LOS ANGELES
Shaina reacts to Piolo’s ‘exclusively dating’ tag See ENTERTAINMENT, page 19
VOL. XXIII, NO. 56 LOS ANGELES
February 18 - 23, 2017
The leading source of news and information for Filipino-Americans
PHL CANCELS 75 MINING CONTRACTS Due process to be observed in cancellation of mining contracts – Malacañang By Cielito M. Reganit
MANILA, Feb. 15 (PNA) – The latest Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) order cancelling 75 mining contracts throughout the country is consistent with the law, but due process must still be observed before its enforcement, a Malacañang official clarified Wednesday. “The cancellation of 75 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) by Secretary Regina Lopez is consistent with Republic Act
7942 that mining applications are closed to proclaimed watershed forest reserves,” Presidential Spokesperson See MINING, page 8
‘The resources of one land are destroyed for the business interest of the few. And the resources of one land are not enjoyed by the people of this land. That’s social injustice,’ said by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez.
Duterte displaying political will, not dictatorship – Palace MANILA, Feb. 15 (PNA) – Malacañang on Wednesday stressed that President Rodrigo Duterte’s display of strong political will is just a firm response to the issues of the times and not a sign of a looming dictatorship. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella issued the statement to debunk claims made by a group called February 25 Coalition alleging that there are indicators that the tools of dictatorship are being resurrected under the Duterte administration. “The President has displayed strong political will but this does not necessarily follow he would become a dictator,” the Palace
official said. “The scenarios listed by the February 25 Coalition, such as the President’s references against some members of the clergy, the lowering of age of criminal liability, among others, are not signs of a looming dictatorship but firm responses to the prevailing issues of the day,” Abella said. Prior to his election, President Duterte has repeatedly vowed to be a hardliner against crime and corruption but said he would not be a dictator. Upon his assumption to the presidency, See POLITICAL WILL, page 8
DOJ files illegal drugs charges vs Sen. De Lima By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Feb. 17 (PNA) – The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday filed three counts of illegal drugs charges before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) against Senator Leila De Lima and several others in connection to her alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City. In a press conference held at National Bureau of investigation (NBI), Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said no arrest warrant yet will be issued against De Lima since the case will be raffled at Muntinlupa RTC on Monday afternoon. De Lima was charged before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court for violation of Section 5 (sale and trading of illegal drugs) in relation to Section 3 (jj); Section 26 (b), and Section 28 (criminal liability of government
officials and employees) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. De Lima’s co-accused in the three cases were her former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan; former BuCor officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos; Jose Adrian Dera (alleged nephew and close-in security of De Lima); former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Franklin Jesus Bucayu; Bucayu’s former staff Wilfredo Elly; Presidential Security Group member Joenel Sanchez (De Lima’s former security aide); and high profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian. In a 52-page resolution dated Feb. 14 but was released to media on Friday, the DOJ dismissed the complaints against former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III for insufficiency of evidence. See DE LIMA, page 8
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Closer look at hot air balloons: Visitors take pictures near colorful hot air balloons at the 21st Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga on Sunday (Feb. 12, 2017) (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
Expats vote PHL as one of best countries for raising family By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Feb. 14 (PNA) – The Philippines has been chosen as one of the best countries in the world for raising family, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella announced on Tuesday. In a press briefing, Abella said the survey was conducted by InterNations, the world’s largest network for expatriates of people who live and work abroad, which was founded in 2007. “The Philippines ranked number 17 in the list of best countries for raising a family,” Abella said. According to the survey, the Philippines is also one of the best in the world for quality education and being a place that has a friendly
attitude towards children. “Accessible education is priority for the Duterte administration and the DepEd was given the highest increase of 31 percent in this year’s budget (PHP3.35 trillion),” Abella said. Finland topped the survey with “no expat parent had anything negative to say about their children’s health, children’s safety or children’s well-being in Finland.” The expats, 70 percent of them, also picked Finland for having “excellent” quality education. Czech Republic made a huge leap from 14th to 2nd place after 74 percent of the expats agreed that education there is “easy to afford, alSee EXPATS, page 8
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