Weekend balita may 30, 2015

LOS ANGELES

VOL. XXIII, NO. 17

MAY 30 - JUNE 5, 2015

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

US affirms ‘ironclad’ promise to defend PHL Washington, United States (AFP) – US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told his Philippine counterpart on Wednesday that Washington’s pledge to defend the Pacific nation remains “ironclad” and called for an end to land reclamation in the South China Sea, officials said.

In talks in Hawaii with Voltaire Gazmin, Philippine secretary of national defense, the Pentagon chief “reaffirmed” the strong ties between the two countries and discussed territorial disputes in the contested waters of the South China Sea, where Beijing has been at loggerheads with the Philippines and other states in the region.

Meanwhile China recently deployed two artillery pieces on one of its artificial islands in the South China Sea, an unprecedented move that suggests Beijing is trying to extend its military reach in the contested waters, US officials said Friday.

See IRONCLAD, page 12

Sewers in a haberdashery in Santa Cruz, Manila work on a 10x12-foot Philippine flag that will be used in a ceremony for the 117th anniversary of the first unfurling of the flag in Alapan in Imus, Cavite. Filipino revolutionaries unfurled a flag after battling Spanish forces on May 28, 1898. (MNS photo)

US threatening ‘chaos’ in Asia-Pacific: China Beijing, China (AFP) Thursday 5/28/2015 – China accused the United States on Thursday of threatening to sow “chaos” in the Asia-Pacific region by inciting countries whose territorial claims in the South China Sea clash with those of Beijing.

It is the latest round in a war of words over the area, where tensions are mounting and rhetoric escalating.

China is rapidly building artificial islands in the disputed waters, and US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Wednesday demanded an “immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by any claimant”.

Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular briefing: “If the major powerhouse of world economic growth is thrown into chaos, will that serve the interests of the American side?”

The countries that make up the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum account for more than 50 percent of global GDP and nearly half of world trade.

The South China Sea is a major shipping route for international trade.

Beijing insists it has sovereignty over nearly all See CHAOS IN ASIA, page 12

PHILIPPINE SEA (May 25, 2015) Seaman Ricky Silva, from New Orleans, acts as the forward lookout during a replenishment-at-sea between the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Bryan Mai/Released)

Mar Roxas confirms ‘chance’ dialog with Grace Poe on 2016 polls MANILA, May 28 (Mabuhay) – Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Thursday confirmed meeting Sen. Grace Poe last week but chose not to give a categorical answer on whether he asked her to be his running mate in the 2016 elections.

Roxas said the meeting was rather accidental as he was on his way to the men’s room of a Mandaluyong hotel just as Poe was coming out of the ladies’.

“Nagkita kami sa corridor.... Doon kami nagkita at magkakilala naman kami. Di naman kami stranghero.

Magkaibigan naman kami. Nagchika-chika lang kami,” Roxas told reporters on how the meeting went.

On whether he asked her to run with him in the presidential elections, Roxas said, “Ginagalang ko at kinikilala ko ang pagkatao ni Senadora Poe para sa pagpapatuloy See MAR ROXAS, page 12

Vice President Jejomar Binay (left) huddles with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada (center) and United Nationalist Alliance spokesperson Toby Tiangco during a visit to the Manila City Hall on Wednesday. Binay and Estrada were mum on the agenda of the meeting.(MNS photo)

Binay camp hits Poe: ‘Finish your term first’ MANILA, May 28 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe should finish her six-year term as senator first before running for a higher position, one of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s spokespersons said on Thursday.

Lawyer JV Bautista, who is also the interim secretary-general of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said Poe should respect the mandate given to her in the 2013 elections.

Poe has been closing in on the frontrunner Binay in pre-election surveys on presidential preferences, but she has not made a decision about 2016 yet.

“She has not even fully served her term,” Bautista told reporters at a briefing. “Perhaps she owes it to the people, or at the very least those who voted for her, to serve out her term.”

However, Binay himself wanted Poe to be his running mate in 2016. Poe has already rejected the idea.

Asked about Binay’s desire for Poe to run with him, Bautista said the Vice President was considering a lot of people, not just Poe, as prospective partners because of the “pragmatic dictates of politics.”

Bautista also said that if Poe decides to run, she might as well run with Binay and not under the Liberal Party, which has reportedly been courting her.

Bautista pointed out that some LP members came from Lakas, the ruling party during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

See FINISH TERM, page 12

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File bankruptcy – Rebuild credit After a debtor receives a discharge in bankruptcy, creditors whose debts are discharged are required to report that the account has a zero balance. The bankruptcy itself is a public record and stays on your credit report for 10 years, but as you will see from this article, this is not all bad.

A debtor interested in reestablishing credit after bankruptcy should obtain credit reports from the 3 largest credit

reporting agencies, (Experian,

Equifax, and Trans Union) and ensure that the account balances have all been zeroed out. If not, the debtor should contact the credit reporting agencies and ask that the record be corrected.

Credit reports can be obtained free, once a year, from the credit reporting agencies own sponsored website “Annualcreditreport.com”.

There are several methods of re-establishing credit. A debtor seeking to reestablish credit should apply at banks that specialize in offering credit cards to post bankruptcy customers. These can be found by searching on the internet. Many banks will offer a secured card program. This is usually a Visa or Master Card, where the customer is required to establish a savings account at the bank. The deposit into the savings account is used as security or collateral for the card. Typically, the limit on the card is based on the amount of collateral put up in the form of the savings account.

Often, the bank will have an annual fee.

The benefit of the secured card is that it provides a way forward to reestablishing your credit.

Other methods include buying a car from a local car dealer who advertises that it specializes in making car loans to persons with a recent bankruptcies. Also, a debtor with a personal relationship with someone at a local bank should not hesitate to seek assistance from that source.

Caution in Rebuilding Credit. Debtors emerging from bankruptcy should use their experience to avoid getting into the same financial traps, which snared them before.

All too often, this was the easy availability of unsecured credit in the form of unsolicited, pre-approved, credit cards. Debtors should take steps to budget properly, not spend beyond their means, and resist the temptation to incur debt beyond their reasonable ability to repay just for the purpose of re-establishing credit.

Avoid these so-called “credit repair” agencies. They are often simply unregulated rip-offs, who prey on the financiallydistressed, and do nothing more than what debtors can do themselves. Our office can show you how to repair and improve your credit yourself, through lawful and ethical means. You can do this yourself, by exercising your legal rights under the Federal Fair Credit Protection Act. Some debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. As a general rule, older income taxes (more than 3 years old) can be wiped out in bankruptcy; but newer income taxes (less than 3 years old) cannot. A debtor/employer can wipe out the employer’s portion of older, but not newer, payroll taxes. The discharge-ability of state and local taxes, such as sales and use taxes, will depend upon their true nature, i.e., whether they are excise or withholding taxes. The trust fund portion of payroll taxes is generally not dischargeable. Prior to filing bankruptcy, the debtor should have his own particular

tax situation assessed.

The Test for wiping out income taxes in bankruptcy include: The tax return was due more than 3 years prior to the filing The tax return was filed at least 2 years prior to the filing The tax has been assessed for at least 240 days prior to the filing The tax is not based on a fraudulent return There was no willful tax evasion by the debtor.

In Chapter 13, income taxes can be wiped out if the return was due more than 3 years prior to the filing, and was assessed at least 240 days prior to the filing. In some cases, the tax may be dischargeable even if not assessed prior to the filing.

Can Utility Debts Be Discharged in bankruptcy? Public utilities, such as the gas and electric company, are not permitted to discontinue service because of a bankruptcy filing. However, if the utility bill is included in the bankruptcy and not paid, then the utility has the right to demand that the debtor pay a deposit within 20 days to ensure the continuation of service. Sometimes, the requested deposit is several times the amount of the bill, so it often makes sense for a cash-strapped debtor to simply pay the bill. Utility bills for service arising after the bankruptcy filing is not included in the bankruptcy, and must be paid.

Does the Bankruptcy Code prohibit discrimination based on a bankruptcy filing?

The Bankruptcy Code contains an “antidiscrimination” provision, stating that government units and private employers may not discriminate against a person solely because that person has filed bankruptcy or was insolvent. Also, if a debtor has lost his driver’s license solely because of his inability to pay damages resulting from an accident, then a bankruptcy discharge will allow the debtor to get his license back.

As stated above, a bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years. However, you can still rebuild good credit getting a fico score above 700 in just a few years.

There are many companies that target people with bankruptcy discharges. Here are the reasons why: You cannot file a new bankruptcy and discharge debt again for 8 years.

New creditors are protected for 8 years.

You no longer have unsecured debts.

Your debt to income ratio has improved.

Credit card companies will charge higher rates, but it’s more money for them.

Yes, you will pay a higher price to reestablish credit, but that’s what it takes to make it back.

If you need help in managing debt, negotiating with creditors, modifying a home loan, rebuilding credit, or even making ends meet, give me a call. My consultations are free and I care. Let me help you.

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Grace Poe asked: Kaya mo ba o hindi?

MANILA, May 28 (Mabuhay) – Is Senator Grace Poe mentally prepared for the presidency in 2016?

This was the question posed by her colleague, Senator Sergio Osmeña III, who admitted that while Poe is indeed an “outstanding” senator, she still lacks experience. “That’s valid (that she lacks experience). It’s true. And she’s the first one to admit that,” Osmeña said.

He said Poe, a newbie senator, needs to ask herself if she has already mentally prepared herself to run for president in next year’s elections, stressing that a presidential bid is a “terrible ordeal.”

He said he does not want Poe to run for the country’s top post just because she is popular. Poe has been inching up in presidential preference surveys behind Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Has she prepared herself for the presidency? If she’s going to go up there just because she’s popular and then be manipulated by everybody around her,

I’d say, ‘Step back. Hindi mo pa kaya,’” Osmeña said. “’You got the brains. You got the EQ (emotional quotient). You connect very well with people, that’s why your popularity is high. But you have to be honest with your people: ‘Kaya mo ba o hindi?’ he added. According to Osmeña, if he were Poe, he would feel flattered to get an offer from Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to be his running mate in the 2016 presidential elections.

Osmeña, however, also noted that Roxas, the presumptive standard bearer of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), has been trailing behind in surveys.

“Baka sa isip ni Grace, ‘Eh hindi naman mananalo si Mar, eh di matatalo rin ako dito... Baka ako pa ang madisgrasya,’” he said. But to be fair to Roxas, Osmeña said, the interior and local government secretary still has opportunity to bring up his ratings.

“Many people in the Liberal Party are saying Mar can win,” he said.

He added that Roxas is a “pretty honest fellow” which voters will find “attractive.”

The biggest attribute of President Aquino that put him in the presidency back in 2010 was also honesty, the senator pointed out.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, the lone individual so far who has categorically declared intention to run for president in 2016, is facing several allegations of corruption, including accusations of hidden wealth.

Poe earlier said that she believes that the country’s next leader should not only be experienced but also honest. This, after Binay said that the Philippines cannot afford to have an inexperienced leader.

Meanwhile, Osmeña said the people should not discount the possibility of having a Poe-Duterte tandem in 2016, even if Poe has already expressed preference for Senator Francis Escudero.

Escudero was the campaign spokesperson for Poe’s father, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., when he ran for president

in the 2004 elections.

Osmeña said Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has shown political will. He is also very popular in Mindanao.

“He tends to be very free with his comments. He doesn’t mean a lot of those things... He likes to scare people,” the senator said. “He doesn’t really kill people. I’ve never seen him. Have you?”

Duterte recently admitted having links to the Davao Death Squad, which is allegedly responsible for summary executions of criminals in the city, but later backtracked and said he was referring to the Davao Development System (DDS).

“We need political leaders who have political will. And he’s going to be a very attractive candidate,” said Osmeña.

For now, Osmeña refused to reveal his pick for the 2016 presidential elections, saying many will still happen between today and the start of the election season.

“Maaga pa,” he said. “I’m leaning towards good government.” (MNS)

Binay camp: Why does Senate subcommittee recommend plunder?

MANILA, May 28 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay’s camp on Thursday questioned the recommendation of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee for the filing of plunder charges against the Vice President and 19 others over the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. VP Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado said the Ombudsman has already reviewed the case and thinks the Vice President can only be held liable for graft and malversation, and not plunder.

“We would like to remind the senators that a plunder complaint was filed last year by Mr. (Renato) Bondal over the same issue. The Ombudsman, after

review of the documents which the senators said they furnished the agency, asked the Mayor and city officials to comment on a finding of graft and malversation, not plunder,” he said, adding that the Ombudsman’s findings are baseless, too.

“We are confident that given a fair and impartial venue, these allegations will be dismissed.

[But], we do not see any impartiality in the Senate and in the Ombudsman,” said Salgado.

Moreover, he said they have been consistent in saying that there is no legal and factual basis for the charges against the Vice President and Mayor Junjun Binay.

“The purported report of the subcom-

mittee is based on perjured statements, outright lies and unfounded conclusions,” he said, and that the senators should instead answer how much they spent in the hearings.

“Ang dapat sagutin ng mga senador, magkano ang ginastos nila na pera ng taumbayan sa sampung buwan ng paninira sa pangalan ni Vice President Binay?”

Salgado said, “We are not surprised by the supposed recommendation. After 10 months and 21 one-sided hearings, the recommendation is actually anticlimactic.”

“D’yan naman patungo talaga ‘yan pero pinatagal lang ng husto ng mga senador para sa media exposure. Bago

pa man magsimula ang hearings ay may konklusyon na ang mga senador at ang ginawa nila sa loob ng 10 buwan at 21 hearings ay isang telenovela na napakasama ng pagkakasulat. Ang layunin lang nito ay siraan si Vice President Binay at ang kanyang pamilya.

“Katawa-tawa ito lalo na’t ang mga nang-uusig ay sangkot sa mga iregularidad sa PDAF at DAP, at overpricing sa kanilang mga proyekto. Ang mga nag-aakusa naman ay mga talunan sa eleksyon sa Makati na aminadong nangurakot.

Ito ay dahil kakandidatong presidente si Vice President Binay sa 2016,” he added. (MNS)

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US Court rejects appeal on immigration action Washington, United States (AFP) Tuesday 5/26/2015 – A US appeals court on Tuesday dealt another blow to President Barack Obama’s efforts to grant amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants.

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans rejected a request from the Obama administration that it lift an injunction barring it from carrying out a measure that would have protected some four million undocumented foreigners from deportation.

Obama had used an executive order in November to drive through measure, but in February, just before it was due to go into effect, a Texas judge issued an emergency injunction until a trial on its legality could be held.

Leading House Democrat Nancy Pelosi said the court’s decision to uphold the injunction was “a disappointing delay of a clear outcome.”

“Now is the time to restore fairness to our immigration system and honor the best traditions of our country by passing comprehensive immigration reform,” Pelosi said in a statement.

But House Speaker John Boehner hailed the decision, and said Obama did not have the authority to issue the executive order in the first place.

“House Republicans are leading the fight to rein in President Obama’s executive overreach and uphold our Constitution, and we will continue to follow this case closely,” he said in a statement.

No fewer than 26 states – all but two Republican – had pressed the Texas judge to intervene following Obama’s executive action, claiming he had acted unlawfully.

Obama’s proposed program would pro-

tect undocumented immigrants who have not committed crimes and have children who are American citizens or residents.

The White House claims having immigration authorities police millions of law-abiding undocumented immigrants distracts them from more pressing threats to national security.

At least 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States.

Meanwhile, The United States has indicted 15 people from China with fraud and conspiracy over a four-year scam to fake entry tests into American universities in what campaigners warn is a wider problem.

Attorney David Hickton for the western district of Pennsylvania unsealed the 35-count indictment against the suspects, of whom seven men and five women aged 19 to 26 were identified on Thursday.

Ten of the suspects are resident in the United States in Boston, Pittsburgh, California, Wisconsin, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts. So far only one, in Massachusetts, has been arrested.

Arrest summons have been issued for the other nine and the other two are in China, Hickton said.

The indictment lifts the lid on an elaborate cheating scam that saw prospective students pay others up to $6,000 to take a test on their behalf using a fake passport mailed from China.

Contact was made over the Internet via messaging services, photographs solicited for fake passports, which were made in China and delivered by mail or DHL courier to the test takers in the US. The defendants – who include test sitters and beneficiaries – were indicted by a grand jury in the city of Pittsburgh.

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40-member party-list bloc defers making a stand on BBL MANILA, May 28 (Mabuhay) – The 40-member coalition of party-list lawmakers in the House of Representatives will await the termination of plenary debates on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before making a stand on the measure.

This way, they said, they will have time to hear the opinion of their colleagues in the majority bloc.

The administration-allied coalition, led by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, said its members unanimously decided to defer making a decision on whether or not to support the BBL so it can be scrutinized in greater detail.

“As such, we have decided not to decide on the sole basis that we belong to the majority coalition, which is pushing for the passage of an administration bill,” Batocabe said in a statement.

“Rather, we have unanimously agreed that we should decide based on a wellinformed and prudent exercise of discretion with no master but our conscience and the interests of our constituents,” he added.

Batocabe vowed that he and his colleagues in the party-list bloc will actively participate in the plenary debates, which are set to begin on June 1, so they can gain more knowledge about the Bangsamoro bill.

“We shall probe, analyze, and dissect the BBL so we will be able to understand the measure better and come up with an objective, balanced and fair decision,” he said.

The Bangsamoro bill, now called the proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, seeks to formalize the establishment of a new political entity that will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It was approved by the House ad hoc panel on May 20.

Gov’t peace negotiators with MILF face treason raps MANILA, May 28 (Mabuhay) – Lawmakers on Thursday filed treason and sedition charges against members of the government panel over the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

BUHAY party-list, led by Rep. Lito Atienza, filed treason and inciting to sedition charges against members of the government peace panel before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for giving in “to all the demands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).” Atienza said the peace panel’s action has “put the entire nation in a dilemma. Buhay Party-list stands for peace - but it should be achieved in accordance with the Constitution.”

Included in the complaint are govern-

ment peace panel chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and even former government peace panel chair and now Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen.

“The acts of the Respondents, in executing the Framework Agreement and in proposing the BBL, also effectively aided the MILF armed forces to successfully assert their existence as a separate and independent state. Therefore, the Respondents must be held liable for the crime of treason,” the complaint reads.

The group said the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro only favored the MILF, forgetting the rights of other stakeholders in Mindanao such as the indigenous peoples.

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Insurance commissioner oks coverage for UberX, Lyft, other ride-sharing services In a recent announcement made by Insurance Commisioner Dave Jones recently, consumer protection is key in implementing the newly-approved insurance coverage submitted by Farmers Insurance to cover drivers of ride-sharing companies such as UberX, Lyft, Sidecar and other ride-sharing services. The announcement was made by Commissioner Jones, along with Jeff Dailey. CEO of Farmers Insurance who stressed that this coverage will be available to consumers starting May 28, 2015 “through its thousands of Farmers agents across the state.”

Commissioner Jones further said that “closing the insurance gaps in ride - hailing coverage is essential to making sure passengers, other drivers and pedestrians are protected when ride-hailing vehicles are on the road. I’m pleased to see Farmers, one of California’s major insurers, offer a product that closes the coverage gap.”

The increase in demand of these ride – hailing services is “evidenced by the exponential growth from 2014, when Lyft reported averaging 2.2 million rides per

month and Uber nearly 12 million.” On the other hand, Lyft reports “averaging 2.5 million and Uber 30 million rides monthly.

Even the business community is embracing the services, noting a 20 percent increase in ride – hailing use from first quarter in 2014 to the same quarter in 2015.”

Mr. Dailey of Farmers Insurance explained that “the new product covers period one, which begins once a driver turns on the ride - hailing application and is awaiting a match. Periods two and three includes the match and transport period, which are covered by the ride – hailing company’s insurance. This new policy enables the drivers to select coverage that fit their needs, including comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage. Including Farmer’s ride - hailing coverage to a driver’s policy will add 8 percent to a customer’s premium.”.

Finally, Mr. Dalley said: we want to thank Commissioner Dave Jones and his team for their leadership in helping to make this important new coverage available to

To close the gap in insurance coverage, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones (fifth from left) and Farmers Group, Inc. CEO Jeff Dailey (fourth from left) announced a new Farmers Insurance product to help protect drivers driving for ride-hailing companies. The new policy enables drivers to select coverages that fit their needs, including comprehensive and collision coverages, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages and medical payments coverage.

California drivers. As a California - based company, Farmers is proud to be the first major insurer to offer rideshare coverage to consumers in the state. We recognize the sharing will continue to have a long lasting

effect on our state and we are committed to continue to work with the commissioner and the entire department on innovative solutions for the benefit of California consumers.” (Myrna Aquitania)

SAN BEDA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDUCTION The San Beda College Alumni Association of Southern California (SBCAASC) recently held their 33rd Annual Red and White Dinner Dance/Induction of Officers and Board Members at Quiet Cannon Conference and Event Center in Montebello, CA. The successful formal event was well attended by Bedan Alumni and friends of the association. The event promotes fellowship, camaraderie and reconnection with the Bedan community while preserving the idealism and goals of the association. Proceeds from the event and future fundraising events will benefit the SBCAASC Scholarship Program headed

by Willie Navarro. Major sponsors during the festivities, included The Miss Philippines USA Beauty Pageant Organization with Ms. Lou Razon, Executive Producer, together with Samantha Antonio, Ms. Philippines USA Ambassador.

Recipients of the SBCAASC Alumni Awards included Willie Navarro and Rey SJ Santos for their outstanding leadership and service. In photo (front row, from left) Jamie Bacani, Louie Onrubia, Rico Lagman, Erwin Canela, Raffy Constantino, Chato Cacho, Jay Viloria, Willie Navarro, Ramon Constantino, Nitoy Ongcapin,Vic Martires, Ed Querubin, (second row) Herbert Wenceslao, Dr. Joe Mari Makalinao, Macky deJoya, Rey Santos, (third row) Pol Varquez, Alan Berbano, Vic Zamora, Atty. Deion Santos, Rico Roy Guaring and Ramil Delos Santos. San Beda remains one of the most prestigious Catholic schools in the Philippines. Established in 1901 by monks of the Ordo Sancti Benedicti (OSB) or Order of St. Benedict, also known as the Benedictines, its founder, Benedict, was born in the Umbrian town of Nursia, near Spoleto, Italy, in the waning years of the Roman Empire, AD 480.

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Senior opts for Chapter 7 to discharge $50k credit cards Court allows postpetition creditor client to deny discharge of debtor Client No. 1 Client is 74. She was married to her husband for 30 years. Husband was a lot older than her when they got married but it was a fairytale marriage. Husband was a good man who loved her so. They met each other in their country of origin. He was 50. She was 20. They met in a family party. Despite the age difference, they fell in love with each other, the classical May-December couple. Since he was an American and she was a foreigner whose lifelong desire was to set foot in America, they got married abroad, and in less than 3 months, they started their marriage and family life in California. She found her Prince Charming, though a little older than what she had envisioned, and she realized her lifelong dream of living in America. Soon thereafter, their son was born, and they became a typical American family living in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Later, she also landed her dream job, working as an accountant in a large company. Her pay was good. She was making $70K a year with full benefits.

But all good things come to an end.

Because of the age difference, her husband died of a massive stroke at the age of 80.

She misses him so. They never argued in 30 years of marriage! Now, that is really something. I guess it’s true that older men make better husbands? And he let her do whatever and go wherever she wanted to.

She thanks the Almighty for blessing her with such a good man! In any event, client retired 8 years ago at 66. Her current income consists of a pension and social security with a combined total of $4,000 a month. It is good retirement income. The problem is that she still has $50K of credit card debts. These require a minimum of $1,500 a month just to keep them current.

6 months ago, she signed up for debt settlement, paying the business, $700 a month.

With $4K a month of retirement income, even the $700 a month for debt settlement is a hard squeeze. Her rent is $1,200. That leaves her $2,800 for every other monthly necessity. She figured she already paid $150K to the credit card companies in the last 8 years, but she still owes the same

SC urged to rule en banc on Boni South Pointe row MANILA, May 28 (Mabuhay) – The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is asking the Supreme Court (SC) to rule En Banc on the case involving the 33.1-hectare Bonifacio South Pointe property in Taguig.

BCDA has filed a second motion for reconsideration, challenging the final decision of the SC Special Third Division by asking the SC to rule En Banc on BCDA’s right to terminate a “Swiss challenge� based on an unsolicited proposal by SM Land Inc. for the prime lot.

The SC decision stemmed from the petition lodged by SM Land seeking the nullification of the BCDA’s notice of termination of the Swiss challenge. “We are merely exhausting our legal options as we stand firm on our resolve that a competitive bidding will generate more income for the government,� BCDA president and chief executive Arnel Casanova said. Casanova argued that it was President Aquino who instructed the BCDA to terminate the competitive challenge and instead subject the privatization and development of the Bonifacio South Pointe property to open competitive bidding.

principal of $50K. It’s just too much. At the very least, with $150K paid, she should owe nothing by now. Sadly, after having paid $150K, she still owes the same $50K! So at 74, she decides to get rid of the $50K credit cards with a Chapter 7 petition, which she should have done 8 years ago. $1,500 a month to pay credit cards at 74 is just not feasible by any standard of calculation. She would have $150K in savings now, giving her maybe a 5% returns in dividends and bond income of $750 a month.

That extra $750 gives her security and will allow her to travel more since she is still perfectly healthy. But she says she needs to stay home to do what? You guessed it, to take care of her grandchildren!

Client No. 2 Client is 60. In 2012, she purchased round-trip tickets for her family because her son was getting married abroad. She paid cash of $10K for all the tickets to an agent. I have to tell you, this is a strange case. Agent did not use the $10K to buy the tickets. I don’t know what happened to the money but client ended up buying another set of tickets for another $10K from another source. The family is able to attend the wedding but at double the cost.

So, naturally this circumstance caused the family a lot of grief, because even the bride and groom had to pay double for their tickets. I mean, what a way to start your married life by getting defrauded out of your hard-earned money. When client returns to California, she asks agent to refund what she paid since the tickets were never issued. Client then files a small claims case to recover the $10K. Client gets a judgment in her favor at the limit of small claims.

Before the trial, client attends somebody else’s trial similar to hers. Same situation, another person who paid for airline tickets but never got them from same agent. In the hallway, agent tells client that she is filing for bankruptcy such that client will be subject to the bankruptcy stay which prohibits creditors from further collection efforts.

Client receives a letter from agent’s bankruptcy lawyer saying that client has filed a bankruptcy and that client is subject to the bankruptcy automatic stay and that continued collection efforts may lead to penalties against her for violation of the stay. So client does nothing more for 3 years, until last month when she receives a court notice saying that agent has completed her Chapter 13 and now seeks a discharge. Then client comes to see me and presents her situation. When I read the bankruptcy documents, nothing makes sense. The dates don’t make sense at all.

It appears that agent filed Chapter 13 in 2009. But client bought the tickets in 2012.

It is unclear why agent advised client that she was going to file bankruptcy when in fact she was already in bankruptcy 3 years before client bought the tickets. Even the lawyer’s letter didn’t make any sense.

Bankruptcy covers all debts before filing.

It does not cover new debts, which occur after filing. Something smells really fishy.

We filed a motion to object to discharge based on intentional fraud, and to have the court determine that client’s debt is postpetition, or occurred after filing, therefore even if a discharge is entered, client’s debt is not covered by the discharge. Hearing was held this morning and fortunately for client, the court stated that her claim is post-filing, not covered by discharge. The court went one step further and decided

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to deny discharge to agent. It’s sad for me to say that there was clear abuse of bankruptcy law to defraud client and 40 other claimants similarly situated. All these people paid cash for airline tickets that were never issued, and all of them mistakenly think to this day that their claims were stayed or barred by bankruptcy. I wish it did not have to happen this way. But the evidence was so clear and overwhelming that the court took the further step of denying agent discharge. “SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER WITH PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS. SING AND MAKE MUSIC IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD, ALWAYS GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER FOR EVERYTHING, IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.� – Ephesians 5:19.

Lawrence Bautista Yang is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been in law practice for thirty years.

He specializes in bankruptcy, business and civil litigation and has handled more than five thousand successful bankruptcy cases in California. He speaks Tagalog and looks forward to discussing your case with you personally. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S Fremont Ave, MAILSTOP 58, Building A-1 SUITE 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 OR at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

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Assemblywoman Young Kim leads in honoring Asian American Trailblazers Assemblywoman Young Kim of the 65th California Assembly District and California’s highest ranking Korean American led in honoring two of her compatriots as community trailblazers at fitting ceremony coinciding with this month’s celebration of Asian Heritage Month at the Buena Park Community Center last May 23.

Honored were Dr. Sammy Lee and Dr. Sora Park Tanjasiri, who according to the legislator hosting event for the first time

since being elected, “are two people who haven’t followed the path cancer detection and survivorship. that other people had walked, but where Tanjasiri’s research has generated there was no path and paved the way for more than $15 million in funding from the next generation to walk on”. federal, state and local agencies.

The event marked only the start of an The Buena Park celebration was one annual tribute which the congresswoman of the many sponsored events by various said she would pursue in the coming Orange County associations to comyears. memorate May as the Asian and Pacific Lee is a two-time Olympic gold med- Islander American Heritage Month to alist in diving (1948 and 1952) and the highlight and recognize the contribufirst Asian American to win an Olympic tions and diversity of Asian Americans gold medal for the United States. He is in the U.S. also the first man to win back-to-back There are more than 5.8 million Asian gold medals in Olympic platform diving and Pacific Islanders who consider and was inducted into the US Olympic California as their second home which Hall of Fame in 1990. represents more 16 percent of the State’s After receiving his M.D. in 1947 from population. the University of Southern California Not only has the group grown in School Of Medicine, Lee went on to serve number, it has also made its presence in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Korea felt in other areas. California’s has more from 1953–55, where he specialized in API residents than any other state in the the diseases of the ear. nation and also own nearly 15 percent of The other honoree, Tanjasiri, is a businesses in the state.

Professor in the Department of Health API Californians have made incredScience at the California State Univer- ible contributions to California as farmsity, Fullerton who was recently awarded ers, small business owners, civil rights the Wang Family Excellence Award by leaders, military service members, educathe California State University for “her tors, and innovators. extraordinary commitment to student There are now 12 API members of the achievement and exemplary contribu- California Legislature. The 65th Congrestions in her field”. sional District alone which includes AnaTanjasiri is working with the Asian heim, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, Pacific Islander community to reduce La Palma and Stanton is home to a very cancer health disparities, and includes diverse API community comprising 20 research in tobacco prevention, early percent of the total population.

Asian Americans Honored: Congresswoman Young Kim’s office hosted awards ceremony to recognize Asian American “Trailblazers” Drs. Sammy Lee and Sora Park Tanjasiri at the Buena Park Community City. In photo, (from L-R) are Buena Park Mayor Art Brown, Congressman Ed Royce of the 39th Congressional District, Civic Leader Atty. Linda Sarno and Assemblywoman Young Kim.

Aquino swears in 50 newlyappointed AFP officers MANILA, May 27 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday swore in 50 newly-appointed generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Aquino, the AFP’s commander-in-chief, administered the oath to the military officers during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace’s Rizal Hall at past 10 a.m.

AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang and presidential adviser on military affairs Sec. Danilo Cortez were also present during the event.

Leading those who took their oaths before the President were Western Luzon Command commander Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, Central Command commander Lt. Gen. Nicanor M. Vivar and Eastern Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad.

Aside from being WESCOM chief, Lopez was appointed as the executive director of this year’s Balikatan Exercises, the joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines, held last April.

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Is money stress making your life miserable?

Are your finances stressing you out? For a lot of people, financial concerns can be their number one cause of stress.

We are living in difficult financial times and a lot of people are worried about how they can get by from month to month.

But worrying doesn’t really solve anything. If you feel that your finances are out of whack, it’s time to take charge and to hold yourself accountable for the results. Sure, there are certain things financial storms will come. Let me ask you that are beyond your control. But unless this: How prepared are you financially you take responsibility for where you are, should there be even just a temporary disyou will remain powerless to change any- ruption in your income? I understand how thing in your life. hard it may be for you to save money when Here are two steps that may help you you don’t even have enough money to pay reduce your money stress: your bills. Maybe you can’t even make the (1) Be prepared: You can’t spend more minimum payments on your credit cards, than you earn and then complain how let alone put aside a couple of hundred unfair it is that there is never enough no dollars a month in savings. matter how hard you work. Keep in mind I see a lot of people who have monthly that life happens to all of us and financial automatic savings deductions from their challenges will always come, sometimes paycheck that go into a designated bank when you least expect them. I think the key account. However, before next paycheck, to surviving the tough financial times is to they withdraw the money from their savalways be prepared for them. ings account anyway because they are alAs I tell my clients all the time, it is not ways short and they wouldn’t have enough a matter of “if”; it’s a matter of “when” the to cover all their bills. So although they are

Osmeña’s fear of bribery in Senate over BBL baseless – Drilon MANILA, May 27 (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon dismissed as mere speculation and baseless the statement of Senator Sergio Osmeña III that pork barrel funds could be dangled before senators when President Benigno Aquino III meets with them to discuss the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. “Iyong mga kuru-kuro na baka daw magkalagayan ay talagang mga ispekulasyon lang po na wala pong basehan sa ating usapin,”

Drilon said in a radio interview Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Osmeña said that he has no plans of attending the meeting – if there will be one – that could possibly put him in bad light, like what happened after a meeting during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The senator from Cebu said some senators were accused of receiving additional funds in exchange for their vote against the ousted chief justice.

doing their best to save, the automatic paycheck deduction becomes a futile exercise.

(2) Think before you act: The decisions you make today can impact your life not only in the months to come but possibly in the years to come. Before spending your hard-earned money on anything, or before you buy anything on credit, ask yourself these questions: Do I really need it? How much am I willing to sacrifice in order to make this purchase and what will be the impact on my overall financial health?

See, a lot of people spend their money mindlessly without thinking of the longterm consequences of their actions. If you make the wrong move, you and your family can suffer in ways that you can’t imagine.

Don’t set yourself up for a lifetime of fi-

nancial hardship by making rash decisions that can only put you in a deeper financial hole that you’re already in.

If you’re struggling with debt problems and would like to figure out all available options to get your finances back in order, let me help you. Call Toll-Free 1-866-4777772 to schedule a consultation with me.

We have offices in Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia.

(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL- FREE 1-866477-7772).

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The proposal from two administrative law judges that is before the commission would bring customers back to a two-tier rate structure like before the energy crisis. Under the commission judges’ proposed decision, the more electricity that customers use, the higher the price they would pay, but high-usage customers would no longer shoulder nearly all the last decade’s cost increases.

Public Utilities Commission has option to fix broken residential rate structure An alternate proposed decision would continue unfair rates

By Lauren Bartlett Southern California Edison

May 26, 2015 – Residential customers living in high-temperature areas would receive long-overdue relief from punitive high electric rates under a proposed decision that is being considered by the California Public Utilities Commission, but an alternate would continue unfair rates for those customers.

“High-usage customers who have little alternative to using air conditioning have been burdened with paying a disproportionate share of electric costs due to an unfair sharing of costs by low-usage customers for nearly 14 years since the energy crisis of 2001,” said Russ Garwacki, Southern California Edison (SCE) director of Pricing, Design and Research.

“As costs of electric service have increased since 2001, customers who use air conditioning in hotter areas of California and those who have larger families have shouldered nearly all of those increases,” Garwacki said.

The proposal from two administrative law judges that is before the commission would bring customers back to a twotier rate structure like before the energy crisis. Under the commission judges’ proposed decision, the more electricity that customers use, the higher the price they would pay, but high-usage customers would no longer shoulder nearly all the last decade’s cost increases.

Commissioner Mike Florio issued an alternative to the proposed decision on Friday that would continue unfair rates to those who need air conditioning during the summer. His proposed rates are similar to the crisis rates implemented in 2001.

The current four-rate tiers often result in summer bill spikes, punishing customers for using air conditioning during heat waves. Those customers with larger families, or who live in areas where high summer temperatures last four or more months per year are particularly penalized. A significant number of these customers are low- to moderate-income families with children or seniors on a fixed income.

Two administrative law judges worked through thousands of pages of evidence

and heard two dozen witnesses during three weeks of hearings before issuing their proposed decision. SCE had proposed a two-tier rate structure, similar to that recommended in the judges’ proposed decision.

“The commission and the parties all recognize there is problem with the current rate structure and believe it is broken,” Garwacki said. “It’s a question of the degree of change. This alternative decision released Friday does not go far enough. The proposal from the judges positions us for a future that would be fairer to customers.”

Protections for low-income customers would remain in what is known as the CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) program. Nearly one-third of SCE’s customers are on the low-income rate where rates are discounted by about one-third.

SCE also had requested a fixed charge of up to $10 for non-CARE customers and $5 for CARE customers. The proposed decision would allow SCE to propose a fixed charge beginning in 2019, at the end of the four-year period for phasing in the two tiers. The amounts for a fixed charge would be considered in 2018.

“The fixed charge would help pay for the power network we all rely on, regardless of how much energy each customer uses,” Garwacki said. “The fixed charge would be offset by lower energy charges on customers’ bills.”

“If the administrative law judges’ proposal is a fix to the current problem, Commissioner Florio’s alternate decision delays by years the relief customers deserve from the high rate tiers and only would implement a watered down solution that falls far short of fairness for our customers,” Garwacki said. “The alternate proposed decision would essentially maintain the status quo where summer bill spikes that penalize customers for using air conditioning during heat waves would continue.”

Adopting a new residential rate structure won’t result in a change in the overall amount of money SCE collects or the profit it makes; the issue is allocating costs fairly among customers.

Customers are encouraged to learn about how and when to use energy by going to: on.sce.com/ratechange.

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Grounds for annulling a marriage Most couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce. There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided� rather than “dissolved.� There is a big difference between the two concepts. With a voided marriage, it restores the couple to status of unmarried person as if they have never been married before. In a divorce, the couple would always be regarded to

as married during the period of the marriage. to be living for 5 years prior to the second Unlike Divorce which can be ob- marriage or if the party believed the spouse tained regardless of the reason. Voiding to be dead at the time of the second mara marriage may only be obtained based riage. A Nullity based on this ground may on certain grounds. It is void in cases be filed during the life of the other party. of incest and bigamy. It is voidable in A marriage may be voided if either party cases of minority, Unsound Mind, Fraud, was of unsound mind at the time of the Force, or Physical Incapacity. Marriages marriage. Unsound Mind means a person between parents, children, ancestors and is incapable of understanding the nature of descendants, brothers and sisters, half the marriage contract and the duties and brothers and sisters, uncles and nieces, responsibilities it creates which depends on and aunts and nephews are incestuous the degree of mental capacity of the party. and are void from the beginning. So are This may not be a ground if the party later bigamist marriages where either party was on came to reason yet continued to freely still married to another person when they cohabitate with the spouse. entered the marriage. Nevertheless, it is Fraud is another ground for voiding best to obtain a Nullity Judgment to clarify a marriage. The false representation or the legal status of the parties under these concealment must relate to a substantive circumstances. matter and directly affect the purpose of Certain situations does not necessarily the party deceived in entering the marriage. make a marriage void but makes it voidable The fraud must go to the very essence of on the parties option. One such circum- the marital relation before it is sufficient for stance is when the petitioner was under 18 an annulment. It is not sufficient simply years old when the petitioner married and to contend that your spouse turned out to the parents did not provide their consent. be a lazy, drunken disappointment. Nullity The Nullity petition based on this ground based on fraud has to be filed within four has to be filed within four years after the years of discovering the fraud. party turns 18. The parent of the minor Certain marriages that are entered into may also file the Petition provided it is by force are voidable. Circumstances filed prior to the minor turning 18. Another that meet these standards requires that the situation is a bigamist marriage where the forced party’s free will to have been overfirst spouse has been absent and not known come by the spouse such as through the

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use of threats. These type of Nullity must be filed within four years from the date of marriage. A marriage where the spouse was found to be incapable of physically engaging in copulation may be voided. It can only be filed by the spouse that does not have the physical incapacity and must be filed within four years of the marriage.

Before deciding weather a divorce is the appropriate avenue to end your marriage, parties should evaluate if a Nullity is a viable alternative and weather it serves their best interest.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration.

He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com. Visit our website at kenreyeslaw.com.

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Voter IDs for registered Filipinos now at the Consulate The Consulate wishes to inform voters who filed their applications for voter registration from 2009 to 2012, that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has issued their Voter ID. They may personally (or through their authorized representative) claim their IDs at the Overseas Voter Registration window (Window 2) of the Philippine Consulate General. You can check the list provided by the COMELEC by clicking on this link: http://www.philippineconsulatela.org.

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FINISH TERM From page 1

Poe’s father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., ran against Arroyo but lost in the 2004 polls, which was marred by allegations of widespread fraud. “If Senator Poe runs with the LP, she would running with people who tormented and cheated her late father,” said Bautista. Bautista said the people who helped in FPJ’s campaign are now with the Vice President.

“Perhaps that’s one of the reasons the

MAR ROXAS From page 1

BAN ANIMAL TESTING

ng mgandang nasimulan na ni Pangulong PNoy dito sa daang matuwid.”

“Of course, naghahanap tayo ng mga kakampi, mga magiging kasama sa pagpapatuloy nito,” Roxas said.

In an interview with reporters Wednesday, Poe said Roxas made the offer when they met by chance in a restaurant last week.“Si Secretary Roxas, mas malinaw na sa akin ngayon ang kanyang pakay.

Nabanggit niya nung nagkita kami na mas magandang magkasama kami,” she said.

The neophyte senator, however, refused to provide more details regarding the

Vice President felt that if Senator Grace Poe would run, the most natural people for her to go with would be those people who helped her father,” he said.

“Who was the general campaign manager of FPJ? None other than Vice President Jojo Binay,” Bautista added. “Who fought for FPJ in the halls of Congress when he was being cheated by the Lakas majority at the time who turned Liberal?”(MNS)

chance meeting. Neither Poe nor Roxas has yet to categorically state their plans for 2016 despite the clamor from their supporters and, in Poe’s case, high ratings in surveys. Poe said she will weigh in many factors in considering Roxas’ offer.

“Sinabi ko na hindi naman porke pagkakaibigan lamang, kailangan ay may pareho kayong pananaw sa bagay-bagay at sa isa’t isa bago kayo magkaroon ng desisyon sa ganyan,” she said.

Poe noted that she and Roxas have similar views on continuing to fulfill the Aquino administration’s “tuwid na daan” (straight path) promise and fighting corruption, although those are not the only things that must be considered.

CHAOS IN ASIA From page 1

of the South China Sea, including waters far from the Chinese mainland and near the coasts of the Philippines, Vietnam and other Asian neighbours.

The Chinese military last week ordered a US Navy P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane to leave an area above the disputed Spratly islands. But the American aircraft ignored the demand and said it was flying in what US officials consider international airspace. Hua told Washington to “refrain from all the provocative words and deeds”.

“A few countries keep stirring up troubles in the South China Sea for (their) own selfish gains and provoking China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, while there are some other people who incite them to do so,” she added.

IRONCLAD From page 1

The heavy weapons, since removed, posed no security threat but their positioning – within range of territory claimed

by Vietnam – underscored Washington’s concerns that China is pursuing a massive island-building project for military purposes, officials said.

The two motorized artillery pieces were spotted on a manmade feature about a month ago in the Spratly Islands region, a defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP, citing surveillance imagery.

It is the first time that China has been accused of deploying artillery or other weaponry on their manmade islands in the area. “We can confirm we have identified some weapons on one of these reclaimed Chinese islands,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters.

“The militarization of these islands is something we’re opposed to.”

China and the United States have been engaged in an escalating war of words over the South China Sea, where Beijing has rapidly built up reefs over about 2,000 acres (800 hectares) – including 1,500 acres just since January.

The construction includes outposts that could be used for surveillance systems, harbors, an airfield and logistics support, according to a recent Pentagon report on China’s military.

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How to get your offer to buy a house accepted in a seller’s market

If you’re still waiting to see the California housing bottom out, you may have to wait longer. There is a unequal ratio of buyers and sellers. Now, there are much more buyers than sellers. That is why 10 out of 10 buyers are all experiencing this similar scenario of getting their offers rejected by most sellers.

I am assessing that we now have less than half of the inventory that we had for sale at this same time last year ! And since lower inventories usually create increased competition, much of the California area is starting to feel like a seller’s market again. I would probably cash and provide proof of the funds you’ll use. think this is going on nationwide.

8. If you feel confident in the price you’re So, what’s a buyer to do in this shifting offering, waive the appraisal contingency. market? There are thousands of lists of home This will mean, if the home appraises for less buying tips available across the internet, but than the purchase price, you’ll make up the remember, every market is different. Here difference in cash. below is a list I put together specifically for 9. Add an “escalation clause” to your offer California home buyers. No, they won’t ensure that outbids any other offer up to a given price. every offer you ever make will be accepted, For example, “Buyer will pay $2000.00 over but talk with your agent about them and see if any offer up to $400,000.” Your agent should one or several of them could help your offer check with his/her broker for a recommendastand out. tion on the specific language to use before Ways to Get Your Offer to Buy a House doing this and then require a copy of the next Accepted in a Seller’s Market highest offer the seller received.

1. Make your offer as “clean” as possible.

10. Offer to forfeit your earnest money to Don’t ask the seller to pay for your home war- the seller if you cancel the purchase contract ranty, and the homeowner’s association’s trans- after the inspection period. fer fees, and your lender’s fees, etc. Meaning 11. Make a larger down payment than what don’t ask for any credit, if you have to get is required for your loan program. For excredit, better factor this into your sale price. ample, put 5% down on your FHA loan, rather 2. Don’t ask the seller for their personal than the minimum requirement of 3.5%. Again, property (refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.) this shows the seller that you are financially 3. Ask your agent to find out what’s im- strong, but more importantly, by making a portant to the seller (price, terms, closing larger down payment, you’ll finance less, and date, etc.) and then craft your offer around save more money over the long term. this information.

12. Offer to buy the home in as-is condition.

4. The typical inspection period is 10 days Signing an As Is Addendum doesn’t mean you long. Consider shortening the inspection pe- can’t have the home inspected. Here in CA, riod to five or seven days. you can still get a home inspection, cancel the 5. You may have to offer more than the list contract, and get your earnest money back if price. For Sure! you find something wrong with the home and 6. A typical earnest deposit is 3% of the notify the seller during your inspection period. purchase price. Give the seller more than this 13. Agree to open escrow with the listing to show you’re financially strong and serious agent’s preferred title company. about buying the home.

14. Agree to get pre-qualified with the list7. If you can afford to do this, offer to pay ing agent’s preferred lender. This doesn’t mean

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you have to finance the home with the listing agent’s preferred lender. It will just reassure the sellers that you really are qualified to purchase their home.

15. Write a letter explaining why you chose the seller’s home and why you want to live there. You may even include a photo of your family, if you feel comfortable doing this.

16. If your bid on the home isn’t accepted, have your agent ask the listing agent if the seller wants to hold your offer as a back-up offer.

17. Make sure you’ve provided all of the required documents with your initial offer. If a seller receives multiple offers, one of the first things he/she often does is throw out the sloppy and incomplete offers.

18. Make sure your Pre-Approval letter from your lender is thorough and detailed with your credit scores, debt to income ratios, funds verified and employment status. If you can

do a DU (Delegated Underwriters) approval if needed.

If your putting in a smaller down payment on a house and competing with cash buyers, I suggest for you to look for home that had been in the market for over 30 days, new listings priced right will be over bided by cash buyers, they will usually get the property. So, for FHA buyers or 5-10% down buyers, you have to change your strategy as far as how you pick your homes.

I suspect that going into summer, we might see more listing but the way things are it might not be a downpour of homes coming up for sale.

Thanks for your very interested comments about how to get your offer accepted now a days. Please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048 or write to Kennethgo@verizon.net.

Good luck and happy home buying!

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OPINION

Senator Drilon: Next leader should have integrity

MANILA, May 26 (Mabuhay) – Without naming names, Senate President Franklin Drilon said Tuesday that integrity is the most important characteristic voters should look for in choosing the country’s next leader.

“Sa akin po ay pinakaimportante ang integridad sa ihahalal natin na lider ng bansa. Dahilan po sa kung hindi maganda ang record, ay uulitin po ito kapag nahalal na sa puwesto,” Drilon said in a radio interview.

He urged the public to scrutinize the candidates and not be swayed by their speeches.

Drilon is vice chairman of the administration’s Liberal Party.

“Huwag po tayo magpadala sa mga salita ng kung sinu-sino, kundi ay tignan natin ng husto ‘yung mga humaharap na kandidato at tignan natin ang kanilang integridad,” he said.

He said it is important for the voters to be wise in choosing their candidate to ensure that the reforms initiated by the Aquino administration will continue.

“Alam niyo po aking mga kababayan ay malaki ang halaga ng 2016 dahil ipagpapatuloy ang mga reporma na nakamit nga kasalukuyang administrasyon,” he said.

Asked who will be the standard bearer of LP, Drilon said it would be up to the President but many of their members prefer that it not be an outsider “Marami naman kaming mga kasamahan na maaaring iharap sa taumbayan bilang kandidato. Preferably, ‘yan po ay manggagaling sa aming hanay, pero ayan po ay nakasalalay kay Pangulong Noynoy Aquino bilang lider ng bansa at chairman ng aming partido. Siya ay may kalayaaang magkonsulta sa ano mang sector sa sino po ang kanyang dapat suportahan sa 2016,” he said.(MNS)

OC Asian advocates disappointed by court’s rejection of immigration appeal WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is disappointed with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling that continues the denial of relief for immigrant communities by blocking the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program.

In February, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas ruled in favor of stopping the expansion of the DACA and DAPA programs.

Following this ruling, the Administration requested an expedited appeal of a stay on the ruling which was denied yesterday by the Fifth Circuit Court, meaning that the ruling stands and that the expansion of both programs are currently on standby.

“This ruling comes as a huge disappointment to us, as it leaves over 400,000 Asian Pacific Islander undocumented individuals in fear of deportation”, said Ken Lee, OCA’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is inhumane to force families to suffer living under the threat of being ripped apart through the deportation of family members.

This denial of a stay on Judge Hanen’s ruling will cause considerable anguish for many families who were hopeful that DACA and DAPA would provide a fair and just means of legitimately remaining in the Country they know and love while eliminating the threat of deportation.”

“Our nation was founded on principles which valued protection of the weakest and most vulnerable in our society.

Dutch immigrant kids take to street demanding ‘white’ classmates

By Charlotte Van Ouwerkerk

Amsterdam, Netherlands (AFP) Friday 5/22/2015 – Faced with an increasingly segregated education system, Dutch immigrant children have taken to the streets of their ethnically mixed Amsterdam neighborhood seeking “white” pupils to attend their schools and help their integration.

Around 100 schoolchildren – Arabs, Turks, Africans, Moroccans – accompanied by their parents and teachers, wore provocative dazzling white T-shirts emblazoned with “Is this white enough for you?”.

Dutch native Annelies, 10, and immigrants’ daughter Aminata, 11, have been friends since kindergarten and are also wearing the shirts, which have “All children have the right to integrate” written on the back.

They “want more white children in the school to learn about each other’s cultures,” said Aminata, her smiling face framed by dangling African braids during Friday’s protest.

“It’s important for later,” said the blonde-haired Annelies. “When we’re grown up we will have to deal with different cultures, we should already start learning to live together.”

“At the moment there’s only one boy in our class who is 100 percent Dutch, although we live in a mixed neighborhood, it’s ridiculous,” she said.

The pupils’ two schools - De Avonturijn and Catharinaschool – are considered “black” in this ethnically mixed southern Amsterdam neighborhood, as more than 90 percent of their pupils are from immigrant backgrounds.

The number of new pupils signing up continues to drop and the schools are now threatened with closure, so today they’re going door-to-door, ringing doorbells and delivering flyers saying “We’re looking for white pupils”.

“When, for different reasons, a school ‘becomes blacker’, it’s very difficult to reverse the trend,” said Diane Middelkoop, spokeswoman for the two

schools.

“White children’s parents no longer want to be part of the school. I can understand that: we all want to feel at home and that means that we want to see people who share our origins and culture,” she said.

For some, the phenomenon shows that racism is rampant in Dutch culture.

“It’s shameful that it’s come to this, that children have to take to the street to go to school with white children,” said resident Joan, 80, originally from the former Dutch colony of Suriname, tears in her eyes.

She blames parents who take their children out of what Dutch media call “black schools”.

“It’s racism and I’m ashamed. There was always a bit of racism in this country, but today it’s serious, it has to stop,” she said.

Racism or demographics?

At the other end of the street, florist Wim Barlag has worked here for 50 years, has a son at one of the schools and has a different explanation.

“More and more families are leaving, making way for students—the problem is there’s simply not many children left,” he said.

The Netherlands has a reputation for tolerance, but racial tensions and discrimination are on the increase.

“I want my children to be integrated in Dutch society and to learn about different cultures,” said 35-year-old mother and housewife Majda Khatibi.

The Netherlands calls on immigrants to take part in Dutch society, through work or study. Once they have learnt the language, they must take an integration exam to make sure they fit in Dutch society.

As immigrant numbers have risen, so has the popularity of far-right politicians, including antiIslam politician Geert Wilders who criticises immigrants for not integrating enough.

Marching door to door, the children chant: “Don’t think black, don’t think white, don’t think black and white: think the colours of your heart.”

Europe must do more to help migrants: UN chief Dublin, Ireland (AFP) Tuesday 5/26/2015 – Europe must do more to help migrants crossing the Mediterranean, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday ahead of a visit to Brussels, as a planned EU naval operation awaits UN Security Council approval.

Europe “can provide more help,” Ban said at a joint press conference in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, calling for search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea to be “further strengthened”.

“I’m urging European leaders to address this issue in a more comprehensive way and a collective way,” the United Nations secretarygeneral said, adding that any approach should also look at the “roots” of the problem in countries of origin.

Following Ban’s comments, the EU’s border agency announced it would expand its search and rescue operation to help cope with the upsurge in migrants trying to reach Europe.

The Warsaw-based Frontex border agency said in a statement it will now deploy three aircraft, six offshore patrol vessels, 12 patrol boats, two helicopters and 15 teams of experts to the Triton operation off southern Italy during the peak summer season and also expand its operational area.

The move constitutes a doubling or tripling of the resources deployed up to now and comes a month after EU leaders agreed to increase the operation’s monthly funding from three million euros ($3.3 million) to nine million euros.

The expansion would “support the Italian authorities in controlling its sea borders and in saving lives, too many of which have already been tragically lost this year,” Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri said in the statement.

Twenty-six European countries are participating in the operation, Frontex said.

‘Wholly inadequate’ The European Commission has also unveiled plans to make the 28-nation EU share the burden of frontline states such as Italy, Greece and Malta, although some countries like Britain are opposed.

The Commission was to reveal the latest version of its plan for a more equitable distribution of migrants among EU nations at a news conference on Wednesday.

Meanwhile EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she hopes to discuss with Ban “the link between development, cooperation and migration”.

“We always say that we have to tackle the root causes of the phenomenon,” the former Italian foreign minister said, calling for the EU and African countries to discuss how they can “develop more possibilities for African citizens to face a better present and a better future”.

So far this year, some 1,770 migrants have perished on the hazardous journey to Europe, according to the International Organisation for Migration, a 30-fold increase on the same period in 2014.

Speaking in Geneva, UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said 7,000 people had been rescued from the Mediterranean in the first three days of this month.

European quotas to resettle 20,000 refugees within the EU were “wholly inadequate to the magnitude of this crisis,” he said.

“I urge far greater emphasis on expanding channels for migration into Europe.

“Among these migrants are some of the most vulnerable people in the world. A more humane, less mean-spirited response to their plight would be more worthy of member states of the United Nations.”

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Teachers: Most valued, but underpaid teaching jobs in urban areas.

Starting next week, underpaid and overworked elementary and secondary public school teachers will report back for work as classes in all levels in both public and private schools in the Philippines will start June 1.

As usual, the opening day of classes will be marred by teachers and classroom shortages, as well as insufficient number of textbooks intended for students in public schools. Traffic jams are expected to occur during rush hours to the detriment of commut

ers and workers, particularly in the congested areas of Metro Manila. data, there are more than 600,000 elemenIn far flung or remote areas of the coun- tary and secondary teachers taking care of try, schoolchildren will be made to wait their students in more than 60,000 schools in makeshift classrooms for several hours all over the country. These teachers are until a teacher will show up for work. Most paid a monthly salary of a little more than often than not, no one will show up. The P19,000 a month, which probably does reason is simple. LOW PAY. not ensure a decent standard of living for It is very sad that the continuing gov- themselves and their families. ernment neglect of the plight of public Most probably, a public school teacher school teachers have impacted the quality in a less affluent municipality, especially of education in the Philippines. those teaching in remote barrios, are getAccording to Department of Education ting paid much lower than those who have

CEAP: PHL has to face K to 12 challenges MANILA, May 23 (Mabuhay) -- The Philippines cannot run from the challenges posed by the K to 12 program that will add two years to basic education, a group of Catholic educators said.

Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines president Jun Erguiza said running away from K to 12 will negatively affect the quality of education in the Philippines. “We are no Mayweather. We will win not by running away from the challenges that come our way. We will throw our punches and claim our coveted dream of reforming the basic education system,” Erguiza said, according to an article on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site.

“We have to make this happen. Our nation, our people cannot afford to delay this any further,” added Erguiza who chairs the Coordinating Council of Private Edu-

cational Associates.

In his speech, he referred to American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., who won over Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao in their bout last May 3.

Mayweather had been criticized for “running away” from Pacquiao during the fight.

Erguiza said this is the opportune time for reform which has been sounded off more than four decades ago.

He allayed fears that K to 12 may displace tertiary faculty and staff, and lead to the closure of some schools.

Still, he admitted the implementation of K to 12 “cannot be free from any form of disruption and confusion.”

“It would be foolish to demand a foolproof game plan for the transition,” he said, adding K-12 will let Filipino children be more globally competitive.

No wonder, some teachers have decided to work overseas. To those who opted to stay in the country, they are either working as secretaries or at call centers earning from P23,000 to P25,000 a month.

Filipino teachers are well known for their patience and for working comfortably with children. This shared cultural value is best exemplified in the formation of students.

Most public school teachers that I often interviewed while I was covering the Department of Education for Manila Bulletin in the 70’s told me that despite the meager pay they get and heavy work load they have, they always find satisfaction and fulfillment to see their students learn and excel during their formative years in school. I consider these public school teachers the real priceless jewelry in the Philippines. They are the ones spearheading the country in molding and developing our students to become our future leaders in government or in business.

At present, a Filipino teacher, especially those in public schools, handles a class of 60 to 70 students in an average of two shifting a day. More often than not, teachers and students stay in cramped classrooms or gyms.

Instead of implementing an expensive K-12 program that will add two extra years

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to the present 10-year basic education, the government should, instead increase the current budget of DECS to improve not only the quality of education but as well as standard of living of public school teachers.

I do not know how long before Congress will start looking into the sad plight of these public school teachers who do their job without complaints, rain or shine, in cramped or makeshift classrooms.

While the salary of public school teachers has remain stagnant over the years, it is the opposite for our elected officials in Congress. Every year, their income keep increasing by leaps and bounds.

I have never seen an elected Senator or Congressman in the Philippines who is not a millionaire.

The only exception is Congresswoman Leni Robredo representing the province of Camarines Sur and wife of fomer DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Congresswoman Robredo is taking public transportation whenever she goes back to Camarines Sur to check from time to time the conditions in her district. The same with the late Congressman Crispin Beltran who died after he fell 14 feet from the roof of his house he had been repairing. These are the people that we should have in Congress. Public servants that are honest and will work for the betterment of every Filipino.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) may soon impact Medi-CAL beneficiaries Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) – a little known provision in the Obamacare law – may soon impact Medi-CAL beneficiaries, in a proposal made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Systems (CMS) to rules regulating Medicaid managed care plans (which was last modified in 2002).

MLR is a threshold required of insurance companies to devote a minimum portion of their revenues to medical care

and improvement (85% for large employers; 80%, small employers) the U.S. public. as opposed to administrative costs. In Quickly, though, the Association of 2015, about the only plans excluded from Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) drew this mandate are those on Medi-CAL and exceptions to the proposals as these will CHIPS. limit their ability to provide needed benWith so much enrollment on Medi- efits to the public such as transportation, CAL, millions will be affected even in and others. the state of California alone. Please note Much heated debates on the subject that even those enrolled on Medicare Ad- should be expected in the coming months vantage plans will be impacted by these on these. proposals.

Medicare Portability – Almost all The rationale advanced for these sweep- Medicare members enrolled on a Medicare ing proposals has been that a lot of changes Advantage Plan enjoy the benefit of medihas taken place in the delivery of health cal emergency coverage outside the U.S. care since 2002. everytime they visit the Philippines.

Specifically, the proposals include that Leo Monsalud hails from Sta. Cruz, health insurance plans increase their net- Zambales. He studied for MBA and Law work of doctor providers to consider the at the University of the Philippines. He multi-faceted needs of beneficiaries. worked for United Laboratories, Inc. Also included is the proposal that health where his last position held was viceplans do not limit the choice of primary president assigned as general manager of care physicians to those close to benefi- a division. He was a joint-venture partner ciaries within a time and distance frame. of the San Miguel Corporation in an agriSpecial mentions were made of OB/GYNs, business project. behavioral specialists and dentists.

He holds CA license 0G55218 as well CMS expressed that these proposals are as a Non-Resident license for Nevada. He aimed at strengthening federal and state may be reached at 323-535-7373 or e-mail efforts to bring about better health care to at: leo.balita@gmail.com.

The UN treaty to protect the ozone layer has prevented a likely surge in skin cancer in Australia, New Zealand and northern Europe, a study published on Tuesday said. ŠNikolay

Okhitin/shutterstock.com

World already reaping benefits from ozone treaty: study Tuesday May 26 2015 (Paris-AFP) – The UN treaty to protect the ozone layer has prevented a likely surge in skin cancer in Australia, New Zealand and northern Europe, a study published on Tuesday said.

If the 1987 Montreal Protocol had never been signed, the ozone hole over Antarctica would have grown in size by 40 percent by 2013, it said.

Ultra-violet levels in Australia and New Zealand, which currently have the highest mortality rates from skin cancer, could have risen by between eight and 12 percent.

In northern Europe, depletion of the ozone layer over the Arctic could have boosted ultra-violet levels in Scandinavia and Britain by more than 14 percent, it said. “Our research confirms the importance of the Montreal Protocol and shows that we have already had real benefits,� said Martyn Chipperfield, a professor at Britain’s University of Leeds who led the study. “We knew that it would save us from large ozone loss ‘in the future,’ but in fact we are already past the point when things would have become noticeably worse.�

The Protocol commits all UN members to scrapping a group of chlorine- and brominecontaining chemicals.

Used in aerosol sprays, solvents and refrigerants, these substances destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere that filter out cancer-causing ultra-violet light.

The authors to the paper, published in the journal Nature Communications, built a

3D computer model based on the latest data about the state of the stratosphere.

Concentrations of ozone-depleting gases are now about 10 percent below their peak of 1993, although it will take until around 2050 before the ozone hole over Antarctica shrinks to its 1980 state.

Translating rises in ultra-violet levels into increases in skin cancer is hard to quantify, but “changes as large as these would have had potentially serious consequences in the decades that followed,� said the paper.

Previous research suggests every fivepercent rise in ultra-violet leads to increases of 15 and eight percent in the incidence of squamous and basal cell carcinoma respectively, the two commonest forms of skin cancer. That calculation is based on the absence of additional measures to protect the public from damaging rays.

But the impact on melanoma, a rarer but deadlier type of skin cancer, has never been measured. Some of the chemicals scrapped under the Montreal Protocol also happen to be hefty greenhouse gases, with a powerful ability to trap the sun’s heat.

According to a study published in 2013, their phaseout also provided a perceptible gain in the fight against climate change – it prevented additional warming of 0.1 degrees Celsius (0.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Protocol has been implemented by 196 states and the European Union, making it the first treaty in the history of the United Nations to achieve universal ratification.

In the US, at least one in four prepackaged foods contain trans fats Prepared meals, cookies, fried foods...

They’ve all got t h e m . Tr a n s fats, those industrial oils that give foods more consistency, are present in 27% of 84,000 supermarket products tested, according to a recent study published

by US non-profit Trans fats can be found t h e E n v i r o n - shutterstock.com mental Working Group (EWG).

Though certain trans fats are natural and present in the stomachs of ruminants, others are synthetic and built with industrial processes from unsaturated vegetable oils.

Today they are mostly used as stabilizers and conservatives by the food industry.

Trans fats or hydrogenated oils have no nutritional value and numerous epidemiological studies have shown that excessive consumption of them, which increases the production of “bad cholesterol,� is linked to an increase in the risk of cardiovascular problems. Trans fats can be found predominantly in processed foods such as pizzas, pies, French fries and prepared meals, but also in chocolate bars and margarines.

This is according to the EWG, which, in a study published on May 22, revealed that more than one fourth of pre-packaged foods available in supermarkets and shopping centers contain trans fats.

The organization used its interactive food database to identify more than

in many processed foods. ŠPangfolio.com/

84,000 products that people would buy and consume regularly. According to the conclusions, 27% of pre-packaged products contained some and 10% were made using ingredients that might contain trans fats.

Among the 16 foods that contained the most trans fats, EWG listed popcorn and frozen pies.

They also realized that only 2% of these foods indicated on the labels that they contained trans fats. Around 10% of processed foods, mostly targeting young consumers, have labels that indicate “zero trans fats� and yet they had between 0.5 and 1% and other ingredients like hydrogenated oils.

On November 7, 2013, the FDA took a step towards banning trans fats in processed foods and thus preventing 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths linked to coronary diseases.

Trans fats are already banned or strictly limited in certain states, as well as in Iceland, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland.

To read the study, go to http://www.ewg. org/research/hidden-plain-sight.

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FOOD & DINING half. Remove seeds, peel, quarter and place in mixing bowl. Mash with potato masher or fork until chunky. Add remaining ingredients and combine with fork. Serve immediately.

To assemble tacos, place warm tortillas on work surface and line each with piece of lettuce. Top with chunks of fish, a generous spoonful of salsa fresca and guacamole. Serve immediately accompanied by lime wedges.

Notes: Guacamole recipe will yield 3 cups total. To warm tortillas, dip corn tortillas in water, shaking off excess. Toast, in batches, in nonstick pan over moderate heat, about 1 minute per side. Wrap in towel to keep warm.

Alaska Sockeye Salmon with Herbs and Garlic

FAMILY FEATURES

T

he fresh, enticing flavors of the sea are calling.

This summer, amp up your outdoor dining experience with recipes that offer a nutritious and delicious alternative to garden-variety grilled fare like burgers and steaks. Low in fat and sodium, and high in heart-healthy omega-3s, Alaska seafood takes on a whole new appeal when prepared over an open flame. Grilling Alaska seafood is easy with simple preparations, such as these, that let the flavor of quality seafood stand front and center. For more guest-worthy recipes, visit www.wildalaskaseafood.com.

Serve a smarter entree option Families who want to feel good about what they eat can feel confident when they serve Alaska sockeye salmon, a versatile protein that is sustainably harvested. From one of the most bountiful fishing regions in the world, Alaska salmon have never been listed as endangered or threatened. In fact, sustainable seafood practices are so essential to Alaska, it’s written into the state’s constitution.

As a flavor-packed source of omega-3 fatty acids, highquality protein and other nutrients, such as selenium, phosphorus and potassium, wild Alaska sockeye salmon makes a great mealtime addition. At only 220 calories per 3.5-ounce serving, it’s a delicious, low-calorie entree.

1 cup guacamole (see recipe below), or high-quality, store-bought guacamole Lime wedges, for serving Guacamole: 5 ripe avocados, preferably California Hass 6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 medium red onion, diced 4 jalapeño chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely diced 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper For marinade, lightly toast cumin seeds in dry skillet over low heat just until aroma is released, about 5 minutes. Transfer seeds to blender. Add jalapeños, garlic, salt, pepper and lime juice and puree until cumin seeds are finely ground. Add cilantro and olive oil and puree until smooth. Using hands, generously cover cod entirely with marinade and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Preheat medium-hot grill, broiler oven or pan on stovetop over medium-high heat.

Cook fish until nearly opaque throughout, about 2–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Remove fish from heat, cool slightly and pull apart into large flakes.

To make guacamole, cut avocados in

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 13 minutes Servings: 4–6 1 1/2 pounds Alaska sockeye salmon, fresh or thawed Cooking spray 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup white wine 2 tablespoons melted butter or extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh garlic 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs Remove salmon from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking. Heat grill to 375°F. Cut 2 pieces of wide, heavy-duty aluminum foil about 6 inches longer than salmon side. Stack foil pieces (shiny side down) on baking sheet and spray generously with cooking spray. Place salmon, skin side down, in middle of foil. Fold foil sides and ends up (1–2 inches) to make shallow pan around salmon, leaving at least a 1-inch margin around fish. Season salmon with salt and pepper.

In small bowl, mix together wine, butter, garlic and herbs. Spoon mixture over top of salmon, drizzling with any remaining liquid.

Carefully transfer foil pan to center of preheated grill. Do not cover salmon with foil or close foil over salmon. Close grill cover and cook 10–13 minutes, cooking just until fish is lightly translucent in center — it will finish cooking from retained heat. Remove from grill and let rest a few minutes before serving.

Cook’s tip: Check salmon for doneness at 10 minutes.

Nutrition at a Glance

Border Grill Grilled Alaska Cod Tacos Prep time: 35 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 Marinade: 2 1/2 tablespoons cumin seeds 3 jalapeño chiles, stemmed and cut in half 2 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 1 large bunch cilantro 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 pounds wild Alaska cod fillets 12 small (4 to 6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed 6 lettuce leaves, torn in half 1 cup high-quality, store-bought salsa fresca

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The nutritional information for wild Alaska sockeye salmon, based on the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 22: Serving size 3.5 ounces/100 grams Calories 220 Protein 27 grams Fat 11 grams Saturated fat 2 grams Sodium 65 milligrams Cholesterol 85 milligrams Omega-3 1200 milligrams

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ENTERTAINMENT

Is Kathryn open to wearing swimsuit on TV?

Kathryn Bernardo

Good news for the male fans of Kathryn Bernardo: the young star said she is willing to wear swimsuits on TV if it is necessary.

Bernardo made the statement after Daniel Padilla showed off his lean torso in a scene in the remake of the phenomenal soap “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” which started airing last May 25. “Kung kailangan siguro sa scene, kung iyon ang nagawa sa original na kailangan talaga naming gawin, [papayag ako]. Depende talaga sa scene. Basta ‘yung hindi bastusin, ‘yung nag-swimsuit lang kasi nasa pool siya,” Bernardo explained.

But will Padilla approve of it? “Okay lang. Wala naman akong magagawa eh.

Magagalit lang ako tapos ‘yun na iyon,” the actor said. In the “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” remake, Bernardo and Padilla will take on the iconic roles of Yna and Angelo, respectively, which were originally portrayed

by Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales.

Asked if they also watched the original version of the soap before they began taping the remake, Padilla said: “Tinanong namin yung mga director namin kung kailangan ba namin panoorin. Sabi nila, ‘Okay lang naman pero baka kasi makuha

niyo kung ano ‘yung ginagawa nila.’ [Kailangan daw] medyo iba naman.”

First aired in 2000, the original “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” centered on sweethearts Yna and Angelo, who are anguished over the discovery that they might be half-siblings.

When secrets from their parents’ past unravel, Yna and Angelo are relieved to find out that they have no blood relation.

The top-rating teleserye was also popular for the rivalry of business tycoon Amor Powers and hacienda matriarch Claudia Buenavista, respectively portrayed by Eula Valdez and Jean Garcia.

Maja clears Paulo in her breakup with Gerald Actress Maja Salvador on Thursday denied that her “Bridges of Love” leading man Paulo Avelino has something to do with her breakup with actor Gerald Anderson.

Salvador also said it is not true that Anderson got jealous of Avelino.

“Wala pong kinalaman si Paulo,” Salvador said, while refusing to divulge details of the split. “Trabaho lang talaga ‘yung kay Paulo. Kung nag-level up man, kung ano ang mayroon kami ni Paulo, ay ‘yung pakikipagkaibigan. Kasi as an actor, sobrang madami ka ding makukuha and matututunan sa kanya.”

In the interview during the press conference for her new album “In Love” under Ivory Music & Video., Salvador also denied that she was the reason for the breakup of Avelino and girlfriend KC Concepcion.

“Ay hindi. Tulad ng sinabi ko, ayaw kong idetalye pero kung ano man ang rason

Maja Salvador

niya at ano ang pinagdadaanan niya sana maging maayos. Kung ano man ang mga pinagdadaanan niya ay ipagdasal natin na sana ay maayos kung ano man ang kailangan niyang ayusin,” she said. (MNS)

Cristine Reyes

Cristine Reyes assures Ara of her support Ara Mina, who recently admitted having problems in her relationship with Bulacan, Bulacan mayor Patrick Meneses, can count on younger sister Cristine Reyes to be there for her.

In an interview on Wednesday, Reyes stressed that she and the rest of their family are there to support Ara Mina.

“Nung Mother’s Day nag-exchange lang kami ng messages. Before that nagkaroon kami ng dinner sa house niya. We are here, we are just here. ... She’s strong naman, si Ate pa. Ang dami nang pinagdaanan niyan.

Lahat naman ng tao nakaalalay, nakasuporta,” she added.

“I don’t feel sad because hindi pa ‘yan ang ending. Ang babata pa nila, hindi pa ‘yan ending. Hindi naitin alam kung ano ang ending ng story,” Reyes added.

In a previous interview, Ara Mina appealed for understanding amid rumors that she and Meneses have already called it quits. (MNS)

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COMMUNITY

Kris Aquino and LBC team up to connect overseas Filipinos LBC Express, Inc., the leading courier service, logistics, and money remittance provider in the Philippines, teams up with the Queen of all Media, Kris Aquino, to better help connect overseas Filipinos and their loved ones back home.

Aquino was launched as LBC’s first celebrity brand endorser on May 20, 2015 at the Green Sun in Makati. LBC executives, celebrities, and guests from the media were treated to tailor-made cocktails and Filipino fusion food representing the countries where LBC is present.

“As a brand endorser, I always make sure that the brand I partner with is trustworthy,” Aquino said. “Every time I have a very important package or document I need delivered, I use LBC. I really trust them.”

Javier Mantecon, LBC’s Chief Marketing Officer, added, “We are honored that someone as trusted as Kris Aquino has joined our family as we bridge the lives of Filipinos all over the world. Kris is an obvious choice to be our first brand endorser because she has a global influence just as wide as LBC’s global presence. Kris endorsing the brand means she absolutely trusts LBC. We are honored by her confidence in LBC for all her delivery needs; and this only means that we’re doing our job well.”

The launch event’s title, “From LBC, To The World, With Love,” suits both LBC and Aquino. Since the 1950’s, LBC has established itself as the overseas Filipino’s bridge to their loved ones in the Philippines. To date, the courier service has more than 4,400 branches, partners and agents in over 20 countries. Like LBC, Kris Aquino is a personality trusted by Filipinos across

the world.

During the event, Kris Aquino was warmly welcomed by LBC’s global family at The Eye’s 360-degree panoramic screen.

Ka-LBCs from as far as Italy, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America greeted and interacted with LBC’s new brand endorser.

“I was so surprised that even the staff from abroad made an effort to welcome me to the family,” Aquino said. “It’s this sense of family that makes me excited to team up with LBC.” This sense of Filipino hospitality extends to how the company treats its customers and partners. Customers are attended to with utmost respect, and associates are helpful in explaining the courier’s various offerings like courier and cargo delivery, money remittances and bills payment.

LBC’s understanding of the “padama” behind every “padala” has made it the favorite logistics and courier service of over 2.3 million Filipinos around the world.

“We move lives, business, communities,” Mantecon shared. “But most importantly, we move love.”

With the partnership between LBC and Kris Aquino, more and more Filipinos will feel the “padama” in every “padala” from their relatives abroad, no matter the distance.

About LBC LBC Express, Inc. was founded in the 1950’s as a brokerage and air cargo agent.

Now the largest express courier, cargo, and money remittance service company in the Philippines, LBC also provides services to over 20 countries worldwide. For more than 60 years, LBC has been moving lives,

Kris Aquino (featured in poster) was launched as LBC’s first celebrity brand endorser on May 20, 2015 at the Green Sun in Makati. LBC executives, celebrities, and guests from the media were treated to tailor-made cocktails and Filipino fusion food representing the countries where LBC is present.

businesses and communities for the global Filipino, providing hassle-free delivery via air, land and sea – from cash remittances to

payment solutions, from simple parcels and packages to container loads for corporate logistics. We like to move it.

Consulate launches iRehistro online application for PHL docs 14 May 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General launches the iREHISTRO Online Application Form Accomplishment and Submission.

All Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old on May 09, 2016 and not otherwise disqualified by law, who expect to vote during the 2016 Presidential Elections may avail of the iREHISTRO system to apply for registration as an overseas voter from 13 May to 31 October 2015.

The iREHISTRO is an online system which provides Filipino registrants another way of accomplishing the Voters Registration Application Form before coming to the Embassy or Consulate or any Registration

Venue. The aim of the project is to lessen the time of the registrants when applying for voter’s registration. The applicant must present the printed accomplished form to the OV Operator and have their biometrics taken to complete the registration process.

To access iRehistro, log on to www. irehistro.com and do the following steps: On the upper right side, click “For Overseas Filipinos, proceed to this page” Select the type of application from the list.

Fill up the application form.

Print the accomplished application form. DO NOT SIGN THE PRINTED FORM Former Mayor of Parañaque Dr. Pablo Olivarez with son Edwin Olivarez, the newly-elected Mayor. More about the fiesta in “Lighthouse” Pg 25.

Filipino-Americans from the town of Parañaque displayed old cultural traditions including “Salubong at Sayaw Pagbati” and the famous “Sunduan” to the delight of guests and fellow townmates at the Glendale Civic Auditorium last May 24 when they held their 30th Parañaque Town Fiesta @Los Angeles. Photos show some of the Filipiniana garbed “townsfolk” during the fiesta celebration.

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30th Parañaque fiesta honors St. Andrew and Nuestra Señora de Buen Consejo Parañaquenos celebrated their 30th town fiesta last Sunday at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, honoring St. Andrew the Apostle and Nuestra Señora de Buen Consejo. The Hermano for this year’s fiesta was no other than Paranaque Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez who graced the occasion with his family: wife Janet, sons Paolo & EJ and daughter Christine.

It is always fascinating to note that celebrating town fiestas like these give us (particularly those of us who were raised in small towns), a sense of “belonging” and camaraderie; events like these provide us a time to an- majestic Manila Bay, and the equally imnually reconnect with our townmates; this pressive Laguna de Bay, making it one of is where we savor and reminisce the “good the most important port destinations during the early years of the Spanish occupation.” old times” living in our small town.

“Changes are inevitable in this ever evolvTheir program started with the celebration of Holy Mass, officiated by Fr. Vito ing world and the more prudent thing to do de Mazrio followed by lunch and dance is to learn how to adapt to these changes...”

Currently, the honorable Mayor menentertainment with performers dancing the traditional :Salubong,” “Sunduan” and tioned that “there are massive developments already happening in which giant “Sayaw ng Pagbati.”

In his program message, Mayor Oli- business locations are pouring money varez said: “as we enter the next phase of amounting to US $10 billion in the Enterour administration, we can proudly say tainment City.” Included in this vision is that we have been up to the task and are “Ayala Land’s plan to build a Php12 billion fulfilling what was promised to our people huge mall complex , a BPO center and a during the campaign two years ago. But hotel within a nine-hectare property for there are still lots of jobs to be done. As mixed-use development. The taxes that we all know, public service does not be- we can generate from these projects will gin in the opening of the City Hall in the in turn deliver basic services to our people morning, nor does it end with the closing and alleviate poverty as this can generate in the evening. In short, it is a continuing more than 100,000 jobs for our people.”

Certainly, with the leadership of a forprocess that requires hard work, determination, commitment and vision. And it is mer junior tennis champion, incumbent along this belief, that we have decided to Mayor Edwin L Olivarez takes pride in the usher in a new theme and campaign rally City of Paranaque for receiving the citation for our city, which from here on will now as “2014 Most Economically Dynamic be appropriately called “Bay City” with the City’ by the United States Aid for International (USAID) Department of Industry ethos “where life never stops.”

“Bay City” as dubbed by Mayor Oliva- (DTI) , National Economic Development rez, “was born out of our sincerest desire Authority (NEDA) and various business to seek and create an identity that will be groups in the country.”

Our hats off to you, Mayor Olivarez for uniquely ours, while also retaining the color, character and values of a true Para- your continuous pursuit and commitment ñaqueno.” Further, Mayor Olivarez said: in improving the City of Paranaque and “the new label is justified by the fact that uplifting the lives of your constituents! our city is actually nestled between the Mabuhay!

A colorful 30th Parañaque fiesta in Glendale.

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JOB MARKET For advertising, call (818) 552-4503

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818-782-8600 PRAYERS

PRAYERS

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con¿rm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how dif¿cult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks - JRM

PRAYER to the BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail)

Oh most beautiful Àower of Mt. Carmel, fruit wine splendor of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

Grateful Thanks.- LILA

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SPORTS

From its humble beginnings, local Filipino-American cycling club Adobo Velo has grown exponentially, boasting of members from coast-to-coast. Photo shows some of the more than 400 members who gathered to celebrate their 10th anniversary at Rynerson Park in Lakewood, California.

FIFA case highlights long arm of US law US prosecutors allege World Cup of soccer fraud

by Jennie Matthew

New York, United States (AFP) Wednesday 5/27/2015 – The United States charged soccer officials Wednesday with corrupting a sport loved by billions, warning an investigation has just begun and seeking the extradition of suspects arrested in Switzerland.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch unveiled the complex international investigation spanning years, after seven soccer officials were arrested in Zurich in dawn raids by Swiss police acting at US request.

The 47-count US indictment charges 14 soccer officials and marketing executives with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies that span 24 years beginning in 1991.

The officials are charged with conspiring to solicit and receive more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for the support of US and South American sports marketing executives who agreed to make the illegal payments.

“They corrupted the business of worldwide soccer to serve their interests and to enrich themselves,” Lynch told a packed news conference in New York.

“This Department of Justice is deter-

mined to end these practices to root out corruption and bring wrongdoers to justice.”

Racketeering, the most serious charge, carries a maximum punishment of 20 years if defendants are convicted at trial. Other crimes in the indictment are punishable by up to five and 10 years in jail.

US officials would not be drawn on the possibility of future charges against other senior FIFA figures, and pointedly refused to answer questions about the body’s president, Sepp Blatter.

“It’s a significant step but I want to be very clear, this is the beginning of our effort not the end,” said Kelly Currie, acting US attorney for the eastern district of New York.

Beginning, not the end Lynch said the US investigation into kickbacks was separate but parallel to a Swiss investigation into allegations of bribery in the process of awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.

Lynch would not comment on the upcoming tournaments in Russia and Qatar, but said: “I think FIFA has a lot of soul searching to do.”

“Two generations of soccer officials,” Lynch said, “used their positions of trust within their respective organizations to solicit bribes from sports marketers in exchange for the commercial rights to their soccer tournaments. They did this over and over, year after year, tournament after

tournament.”

Tens of millions of dollars had been hidden in offshore accounts in Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands and Switzerland, said Richard Weber, chief of the US tax agency’s criminal investigation division.

“It was a World Cup of fraud. Today we are showing them the red card,” he said. “It is a great day for the global fight against corruption, money laundering or international tax evasion.”

Citing an example, Lynch said FIFA executives took bribes during the process that awarded the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, the first time that the tournament was held in Africa.

“Even for this historic event, FIFA executives and others corrupted the process by using bribes to influence the hosting decision,” she told reporters.

Court papers allege that South African officials paid more than $10 million in bribes to host the 2010 Cup and handed over a briefcase stuffed with $10,000 stacks of banknotes in Paris.

The South African Football Association refused to comment.

US papers also allege that an Asian high-ranking official contesting the 2011 FIFA presidential election arranged for envelopes stuffed with $40,000 in cash to be handed to members of the Caribbean Football Union in order to secure votes.

In yet another example, Lynch said $110

million bribes were also paid in preparation for the 2016 Copa America – which is being held in the United States for the first time.

“Our investigation revealed that what should be an expression of international sportsmanship was used as a vehicle in a broader scheme to line executives’ pockets,” she said.

US officials announced that four individuals and two corporations have pleaded guilty. They include a US citizen and a 71-year-old Brazilian sports marketing executive.

US agents also raided the Miami headquarters of CONCACAF, the continental confederation under FIFA in the United States.

CONCACAF promised to cooperate with investigators “to its fullest capacity” and said it was “deeply concerned” by Wednesday’s events.

Lynch said the United States was seeking the extradition of the defendants arrested in Switzerland and the arrest of the others, whom she said abused the US financial system and violated US law.

“We intend to hold them accountable,” she said. “They will receive a fair trial if they are brought to this country.”

The Swiss justice ministry said that six of the seven FIFA arrested officials were opposing their extradition to the United States.

Graft raid mars Latin America’s ‘beautiful game’

By Oscar Laski

Montevideo, Uruguay (AFP) Thursday 5/28/2015 – Latin America is the cradle of some of football’s greatest stars, but the arrest of top FIFA officials from the region in an international corruption sting Wednesday underlines the ugly side of its “beautiful game.” Of the seven football officials hauled in by Swiss police in a dawn raid at a Zurich luxury hotel, five are Latin American, including Uruguay’s Eugenio Figueredo, executive vice president of FIFA, and Brazil’s Jose Maria Marin, a member of the FIFA organizing committee for Olympic football.

Paraguayan Nicolas Leoz, a former FIFA executive committee member and ex-president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), is also facing charges but has so far avoided arrest because he is in Paraguay, where he was

hospitalized after hearing the news.

Figueredo and Leoz, both in their 80s, are among the last members of a generation led by former FIFA president Joao Havelange of Brazil and the late Julio Grondona of Argentina, his ally, who rose to some of the most powerful positions in football and defied wide-ranging corruption allegations to stay there for decades.

Wednesday’s bad publicity for Latin America’s beloved game was met not so much with shock as with knowing shakes of the head in the region, which lives and breathes football but is long used to corruption and dirty deals by the powerful figures who run it.

Argentine great Diego Maradona said the news made him feel vindicated after 15 years of condemning graft in football.

“I’m enjoying this, it’s something I have been saying for a long time. They

said I was crazy. Today the FBI spoke the truth,” he said.

Maradona, who has lobbied against giving FIFA’s current president Sepp Blatter a fifth term in the body’s elections Friday, warned the world football supremo could be next. In typically brash style, the 1986 World Cup champion vowed to personally crack down on corruption at world football’s governing body.

“When we get to FIFA, the good guys are going to stay. The bad guys, I’m going to personally take care of giving them a kick in the you-know-what,” he said.

It is a dream shared by other former stars from the region, such as Brazil’s Romario and Paraguay’s Jose Luis Chilavert, who were both part of a failed movement by ex-players to win the top executive jobs at the organizations that govern South American football.

The movement’s goal was to put an end to “the extravagances of Havelange, of Blatter.

The chief of the mafia, Grondona, is no longer here,” said ex-Paraguay captain Chilavert, who played most of his club career in Argentina, where Grondona was the all-powerful head of the Argentine Football Association.

“They became millionaires thanks to football while the players got poorer and poorer,” he said.

One of the main points of criticism of the business of football in Latin America is the widespread practice of third-party ownership, in which investors buy shares of a player’s rights and profit from his eventual transfer.

Critics say the practice breeds corruption, and FIFA has announced plans to ban it.

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MOTORING New 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander: A redesigned and reengineered crossover value Much more than a traditional mid-cycle design “refreshing” that consists of minor aesthetic updates, the new 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander has been redesigned and reengineered to stand out in the competitive small crossover segment with its powerful and dynamic appearance and refined driving experience. Combined with Mitsubishi’s reliability and safety standards, the 2016 Outlander is an unmatched value.

The new 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander features a bold new exterior design, an eloquent yet functional interior space, and over 100 engineering and design improvements to the platform for better structural rigidity, ride quality and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Appealing New-Look Exterior The 2016 Outlander features Mitsubishi’s new front design concept, “Dynamic Shield.”

This feature is inherited from the bumper side protection seen on generations of the Montero, providing unique protection for both the people and car.

The exterior design incorporates a modern and aggressive-looking redesigned front fascia, along with new redesigned front fenders, halogen headlights, LED position lights, lower door sections, 18-in. alloy wheels, rear fascia and LED taillights (all models).

For the top-of-the-line Outlander GT model, new exterior features include power-folding side mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer and LED headlights.

Fresh New Interior The 2016 receives a fresh design update to the interior incorporating soft touch features that also includes a redesigned steering wheel, a new Mitsubishi Multi Communication System(MMCS) navigation and display audio system and accent trim for the doors and dashboard, along with improved seating surfaces and headliner (all models) and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink® (GT model). Additional improvements include a newly redesigned folding rear seat for easier operation.

Every 2016 Outlander also includes seven (7) Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag with front air bags with passenger weight and driver’s seat position sensors, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, and curtain side air bags with roll-over sensors; anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; Hill Start

Assist (HSA); Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). An additional layer of occupant protection is afforded by Mitsubishi Motors’ advanced Reinforced Impact Safety

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Evolution (RISE) safety body construction system that absorbs energy to help provide protection to the vehicle’s occupants. RISE safety structure technology is engineered into every vehicle in Mitsubishi Motors’ product lineup.

For a closer look at the new Outlander, or any other Mitsubishi vehicle, Come and visit our kababayans at Cerritos Mitsubishi, where kababayans are always treated as special customers. Even their marketing thrust is anchored on that magical Tagalog word: Kababayan. They also have a Kabayan Price.

Call Eugene C., Michael S. or Vincent T.who lead the sales operation for the Filipino market at 1-888-835-6136 to get the same Number 1 customer service from our very own kababayans.

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2015 Kia Soul named one of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 by Kelley Blue Book’s Kbb.Com IRVINE, Calif., May 18, 2015 – Kia Motors America’s (KMA) popular urban hatchback, the 2015 Soul, is one of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 in 2015, according to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB. com. This year marks the fourth consecutive time Soul has been recognized by the editors at KBB.com, and similar to last year, Kia’s fun-and-funky urban runabout ranked among the top three on the annual list, which highlights the hippest and most affordable cars on the market. Editors at Kelley Blue Book once again included the Soul for its stylish looks and tech-savvy content. With a base price of $15,190ϙ, the Soul offers flexible interior configurations and a unique exterior design with a wide array of available features at a great value.

“Since first coming onto the scene in 2009, the Soul has been an out-of-the-park

homerun for Kia, and the second generation retains its iconic design while including modern cues and premium features to enhance our brand’s value proposition,” said Tim Chaney, vice president of marketing communications, KMA. “It’s these refinements, along with its funky persona, roomy cabin and ample cargo space, that have upped the Soul’s allure, making it even more popular with consumers.”

New for 2015 on the Exclaim model is an available interior Umber Color Package, which is available with either the Fathom Blue or Cloud White exterior colors. Included with the option package is premium Nappa leather seating surfaces and door armrest accents. Outside, Gloss Black wheel inserts further set the Umber Color Package apart. “Some cool vehicles aren’t very versatile, but the Kia Soul made our

list of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 just because it is so versatile,” said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “On the road the Soul’s funky, squared-off shape won’t be mistaken for anything else, and standing out is cool. At the same time, its collection of useful features and its interior versatility at a very affordable price add significantly to its overall cool quotient.”

The 2015 Soul is offered in three trim levels: Base, Plus and Exclaim. Motivation for the Base Soul is delivered by a gasoline direct injection (GDI) 130-horsepower (at 6,300 rpm) 1.6-liter all-aluminum DOHC four-cylinder engine.

The GAMMA engine produces 118 lb.ft. of torque at 4,850 rpm. The Plus and Exclaim models enjoy the more powerful

2.0-liter NU power plant with GDI technology. Power is rated at 164 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. of torque at a 4,000 rpm. The 1.6-liter engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. The Plus and Exclaim models are available exclusively with the six-speed automatic gearbox.

Kia’s latest UVOϛ infotainment and telematics system.

If you want to find out why Kia is among the leading car brands of today, drop by Car Pros Kia of Carson at 21243 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90745 (telephone # 310-221-9131), or at Car Pros Kia Huntington Beach at 18835 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714-6131119) and last but won’t be the last, at Car Pros Kia Glendale at 400 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 745-1400.

Autonomous braking really does cut car crashes

Kenneth Tolentino (middle) poses with his new 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X he purchased from Puente Hills Mitsubishi with the help of kababayan Filipino Sales Consultant of Puente Hills Mitsubishi Alex Jacinto. For the same hassle-free car buying experience, call Alex at 1-866-400-1067.

Sunday May 24 2015 (Relaxnews) - If you’re in the market for a new car, new research highlights why you should pick one that comes with autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

Thatcham, the UK-based automotive technology and research body has been studying insurance claims to discern if the technology is already making a tangible difference to road safety. It found that third-party injury claims are 45% lower on drivers of the latest-generation VW Golf – which comes with AEB as standad – than

on an equivalent vehicles, such as a Ford Fiesta or Audi A3.

“When we saw figures based on an initial small sample, we were surprised, as they exceeded our own performance testing. However the figures held up, even after almost doubling the sample group,” said Matthew Avery, Director of Safety at Thatcham Research.

AEB systems are designed to scan the road ahead for signs of a potential collision, and perform an emergency stop if the car is traveling at lower speeds, typically below 50km/h or 30km/h, depending on the system in question.

“Low-speed bumps and shunts account for three-quarters of all collisions, typically at speeds of under 20mph (32kph) in city driving scenarios. This is where AEB systems perform best, avoiding crashes of up to 15mph (25kph) and reducing the severity of those up to 25mph (40km/h). This includes collisions at junctions, roundabouts and in stop-start traffic where one car runs into the back of another,” said Avery.

Thatcham’s UK-only findings come at the same time that Euro NCAP, the European organization tasked with crash-testing new cars, published the results of its first research into autonomous vehicle safety systems. Working in partnership with its Australian counterpart, the ANCAP, the organizations pooled their ‘real-world’ data and discovered that there is a 38% overall reduction in rear-end crashes for vehicles fitted with an autonomous emergency braking system.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, said: “These findings strongly support our decision to make AEB technology a key discriminator in the safety rating of new vehicles.”

In January, EuroNCAP started incorporating autonomous safety technologies into its crash-testing criteria and a new car is now only capable of achieving a full fivestar safety rating if it comes with AEB as standard.

However, according to Thatcham’s data, only 10% of new cars on sale come with the technology as standard, while approximately 25% of new cars come with the technology as a cost option.

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Subaru introduces 2016 WRX and WRX STI models, offering Eyesight Driver Assist Technology and Subaru Starlink infotainment Cherry Hill, N.J. – Subaru multi-reflector halogen of America, Inc. has anunits, and the system innounced the 2016 WRX and cludes automatic off/on.

WRX STI models, featuring Pricing on the Limited new available safety technoltrim begins at $30,395. ogy, including Blind Spot 2016 Subaru WRX Detection, Lane Change STI: Heart Assist and Rear Cross Trafand Soul of a Rally fic Alert. In addition, new Champion STARLINK touch screen The WRX STI is powinfotainment systems offer Subaru of Glendale’s Filipino ered by the legendary Sales Consultant Christian a significantly enhanced user Marilla 305-horsepower 2.5-liter experience in all models. turbocharged/intercooled The 2016 models will arrive at BOXER engine.

S u b a r u d e a l e r s h i p s t h i s s u m m e r.

The standard trim STI can be upgraded Subaru introduced the new-generation with a Navigation option packaged with WRX and WRX STI for 2015 featuring the harman/kardon amplifier and 9-speaker a new wide-body sedan design with a premium sound system along with Keyless significantly stiffer chassis resulting in Access and Push Button Start with PIN an expanded performance envelope. The Code Access for $2,600. pair joined other Subaru models in posting The WRX STI Limited returns with record sales: WRX / WRX STI combined the luxury of leather-trimmed upholstery, sales increased 42 percent in 2014. an 8-way power driver’s seat and power The 2016 WRX continues in standard, moonroof. For 2016, Subaru equipped this Premium and Limited trim lines, starting at top STI trim with significant new safety an MSRP of $26,595. The 305-horsepower and infotainment technologies. Blind Spot 2016 WRX STI, distinguished by exclusive Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are performance components, is offered in both included, plus Keyless Access and standard and Limited trim lines starting at Push Button Start with PIN Code Access. an MSRP of $34,695.

WRX: 268-hp Segment Launcher With its 268-horsepower, 2.0-liter direct injection turbo BOXER engine and standard Symmetrical All Wheel Drive, the rally-bred WRX is a performance and value benchmark in the high-performance AWD sport-compact segment.

The 2016 WRX comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and offers an optional performance automatic transmission, the Sport Lineartronic with manual mode.

The new-generation WRX’s stiffer structure and chassis greatly enhanced handling agility, and improvement continues for 2016 with the adoption of 18 x 8.5-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 R18 summer tires on Premium and Limited trims.

New Safety Tech The 2016 WRX joins other Subaru models in offering the company’s EyeSight system, one of the highest-rated front crash prevention systems by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). EyeSight, which is integrated with Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure warning, uses Subaru-developed stereo camera technology.

EyeSight is available for the WRX Limited (with Sport Lineartronic transmission) in a package that also includes Navigation and Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

This comprehensive technology upgrade package also includes a harman/ kardon amplifier and 9-speaker premium sound system plus Keyless Access and Push-Button Start with Pin Code Access.

Models equipped with EyeSight also come with Steering Responsive Fog lights. This feature (which works when the fog lights are turned off) activates the left or right fog light independently, depending on the vehicle speed and steering angle, to provide enhanced illumination in the direction of the turn.

In addition, this system includes SMS text messaging, iTunes tagging capability and dual USB ports. SiriusXM NavWeather and NavTraffic are also available with a subscription. Also included with the navigation system are three years of complimentary map updates.

The top-of-line Limited trim builds on the Premium, bringing luxury to the WRX with leather-trimmed upholstery, an 8-way power driver’s seat and Welcome Lighting.

Exclusive to the WRX Limited, LED lowbeam headlights provide a unique look and enhanced visibility. The high beams are

For more information about Subaru or become a new member of the elite Subaru club, all you have to do is to come on down to Subaru Glendale and our kababayanChristian Marilla will be more than happy to inform you why Subaru is becoming a

favorite of Filipinos and the whole American market.

Subaru of Glendale is located at 1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204. You can reach them at 1-855-230-1547 or you can visit website www.subaruofglendale.net.

“Thank you Kuya Louie & Ate Ditas of Carson, CA,” says DCH Toyota Filipino Senior Sales Consultant Loyd Aler (right), after the couple chose Loyd’s and DCH Toyota’s top service to purchase their new car. Call 1-888-311-0102 and experience the same type service only at DCH Toyota.

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Toyota Sienna Honored at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Mass., May 26, 2015 – With up to 150 cubic feet of cargo space, the Toyota Sienna has plenty of room for storage. Which is good because it is acquiring a growing load of hardware – and awards can be bulky!

The 2015 Sienna took home the Best in Class Minivan Award at the fifth annual New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) Technology Conference, organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and NEMPA. Toyota’s award haul from the NEMPA conference includes the WheelsTV Previously Owned Vehicle Award for the 20062012 RAV4, which was chosen from a group of ten finalists.

The RAV4, redesigned in 2013, has a history of providing owners the comfort that has long been associated with Toyota vehicles. It was one of the first small SUVs and remains a leader in the intensely com-

petitive compact crossover segment.

This year’s conference focused on green vehicle technology and included a panel of experts who examined fuel economy, emissions reduction, and innovation in green vehicle technologies beyond tax rebates, mandates and the pressure of high oil and gas prices.

Robert Wimmer, Director of Energy & Environmental Research at Toyota Manufacturing North America, shared details about Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The 2015 Sienna holds true to its “Swagger Wagon” credentials. A more stylish interior – including a more comfortable and entertaining cockpit area, functional usage of cargo space and intelligent infotainment system – makes everyone a VIP. The exterior is refreshed with a restyled

The 2015 Toyota Sienna

front grille and updated headlights and taillights. The Sienna is the only minivan in its class to offer available All-Wheel Drive.

And with EPA-estimated 18/25 mpg (city/highway), the Sienna will get you where you need to go – maybe even before someone in the back seat says, “Are we there yet?”

But what’s good about buying either a Toyota Sienna, RAV4, Camry, Highlander, or any Toyota vehicle now for that matter, you can get a lifetime oil change and tires

for life if you purchase them from Hooman Toyota. That’s right folks, aside from free oil change and tires, other VIP treats are offered only at Toyota’s most popular car dealership in Long Beach.

For details, call our kababayans Filipino Fleet Director Mark Mercado or our other fellow kababayans Alfie Alberto, Arvin Aberilla, Jay S., Ryan and Carlos R. toll free at 1-800-519-2446 at be a VIP for life.

Hooman Toyota is located at 4401 East Pacific Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804.

Nissan Versa Note named one of the ‘10 Tech-Savviest Cars Under $20,000’ by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second straight year, the Nissan Versa Note is one of Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com’s “10 Tech-Savviest Cars Under $20,000.”

Awarded for its “excellent” Around View® Monitor and other tech options such as hands-free texting, Bluetooth and Pandora capability, the 2015 Versa Note finished sixth on the list.

Each of the vehicles included in the “10 Tech-Savviest Cars Under $20,000” list start below $20,000 according to Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price (FPP), a tool designed to show shoppers what others are paying for a specific new car.

“The 2015 Versa Note is a great example of value, technology, style and comfort all rolled into one rock solid vehicle,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations. “With an extensive list of technology features, unique exterior and interior styling cues, ample cargo space and much more, the 2015 Note is the full package at a starting price that even the most frugal buyer can appreciate. We’re honored to once again be recognized by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.”

The companion vehicle to the popular Versa sedan, Versa Note celebrates the unique qualities of its 5-door hatchback

design.

It shares its advanced platform and drivetrain with the Versa sedan, yet Versa Note has its own distinctive look and feel inside and out. It offers an extensive list of key features such as: Energetic exterior styling with steeply sloped windshield and sculpted body panels Available Active Grille Shutter for enhanced fuel economy (Xtronic-equipped models) 40 miles-per-gallon highway fuel economy (Xtronic-equipped models) Smart packaging and ample cargo space, with available with Divide-N-Hide Adjustable Floor (adjustable rear load floor height) Available NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps, HandsFree Text Messaging Assistant, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth Streaming Audio and class-exclusive Around View Monitor All 2015 Versa Note models come equipped with an advanced 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control). The Versa Note S features a 5-speed manual transmission, while the S Plus, SV, SR and SL models are equipped with a next-generation Nissan Xtronic transmission.

The long list of available equipment

2015 Nissan Versa Note: The companion vehicle to the popular Versa sedan, Versa Note celebrates the unique qualities of its 5-door hatchback design. It shares its advanced platform and drivetrain with the Versa sedan, yet Versa Note has its own distinctive look and feel inside and out.

includes Nissan Intelligent Key, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), heated front seats and 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Do you want a “taste” of the new Versa Note, just come down to Hooman Nissan and let their Filipino Fleet Director Mark Mercado show you why Nissan Versa

Note is a car for you, but that other Nissan vehicles may just be perfect for what you need.

Nissan Hooman can be reached at 1-800-519-2446. Better yet, drive down to the beautiful city of Long Beach where Nissan Hooman is located at 1800 E. Spring St. Signal Hill, Long Beach, CA 90755

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