LOS ANGELES
Solenn engaged to Argentine boyfriend See SOLENN page 20
VOL. XXII, NO. 45
DECEMBER 13 - 19, 2014
THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS
Moody’s upgrades PHL once again Manila, Philippines | AFP | Thursday 12/11/2014 – Moody’s raised the Philippines’ credit rating by one notch on Thursday, in a further sign of the country’s economic transformation. The Southeast Asian nation, once considered the region’s economic laggard, was upgraded to “Baa2” from its previous level of “Baa3” – the lowest of Moody’s investment-grade ranks. The country has a “stable” outlook, a statement from the credit rating agency said. The move comes after Moody’s, Fitch and Standard and Poor’s all raised the Philippines to investment-grade levels in 2013, indicating a lower risk to investors. “The key drivers of the decision are ongoing debt reduction, aided by improvements in fiscal management (and) continued favorable prospects for strong economic growth,” Moody’s said. The Philippines is also enjoying only “limited vulnerability to the common risks currently affecting emerging markets”, the agency added. Moody’s praised the government’s fiscal management, saySee MOODY’S, page 12
The Grinch reveals himself during the NBC “GRINCHmas” and lighting of the tree at Universal Studios which was followed by the lighting of the spectacular GRINCHMAS tree with fireworks to boot. (Story on page 8)
Typhoon survivors find homes in ruins again By Imelda Magbutay
Tacloban, Philippines | AFP | Sunday 12/7/2014 – A year after losing all their belongings to one of the world’s strongest storms, thousands of weary people in the Philippines emerged from evacuation shelters on Sunday to find their homes again in ruins. Typhoon Hagupit hit the central Philippines late on Saturday with gusts of 210 kilometres (130 miles) an hour, destroying flimsy houses, tearing roofs off others, knocking down power poles and smashing bridges. During a terrifying night, it cut across Tacloban city and dozens of other communities that were only just starting to recover from last year’s catastrophic Super Typhoon Haiyan. “We were on edge the entire night because the winds were so strong. We could see roofs flying,” 39-year-old peaSee TYPHOON, page 12
Purisima told: Quietly accept your suspension MANILA, Dec 11 (Mabuhay) – Embattled Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima should just quietly accept his suspension, Nationalist People’s Coalition Congressman Sherwin Gatchalian said. “Gen. Purisima should understand that the PNP is larger than him and it would do good for the entire police force if he will just accept his six-month suspension,” said the Valenzuela City representative. Purisima’s camp said he won’t accept the suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman over an allegedly anomalous delivery deal. Purisima’s counsel filed a petition for a temporary restraining order with the Court of Appeals yesterday. “PNP chief Purisima should just accept the Ombudsman order quietly instead of See PURISIMA, page 12
Market vendors work on damaged stalls at the public market of Tacloban City on Sunday after experiencing the effects of typhoon Ruby as it passed through Eastern Samar. Just over a year after going through typhoon Yolanda, the city’s response to another disaster was again tested. (MNS photo)
PHL stands firm on sea dispute with China Manila, Philippines | AFP | Monday 12/8/2014 – The Philippines shrugged off criticism from China on Monday after Beijing slammed the nation for challenging its territorial claims in international courts, in a dispute over resource-rich waters. Philippine foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose denied Manila was taking its complaint to a UN tribunal as a way to put China under foreign pressure. “Our position is that arbitration is the durable solution,” Jose told AFP. The Philippines infuriated China when it filed a formal complaint to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in March asking it to rule on China’s claims over most of the South China Sea. China refused to recognise the process and has until next week to reply to the Philippines’ complaint. Jose said China’s decision not to participate would not affect proceedings and the tribunal may decide the case by “early 2016”. “We take note that China has officially stated its position on the matter of arbitration... We also note the points raised in the (Chinese) paper,” he said. “Its underlying goal is not... to seek peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue, but rather, by resorting to arbitration, to put political pressure on China,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in the paper published by the official Xinhua news agency Sunday. China’s claims over the South China Sea conflict with the territorial claims of See CHINA DISPUTE, page 12