leaders who were arbitrarily detained after President Marcos made Proclamation 1081. Sen. Marcos, who is running for vice president in the May 9 elections, has been criticized for refusing to apologize for the atrocities committed under his father’s regime. He said any injustice committed during his father’s presidency was not sanctioned by the government. The namesake of the late dictator also said that the Martial Law period should not be considered an election issue. He reasoned that there are more important issues to discuss with regard to the elections, including programs and platforms that aim to uplift the lives of the Filipinos. The Philippines on Thursday marked the anniversary of the People Power Revolution which ousted President Marcos from Malacañang in 1986. In the interview, Pimentel reminded Filipinos of their duty to nurture the spirit of the bloodless revolution. He compared the country’s democracy to a tree whose seed was planted by the 1986 movement, but still requires constant care to grow. “Ang nagawa noon, pagtanim lamang ng kahoy ng kalayaan. Ang ibig sabihin, itinanim ang kahoy ng kalayaan na iyun pero ang kailangan, alagaan mo. Para iyang pagtanim ng mangga - hindi naman bubunga iyun kapag hindi mo i-fertilize, pagkatapos pausukan,” he said. “Nasa tao na ang choice kung he or she will take advantage of the freedom that has been restored to his or life. Kapag ayaw niya, nasa kanya na iyun.” Pimentel also encouraged voters to install the right leaders in May, who would ensure that democracy will prosper.

Enrile hits back at Aquino over speech on EDSA anniversary MANILA, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) – Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile lashed back at Benigno Aquino III over the President’s remark during the 30th EDSA anniversary rites. In his speech at the People Power Monument on Thursday, Aquino blamed Enrile and Senator Bongbong Marcos for the failure of Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Enrile said Aquino keeps on blaming people over the failure of the BBL, but doesn’t have enough understanding of the history of the country. During his speech, Aquino said that Enrile and Marcos blocked that BBL. “Hindi ba ang BBL ay naipit sa Senado sa kumite para sa lokal na gobyerno, na pinamumunuan ni Senador Marcos? ‘Di ba nung pinakahuling araw ng sesyon, tuloy pa rin ang pag-interpellate ni Senador Enrile? At di po ba, itong dalawang apelyido ding ito ang siyang nagtulak ng military solution para sa mga Moro noong panahon ng diktadurya?” Aquino said. But Enrile said that at the time, the military was needed in Mindanao due to attacks by rebels. Aquino should have talked to his allies in Congress regarding the BBL, Enrile said. On Feb. 5, the House of Representatives and Senate adjourned without putting the proposed BBL to a vote for plenary approval. This means that the bill needs to be re-filed by a new Congress under a new administration. The BBL is one of the products of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government in 2014. It was expected to lead into the creation of a Bangsamoro juridical entity that would have replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (MNS)

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OPINION

Palace: Poll proves Filipinos cherish democracy

MANILA, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) – The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing 76 percent of Filipinos satisfied with the way democracy works validates how people appreciate the fruits of the People Power Revolution 30 years ago. “Such overwhelming approval shows the Filipinos’ deep appreciation for democracy as a way of life,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a statement. Coloma said the positive results of the survey “comes as a timely and fitting tribute to the Filipinos on the 30th anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution.” “Filipinos cherish and uphold democracy as they disdain the oppression and tyranny of the dictator-

ship,” he said. The survey, conducted from December 5 to 8, revealed that about 76 percent or three in four Filipinos expressed satisfaction on how democracy works in the Philippines. The respondents answered the question: “On the whole, are you (very satisfied; fairly satisfied; not very satisfied; not at all satisfied) with the way democracy works in the Philippines?” SWS said that satisfaction with democracy has always been higher than 60 percent since June 2010, the time when President Benigno Aquino III took office. Satisfaction with democracy reached a record-high of 80 percent in June 2013.

Oscar-winning child-sex film ‘not anti-Catholic’: Vatican Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Monday 2/29/2016 – “Spotlight,” the Oscar-winning film about sex abuse in the Catholic Church, faithfully portrays how the Church tried to defend itself despite a “horrible reality,” but is not anti-Catholic as such, the Vatican paper said Monday. “Predators do not necessarily wear ecclesiastical vestments, and paedophilia does not necessarily stem from the vow of chastity. But it is now clear that, in the Church, too many people concerned themselves more with the image of the institution than the gravity of the act,” wrote an editorial in the Osservatore Romano. “All of this cannot justify the very serious fault of whoever, as a representative of God, uses this authority to abuse innocents: it is well told in this film,” opined editorial-writer Lucetta Scaraffia, in the first official Vatican comment on the film’s Best Picture Oscar win Sunday night. “The film is convincing by its narrative. And it’s not an anti-Catholic film,” she wrote. But she did regret that the “long and tenacious fight” against paedophilia launched within the Church by Joseph Ratzinger, first as Dean of the College of Cardinals and then as Pope Benedict

XVI, was not mentioned. The call on Pope Francis launched during the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles “must be seen as a positive signal: there is still trust in the institution and in a pope who is pressing ahead with the cleaning up begun by his predecessor,” said the editorial. “Spotlight,” which chronicles The Boston Globe’s investigation into sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and institutional efforts to cover up the crimes, landed the Oscar for best picture Sunday—a surprise win. The journalism drama, which boasts a star-studded cast including Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams, is based on a series of stories by the real “Spotlight” team that earned the paper a Pulitzer Prize in 2003. “This film gave a voice to survivors. And this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican,” co-producer Michael Sugar told the Oscars ceremony. “Pope Francis, it’s time to protect the children and restore the faith,” he told the audience at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

China to secure ‘de facto’ control of S. China Sea: US admiral By Thomas Watkins Washington, United States | AFP | Thursday 2/25/2016 – China is on its way to securing “de facto” control of the South China Sea, a top US admiral warned Thursday, amid growing unease over Beijing’s continued military build up in the contested waterway. By building air bases and hardened bunkers on tiny islands, some of which are reclaimed from the sea, and by installing sophisticated radar and missile defense systems, China has shown it is determined to achieve military primacy in the region, Admiral Harry Harris said. Beijing’s claims to almost all of the South China Sea are widely disputed and the body of water has long been viewed as a potential flashpoint. “If China continues to arm all of the bases they have reclaimed in the South China Sea, they will change the operational landscape in the region,” Harris told Pentagon reporters. “Short of war with the United States, China will exercise de facto control of the South China Sea.” Harris, who heads up the US Pacific Command, visited the Pentagon after several hearings in Washington at which he warned lawmakers about the pace of China’s maritime militarization. “Harris is raising alarm about what could happen if there’s not sufficient push back, that’s what he’s trying to provoke here, a more robust response from the region and outside the region,” said Bonnie Glaser, a senior Asia advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The US cannot do this alone.” China is using dredgers to turn reefs and low-lying features into larger land masses for runways and other military uses to bolster its claims of sovereignty in the region. Satellite imagery released this week shows Beijing is installing radar gear, and China has also deployed surface-to-air missiles and lengthened a runway to accommodate fighter jets on one islet, Woody Island, in the Paracels. Beijing appears to be preparing what is known as an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the entire South China Sea, through which it can militarily query any vessel or aircraft.

“I am concerned about the possibility that China might declare an ADIZ,” Harris said. “I’m concerned about it from the sense that I would find that to be destabilizing and provocative.” Still, he noted, the United States would ignore any such designation. Freedom of navigation General Joe Dunford, who is the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and America’s top officer, earlier on Thursday told lawmakers that he worried China wants to hamper the United States as it operates in the region. “It’s very clear to me that those capabilities that are being developed are intended to limit our ability to move into the Pacific or to operate freely within the Pacific, and we call that anti-access, aerial-denial capabilities,” Dunford told the US House Appropriations Committee. The United States has repeatedly said it rejects China’s claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea, and since October has carried out two high-profile “freedom of navigation” operations in which it sailed two warships within 12 nautical miles of islets claimed by China. “We need to, and we must, continue to exercise our rights of freedom of navigation in international waters and airspace,” Harris said, adding that “like-minded” nations should do the same. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said China’s military presence in the South China Sea was increasing the risk of “miscalculation or conflict” between regional countries. “Chinese behavior is having the effect of self-isolation, and it’s also galvanizing others to take action against it,” he told the House Appropriations Committee. Carter said other nations in the region are responding by stepping up their own maritime defense activities and aligning themselves with the United States. “Old allies, like Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines, and then new partners, like Vietnam and India, that are working with us increasingly,” he said. The South China Sea is a vital waterway through which trillions of dollars of cargo flow each year, much of it destined for the United States.

Trump says he will unify Republican party

Palm Beach, United States | AFP | Wednesday 3/2/2016 – Donald Trump offered an olive branch to Republican party leaders who are deeply opposed to his presidential candidacy Tuesday, making the case he can unify and grow the party. Emerging from a bitter Super Tuesday marathon as the clear winner, Trump tried to defuse an intra-party feud that may be the only serious obstacle on his path to wining the Republican White House nomination. Republican luminaries are fighting a rear guard action against his candidacy, which has been marked by racist outbursts and bitter insults. A long party feud that takes the contest all the way to the convention in July has not been ruled out. “I’m a unifier,” Trump said, easing up on his hallmark bombast and offering a more conciliatory tone. “I know people will find this hard to believe.” Trump tried to knock down, one-by-one, the main criticisms about his candidacy that have come from

within his own party: that he’s too divisive and cannot win the general election. “I think we’ll be more inclusive and more unified. I think we’ll be a much bigger party. I think we’re going to win in November,” Trump said in Florida after securing victories in at least six states on Super Tuesday, a pivotal day in the 2016 race. To underscore the point, Trump trained his sights on Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee. “She’s been there for so long. I mean if she hasn’t straightened it out by now, she’s not going to straighten it out in the next four years,” he said. “Once we get this finished, I’m going to go after one person,” he said. Trump also went out of his way to congratulate his closest rival, Senator Ted Cruz, on his victory in Texas, saying: “He worked hard on it.” But in case Republicans in Washington believed they have the upper hand, Trump offered an embrace barbed with a threat.

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ENTERT Biboy Ramirez Takes Off His Actor’s Mask “I am doing what I love to do,” he starts and with a gleam in his eyes he exclaims, “it’s a nice feeling. Very fulfilling as an artist.” Biboy Ramirez is known as an actor in mostly independent award-winning movies like “In Nomine Matris”, “Maestra”, and “Sitio”. His guest appearances in tv shows like “Imbestigador”, “Maalaala Mo Kaya”, and “Honesto” among others are unforgettable. But what amazed me is his portrayal of Jose Rizal on stage in “Pepe”. His characters are interesting and he manages to make a new persona out of every role. The memorable characters are not him. He puts on a mask and portrays it. He is an old-school actor. 20 years in the world of entertainment, Biboy has

more than love of his work. He has a creed, “If you want immortality or longevity you do film. If you want big money you work for television. If you want to improve your craft as an actor you go on stage, do theatre.” His practical sense makes his views about the industry of make believe not dreamy. Instead, he embraces his artistic journey as a craftsman who wakes up everyday looking forward to his work. Biboy describes himself as an independent actor. What is an independent actor? Artists, the good ones, yearn for control over their

work. Artistic control comes with success. The business of media is willing to trade for that control if they trust the artist. But that trust doesn’t come quickly or easily. It takes years. That’s what makes artists independent of the “system” so special. They are too eager or passionate to wait. “Not just picking your own projects but picking your own career path in media,” Biboy says. He has written short comedy for the internet advertising, involved in theatre productions, television, and film. Every possible expression of an actor’s craft in every media, Biboy has done it. Enthusiastically he explains,“When I started behind the camera 10 years ago, I realized that the work

Robin to Pinoy musicians: Take risks Singer Robin Nievera is doing his part in helping change the local music industry starting with his latest album. The son of OPM icons Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez recently released “Dare,” which is under independent label Homeworkz. It has eight tracks composed and arranged by Robin. The carrier single is “No More Light.” More singles will be released in succeeding months. Comparing “Dare” to his previous album, Robin said, “I love rock music. I love loud music. But this album is very tame. It’s very simple, very easy to listen to. I tried to make it as international-sounding as I could. I think music should be different. Music should be the way how people write it and I want that to come out from this album.” Robin highly admires the talents of Filipino musicians. He believes Filipino singers can compete in the global market but they just need more push. “I think we can all write good music, good enough that someone from the States will listen to it, or someone from Europe and Korea. If Korea can do it, why can’t we do it? As a country, we need to be

Robin Nievera

more aggressive with our music, and more creative. I think we have to change the way we think,” he said. Citing the recently-concluded Grammy Awards as example, Robin shared his frustration about Filipino artists not being considered for international awards wherever eligible. “Every time the year comes by and I don’t hear a Filipino, I get really, parang, ‘Why isn’t Sarah on it?’ I get really angry because I think we are the best and the world doesn’t see it. And I don’t know why,” he said. Robin wants his album to inspire other Filipino singers to take a more aggressive step in finding a bigger audience for their music. “I want this album essentially to inspire singers, artistas, for them to know, there are songs that I think

are good that I want to share and I think they should also do with theirs,” he said. Robin added, “I just believe that music has changed in every other country. Music has evolved to whatever it is. For us, every time we try to change music, we try to copy another culture, another sound. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I think it’s time for Filipinos to really (shine). It’s not a hard sound to find, it’s something from the heart, but because we don’t think it’s going to work, for me it just breaks off all the inspiration you put into the song. It’s a risk that I want a lot of us to take.” While other countries have their own style of music, Robin feels the Philippines also needs to have its own. “I want us as a country to have a sound. We don’t have a sound. When you go to another country, they think we have an ethnic sound, which is wrong because that’s Japanese. So, I want to tell people we need to have a sound,” he said. Being the son of Martin and Pops, Robin is aware that comparisons are inevitable. However, Robin takes it positively as he treads his own path in the local music scene.

Richard Gutierrez oﬀers best version of self on ‘Panday’ Richard Gutierrez has been named the newest Panday, playing the iconic role in the TV5 adaptation of the classic comic series that the King, the late Fernando Poe Jr., popularized in the ’80s. With just one look at Richard during the launch of “Ang Panday,” produced jointly by TV5 and Viva Communications, Inc., it is evident how much the actor appreciates the task set before him. His physique said it all – buffed up but also slimmer in the right places, he was even in costume. Note that he also hardly smiled just like his character in the show. Richard revealed he spent hours in the gym getting physically ready for the role. He said he went on a diet to make sure he reached his target weight. And the result, we have to say, is excellent – he is the best looking Panday yet. He said, “I am just so happy to be given this

Richard Gutierrez

role. Timing is everything. I think everyone dreams of being given this kind of project. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ako ang napagtiwalaan nila to essay this role. It is truly an honor. You just don’t say no to this kind of project. What you do is get up and get to

work. So, to prepare, I have re-watched all the ‘Panday’ series. FPJ’s shoes are too big to fill in, so I am giving this my best.” Richard also said that his Panday will be fresh and new. Apparently, he helped director Mac Alejandre and other people in the production develop the character. “But the Flavio of old will be there so viewers could still relate to our Panday,” he said. The actor happily noted that everyone involved in the production is focused on a common objective, and that is to make the series a hit. “We are all on the same page. I realized that this is what I do. This is where I am happy. This is what I am all about,” Richard said, adding we all should expect the best version of him on “Ang Panday.” “Ang Panday” will premiere on TV 5 on Feb. 29 at 8:30 p.m. It will be shown weeknights, 9 p.m. thereafter.(MNS)

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INMENT that the production team put in a project is inconceivable.” He gained an appreciation of all the hardwork of everyone involved leading to that “big” moment. Sharing his experience, “Film screening or being on stage performing, making all of it come to life is all worth it,” and with a big smile on his face he continues, “the reaction you get from your audience is priceless.” An independent actor like Biboy gives his audience an extra portion of passion. What I remember of Biboy after meeting him in person is that he is remarkably quiet but not shy. Many actors have a reflex or a desire to capture any room that they walk in to and be the center of attention, but not Biboy Ramirez. He is a man of his own thoughts, very perceptive and a careful listener. He has intensely and passionately focused on his work. He has the soul of an artist. I have seen examples of actors who wear the actor’s mask well. They take on the character and make us believe it. Biboy goes a step further. He writes, directs, and produces. He creates the mask for other actors to wear. In rare occasion, he is on both sides of the mask in the same production. He shares his views on working behind-the-scenes, “When I produce a project, I collaborate with a team to work on the story. When I do photography it is shooting frame for frame according to what the script asks for.

Biboy Ramirez

Directing is executing the story. Writing, for me, is very challenging but more fulfilling because the project starts with a concept and it needs to be written.” Being exposed to all forms of media and have worked on variety of production tasks Biboy has this confession to make, “My first love is acting.” Then seriously expressed, “I’d drop everything when I get an acting job. I will accept every project.” The variety of projects in his acting portfolio ranges from a school project like “Aling Pag-ibig Pa?” which is a short film production thesis, to an internationally acclaimed film “In Nomine Matris”. He tackles every role so naturally. You can feel the pain in his character in a dramatic scene. Biboy has come a long way from the kid who was discovered at the mall while

With Biboy Ramirez

waiting for his pictures to be developed. The anticipation of success of independent films is really rooting for the underdog. We treasure the visionaries and artists who reach with their childlike dreams through the obstacles of tight schedules and limited budgets. Biboy Ramirez has done that ably by seizing the actor’s mask.

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Anne Curtis reacts to wedding rumors

Actress-host Anne Curtis reacted to rumors that she will tie the knot soon with her boyfriend, restaurateur Erwan Heussaff. This after her younger sister, Jasmine, hinted that the wedding is “just around the corner.” “I think it will happen soon. Like nararamdaman ko na siya and I’m excited for her. Super excited. It’s just around the corner,” she said. Curtis, however, maintained that she and Heussaff are not getting married anytime soon, saying that they are still focused on their respective careers.

Wenn Deramas

Wenn Deramas dies Box-office director Wenn Deramas died Monday morning due to cardiac arrest. He was 49. According to Deramas’ friend, June Rufino, the director died at the emergency room of Capitol Medical Center at around 2 a.m. He said Deramas went there to see his sister who earlier succumbed to cardiac arrest. Rufino said there were numerous attempts to revive Deramas but his heart did not respond anymore. “When he arrived there, biglang tumirik din ang mata niya. Sixty-six seconds lang ang reviving period, wala talaga,” Rufino said. Deramas almost had a heart attack two years ago, and he underwent an angioplasty last year. Rufino said the director had fully recovered after his angioplasty so his death came as a surprise. “He had an angioplasty last year but he became very healthy. He lost weight, maganda. Kaya biglaan in a way kasi na-clear din naman siya sa angioplasty,” Rufino said. The remains of Direk Wenn will be brought to Arlington Memorial Chapels in Araneta Avenue today. Deramas graduated from the University of Santo Tomas and started his career as a production assistant. He also worked as a writer and executive producer but is best known as a film and TV director. His hit films include the “Ang Tanging Ina” series, “Petrang Kabayo,” “Sisterakas,” “Moron 5 and the Crying Lady,” “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin,” “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy,” “The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin” and the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, “Beauty and the Bestie.” “Beauty and the Bestie” has earned P526 million in the box office as of January 26, 2016. (MNS)

Anne Curtis

“Hindi, hindi,” she said after a press conference for ABS-CBN’s newest singing competition, “I Love OPM”, which she co-hosts with Eric Nicolas.

Piolo recalls meeting with Meryl Streep

Actor Piolo Pascual shared his experience meeting Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep at the recently concluded Berlin International Film Festival. His movie with John Lloyd Cruz, “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” directed by Lav Diaz, won the Silver Bear in the 2016 festival, where Streep is a jury member. Aside from their meeting on the red carpet and on stage, Pascual and the cast of “Hele” also had an intimate dinner with Streep, Clive Owen and the rest of the jury. “It was surreal! For me, it was enough that I saw her. She was behind us during the entire awards night,” he said. The actor said he was so overwhelmed that he was not able to take a photo with Streep.

Piolo Pascual

“Nahiya akong magpa-picture. Pinagalitan nga ako bakit hindi ako nagpa-picture,” he said. “Kasi I was too embarrassed to ask. It was enough for me to just see her.” Pascual was all praises for Streep and Owen, especially after seeing their “human” side. “I saw how she is as a person, so that was enough for me to realize na tao din pala siya... As much as they are larger than life, they are also human beings, they are just doing their job as well. So for me, it was really humbling.

“Kasi I think it comes in the own right time,” she added. “Ako kasi napaka-career-driven ko and once you decide kasi na handa ka nang magpakasal, dapat handa ka na ring i-give up kung ano ang mayroon sa career mo. Kasi mag-iiba ‘yan.” “Sa ngayon kasi, Erwan and I are very much happy. Pero we are very much career-driven so hindi namin minamadali ‘yung mga bagay na ‘yon.” Curtis said she sees herself walking down the aisle in two to three years. For now, she said she is happy hosting “It’s Show-

time” and her newest show, “I Love OPM”. “Ang saya kasi never in my wildest dreams did I ever think na magho-host ako ng isang singing contest,” she explained. “When they explained the concept naman of it, naiintindihan ko na bagay naman talaga sa akin ‘yung show.” “Immediately [I said] yes. In fact, ako na lang yata ang inaantay kasi nabuo na nila ang concept at galing ako sa bakasyon,” she added. So far, 12 contestants dubbed as “touristars” made it to the next round of the competition.

Kris won’t comment on pregnancy of James Yap’s GF

TV host Kris Aquino took to social media to express her love for her youngest son following reports that her ex-husband, basketball player James Yap, and his Italian girlfriend are expecting a baby. In an Instagram post, Aquino said James “Bimby” Yap Jr. will “always have 100% of my heart and kuya’s heart,” referring to her eldest son, Josh. Aquino acknowledged the remarks made by her fans regarding the pregnancy of Yap’s girlfriend, Michela Cazzola, but the TV host opted to “keep quiet” because it is “the proper thing for me to do.” “I read some of your comments, the proper thing for me to do is just keep quiet,” she said. “Bimb’s okay and that’s what matters to me.”

Kris Aquino

Aquino previously revealed that she had a misunderstanding with Yap, who is Bimby’s father. Yap has been in a relationship with Cazzola since 2012, after his marriage to Aquino was annulled. Aside from his son with Aquino, Yap has another child with an ex-girlfriend. (MNS)

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UTREACH PHL economic transformation to headline business and investment forum in NY WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Philippines’ economic transformation due largely to good governance reforms will be the central theme of the Philippine Business and Investment Forum (PBIF) to be held on 03 March 2016 at the Metropolitan Ballroom of the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in New York City. With growth rates of 7-10% possible in the next decade and an HSBC Global Research Report predicting the country to be the 16th largest economy in the world by 2050, the Philippine economic story consists of record-level macroeconomic and stock-market performances, credit ratings upgrades, improvements in competitiveness rankings, high levels of FDI, increased tax revenues and growing demand for world-class Filipino talent, all of which resulting in unprecedented economic growth, greater international business confidence and renewed optimism in the potential of the country. “This Forum is a great opportunity for us to take stock of the incredible performance of the Philippine economy over the past number of years and to bring attention to the successful reforms that have driven the country’s economic transformation since 2010 when President Aquino assumed the presidency,” explained Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. who initiated the PBIF. The PBIF brings together influential leaders from the Philippine Government and private sector, along with their U.S. and inter-

national counterparts for an in-depth analysis of the Philippine economic and political situation and the opportunities it holds for investors, both in capital markets and in industry. The discussions will also focus on the outlook for continued growth in the Philippines, the sustainability of reforms because of their institutionalization through legislation, and US investor sentiment. In a statement, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, who will lead the Philippine Delegation, said that “the Philippines has a great economic story to tell. Our turnaround from ‘the sick man of Asia’ to the region’s resilient, bright spot is something that the Filipino people can be proud of. It is a product of painstaking discipline and good governance. We want to go out there and share the fact that despite strong external headwinds, the Philippines is here to stay as a place for growth.” The PBIF is being organized by InvivaLink, a company specializing in the production of business and investment conferences. InvivaLink Executive Director Nadine Padron stated, “The comeback story of the Philippines poses an example for countries around the world of how strong leadership and good governance can substantially change the direction and overall competitiveness of a country. After having had the opportunity to work closely with the country’s public and private sector leadership we have perceived a clear ‘before and after’ in the mindset of the Filipinos and a determination to continue to work in this

direction, and ultimately remain one of Asia’s strongest contenders.” In the course of the last few years, the Philippines enhanced its market position and consumer-protection mechanisms through the implementation of important legislation. Not only do these laws increase the Philippines’ attractiveness for investment by prompting a level playing field for domestic and international business, but they also institutionalize the foundations of good governance, fair competition and business transparency engendered by the Aquino administration. Some of the other key speakers at the PBIF are Virgilio de los Reyes, Secretary of Agrarian Reform; former Secretary of Trade and Industry Gregory L. Domingo; Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia, Chairperson of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority; Jose E.B. Antonio, Chairman and CEO of Century Properties Group Incorporated; Enrique Razon, Chairman & President of ICTSI; Lorenzo Tan, President of the Bankers Association of the Philippines; Perry Pe, President of the Management Association of the Philippines; Ambassador John Negroponte, CoChair of the US Philippines Society; Nouriel Roubini, Chairman of Roubini Global Economics; Alexander Feldman, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council; John Chambers, Chairman of the S&P Sovereign Debt Committee; Jay Collins, Vice Chairman of Citigroup; and Terry Dale, President and CEO of the US Travel Operators Association.

SBA economic injury disaster loans available to small businesses SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Small, nonfarm businesses in all 58 California counties and neighboring Arizona, Nevada and Oregon counties listed below are now eligible to apply for lowinterest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought that began January 1, 2016, announced Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center - West. Neighboring Arizona counties: La Paz and Mohave; Neighboring Nevada

counties: Carson City, Clark, Douglas, Esmeralda, Lyon, Mineral, Nye and Washoe; Neighboring Oregon counties: Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake. “SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Garfield said. Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may

qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred. “Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Garfield said.

Californians save 1.1-M acre-feet of water SACRAMENTO – For the first time since June, California just missed Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s 25 percent water conservation mandate in January, as urban water suppliers reported a cumulative savings of 24.8 percent for the eight months since mandatory conservation began. With more than 1.1 million acre-feet of water conserved from June 2015 through January, the state is 96 percent of the way toward reaching its goal of 1.2 million acre-feet of water to be saved by the end of February, an unprecedented conservation achievement. Nonetheless, California re-

mains in a record drought. Californians are urged not to relax their water-saving habits and continue conserving by reducing or eliminating outdoor irrigation when it’s wet and keeping household water use to the essentials. “We’re hoping for every raindrop and every snowflake we can handle. We’re hoping for a miracle March and an awesome April. But we can’t know what the next couple months will bring. And a warm and dry February has proved that we can’t count on El Niño to save us,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “Californians have

risen to the occasion as never before. But we have to stay the course. We have to keep it up.” Statewide, the conservation rate dropped from 18.4 percent in December 2015 to 17.1 percent in January, likely because January 2016 was warmer than January 2013. Residents generally use much less water for outdoor irrigation in the winter months, so there’s less opportunity for savings. Nonetheless, average per capita water use declined from 67 gallons per person per day in December 2015 to 61 gallons in January, the lowest statewide per-person rate since water-use reporting began in June 2014.

Students from various schools clad in colorful costumes join the 21st Panagbenga flower festival street dancing event in Baguio City, Sunday. The annual festival, with the theme “Bless the Children with Flowers,” emphasized the importance of the festival to the younger generation.(MNS photo)

USCIS website, E-Verify now optimized for mobile devices WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a series of enhancements to make its website and online products easier to use on mobile devices. Visitors will find uscis.gov and the Spanish site uscis.gov/es easier to read and use because the content now automatically adjusts to fit the screen of a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. The agency’s move to mobile-responsive design includes the E-Verify pro-

gram, as well as USCIS’ new digital assistant Emma. “As technology progresses, digital platforms can no longer take a one-size-fitsall approach,” said USCIS Director León Rodríguez. “We listened to our customers. Significant numbers access our site and services through mobile devices. These changes will make a big difference in improving their online experience.” About 30 percent of visitors to the English site and more than 50 percent

visiting the Spanish site now use a mobile device. Among the improvements: Menu options now collapse for easier viewing on smaller screens or browser windows. Users will find it easier to access SAVE CaseCheck from mobile devices to check whether immigration status queries submitted by benefit-granting agencies are complete. Enhancements to E-Verify make logging in and viewing cases quicker and more efficient.

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How your reaction to stress could affect your heart health

It is your reaction to stress, not how often you are stressed, that is more important for your health says a new US study. © Monkey Business Images/shutterstock.com

We know that stressful experiences are bad for health, but it is your reaction to stress -- not how often you’re stressed -- that is more important to heart health, says a new US study. To study the effect of stress on heart health, researchers from Penn State University and Columbia University wanted to research further into the effect of daily stress on heart rate variability -- the variation in intervals between heartbeats, which is linked to cardiovascular disease. Heart rate variability is important, explains Nancy L. Sin from Penn State, because “higher heart rate variability is better for health

as it reflects the capacity to respond to challenges. People with lower heart rate variability have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death.” For their research, the team collected data from 909 participants aged 35 to 85 who had taken part in a national study. Participants were questioned on their stressful experiences via daily telephone interviews over an eight day period, and had their heart’s activity measured using an electrocardiogram. During the interviews, the participants reported on the stressful experiences they had encountered that day, and rated each

A new study suggests that pregnant women should continue to eat fish during pregnancy, with negative health effects of low-level exposure to mercury potentially outweighed by the beneficial effects of fish consumption. Carried out by a team of researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and published online in the journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology, the

child. Researchers also gathered information from the mothers on how much fish they consumed during pregnancy, and estimated their polyunsaturated fatty acid intake -- beneficial fats found in fish -- based on type and amount of fish consumed. From the data collected the researchers found that although 84 percent of mothers reported eating fish during pregnancy, in general participants

had a low fish consumption and therefore low exposure to mercury, only consuming around two ounces of fish on average per week while pregnant. However when looking at the children whose mothers had eaten more fish, therefore exposing children to a higher level of mercury, although these children did show unequal reflexes, they also showed better attention and needed less special handling than those exposed to lower levels of mercury. Commenting on the findings, senior author Kim Yolton emphasized, “The better neurobehavioral performance observed in infants with higher mercury biomarkers should not be interpreted as a beneficial effect of mercury exposure, which is clearly neurotoxic. It likely reflects the benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acid intake that also comes from fish and has been shown to benefit attention,

New study outlines benefits of eating fish during pregnancy study looked at the effect of the brain and nervous system on behavior - referred to as neurobehavior -- of 344 5-week old infants, and a possible association with their exposure to mercury during pregnancy. Neurobehavior was measured using a standard neurobehavioral scale, and mercury exposure using blood samples from the mother and umbilical cord blood samples from the

experience as having been “not at all stressful,” “not very stressful,” “somewhat stressful” or “very stressful.” They also reported on any negative feelings they had experienced during the day. The interviews showed that participants experienced on average at least one stressful experience on nearly half of the interview days (42 percent), with these stressful experiences generally rated as having been “somewhat” stressful. From these reports, the team saw that it wasn’t necessarily those who reported a high number of stressful events in their lifetimes that had the lower heart rate variabil-

ity. It was actually those who percieved the events as being stressful -- no matter how many they experienced -- who had more negative emotions and showed a lower heart rate variability, therefore putting them at a higher risk of heart disease. “These results tell us that a person’s perceptions and emotional reactions to stressful events are more important than exposure to stress per se,” says Sin. “This adds to the evidence that minor hassles might pile up to influence health. We hope these findings will help inform the development of interventions to improve well-being in daily life and to promote better health.”

A new study suggests that pregnant women should continue to eat fish during pregnancy. © Iakov Filimonov/shutterstock.com

memory, and other areas of development in children.” Yolton concluded that, “The important thing for women to remember is that fish offers excellent nutritional qualities that can benefit a developing baby or young child. Moms just need to be thoughtful about which fish they eat or provide to their child.”

Another recent study, published in January in Stem Cells, also found that eating fish whilst pregnant had beneficial health effects, providing expectant mothers with a rich source of omega-3 -- balancing out the often over consumed omega-6 -- which can have a positive effect on their child’s development.

‘Get up and move’ to improve health, say US researchers Another study adds to the growing body of evidence that too much sedentary time is bad for your health, with new American researchers finding that those who move more benefit from a reduced mortality risk. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, the National Cancer

Institute and the National Institute on Aging, amongst others, led the study on 3029 participants aged 50 to 79, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was designed to assess the health of both children and adults

across the United States. As part of the NHANES study, the participants wore highly sensitive accelerometers, more accurate than those used in previous studies, to track their activity over a seven day period. This data was collected by the CDC, which then also monitored the participants mortality rates over the next eight years.

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MOTORING Fil-Am Nash Jimenez: Penske Mercedes-Benz of West Covina’s newest ‘driving force’ that it is worth the price. Unfortunately, everybody has misconceptions about owning a luxury car. And that is where I come in,” says Jimenez. As a car enthusiast, Jimenez considers his job at Penske Mercedez-Benz as a challenge. He says dealing with family cars has been a fruitful experience for his clients as his customer service never waned, but his transition to a luxury line (of cars) would be like proving to himself that he can still arrange great deals regardless of the type of car. According to Jimenez, he wants to offer the same level

By Angel Tahimik

“Everyone is expecting for a better car but they are not willing to put their reservations aside and consider getting a car that may be pricey, but with exceptional benefits that far outweigh its cost.” This was Nash Jimenez’s first statement. He just started as a Fleet Sales Manager of Penske Mercedes-Benz in West Covina. “I just started a week ago. But I have been selling cars half my life. I started in 1993 but it still feels like yesterday. Mercedez-Benz is a different breed altogether since it is a luxury car but

Nash Jimenez, Fleet Manager of Penske Mercedes-Benz of West Covina.

of expertise and customer service in making great deals for his clients to get them – this time – a luxury car. He said, “It’s like giving

back to my customers by changing their impression about luxury cars. You will be paying almost the same for a top-of-the-line car of another make, but getting the most advanced technology. I want my loyal clients to experience that. They deserve to know the truth about owning a luxury car.” It was an eye-opener for this author as I get a crash course on luxury cars from an empathetic car expert who’s been highly recognized in car sales and dealership. His reputation in arranging the best car deals and converting a “car win-

dow-shopper” into a car owner is his legacy. When asked, “what makes him a good salesman”, he said: “Selling is easy. It is serving your customers that makes a lasting impression. I take it upon me to educate them and make their buying experience a memorable one.” Buying a car is one of the major decisions one will make in his lifetime. If he’s lucky, he will meet someone who is willing to break misconceptions to serve his customers. Someone like Nash Jimenez. Ask yourself, isn’t it about time you get yourself a Mer-

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cedes-Benz? Let Nash help you. Nash Jimenez, Fleet Manager of Penske Mercedes-Benz of West Covina 2010 E Garvey Ave S, West Covina, CA 91791, can be reached at (909) 225-9983.

Nissan places a premium on individuality at Geneva

The company that helped to kick-start the European crossover craze is bringing two personalized concepts to this year’s show in a bid to retain its place in the market as choice continues to grow. The Qashqai Premium Concept and the X-Trail Premium Concept are a concerted attempt to show that hugely popular models can still be diverse and to test the appetite for new external and internal options and design touches. “We allowed the creativity of our design teams to shine through,” said Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer at Nissan Motor Company Ltd about the cars that took two years to develop. “Ultimately we settled on two designs – which are contrasting but share common themes—as they reveal a new premium character in our crossovers.” And highlighting the premium is going to be key as the demand for and competition within the SUV and crossover sector intensifies. This year’s Geneva Motorshow will be overflowing with new crossovers and many of them will be from the likes of Audi and VW – marques with a strong focus on premium performance or premium materials. Nissan’s solution is a Qashqai aimed at a “Premium Urbanite” – an individual that wants to drive to Paris or Rome on the weekends. The concept is finished in matte black with contrasting copper details and bare carbon fiber elements. All of this is meant to contrast sharply with the white Nappa leather interior. The seats get the diamond quilting treatment usually associated with marques like Bentley, and surfaces and dashboard panels are clad in a copper-gold carbon fiber weave. As a more capable crossover, the X-Trail concept is targeted at the “Premium Adventurist” that wants to head off the beaten track over the weekend. It’s finished in a combination of matte white and black, and the copper detailing is focused on highlighting elements like skid plates and side steps—the features that mark out a car’s off-road credentials. Inside, the leather palette is very similar to that found in a Range Rover: black and tan tones with piping details on the seats and the use of darkened chrome elements on the dashboard. According to Mamoru Aoki, Executive Design Director of Nissan Motor Company Ltd, both cars are about exploring: “Creative solutions to fulfill the broad range of the needs of the aspirational customers in Europe.”

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KITCHENOMICS Classic Blended Burger Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes Servings: 4 1/2 pound cremini or white button mushrooms 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 pound ground beef 1 teaspoon salt 4 buns )LQHO\ GLFH PXVKURRPV RU JHQWO\ SXOVH LQ IRRG SURFHVVRU In skillet, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium-high heat and add mushrooms, VDXWHLQJ PLQXWHV RU XQWLO JROGHQ EURZQ 5HPRYH IURP KHDW DQG FRRO PLQXWHV Transfer cooled mushrooms to medium ERZO $GG JURXQG EHHI DQG VDOW PL[LQJ XQWLO FRPELQHG 0DNH SDWWLHV $GG UHPDLQLQJ olive oil to pan and cook burger patties on PHGLXP KLJK KHDW XQWLO GHVLUHG GRQHQHVV 3ODWH DQG DGG GHVLUHG WRSSLQJV WR EXQ Topping recommendations: feta cheese, romesco sauce, sweet peppers and sauteed UHG RQLRQV

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Asian Lettuce Wraps Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 8 ounces fresh mushrooms 1 onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1/2 pound lean ground beef 1 tablespoon canola oil 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard 1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon dried minced onion UHG SHSSHU Â¿QHO\ FKRSSHG 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

1 head Boston lettuce 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1/4 cup chopped cashews (optional) In food processor with metal blade, pulse mushrooms, onion, garlic and ginger XQWLO Â¿QHO\ FKRSSHG $GG JURXQG EHHI SXOVH XQWLO FRPELQHG In large, nonstick skillet, heat oil over PHGLXP KLJK KHDW $GG PXVKURRP PL[ WXUH WK\PH RUHJDQR PXVWDUG JDUOLF DQG GULHG RQLRQ &RRN VWLUULQJ RIWHQ PLQXWHV RU XQWLO EURZQHG 6WLU LQ UHG SHSSHU KRLVLQ VDXFH VR\ VDXFH DQG YLQHJDU 6LPPHU PLQXWHV UHPRYH IURP KHDW Serve in Boston lettuce leaves garnished with shredded carrots and chopped FDVKHZV

Mushroom Tacos with Salsa Verde

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Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 12-15 minutes Servings: 8 Tacos 1/4 pound 85-percent lean ground beef salt and pepper, to taste 3/4 pound white button mushrooms 3/4 pound cremini mushrooms 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 cups julienned sweet onions 1 tablespoon minced garlic 4 tablespoons ground chili pepper lime juice, to taste 1 cup shredded green cabbage 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 8 corn tortillas 4 tablespoons Avocado Salsa Verde (recipe below) 4 tablespoons Cotija cheese, grated Avocado Salsa Verde 1 large, ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch dice 1/3 cup diced tomato WDEOHVSRRQV Â¿QHO\ FKRSSHG RQLRQ 1/2 teaspoon seeded and minced serrano chili 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1/4 teaspoon sugar +HDW VDXWH SDQ RYHU PHGLXP KLJK KHDW $GG JURXQG EHHI VHDVRQ ZLWK VDOW DQG SHSSHU 6DXWH PLQXWHV RU XQWLO JROGHQ EURZQ &KRS PXVKURRPV WR VL]H DQG WH[WXUH RI JURXQG beef and saute in separate pan with 2 tablespoons ROLYH RLO PLQXWHV &RPELQH PXVKURRPV DQG PHDW DQG VHW DVLGH Heat pan used for ground beef over medium-high KHDW $GG UHPDLQLQJ ROLYH RLO DQG RQLRQV VDXWH XQWLO JROGHQ EURZQ $GG JDUOLF DQG FRRN XQWLO IUDJUDQW $GG PXVKURRP DQG EHHI PL[WXUH DQG FKLOL SHSSHU 6DXWH PLQXWHV VWLUULQJ IUHTXHQWO\ $GMXVW VHD VRQLQJ ZLWK VDOW SHSSHU DQG OLPH MXLFH Toss shredded cabbage with salt, pepper, lime MXLFH DQG FLODQWUR 7R PDNH $YRFDGR 6DOVD 9HUGH FRPELQH DOO VDOVD LQJUHGLHQWV DQG UHIULJHUDWH DW OHDVW KRXU To serve, place 2 tablespoons shredded cabbage on tortilla and top with 2 tablespoons of mushroom DQG EHHI PL[WXUH 7RS ZLWK WDEOHVSRRQ $YRFDGR 6DOVD 9HUGH DQG VSULQNOH ZLWK &RWLMD FKHHVH

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 8 1/2 pound mushrooms 1 pound lean ground beef 1 package chili seasoning 1 can beef broth 1 can (15.5 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste 1 cup medium salsa 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked shredded cheese sour cream cilantro In food processor with metal blade, pulse mushrooms until Â¿QHO\ FKRSSHG In large saucepan, brown meat and mushrooms with chili VHDVRQLQJ ,Q DQRWKHU VDXFHSDQ PL[ EURWK NLGQH\ EHDQV WRPDWR SDVWH VDOVD DQG PDFDURQL %ULQJ PL[WXUH WR ERLO DQG FRYHU 6LPPHU RQ ORZ PLQXWHV VWLUULQJ RFFDVLRQDOO\ :KHQ QRRGOHV DUH DO GHQWH VWLU LQ EURZQHG PHDW DQG PXVKURRPV 6HUYH WRSSHG ZLWK FKHHVH VRXU FUHDP DQG FLODQWUR

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SANDIGANBAYAN From page 1

R. Martires and Junior Member Hon. Sarah Jane T. Fernandez. On Feb. 19, Binay was formally charged by the Office of the Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in separate case information sheets with two counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and six counts of falsification of public documents as defined under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Other former city officials charged with Binay are: City administrator Marjorie de Veyra Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) vice chairperson and General Services Department officer-in-charge Gerardo San Gabriel City legal officer Pio Kenneth Dasal Makati Budget Officer Lorenza Amores BAC Secretariat head Manolito Uyaco BAC Technical Working Group (TWG) chairman Rodel Nayve

HERO’S BURIAL From page 1

an earlier interview that I am open to allowing the burial, and I quote the report, “wherever that may be,” and which would naturally include the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” said Poe. “To state the fact, my exact quote was: ‘Dapat talagang malagay na sa maayos ang paglilibing kay President Marcos, kung ano pa man

Central Planning Management Office (CPMO) chief Line Dela Peña CPMO civil engineer Connie Consulta City treasurer Nelia Barlis City accountant Cecilio Lim III Acting City administrator Eleno Mendoza Jr. De Veyra, San Gabriel, Dasal, Amores and Uyaco were charged with Binay for violating RA 3019 and falsification. On the other hand, Nayve, Dela Peña, Consulta, Barlis, Lim III, Mendoza, and Hilmarc’s Construction Company (Hilmarc’s) employee Efren Canlas were charged for violation of RA 3019. City engineer Mario Badillo was also named in the charge sheets but was absent on the list of accused presented during the raffle. Information from the case files said Binay and his co-respondents “conspired” in giving preference and unwarranted benefits to Hilmarc’s by awarding the company the P2.28-billion Makati parking building contract.

Binay and his co-accused were only charged for Phase IV and V or the construction phase of the project. All six phases of the project took place from 2007 to 2013.

‘yan.’” (President Marcos should properly be buried, whatever that is.) But Poe said that the matter of the burial of the late strongman “is not for the incumbent President alone to decide on.” The burial issue was raised by a reporter during a press conference in Tacloban City on Friday. In that presscon, Poe also said that the Marcos family should

make a specific request to allow the former president to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. “At kung mayroon mag mag kukwestiyon niyan, ang korte po ang mag dedesisyon niyan sapagkat doon nga sa batas na iyon maaring magkaroon ng conflict kasi if you recognize the suffering and the indignity doon ng Human Rights baka magkaroon ng teknikal na dahilan kung bakit hindi pwede doon,” she further said.

tures into larger land masses for runways and other military uses to bolster its claims of sovereignty. Earlier this week, US Pacific Command chief Admiral Harry Harris warned that China was changing the “operational landscape in the region.” He has called for more flyovers and patrols. “Short of war with the United States, China will exercise de facto control of the South China Sea,”

Harris said. Kritenbrink also urged China to respect an international court’s decision due later this year on Manila’s dispute with Beijing over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Kritenbrink said he expected the upcoming ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration to be “extremely important” because it will mark the outcome of a process

DEBATE From page 1

The first of the three presidential debates organized by the Comelec was held in Cagayan de Oro City last February 21, in partnership with GMA Network and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. All five presidential candidates participated in the debate, including UNA’s Vice President Jejomar Binay, Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. The second debate, which will be in panel format, will be held in Visayas on March 20 in partnership with TV5 and The Philippine Star. The third presidential debate will be in Luzon on April 24 with ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin. It will be in a town hall format.

US PRESSES From page 1

competing claims, as does Taiwan. “This is an incredibly important waterway through which much of inter national trade flows,” Kritenbrink said. “We are concerned that China has taken a number of unilateral steps over the last several years that we think raise tensions in the region and are destabilizing.” The Asian giant is using dredgers to turn reefs and low-lying fea-

THE US ASIAN POST

MEDIA KILLINGS From page 1

za’s killing and asked Philippine authorities to “spare no effort” in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Quezon acknowledged Bokova’s call. “Let us all call for and support the thorough investigation of this terrible tragedy to ensure that a case that is filed. And let us also appeal (for courts to resolve the cases soon) dahil at the end of the

day even the best investigation will only take you so far,” he said. Special investigation teams had been formed by the Aquino administration to handle cases of enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings, including those involving media workers. Quezon, however, did not give an update on the progress of these investigations. (MNS)

MADONNA From page 1

tour, Filipino authorities were less amused. “Our flag law is strict as we want to instill respect for the Philippine flag,” presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a statement. “This should he made clear to organizers and performers in concerts so that there will be no repetition of the incident.” Coloma said in an earlier statement to AFP that the government was “keen” on banning the Queen of Pop from performing in the Philippines because of the controversy. However Coloma later said the government did not want to ban her, and that the initial statement that it did was based on a wrong interpretation of comments by another presidential aide. A 1998 law prescribes a oneyear jail term, as well as a token

fine, for wearing the Philippine flag “in whole or in part as a costume or uniform”. The flag flap was the second controversy provoked by Madonna’s visit to the devoutly Catholic Asian nation. A Catholic bishop last week called on the faithful to stay away from Madonna’s sexually charged concerts, which often encompass religious themes, calling them the devil’s work. “Pinoys (Filipinos) and all God-loving people should avoid sin and occasions of sin,” Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said in a statement posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ official website. Arguelles said the concerts, Madonna’s first in the Philippines, were among “subtle attacks of the evil one”.

POE INSIST From page 1

two evidence show the use of US passport in 2006 to 2011: 1) The questionnaire Info on Possible Loss of US Nationality and 2) The motion for reconsideration of Poe of resolution of the 1st Division, Comelec,” he said. Luna insisted the Arnado case is applicable to the pending Poe cases, which earlier this week had been submitted for resolution by the Supreme Court. Poe filed the two petitions with the SC to challenge her disqualification by the Comelec last December over citizenship and residency requirements. Poe is an adopted foundling from Iloilo. She migrated to the US and later became a naturalized US

citizen, then a dual citizen in 2006, and renounced her US citizenship in 2010 before becoming a senator in 2013. Lanao mayor Arnado is a natural-born Filipino citizen who lost his Philippine citizenship when he was naturalized as a US citizen. He later applied for repatriation before the Philippine consul general in San Francisco, in preparation for his plans to run for public office in the Philippines. He took an oath of allegiance to the Philippines on July 10. Almost a year later, on April 3, 2009, he executed an affidavit of renunciation of his US citizenship.