Celebrating
Vol. 3. No. 16
T H E
LOS ANGELES
A Balita Media Publication
Wednesday - Tuesday, January 1-7, 2014
Hundreds of corpses in Tacloban remain unburied MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – More than a thousand dead victims of super typhoon Yolanda lay unburied Saturday, seven weeks after the region was battered by the Philippines’ deadliest storm, residents living alongside the stench said. About 1,400 corpses, in sealed black body bags swarming with flies, lay on a muddy open field in San Isidro, a farming village on the outskirts of the destroyed central city of Tacloban. “The stench has taken away our appetite. Even in our sleep, we have to wear face masks,” said local housewife Maritess Pedrosa, who lives in a house about 20 meters from the roadside city government property. Yolanda killed 6,111 people and left 1,779 others missing on Nov. 8, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. This made the storm, which also left 4.4 million people homeless, one of the deadliest natural disasters in Philippine history. Tacloban and nearby towns were devastated by tsunami-like giant waves unleashed by Haiyan
which accounted for a majority of the dead. The council’s spokesman, Reynaldo Balido, said he was unsure if the official death toll already included the cadavers in San Isidro. Eutiquio Balunan, the local village chief, said government workers assigned to collect the typhoon dead began trucking them to San Isidro on Nov. 10, where they have been exposed to the tropical heat and heavy seasonal rainshowers. There, state forensics experts try to identify the corpses, he said. The processed corpses are then turned over to relatives, while those that are unclaimed are tagged and taken to a mass grave at the city cemetery about three kilometers away. “Our tally comprises those already tagged and processed by the local governments,” Balido, the disaster council spokesman, said. Balunan, the village chief, said the processing of the cadavers had been suspended over the Christmas weekend as the forensics experts went on holiday. See UNBURIED, page 6
Rescue workers carry a body bag containing the body of a five-year-old boy as they walk past houses destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan in the town of Tanauan November 20, 2013. Reports said about 1,400 corpses, in sealed black body bags swarming with flies, lay on a muddy open field in San Isidro, a farming village on the outskirts of the destroyed central city of Tacloban.
Storm relief workers killed in collision MANILA, December 29, 2013 (AFP) – A van carrying church volunteers returning home from Christmas relief operations in typhoon ravaged areas in the Philippines collided head on with a passenger bus Sunday, killing six, police said. Four members of the Calamba Pastor Alliance and their driver were killed instantly in the predawn accident, as well as the driver of the bus, according to a national police report in Manila.
Mexico’s drug cartels now operate in the Philippines. This after Philippine anti-drug police said on Thursday they had arrested three Filipinos who were storing illegal drugs for the Sinaloa drug cartel.
PHL steps up efforts to check entry of Mexican cartel MANILA, December 27, 2013 (AFP) – The Philippines said Friday it will take special measures to investigate the entry of Mexico’s feared Sinaloa drug cartel into the country. President Benigno Aquino’s spokeswoman Abigail Valte said there would be increased cooperation between Philippine anti-drug agencies and their foreign counterparts after the arrest of three people on Wednesday allegedly linked to one of the world’s biggest drug syndicates. She also said the immigration bureau would try to find out how
city of Tacloban. “Witnesses said the van was speeding along the highway and did not see the bus,” he told local television. Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the central Philippines last month, triggering tsunamilike giant waves that left at least 6,155 dead and over 1,700 officially missing. Tacloban city was among the worst-hit areas, accounting for many of the deaths.
US welcomes deal on relocating air base in Japan
members of the cartel entered the Philippines amid reports that they used US passports. “We are having improved information sharing which leads to the capture of either (drug) smugglers or of those (criminal) rings here. Because we don’t want our country to become a haven for illegal drugs,” she told reporters. This came after Philippine anti-drug police said on Thursday they had arrested three Filipinos who were storing illegal drugs for the Sinaloa drug cartel. The two Filipinos and one Fil-
WASHINGTON, December 27, 2013 (AFP) – Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel on Friday praised a decision by Japanese officials to allow the relocation of a US air base in Okinawa, calling it a “milestone” for relations with Tokyo. Hagel welcomed the approval of the long-delayed move of the US Marine Corps base, which he said would permit a redeployment of American forces in the area and bolster Washington’s strategic “rebalance” to the Asia-Pacific region. “Reaching this milestone is a clear demonstration to the region that the alliance is capable of handling complex, difficult problems
See MEXICAN CARTEL, page 6
See RELOCATING, page 6
Bulldozer operator finds 140 unexploded bombs in Lipa City
A boy peddles his “torotot” or horn in Quiapo to celebrate the New Year. Although the Department of Health has been urging the public to create noise by blowing horns instead of lighting firecrackers during the celebration, hundreds still suffer from injuries caused by firecrackers and other pyrotechnics in the Philippines. (MNS photo)
Four others were injured and recuperating in hospital after the collision on a highway in central Sorsogon province, the police said. The police statement did not say whether the bus was carrying any passengers at the time of the accident. Police investigator Jose Distacamento said the group was on its way home to its ministry in Calamba town after completing a relief mission in the typhoon-hit
MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – An Air Force explosive ordnance disposal team recovered 140 unexploded bombs in Lipa City on Friday after a bulldozer operator uncovered them while digging. According to the Lipa City Police Station, the bombs were found by Jaime Devinagrasya of Amia Rosa Subdivision in Barangay Bolbok before noon. The discovery was initially relayed to the Lipa City Police Station but an EOD team with the 554th Air Police Squadron was dispatched from Fernando Air Base by Friday afternoon. “Inventory conducted revealed that 140 pieces of vintage bombs were found at the area, which were properly removed and lifted See VINTAGE BOMBS, page 6
U.S. Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit haul a 155 mm Howitzer onto the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) in Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 2, 2012. The ship pulled into Okinawa to embark the Marines in preparation of Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold is a regularly scheduled joint/combined exercise designed to ensure regional peace and strengthen the ability of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to defend Thailand or respond to regional contingencies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon/Released)
PHL October imports take steepest plunge in 18 months MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – Philippine merchandise imports plunged at their steepest rate in 18 months in October, pulled down by inbound electronics shipments – the country’s top trade item. The National Statistics Office (NSO) on Friday reported that imports dropped 8.6 percent annually to $4.824 billion in October. This is in contrast to a revised 7.2 percent increase in September and a 5.0 percent gain in October last year. The recent decline is the sharpest drop since the 13.3 percent contraction registered in April last year. Total imports in the 10 months to October were down 0.8 percent year-on-year to $51.2 billion.
“We saw a sharp droop, and it’s all about the semiconductors,” Nicholas Antonio Mapa, economist at Bank of the Philippine Islands, said in a telephone interview. Electronic imports, which accounted for the largest share in October, contracted by 7.3 percent – a turnaround from the 29.9 percent rise a month previous, NSO data showed. These shipments are usually materials used by the semiconductor and electronics industry, the country’s largest export sector. “They [industry players] may not be replenishing inventory because of the stock that piled up from previous months or they are See PLUNGED, page 6
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Palace open to reconcile with Romualdez MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang welcomed the appeal for reconciliation of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said it is good such effort is made during this Christmas season, which is a season of peace and goodwill. He said President Benigno Aquino III is the leader of every Filipino. He said the President is always open to communicate with the people. Romualdez earlier said he is willing to end the word war with Aquino and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas after accusing the two of politicizing relief and rehabilitation efforts in Tacloban after the devastation brought by super typhoon “Yolanda.” He told a congressional hearing that Roxas asked him to “legalize everything” by passing an ordinance allowing the national government to conduct relief and rescue efforts in the city. “I told (Roxas): why is it illegal? As far as I know, the President is the president of the Philippines and he is also president of Tacloban City. I don’t see anywhere in the law, that you need a letter or ordinance from me for you to come in and do what you are doing,” he said. “He answered me: ‘You have to remember: we have to be very careful because you are a Romualdez and the president is an Aquino,’” he added.
A teary-eyed Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez after lambasting the government during a testimony at a Congressional hearing on typhoon “Yolanda” that wide out communities in his hometown. Malacañang has since welcomed the appeal for reconciliation of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez. (MNS Photo)
Roxas later accused Romualdez of lying and twisting his facts. He said President Aquino was being very careful about being seen as taking over Tacloban when the mayor is a known political enemy of the President. “Ito yung sinasabi ko sa kanya. ‘You have to understand. You are a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino.’ He is being very careful in just taking over because he does not want anything to be misconstrued. Ang sinasabi ko nag-iingat kami (kasi baka masamain),” he said in an ABS-CBN interview. “Ayaw niya bigyan ng kulay at kung anong spin. Ito na nga ang nangyayari. Ito ang gusto kong
iwasan, na one month later bigla na lang magbabago ang storya. Kaya ko sinasabi na: ‘Pwede ba, kung gusto niyo na magtakeover ang national government, pwede ba isulat niyo na lang? Sabihin niyo hindi niyo kaya, na wala kayong kawani.” Roxas confirmed that the national government actually took over the peace and order situation, cleanup, rehabilitation and bringing of relief goods in Tacloban even without Mayor Romualdez’s letter. “Ang sinasabi ko lang - nag-iingat nga dahil mamaya sasabihin nila na nambraso o nang-agaw ng kapangyarihan ang national,” he said.(MNS)
Party wants no bail for suspects in gun crimes MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – A political party is pushing Congress to pass amendments to existing gun control laws that will remove bail for suspects who use guns to commit crimes. Ang Kapatiran president and Gunless Society of the Philippines secretary-general Norman Cabrera said government officials should impose harsher penalties for illegal possession of firearms. He said the harsher penalties will discourage those using guns for crimes and will also discourage demand for guns.
“We have to be harsh. Hindi na natin kayang matiis ang mga patayang nagaganap,” he said. Cabrera said suspected criminals who use firearms to commit crimes should be put in jail and not granted bail during the hearing of the case. He said only law enforcers wearing uniforms should be granted permits to carry their firearms outside their homes. The gunless society advocate also lamented that the Philippine National Police does not have a dedicated unit that goes after loose firearms. He also said
the PNP does not know how many ordinary Filipinos have permits to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR).(MNS)
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Palace reminds DOJ to build airtight cases vs figures in SARO syndicate MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) -Malacañang on Saturday reminded the Department of Justice to ensure airtight cases against the personalities linked to the photocopying of documents that would secure the release of congressional pork barrel funds. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III had already made this clear when he said earlier that cases should stand on firm evidence and should not be for show only. “Ang laging bilin ng Pangulong Aquino, ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ay dapat tumatayo sa matibay na ebidensya at hindi yan pina-file para PR lang kundi dapat magkaroon ng conviction (President Aquino had always said the investigation should
be based on evidence and cases should not be filed for show),” Valte said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. On Friday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was quoted as saying the National Bureau of Investigation has identified some members of the “SARO Gang.” De Lima added they were looking at a driver and a janitor in the office of Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos. The gang is linked to the photocopying of Special Allotment Release Orders, documents needed to secure the release of Priority Development Assistance Funds for government projects. Valte said de Lima should have strong basis for her pronouncement linking some people to the gang. (MNS)
DOJ to reopen rice smuggling probe MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) will reopen its investigation into the alleged existence of a rice smuggling cartel in the Philippines, a Malacañang official said Friday. “The Secretary of Justice will be meeting with the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) team today and will also direct them to reopen the probe,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during a press briefing. She issued the statement after Senator Ralph Recto said he was disappointed that the DOJ and NBI failed to act on his Senate panel’s recommendation months ago to prosecute a certain “David Tan” in connection with rice smuggling in the country. But Valte said Justice Sec.
Leila De Lima told her that the case was “temporarily closed” because the NBI was unable to find out the identity and whereabouts of Tan and fellow suspect, Danny Ngo, despite “diligent efforts.” “I think you will all agree with me that the names are quite common. The NBI also said that no one among the members of the alleged cooperatives were willing to give testimony, or at least, to cooperate to unveil the identities,” she said. The Palace official, however, said the DOJ and NBI will discuss now how to move forward with the case. “The Secretary of Justice also mentioned to us that she is willing to either reorganize the team that is handling the investigation or to enhance the team composition,” Valte said. (MNS)
Palace backs Sevilla in reforming Bureau of Customs MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang is confident that newly appointed Customs chief John Sevilla can carry out reform measures at the bureau and asked for the public’s patience to give him time to do his job. Sevilla said he was receiving reports about the rampant anomaly in the bureau but those reports have to be validated. In a
radio interview Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they are confident about Sevilla’s capability in fixing the bureau. “Kaya ni Commissioner Sevilla iyan. I think he was talking about the reports that he was getting,” Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday. Valte said Sevilla also spelled out his plans for the
bureau and that reports he has been getting should thoroughly be validated. Reporters also asked Valte if the Palace believes that Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Jessie Dellosa is effective in his job, Valte said the people should give him, together with Sevilla, enough time to show their competence.
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UAE court sentences driver to 10 years for raping Pinay helper MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – A United Arab Emirates court this week sentenced a Syrian driver to 10 years in jail after it found him guilty of raping a Filipina maid on her first work day last May. The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the driver of having sex with the maid against her will, UAE-based news site Gulf News reported Thursday. Presiding judge Maher Salama Al Mahdi also ordered the Syrian, 32, deported once he serves his sentence, the report said. However, the driver insisted he “did not do that� as he pleaded innocent before the
court. The ruling handed down on Wednesday is subject to appeal within 15 days. Court records showed the rape occurred May 25, a day after the 22-year-old Filipina arrived in Dubai to work as a house cleaner. Prosecutors argued the defendant surprised the Filipina while she was cleaning his television set. They said he grabbed her from behind and pushed her on the bed, then raped her. For her part, the Filipina said she started working for a house cleaning company
on May 25. She said the incident happened at the Syrian’s home in Jebel Ali. She said the driver allowed her in to clean his house, for two hours for Dh70. She said he gave her Dh100 after she finished, but she told him she did not have change. “He asked me to keep the change and gave me biscuits, a moisturizer and sun cream. When I went towards the door wanting to leave, he told me that the two hours did not finish. He asked me to clean the television‌ once I turned my back to clean the television set, he grabbed me from behind and then raped me on his bed,â€?
she said. The Filipina said she tried to defend herself but he overpowered her. She said she told her superiors what happened. An Emirati police lieutenant said the Filipina cried when she accused the driver of rape. The lieutenant said the driver was arrested but denied the allegations. Instead, he claimed the Filipina seduced him, and that their sex was consensual. The policeman said the driver claimed the Filipina lured him “to have consensual sex with him while she was cleaning.� (MNS)
3 Asian workers dead as Saudi offshore platform sinks JEDDAH, December 28, 2013 (AFP) – Saudi coastguards have found the bodies of three Asian workers at sea after they went missing when an oil company’s offshore platform sank, officials said Saturday.
“They were all found. We found two of them late yesterday and another one this morning,� Eastern Province Coastguard spokesman Colonel Khaled al-Arqubi told AFP. Aramco confirmed in a statement that the bodies of three missing crew members – two Indians and a Bangladeshi – had been found. The platform belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco sunk Friday as it was being used to carry out maintenance work at an oil well in Safaniya, the world’s largest offshore oilfield about 265 kilometers (165 miles) north of Dhahran.
Dhahran is the headquarters for Aramco, the world’s largest oil company in terms of production and reserves. In a statement emailed to AFP on Friday, Aramco had said the remaining 24 crew were saved but that some had suffered “limited injuries�. On Saturday, Aramco said it had “promptly dealt with the incident seeking support from the company’s helicopters, boats, special diving teams, and medical evacuation teams�. The company said its teams had reacted to the sinking “effectively, limiting its effect on workers aboard the platform�. A thorough investigation had been launched into the accident, the Saudi company said, adding its operations had not been affected. Discovered in 1951, the Safaniya field is 50 kilometres by 15 kilometres and has a production capability of more than 1.2 million barrels per day.
36 distressed OFWs in Lebanon shelters repatriated before end of 2013 MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – The government assured Filipinos with relatives staying in Lebanon shelters that all distressed overseas Filipino workers there would be repatriated before the end of 2013. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Lebanon is working for the fast repatriation of 36 distressed OFWs, mostly household service workers that are sheltered at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC). “We will effectively reduce to zero the number of distressed Filipino workers staying at the Center by the end of 2013,� Baldoz said in a statement. Also, she said: “I commend the POLO in Lebanon for sustaining our efforts instruction to fasttrack the settlement of cases and repatriation of OFWs to de-clog our FWRCs.� Assistant Labor Attache to Lebanon Irma Valiente said that the POLO, the Philippine Embassy and other government agencies were working together to fast-track the repatriation of all OFWs currently staying in cen-
ters. Irma said only 36 OFWs were still remaining at the FWRC. They will be home before New year and reunited with their families, the labor official said. “This is, without doubt, the result of our POLO-Lebanon’s good rapport and active networking with Lebanon’s immigration and labor offices.� she added. Valiente said that the General Security Department of Lebanon has agreed to waive all the corresponding penalties and fines of the 36 distressed OFWs and them to leave immediately. “The plane tickets of the 36, who are all female ‘runaways,’ will be paid for by Caritas Lebanon, a religious non-government organization in Bierut. We are finalizing the flight bookings of the distressed OFWs,� Valiente said in her report. Baldoz said the initiative of POLO Lebanon to engage local authorities in Beirut to ensure OFW welfare and protection is in line with the DOLE’s thrust of working with the Department of Foreign Affairs to transform the FWRCs into centers of care and service for OFWs. (MNS)
Commissioner Robert S. Martinez (left) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Public Assistance and Information Office Director IV Maria Luisa Salonga-Agamata (2nd from left) supervise the online registration of applicants for the new CSC Computerized Examination System Friday (Dec. 27, 2013) at the CSC head office in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Photo at right shows some CSC contractual employees taking the CSC eligibility tests. The new computerized system integrates and makes use of contemporary facilities, thereby streamlining processes from examination application all the way to releasing of test result for a faster, easier and more efficient exam administration. (MNS photo)
Bill aims standardizing service attachÊs’ benefits MANILA, Dec. 28 (Mabuhay) – A veteran lawmaker moved to standardize allowances and other benefits of service attaches to put them at par with their Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) counterparts. Under HB 3363 authored by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon (Lone District, Muntinlupa City), service attaches shall receive the same allowances, per diem, travel expenses and other benefits being received by their DFA counterparts based on their assimilated diplomatic ranks. He said the bill seeks to standardize foreign allowances and other benefits of service attaches by making them at par with their
tion is terrible. It is a crime,� she said ahead of the mass, which is being held under the banner: “The family is a privileged place to spread the gospel to all nations�. Her friend, 82-year-old Maria Cardador, agreed. “If they say there should not be a death penalty, then they also should not kill small children,� Cardador said. “They are killing so many children in those clinics. They should shut them all down, and that’s that.� Emilio Alponzeca, a 51-yearold sailor from Lepe in southern Spain, said the mass, which is organised by the Archbishopric of Madrid, was a “meeting with God and family�. The new abortion law was no better than the previous version, he said, adding: “You cannot take a life.� Ignacio Gonzalez, a 49-yearold salesman from Murcia in the south, travelled with his wife and six children to the mass, which included a live video link to Pope Francis’s weekly Angelus prayer in the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square. “The new abortion law does not go far enough; it is still possible to have an abortion,� Gonzalez said. During the 2004-2011 rule of previous prime minister Jose Luis Zapatero, hundreds of thousands of believers attended the annual mass, many of them outraged by his Socialist government’s legalisation of gay marriage in 2005 and the abortion reform of 2010.
and agencies to the international community on varied subjects as trade, tourism, labor, agriculture and defense. “They are designated as service attaches and are provided with assimilated diplomatic ranks while stationed abroad. They receive their compensation, to include other allowances and benefits, from their respective offices/ agencies,� he said. Under the measure, service attaches shall be appointed by secretaries of the departments. Their assignments and accreditation as service attaches to embassies abroad shall have prior clearance of the foreign affairs secretary.
30,000 young Christians attend Strasbourg gathering STRASBOURG, December 28, 2013 (AFP) – Some 30,000 young Christians from across Europe – Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox – descended on Strasbourg on Saturday for a four-day gathering to share prayers and reflect on social issues. The 36th European meeting of the Taize community, an ecumenical monastic order in Taize in eastern France, will end on New Year’s Day with prayers for the new year. Organisers of the event said some 20,000 participants aged
Thousands hold Madrid mass Pope highlights ‘drama’ of after new abortion law MADRID, December 29, 2013 would not be here. It is bad. Abor- migrants, refugees (AFP) – Tens of thousands of believers poured into central Madrid to celebrate an open-air Roman Catholic mass for the Holy Family on Sunday, just days after the Spanish government agreed to tighten the abortion law. As chants of “Hallelujah� rang out on loudspeakers, crowds gathered in the city-centre’s Plaza de Colon square, many of them urging the government to go even further and implement an outright abortion ban without exceptions. Under pressure from the Church, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative government announced on December 20 it would roll back a 2010 law that had allowed women to opt freely for abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. The new law, yet to pass parliament where the ruling Popular Party enjoys an absolute majority, would allow abortion only in cases of rape or a threat to the physical or psychological health of the mother. But as the faithful in Madrid sang hymns and waved banners from regions across Spain and other nations including France and Italy, some of them said the government must take more drastic action. Angelita Yun, 75, who travelled by bus from Pozoblanco in the southern Spanish province of Cordoba to join the mass, said the new legislation should be improved. “If my mother had aborted I
counterparts based on their having the same diplomatic ranks. “This will motivate them and serve as incentive in the performance of their duties,� said Biazon, Vice-Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He said due to technological advances and the ever-changing and evolving political, economic, social and security environments, international relations have become more intricate and complex, necessitating participation and involvement of technical personnel. Biazon said these personnel are tasked to project their respective departments, bureaus
VATICAN CITY, December 29, 2013 (AFP) – Pope Francis highlighted the plight of refugees and migrants in his traditional Angelus prayer, as Catholics celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family on the first Sunday after Christmas. Using the Holy Family as a comparison, Francis told faithful gathered on the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square that upon fleeing Egypt, Joseph, Mary and Jesus “experienced the dramatic condition of refugees, marked by fear, uncertainty and difficulties�. Today “millions of families face this same sad reality,� said the pontiff, adding that refugees and migrants do not always “find a true welcome, respect, and appreciation for the value that they bring�. He also expressed regret at the way the world treats its elderly people, saying older generations were sometimes like “hidden exiles� treated “like burdens�. Francis, a more moderate pontiff than his predecessor Benedict XVI, has appeared keen for the Church to forge a better relationship with the modern family. He has called an extraordinary Synod of Bishops in October next year to address among other issues the problem of divorcees remarrying. A few simple words go a long way in ensuring a happy family, the pope told the crowd: “May I?, thank you and sorry�, which he made followers in the Square repeat. The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated the last Sunday of December.
17 to 35 were being given accommodation in the Strasbourg area, while another 10,000 young adults were taking part without requiring a place to stay. Most of the visitors come from Poland, Ukraine, France, Germany and Italy. he crowd kicked off the gathering Saturday with a multi-lingual communal prayer said in sports halls, Strasbourg Cathedral and a local Protestant church. From the Vatican, Pope Francis sent his blessing, urging the youngsters to overcome divi-
sions among Christians and build a European family. “The pope shares with you the conviction that we can learn many things from each other, for the realities that unite us are numerous,� the Vatican’s secretary of state, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, said in a message. Over the coming days, the young Christians will take part in prayer session as well as discuss social topics such as the economy, prostitution and the fight against discrimination.
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Aquino to focus on poverty OPINION and fighting graft in 2014 Palace: Funds, plans to address MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – The Aquino administration will focus on the economy, poverty alleviation and fighting graft and corruption in 2014, a Palace official said on Saturday. Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the continuing priority of the administration is attaining inclusive growth, which should eventually translate into new jobs for the people and improvement in the lives of the poor, Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. “Kasama na diyan ang pagpaparami ng trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan, pati ang pagpapabuti ng kanilang kondisyon,” she said. “It’s continuing. Ito talaga ang pinagtutuunan pa rin ng pansin ng ating Pangulo.” Everything is interconnected, she said, adding that for instance in the tourism sector, when there’s a lot of tourists coming in more jobs are also generated. To attain this, the government also has to build or improve the country’s infrastructures. The government is also looking at intensifying its anti-graft program given its direct correlation to poverty alleviation, Valte said. “Dahil kapag nangyayari na iyong dalawang iyon, mas dumadami ang taong nakakapag-share doon sa fruits, or at least, doon sa mga nagiging epekto ng ating magandang ekonomiya,” the Palace official said. Valte also thanked the public and the media for their support to the administration. The Palace looks forward to a fruitful 2014 with the continuing support of the people, she said. (MNS)
Most Japanese want PM Abe to heed fallout over Yasukuni: poll TOKYO, December 29, 2013 (AFP) – A majority of Japanese voters want Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to heed the diplomatic fallout after his visit to a controversial war shrine, but nevertheless largely approved of his job performance, a poll showed Sunday. In a telephone survey taken by Kyodo News on Saturday and Sunday, 69.8 percent of respondents said the conservative leader should pay attention to the implications of his recent surprise visit to the Yasukuni shrine. It also showed that 47.1 percent said it was “not good” that Abe visited the shrine. The news agency did not immediately release details of the nationwide survey, such as the number of participants. Abe on Thursday visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which is believed to be the repository of around 2.5 million souls of Japan’s war dead – most of them common soldiers, but also including several high-level officials executed for war crimes after World War II. The visit – which came at a time when Japan’s ties with China have turned particularly sour over a territorial dispute regarding islands in the East China Sea – prompted an angry reaction from Beijing, which sees the shrine as a symbol of Japan’s war-time militarism. Three Chinese government ships entered the territorial waters around the East China Sea islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, for several hours Sunday, according to the Japanese coastguard. Seoul also reacted angrily to Abe’s visit to the shrine, while Japan’s ally the United States said it was “disappointed” by the prime minister’s decision as it will raise regional tensions. Japanese pundits also voiced worries that the visit could damage Tokyo’s already strained ties with the key neighbouring trade partners. However, the premier’s conservative supporters hailed the visit as a major victory that showed a common sense respect that fallen soldiers deserve, and said foreign governments have no business talking about Japan’s domestic affairs. Abe himself has argued that he did not mean to offend foreign nations with the visit. Despite the diplomatic concerns, Abe’s cabinet retained a solid 55 percent approval rating even after the controversial visit, the Kyodo survey showed. The approval rating remained unchanged from a similar survey taken a week ago, a few days before Abe went to Yasukuni, Kyodo said, while the disapproval rating for Abe’s cabinet slightly fell to 32.6 percent from 33.0 percent. The poll also found that 71.2 percent of respondents said that prefectures outside of Okinawa should host military drills involving the US Marine Corps’ Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, currently deployed at Futenma Air Station in the southern island prefecture. Okinawa reluctantly hosts most of the US soldiers based in Japan, and the Osprey is viewed in Japan as prone to accidents. The survey was taken after Okinawa on Friday approved an unpopular relocation plan of the Futenma facility, a step that could facilitate a wider US military realignment in the Asia-Pacific region. Abe came to power a year ago, and has kept his approval rating high with popular economic stimulus programmes, mixing big-spending and easy money policies that have cheered the market.
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calamities in place for 2014 MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – Funds and plans to address possible calamities in 2014 are already in place, Malacañang assured the public on Saturday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said various agencies including the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) have planned calamity and contingency funds for next year. “Pinagplanuhan nang maayos ng ating mga ahensya kasama ang DBM sa calamity at contingency fund natin next year. So meron naman tayong sapat na paghahanda para rin sa parating na 2014 (Our agencies including the DBM have planned calam-
ity and contingency funds for next year. So we have made preparations for 2014),” she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. Also, she said President Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet had been busy in past weeks planning the rehabilitation of areas affected by super Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan). Yolanda left more than 6,100 dead after it battered the Visayas and Southern Luzon last November. The Philippines had drawn up a rehabilitation plan for areas affected by Yolanda. (MNS)
Despite disasters, 94% of Filipinos still hopeful of New Year MANILA, Dec 30 (Mabuhay) – Most Filipinos are welcoming the New Year – the Year of the Horse – with hope than with fear, and hopefulness is slightly higher this year than in 2012, according to a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The 94% of Filipinos hopeful of the coming year is 2 percentage points higher than last year’s 92%, SWS said in its Fourth Quarter 2013 Survey. The SWS also noted this is the second-highest level since the alltime high of 95%, which was first achieved in 2002 and again in 2011. The survey on the New Year is part of the polling group’s 4th Quarter 2013 Social Weather Sur-
vey, which was held from December 11 to 16, 2013. The SWS said hopefulness in Mindanao went up 7 points from last year despite the siege in Zamboanga City led by the faction of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari. “In Mindanao, the 92% who will enter 2014 with hope is seven points higher than the 85% in 2012 who entered 2013 New Year with hope,” SWS said. Meanwhile, SWS also noted hopefulness for the New Year in Visayas remains unchanged despite the strong earthquake which hit Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda which devastated eastern Visayas and other areas
in 2013. “In Visayas, 93% will enter the 2014 New Year with hope rather than with fear, unchanged from last year,” it said. Hopefulness in Visayas reached a record-high 97% in December 2010. However, hopefulness in the National Capital Region (NCR) dropped two points to 91% from last year’s 93%. “Nonetheless, it is significantly lower than the record-high 96% for that area in 2010 and again in 2011,” SWS added. Earlier, Malacañang said 2013 was about “resilience” and “determination” amid the many problems that came the Philippines’ way. (MNS)
NSA spying on Europe-Asia undersea telecom cables: report BERLIN, December 29, 2013 (AFP) – The US National Security Agency has collected sensitive data on key telecommunications cables between Europe, north Africa and Asia, German news magazine Der Spiegel reported Sunday citing classified documents. Spiegel quoted NSA papers dating from February and labelled “top secret” and “not for foreigners” describing the agency’s success in spying on the socalled Sea-Me-We 4 undersea cable system. The massive bundle of fibre optic cables originates near the southern French city of Marseille and links Europe with north Africa and the Gulf states, continuing through Pakistan and India to Malaysia and Thailand. “Among the companies that hold ownership stakes in it are France Telecom, now known as Orange and still partly government-owned, and Telecom Italia Sparkle,” Spiegel said.
It said NSA specialists had hacked an internal website belonging to the operator consortium to mine documents about technical infrastructure including circuit mapping and network management information. “More operations are planned in the future to collect more information about this and other cable systems,” Spiegel quoted the NSA documents as saying. Der Spiegel has over the last several months reported on mass NSA spying on targets in the United States and abroad using documents provided by fugitive intelligence contractor Edward Snowden. A White House-picked panel this month recommended curbing the secretive powers of the NSA, warning that its spying sweeps in the “war on terror” had gone too far. US President Barack Obama plans to address the report in January.
China activists demand to end ‘dictatorship’ By Carol Huang
GUANGZHOU, December 30, 2013 (AFP) – Their banners have urged an end to China’s “dictatorship”, scorned the regime as “rogue” and dared leaders to disclose their assets as a step against graft – all dangerous calls under Communist Party rule. The Southern Street Movement, a loose network of laymenactivists in Guangdong province, is testing China’s limits with overtly political demands and ambitions to inspire placard-waving protests nationwide. The province has a tradition of defiance – a trade hub long exposed to the outside world, it was the birthplace of Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary who ended millennia of imperial rule in China in 1911. Yet the dissent-wary government has mounted a growing crackdown on activists this year and a smattering of participants have been detained. Protesters must overcome their fear, says Xie Wenfei, a 37-yearold from central China whose business card declares him a “Southern Street Movement activist” and proclaims: “If you see injustice and remain silent, you have sided with evil”. He raised a sign calling for an end to “one-party dictatorship” in the provincial capital Guangzhou in September, earning himself a month in detention. “Lots of friends called me to say if you pull out this banner then for sure you’ll be arrested,” he said. “But I had to do the right thing. I told them someone has to do this. “First I wanted to tell my likeminded friends to break through the fear. “Second I wanted to tell the Communist Party that the way they are doing things cannot last. They have lost their legitimacy in the eyes of the people and the law.” The movement started in 2011 with monthly protests at a park, said Wang Aizhong, a closely in-
volved 37-year-old businessman, and they organized mini-rallies perhaps dozens of times this year. Many have called for officials to reveal their assets, for detained activists to be released, and for an end to one-party rule. “We see the Southern Street Movement as a resistance movement having no organisation, no leader and no formal program,” Wang said, adding that they wanted to “inspire the rest of the country”. “There is no one single or set demand, but a lot of the political demands are aimed at one goal, which is to end this dictatorship.” The movement has mostly attracted the migrant workers who have flocked to Guangdong, a manufacturing powerhouse and China’s most prosperous province. More people were drawn in following January protests supporting the liberal Guangzhou-based newspaper, Southern Weekly, after its new year editorial was censored. ‘I have never done anything wrong’ Guangzhou has long been considered less strictly controlled than much of China. It has had greater contact with the rest of the world as one of the first Chinese cities opened in recent centuries to foreigners – who knew it as Canton – and Guangdong neighbors the former British colony of Hong Kong. “There is a perception that protest is just slightly more possible in the south,” said Eva Pils, an associate professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “More people in the south are willing to take that one further step and actually put up a banner that directly targets ‘one-party dictatorship’, that directly calls for constitutional government, freedom, human rights, democracy.” But the consequences of activism in China can be severe. In neighboring Jiangxi province three members of the similarly
loose, decentralized New Citizens Movement face up to to five years’ jail for demanding officials disclose their assets. Such grassroots groups are at the opposite end of the activist spectrum from internationally high-profile figures such as Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, artist Ai Weiwei or blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng. They are among a number of Chinese looking to have their voices heard, including online. But the groups’ numbers remain tiny and it is impossible to judge their support in a heavily controlled society. Southern Street member Jia Ping, 24, lost his factory job after posting political messages online, and was detained for 20 days after displaying signs at a train station including one proclaiming “the Communist party does not represent the people”. “We will definitely keep going, as far as we can,” he said. In August officials detained respected Guangzhou activist Yang Maodong, known by his pen name Guo Feixiong. He finished a five-year sentence in 2011 and now faces public order charges carrying a similar maximum penalty. Authorities see him as a ringleader, said his lawyer Sui Muqing, citing an editorial in the party-run Global Times criticizing Guo and another activist, a rare reference to such figures. “They pose a danger to the current social governance system and long-term social stability,” the paper warned. “Confronting the authorities has become their way of life.” Migrant Xie said his parents want him to stop his activities. “Of course they are afraid,” he said. “I just ask them to trust me. I’m over 30 years old and have never done anything wrong.”
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states anticipate legalized W. House urges extension of US pot on New Year’s day US unemployment benefits BY MICHAEL THURSTON
WASHINGTON, December 27, 2013 (AFP) – President Barack Obama’s administration on Friday urged US lawmakers to swiftly restore unemployment benefits, criticizing a decision not to extend emergency aid to 1.3 million people looking for work. A statement from the Director of the National Economic Council, Gene Sperling, said the move “defied economic sense.” “Never before have we abruptly cut off emergency un-
employment insurance when we faced this level of long-term unemployment and it would be a blow to these families and our economy,” Sperling said. “While we remain disappointed that Congress did not heed the President’s call to extend emergency unemployment benefits for next year before the holidays, the President as well as the Democratic Congressional leadership have made clear the importance of extending the benefits immediately upon Con-
gress’s return.” Obama signed a framework law on Thursday which will oversee the federal budget for the next two years following tough negotiations between Democrats and Republicans. However the agreement did not settle the issue of emergency compensation for long-term unemployed, which expires on Saturday. US lawmakers do not return from the Christmas and New Year break until January 3.
US judge rules NSA phone surveillance lawful NEW YORK, December 27, 2013 (AFP) – A US judge ruled Friday that the National Security Agency’s mass surveillance of telephone calls is lawful, fanning a legal conflict likely to be decided ultimately by the Supreme Court. Federal judge William Pauley in New York threw out a petition from the American Civil Liberties Union and said the program was vital in preventing an Al-Qaeda terror attack on American soil. Ten days earlier, however, another federal judge in Washington had deemed that NSA surveillance is probably unconstitutional, laying the groundwork for a protracted series of legal challenges. “The question for this court is whether the government’s bulk telephony metadata program is lawful. This court finds it is,” said the 54-page ruling published in New York on Friday. The scale by which NSA indiscriminately gathers data on millions of private calls was exposed by intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden, sparking an international and domestic outcry. Protected by judicial checks and executive and congressional oversight, Pauley said
the program does not violate the US Constitution’s fourth amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. “There is no evidence that the government has used any of the bulk telephony metadata it collected for any purpose other than investigating and disrupting terrorist attacks,” he wrote. The judge sided with US spy chiefs who say that by connecting the dots between archived calls and terrorist suspects, US officials can keep the country safe. The NSA hoovers up information about virtually every telephone call to, from and within the United States, and says it is the only way to discern patterns left behind by foreign terror groups. The judge quoted the 2004 report by the 9/11 Commission – the panel which investigated the 2001 Al-Qaeda attack on the United States – as saying it was a false choice between liberty and security, as “nothing is more apt to imperil civil liberties than the success of a terrorist attack on American soil.” “As the September 11th attacks demonstrate, the cost of missing such a thread can be horrific. Technology allowed Al-
Qaeda to operate decentralized and plot international terrorist attacks remotely,” he wrote. “The bulk telephony metadata collection program represents the government’s counterpunch: connecting fragmented and fleeting communications to reconstruct and eliminate AlQaeda’s terror network.” The judge quoted examples in which NSA phone monitoring in 2009 exposed an Al-Qaeda plot to bomb the New York subway, and cite a plot by convicted Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley to bomb a Danish newspaper office. “Unintentional violations of guidelines,” Pauley said, appeared to have stemmed from “human error” and “incredibly complex computer programs” and had been rectified where discovered. This month, an official panel handed President Barack Obama a review of the NSA’s surveillance program along with more than 40 recommendations to install safeguards and limit its scope. But the administration is not expected to significantly curtail the mission, and Snowden remains a fugitive from US justice who has been granted temporary asylum in Russia.
More Americans shopped on their phones on Christmas WASHINGTON, December 27, 2013 (AFP) – Most stores were closed but Americans still managed to shop on Christmas Day – increasingly on their smartphones. An IBM survey showed Christmas Day online sales were up 16.5 percent over last year, with a strong boost from smartphones and tablets. Mobile traffic was the highest IBM found over this holiday season, accounting for 48 percent of all online traffic. And mobile accounted for nearly 29 percent of all online sales, up 40
percent over 2012. Smartphones drove 28.5 percent of all online traffic compared to 18.1 percent for tablets, according to IBM. But tablets drove twice as many sales – 19.4 percent of all online sales, to 9.3 percent for smartphones. Tablet users averaged $95.61 per order, versus $85.11 for smartphone users. IBM found that Apple iPhone and iPad users were bigger shoppers than their counterparts using Google Androidpowered devices
As a percentage of total online sales, Apple’s iOS was more than five times higher than Android, driving 23 percent of sales to 4.6 percent for Android. On average, iOS users spent $93.94 per order, to $48.10 per order for Android, according to the survey. Shoppers referred from Facebook averaged $72.01 per order, while Pinterest referrals drove $86.83 per order, IBM said. However, Facebook referrals converted sales at nearly four times the rate of Pinterest referrals, the report found.
US boy, 9, scales South America’s highest peak (BUENOS AIRES-AFP) – It’s no small feat to scale South America’s tallest peak – especially when you are nine. That’s what Tyler Armstrong managed to do on Christmas Eve, joined by his father and other climbers – with special permission from authorities for the underaged adventurer.
Aconcagua soars almost 7,000 meters in the Andes on Argentina’s Mendoza province along its border with Chile. Armstrong broke the record for the youngest person to scale Aconcagua, said the head of his expedition, Nicolas Garcia, on local C5N television. His mom, Priscilla Arm-
strong, wrote on the young climber’s website: “Super proud of you honey! I can stop worrying now! Actually, you will probably keep worrying me if you keep being so adventurous! Great- more grey hair!” Earlier this year, Tyler scaled Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa’s tallest peak at 5,900 meters.
Apple asks US court to ban Samsung phones, tablets SAN FRANCISCO, December 27, 2013 (AFP) – Apple has asked a federal judge to bar US sales of Samsung smartphones and tablet computers in the blockbuster patent case involving the two electronics giants. In a court filing in California, Apple said the smartphones and tablets were found to have violated patents in a jury trial held last year. Apple renewed its bid for a permanent injunction on sales of a number of Samsung products after an appeals court decision last month cleared the way for a new hearing on the matter. In the latest filing dated Thursday, Apple’s attorneys wrote that the court “previously concluded that Samsung’s
sale of infringing products has irreparably harmed Apple.” The document added that the appeals court decision “makes clear that the record evidence... collectively demonstrates a sufficient ‘causal nexus’ between Samsung’s infringement and the irreparable harm to Apple.” Apple added that “money damages are not an adequate remedy for Samsung’s infringement of these patents.” The US firm is seeking a ban on Samsung’s smartphone models Captivate, Continuum, Droid Charge, Epic 4G, Exhibit 4G, Fascinate, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Prevail, Galaxy S, Galaxy S 4G, Gem, Indulge, Infuse, Mesmerize, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, Vibrant,Transform
and three versions of the Galaxy S II. Bans are also being sought on the Galaxy Tab and Tab 10.1 tablets. The request does not affect the newest Samsung devices, which were not at issue in the trial because of the fast product cycles in the industry. The South Korean firm, the world’s biggest maker of smartphones, has been ordered to pay Apple more than $900 million after a retrial on some of the issues in the case. But the case, one of several being played out in courts and administrative agencies around the world, has not dented sales of Samsung, which has vaulted ahead of Apple in many markets around the world.
LOS ANGELES, December 29, 2013 (AFP) – Marijuana users in Colorado and Washington are counting down the hours before the western US states become the first to legalize recreational pot shops on January 1. Blazing a trail they hope will be followed in other parts of the United States, cannabis growers and others are also rubbing their hands, while tax collectors are eyeing the revenue the newly-legalized trade will generate. Enterprising companies are even offering marijuana tours to cash in on tourists expected to be attracted to a Netherlands-style pot culture – including in Colorado’s famous ski resorts. “Just the novelty alone is bringing people from everywhere,” said Adam Raleigh of cannabis supplier Telluride Bud Co. “I have people driving in from Texas, Arizona, Utah... to be a part of history. “Over the last month I have received somewhere between four to six emails a day and five to 10 phone calls a day asking all about the law and when should people plan their ski trip to go along with cannabis,” he added. Medical marijuana is already legal and regulated in 19 US states, and has been allowed in some cases for the past 20 years. And in most of them, private consumption of cannabis is not classified as a crime. But Colorado and Washington are creating a recreational market in which local authorities will oversee growing, distribution and marketing – all of it legal – for people to get high just for the fun of it. The market is huge: from $1.4 billion in medical marijuana in 2013 it will grow by 64 percent to $2.34 billion in 2014 with recreational pot added in Colorado and Washington, according to Arcview Market Research, which tracks and publishes data on the cannabis industry. Both states legalized recreational consumption of marijuana in referendums in November last year, but new rules coming into force on January 1 allow cannabis shops. In Colorado, famous for its Rocky Mountain ski resorts, officials this week issued 348 retail marijuana licenses including for small shops which from January 1 can sell up to 28 grams of pot to
people aged 21 or older. Washington state authorities have received applications for 3,746 marijuana business licenses, including 867 retail licenses, according to The Seattle Times newspaper, which urged caution in an editorial. “Legalization of marijuana (is) a seismic change in drug-control policy, perhaps the biggest since the end of alcohol prohibition. Supporters and skeptics need to take a deep breath,” it said. Colorado’s branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said everyone will benefit. “It will mean jobs, tax revenue for the state and local jurisdictions, increased tourism, and a developing progressive new industry in Colorado,” NORML attorney Rachel Gillette told AFP. “It will also have an impact in that marijuana sales will be brought out of the shadows and the black market,” she added. Michael Elliott, head of the Medical Marijuana Industry Group, noted that Colorado has licensed medical marijuana businesses since 2010, but said the influx of tourists for recreational use of pot could lead to shortages. “It’s tough to know whether supply will meet demand, mainly because it’s tough to know the impact of tourism on this new market,” he said. “It looks like demand will exceed supply, so I anticipate that prices in Colorado will go up ... But as time goes on, more businesses will open meaning there will be more supply,” he added. Telluride Bud Co’s Raleigh compared decriminalizing pot shops to legalizing same-sex weddings, which are now allowed in more than a third of US states. “Give it six months, and when other states see that the sky didn’t fall and the revenue we are producing, I believe this will spread just like gay marriage,” he said. “You just can’t stop the will of the people.”
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UNBURIED From page 1
“We are requesting the city government to please bury the cadavers because our children and elderly residents are getting sick,” he said. “This place has become a fly factory.”
The cadavers are guarded by eight policemen. One officer who asked not to be named said they are under orders to prevent the cadavers from being eaten by stray dogs. (MNS)
MEXICAN CARTEL From page 1
ipino-Chinese were arrested for possession of 84 kilograms (185 pounds) of methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as “ice”, “meth” or “shabu”, as well as two firearms. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said in a statement on Friday that the illegal drugs came from Mexico and that three Mexican nationals, identified as “Jorge Gomez Torres,” as well as two individuals known just as “Jaime” and “Joey”, were involved but were not at the scene of the raid. Previous police reports had said a Filipino named “Gary Torres” and two Mexicans known as “Jaime” and “Joey” were being sought. The chief of the anti-drug agency, Arturo Cacdac said in the
statement that the cartel considered the Philippines a “possible market and transshipment point for shabu because of the country’s geographical location... porous borders and vast coastlines.” The Sinaloa cartel is reputed to be the largest source of illegal drugs to the United States. Its main leader, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, escaped from a Mexican prison in 2001. He is now America’s most wanted drug trafficker, as well as being considered by Forbes as the most powerful criminal on the planet. More than 77,000 people have been killed in Mexico in connection with organised crime since then-president Felipe Calderon launched a nationwide war against the cartels after taking office in 2006.
RELOCATING From page 1
urban area to a new facility to be constructed on the coast. Hagel said he had told Japanese officials that the Pentagon was “committed to working with the government of Japan to build a strong and sustainable US military presence with less impact on the people of Okinawa.” Relocating the controversial air base is part of a plan to cut back the overall US military presence in Okinawa. The Pentagon plans to reduce the number of Marines on the island from 18,000 to about 10,000 in coming years, with some redeployed to Australia and the US territory of Guam. Resolving the future of the air base in Okinawa clears the way for Washington’s so-called BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS “pivot” to Asia, with plans to deploy more ships and troops WITH US! in the Pacific. “The realignment effort is absolutely critical to the United States’ ongoing rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and our ability to maintain a geographically distributed, AIRPORT TRANSFER AVAILABLE operationally resilient, and politically sustainable force posBUY ONE ROUNDTRIP TICKET FROM ture in the region,” Hagel said. March 08, 2013 TO March 08, 2014 The rebalance is designed to AND GET A CHANCE TO WIN A ROUNDTRIP TICKET TO MANILA!!! counter China’s growing mili-tax exclusive tary might and influence in the Pacific, amid growing tensions PLEASE CALL MANILA TRAVEL FOR CRUISE INQUIRIES over territorial disputes. TEL: US defense officials called 714.956.5668 Japan’s decision a landmark 714.991.8669 step that eliminated the last po714.600.7818 litical hurdle to the relocation Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm • Sat 9am to 2pm and removed a time-consuming website: www.manilatravel.150m.com issue from Washington-Tokyo email: manilatravelinc@yahoo.com relations. CST No.: 208278040
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Five headless bodies found in western Mexico: official MORELIA, December 28, 2013 (AFP) – Five decapitated bodies were found early Saturday in western Mexico, in the latest grisly act of drug-related violence, officials said. The bodies, with their heads laying nearby, were
found shortly before dawn in two different locations in Michoacan state. Three headless corpses were found near a bridge in a suburb of Morelia, Michoacan’s regional capital. Two more were found at a plaza in Morelia a short time later, officials said.
The region has been overrun by criminals from the Jalisco Nueva Generacion drug cartel, which authorities believe carried out the crimes. The cartel is in a heated turf battle with the Knights Templar drug cartel.
Belgian firefighters stumble on indoor marijuana farm BRUSSELS, December 29, 2013 (AFP) – Belgian police on Sunday seized thousands of marijuana plants discovered by firefighters during an overnight blaze, but found no immediate trace of the growers. The state-of-the-art indoor marijuana farm, which witnesses said was spread over 1,000 square metres (10,100 square feet) and featured special lighting and independent watering facilities for each plant, miraculously survived a fire that spread through two abandoned factories in the
southwest town of Lessines, near Tournai. “The cannabis plants did not suffer from the fire,” Bauduin Vervaecke, head of the Lessines firefighting squad that stumbled on the illicit business, told Belga news agency. Local mayor Pascal de Handschutter told RTL television that police seized 10,000 plants with an estimated street value of five million euros ($7 million) as the network showed officers hauling bagfuls from the building. The find, located on the third floor of one of two empty brick
buildings, was the biggest marijuana seizure in the area. The public prosecutor in nearby Tournai, Gilles Dupuis, told Belga that officers were removing the plants one by one and would destroy them but were still on the lookout for those behind the sophisticated venture. Dozens of firemen were called out on Saturday evening when a blaze was reported in the abandoned buildings, located in old narrow streets that forced firefighters to bring in extra water and equipment.
in order to deal effectively with 21st century security challenges,” Hagel said in a statement. “Our alliance has helped underwrite regional peace, stability, and prosperity for more than half a century, and resolving these years-long issues will enable us to take our relationship to the next level as we revise the guidelines for US-Japan defense cooperation,” he said. After more than 17 years of debate and political wrangling, the local government in Okinawa has given a green light to moving the Futenma air station from a densely populated
MANILA TRAVEL
Alpha Kappa Rho West Coast Council Christmas Party 2013 at Oakland, California. The Skeptrons greet the fil-am community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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not expecting a strong rebound,” Mapa said. The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI) have said they expect electronic exports to decline 10 to 12 percent this year, as opposed to their earlier forecast growth of 5 to 6 percent. TRADE SURPLUS Philippine exports grew in the double digits in October to $5.205 billion. The country had a trade surplus of $202 million that month, which trimmed the total trade gap for January to October to $6.09 billion. But the trade surplus at the start of the fourth quarter could mean very little for Philippine growth. “Our growth model has still very little reliance on trade,” said Mapa, noting that trade has either been a drag or just a marginal contributor at most to total output. “This is still an encouraging sign,” he clarified. “The silver lining is that we’re seeing a veering away from semi-cons and there are efforts to balance the share of exports.” Despite sluggish trade, the Philippine economy outpaced the rest of Southeast Asia, at 7.4 percent in the first three quarters of the year. Growth is expected to be 7 percent this year, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. The government is keeping its 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent growth target for next year. China was the top source of imports in October, accounting for 13 percent of the total. Second is the US with 9.6 and Japan that accounted for 8.8 percent. (MNS)
VINTAGE BOMBS
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safely,” the police said in its incident report. The bombs were brought to Fernando Air Force Base for proper disposal. The base itself was originally constructed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II and was later converted into an air base for the Imperial Japanese Air Force. After Batangas was liberated in 1945, US troops used the base as a staging ground for operations in Corregidor and in Cavite. (MNS)
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Oh my aching head: Is there really a hangover cure? (Relaxnews) – From burned toast to raw eggs, there is no shortage of “hangover cures” to fix what ails you. Here’s the science behind the best remedy for your pounding head and queasy stomach. Chinese researchers suggest chugging a Sprite the morning after. Or if you prefer to skip the sweet stuff, soda water may be a good alternative. How it works is that it helps the body better metabolize alcohol, and in particular, speeds up your ability to process aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which is thought to be responsible for the symptoms of a hangover. Interestingly, the scientists found that
sipping herbal tea may slow down the process, prolonging your hangover. The results, announced this October, were published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Food and Function. In a separate 2011 study, researchers suggest that your best bet might be a cup of joe and a painkiller. Published in the peer-reviewed online science journal PLoS One, the study revealed that common treatments for hangover headache, such as caffeine and over-thecounter anti-inflammatory drugs, block the effects of your hangover. Best solution: drink coffee about four hours after drinking, when acetate levels begin to spike. But don’t overdo it, since caffeine
works as a diuretic and can further dehydrate your body, making you feel worse. A few other tried-and-true ways to curb the misery is to avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach and load up on carbohydrate-filled snacks to slow down the body’s absorption of the alcohol, The Independent reports. Also, be sure to drink plenty of fluids the morning after, but avoid greasy, fatty, or spicy foods, which may be tempting but could make you feel worse. What about the infamous “hair of the dog”? A 2011 study published in PLoS One found alcohol to be a poor hangover remedy as it causes greater alcohol dependence.
A few too many? Scientists offer their best bets on curbing the hangover misery. ©Volodymyr Goinyk/shutterstock.com
Hot nutrition trends for 2014: Gluten-free, chia seeds, and health blogs
Scientists say that toys can harbor cold germs for weeks or even months. ©FikMik/shutterstock.com
Cold germs are hardier than previously thought: study (Relaxnews) – Prior research has already concluded that two common bacteria that cause colds, ear infections, and strep throat don’t often live for long outside the human body, but a new study finds that they can linger a lot longer than previously thought. Your best defense? Well-scrubbed hands. University of Buffalo researchers in New York published a study December 27 in the journal Infection and Immunity that found that Streptococcus pneumonia and Streptococcus pyogenes can live on surfaces such as toys, books, and cribs for weeks or even months. “These findings should make us more cautious about bacteria in the environment since they change our ideas about how these particular bacteria are spread,” says senior author Dr. Anders Hakansson. “This is the first paper to directly investigate that these bacteria can survive well on various surfaces, including hands, and potentially spread between individuals.” The researchers found that in a daycare center, four out of five stuffed toys tested positive for S.
pneumonia and several surfaces, such as cribs, tested positive for S. pyogenes, even after being cleaned. The testing was done just prior to the center opening in the morning so it had been many hours since the last human contact, the researchers said. Hakansson and his co-authors became interested in the possibility that some bacteria might persist on surfaces when they published work last year showing that bacteria form biofilms when colonizing human tissues. They found that these sophisticated, highly structured biofilm communities are hardier than other forms of bacteria. “Bacterial colonization doesn’t, by itself, cause infection but it’s a necessary first step if an infection is going to become established in a human host,” Hakansson says. “Children, the elderly and others with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to these infections.” “In all of these cases, we found that these pathogens can survive for long periods outside a human host,” says Hakansson. But, he says, the scientific literature
maintains that you can only become infected by breathing in infected droplets expelled through coughing or sneezing by infected individuals. “Commonly handled objects that are contaminated with these biofilm bacteria could act as reservoirs of bacteria for hours, weeks or months, spreading potential infections to individuals who come in contact with them,” concludes Hakansson. Still, ways to protect yourself and your children from getting sick is to practice good hand hygiene. Use warm water and soap and lather up for at least 20 seconds, advises the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching germy hotspots, such as shared toys, door handles, and faucets, and avoid touching your face as much as possible – no rubbing your eyes or biting your nails either – to avoid giving germs direct access to your body. Still, you can’t fend off all germs, so stay well hydrated, get adequate sleep, and reduce stress to help your immune system do its job.
Quit smoking on Mondays, not New Year’s, experts say (Relaxnews) – If you’re like millions of people around the globe, quitting smoking tops your New Year’s resolution list. But experts say that rather than trying to quit once a year, which rarely works, try every Monday. Earlier this year, US researchers monitored Google search queries about quitting smoking over the past five years in English, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, finding that search volumes peaked on Monday, almost every week, in all languages. Researchers from San Diego State University, the Santa Fe Institute, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Monday Campaigns – a nonprofit public health initiative that dedicates the first day of every week to health – published their findings in October the Journal of the American Medical Association. “On New Year’s Day, interest in smoking cessation doubles,” said the study’s lead author, John Ayers of San Diego State University in a statement released Friday. “But New Year’s happens one day a year. Here we’re seeing a spike that happens once a week.” Inspired by the research, Monday Campaigns just launched the Quit and Stay Quit Monday initiative to help smokers plan a resolution to quit that works. Morgan Johnson, director of programs and research at the Monday Campaigns and coauthor of the study, said
US researchers say that quitting smoking on Monday (and again the next Monday) is better than on New Year’s. ©f-f-f-f /shutterstock.com
that the surge in quitting contemplations on Monday can be used to provide social support for quitters, an important factor in long-term success. “People around the world are starting the week with intentions to quit smoking – if we can connect those people at school, work and communities we can make a regular ‘Monday Quit’ the cultural norm.” While most smokers often wait for special occasions like birthdays or New Year’s to quit, most will relapse within a month, the organization says. Studies show that it takes an average of 8-11 attempts to stop smoking for good, which makes Monday a sustainable solution, offering smokers 52 days every year to try again, and with the initiative, a global support network to keep you motivated.
(Relaxnews) – While Google has already revealed that this year’s most-searched diets were the Paleo diet (also known as the Caveman Diet) as well as the juice cleanse diet, what’s in store for next year? Nutritionists make their predictions. Announced December 26, US nutrition trade magazine Today’s Dietitian re- US dietitians predict that ancient grains like quinoa leased a survey of more will continue to grow as a popular diet trend in 2014. than 500 dietitians on their ©Jovan Nikolic/shutterstock.com predictions for rising nuga-3 ALA-rich chia seeds. trition trends, citing next Those surveyed also said that conyear’s biggest trend as gluten-free. sumers are grocery shopping with The gluten-free Paleo diet falls into this category, as does the an eye on “healthy” foods, and 66 “wheat belly” diet, created by cardi- percent of the respondents said ologist William R. Davis and based that consumer interest in nutrition on his New York Times bestselling and weight loss will only grow in book. The principle: wheat is toxic, 2014. Also, according to the suraddictive, and makes you want to vey, consumers are looking for eat more junk foods. more eco-labels in 2014, with “Despite the lack of evidence to support wheat- or gluten-elim- an eye toward locally grown ination diets for weight loss or products and sustainable goods. health – not associated with a Also more doctors, nutritionists, clinical disorder or disease – con- and health-focused chefs will be sumers are still looking for ways joining the ranks of famed US carto control their weight,” says Dr. diologist Dr. Oz with more televised Jenna A. Bell, senior vice presi- programs promoting health and dent and director of food and well- nutrition, according to the survey. ness at Pollock Communications, Also, consumers are expected to a New York City-based health turn to diet and health blogs for adand wellness public relations firm. vice, with more bloggers – whether Other popular trends include serv- they write about being a parent or ing up ancient grains, such as lifestyle – focusing on health issues. spelt, amaranth, quinoa, millet, Still, the survey found that most Americans haven’t budged when it and kamut. Also US consumers will comes to their weight, with more eat more kale(served hot or Americans becoming complacent cold), coconut oil, and ome- about their unhealthy body weight.
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MOTORING China city caps car-buying to curb pollution (BEIJING-AFP) – Another Chinese city has capped the total number of car licence plates it will issue annually, state media said Sunday, following moves by Beijing and other metropolises to curb pollution and congestion. The world’s most populous nation is also the world’s largest carbuyer. But it is trying to curb poor air quality and other environmental damages caused by rapid development. Tianjin, a coastal city near Beijing with 14 million people and 2.36 million registered motor vehicles last year, will cap new car plates to 100,000 a year, the official Xinhua news agency reported. The government will award 60,000 plates by lottery, reserving 10,000 of these for fuel-efficient cars, and auction the remaining
40,000. Of the total plates issued, 88 percent will go to individuals and the rest to companies and other entities, while government bodies will be ineligible, Xinhua said. Although the details were reported over the weekend, the policy was announced a week earlier and took effect five hours later, sparking “overnight panic buying”, it added. Four other cities – Beijing, the commercial hub of Shanghai, Guiyang in the southwest and Guangzhou in the south – have imposed similar restrictions. Beijing, whose population tops 20 million, launched a lottery system in 2011 for an annual maximum of 240,000 car registrations. The capital has more than 5.3 million cars on the road, Xinhua
said. Demand is so high that applicants have just a 1 in 80 chance, the China Daily newspaper said in October. Guangzhou last year capped registration for small- and medium-sized cars at 120,000. The city of 16 million people had about 2.4 million cars on the road as of May, local media reported at the time. Starting next March, Tianjin will also restrict a fifth of private vehicles from using the road on workdays depending on their plate number –a practice first introduced in Beijing in 2008. China’s expanding middle class has boosted auto sales to the world’s top spot, with 19.86 million vehicles sold in the first 11 months of 2013. That marked a 13.5 percent rise year-on-year.
Tianjin, a coastal city near Beijing with 14 million people and 2.36 million registered motor vehicles last year, will cap new car plates to 100,000 a year, the official Xinhua news agency reported. ©takepicsforfun / shutterstock.com
Africa, the new El Dorado for luxury cars
The Audi A3 is equipped with the 3G-ready Audi Connect system. ©Audi
Audi presents its advanced technologies through ‘chauffeur of the future’ (Relaxnews) – In a new video with a humorous tone, Audi Germany showcases its technological strides in recent years and those it expects to make in the near future, particularly when it comes to smart cars and autonomous driving. In conclusion, the manufacturer promises to redefine
mobility at next year’s CES, the technology trade show Audi has attended every year since 2011. The video shows the carefree life of the chauffeur of the future, who has the option of kicking back and relying on the electronic driving aids, navigation aids and onboard 4G/LTE connectiv-
ity of his Audi fleet. The manufacturer plans to unveil its latest innovations in Las Vegas, including updates to the Audi Virtual Cockpit and MMI (multimedia interface). These latest updates promise to allow faster, simpler and safer operations.
(ABIDJAN-AFP) – Porsches, Range Rovers and even Maseratis... luxury cars are no strange sight weaving through the old bangers that rumble along Abidjan’s chaotic streets, another indication of the emergence of a wealthy class in Africa. Each of the vehicles costs at least tens of thousands of euros, representing decades of work for an Ivorian earning the minimum wage, even after it was recently hiked 60 percent to 60,000 CFA francs (around 90 euros, $125) a month. Yet in wealthy Abidjan neighborhoods the streets are jammed with more luxury autos than in rich quarters of European capitals. It’s the same story in Johannesburg, Lagos, or even Libreville. In the Gabonese capital it is common to see SUV after SUV snaking along the oceanside boulevard. Wealthy Africans love the big, high, four-wheel drive vehicles. Not only are they better adapted to the roads, regularly in a poor condition, they have also become something of a status symbol. In Gabon, 70 percent of the 6,000 new vehicles sold each year are big 4x4s, mostly Japanese models, according to the Gabonese Federation of Car Importers. “Here, its a 4x4 or nothing,” said one car importer who declined to give his name. For the Gabonese, the SUV has become “the symbol of success, much more than a house”. In Ivory Coast, luxury cars
make up only 3 percent of the 8,000 new cars sold each year, said one industry expert who asked to remain anonymous. “However certain customers are looking for the top of the line – “bling-bling” cars – there are people with money like that in the market,” he added. But the high taxes slapped on new cars have given the secondhand car market a boost. A significant proportion of luxury cars enter the country this way from Europe, the United States and even the Middle East. And it isn’t just SUVs. Despite the potholes that riddle Abidjan’s streets, there are importers offering low-slung sports cars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris. A former rebel military leader turned security official, Issiaka Ouattara, known as “Wattao”, was recently seen on national television driving a Maserati. This brash display of luxury cars is an indication of the growing wealth in Africa despite increasing numbers living in extreme poverty. The African Development Bank put the size of the African middle class at 300 million in 2011. Ventures financial magazine recently put the number of African billionaires at 55 -- more than triple the previous count. That figure is likely an underestimate, the Nigerian magazine said, as many are not comfortable disclosing the true extent of their wealth. Expansion across the continent Luxury automakers are not letting this bonanza pass them by.
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Marian Rivera graces cover of FHM Thailand After gracing the cover of FHM Philippines, Marian Rivera is on a roll as she now appears on the cover of the men’s magazine in Thailand. In a post in her official Instagram account on Wednesday, Rivera seemed surprised when she learned that she is the cover girl of FHM Thailand’s January 2014 issue. “Whooaaw! I’m at the cover of Thailand’s FHM January 2014 is-
sue. I am so honored,” she said. The cover photo was the same one used in the January 2013 issue of FHM Philippines, which was taken by ace lensman Mark Nicdao, with the actress wearing a red and black bikini top, and her long brown hair swept to one side. Rivera, who rose to fame for her role as Marimar in the remake of the hit Mexican soap of the same title, was named as FHM magazine’s “Sexiest Woman in the
Philippines” for 2013. In a past interview with the magazine, the actress said, “Siguro it’s time na rin na may bago akong i-offer sa mga nagmamahal sa akin na matagal na nilang hinihiling.” “A lot of readers have been wondering why I still wasn’t doing the cover, so now ibibigay ko na sa kanila,” she added. “Siguro masasabi ko na this time buo na ang loob ko.” (MNS)
Carmina sets condition before facing BB Carmina Villaroel no longer feels awkward when her show does a feature about her former husband, Rustom Padilla, who is now more known as BB Gandanghari after he came out of the closet in 2006. “Pero ngayon, nung napapanood ko, parang hindi na. Wala ng parang. Hindi na,” she said. This comes after the talk show aired an interview of action star Robin Padilla talking about how he mended ties with Gandanghari. “Okay naman na. Kung ano ‘yung nangyari, tapos na iyon. Hindi ko lang alam if kaya ko na
bang harapin. Pero nung pinapanood ko, parang wala lang,” Villaroel added. The TV host said time indeed helped her move on from the past. “Parang after a while, wala na tapos na. Ang tagal tagal na. Madami pang importanteng bagay na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin,” she said. Villaroel and Gandanghari tied the knot in 1994, but separated in 1996. Their marriage was annulled in 2002. Meanwhile, Villaroel only has one condition before she agrees to do a one-on-one interview with Gandanghari in the future.
“Siguro mangyayari ‘yun pero gusto ko sana magkita kami na wala munang camera. Gusto ko muna makita, gusto ko talaga siya pagmasdan. Ang dating sa akin, iba talaga siyang tao na. Parang wala na ‘yung Rustom. Different person,” she said. Villaroel also thinks she and Gandanghari can get along well. “Feeling ko okay kaming dalawa, jive kami. Mahirap kasi magsalita. So kapag nangyari na lang, ‘yun na,” she said. Villaroel is now married to actor-host Zoren Legaspi, her partner of 14 years. They have two children. (MNS)
Angelica, Melai reconcile on Christmas Day “Banana Split” co-stars Angelica Panganiban and Melai Cantiveros reconciled on Christmas Day after admitting a rift involving the latter’s husband, comedian Jason Francisco. In a post on Instagram Wednesday, Panganiban shared a screenshot of her exchange of text messages with Cantiveros. The actresses, who also costarred in the series “Apoy sa Dagat,” greeted each other during the holidays and said they miss each other. “Totoong merry ang Pasko,” Panganiban said in the photo’s accompanying caption. “Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat. Tahimik na ang puso naming lahat. Peace and love para sa lahat. Happy holidays!” In an interview in November, Panganiban admitted that she has not spoken with Francisco after his supposed tiff with comedian Pooh, who supposedly
questioned his capacity to support a family with Cantiveros. Cantiveros and Pooh, who is also a mainstay on “Banana Split,” are known to be close friends of Panganiban. Panganiban, in a later interview, said she was not invited to attend the wedding of Cantiveros and Francisco last December 9. A week after the wedding, Cantiveros said she hopes her rift with Panganiban, who she endearingly calls “Twinny,” will soon be fixed. In her message to Cantiveros on Christmas Day, Panganiban said she wants to be a Angelica and Melai Brother” housemates are expectgodmother to the comedienne’s first child with Fran- ing their baby in four months. cisco. The former “Pinoy Big (MNS)
John Lloyd compares new sitcom to ‘John en Marsha’
John Lloyd Cruz is hoping Filipino viewers will welcome his latest team-up with Toni Gonzaga as they star in an upcoming Kapamilya TV sitcom. Cruz said he wants his sitcom with Gonzaga to be part of every Filipino household which they would welcome every Sunday – just like the classic “John en Marsha,” which starred the late veteran comedian Dolphy. “Puwede mo siyang icompare doon pero kasi ‘yung ‘John En Marsha,’ sila ‘yung representative ng typical Pinoy household. Hindi rin puwedeng malayo ang klase ng household na John Lloyd and Toni Gonzaga mayroon kami sa ‘Home Sweetie Home.’ Basta very “From film, nagamit namin ang now, very present,” he said. tandem namin sa sitcom which is Cruz said he values the trust of parang kabaligtaran ng normal the ABS-CBN management, add- trend. Ibang iba na ito. Ang gusto ing that he feels privileged to get ko sanang mangyari dito, sana another chance to work with the tumagal at maging parte din host-singer-actress. kami ng bawat Pinoy household. Sana magustuhan nila, sana tangkilikin nila,” Cruz said. “Matagal na akong fan ni Toni. If you remember, nagkasama kami sa ‘Maging Sino Ka Man Book Two.’ Noong mga panahon na yun, hindi ko pa siya kaya tingnan ng harapan. Nung ginawa namin yung ‘My Amensia Girl,’ na-outgrow ko. Now, na-discover ko na I’m still a fan especially after nung hosting stint niya sa ‘The Voice,’ I discovered na parang wala siyang hindi kayang gawin,” he added. In the upcoming TV show, Cruz plays a medical representative, while Gonzaga is a teacher. The debut trailer for the series, which was released in early November, shows the actors alone in a room apparently preparing to get intimate – until they get disturbed by family members. The couple, it appears, lives under the same roof as the woman’s family. Playing the parents of Gonzaga in the sitcom are Sandy Andolong and Rico J. Puno, while child star Clarence Delgado and teen actress Miles Ocampo are her siblings. The premiere date of the new sitcom has yet to be announced but Cruz said it will be shown on ABS-CBN on Sundays after the kiddie gag show “Goin Bulilit.” (MNS)
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ATHLETICS Mayweather taunts Khan, Pacquiao with Christmas KOs LAS VEGAS, December 27, 2013 (AFP) – Floyd Mayweather still has not said who his next opponent will be, but the unbeaten US boxer has taken to social media to taunt potential foes Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan. Mayweather posted drawings of himself Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram delivering hard punches to Filipino icon Pacquiao and Marcos Maidana and another standing over Khan as the Englishman was falling backward to the canvas. “Just imagine what Amir ‘Con Artist’ will get if his name gets picked in the Mayweather sweepstakes,” Mayweather posted on his Twitter account. Mayweather, 36, also poked fun at Pacquiao, who lost to Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez before bouncing back to beat Brandon Rios last month and renew talk about a Mayweather-
Pacquiao fight. “Juan Marquez ate Timothy Bradley’s leftovers. Now you’re telling me I got to eat Juan Marquez’s leftovers? Let me talk to the IRS about this...” Mayweather posted on Twitter, adding a zinger about Philippines tax issues that nagged “Pac-Man” earlier this year. On Monday, Mayweather posted a Twitter message showing pictures of him and Pacquiao with portable phones and captions, harkening to prior failed talks to make a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. “Manny, I’ll pay you 40 million to fight!” said the caption under Mayweather. “No way, you’re crazy. 50/50 or nothing” was under Pacquiao’s picture.” Above the entire lot was Mayweather’s overall message: “This is my Christmas card to the world... Happy Sleepy Holidays
zzzzzzzzzzzz” In late 2009 and early 2010, Pacquiao and Mayweather were considered the world’s top poundfor-pound fighters and record profits were expected from a showdown between them. But a disagreement over prefight blood testing scuttled talks and with Mayweather vowing never to do business with Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, there seems little chance the fight will be made now. That has left Khan and Maidana the top names speculated for Mayweather’s planned May 3 fight in Las Vegas. Pacquiao has a tentative April 12 bout set against an undetermined foe. Khan pulled out of a world title fight against American Devon Alexander, fueling speculation it was because he would next fight Mayweather. At 45-0 with 26 knockouts,
Five NFL coaches fired after failing to reach playoffs WASHINGTON, December 30, 2013 (AFP) – The Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired their coaches Monday after enduring miserable NFL seasons, joining the Cleveland Browns in seeking new direction in 2014. The Browns began the sacking parade on Sunday dumping Rob Chudzinski after one season just hours after Cleveland lost 20-7 to Pittsburgh to conclude a 4-12 campaign. On Monday, the axe fell for Washington’s Mike Shanahan after a 3-13 season, Detroit’s Jim Schwartz following a 7-9 campaign and Minnesota’s Leslie Frazier after the Vikings went 5-10
with one draw. The Buccaneers, owned by the same Glazer family that owns English Premier League side Manchester United, went one better, firing both general manager Mark Dominik and coach Greg Schiano after a 4-12 season that began with eight losses in a row and ended with three defeats in a row. “The results over the past two years have not lived up to our standards and we believe the time has come to find a new direction,” said Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer. Dominik had been with the team since 1995 and spent the past five years as general manager, hiring Schiano before the 2012
season. But the Bucs went 11-21 in his tenure. “Mark has been a valued member of our organization for two decades and we respect the passion he showed for the Buccaneers during his time here,” Glazer said. Glazer also said, “We thank Greg for his hard work and effort the past two seasons, but we feel these moves are necessary in order to achieve our goals.” The Redskins lost their final eight games of the season to allbut seal Shanahan’s fate just one year after Washington went 10-6 and captured the NFC East title. The Robert Griffin III-led Washington Redskins were 24-40 overall under Shanahan with only one winning season.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s Instagram account with Photoshopped pictures that taunted Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather is approaching the 46-0 career mark of retired Welsh star Joe Calzaghe and the iconic 49-0 mark of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano.
Mayweather, who beat Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last September in his most recent bout, has a contract for four more fights in the next 2 ½ years.
Parker apologizes for past use of controversial SAN ANTONIO, December 30, 2013 (AFP) - NBA star Tony Parker apologized Monday for making a gesture with anti-Semitic overtones in a photograph taken three years ago, which became an issue after French footballer Nicolas Anelka made the same gesture Sunday. “Since I have been made aware of the seriousness of this gesture, I will certainly never repeat the gesture and sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding or harm relating to my actions,” Parker said in a statement. West Bromwich Albion striker Anelka made the gesture known as a “quenelle” on Saturday during a 3-3 English Premier League draw at West Ham United. Controversy erupted in the wake
of the move, which is made with a straightened right arm extended downwards and the left arm tapping the chest, and it enveloped Parker when an old photo of him surfaced making the gesture alongside the French comedian who is associated with it, Dieudonne. While Dieudonne says the gesture is only meant as anti-establishment, many interpret it as a Nazi-style salute with an antiSemitic message. Parker says he had no idea such interpretations were associated with the gesture when he made it three years ago. “While this gesture has been part of French culture for many years, it was not until recently that I learned of the very negative concerns associated with it,” Parker said.
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