EEC NOW December 2018

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Lacson, Pangilinan caution PNP vs Alsa Masa revival

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against its plan. “It could be a very dangerous move especially if it spins out of control,” Lacson said in a text message.

“Going by what transpired in the past – using that same tactic against the insurgents in Davao City and elsewhere in northern Mindanao where the Kuratong Baleleng of Octavio Parojinog was utilized by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), bordering even on vigilantism. “Without a well-planned, and structured exit program, it resulted on their choice of crime as the next career,”

he pointed out. If the PNP would adopt the same method without seriously considering the lessons of the past, then Lacson said the country “could face a serious peace and order problem.” For his part, Pangilinan urged the PNP to “seriously reconsider” its plan of reviving Alsa Masa as it might be a “recipe for rampant atrocities and abuse.”

“Alsa Masa in the 1980s became notorious for rampant violations of human rights, widespread atrocities and abuse all in the name of anti-communism and law and

order,” he said in a separate text message.

“I am afraid it is giving the corrupt and abusive policemen more teeth to rape, to kill and to commit crime against unarmed citizens. Reviving it may in fact be a recipe for rampant atrocities and abuse.

“The PNP should seriously reconsider this approach,” added Pangilnan, who is also president of the Liberal Party. Alsa Masa was the civilian force group formed in Davao City in the 1980s to beef up community support in the fight against crime, especially illegal drugs.

inanggal na at hindi na umano gagawin pang sponsor ng organizers ng Miss Earth ang negosyanteng inirereklamo ng sexual harassment ng ilang mga kandidata.

Ito ang kinumpirma ni Lorraine Schuck ng Carousel Production bagamat hindi na nito pinangalanan ang kompaniya.

Dagdag pa nito, nakausap niya Miss Earth Canada Jaime VandenBerg, Miss Earth ang inirereklamo ilang araw matapos England Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown, and Miss Earth na makarating ang impormasyon sa Guam Emma Mae Sheedy (L-R) have accused Amado kaniya. Magugunitang inireklamo Cruz, a Miss Earth sponsor, of sexual harassment. Mr. nina Miss Earth 2018 candidates Cruz strongly denies the accusations and mulls legal mula sa Canada at England ang action against his accusers. dinala raw ang kanilang grupo sa yate at ginawang pangha-harass umano ng isang negosyante na sila ay tutulungan inutusan ang ilan na mag-sexy pictorial.

“I was so excited because I had been to kapalit ang pakikipagtalik.

Unang nagsapubliko ng kanyang hinaing the Philippines before and loved the country si Miss Canada Jaime VandenBerg kung saan and the people; however, the experience with

the pageant was not what I had expected.

I left Miss Earth because I did not feel safe under their care,” bahagi ng pagbubulgay ni Miss Canada. “I went through almost two weeks of sexual harassment before I anything was done about it. I was told he would not be around any more, but I had advised Lorraine of several other issues that were not resolved.”

Kuwento naman ni Miss England na “closed doors” o malayo sa team managers ang naturang evening meal kung saan tinangka raw ng sponsor na alamin kung saang hotel siya naka-check in.

“I was elated to finally represent England over in the beautiful Philippines.

My trip was a rollercoaster of emotions, stress and endurance and I did not leave the pageant as I was not going to miss out on the experience. I have many beautiful memories

of my time here in the Philippines and many wonderful days. I met happy Filipinos who showed me such kindness and respect. I enjoyed 50% of my trip but the other 50% was over shadowed by feeling exploited, vulnerable, unnerved & sexually harassed as I was approached by a sponsor on many occasions who asked for sexual favours in exchange for the Crown. This happened at Manila Yacht Club on a sponsored evening meal away from the team managers behind closed doors,” statement ni Miss England sa kanyang Instagram.

Nabatid na direktang tinukoy ni Miss Guam ang isang nagngangalang “Amado” na nangmanyak daw sa kanila, bagay na ayon kay Schuck, ay hindi talaga official sponsor ng Miss Earth pageant. Kung maaalala, kinoronahang Miss Earth ngayong taon si Phuong Khanh Nguyen ng Vietnam.

wo senators warned of a possible “serious” peace and order problem and “rampant atrocities and abuse” in the country if the planned revival of an “Alsa Masa-like” network pushes through.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is reportedly planning to expand the Community Mobilization Project (CMP) into an Alsa Masalike network to help combat crimes in the country. But Senator Panfilo Lacson, former police chief, and opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan quickly cautioned the PNP

Sponsor ng Miss Earth organizers tinanggal dahil sa sexual harassment

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DECEMBER 2018

El Nido to face six-month environmental ‘rehabilitation’

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he Palawan town of El Nido will is set for a six-month environmental rehabilitation — but it won’t be closed to tourists like Boracay. Speaking today (Wednesday, November 14), Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said: “We will not be closing the town because it would be unfair for those establishments that have been following the law.”

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu had previously announced the clean-up operation after finding at An aerial view of El Nido, Palawan. least 22 establishments violating environmental policies.

Philippines Los Baños to determine El

Inspectors will first check the coliform level of the Nido’s carrying capacity to see if tourist waters surrounding the island and tackle establishments arrivals need to be limited, she added. violating easement rules and clean water laws, Puyat Similar studies will also be conducted in said. “The priority would be fixing the wastewater, how they dispose their sewage. I told them we have to take care of the lagoon because it is very dirty,” she said. “It looks like a public market now: people cook there, throw their garbage there, party there.”

The government has asked the University of the

Truck holiday, port congestion seen hiking prices

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RICES of some imported meat products may go up this holiday season as the port congestion and the ongoing truck holiday, which disrupted the movement of goods, will increase the cost incurred by importers and traders.

An analyst from the University of the Philippines, however, said the truck holiday was just an “alibi” used by truckers so they can raise charges in view of the government’s efforts to phase out old vehicles. Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita) President Jesus C. Cham said the majority of their members are absorbing the additional costs caused by the port congestion so as not to disrupt sales. Cham noted, however, that some importers and traders would pass on the increase in cost to wholesales so they won’t incur losses.

The Mita chief also said the port congestion this year is “worse” as it started as early as August. He said it now takes about three weeks to completely transport imported goods to their warehouses from the ports, compared to just three days during the same period last year. “We now experience more shortage of stocks,” he told the BusinessMirror. Philippine Amalgated Supermarket Association President Steven Cua also expressed apprehension that consumer products may become more expensive due to the truck holiday, particularly if demand would exceed the current inventories. “This would mean a lack of supply on supermarket shelves, [with truckers] hoping that retailers will help pressure the government to hold back the requirement to retire 15-year-old and older trucks on the road,” Cua told the BusinessMirror via SMS. Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said that he is not worried about the port congestion as the harbor link project will be open for public use by December 19.

“What used to take 1.5 hours going to Edsa will now take 10 minutes on the way to the North Luzon Expressway.

It took several administrations for this to happen. But now, it will be opened in December 19,” Diokno said. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it is already implementing a number of measures to ease port congestion.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero also said on the sidelines of the Memorandum of Agreement signing with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard at the Port of Manila on Monday, that the BOC is in continuous discussions with other agencies. “We at the BOC, we are coordinating with the Department of Transportation [DOTr] and the other agencies so that we can fix these problems of port congestion,” Guerrero said.

CONGESTION Continued on Page 13

Coron, Siargao, Panglao and other major tourist destinations across the country. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has today warned that closing tourist destinations will have a negative impact on businesses and jobs.

“Closing El Nido and Coron will not be good for business particularly for the legitimate industry stakeholders — such as hotels and resorts — who will suffer the most from cancellation of bookings and reservations for the coming months,” the PCCI said in a statement. “It will also affect a lot of local livelihoods and jobs.

“PCCI agrees with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat that if ever

extreme action has to be taken, there should not be a complete shutdown of Coron and El Nido but instead the government must close or heavily fine only those establishments that are proven to have violated environmental codes.”

About a million tourists visit Palawan every year, the bulk of whom go to El Nido and Coron, according to the business group. “Tourist arrival in El Nido reached 200,000 in 2017 and with the recent closure of Boracay, the figure is much higher this year,” it said.

As we reported in September last year, local tourism chiefs have already limited daily visitor numbers to some of the most popular tourist attractions around the town. — Philippine Lifestyle

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DECEMBER 2018

DepEd clarifies: Korean, other foreign languages only electives, not replacement to Filipino

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he Department of Education assured the public studying of Korean and other foreign languages is only an option given to students and is not intended to replace Filipino subject in the basic education curriculum.

This, amid “misguided assertions and the timing of reports� about the offering of Korean language elective classes in selected reports.

In a statement released Sunday, DepEd said the study of Korean and other foreign languages is elective and is not part of the core subjects of 700 students in 10 selected junior high schools in the National Capital Region (NCR). Aside from Korean, DepEd also implements Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL) classes in Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Japanese in all public schools.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones maintained the subject Filipino remains as one of the core subjects in basic education.

Filipino will continue as the medium of instruction for Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao.

KOREA Continued on Page 8

Asawa muling ipinadama ang intimacy at passionate quality time

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apatunayan ni Jovy Pascua ang pagiging epektibo ng sexual na pabango na gawa at mula sa England, ang upgraded version Dream Love 1000. Nang minsan na magday-off siya ay nagkita sila ng kaibigan na si Ofelia, napakabango niya, sambit ng kaniyang kaibigan. Tinanong ni Ofelia kung ano ang gamit nito na pabango. Niyaya siya nito patungong EEC Elite Mart at itinuro nito ang nasabing pabango na mabibili sa halagang NT$560 lamang. Hindi siya nag-atubili na bumili sapagkat nagustuhan niya ang halimuyak nito.

Nang umuwi siya sa Pilipinas upang magbakasyon ay napuna niyang naging sobrang sweet, caring at attentive ang kaniyang asawa na hindi naman nito

Jovy Pascua

dating ginagawa. Panay pa ang komento nito na napakabango niya at ayaw nito na mawalay pa sa kaniyang tabi. Kaya naman sa araw araw ay sinasamantala ni Jovy na laging mapaunlakan ang asawa na mag-gugol ng mas matinding panahon habang siya ay nagbabakasyon. Sa katunayan, hindi na namasyal pa sa kung saan-saan sila sa

kadahilanang kahit sa bahay lang sila manatili at mag-kasama ay sapat na. Panay ang suyuan at lambingan na para bang bumalik sila sa honeymoon stage nilang mag-asawa. Noon din nila napatunayan na mahalaga pala ang mag-spend ng quality time sa isat-isa. Very passionate at affectionate sila sa isat-isa kaya naman naging kakaiba ang uwing ito ni Jovy sa Pilipinas.

Tunay na naging memorable ang kaniyang huling bakasyon na ito at laking pasasalamat niya sa Dream Love 1000 na pabango.

Ang mga kaibigan niya ay nahikayat niya na ring subukan ang pabango niya at marami na sa kanila ang nag-kwento ng magandang mga karanasan nila sa kani-kanilang mga asawa at kapareha.

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DECEMBER 2018

House approves bill promoting non-violent discipline for children

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oting 163-2, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the House Bill (HB) 8239, also known as the “Positive and Non-violent Discipline of Children Act.”

The bill seeks to protect children from all forms of physical and mental abuse, neglect or exploitation while in the custody of their parents or guardian. It defines positive discipline as a “constructive and proactive approach to parenting” that helps children develop appropriate thinking and behavior.

It is anchored on the principle of children’s rights.

Under the bill, a child, defined under the measure as those below 18, shall not be subjected to any form of physical, humiliating, or degrading acts of punishment in homes,

schools, institutions, alternative care systems, the juvenile welfare system, places of religious worship, and in all other settings where there is direct contact with children. The child or any person having personal knowledge of such act or acts may report to police or barangay.

Upon receipt of a report, the barangay chief shall determine if the committed acts fall under the definition of physical, humiliating, or degrading acts as a form of punishment.

If there is such determination, the barangay chief may then refer both parties to mediation and conciliation.

In cases where safety of children is at stake, the chief of barangay may recommend temporary protection orders.

In cases of repeat offenders, the barangay shall require the offender to undergo

seminars on positive discipline, anger management and children’s rights. They may also require an offender, as well as the child who suffered abuse to undergo counseling.

The measure provides that nothing in the act shall prevent the filing of criminal cases against offenders who committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and other special laws.

Any person who, acting in good faith, responds or intervenes without using violence or restraint greater than necessary to ensure the safety of the victim shall not be criminally, civilly, or administratively liable.

The measure mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Education to formulate comprehensive program to promote the

positive discipline of children.

Bernadette Hererra-Dy, chair of the House committee on women and gender equality and one of the authors of the bill, clarified that parents found violating provisions of HB 8239 will not face jail time.

“Children cannot invoke this law to get back at their parents by sending them to jail.

However, if the case is child abuse or sexual abuse, that is a much more serious matter with jail time consequences,” she said.

Hererra-Dy also said positive discipline is not an entirely new concept.

“The Department of Education has long had the child protection policies and even a positive discipline manual to guide schools on how to promote non-violent means of discipline,” she said. —Sunstar

Gov’t to start trial run of National ID System

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he government will soon start a 6-month test run of the National ID System, as it aims to register over 100 million Filipino citizens and resident aliens by 2023.

National Statistician Lisa Bersales said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in coordination with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), will hold a “proof of concept” trial starting November, wherein some 1 million beneficiaries of the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program will be registered under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). “We are going to do a proof of concept this year before the year ends. This is to test the system and the processes that we have already crafted for PhilSys. This proof of concept is end to end. We will test registration, validation, all the process in between, up to the issuance of the Philippine ID,” Bersales said in a Palace press briefing.

Bersales said the resources needed for the proof of concept stage will be still be procured. The only ID you will ever need? What to know about the National ID System. After the trial run, the government will target to register 5 million individuals from September to December 2019, and 25 million individuals every year from 2020 to 2023. Bersales said parallel with the proof of concept period will be the privacy impact assessment to ensure that the privacy of an individual holding a “Phil ID” will not be violated.

“Once we have already started the proof of concept, we shall also do vulnerability assessment and penetration testing to ensure that the system ensuring the privacy of citizens,” she said.

The PhilSys mandates the government to produce a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens. It aims to eliminate other forms of identification when transacting with the government and the private sector.

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DECEMBER 2018

Sa loob ng isang linggo nabawasan ang timbang at dry skin improved

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Melissa Pisquel Before

atagal nang panahon na iniinda ni Melissa Pisquel ang pagiging dry at ang magaspang niyang balat. Makurot o masugatan lang siya ng konti ay nagiging peklat na. Marami na siyang nasubukan na whitening creams para lamang malunasan ang mga peklat ngunit hindi gaanong epektibo naging epektibo.

Nabanggit niya sa pinsan ang problema sa balat kaya inirekomenda na gumamit siya ng upgraded Dream Love 1000 5 in 1 body essence lotion, na gawa at mula sa England na mabibili sa lahat ng branches ng EEC Elite Mart sa halagang NT$590 lamang. Tiwala at kumbinsido siya sa sinabi ng pinsan kaya dali-dali siyang bumili ng nasabing lotion. Kinagabihan, pagkatapos magshower ay ipinahid niya ang lotion sa buong katawan at mukha ayon sa nakasaad sa instruction sheet. Makalipas ang ilang oras, pinakiramdaman niya

kung may magiging epekto ito sa balat dahil madalas siyang magkaallergy sa mga ibang produktong nasubukan na niya noon. Natuwa siya nang malamang wala pala itong halong mercury kaya walang dahilan para mangamba siya.

Namangha siya dahil sa lotion ay nalutas ang problema niya sa balat. Nabawasan ang mga peklat, gaspang at pagka-dry ng kaniyang balat. Nabawasan ng 2 inches ang kanyang baywang habang 1½ inches naman ang nabaw na taba sa hita sa loob ng ilang linggo na pagpapahid niya. Hindi na pala kailangan pang pumunta sa mga mamahaling beauty shop na gumagamit ng sopistikadang mga gadgets at machine para tanggalin ang mga taba at pagandahin ang kutis. Sa Dream Love lotion lang pala makakamit na ang pangarap na maging maganda. Lagi itong pinag-mamalaki ni Melissa sa mga kaibigan niya!

Melissa Pisquel After

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DECEMBER 2018

Imelda Marcos posts P150,000 bail

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ORMER first lady Imelda Marcos on November 16, posted a P150,000 (roughly $7,400) bail for provisional liberty while the court decides whether or not it will grant a post-conviction bail.

Marcos, 89, was convicted on November 9 of seven counts of graft for illegally funneling about $200 million to Swiss foundations in the 1970s when she served as Metropolitan Manila governor while her husband, late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, placed the Philippines under martial law. She was ordered to serve 6 to 11 years in prison for each of the seven

counts of violating an anti-corruption law.

The court accepted the bond while it decides on her motion to remain free while she appeals the conviction. Marcos appeared before the anti-graft Sandiganbayan court in Manila, accompanied by her children and grandsons. She said she failed to attend the reading of her verdict because she wasn’t aware of it and also mentioned her frail health.

The presiding judge, Rafael Lagos, noted she was able to attend a birthday party of her daughter. Marcos responded by saying that she received a call from

daughter Imee who was “crying... (that) all the guests are already there.” Anti-Marcos activists and human rights victims have welcomed the conviction as long overdue, although there are doubts she’ll be forced to serve prison time given her age and social status. The court disqualified Marcos from holding public office, but she can remain a member of the powerful House of Representatives while appealing the decision. Her congressional term will end next year but she has registered to run to replace her daughter as governor of northern Ilocos Norte province.

The cases against her were filed in 1991 and took nearly three decades of trial by several judges and prosecutors. She was once convicted of a graft case in 1993, but the Supreme Court later cleared her of any wrongdoing. Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by an army-backed “people power” revolt in 1986. He died in self-exile in Hawaii in 1989 but his widow and children returned to the Philippines.

Most have been elected to public offices in an impressive political comeback.

Opposition lawmakers were quick to slam the Sandiganbayan for allowing Marcos to post bail.

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said the decision of the anti-graft court is “double standard” and “very disappointing.” “Very double standard!

Very shameful of the high magistrates of the Sandiganbayan bowing down to the high and mighty Marcoses for the whole world to see. Very disappointing! As if the delay of more than two decades in deciding the case was not enough injustice,” he said.

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said this is not a matter to be taken lightly.

“It is history judging her and this is no ordinary case that we just let pass without a whimper,” said Villarin. Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago said the decision of the Sandiganbayan is an insult to the victims of martial law.

“Yung ₱150,000 bail kay Imelda, piso sale lang kung ikukumpara sa bilyon na ninakaw nila sa bayan. Ang cheap,” he said. (The amount of bail is peanuts compared to the illions of pesos that they stole from the nation. How cheap.) “Insulto ito sa mga martial law victims, sa mga pamilya nila, at sa mamamayang Pilipino na matagal nang pinagkaitan ng hustisya sa krimen ng mga Marcos at ng nakaw na kapangyarihan,” he added.

(This is an insult to the martial law victims, their families and the entire Filipino nation.

The nation has yet to attain justice.) Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, for his part, said the decision of the Sandiganbayan will not liberate Marcos as a prisoner of her own conscience.

“The massive human rights atrocities and pillage during Marcos’ martial law will perpetually haunt the Marcoses and condemn them to the prison of history,” Lagman added. —SunStar KOREA

Continued from Page 5

Aside from Filipino, the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) is also being implemented in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, and 3 in all public schools. “The Education chief consistently underscored the importance of history, culture and the arts in understanding, appreciating, and preserving the soul of Filipinos as a people. Thus, the Department continuously strengthens the teaching and learning of Filipino as part of the K to 12 Program,” DepEd said in its statement.

The inclusion of the Korean language in the SPFL was formalized in June 2017 under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippines and South Korea. As early as school year 2009-2010, DepEd has seen the need to develop the foreign language skills of students. SPFL is one of the six special programs being offered by the department to cater to multiple intelligences of the students, as well as to help equip them with the necessary skills. SPFL is open to students in Grades 7 to 10 who have demonstrated competence in English and Filipino, and are interested in learning another foreign language. DepEd has partnered with the Korean Cultural Center, Embassy of Spain, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation Filipinas, Instituto Cervantes, Japan Foundation, the Embassy of France, Goethe-Institut Philippinen, and Confucius Institute-Angeles University Foundation in training SPFL teachers.

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DECEMBER 2018

Pope declares Lucena’s first bishop ‘venerable’

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Filipino bishop is now for possible beatification a step closer to and canonization. A sainthood. “venerable” will This, after Pope Francis be approved for declared Lucena’s beatification first bishop, the late once a miracle is Monsignor Alfredo attributed to his or Obviar, as venerable. her intercession.

The Vatican on With the pope’s (November 7) said Pope approval of a decree Francis has authorized of a miracle, the the Congregation person can now for the Causes be beatified, of Saints to earning p ro m u l ga te him or her the decree the title of Monsignor Alfredo Obviar on “the heroic “blessed.” A virtues of the Servant of God second miracle is needed before Alfredo Maria Obviar, first proceeding to canonization, bishop of Lucena and founder which would then lead to his of the Congregation of the or her official declaration Missionary Catechists of Saint as “saint.” These processes Therese of the Infant Jesus.” undergo strict scrutiny to Obviar was born in Lipa, ensure that each declaration Batangas in 1889 and died in is truly of divine intervention.

Lucena in 1978. In 1969, he Currently, there are two Filipino was appointed as bishop of saints in the Catholic Church: then newly-created Diocese Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila, who of Lucena, a post he served was canonized by Pope John until his retirement in 1976. Paul II in 1987, and Pedro Once the person’s “heroic Calungsod of Cebu, who was virtues” is recognized by the canonized by Pope Benedict XVI pontiff, they are now called in 2012. “venerable”, paving the way — ABS-CBN

World’s biggest Ikea store will open in the Philippines in 2020

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kea will debut a 65,000sqm store in SM Prime Holdings’ Mall of Asia where it’s leasing a space that’s equal to more than 150 basketball courts, Ikea Southeast Asia Managing Director Christian Rojkjaer said at the launch of the Philippine website. A typical Ikea “big blue box” is about 35,000sqm.

Ikea will spend an initial 7 billion pesos (US$134 million) to build, stock, and staff the store, which will carry 9,000 products, Rojkjaer said. The Manila complex will have a two-level shop, a warehouse, an e-commerce facility and a call centre that will serve more than 5 million households within a 60-minute

radius. The company will employ 500 staff. The Philippines, where the growing middle class is forecast to spend more than Italy’s by 2030, has a population of more than 105 million people dominated by a working-age demographic. The economy has expanded above 6 per cent for 13 straight quarters, fuelled by private consumption which makes up the

bulk of gross domestic product.

The world’s largest furniture retailer is expanding rapidly in Asia.

It debuted the first of 25 stores in India in August. Last week, it said it will open the first city centre store in Tokyo in 2020 near one of its busiest metro stations. Ikea has three outlets in Malaysia and two each in Thailand and Singapore. It also has a plan to open in Vietnam.

The Mall of Asia complex sits across Manila’s gaming district where integrated casino resorts worth more than US$1 billion each have sprouted and attracted mainland Chinese tourist traffic that has driven up property prices. SCMP.com

of OFWs as milking cows. Money generated from additional state exaction like the mandatory SSS and the burdensome TRAIN law only serves as guarantees to China and other foreign lenders on our capacity for debt-servicing," Migrante said in a statement. Also it said that the much-vaunted "Build, Build, Build" project mainly funded by Chinese money could not generate the expected millions of jobs for Filipinos.

"Many Chinese-funded projects and investments are hiring considerable numbers of Chinese workers.

This is a slap in the face of every OFW who work abroad due to unemployment in the country and just another proof that investments in infrastructure do not really translate into the actual generation of stable and secure jobs for Filipinos," it added.

Citing a September survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), Migrante said the Philippines remains to have the highest unemployment rate in the ASEAN region, which is at 22 percent or 9.8 million Filipinos are unemployed while pessimism on job availability rose to 16%. —GMA News

OFWs to bear brunt of Duterte's loans from China —Migrante

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group working for OFWs' rights and welfare said that the Filipino migrant workers will take the big part of the burden of paying for the loans of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration from China.

In a statement posted on Facebook during the arrival of China's Xi Jinping in Manila for a two-day state visit, OFW group Migrante said that the government will surely squeeze OFWs dry in servicing its debts.

"This debt trap will only reinforce the regime’s exploitation

10 NEWS

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no kaya kung walang Pasko? Ano kaya ang mararanasan ng sangkatauhan?

Walang anghel na naghatid ng mabuting balita. Walang Marya na Birhen at walang Jose. Walang bituin na nakita tanda ng kapanganakan ng Hari ng lahat. Walang ipinanganak na Magliligtas sa kasalanan ng sangkatauhan. Walang palatandaan nang batang ipinanganak na nakita ang mga pastol sa kaparangan. Walang mga Maggo na bumista sa batang hari ng Israel. Sa kabilang dako, patuloy naman ang paghahari ng mga Herodes, Pilato at Caesar. Patuloy ang pagpapahirap at pang-aapi sa mga Hudyo.

Patuloy rin ang paghahari nang kadiliman sa mundo sa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ni Satanas.

Walang pagdiriwang. Walang pagbibigayan ng regalo. Walang likas na patawaran. Walang tutuong pag-iibigan. Patuloy at panay ang awayan, pagkamakasarili at kapalaluan sa buhay. Walang habas ang mga pananamantala at iba’t ibang uri ng krimen gaya ng nakawan, patayan, pagkalango sa duroga na talamak pa kaysa sa ngayon. Pang-gagahasa, hindi lamang ng mga kababaihan, kundi pati na ang mga

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DECEMBER 2018

Kung walang Pasko

walang malay na sanggol. Wala na ang respeto sa mga nakakatanda. Pagkalat ng pandurugas at kung ano-anong kawalang hiyaan ang mararanasan. Ang pagbebenta ng laman babae o lalaki o Human trafficking at pagkalat ng nakakamatay na sexually transmitted diseases. Walang patid na paglalaglag (abortion) ng mga sanggol. Wala din tigil ang digmaan ng mga bansa laban sa bansa.

Patuloy din ang mga natural na kalamidad, sunog, malalakas na bagyo, baha, kasiraan ng mga pananim, mga peste, iba’t ibang klase ng sakit na dumadapo sa tao dala ng iba’t ibang virus at mikrobiyo. Patuloy ang malawakang katatakutan, kasiraan, kaguluhan, kawalan ng pag-asa at kapayapaan. Walang kapatawaran ang kasalanan ng tao at walang alok na buhay na walang hanggan. Walang Tagapamagitan sa Diyos at tao. Hindi rin ibinigay ang Banal na Espirito gawa ng walang Kristo ng Pasko. Sa tutuo lang, ang Banal na Spirito ang tinutukoy na humahadlang sa paghasik ng higit na malawakang kasamaan sa ngayon. Pinipigil ng Banal na Spirito ang hantaran at lubusan kasamaan sa ngayon. Darating ang panahon na aalisin ng Diyos ang hadlang sa walang habas na kasamaan at sasabog ang tunay na kakilakilabot na kapahamakan sa mundo.

Ganito ang sabi ng Biblia, “Ngayon pa man ay gumagawa na ang hiwaga ng kasamaan at mananatiling ganyan hangga’t di naaalis ang humahadlang sa kanya. Kung maalis na ang humahadlang, malalantad na ang Suwail” (2 Tessalonica 2:7-8a). Tutuong napakalungkot

at napakadilim nang buhay sa mundo kung walang Pasko.

Subalit gayun na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos at isinugo ang Cristo sa Pasko (Juan 3:16) upang mailigtas ang marami sa kakilakilabot na kasamaan at kapahamakan. Tignan natin ang malaking kaibahan dulot ng Pasko sa tao kaysa kung wala nito. Pagbulayan natin ang salaysay ni San Lucas tungkol sa Pasko, “Doon ay may mga pastol na nasa parang at nagbabantay ng kanilang mga tupa nang gabing iyon. At tumayo sa harapan nila ang isang anghel ng Panginoon at nagliwanag sa kapaligiran nila ang kaluwalhatian ng Panginoon. Ganoon na lamang ang kanilang pagkatakot. Ngunit sinabi sa kanila ng anghel, “Huwag kayong matakot! Ako’y may dalang magandang balita para sa inyo na magdudulot ng malaking kagalakan sa lahat ng tao.

Isinilang sa inyo ngayon sa bayan ni David ang Tagapagligtas, ang Cristong Panginoon. Ito ang inyong palatandaan: matatagpuan ninyo ang isang sanggol na nababalot ng lampin at nakahiga sa isang sabsaban.”Biglang lumitaw kasama ng anghel ang isang malaking hukbo ng mga anghel sa kalangitan. Sila’y nagpupuri sa Diyos at umaawit, “Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan,at sa lupa ay kapayapaan sa mga taong kinalulugdan niya!” ( Lucas 2: 8-14).

Pansinin ang ilang handog sa tao ng Pasko mula sa pahayag ni Lucas?

Una, “Kaluwalhatian ng Diyos” (v.9).

Ibinigay ang liwanag ng Diyos sa madilim na mundo. Ang kahulugan ng kaluwalhatian ng Diyos ayon kay San Juan, “Nagliliwanag sa kadiliman ang ilaw, at hindi ito nagapi kailanman ng kadiliman” (Juan 1:3). Si Jesu Cristo ang liwanag ng Diyos na bumaba sa langit. Hindi na muli magdidilim pa. Ang liwanag ng kanyang mga katotohanan ay ipinahayag at patuloy na ipinahahayag sa lahat. Hindi kayang patayin ng kadiliman ang liwanag na ito ng Diyos. Si Jesus ang ilaw ng Pasko na nagbibigay sa tao na makita ang daan, katotohanan at buhay (Juan 14:6). Marami ang mahuhulog sa imburnal ng kapahamakan kung walang ilaw ang daanan. Kailangan ng tao ang ilaw sa buhay upang makita ang tama at matuwid na daan. Kailangan lamang na magpasinag sa ilaw ng Diyos, hindi iwasan iyon, hindi magtago o tanggihan ito.

Ikalawa, “Huwag matakot” (v.10). Inaalis ng Pasko ang katatakutan sapagkat ang katatakutan ay tanda ng pang-aalipin at pananakop ni Satanas sa sangkatauhan.

Bumaba ang Diyos upang wasakin nga kapangyarihan ni Satanas. Ganito ang sabi ni Jesus kung bakit siya pumarito, ““Ang Espiritu ng Panginoon ay sumasaakin, sapagkat hinirang niya ako upang ipangaral sa mga mahihirap ang Magandang Balita. Isinugo niya ako upang ipahayag sa mga bihag na sila’y lalaya, at sa mga bulag na sila’y makakakita.

Isinugo ako upang palayain ang mga inaapi, at upang ipahayag ang panahon ng pagliligtas ng Panginoon”(Lucas 4:18-19). “...Kaya’t naparito ang Anak ng Diyos upang wasakin ang mga gawa ng diyablo” (1 Juan 3:8). Ano ang katatakutan mo sa buhay ngayon? Natatakot ka ba dahil malapit na matapos ang iyong kontrata? Natatakot ka ba dahil nagdadalaga o nagbibinata na ang babae o lalaki mong anak at wala ka duon? Natatakot ka ba dahil hindi mo maabot ang quota sa trabaho? Lumapit ka kay Jesus upang alisin ang iyong takot.

Bibigyan ka ng pag-asa ni Jesus.

Ikatlo, “...magdudulot ng malaking

kagalakan sa lahat ng tao” (v.10) Kagalakan ang dala ng Pasko, hindi kalungkutan, hindi kasawian, hindi kasiraan, hindi kahirapan o kapahamakan. Ganito ang sabi ni Jesus, “Naparito ako upang ang mga tupa ay magkaroon ng buhay, buhay na masaganang lubos” (Juan 10:10). Mayroon ka bang tutuong kagalakan sa puso? Ang ina-alok ni Jesus sa iyo ay ang tutuo at permanenteng kagalakan, hindi kasiyahan na nabibili lamang ng salapi o temporal lamang sa mundo. Ang kagalakan alok ni Jesus ay pang walang hanggan. Ano man ang iyong situasyon, hindi kayang alisin ito sa iyong puso. Nais mo ba nito? Hand aka bang tanggapin ito mula kay Jesus?

Ika-apat, “Isinilang sa inyo ngayon sa bayan ni David ang Tagapagligtas, ang Cristong Panginoon” (v.11). Lahat ng tao ay lumalakad na lihis sa katuwiran ng Diyos kung kaya’t sinasabing ligaw. Walang lumalakad ng tutuong matuwid sa harap ng Diyos (Roma 3:12). Bumaba sa lupa si Jesus upang hanapin ang mga ligaw sa landas ng katuwiran. Sinabi ni Jesus, “Ang Anak ng Tao ay naparito upang hanapin at iligtas ang naligaw” (Lucas 19:10).

Ikaw at ako sa aminin mo o hindi ay ligaw ayon sa Diyos. Tayo ay nadaya ni Satanas, kaya bulag sa katotohanan. Akala lamang natin, ayos tayo subalit dala tayo ng agos tungo sa kapahamakan. Nais ni Jesus na iligtas ka ngayon din. Iyan ang tutuong kaloob ng Diyos sa Pasko. Kumakatok Siya sa pinto ng iyong puso. Pagbubuksan mo ba at tatanggapin ang kapatawaran sa kasalanan at buhay na walang hanggan alok sa iyo ng Pasko?

Sa tutuo lang, sa kabila na dumating na ang Pasko, mananatili ang kasamaan sa mundo at patuloy na mararanasan. Lalo pa nga itong magiging malala. Subalit sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, ang lahat ng mananalig kay Jesu Cristo ay ligtas sa kapahamakan sa mundo. Sila ay tatanggap ng lakas ng loob sa buhay at kagalakan na higit pa nararanasan sa sanlibutan. Sila ay patatawarin sa lahat ng kasalanan at bibigyan ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sila ay maliligtas tiyak sa kapahamakan. Samakatuwid, ang tatanggap ng alok ni Jesus ang siya lamang mabibiyayahan ng Pasko. Kung nais mong maranasan ang tutuong kaligtasan dulot ng Pasko, mangyari na iwan mo na ang baluktot na landas. Ibig sabihin ay iwan mo na ang mga sariling pagmamatuwid, pilosopya, tradisyong paniwala, kawalan ng tiwala o pag-rerebelde sa Diyos. Aminin mo sa Diyos na ikaw ay lihis at ligaw at hindi mo kayang iligtas ang sarili.

Humingi ka ng tawad sa Diyos. Buong puso mo na isuko ang sarili sa pananalig kay Jesu Cristo.

Aminin mong Siya ang namatay sa krus para sa iyong kasalanan at gawin mo na ngayon na.

Gagawin mo ba?

Ang mga patuloy na tatanggi sa mga kaloob ng Pasko ay tiyak mananatili sa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ni Satanas, kaligawan, katatakutan, kalituhan, pagka-alipin at kapahamakan. Pasalamatan at papurihan ang Diyos sa kaloob na Pasko. Pasalamat sa tinapos na kapangyarihan ni Satanas sa buhay ng mga nanalig kay Jesu Cristo. Pasalamat sa tagumpay sa kapangyarihan ng kasalanan at kamatayan.

Ipagdiwang ang tunay na kahulugan ng Pasko kay Jesu Cristo. May tutuong Pasko ba ang buhay mo o wala pa sa iyo ang Pasko?

Ibahagi mo rin sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay ang tutuong kahulugan ng Pasko ngayon din.

Sasaganang tutuo ang iyong buhay sa Bagong Taon at sa lahat ng darating pang taon!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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DECEMBER 2018

Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange now open to serve commuters

A

modern intermodal terminal is set to service commuters between Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Calabarzon. Dubbed the Philippines’ “first landport,” the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is a 4.5-hectare “all-inone” terminal housing transportation bays, commercial spaces, and office buildings.

With a capacity of 100,000 passengers daily, the PITX offers seamless connections to other modes of transportation from provincial to in-city buses, taxis, jeepneys, and UV Express shuttles. Located along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, it will be linked to the planned Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite extension.

The PITX is a flagship project under the government’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. It was awarded to MWM Terminals, a consortium of Megawide Construction Corporation and WM Property Management,

under a 35-year build-operate-transfer concession with the government. The PITX boasts state-of-the-art facilities, mostly devoted to integrating provincial and incity bus transfers. Premium point-to-point bus operator UBE Express will also be offering rides from the PITX to Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals in Pasay City, according to MWM. The first floor of the terminal houses an information center, bus ticketing counters, and bus boarding gates.

At the counters, commuters can easily choose their preferred bus trips and seats from the terminal to any point in Metro Manila, Cavite, and Batangas. They can also buy tickets in advance. Online ticketing will later be launched. Right now, ticketing officers only accept cash payments. But MWM is looking at integrating automated fare collection through Beep cards. MWM said the PITX can host around 70 bus trips per hour.

What differentiates the PITX A quick guide on how to use the terminal: from the regular bus terminal is

Departure Step 1: For commuters who opt to buy tickets for trips in the next few hours, schedules are posted at the public information displays around the terminal.

Step 2: Proceed to the ticketing counter to buy your tickets.

Only cash payments are currently accepted.

Step 3: Be at the boarding gates 15 minutes before the scheduled trip. Be alert for any changes in the schedule by checking out the displays or by listening to the public announcement system.

Step 4: When the bus is ready to load passengers, scan your ticket on the validation machine to enter the boarding gates. Buses will leave on time, so avoid being late. Tickets are no longer valid past the trip schedule.

Step 5: Board the bus and sit at your assigned seat.

Arrival: Step 1: Remain seated until the bus has stopped at the arrival bay. Step 2: Proceed to the entrance gate and pass through security checks. Step 3: Look for your next transfer.

Jeepneys: The loading bay for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) is located on the left side of the first floor, while the unloading bay is on the right side.

Step 1: Proceed to the designated jeepney bay area.

Step 2: Look for the PUJ route and queue if needed.

Step 3: Prepare your payment and pay before boarding the jeep.

Taxis: The taxi lane area is located at the ground floor, near the main entrance of the terminal.

Step 1: Visit the information center at the ground floor to get a queuing number. Step 2: Proceed to the taxi lane area and wait for your queuing number to be called.

UV Express shuttles: Loading bays for UV Express shuttles are located at the third floor. Step 1: Proceed to the designated UV Express shuttle bay area. Step 2: Look for the UV Express route and queue if needed. Step 3: Prepare your payment and pay before boarding the shuttle.

1st Philippine online tourism portal underway The establishment of the first online tourism portal in the Philippines started as Rajah Travel Corporation launched the first phase of its Tourism Knowledge Center after welcoming its first partner from the academe on board. The center, an online portal that will provide relevant and updated data on the country’s tourism industry, will bring together tourism industry stakeholders, local government units, and the academe as they collectively provide new insights, trends, and analysis. The first to formally join the project was Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) with the LGUs of Manila, Palawan, and Bohol expected to follow next month. “Rajah Travel Corp. will manage the Tourism Knowledge Center while LGUs and academes will provide research along with tourism data, information, and events within their locations,” said Rajah Travel Corp. president Aileen Clemente. “A first of its kind in the country,” Clemente said, noting this will serve as a media center where tourism news will be posted.

UNDERWAY Continued on Page 13

that it will be stricter about trips departing on time. MWM installed CCTV cameras and sensors at the bus bays to monitor whether trips are on schedule or not.

MWM said buses are only allowed to enter their assigned bay 10 minutes before the trip, to avoid congestion in the area. If they arrive ahead of schedule, the sensors won’t allow them to enter the bay.

While waiting for their trips, drivers may stay at the designated staging area for buses near the terminal. Aside from the bus bays taking center stage at the first floor, public utility jeepney (PUJ) bays are also at the same floor. The loading bay is located on the left side of the building, while the unloading bay is on the right side. The second floor has the unloading bay for buses. There are a total of 36 loading bays and 23 unloading bays for buses. At the third floor, there are 18 loading bays and 17 unloading bays for UV Express shuttles.

The proposed link to the LRT1 Cavite

extension will be at the third floor as well.

At the fourth floor of the building, there are 852 parking spaces for motorists.

Other facilities

The PITX aims to provide safe, secure, and convenient travel to passengers.

Operations are 24/7, with CCTV cameras around. There is also free Wi-Fi at every floor.

The terminal even includes an all-gender restroom, and pay lounges that have shower rooms. There is also a breastfeeding station for mothers to use. For those who want a moment of silence to pray, a prayer room is located at the third floor. Several spaces around the terminal have been reserved by fast-food chains, food concessionaires, and retailers.

MWM said a supermarket will also be leasing one of the spaces, making the terminal an “all-in-one” spot. Office buildings were also built in the terminal area, in a bid to ramp up development along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard. Leased spaces will be operational in 2019.

— Rappler

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DECEMBER 2018

4 Compelling Reasons to Get Life Insurance for OFW

o you know who needs life insurance the most? Yes, it’s you who have to endure homesickness and loneliness working abroad to give your family a better future.

If you still can’t see the point in paying premiums, consider the real-life story of a fellow OFW. Remember the news about Joanna Demafelis, a domestic helper who was found dead in a freezer in Kuwait last February 2018?

Because Demafelis was an agency-hired OFW, she’s covered by the government’s Compulsory OFW Insurance Program. Her family received death benefits under the OFW life insurance program even if the date of death was unknown. While not everyone will have the same fate, it pays to be financially prepared for when something unthinkable happens. Here are six strong reasons OFWs must get life insurance.

1. Your family needs protection when there’s sudden loss of income

Most OFW families—extended families included—rely solely on OFW remittances for their household income. If you’re an OFW who’s the sole breadwinner, imagine how much your loved ones would suffer when you can’t earn income anymore due to serious illness, disability, or death.

Having an OFW life insurance policy protects your family from the financial impact of sudden income loss. Your beneficiaries will receive a lump-sum benefit to help them cope when you’re gone.

Even if you have savings and investments, the money you’ve worked hard for many years will deplete fast if you don’t have life insurance. Any asset you leave behind will be subject to a 6% estate tax. In the Philippines, life insurance for OFW typically covers estate

Insurance companies such as Sun Life, AXA Philippines, and Philam Life offer life insurance products specifically for OFWs. Nowadays, it’s convenient for OFWs to buy life insurance online. No need to wait for the next homecoming in the Philippines to get insured.

taxes.

2. Working abroad makes you prone to job hazards and unhealthy lifestyle

OFWs, especially those who work at oil refineries, laboratories, construction sites, and sea vessels are exposed to many occupational risks. Even OFWs at less risky job sites who work long hours, skip meals, and barely have days-off tend to overlook their own health because they prioritize earning a higher income to send to their families back home. Over time, all these will contribute to health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Sudden hospitalization can easily cripple an OFW family’s finances.

Life insurance for OFW acts like a safety net, easing a family’s financial burden when an OFW family member gets sick.

3. Only Agency-Hired Workers Have OFW Life Insurance Coverage Under the Law

The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (Republic Act 10022) requires recruitment agencies to get compulsory OFW life insurance for workers they deploy abroad. The insurance coverage, which comes at no cost for agency-hired OFWs, provides benefits up to USD 15,000 (PHP 795,825).

The OFW Compulsory Insurance is mandatory for agency-hired workers only. Life insurance for OFW direct hires is optional, according to the Insurance Commission. If you’re hired directly by a foreign employer, you aren’t covered by the compulsory life insurance for OFWs. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need it as much as agency-hired OFWs do.

You have two options for OFW life insurance. You can enroll as an OWWA member (and pay a USD 25 membership fee), so you or your family can receive disability, dismemberment, or death benefits from the government agency when needed.

4. You Can Grow Your Money While Getting Insured

You won’t be an OFW forever. Time will come when you’ll have to come back home and reunite with your family. Getting insured helps you prepare not only for your homecoming but also your retirement.

Hesitant to get life insurance because premium payments feel like throwing money away? Consider getting a variable unit-linked insurance (VUL) plan—it allows you to get insured while building your savings and investments, too.

A Philam Life survey found that 82% of OFWs don’t have enough savings to return home to the Philippines for good. The OFWs surveyed said they need an average of PHP 3 million to live comfortably when they come back home.

With all your financial obligations, it’s hard to save that much money in a short time. Getting a life insurance product with an investment component is one of the ways to build funds you need for your return to the Philippines.

Final Thoughts All your hard-earned income and sacrifices as an overseas worker will be wiped out in a snap if you don’t insure yourself. An OFW life insurance will protect your loved ones against financial losses should a misfortune happen to you. —MoneyMax.ph

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DECEMBER 2018

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Dermatologists warn of risks of IV glutathione

group of dermatologists warned people hoping to acquire a fair complexion not to inject themselves with glutathione as they may instead suffer from bruising, gastritis or, worse, renal failure. The drug is not meant for cosmetic use but to protect cancer patients from the adverse effects of chemotherapy, according to the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS).

In a health forum in Quezon City, PDS officers aired the warning following the “alarming” increase in the number of clinics offering intravenous (IV) glutathione sessions in salons and malls, as well as the proliferation on social media of professionals, like nurses and midwives, offering such services.

Contrary to what is believed and being advertised, there is yet no strong scientific evidence to show that glutathione is indeed an effective skin-whitening agent, said Dr. Elle Asuncion, a member of the PDS glutathione advisory committee. “None of the systemic glutathione-containing products around the world has been approved for skin whitening.

High-quality clinical trials are needed to prove its efficacy as a skin whitener. Its safety as a skin whitener has not yet been firmly established,” Asuncion said.

The Food and Drug Administration has only approved the medical use of IV glutathione to protect cancer patients from the side effects of a platinum-based chemotherapy. It warned

the public as early as May 2011 against the use of IV glutathione to whiten skin due to its possible adverse effects.

A recent PDS study documented at least 69 patients who suffered from complications due to IV glutathione use, ranging from dizziness, increased blood sugar and easy bruising to difficulty in breathing and gastritis.

In the worst case, a 34-year-old patient suffered from acute renal failure following “weekly infusion” of IV glutathione for three years. According to Dr. Belen Dofitas, these cases should serve as a wake-up call to the public to stop patronizing IV glutathione and for the government to clamp down on such

Continued from Page 11 mong others, an online forum and webinar will be handled by leading tourism executives from the country and abroad. She added that there are a lot of tourism data available they can use to forecast future growth areas and detailed needs even on a local level. With LPU as the first partner for the knowledge center, Clemente lauded the educational institution for its “forward thinking approach to tourism.” “LPU is a progressive school we are proud to have as a partner. We believe they can assist in bridging the gap between colleges and universities and the industry needs,” she said. Meanwhile, Clemente expects LPU’s Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite campuses to come online soon.

LPU president Roberto Laurel said they are excited to partner with Rajah Travel Corp. for the project. “With our involvement in the Tourism Knowledge Center, we expect our university to blaze new fields as we showcase our center of excellence stature. We are one of the leading educational institutions in terms of our tourism and hospitality management courses,” Laurel said. Backed by international accreditations, LPU currently has the biggest tourism, hospitality management, and culinary population in the country with more than 14,000 students enrolled for the current school year. Clemente told the Philippine New Agency the platform is expected to be available to the public by the first quarter of 2019 after getting the LGUs on board the initiative.

Continued from Page 3 ome of the measures that have been rolled out are the transfer of some empty containers at the inland containers terminals, requiring shipping companies to open up additional container yards, and the inventory of existing containers for immediate evacuation. Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said the truck holiday has no effect on the operations of the ports as the membership of the group that participated in it is just 8 percent of the truckers that operate in Manila ports. “Right now, our yard utilization is relatively high due to the Christmas rush.

But we are approximately at 73 percent to 75 percent utilization rate, which is still at the

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practice before somebody dies.

Asuncion reminded nurses and midwives, who reportedly earn on the side from injecting glutathione, that they might lose their licenses and charged with illegal practice of medicine, which is punishable by a fine of up to P10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years. Dr. Angela Lavadia, PDS head, also urged local governments, especially those that have issued business permits to IV glutathione clinics, to check whether these establishments were using the drug for its intended purpose. he appealed to colleagues in the medical profession to be more “judicious” in their use of drugs such as glutathione.

—Inquirer optimal level,” Santiago said.

The DOTr said the “truck holiday” protests Department Order (DO) 2017-09, which reinforced the earlier DO 2002-030 on the mandatory 15-year age limit for buses- and trucks-for hire covered by a certificate of public convenience.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III has stressed that it was already agreed upon that truckers, even with units older than 15 years, may continue with their current franchises during the transition period.

The transition period for the year modelbased phaseout of trucks covered by a certificate of public convenience is from June 30, 2017 to June 30, 2020, in accordance with LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2018-007.

—BusinessMirror

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DECEMBER 2018

TEACHER: Ikaw Juan, namumuro ka na. Konti na lang, lilipad ka na palabas ng classroom!

Ok class, let’s move on to our Mathematics class. So class, kung may 10 anak ako sa una kong asawa, 6 sa pangalawa kong asawa at 3 sa pangatlo kong asawa, ako ay may...

JUAN: Ma’am ako po! Ako po ang sasagot.

Kayo po ay may taglay na pagiging haliparot, malandi, makati, hitad at pokpok!

TEACHER: Class, bilang isang guro, ako dapat ay inirerespeto nyo dahil ang paaralang ito ay ang pangalawa nyong tahanan at ako naman ay ang pangalawa nyong ina.

JUAN: Ma’am? Kung ang school pong ito ay aming pangalawang tahanan, bakit bawal pong matulog sa loob ng klase? Atsaka kayo po ang pangalawa naming ina? Sinasabi ko na nga ba ma’am eh! Napakalandi mo talaga, ikaw ang pangalawa naming ina, imagine kabit ka ng lahat ng tatay namin?

Teacher: Ok, class dismiss. Juan, isama mo ang magulang mo bukas at kakausapin ko ( Umuwi na si Juan at... ) JUAN: Tay pinatatawag po kayo ni ma’am TATAY: Bakit anak ano na naman ba ang ginawa mong kalokohan?

JUAN: Aba malay ko!

Ikaw ang pinatatawag hindi naman ako eh. Baka ikaw ang may ginawang kalokohan tay? ( Kinabukasan, isinama na ni Juan ang kanyang tatay sa pagpasok sa classroom upang makausap nila ang guro ) TATAY: Magandang umaga po ma’am!

Bakit nyo po ako ipinatatawag?

TEACHER: Nako tay, yang anak nyo po masyadong maloko dito sa loob ng classroom TATAY: Bakit ma’am? Maloko din naman ang anak ko sa bahay namin, pero ni minsan hindi ko naman kayo ipinatawag di ba?

---------------------------------------------------------TEACHER: Oh Juan, asan ang gawa mo?

Bakit blanko ito?

JUAN: Ma’am nag-drawing po ako ng kalabaw TEACHER: Asan ang kalabaw?

JUAN: Kumakain po ng damo TEACHER: Asan ang damo?

JUAN: Halika nga dito ma’am! Ikaw ang maupo at ako ang magtuturo! Engot toh.

Syempre yung damo naubos na. At dahil dun, umalis na ang kalabaw. Hahanap na naman ng panibagong pagkain TEACHER: This is your first offense Juan. Ok class, let’s move on to our History class.

---------------------------------------------------------Juan: Bakit ka pandak?

Dagul: Bata pa lang kase, naulila na ako!

Juan: Anong koneksyon nun sa pagiging

pandak mo?

Dagul: Sira ka ba? Syempre walang nagpalaki saken?

---------------------------------------------------------Blind: Close your eyes Crippled: Give me your hand, darling Deaf: Do you hear my heart beating?

Dunce: Do you understand?

Numb: Do you feel the same?

Poor: Am I only dreaming?

Firefighter: Is it burning an eternal flame Mute: Say my name Lunatic: Sunshine through the rain Forever Alone: My whole life so lonely Feeler: Then you’ve come and ease the pain Martyr: I don’t want to lose this feeling Attention Seeker: Ohhhhh!

---------------------------------------------------------Wife: Hudas ka! Lagi kang umuuwing lasing!

Naaasar na tuloy ako sa mukha mo!

Husband: Pero mahal, kung hindi ako lasing, ako naman ang maaasar sa mukha mo!

---------------------------------------------------------Pag merong PROMISE sigurado ako may kasunod yang SORRY. Yan na siguro yung tinatawag nilang PROMISE-SORRY NOTE ---------------------------------------------------------Kung hindi ka magpakatino HRM – Waiter Midwifery – Kumadrona Education – Tambay Criminology – Tanod PMA – Rebelde Medicine – Albularyo IT – Bantay ng Internet café Accountancy – Tindera Fine Arts – Pintor ng Pader Psychology – Manghuhula Tourism – Driver Masscom – Bugaw Nursing – Katulong Medtech – Drug Pusher ---------------------------------------------------------10 Utos ng Manginginom 1. Huwag makulit habang umiinom (Hindi ka na bata) 2. Huwag matakaw sa pulutan. (Hindi ito picnic) 3. Huwag patagalin ang baso. (May naghihintay pa ng tagay) 4. Huwag inon ng inom (Bumili ka rin) 5. Uminom ng deretso sa tyan (Huwag sa ulo) 6. Magpaalam pag-uwi (Hindi yung biglang nawawala) 7. Magtira ng pamasahe (para di maglakad pauwi)

8. Huwag matulog sa harapan ng inuman (Wala ka sa kuarto) 9. Siguraduhing sa bahay ang uwi (Hindi sa Motel) 10. Higit sa lahat, wag tikman ang katabi (Hindi sya pulutan) ---------------------------------------------------------Kapag pangit si BF at maganda si GF, tawag diyan DISKARTE Kapag pogi si BF at pangit GF, tawag diyan GAYUMA Kapag pogi si BF at maganda si GF ang tawag diyan TADHANA Kapag pangit si BF at pangit din si GF, ang tawag dyan SUMPA ---------------------------------------------------------Pinoy quotes — “Alam mo ba na ang tears ay mas special kaysa sa sa smile? Kasi ang smile, pwedeng ibigay kahit kanino. Pero ang luha ay para sa taong hindi mo kayang mawala sa iyo.”

— “Alam nyo nbah kung bakit LAPIS gamit ng mga bata? Para malaman nila na pwedeng itama ang MALI, pero alam mo ba kung bakit BALLPEN gamit natin? Para ipaalam satin na di na tayo BATA para ulit ulitin ang mga pakakamaling di natin kayang burahin.

— “Ang relationship, parang internet minsan my downtime but it doesn’t mean na walang connection” ---------------------------------------------------------Pinoy Dictionary Survey test – Tagalog ng ice cream Followed – sinasabi mo sa tindera pag wala nang laman ang celfon mo Dure care – mahigpit na kalaban ni Batman A trust – salungat ng abante Sick rate – bagay na di mo dapat sabihin sa iba Check in – English ng manok Korean Tea – ito yung nawawala pag brownout The Value – kasunod ng letrang V ---------------------------------------------------------Hugot Lines — Na-Bong Bong Marcos ka na ba? Yung natulog ka lang paggising mo, hindi ka na number 1 sa puso nya.

— Nakangiti ako di dahil masaya ako. Ngumiti talaga ako para patunayan sayo nandyan ka man o wala itutuloy ko buhay ko.

Oo na. Intense na kung intense! Ganun ako magmahal eh. Palibhasa nagmamahal ka lang kapag convenient.

— Pag tinatawag kang Plastik tawagin mo siyang Papel, bakit? Kasi hindi ka naman makikipagPlastikan kung walng Pumapapel” — The first to apologize is the bravest.

The first to forgive is the strongest.

And the first to forget is the happiest — Ang love parang sugal, minsan talo, minsan panalo. Minsan tiba-tiba, minsan bawi lang.

Pero alam mo kung ano ang masakit? Ang Makita mong panalo ka n asana, kaso hindi

ka tumaya.

---------------------------------------------------------Tanong: Anong tawag sa maliit na unan?

Sagot: Eh di………UNANO! ---------------------------------------------------------Isang araw, mayron isang mahirap na bata.

Ang pangalan nito ay Pedro.

Dahil siya ay mahirap, hindi niya maafford ang masasarap at mamahalin na pagkain…kaya everyday ang kinakain niya lang ay soy sauce.

Isang araw mayroong langgam na pumasok sa butas ng brief niya at kinagat siya sa balls…

Pedro: Aray! Ang sakit!

Dinukot niya ang langgam at pinisil niya habang sinasabi…

Pedro: Ako soy sauce lang kinakain ko, ikaw may pa-ITLOG ka pa!

---------------------------------------------------------Game Show Tatay: Ma-open nga ang TV TV: Nagbabalik po an gating Q&A (female edition) game show. Ito po ang inyong tanong Ms., ano po ang inilalagay ng mister niyo sa itlog tuwing umaga?

Ms.: Aba e di baby powder!

Tatay: (natapon ang hawak na kape) ---------------------------------------------------------Pedro: Pare, kelan birthday mo?

Juan: October 30, pare Pedro: Anong taon?

Juan: Syempre, taun-taon! Alangan naman sometimes, di ba? Huwag kang tanga!

---------------------------------------------------------Juan: Ikaw na naman?! Tatlong beses mo na kong naholdap ngayon taon ah!

Holdaper: Ganun talaga business, inaalagaan ang good customer.

---------------------------------------------------------Madalas na sinasabi kahit saan: Aray – kahit di naman talaga masakit Ha? – kahit narinig naman talaga Ano Ano? – gusto pa paulit ulit Ewan – pag tamad mag-explain Bahala ka – pero talagang ayaw nya Sige na nga – kunyari napipilitan, pero gusto naman talaga.

---------------------------------------------------------Student life - Ang pinakamahirap at napakamaimpluwensyang tanong: “Hoy, papasok ka?

- Ang mapanuksong sagot: “Ikaw ba?

- Ang nakakapressure na sagot: “Ewan ko nga eh” - The best na sagot: “Pag di ka pumasok, di na din ako papasok” - Which results to: “Tara! Wag na tayo pumasok” - At mapagkunsinteng pangyayari: “Buti na lang hindi na tayo pumasok, wala naman daw pa lang ginawa eh”

16 NEWS Asian countries unite for protection of seafarers

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ore than ten Asian seafaring nations convened to create the Manila Statement on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers, in a bid to ensure that maritime workers’ rights are recognized.

The regional conference for stakeholders was organized by international research body Seafarers Rights International (SRI) and the Department of Labor (DOLE). “Asia is the largest supplier of seafarers to the international fleet and seafarers are recognised as essential to the conduct of international trade and as a special category of worker,” the SRI said. “Given the global nature of the shipping industry and the different jurisdictions that seafarers may be brought into contact with, they need special protection, especially in relation to contacts with public authorities in the event of a maritime accident,” it added. Among the delegates were government officials and ambassadors from Asian countries, ship owners, seafarers’ unions, seafarers, senior representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labor Organization (ILO), casualty investigators, and members of the academe.

They discussed resource, knowledge, and expertise development aligned with the Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers, which was agreed upon by the IMO and ILO. The SRI said it hopes that as Asia’s seafaring nations lead the promotion of seafarers’ protection, other regions in the world will also be catalyzed to take action.

Makati eyes P10,000 gift for seniors aged 90 to 99

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he Makati city government is planning to give P10,000 in cash gifts to seniors citizens 90 to 99 years old every year, according to Mayor Abigail Binay. A total of 1,968 nonagenarians will benefit from the program, Binay said during the weekly “Ugnayan sa Barangay” held in Olympia village. She said the recipients should be holders of Blu Card for at least five years.

She expressed hope that the city council would support the program for nonagenarians so it could be implemented next year. According to the program, a senior citizen who has been a Blu Card holder for at least five years will receive P10,000 when she reaches the age of 90 and P10,000 every year thereafter until she turns 99. The mayor said those already in their 90s during the program’s effectivity will receive P10,000 yearly for the remainder of the period before they turn 100. The city government has been giving out cash gifts to senior citizens: P3,000 for those aged 60 to 69; P4,000 for 70 to 79 years old, and P5,000 for those aged 80 to 89. Centenarians in Makati are entitled to receive P100,000 cash gift from the local government. Binay increased the cash incentives given to Blu Card holders following the approval P326.7 million for this year.

P17.9B fake goods seized as of September, highest in a decade

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he government confiscated P17.9 billion worth of fake and counterfeit goods as of September this year. This is according to a statement from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The haul was done by the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR). IPOPHL, which leads the NCIPR, said this marked the biggest take in the decade-long history of the committee, even though this only marked the haul for the first nine months. More than 80 percent of this, or P15.5 billion, are cigarettes and cigarette paraphernalia, as fake but cheaper goods entered the market amid higher tax rates slapped on sin products. “The staggering amount of fake and counterfeit goods in the nine months of the year is an outlier seizure,” said IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago. IPOPHL said the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Customs pursued several operaions in the year, raiding factories and warehouses. This included the haul in August when a single operation yielded P8 billion worth of fake cigarette stamps and other goods in a warehouse in Quezon City, IPOPHL said. A far second to cigarettes and related equipment are pharmaceutical and personal care products, which reached P1.2 billion, although IPOPHL could not say why the haul was this big.

No fare increase amid MRT3 rehab —DOTr

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he Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured the public that there will be no increase in the fares for the Metro Rail Transit even if the railway system is poised to undergo a total rehabilitation. This came after the government of the Philippines and Japan signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of the MRT3. The project, which will run until 2022, covers the rehabilitation and maintenance of all sub-components of MRT3, including its electro-mechanical systems, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and a general overhaul of all its 72 18-year-old light rail vehicles. Batan said the instruction of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade was to shelve any discussion on a fare hike and to let the commuting public experience first the significant improvements made, once completed, on the 18-year-old rail system. “Mariin na instruction ni Secretary Tugade na hindi tayo magi-increase ng anumang pasahe hangga’t hindi nararamdaman ng ating mga commuters ang improvements sa services ng MRT3,” the Transportation official said. The MRT3 last increased its fares in January 2015 to an P11 base fare plus an additional P1 per kilometer. The 16.9-kilometer rail line that stretches from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City is currently accommodating an average of 350,000 commuters daily.

Bill providing incentives to business-minded OFWs pushed

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enator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV is now pushing for a bill that seeks to provide incentives and benefits to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to start a business in the Philippines. Aquino said he filed Senate Bill No. 2101 or the “Business Incentives for OFWs Act” upon the suggestion of an OFW from Batangas City during a local consultation session. Once enacted into law, OFW-owned enterprises will be given benefits and incentives once they decide to invest their hard-earned money in the Philippines, including exemption from payment of income tax for five years following registration. Other benefits for an OFW-owned business enterprise include 50-percent reduction on real property taxes and tax and duty free importation of raw materials, capital equipment, machineries and spare parts exclusively used in the operation.

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DECEMBER 2018

DILG does not plan to stop Ang Probinsyano from airing

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ala raw balak ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) na ipahinto o papalitan ang storyline ng FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Ito ay kaugnay pa rin sa usaping “negative portrayal” ng mga pulis na diumano’y pinapakita sa FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Ito ang dahilan upang bawiin ng Philippine National Police (PNP) at ikonsidera ng DILG ang pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa ABS-CBN prime-time series.

Ayon sa statement ni Interior Secretary Eduardo Año nakatakdang magkaroon ng pag-uusap ang DILG at ang produksyon ng FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, matapos lumapit ang produksyon ng program sa DILG para ayusin ang anumang isyu sa pagitan nila.

Saad ni Año, “We are always open to dialogue and we look forward to meeting with them soon…. We are looking forward to a constructive meeting where both parties can relay their honest views to each other.”

Nag-komento rin ang Interior Secretary sa disclaimer na pinapakita ng FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano sa umpisa ng programa, kung saan nililinaw na “purely fictional” ang lahat ng elementong nasa palabas.

Idiniin ni Año na may limitasyon ang pagiging fictional nito dahil ginagamit ng programa ang pangalan, logo, at uniporme ng PNP. Ito raw ay paglabag sa Article 179 ng Revised Penal Code, kung saan pinagbabawalan ang isang tao sa hindi tamang paggamit ng sagisag o uniporme ng gobyerno kung hindi sila miyembro nito.

Paliwanag naman ni DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, “We are disturbed, to say the least, that Ang Probinsyano has been using the name of the PNP, its logo, and other identifying characteristics while tarnishing the image of the police organization by portraying

a scalawag Chief PNP and corrupt police officers who do illegal activities.”

Samantala tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang debate ng mga fan sa isyu ng FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano ni Coco Martin versus sa grupo naman ng PNP/DILG. Bagama’t may mga nagsasabi na mali nga ang ginagawa ng grupo nina Coco na ginawang masama o negatibo ang image ng mga pulis, todo depensa rin ang mga tagahanga ni Coco.

Sama-samang binuweltahan ng mga fan ni Coco ang pasaring ng PNP. Marami ang nangatwirang kathang isip lamang ang serye, at ‘wag pakialaman, at dapat pagtuunan na lang ng pansin ng PNP ang mga trabaho nila.

“Guilty ba ang mga PNP? Kaya nga may disclaimer sa una eh. Pag nagpaapekto ka, talo ka,” sabi ng Facebook user na si Aidraugal Erol Simoun.

“Pati teleserye pinatulan. Ang cheap,” sabi ng isa pang Facebook user na si Jasper Jacinto. “Sir kayo po ang magpapaganda o sisira ng image nyo hindi po ng isang teleserye lang,” pasaring naman ni Mikel Maghinang.

Malinaw nga raw ang paliwanag kada umpisa ng bawat epi­ sode ng palabas na kathang-isip lamang ang takbo ng kuwento, at hindi sinasadya ang pagkakahalintulad ng mga pangyayari sa tunay na buhay.

Anyway, ganito rin ang pananaw ni Senator Grace Poe, at maging ng mga artistang sina Vice Ganda, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, at Edu Manzano, na pare-parehong iginiit na hindi naman nagkulang sa disclaimer at paalala ang palabas na isa lamang itong nilikhang kuwento. Nag-react na rin ang Gabriela at Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) na sinabing censorship daw ang ginagawa ng PNP sa creative freedom ng TV producers, writers, at directors ng serye.

Health

‘Mefenamic, hilot, iba pa’: DOH may babala vs self-medication

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abilang na sa paraan ng pagtitipid ng mga Pinoy ang pag-iwas sa pagkonsulta sa doktor at paseselfmedicate na lang para di na gumastos.

Isa sa mga kinagawian na ito ay si Ario Paquita, na nakararanas ng pamamanas at pananakit ng balakang at mga kasukasuan.

Giit niya, di pa sapat ang pera para magpatingin sa doktor kaya siya na muna ang gumagamot sa sariling karamdaman.

“Masakit ang balakang ko tsaka namamanas ako. Kaso mahaba ang pila sa ospital. Mefenamic acid na lang iniinom ko.

Kaya naman,” paliwanag niya. Si Pides Bubal naman, may ibang diskarte para mapagaling ang anak sa tuwing sasama ang pakiramdam.

“Mahal kasi talaga ang magpaospital kaya minsan pinapahilot ko na lang.

Malaki rin ang menos,” aniya. Ayon sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), kaya ito ang ginagawa ng mga Pinoy ay dahil sa pagtitipid o di kaya’y wala talagang access sa mga health facility.

“Ayon sa pag-aaral namin, hindi sila pupunta sa ospital hangga’t hindi malala ang sakit o di kaya magpapahilot o albularyo...

Impression nila magastos magpadoktor,” paliwanag ni Carmelita Ericta, interim national statistician ng PSA.

Pero ani Department of Health (DOH) secretary Francisco Duque III, wala naman daw masama sa pagseself-medicate.

Pero maaaring magdulot pa rin ito ng ilang problema lalo na kung basta na lang iinom ng gamot lalo na ng antibiotics ng walang reseta ng doktor. “Some of these interventions are probably not evidencebased. That might put them at risk...That will contribute to anti-microbial resistance. Hindi na gagana [in the future],” babala niya.

Pero ani Duque, masosolusyunan ito kapag ganap nang naisabatas ang panukalang universal health care (UHC), dahil hindi lang “no balance billing” ang layon nito kundi ang paglapit ng mga health worker at health facility sa mga malalayong lugar.

“Ang layon natin is to bring down the primary care services to the communities.

Pag wala sa baba, they go to the public hospitals resulting in congestion,” ani Duque.

Pero may alinlangan pa rin ang ilan sa naturang panukala.

“Yung UHC ang makikinabang dito ‘yung may access sa medical hospitals, pero paano ‘yung mga walang access kasi walang ospital o doctor sa kanilang lugar.

This is about 70% of Pinoys. So kahit may PhilHealth, anong mangyayari?” pangamba ni RP Healthcraft Carrier Foundation director Alan Asi. Noong 2017 ay naipasa na sa Kamara ang UHC bill ngunit nakabinbin pa rin ito sa Senado. Sinertipikahang “urgent” naman ito ni Duterte nitong Hulyo 2018.

—ABS-CBN News

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DECEMBER 2018

Five bills protecting OFWs, local workers’ interests OK’d

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he House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading proposed laws seeking to further protect the rights and interests of the country’s local and overseas workers.

Getting unanimous approval during the resumption of regular sessions are the following: 1. House Bill 1700, seeking to grant overseas Filipino workers the right to equal protection on money claims.

2. HB 8110, mandating the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to develop, publish, disseminate, and update a handbook on the rights and responsibilities of migrant workers.

3. HB 8244, proposing to mandate the definition of sexual harassment, strengthening the mechanisms to monitor compliance with policies against sexual harassment in the workplace and in educational and training institutions 4. HB 7927, seeking to integrate labor education into the social science subjects in the higher education curriculum; and 5. HB 8186, reducing the minimum member-

ship requirement for registration of unions or federations and steamlining the process of registration.

Authored by Akbayan Party-list Rep. TomasitoVillarin, HB 1700 provides for the amendment of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. HB 1700 repeals a clause in HB 8042 that provides the computation of the monetary benefits of fixed-term employees yet imposes a three-month cap on the claim of OFWs.

Under HB 1700, OFWs terminated from overseas employment without just, valid, or authorized cause will be entitled to the full reimbursement of his placement fee and the deductions made with interest of 12 percent.

HB 8110 seeks to amend the same law by mandating the POEA to publish and disseminate a handbook on the rights and responsibilities of migrant workers. It provides that the handbook be written in simple words and with translation in the local language of the OFW.Rep. Rogelio D. Pacquiao (PDP-Laban, Sarangani) is the principal author of HB 8110.

HB 8244 consolidated seven bills filed by Reps. John Bertiz (ACTS-OFW); Rolando An-

daya (Lakas-CMD, Camarines Sur); Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Partylist); Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela Patylist); Carlos IsaganiZarate (Bayan Muna); and Sarah Jane Elabo (Kabataan), among others.

The legislative proposal will expand the scope of sexual harassment and define it as an act or a series of act which may be committed physically, verbally, or visually with the use of information communications techno logy and other means of technology within or outside the place of employment, training or educational environment.

Under the bill, persons may be held liable for directly inducing another to commit any act or sexual harassment. It also directs the employer or head of office in work-related education or training environment to adopt a comprehensive, detailed, written policy on sexual harassment.

Further, it mandates that administrative sanctions will not prevent the prosecution before proper courts of unlawful acts of sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, HB 7927 or the “Labor Education Act” integrates labor education into the

grams, and social benefits.

Bello also said that airport fees will be waived for OFWs with the OFW e-Card.

“Kasi hindi ka made-deploy kung wala ‘yung OEC mo. Pag pakita mo ‘yan, you can be allowed to go out already and you will not be charged nung terminal fee at no travel tax,” he said.

Manilyn Romero Mendoza, who got her

OFW e-Card at the launch, hopes that it can one day serve as a replacement or temporary exit passport type of document for OFWs working in the Middle East, where most employers traditionally keep their employees’ passports.

“Sana po magamit din ito na parang passport,kasi po ‘yung amo ko tinatago ang passport ko,” she said.

The OFW e-Card is available for free for all OFWs including the “balik manggagawa” with active OWWA membership, valid OEC or Exemption number, and valid passport.

OWWA members are advised to visit the agency’s website for instructions on how to apply for the OFW e-Card can now visit OWWA website for instructions.

The OFW e-Card also has a digital version that can be downloaded through the agency’s mobile app. —GMA News

OWWA launches OFW e-Card

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he Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on (November 6) launched a new identification card for overseas Filipino workers to replace the I-DOLE OFW I.D.

The OFW e-Card will now serve as both proof of membership and an overseas employment certificate (OEC) for all OFWs. The OEC is a required document before a Filipino can work abroad.

“The OWWA is the only agency under the Department of Labor and Employment that has a legal mandate to provide an e-card for OFWs. Through this OFW e-Card, member OFWs will have easier access to our programs and services,” said Administrator Hans Cacda.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, who facilitated the launch of the e-Card, said that the newly launched I.D. will give OFWs faster access to OWWA’s programs and services, including welfare services, scholarships, training pro-

Number of foreign workers in Taiwan tops 700,000

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of migrant workers reached 703,162, including 446,779 employed by the manufacturing sector and 256,383 by the social sector, the MOL said.

The previous mark to be breached was 600,000 in late June 2016, so the number of foreign workers rose by 100,000 in just two years and four months, CNA reported.

Looking at the most recent month,

the number of foreign factory workers increased by 1,500 compared to the previous month, while employees in the social sectors rose by 1,600, a predictable development because of the need for more home care in a rapidly aging society, officials said.

Most foreign workers hail from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, due to agreements with Taiwan.

ore than P277 million in unrefunded terminal fees have been transferred to the Manila International Airport Authorities (MIAA) by various airline companies. MIAA assured the public on Wednesday that the P277,654,379 unrefunded terminal fees “remain intact” in the office of the agency.

“The amount is kept by MIAA in a trust account and is distinct and separate from the agency’s corporate funds. The money does

not belong to MIAA,” MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said in a statement. “It will remain in the trust account until fully refunded to the passengers who own them,” said Monreal.

Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) urged airport authorities and airline companies to refund at least P500 million in terminal fees and travel taxes collected from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)

Monreal said unrefunded terminal fees and unused tickets collected by Cebu Pacific and CebGo airlines total P172,333,700 million. Meanwhile, international terminal fees collected by 18 international airlines from passengers total P105,320,679 million. onreal reminds OFWs who intend to collect their unrefunded terminal fees to present a copy of their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and ticket among others.

he number of foreign workers topped 700,000 in late October, according to data released by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) on November 20.

Ministry officials pointed out that the number of Taiwanese workers employed in the manufacturing sector also rose, the Central News Agency reported.

By the end of October, the total number

Airlines transfer P277M in unrefunded terminal fees to MIAA

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social science subjects in the higher education curriculum.

Principal authors include Reps. Mikey Romero and Enrico Pineda of 1-Pacman Partylist; and Gus Tambunting (PDP-Laban, Parañaque City).

The bill mandates the Commission on Higher Education to develop the pertinent program to implement the provisions of the law.

HB 8186 unified the provisions of bills filed by Reps. Jericho Jonas Nograles (PBA Partylist); and Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP Partylist), among others.

The bill proposes to further strengthen the right of workers to self-organization by relaxing the restrictive requirements for the formation of a labor union under the Labor Code.

This will lower the present minimum membership requirement for the registration of independent unions from 20 percent or 10 percent of the total workforce.

HB 8185 also reduces the number of affiliated local chapters required for purposes of registration as a federation from ten to five groups. —Manila Bulletin

OFW duped of P300k savings by ‘friendly OFW’

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n overseas Filipino worker lost P300,000 she earned to a woman who introduced herself as an OFW from Singapore, Jamie Santos reported on Saksi.

Germelie Martin arrived from Hong Kong and met the suspect, Juvy Zamora, at the NAIA Terminal 3. Martin, who began to trust Zamora, related that the suspect was able to convince her to withdraw her money.

Then Zamora urged Martin to go to the comfort room to change her clothes.

“Magpalit daw ako ng damit kasi galing daw akong abroad. Alam mo na, maraming sakit-sakit na dumidikit-dikit. ‘Yun pala isa siyang malaking sakit,” Martin related.

After changing her clothes, Martin looked for the suspect and couldn’t find her anymore. And with her disappearance was Martin’s savings of P300,000.

Martin reported the incident, and after a follow up operation, the police arrested the suspect in her house in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. Airport police Senior Inspector Nemencio Bawalan said, “Last April 2012, nu’ng una siyang nahuli na ang ginawa niya same modus operandi.”

So, on the first time they met again after the incident, Martin was so furious that she slapped and pulled the hair of the suspect.

“Paano mo maibabalik ‘yung pera ko, Te? Ate? ‘Wag kang uubo-ubo,” Martin shouted.

“Gagawa ako ng paraan. Hindi ko iuurong ‘to ha! Ano, Te?” she added.

The suspect apologized and said she could not return the money because she already used it to buy grocery items and to pay her debts.“Hintayin ko na lang po kung ano ‘yung ano po ng court. Nandun naman na po ‘yung kaso,” said Zamora.

The police was able to recover the bag of the victim that contained cash worth P65,000 and jewelry that could have been stolen from another OFW.

The suspect is facing complaints of theft, disobedience and resisting arrest.

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DECEMBER 2018

Filipina student showcases Philippine dance in Taiwan

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Imelda de Guzman Foreign student

Filipina learning Chinese in Taiwan showcased hip-hop influenced traditional Philippine dance during a cultural exchange activity at a Mandarin Chinese public speaking contest for foreign students in Taipei Tuesday. Imelda de Guzman, who has been in Taiwan for 15 months and currently studying a language course at National Chengchi University said in an interview with CNA that the dance took its origin from the Ifugao people in the northern Philippines.

The whole performance includes modified movements and hip-hop beats mixed with traditional music, she pointed out.

Guzman revealed that she hopes to preserve traditional culture of indigenous groups in the Philippines in order to pass it on to the next generation, adding that the performance was a chance to showcase her country’s culture.

“This is a chance for me to represent my country,” Guzman said, adding that her mother is from the northern part of the Philippines.

“I have the blood and genes of the Ifugao,” she noted.

She volunteered to showcase her dance following a Latin American dance performance by a Peruvian and a Colombian student at the annual contest for foreign students held at the National Sun

Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei.

Speaking about her experience about learning Chinese in Taiwan, Guzman said it is not easy to learn, but the country’s environment helps her. “Taiwanese people are very warm and they are so helpful to (like) help me out to practice my Mandarin,” she said.

“I have many Mandarin speaking friends from Taiwan,” Guzman explained, adding that she is looking for work opportunities in Taiwan. Over 60 students from across 14 countries took part in the annual contest which has been held for the 46th consecutive year since the memorial hall opened in 1972.

—Focus Taiwan

Bill to improve safety of migrant workers passed Foreign airlines

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he Legislative Yuan (November 9) passed amendments to the Employment Service Act (就業服務法), including the introduction of a rule that would require employment agencies to report any case of sexual assault, human trafficking, restriction of personal freedom, grievous bodily harm or homicide perpetrated against migrant workers.

The rule stipulates that employment agencies must report to local governments, the National Immigration Agency, police or other law enforcement bodies within 24 hours of learning of any of the aforementioned crimes perpetrated against migrant workers by their employers, proxies of their employers, or hired intermediaries responsible for the employment of the worker.

Employment agencies that contravene this rule could have their operating permit revoked, which would bar perpetrators or their proxies from applying to establish a new agency for five years.

Another amendment tightens the rules on employers or employment agencies that report migrant workers as missing persons.

Under existing regulations, a migrant’s work permit is revoked if they remain absent for 72 hours after their employer or employ-

ment agency notifies the local government of their absence, with the worker then subject to arrest. The amendment requires employers to provide authorities with a detailed written record and evidence of any absence without official leave. Informants who file false claims are subject to a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 (US$974 to US$4,868).

Any travel restriction imposed on a migrant worker as a result of a false claim should be lifted and their work permit reinstated, it says.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wu Yu-chin (吳玉琴), who proposed the amendments, said the first amendment aims to improve the safety of migrant workers, especially caregivers, who are more susceptible to violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, while the second amendment would improve the protection of their right to employment.

An amendment was also passed requiring that employers openly state the salary or salary range of a job vacancy that pays a monthly salary of less than NT$40,000.

Employers that contravene this rule would be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$300,000, it says. Low salaries have become an issue of national security, with Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics data showing that

728,000 Taiwanese worked overseas last year, many of whom opted to do so to earn higher pay, said Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Arthur Chen (陳宜民), who proposed the amendment. The new Labor Dispute Act (勞動 事件法) was also passed (November 9).

The act covers disputes arising from unions, their members or union rules; disputes involving student participating in internship programs; cases of gender discrimination in the workplace; and vocational hazards.

The act stipulates that courts at all levels should establish labor courts or a special labor section if the court is short-staffed.

Each labor court should be presided over by a judge and two arbitration officers with expertise on labor law or with experience in legal cases involving labor disputes, it says.

Workers or unions, which are often at a financial disadvantage compared with their employer, can have two-thirds of their court fees waived if they bring a lawsuit against their employer for disputes over contracts, wages, severance pay and pensions, it says.

If workers are charged an enforcement fee of at least NT$200,000 after winning a lawsuit, they can pay the fee after claiming the payment they are owed by their employer, it says.

—Taipei Times

Migrant worker rally, calls for end to onsite factory dorms

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o mark the six-month anniversary of a deadly factory fire that claimed the lives of seven people, protestors gathered in front of the Ministry of Labor (MOL) to criticize the ministry for failing to deliver on its pledge to ban onsite factory dormitories.

In April, five firefighters and two migrant workers were killed in their dormitory by a fire at a printed circuit board factory owned

by Chin Poon Industrial Co (敬鵬工業) in Taoyuan City's Pinzhen District. Today, the Taiwan International Worker's Association ( 台灣移工聯盟) organized a protest rally and press conference to urge the MOL to implement a ban on onsite factory dormitories as soon as possible.

At the event, the organization presented four cases of actual onsite factory dorms and invited foreign workers who actually lived in the facilities to appear in person. At the press conference, photographs were presented of such living quarters.

Although the dorms photographed were in different factories, they all had the same characteristics, including narrow stairs, spac-

es filled with clutter, and living areas located inside factories or on the floor above. A migrant worker who is employed at a textile mill appeared to say that his dormitory was inside the factory, but there were no emergency exits and that he feared for his safety in the event of a fire, reported CNA.

The migrant worker also said that because the factory is not separated from the dormitory, the machines on the factory floor are running 24 hours a day and even if someone wanted to have a good rest, it would be impossible due to the noise, according to the report. The worker expressed his hope that the MOL could quickly pass a law requiring dormitories to be separated from factories.

Hsu Wei-dong (許惟棟), a member of the Hope Workers' Center in Hsinchu, said that these cases were only the tip of the iceberg.

Hsu said that out of 1,022 questionnaires his organization sent to foreign workers, 182 respondents reported living in onsite factory dorms, meaning about 1/5 to 1/6 of factory workers live in housing that is vulnerable to factory fires, reported CNA.

In December of last year, six Vietnamese workers lost their lives in a fire in their illegal dormitory at a plastics factory in Taoyuan. In the aftermath of the deaths, in May and June of this year, there were large protests held by foreign workers over housing and safety issues, including the separation of worker dormitories from factories.

Previous week, the MOL announced that it planned on holding inter-ministerial meetings on amending the labor law to make onsite factory dormitories illegal and penalize employers for the deaths or injuries of foreign employees by lowering their worker quota. On Oct. 25, Hsueh Chien-chung (薛鑑 忠), a section chief in the MOL's Workforce Development Agency, said that current Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) regulations allow for the existence of dormitories in the factory areas. Therefore, in order to make this practice illegal, the MOL will need to hold inter-ministerial discussions with the MOEA. According to government statistics, as of September, the number of foreign migrant workers has reached 699,379. —Taiwan News

start offering early check-in at airport MRT Taipei

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everal foreign airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, AirAsia, AirAsia X and Philippines AirAsia, began offering early check-in service at the Taipei Main Station for the Taipei Taoyuan International Airport mass rapid transit (MRT) line, according to the Taoyuan International Airport Corp.

They are the first foreign carriers to provide the service at the MRT linking greater Taipei and the nation’s main gateway, as it is currently offered only for passengers taking Taiwan-based China Airlines, EVA Airways and their respective subsidiaries, Mandarin Airlines and UNI Airways.

Outbound travelers on those airlines will be able to check their luggage and obtain seat assignments and boarding passes before taking the 35-minute MRT journey to the airport, the company said. The early check-in service, including baggage drop-off, operates between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. every day, and passengers using the service must complete the procedure three hours ahead of departure.

Over a year ago, Taoyuan International Airport has rolled out a new initiative to minimize pre-departure time for travellers.

The general procedure requires them to arrive at the airport, two to three hours prior to their flight, to check in their luggages and reserve their seats. For an enjoyable and hassle-free journey, the airport has introduced three new check-in methods for visitors. The service has so far handled 280,000 pieces of luggage from 300,000 passengers, the company said.

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DECEMBER 2018

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Taiwan pushing new immigrant language education

anguages of new immigrants in Taiwan will be listed as required courses at elementary schools in the near future as the number of second-generation immigrant students increases, making up 7 percent of the total student numbers, the Ministry of Education said (November 7).

The number of the second generation of immigrant students in Taiwan has exceeded 300,000, making up 7 percent of the total number of students at various school levels, with 12 percent of the total at elementary and

junior high schools, Minister of Education Yeh Jiunn-rong (葉俊榮) said at a legislative hearing.

Among these students, 32,189 study at kindergartens, 107,407 are at elementary schools, 73,894 are at junior high, 68,883 are at senior high school and 24,684 are at college, according to the latest statistics released by the ministry.

These students are an important part of Taiwanese society, Yeh noted, adding that their education will focus on building their ad-

vantage at using their native languages and helping them explore opportunities from the government’s New Southbound Policy that aims to strengthen Taiwan’s trade and economic ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Asian countries, as well as New Zealand and Australia.

The ministry has listed the languages that Taiwanese students with a new immigrant parent must choose as Filipino, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Burmese, Cambodian

73 cases of meat products smuggling discovered in Taiwan

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uring a period of 11 days, 73 cases of attempted smuggling of meat products into Taiwan from areas affected by a highly contagious livestock disease were discovered, according to the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ).

In an effort to strengthen the prevention of livestock diseases, since Oct. 18, the BAPHIQ has been issuing a maximum fine of NT$15,000 (US$485) against travelers attempting to bring meat products into the country from areas affected by the African swine fever or hoof-and-mouth disease.

According to BAPHIQ statistics, the 73 cases of fined meat items discovered from Oct. 18-28, included cured meats, beef, sausages and hot dogs, of which 43 came from China, 21 from Vietnam, five from the Philippines, and two from both South Korea and Thailand. The move to issue maximum fines was based on the fact that the original fines of over NT$3,000 and under NT$15,000 failed

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Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ)

to reduce the number of people carrying prohibited meat products, raw or processed, into Taiwan. Peng Ming-hsing (彭明興), a BAPHIQ official, said that Taiwanese nationals weren't the only ones fined, as foreign and Chinese spouses, and migrant workers were among those handed the penalty.

A draft amendment to Article 45-1 in

the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease, which aims to raise the maximum fine to NT$300,000 for illegally bringing meat products into Taiwan, has already been sent to the Executive Yuan on Oct. 22, Peng said. The draft amendment will need to be passed in the Legislative Yuan after the Executive Yuan’s approval.

To prevent African swine fever from entering Taiwan, the BAPHIQ and the Customs Administration have been jointly stepping up searches of travelers’ luggage at airports and seaports. And between Sept.1 and Oct. 17, a total of 193 items of pork products have been found on travelers from China, BAPHIQ statistics pointed out.

Meanwhile, African swine fever, which has a high mortality rate in pigs, is still spreading in China since its outbreak in early August and the number of cases has risen to 53 in 13 provinces, cities and districts, according to the BAPHIQ. —Focus Taiwan

New ARC numbering system to match Taiwan national ID format by June 2019

he Ministry of Interior’s (MOI’s) planned change of the numbering system for Alien Residency Certificates (ARCs) to match that of the Taiwan national identification cards is likely to go into effect by the “first half of next year,” said Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) in an interview with CNA.

On Oct. 28, the MOI announced that, in order to create a friendly living environment for immigrants and to implement the government’s policy of attracting and recruiting foreign talent, the government has decided to amend the coding system for ARCs to match the format of Taiwan national ID cards. The MOI said the new measure will enable immigrants residing in Taiwan to “live with dignity.”

In an recent interview with Taiwan Business TOPICS, a monthly publication by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Hsu said that the new measure would improve the convenience for foreign residents in Taiwan and enhance their sense of belonging, by enabling them to more easily make online purchases, book tickets, and register for visits, with as much ease as their Taiwanese counterparts.

The MOI said it will change the current ARC numbering system from two letters and an eight-digit number, to one letter and a nine-digit number to match the format of Taiwanese national ID cards. The MOI said it will coordinate with all departments and import-

ant business associations to help integrate the changes into the information systems of both the private and public sectors.

The advantage of altering the numbering system to put it in sync with Taiwan ID numbers would be to make it easier for foreigners living in Taiwan to fill out online registration systems, book reservations, make bank transactions, purchase travel insurance, participate in credit card promotions, and sign up for online job banks, to name a few.

In an interview with CNA, Hsu said that data in government computer systems and drop-down menus on government websites would need to be updated. He also said that the MOI has been communicating with the Cabinet in getting funding for the change and said that he hoped work could begin on the project “by the end of this year.”

The introduction of the new ARC numbering system will require modifications to the computer systems of the MOI, NIA, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Financial Supervisory Commission. Some foreigners are concerned that the change in ID number will mean that they will have to re-register for their health insurance, labor insurance, bank account, phone or internet services, driver’s license, work permit, and other services.

In response to these concerns, an official from the National Immigration Agency (NIA) told CNA that ARC card holders would not be

issued a new number until they renew their existing ones, and they would not be required to change the number if they do not wish to. On the other hand, if ARC card holders wish to receive the new ID card before their existing one expires, they can do so as well, said the official.

The MOI said that this is a major institutional change that is ahead of the majority of the world’s countries and, in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation, it marks a major milestone in Taiwan’s immigration policy for resident immigrants by implementing treatment on an equal footing with citizens. The MOI hopes that the new numbering system will help pave the way for retaining and recruiting talent.

Hsu said the MOI will make every effort to speed up the pace of the implementation and that “the Ministry of the Interior will continue to express the greatest goodwill to all the immigrants living in Taiwan, and wholeheartedly welcome foreign friends to Taiwan.”

As for the current number of people holding ARCs in Taiwan, the NIA estimates there are about one million people, including 690,000 migrant workers, more than 30,000 white-collar wage earners, and about 300,000 new immigrants who have not yet obtained their national ID cards. Therefore, when the new version of the residence permit goes into effect next year, it is estimated that about one million people will benefit.

—Taiwan News

and Thai, Yeh said.

The ministry is compiling textbooks and preparing materials for learning these languages and is recruiting teachers, Yeh added.

The ministry has said that the program will be officially implemented in the 2019 school year.

The number of new immigrants in Taiwan has surpassed 540,000, according to statistics.

The term “new immigrant” refers to foreigners who have moved to Taiwan after marrying a Taiwanese.

Taiwan new immigrants propose antidiscrimination laws

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group of new immigrants has made a number of proposals to Taiwanese legislative bodies after declaring they feel like second-class citizens in the country.

Kuomintang legislator Lin Li-Chan (林麗蟬) held a press conference on the matter (Nov. 9). More than 50 new immigrant organizations attended, including Taiwan New Residents Development Association, China New Family, and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation.

Attendees expressed hope the government would find a way to stop them being regarded as second-class citizens.

One of the proposals is that Taiwan adopts anti-discrimination laws. The National Immigration Agency claimed Taiwan has ratified the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), meaning anti-discrimination acts already exist within domestic law.

The Ministry of Justice is reviewing whether it is necessary to adopt special laws.

The Immigration Agency further commented in a press release (Nov. 8) that information presented about cases of discrimination was biased or incomplete. The agency itself has drafted an anti-discrimination plan and conducts regular inspections, and Taiwan is regularly subjected to international reviews on its adherence to the convention, according to representatives.

Furthermore, they said, the government has implemented a number of measures for the betterment of new immigrant welfare, including care services and a development fund, to make up for the current shortage of formal social welfare services offered to new residents.

With regards to language barriers, the Immigration Agency points out the government has established a special hotline, offering information services in seven different languages. The agency said they regularly recruit new residents as interpreters to assist at service centers and in interviewing newly arrived immigrants.

Amid concerns the government’s unsettled budgets might impact the rights of new immigrants with regards to the development fund and other services, the Ministry of the Interior pledged a budget of NT$320 million has been dedicated to new immigrant services for next year. The ministry emphasized that the budget is always handled in accordance with regulations.

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‘Balangiga’ leads Filipino films nominated at Asia-Pacific awards

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hree Filipino films are nominated in the highly coveted 12th Asia Pacific Screen Awards at Brisbane, Australia.

“Balangiga: Howling Wilderness,” directed by Khavn de la Cruz is a nominee for the Best Feature Film award Director Khavn de la Cruz and Cultural Diversity Award under the Patronage of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The film produced by Achinette Villamor, Khavn de la Cruz, Edong Canlas, premiered at the 2017 Quezon City International Film Festival (QCinema) in 2017. Ryan Cayabyab for “Ang Larawan” is a nominee for Best Original Score, going headto-head with global composers Jóhann Jóhannsson, Harry Gregson-Williams and more. “Ang Larawan” was Best Picture in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival. “Nervous Translation,” directed by Shireen Seno and produced by John Torres, is a nominee for Best Youth Feature Film. The film was among the Cinema One Originals premiered in 2017. With nominations from 22 countries, the 12th Asia Pacific Screen Awards gala will be held on November 29 in Brisbane.

Filipina advocate for people with autism wins ASEAN Prize

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Filipina advocate for people with autism won the first ASEAN Prize during the opening ceremony of the 33rd ASEAN Summit in Singapore (November 13).

Erlinda Uy Koe, chair emeritus of Autism Society Philippines (ASP) and chair of the ASEAN Autism Network (AAN), received a trophy and US$20,000.

The ASEAN Prize, Erlinda Uy Koe administered by the ASEAN Secretariat, aims to recognize inspiring achievements and contributions of an individual or organization that foster the ASEAN identity, promote the ASEAN spirit, and champion the ASEAN way. President Rodrigo Duterte said the country is honored by the conferment of the premier award to Koe, “whose work with ASP and ANN has touched the lives of persons with autism and their families across the region.”

“As we strive to build a resilient and innovative ASEAN community, we must never forget that ASEAN should continue to be a sharing and caring region,” he said.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Koe’s award brought pride and honor to the Philippines.

“We cannot be more proud of Ms. Koe and may her exemplary works inspire greater righteousness and dignity in all of us,” he said.

Koe was honored for bringing awareness to autism in the Philippines through ASP’s “Angels Walk for Autism 2018,” which gathered 24,000 participants and inspired other countries to hold their own event.

In a statement, Koe said she shares the award to some 13,000 members of ASP and other advocates from AAN.

“I am thankful for the momentum this recognition will bring in taking our advocacy to the regional stage. Persons with autism need acceptance, accommodation and appreciation and we hope to find more receptive minds and hearts among our policymakers to build a genuinely autism-friendly global society,” she said.

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Pinay filmmakers compete in Cairo fest

Girl power!”

This was how filmmaker Denise O’Hara described the participation of her debut movie “Mamang” and that of Joji Alonso’s short film “Last Order” at the 40th Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt, Ketchup Eusebio (left) and Celeste from Nov. 20 to 29.

Legaspi in “Mamang” The two Filipino female filmmakers will be competing in the prestigious A-list festival in Egypt, announced producer Ferdy Lapus over the weekend. The announcement was posted in the festival’s official Facebook account. “Mamang,” which premiered at this year’s Cinemalaya film festival, will compete in the International Competition category, while “Last Order” will slug it out for the top prize at the event’s Cinema of Tomorrow Competition program. Last September, “Last Order” was adjudged best short film at the Pyongyang International Film Festival in North Korea. It was also screened out of competition in Busan, South Korea, in October. Meanwhile, award-winning indie filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza, who’s also part of the jury, will screen his “Alpha: The Right to Kill.”

PH producer awarded in Busan

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ilipino producer Bianca Balbuena bagged the AFCNet Producer of the Year award at the Busan International Film Festival.

The honor was handed out at the AFCNet Global Network Party, which was cohosted by the Producers Guild of Korea.

AFCNet, or the Asian Film Commissions Network, is “an organization of professional film commissions in the Asian region that aims to build a strong network Bianca Balbuena among film commissions.” Most recently, Balbuena produced Lav Diaz’s “Ang Panahon ng Halimaw,” Bradley Liew’s “Singing in Graveyards” and Victor Kaiba Villanueva’s “Patay na si Hesus.” In her speech, Balbuena recalled that the past few months have been extremely tough, “juggling different projects, living in a conflicted country [while having] a new life form growing inside of me.” Balbuena, who is four months pregnant, remarked: “This award came at the right time, and I will always be reminded of how magical it is to be able to wake up every day and make films.” She dedicated this latest recognition to her husband, Liew, and their coming child, and to “all filmmakers from different parts of the world struggling to find their voice.” Last year, Balbuena won the FIAPF award for outstanding achievement in film, given by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations during the 11th Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Ahtisa Manalo, kinoronahan bilang Miss International 2018 first runner-up

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Festival. Ngayon nga i n i r a n g ay natupad na ang bilang Miss pangarap ni Manalo International 2018 na makasali sa First Runner Up Miss International at si Ahtisa Manalo. talagang ipinamalas Noong March 18 ay niya ang galing ng kinoronahan si Ahtisa isang Pilipino.

Ang Manalo bilang Bb. nanalong Miss Pilipinas International.

International 2018 ay Siya ang lumaban sa si Mariem Velazco ng Tokyo, Japan upang Venezuela. Ginanap makamit ang Miss Ahtisa Manalo ang grand coronation International crown.

Hindi man siya pinalad mangyari ito ng Miss International 2018 sa ay proud na proud pa rin ang mga Tokyo Dome City, sa Tokyo, Japan.

Pinoy dahil nanalo siya bilang 1st Second runner-up si Miss South runner up. Tinalakay ni Ahtisa ang Africa (Reabetswe Sechoara); third tungkol sa “youth empowerment” runner-up si Miss Romania (Bianca nang tanungin sila kung bakit sila Tirsin); at fourth runner-up si Miss ang karapat-dapat maging susunod Colombia (Anabella Castro Sierra). na Miss International. “If I become Pasok sa Top 15 ang mga kandidata Miss International, I would continue mula Romania, Mexico, Philippines, being the voice of the youth in Ecuador, Thailand, South Africa, Paraguay, Japan, showing that nothing is impossible Australia, with hard work and determination,” Colombia, Venezuela, Indonesia, giit ni Manalo. Si Manalo ay isang 20 Ukraine, Spain, at Madagascar. years old na nagmula sa Candelaria, Nakaramdam ng kaunting tensiyon Quezon. Base sa report ng Rappler, ang Filipino pageant fans at graduate ng Accountancy sa Manuel enthusiasts sa announcement ng S Enverga University Foundation. Top 8 dahil panghuling tinawag ang Lumaki raw siyang mas madalas Pilipinas.Pasok din sa Top 8 ang kasama ang mga kalalakihan. Gusto Japan, Romania, Ecuador, Colombia, rin nga daw sana niya maging pulis Spain, South Africa, at Venezuela. noon. “I (had) toy guns, I (had) Seventy-seven candidates mula sa character cards, soldiers, just usually iba’t ibang bansa ang kalahok sa what guys have,” sabi ni Manalo. Miss International ngayong taon. ng Ang nanay daw niya ay may lahing Pilipinas ay mayroon nang anim na Espanyol at ang tatay naman niya ay Miss International crowns. Ang mga half-Swedish at half-Finnish. Bago Pilipinang nag-uwi ng korona ay sina pa man siya sumali sa Bb. Pilipinas, Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan naging festival queen din daw siya. (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Inirepresenta niya ang probinsya Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose ng Quezon sa Reyna ng Aliwan Santiago (2013), at Kylie Verzosa Festival noong 2017 at tinanghal (2016). din bilang reyna sa Niyogyugan

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Kelsey Merritt, kinikilala internationally

A B I L I S ang pagarangkada ng Filipino-American model na si Kelsey Merritt sa international fashion and beauty scene. Katatapos lamang ng kanyang pagrampa sa Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, heto at tampok naman siya sa “Beauty Secrets” series ng Vogue, kasama sina Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, Candice Swanepoel, Ashley Graham at Kendall Jenner. Sa “Beauty Secrets”, ipakikita sa viewers ang bathrooms ng “well-known and beloved beauty, fashion, and pop culture faces” kung saan makikita ang kanilang skin-care at makeup routine at mga produktong ginagamit nila.

Ipinahayag ni Kelsey, sa Instagram, ang kanyang excitement sa kolaborasyon niya sa Vogue. “OMG my beauty secrets with @ voguemagazine is out!! I never imagined I would ever work with Vogue, so this is another one off of my bucket list!! I’m in tears of joy right now,” sabi ni Kelsey. Sa video, ibinunyag ng Pampanga-born model na “she always goes for the tanned and bronzed look.” Binanggit din niyang hindi niya gustong itago ang freckles niya dahil ito ang paborito niyang bahagi ng mukha niya. Nagbahagi rin ang modelo tungkol sa VS experience niya, at sinabing napakahalaga nito para sa kanya at sa mga Pinoy. “They love Victoria’s Secret so much, and they’ve always been wanting a Philippine model to walk the show,” aniya.

“This is not like only a success for me, it’s also a success for them,” sabi pa ng Filipina beauty.

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DECEMBER 2018 Keanna Reeves, nakapagpiyansa, dumepensa

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“Local People from a Foreign Land” 來自異鄉的在地人 A documentary film of four migrants workers, who works hard to provide a financial assistance to their families back in their country and at the same time chasing their dreams and inner passion.Taiwan caters a lot of foreign migrant’s workers that help shape Taiwan’s economy. Through this film “Local People from a Foreign Land” we may able to witness the struggles living in Taiwan and their success in pursuing their dreams.

Four real stories of migrants workers: Tina a caretaker from Indonesia; Mario a sand painter from Philippines; 武德成 (Wu De-Zheng) from Vietnam who works at the factory, loves to paint and play football; 阿明 (A-ming) from Thailand a fighter and unleash his love in boxing in Taiwan. The film was sponsored by the Labor Office New Taipei City Goverment.

Star Magic team wins in "Kapamilya Playoffs in Taiwan"

The Filipino Channel (TFC) brought the Kapamilya Stars in Taiwan last November 18 for the “Kapamilya Playoffs in Taiwan” held at Fengyuan Stadium in Taichung, this is the first basketball event of TFC in Taiwan. The event was kicked off by a game between the TaiPhil South Taiwan Team Visayas and RJD North Taiwan Team Saints. Their match was intense that the TaiPhil South Taiwan Team Visayas won only by one point and go head-on-head against the Star Magic Team. The Star Magic Team composed of Kapamilya stars: Gerald Anderson, JC De Vera, Ronnie Alonte, Axel Torres, Zeus Collins, Jimboy Martin, JV Kapunan, Jose Sarasola, Gerhard Acao and Joe Vargas. At the end of the rigorous game, the Star Magic Team was hailed champions with four-points lead in the game.

— Photos courtesy by TFC

Jimboy Martin receives his Most Valuable Player award, presented by Father Joyalito “Joy” Tajonera of UGNAYAN Migrant Organization in Taiwan and Maja Salvador. (Upper right) Maja Salvador’s performance during the half time break added fun and excitement in the intense championship game. (Below right photo) Maja Salvador presented the award to the two players of the Taiwan Overseas Filipinos Team, Michael Bangloy and Louie Bayeta, who are part of the Mythical Five players.

ansamantalang nakalaya noong Martes ang TV personality na si Keanna Reeves matapos magpiyansa ng nasa P90,000 para sa kasong cyber libel. Inaresto ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) si Reeves sa Quezon City dahil sa reklamong cyber libel na isinampa laban sa kaniya ng comedy bar owner na si Nancy Dimaranan, na kumuha sa serbisyo ni Reeves noong Hulyo. Kinasuhan ni Dimaranan si Reeves matapos umano siyang siraan nito sa pamamagitan ng isang Facebook video. Sa panayam ng ABS-CBN News, sinabi ni Reeves na naglabas lang siya ng sama ng loob nang mahirapan silang makauwi matapos magtanghal sa bar ni Dimaranan dahil liblib ang lugar at hindi umano sila hinatid sa may sakayan. Ayon pa kay Reeves, ipinagtataka niya kung bakit sinakay siya ng mga awtoridad sa sasakyan ni Dimaranan, ang taong nagkaso sa kaniya, nang hulihin siya noong Lunes. Naka-Facebook live din umano si Dimaranan nang isilbi sa kaniya ang arrest warrant. Ayon kay Dimaranan, wala naman daw nakasaad sa arrest warrant kung anong klaseng sasakyan ang maaaring gamitin sa pag-aresto.

Noong panahong inilabas daw ang warrant, sasakyan lang daw ni Dimaranan ang naroon kaya iyon ang sinakyan ng mga tauhan ng CIDG. Pero sa patakaran ng Philippine National Police, tanging official o commissioned vehicles lang ng mga pulis ang maaaring gamitin sa pag-aresto.

Wala pang ibinibigay na paliwanag ang CIDG sa Laguna. Ayon kay Reeves, hindi nakasipot ang kaniyang abogado sa ilang hearings noon sa reklamo ni Dimaranan kaya hindi nila naidepensa ang kanilang panig. Handang harapin ni Reeves ang kaso pero ikinakasa na rin niya ang kaniyang kontra demanda. Nakatakda ang arraignment sa Nobyembre 20. Si Reeves ang itinanghal na big winner ng “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition” noong 2006.

Arjo Atayde happy amid rumored romance with Maine Mendoza

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hort but sweet ang pahayag ni Arjo Atayde nang tanungin tungkol sa estado ng kanyang love life ngayon. “Masaya po.

Masaya ako,” sambit ni Arjo sa panayam ng ABS-CBN News Online ngayong Huwebes, Nobyembre 15. Hindi tinukoy ni Arjo kung sino ang nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa kanya. Pero hindi kaila sa publiko ang humigit-kumulang limang beses na pagkakataong namataan ang ABS-CBN actor kasama ang Eat Bulaga! Dabarkads na si Maine Mendoza. Mula October 11 hanggang nitong November 9, nakunan ang litrato ang dalawa na masayang nagkukuwentuhan sa restaurant, tsumi-chill sa bar, nakasuot ng matching Halloween costumes, at nanonood ng concert. Bukod pa rito ang insidenteng namataan sina Maine at Arjo—kasama ng ibang kaibigan at kaanak—sa Bali, Indonesia, isang araw bago ang 28th birthday ni Arjo noong November 5. Kapansin-pansing halos pareho ng sagot sina Arjo at Maine pagdating sa usaping love life. Sa panayam ng PEP.ph at ibang reporters kay Maine noong October 19, 2018, nakangiting inamin ng dalaga, “I’m happy and inspired.” Nabanggit din ni Maine na kung sakaling magkaka-boyfriend siya, mas gusto niya yung “private” para makaiwas sa mga taong maaaring makialam sa kanyang relasyon. Pero hindi rin naman daw niya ito itatago sa publiko. Samantala, ang nakababatang kapatid ni Arjo, si Ria Atayde, ay nagpahiwatig ding “happy” siyang nakikitang “happy” ang kanyang kuya. Sinabi rin ni Ria na hindi apektado si Arjo sa anumang pambabatikos na natatamo nito sa social media.

Mas importante raw para kay Arjo na alam ng mga taong malalapit sa kanila kung anuman ang nagaganap sa personal na buhay ngayon ng aktor. Ang huling nakarelasyon ni Arjo ay ang GirlTrends member na si Sammie Rimando. Mismong si Sammie ang nagkumpirmang hiwalay na sila ni Arjo, base sa isang panayam noong November 7.

Rico J. Puno dies at 65

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inawian ng buhay nitong October 30, sa edad na 65 ang legendary singer na si Rico J. Puno. Noong April 2015, sumailalim si Rico sa seven-hour heart surgery dahil nahirapan siyang huminga habang nasa taping ng Home Sweetie Home ng ABS-CBN. Ang huli nitong presscon ay nito lamang October 18, para sa upcoming concert niya na Sana Tatlo Ang Puso Ko, kasama sina Marissa Sanchez at Giselle Sanchez. Samantala, sa panayam kay Makati City Mayor Abby Binay noong October 23, 2018, isinawalat niyang apat na beses nang isinugod si Rico sa emergency room ng isang ospital noong nakaraang buwan dahil sa karamdaman nito sa puso. Ang health condition ni Rico ang dahilan kaya pinigilan siya ni Binay na kumandidatong konsehal ng 1st District ng Makati City sa eleksiyon sa May 2019, pero pinili ng veteran singer na lumipat sa ibang political party at ituloy ang plano niya. Nagsilbi si Puno na konsehal ng naturang distrito noong June 1998 hanggang 2007, at muling nahalal noong June 2016. Nag-umpisa ang singing career ni Rico noong 1975, at isa siya sa mga kinikilala na pioneer at promoter ng Original Pilipino Music. Ilan sa mga kanta na pinasikat ni Rico ay ang “Kapalaran,” “Buhay,” “The Way We Were, “Macho Gwapito,” at “May Bukas Pa.

When: December 9, Sunday (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) Where: Expo Hall, Flower Expo Park, Yuan Shan (Zhongshan North Road Section 3, Taipei City). Register early at the MECO Booth to have a chance to join the raffle draw. Lots of games and prizes awaits at the sponsors' booth. Local performers and talents will highlights the celebration. So come and join us as we celebrate the Christmas in Taiwan away from our loveones.

22 SHOWBIZ NEWS

Maymay Entrata slays at ARAB Fashion Week

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uong husay at gandang rumampa ang aktres na si Maymay Entrata sa Dubai para sa kaniyag international catwalk debut.

Si Maymay, 21-anyos, ay mistulang naging isang supermodel habang rumarampa sa runaway sa Dubai Design District bilang parte ng Arab Fashion Week.

Siya ay kasama sa mga muse ng designer na si Furne One, kilalang designer ng ilang mga international superstar gaya nina Beyonce, (Left photo) Maymay Entrata (left) opened the fashion show of Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One (right) at ARAB Fashion Ariana Grande, Britney Week on November 21. (Right photo) Entrata, 21, was an image Spears, Jennifer Lopez, of a budding supermodel as she walked the runway at the Dubai Katy Perry at Nicki Design District as part of the Arab Fashion Week.

Minaj. Kabilang sa mga Week 2018. Agad namang nagpasalamat manunuod na sumusuportada kay Maymay ang aktres at model kay Furne One at Yugen ay ang kaniyang onscreen partner na si para sa imbitasyon. “Di ko talaga alam kung Edward Barber at kapatid nitong si Laura. panu ko ma express ang (nararamdaman)

Si Maymay ang unang modelong Pinoy ko pero, dito ako sigurado ang pasalamatan na rumampa sa Amato Routure ng ARAB po kayo AMATO COUTURE Family! Binigyan na tinaguriang isa sa mga “world’s highest- niyo ng panibagong kulay ang buhay ko. profile designers showcase.”

Maraming salamat po!” aniya sa kanyang Matatandaang Nobyembre 10 nang Instagram. Si Maymay ang magiging ang matanggap ni Maymay ang imbitasyon kauna-unahang Filipina na rarampa sa para mag-audition para sa ARAB Fashion runway para sa Arab Fashion Week.

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Ex-business partner ni Kris Aquino, naglustay ng mahigit P1.2M

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AGO pumunta si Kris Aquino sa Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office kasama ang abogadong si Atty. Sig Fortun, ay nag-post siya ng video ng series of credit card statement of account na umabot sa mahigit P1 milyon ang total payment.

“Commenting unfortunately will need to be turned off. I am following instructions of my lawyers. (Fever is still 38.5, will now take my medicine and try to sleep.) I personally edited this myself because my doctors encouraged me to release all that is still hurting and angering me.”

Kasama sa video ang statement of account na nakasaad ang: “I trusted you, and you betrayed me. Why would you do that to me after I gave you everything I had?

“TRUTH: Credit card statements never lie #wefindways.”

Ang nasabing credit card ay solong pagaari ni Kris bilang may-ari ng Kris Cojuangco Aquino Productions, at may extension card naman ang dati niyang business manager nito.

Personal na gastusin ng business manager ni Kris ang pinaggamitan ng credit card na hindi related sa KCAP, at hindi rin ito ipinaalam sa kanya.Kaya nag-file ng criminal complaints si Kris laban sa taong pinagkatiwalaan niya dahil sa paggamit nito ng pondo ng KCAP na umabot sa P1,270,980.31.

Umabot sa 44 counts ng qualified theft at paglabag sa Access Devices Regulation Act ang inihain ni Kris nitoong October 12 sa Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig

HAPPIER TIMES: Actress-host Kris Aquino with her former business partner Nicko Falcis, whom she is now accusing of qualified theft.

City, San Juan City, Taguig City, Makati City at Manila. “Prior to my discovery of these expenses and demand for their payment, respondent neither informed me about them nor undertook or made arrangements to settle them,” saad sa reklamo ni Kris.

Nabanggit ding nagpadala ng tseke ang taong nanloko kay Kris sa halagang P437,000.

“Would not belie the fact that there was a crime committed through serious breach of trust.” At base na rin sa aming source ay kasalukuyang nasa Thailand ang taong nanloko kay Kris at hindi pa rin bumabalik sa bansa hanggang ngayon. Samantala, nananatiling bukas ang pahinang ito para sa dating business partner ni Kris o sa pamilya niyang naririto sa Pilipinas.

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Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces.

Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3 x 3 square.

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3 x 3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusive

Solution to last issue

6 4 8 5 2 9 1 7 3

1 3 9 6 7 8 5 4 2

2 7 5 1 3 4 6 8 9

4 5 3 9 8 1 2 6 7

8 1 6 7 5 2 9 3 4

7 9 2 3 4 6 8 5 1

9 2 4 8 6 3 7 1 5

5 8 1 4 9 7 3 2 6

3 6 7 2 1 5 4 9 8

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