US Asian Post March 25, 2016

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Noel Cabangon on uplifting the Filipino music industry See Page 6

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Vol. 5 No. 26

LOS ANGELES

A BALITA MEDIA PUBLICATION

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US BASES BACK IN PHL

Manila says defense strengthened Man under US ‘rotational’ deal

Manila, Philippi Philippines | AFP | Sunday 3/20/2016 – Sunday hailed a new accord giving The Philippines on Su the US military access to five of its bases, saying this would strengthen its defensive capabilities stre and maritime security. s The agreement between the two clos close allies comes as the Philippines and other co countries are embroiled in a tense dispute with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea. Under the agreement, US forces would be able to rotate through five Philippine bases including those close to the South China Sea. “The five agreed locations... reaffirms the shared commitment of the Philippines and US to strengthening their alliance in terms of ensuring both countries’ mutual defense and security,” Foreign Department spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement. Defense Department spokesman Peter Galvez said separately the agreement “would greatly enhance our capabilities” in maritime See US BASES, page 12

$81-M heist exposes PHL’s dirty money secrets

By Karl Malakunas

ZAMBALES, Philippines - U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Regiment quickly return to their Amphibious Assault Vehicle to grab extra equipment needed on the firing line, April 21, during a bilateral amphibious landing by the Philippine and U.S. Marines on North Beach at the Naval Education Training Center in Zambales, Philippines, as part of exercise Balikatan 2015. Designed to assault any shoreline from the well decks of Navy assault ships, AAVs are highly mobile, tracked armored amphibious vehicles that transport Marines and cargo to and through hostile territory. Balikatan, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise held since 1984, aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. San Antonio, Zambales is one of the bases to be used by the US forces. Photo: Cpl. Matthew Brag, US Marines

Belgium mocked for security failings

By Eric Randolph

Paris, France | AFP | Wednesday 3/23/2016 - Belgium’s approach to immigration and security has again come under fire after the Brussels bombings, but some say the country is being unfairly singled out and the timing of the criticism is crass.

Among the more bizarre statements was that of Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz.

“If in Belgium they continue to eat chocolate, enjoy life and parade as great liberals and democrats while not taking account of the fact that some of the Muslims who are there are organising acts of terror, they will not be able to fight against them,” Katz told Israeli radio.

But it was criticism closer to home that triggered particular outrage, after French Finance Minister Michel Sapin accused Brussels of “naivety” over the spread of Islamist extremism in their country.

“I think there was... a lack of will, on the part of some (Belgian) authorities... perhaps also a kind of naivety,” Sapin said on Tuesday, suggesting they “thought that to encourage good integration, communities should be left to develop on their own”.

Speaking to French TV station LCI, he added: “We know... that this is not the right answer. When a neighbourhood is in danger of becoming sectarian, we should See BELGIUM, page 12

Presidential candidates Roxas, Poe, Binay, Duterto: All oppose legalizing divorce Manila, Philippines | AFP | Sunday 3/20/2016 - 13:26 GMT | 258 words The Philippines looks likely to remain one of the few countries where divorce is illegal, based on a survey of the four leading presidential candidates on Sunday.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, veteran mayor Rodrigo Duterte and former interior secretary Mar Roxas were asked during a presidential debate to raise their hands if they favored legalization of divorce.

See DIVORCE, page 12

M a n i l a , P h i l i p pines | AFP | Sunday 3/20/20 3/20/2016 – When mystery hackers launch launched a stunning raid on Bangladesh’s Banglades foreign reserves, a plot wort worthy of a John le Carre spy novel w was sparked in the Philippines, exp exposing the Southeast Asian nation as a dirty money haven.

The $81 million stolen from the Bangladesh central bank’s American accounts last month was immediately sent via electronic transfer to the Philippines’ RCBC bank, with the thieves deliber-

ately targeting their laundering location.

The Philippines has some of the world’s strictest bank secrecy laws to protect account holders, while its casinos are exempt from rules altogether aimed at preventing money laundering.

“The Philippines is very attractive (for dirty money) because our laws have gaping holes. It’s easy to launder money here,” Senator Sergio Osmena, who is pushing for stronger anti-money laundering laws, told AFP. See $81-M HEIST, page 12

FBI to assist Bangladesh probe heist D h a k a , B a n g l a desh | AFP | Sunday 3/20/2016 – The FBI has agreed to help Bangladesh investigate an audacious $81 million theft from the nation’s foreign reserves, authorities said Sunday, days after the finance minister accused central bank officials of complicity in the heist.

A FBI official in Dhaka met with representatives from Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department and offered to assist with the investigation into the spectacular cross-country theft.

“Both the FBI and the CID have agreed to work together since it’s a transnational organized crime and transnational criminal networks are involved,” Md. Saiful Alam,

deputy inspector general of CID, told AFP. There was no immediate comment from the FBI. Hackers stole the money from the Bangladesh Bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on February 5 and managed to transfer it electronically to accounts in the Philippines.

The audacious cyber-theft has embarrassed the government, triggered outrage in the impoverished country and raised alarm over the security of the Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves of over $27 billion.

The central bank governor, his two deputies and the country’s See BANGLADESH, page 12

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Osmeña: Deguito testimony ‘closer to truth’ MANILA, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – Senator Serge Osmeña, one of the senators investigating the $81-million money laundering scandal, believes that among the testimonies of resource persons, that of RCBC branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito is “closer to the truth.”

“I think Deguito was closer to the truth. It was fairly easy to check out most of her facts. For example, she explained to us that there were five accounts that were opened in May 2015, at kinumbida siya sa isang merienda ni Mr. Kim Wong sa Midas Hotel, and he introduced Ms. Deguito to five gentlemen and said, ‘I’d like you to open dollar accounts for these five gentlemen and here are their IDs, information sheet, etc.,” the senator said.

“Tinanong namin kay Ms. Deguito, ‘Did you check whether the IDs looked valid?’ And she said, ‘Yes, that was their photos on the IDs, the IDs looked authentic, so I took it for granted, I took Mr. Kim Wong’s word for it.

So when I opened the five accounts, Mr. Kim Wong sent me $2,500 in cash to take care of the minimum balance of those accounts.

Of the five accounts, only four were used, the fifth was totally inactive,” he added.

Deguito is facing money-laundering charges over what is believed to be the country’s largest money-laundering case, involving funds stolen from the central bank of Bangladesh.

Osmeña said Kim Wong, who has been invited to the Senate probe, is turning out to be a major player in the scam because he was the one who kept following up if the money has reached the RCBC accounts and also chose PhilRem as the

remittance company.

He said that according to Deguito’s testimony, Wong would check with the bank every 20 minutes on February 5 if the $81 million had been deposited.

“We felt that she was lending credibility to her story,” Osmeña said.

Deguito earlier said she met Wong through Jason Go, a car trader and a valued client of RCBC. Go is also reported to be the one who recommended Deguito to be hired as branch manager of the RCBC Jupiter branch.

“The RCBC branch in Jupiter is right next to the office and operations of Jason Go. Remember, he runs the biggest second-hand car dealership in Metro Manila, so I guess he wanted somebody who will be friendly to him, would do him some favors, we don’t know, but it stands to reason that seems to be truth—Jason Go did recommend Deguito to be the branch manager of the Jupiter branch of RCBC,” said Osmeña. RCBC president and chief executive Lorenzo Tan has denied having a hand in Deguito’s hiring, but admitted to knowing both Go and Wong.

Osmeña noted that Jason Go’s name already surfaced prior to the hearings.

“We do our own sleuthing outside of the hearings.

Marami naman nagsusumbong sa amin, kilala itong mga grupo na ito eh, they’re not sleepers, maybe they’re not in the newspapers but the community tends to be familiar with their activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the senator hopes the ongoing Senate probe will result in weakening the bank secrecy law and strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Law.

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. TG Guingona III (center), Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto (2rd from right), Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano (right) and Senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV (left), Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (2nd from left) and Joseph Victor Ejercito (seated) in a huddle during a break of the continuation of the Senate inquiry on the reported laundering of $81 million that suspiciously went through the country’s financial system, including local casinos.(MNS photo)

“We will try to finish examining and nailing down the process that they follow with the remittance company. And then we want to know also what are the other activities William Go, Jason Go, Eastern Hawaiian, and the other companies do. This

might give as an indication whether they operate more outside the law than within the law. Then we also want to nail down the process that the casinos undertake when they receive this money,” Osmeña said.

“I just read yesterday

when the PAGCOR president said that, ‘Wala that’s already laundered through the bank and when it gets to the casino, wala na laundered na ‘yan.’ That’s not true, that’s the exact opposite. It’s the casino that launders the money, but the

moment it goes to the casino to a name like Weikang Xu, it disappears because it becomes co-mingled with all the money as they play at the casino,” he added.

The next Senate hearing is scheduled on March 29, Tuesday.(MNS)

MANILA, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – Filipino-Chinese businessman William So Go reportedly wanted a 10-percent kickback from the $81 million laundered from the account of the Bangladesh Bank with the US Federal Reserve Bank in New York to maintain his silence about the transactions.

“Deguito is saying otherwise, that Go was asking her for 10 percent of $81 million para pumayag siya or para maayos problema,” Senator Teofisto Guingona III said in an interview in Manila on Monday.

Guingona was referring to claims made by Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

(RCBC) Jupiter branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito during the executive session with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on March 17.

Go is the former owner of S&R Membership Shopping (formerly PriceSmart Membership Shopping) and CUL Warehouse Shopping.

He is now the sole proprietor of brokerage firm Centurytex Trading which services the importation of international garment labels such as Guess, Vans, Mango, Terranova, and US-based ice cream parlor chain Cold Stone Creamery.

Sought for comment, Go’s legal counsel belied the claims. “This is not true.

She offered P10 million,” Go’s counsel Atty. Ramon S. Esguerra said in a text message sent to GMA News Online on Monday.

“Mr. Go declined as according to him, he is not stupid to legitimize an other-

wise illegal account. His demand was for Mrs. Deguito to clear his name from the anomaly,” Esguerra added.

In earlier interviews, as well as in his affidavit submitted to the NBI, Go claimed that he was invited by a “friend” on February 22 to meet with Deguito on February 23.

“At the said meeting, Ms. Santos disclosed to me that she opened fictitious dollar and peso bank accounts for Centurytex at RCBC Jupiter... Ms. Santos further admitted to me that she opened Centurytex’s RCBC accounts to facilitate the deposit of a substantial amount of US Dollar remittance allegedly coming from Bangladesh, which she later converted to peso,” the affidavit read.

This was when Go said he was offered P10 million

by Deguito for him to keep mum regarding the transactions.

“We’ll have to look at all angles here,” Guingona said, noting that the next Senate hearing slated on March 29 will be somehow focused on the transactions regarding the account named under Go. “Tapusin na natin ‘yang yugto na ‘yan,” he added,

referring to Go. The RCBC account—earlier denied by Go to be his— was found to have been the storing grounds of the consolidated laundered funds before it was then transferred to the three casinos: Solaire Resort and Casino, City of Dreams Manila, and Midas Hotel and Casino.

During the hearing on Thursday, RCBC Legal and Regulatory Affairs Head Maria Cecilia Fernandez-Estavillo said the supposed account of Go was found to be fictitious.

“Under independent verification, the addresses of William Go are false in those accounts... The signatures do not seem to match the signatures in the other accounts in Trinoma,” she told the blue ribbon committee.

For his part, Go on Friday filed criminal complaints against Deguito and RCBC senior customer relationship officer Angela Torres for dragging him into the laundering scheme.

The complaints filed before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office accuse Deguito and Torres of committing falsification of commercial documents, which is punishable under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code. (MNS)

Go wanted 10 percent kickback from $81M laundered funds, Deguito tells solons

Big banks need tougher audits: US regulator

New York, United States | AFP | Friday 3/18/2016 – US banking supvervisors should beef up their oversight of large banks beyond stress tests with deep-dive audits and greater use of outside examiners, a top regulator said Friday.

Under a “full-scope” exam, a team of regulators would converge on the largest US banks to pull ledgers, check whether loan payments are on time and “systematically review a cross-section of bank portfolios,” said Thomas Hoenig, vice chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Such exams, intended to uncover problems like the profusion of bad mortgages at the heart of the 2008 financial crisis, are routine at smaller banks, but not at the biggest ones, he said.

Hoenig, speaking at a conference at the Federal

Reserve Bank of New York, said the Fed’s use of stress tests, which analyze banks’ ability to withstand a theoretical severe economic crisis, was helpful but not sufficient to protect the system.

“Supervisors of these firms have become overly reliant on bank models, model validation reviews, stress tests, and updates from bank management as a substitute for records review and hard questioning to draw conclusions regarding a firm’s condition,” he said.

“Full-scope examinations delve into the quality of portfolios and their implications for long-term resilience. A full-scope exam is a point-intime analysis of a bank’s full balance-sheet quality and management competence.”

Hoenig, who has previously supported breaking up the largest US banks, also took a swipe at the Fed’s

reliance on regulators who are stationed at large banks.

The practice causes regulators to “develop a more insular perspective” that can make it hard to question a bank’s assumptions or identify potential disasters.

Hoenig said there is still a place for on-site examiners, but that they should be “subsumed” within a larger regulatory apparatus that includes a team of commissioned examiners who rotate from bank to bank.

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Garcias’ One Cebu Party dumps Binay CEBU CITY, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – The Garcia-led One Cebu Party confirmed that it has broken its alliance with Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Party for allegedly neglecting to include them in their campaign sorties in Cebu province.

In a press conference in Cebu City on Monday morning, One Cebu Party president and gubernatorial candidate Winston Garcia said their decision to sever ties with UNA has been thoroughly deliberated on by its members.

“One Cebu entered into an alliance with UNA in the belief that it will be a partnerships of equals.

UNA treated One Cebu like Imperial Manila treats the rest of the Philippines (with disrespect),” Garcia read the party statement.

Winston cited the public

rally of UNA on Monday night in Lapu-Lapu City in which they were not invited.

He also said that UNA did not inform or coordinated with them on Binay’s sortie in Cebu last Thursday in Carcar City, Dalaguete, Argao and Talisay City.

“Right from the outset, UNA regarded the alliance as nothing more than a marriage of convenience,” he said.

One Cebu earlier forged an alliance with UNA last month and declared support for Binay.

As to which candidate they would support now for the national election, Winston said they might go for a free zone or they might decide to support one candidate.

As to who this candidate would be, Winston said, they would still have to conduct consultations with their leaders in Cebu. (MNS)

Poe camp renews talks with One Cebu CEBU, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – The camp of Sen. Grace Poe and several members of One Cebu renew “exploratory talks” after the latter announced on Monday that it is breaking its alliance with Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance party.

According to Cebu 5th District Rep. Ace Durano, Poe’s campaign manager, he has been in discussions with One Cebu ally 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

Durano said some members of One Cebu had expressed their interest in supporting the Poe-Escudero tandem.

He said that just this weekend, Salimbangon reached out to relay the party’s disappointment with UNA. “It was Congressman Behur Salimbangon who relayed to me that yun nga, at the time, he didn’t relay it will be a formal decision

on the part of One Cebu. He just relayed to me that they are disappointed. And that One Cebu wants to break the alliance,” he said.

The campaign manager said getting One Cebu’s support would be a huge win for any candidate in vote-rich Cebu, which has about 2.7 million registered voters.

“One Cebu is a province-wide political party with structure with the network I can say that they are comparable to [Liberal Party] here in Cebu,” Durano said.

However, Durano clarified that as of now, he still has to discuss the possible alliance with Poe, Escudero and PGP political advisors.

“If ever, I’ll just be a facilitator,” he said.

Durano noted One Cebu is also talking to Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s camp. (MNS)

Binay ‘urges’ rivals to submit to AMLC probe

CEBU CITY, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday urged fellow presidential candidates to subject all their bank accounts to investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) but stopped short of signing a waiver opening his accounts to a probe.

Binay made the challenge a day after he bore the brunt of criticism and allegations of corruption during the second “PiliPinas” presidential debate held at the University of the Philippines in Cebu on Sunday In a press conference at the Mactan Waterfront Hotel, Binay also furnished to the media copies of his Statement of Assets and Liabilities Networth (SALN), Statement of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), income tax returns, and a waiver he signed with the AMLC authorizing the council to subject him and his family to lifestyle check and a bank investigation.

Binay also showed a Jan. 27, 2016 medical certificate from Makati Medical Center finding him “physically and mentally fit for his candidacy as President of the Republic of the Philippines.”

He also showed to the media a copy of the Seal of Good Housekeeping to Makati city when he was mayor issued by the late Interior Sec. Jesse Robredo.

Binay however begged off from signing the waiver immediately because he has yet to consult with his lawyer.

“Hindi ko sila hinahamon. Hinihimok ko sila na kami ay magkaisa na pumirma ng general waiver na ito, voluntarily submit ourselves to a lifestyle government check in accordance with law, kasama dito ang accounts ng asawa, my children, and my children’s children’s names,” Binay said. The waiver reads: “We, the undersigned candidates for President of the Philippines, hereby authorize the Anti-Money Laundering Council or its duly authorized representatives to open and check all bank accounts under my name, under my spouse’s name, my children’s name, and my children children’s name to ensure full transparency in this election process.”

Blanks were reserved for the signatures of Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, Davao city Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and Mar Roxas. “We, the undersigned candidates for President of the Philippines, also voluntarily submit ourselves to a lifestyle and government service performance in accordance with law,” the waiver read.

The waiver is dated March 20, 2016 in Cebu.

Binay made the dare after a report by the AMLC leaked finding alleged billions in deposits stashed in joint bank accounts between Binay and his alleged dummies.

According to newspaper report quoting the bank findings, the AMLC said Binay had billions of funds in joint accounts with alleged dummies – which he purportedly earned from the allegedly overpriced Makati car park building, Makati Science High School building, and cakes for senior citizens – to finance his 2010 vice presidential bid.

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Thousands participate in the formation of the biggest “human blood drop” as part of a blood-letting activity, at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City, Friday. The event aims to raise awareness on the importance of blood donation to help patients in need of blood transfusion.(MNS photo)

UN agency: SC ruling on Poe a victory for foundlings, stateless property,” he added.

In a 9-6 vote, the high court declared that Poe is qualified to run for the highest elective post in the land, noting that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen and a resident of the country for 10 years.

Kerblat said the “significant” SC decision was an “important step” in the country’s history. “[T]he Philippines is a shining example of humanitarianism in taking concrete steps to reduce statelessness in the region. It sets a positive example that member states may wish to follow,” he said.

“UNHCR commends the

Government of the Philippines for its ongoing efforts to consider acceding to the 1961 Convention, which establishes an international framework to ensure the right of every person to a nationality by establishing safeguards to prevent statelessness,” Kerblat added.

Poe, the adopted daughter of movie stars Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces, was abandoned as a baby at a church in Jaro, Iloilo in 1968. She became an American citizen in 2001 after residing for more than a decade in the United States before returning to the Philippines in 2005 following the death of her father.

MANILA, Mar 19 (Mabuhay) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Philippines has welcomed the Supreme Court’s (SC) landmark ruling “favoring foundlings as citizens,” referring to the high tribunal’s decision to allow Sen. Grace Poe to run for president in the May polls.

UNHCR country representative Bernard Kerblat highlighted that the Philippines has a “strong humanitarian tradition of international protection in support of those at risk of being stateless” amid global discrimination against foundlings.

“The Philippines was the first country in the Southeast Asia to become party to the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, which defines who is considered stateless and establishes minimum standards of treatment,” Kerblat said in a statement.

Running mates Escudero, Poe disagree on death penalty issue

Poe says she favors death penalty but only as a last resort

MANILA, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – Vice presidential aspirant Francis “Chiz” Escudero maintained on Monday his position against the reimposition of the death penalty in the country despite presidential aspirant Grace Poe’s support for it.

“No,” Escudero, Poe’s running mate in the May 9 elections, said in a text message when asked if he would change his position now that Poe has made her stand clear on the issue.

“We have agreed to disagree on this and some other issues. Diversity of opinion is to be expected in a democratic and free society,” he added.

Escudero earlier expressed his strong opposition on the reimposition of the death penalty, saying law offenders deserve second chances.

But Poe, during the second presidential debate in Cebu on Sunday, raised her hand during the “Taas Kamay” segment of the debate when asked who among the candidates were in favor of bringing back capital punishment in the Philippines.

One of her rivals, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, also raised his hand.

The “Taas Kamay” segment of the debate only allowed candidates to raise their hands if they agree on the questions asked of them without any explanation.

But Duterte managed to say that his support for the death penalty was only for drug cases while Poe said she was for it only for heinous crimes and also drug cases.

Their other two rivals present during the debate, Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, did not raise their hands on the question.

“Today 10 million people around the world are without any clearly defined link to an established nationality. A child is born stateless every ten minutes. They are denied their basic rights.

They have no freedom of movement, no access to education, social services, employment and to own

MANILA, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe is standing by her opinion that death penalty should be reinstated for heinous crimes but said it should only be the last resort if crime continues to be a nationwide problem.

Speaking to reporters in Cebu after the second PiliPinas presidential debates Sunday night, Poe stressed that she will not immediately call for the restoration of death penalty should she become president.

Rather, she would focus first on “rehabilitating” the justice system so that harsher penalties would be provided for those convicted of heinous crimes, like drug pushing. “Malinaw para sa akin na kailangan magkaroon muna tayo ng rehabilitasyon ng justice system natin. Hindi naman kaagadagad. Unang-una, sa Kongreso daraan ‘yan,” she said.

But if efforts to curb crim-

inality still fails, Poe said capital punishment should be reinstated.

“Pero sa tingin ko kung hindi pa rin maaawat ang kriminalidad sa ating bayan, at kailangan magkaroon ng mas istriktong paraan, para sa mga heinous crimes, sa mga drug pushers, at para doon sa mga paulit-ulit na gumagawa ng multiple crimes—doon lamang,” she said. Poe was one of the two presidential aspirants who expressed support for death penalty during the “taas kamay” portion of the second leg of the presidential debate held at the University of the Philippines Cebu campus.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who had bragged about killing criminals in his locality even before he ran for president, was the other candidate who backed capital punishment.

While Poe supports the imposition of death penalty

for heinous crimes, she said the justice system must first be fixed so the poor will not be at a disadvantage during their trial.

“Pero inuulit ko, aayusin muna natin ang sistema ng hustisya para naman ang mahihirap ay hindi biktima dahil kulang ang kanilang representasyon,” she said.

Should she win in the May elections, Poe vowed to increase the budget allocation of the Public Attorney’s Office and recruit brilliant lawyers to fill its roster so that poor individuals accused of crimes will have competent representation in court. Although death penalty was abolished in the 1987 Constitution, it was reinstated through Republic Act 7659, which imposes capital punishment on certain heinous crimes, and RA 8177 provides for lethal injection as the means of carrying out the death penalty.

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N.Korea missile tests ‘flagrant’ UN violation United Nations, United States | AFP | Friday 3/18/2016 – North Korea’s latest missile tests were in “flagrant” violation of UN resolutions banning such launches, the US envoy said Friday ahead of urgent talks at the Security Council.

The United States called for consultations after North Korea test-fired two medium-range ballistic missiles that US Ambassador Samantha Power said showed Pyongyang’s defiance of the Security Council.

“In further defiance, North Korea last night carried out additional launches using proscribed ballistic missile technology—flagrant violations that the Security Council will hold urgent consultations to discuss,” Power told an event on North Korean women held at the US mission.

Two weeks ago, the Security Council imposed its toughest sanctions on North Korea to date after Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test and fired a rocket that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.

Japan’s UN Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa called the latest missile launches “very, very unfortunate.”

“We hope the Security Council will be united to tell the DPRK” to change its policy, he said.

The 15-member council was expected to agree on a statement condemning the latest launches during its closed-door meeting later Friday, diplomats said.

British Deputy UN Ambassador Peter Wilson said “this is exactly the sort of thing that they should not be doing.”

“What we see yet again is the North Koreans defying the will of the international community and the Security Council,” he said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the firing of the two missiles was “deeply troubling” and urged Pyongyang to halt “these inflammatory and escalatory actions,” his spokesman said.

Ban called on North Korea to comply with UN resolutions that bar the country from developing missile technology.

During her remarks, Power took an apparent swipe at China, saying it would be “absurd” to disassociate North Korea’s dismal rights situation from its military ambitions.

China has opposed discussion in the Security Council of North Korea’s rights record, arguing that the forum for this was the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“Many of North Korea’s systematic human rights violations deliberately underwrite the government’s nuclear program, including the forced labor carried out by tens of thousands of women and children,” said Power.

South Korean military officials said the first missile was launched from Sukchon in the country’s southwest at 2055 GMT Thursday and the second about 20 minutes later.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un this week ordered multiple ballistic missile launches and a nuclear warhead test.

The launches came a day after US President Barack Obama signed an order implementing tough sanctions that were outlined in the recent UN sanctions resolution, as well as fresh unilateral US measures.

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OPINION

Palace official likens presidential bets to ‘Fantastic Four’

MANILA, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – The four presidential candidates who faced off in the second leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2016 in Cebu City were like the “Fantastic Four,” a Malacañang official said Monday.

In a media briefing, Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) likened Vice President Jejomar Binay to the “Human Torch” from the Marvel Comics’ fictional team of superheroes.

“It was sort of like watching the Fantastic Four on stage. The Vice President was like the Human Torch except he flamed out,” Quezon said.

He then went on to describe

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as “The Thing” and Senator Grace Poe as “The Invisible Girl.”

“The good mayor of Davao, Mayor Duterte, was like The Thing.

Everything was solvable by clobbering time,” Quezon said. “[Senator Poe] was so transprent and she put herself so much in the background that you could see that glowing brain of Tony La Vina in what she was saying and at the same time, she allowed the sort of political choreography of her running mate, Chiz Escudero, to shine through,” he added.

Quezon was referring to lawyer Antonio La Vina, the dean of the Ateneo School of Government and one of Poe’s advisers in her presidential campaign; and Poe’s vice-presidential candidate, Sena-

tor Francis Escudero.

The Palace official described administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas as “Mr. Fantastic.”

“Of course to our mind, he was Mr. Fantastic...He showed an analytical mind, a scientific approach to problem-solving and that demonstrated that he was a natural a team leader,” Quezon said.

Roxas is an endorsed candidate of President Benigno Aquino III. In Sunday’s presidential debate, only four of the candidates were able to attend. Senator Miram Defensor-Santiago pulled out of the event, saying she was recently accepted to undergo a clinical trial for a new, unnamed anti-cancer pill.(MNS)

LP: Debate exposed Poe’s lack of familiarity with president’s duties MANILA, Mar 21 (Mabuhay) – If there’s anything that could be said about the performance of Senator Grace Poe in the second leg of the presidential debates, it is her “lack of familarity” with the duties of a chief executive, the spokesperson of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) said Monday.

In a media briefing, LP spokesperson Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez scored Poe’s supposed confusion over the question of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on what she would do if she was awakened by news that two of the country’s coast guard cutters were attacked.

“Sa tingin ko, that was a real reflection on the lack of familiarity niya with the role of a president, what the resources available to the president are and what the priorities are of a president should [the Philippines] be in a crisis,” Gutierrez told reporters.

In her answer, Poe talked in length on how she would work to improve the country’s defense capability, even buying surface-toair missiles, while engaging other countries to stand with the Philippines as regards its rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Pressed what she would do on that night when she’s told of an attack on Philippine coast guard vessels, Poe told Duterte in jest

that she’d have to get up first.

“I’m just talking about worst case scenario, ang tanong ko kasi what would be the first step that you would do if you are informed in the middle of the night, you are awakened na dalawang Coast Guard ay pinasabog ng China with missiles, what could be the first step that you would do?” Duterte said.

Gutierrez called Poe’s second response “joke time.”

“Well, kung ikaw ay humarap ng krisis tapos ang unang maiisip mong gawin ay magsabi na ‘babangon ako at hindi ako maghihintay ng alas singko,’ that doesn’t re-assure me, ‘di ba?”

“I am alarmed that somebody who is vying for the highest office in the land seems to be completely unfamiliar with what he or should take as first steps when confronted with that,” Gutierrez added.

The LP spokesperson said Poe should have just said that she will call Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, her running mate in the 2016 elections, for advice on what to do.

Gutierrez also cited Poe’s mistake when she said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is under the supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), where Roxas was sercretary.

“Ang PDEA ay under ng OP (Office of the President). Kung ikaw

ay magiging presidente, sana alam mo yung mga agencies under you,” he told Poe. Poe had been criticized for her supposed inexperience, having only been senator for three years before trying for the presidency.

She was also previously chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

During the first PiliPinas Debates 2016 in Cagayan de Oro City last February 21, Roxas told Poe that the presidency should not be treated as an “OJT.” “Ipagpaumanhin ng aking kaibigang si Senadora Grace Poe na ang pagiging pangulo ay hindi OJT. Kinabukasan, buhay, at kaunlaran ng 100 milyong Pilipino ang nakasalalay dito, kaya may tamang panahon para sa lahat.

Para sa akin, ang karanasan ay isa sa pinakamahalagang katangian para sa pagka-pangulo,” he said.

Poe fired back, saying that Roxas may have served under three administrations, but problems remain in the agencies that he handled.

“Pasensya na po, pero marami na rin akong naimbestigahan tulad ng DILG at DOTC sa MRT at sa tingin ko naman, hindi mo kailangan ng napakahabang karanasan para malaman na kulang ang tulong ng gobyerno ng transportasyon para sa bayan,” she said.

(MNS)

Commission asks next President to take bold steps to combat climate change MANILA, Mar 19 (Mabuhay) – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) wants those running for office in the May elections, especially presidential aspirants, to include in their agenda steps to combat climate change and its far-reaching effects on food security, health, livelihood, and poverty.

Vice chairperson of the CCC, Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman, said on Saturday that environmental issues must be high on the to-do list of the next president, as candidates face off for the second

round of presidential debates in Cebu on Sunday. The debate’s topics include climate change.

“Taking decisive action against climate change should be the top priority of the next president. The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and it will take good leadership to strengthen the country’s ability to adapt to its impacts,” Secretary de Guzman said.

“Our next set of leaders must recognize the serious concerns associated with climate change.

Extreme weather events, such as droughts, El Niño, unusually strong typhoons and storms, have sociopolitical and national security implications. Even our daily existence and activities are affected.”

He emphasized that to effectively address climate change, the next president must harmonize efforts—from the national government down to the barangay level— to prepare communities across the country to cut down risks and put in place programs to make them resilient.

Caregivers must be paid overtime compensation Under California law most caregivers must be paid overtime compensation when working 24hour shifts. With the increase in California’s minimum wage to $10 an hour on January 1, 2016, that means a 24-hour caregiver must be paid $315 a day to comply with the current law. Many caregivers are working under a day rate or monthly salary. A day rate or monthly salary does not compensate for the overtime hours worked and results in a substantial unpaid overtime claim for the employee.

Oftentimes, employers attempt to avoid liability by claiming the caregiver is an “independent contractor.” In most circumstances, this argument will fail as typically employers maintain significant control over the caregiver such that that California law will find the caregiver to be an employee.

This change in the overtime rules for caregivers became effective on January 1, 2014, when the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (DWBR) became law in the State of

California. Previously, employees who qualified as “personal attendants,” including caregivers, nannies and babysitters who worked in private households, were exempt from overtime.

The DWBR eliminated the overtime exemption for personal attendants and provides that personal attendants, “shall not be employed more than nine hours in any workday or more than 45 hours in any workweek unless the employee receives one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate of pay for all hours worked over nine hours in any workday and for all hours worked more than 45 hours in the workweek.”

So now caregivers, nannies and babysitters (with limited ex-

ceptions) must be paid overtime compensation.

Under Labor Code § 1194, domestic workers are not only able to recover their unpaid overtime in a civil action, but they also may recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

California law also provides interest and penalties for workers who are not properly paid overtime compensation.

If you are working as a caregiver who is not paid overtime when working more than nine hours a day or 45 hours a week, you should consult with an attorney to discuss your rights under this law. With all the penalties, interest and attorneys fees allowed, claims often exceed $100,000 for 24-hour employees working just over 1 year.

Article written by Daniel Chaleff, Employment Law Attorney of Chaleff Rehwald. Mr. Chaleff has been practicing employment law for over 21 years.

For free and confidential consultation call (818) 807-4168.

THE US ASIAN POST Friday - Thursday, March 25 - 31, 2016

ENTERT Cesar Montano defends ‘poor son’ Diego over mauling incident Cesar Montano has come to the defense of his son Diego Loyzaga after the young actor was tagged in a mauling incident last March 13 outside a posh club in Taguig City, claiming that his “poor son� was wrongly being blamed for causing the “rumble.�

The 53-year-old Montano said that he has already spoken with Loyzaga, who has denied that he and his friends ganged up on brothers Wilmer Angelo and Wilmer Paolo Lopez last Sunday. “Apparently, what happened was a small version of what we used to call back in the day, a rumble,� Montano said. “The moment it ignited, sa sobrang gulo at dami ng tao hindi mo na alam kung sino ang kakampi mo at sino kalaban mo.�

He went on to narrate the events leading up to the incident as told to him by his son. He said that Loyzaga and Lopez, who had a “misunderstanding� inside the club, managed to patch things up “like real gentlemen.� “Then a few hours later this commotion broke out where [a] Lopez brother apparently got beaten up.

Sa sobrang dami ng tao, you cannot name names except for the actor himself, my son Diego,� Montano said. “Eh sino pa ituturo mo?� “But the truth of the matter is, from the time

Cesar Montano has come to the defense of his son Diego Loyzaga.

this rumble took off, Diego, my son, was a few meters away where Lopez being was beaten up. Simultaneously, Diego was trying to protect himself from being hit by flying fists coming from different directions.�

He continued: “[Diego was] looking for a safe place but unfortunately, he got punched in the nose. And before he even knew it, Diego’s face was covered with his own blood.� “Yes, Diego was in the area where the commotion took place but definitely not part of it. He was a victim, too. He got injured And he has a medical certificate to prove it.� “At the end of the day,

they need somebody to point their finger at and get all the blames. And my poor son was the most qualified because that night he was the only personality you can name and no one else,�

Montano concluded.

Last Wednesday, Wilmer Angelo and Wilmer Paolo, accompanied by their lawyer, filed a complaint at the Taguig Hall of Justice against Loyzaga and several others in connection with the mauling incident.

Their camp did not disclose any other details, but said that they are pushing for criminal charges to be lodged against Loyzaga and the other individuals named in the complaint. (MNS)

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INMENT Jealous husband hampers Donna’s acting comeback Donna Cruz was only 21 years old and at the peak of her career when she surprised everyone by marrying Dr. Yong Larrazabal and settling down for good in his native Cebu.

Now 39, Donna is making a comeback after 18 long years with a Star Music album, “Now and Forever�. Any regrets that she left showbiz so early? “None,� she says at her album launch. “Sobrang blessed ako sa husband ko. Actually, whirlwind romance ‘yung amin. One month after we met, he proposed marriage to me na and in 9 months, we had our wedding. Ganun kabilis. I’m so happy with our three kids: Bel, who’s now 16; Sean, 13 and Gio, 8. But sobrang na-miss ko ang singing kasi it’s my first love, my passion. Alam nila sa bahay how much I miss singing kasi naririnig nila ako sa buong bahay, kanta ako ng kanta. Tapos, I did a recording sa bahay ng ‘Let It Go’, sabi nila, desperada na. It was posted sa internet and naging viral.

Napanood nila sa Star Music and asked my manager, Shirley Kwan, if I’d be interested to do a new album. The offer came at a time when I was really ready to record again. I asked my husband’s permission and he not only agreed but also co-produced it kaya ang saya-saya ko.�

Her album has six revivals (“Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin�, “Friends�, “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin�, “Nag-iisang Ikaw�, “Hanggang� and “Ika’y Mahal Pa Rin�) plus two originals (“A Love to Last� and “Langit ang Pag-ibig�.) Star Music audio content head Jonathan Manalo says: “Mas gumanda pa ang boses ni Donna, mas kumapal, hindi na bata. And her singing, nag-improve din.

Mas may puso na.�

Does this mean she’ll also go back into acting since her last movie, “Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot� with Jason Everly, was almost 20 years ago? “Ever since, hindi naman nawawalan ng offers. But it’s my choice to

Donna Cruz

focus on our family. As of now, I just want to focus on singing. Seloso husband ko, di puwede may romantic scenes. At pati kids namin. Noong una, excited pa sila na babalik ako. But now, nagrereklamo na. Ma, you’re always in Manila. So I explain na I’m busy recording and promoting my album. Di lalo na kung gagawa ako ng movie o TV show, mas malalayo ako sa kanila, pwera na lang siguro kung doon gagawin sa Cebu.�

Will she allow any of her kids to join showbiz? “They all sing, but ang nakikita ko lang na pang-showbiz is the youngest, Gio. He just had a music recital in school and we sang together. Grabe ang confidence niya.

He said, I want to be famous. But I doubt kung papayagan siya ng dad niya kasi first honor siya. Studies pa rin ang priority.�

She’s almost 40 but she still looks like someone in her 20s. What’s her secret? “We eat healthy food and I’m into running.

Nakasali na ako sa three marathons at nakumpleto ko ‘yung 42 kilometers kaya hindi ako tumataba.� (MNS)

6

Friday - Thursda Thursday, March 25 - 31, 2016

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THE US ASIAN POST

Noel Cabangon on uplifting the Filipino music industry With foreign music giving Original Pilipino Music stiff competition practically in all fronts including the air waves and online, musician and Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP) President Noel Cabangon believes it’s high time we invest more in culture and the arts in order to give our own music a boost.

He cited that in 2015 alone, foreign music was played 2,694,829 times in the country. In comparison, local music was played 424,387 times.

This translated to bigger revenues for foreign music at 62%, while local music revenues stand at 38%.

Noel believes the South Korean model of pushing culture and the arts is a good example that Pinoys could emulate.

“Kung meron man tayo na titignan na model, probably, it’s the South Korean model, ’yung sa K-pop. Because it’s really supported by the (Korean) government,” Noel said at the Pandesal Forum a few days ago.

He added, “The Korean government funded K-pop. When you

say K-pop, it’s not just music, it’s encompassing, including art, movies, etc. Nagtayo din sila ng institutions for K-pop.”

The composer-singer hopes government would provide similar support to the local music industry.

“Sa atin kasi iyon ’yung isang kakulangan talaga. Ang budget natin for arts and culture ay napakaliit. Siguro isang kaibahan din, in other countries, they have a department of culture whereas dito sa atin we only have a commission.

“Of course, we have CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines)… but very defined ang kanyang role. We don’t have a department that promotes contemporary Filipino music. Iyon siguro ang kailangan natin para umangat ang industriya.”

He shared, “I don’t know if there were investments made already sa theatre, sa music, sa movies, na comparable to what other countries do. Or kahit investments na maikukumpara sa investments na binibigay ng government sa ibang departments sa ating bansa, like the way they invest on tourism, infrastructure, etc. Para sa music, meron po ba? Parang kulang po.”

Noel called on support from local businessmen. He also asks Filipino artists to be more responsible as a collective, noting how many artists record albums simply for mass consumption.

“Ang nangyayari lately, parang they create albums na lang in the manner na kung ano na lang ’yung kakagatin ng masa. As if the gauge or pamantayan for creating music ay kung ano ’yung gugustuhin ng masa, which I think for me is dangerous. “If we talk about music as an art, dapat ’yung artist, siya ang naghahain, siya ang nagmumulat sa mga sisilbihan niya. We should push for music that reflects who we are as a nation. We have to force the market to listen. Hindi lang ’yung kung ano ang gusto nila.” (MNS)

Ultimate Heartthrobs Piolo & Sam with ‘Pokwang’ & Darren Live at Pechanga in March Two of the most sought after young Filipino actors, both on screen, cinema and singing sensation, Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby— along with comedian extraordinaire, ‘Pokwang’ and budding male actor Darren Espanto, in one of a kind performance ever will lead the pack of performers live at Pechanga Resort & Casino on March 26 at 8p.m. and March 27 at 5pm.

Pechanga Resort & Casino is well-known for hosting the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers such as international singer Gary Va-

lenciano, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, the singer/actress and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, popular comedian and actor Vice Ganda, winner of “Star Power Search 2011” Angeline Quintos, international actress and top endorser Anne Curtis, and Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo - who all gave wholesome entertainment to the delight of the crowd.

Dubbed as ‘ Heartthrobs Reloaded Live at Pechanga, ‘ Pascual, an award winning actor and singer, was tagged as one and only ultimate heartthrob due to his peculiarity, smart looks

and hot appeal. He’s being link to well-known famed celebrities and is notorious as every lady’s dream man.

Born Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual on January 12, 1977 to Amelia “Amy” Nonato and Philip (Herzig) Pascual. The youngest of six (four girls and 2 boys), Peejay (his nickname) was considered a “miracle baby”. Pascual was discovered by a family friend who picked him up and on their way home and stopped at the taping of the late German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment show. It was there that a staff member saw a poten-

tial star in Piolo. He was asked to audition and later got a call back to be part of the show. He also became one of the country’s leading endorsers. Billboards lined up in highways with him endorsing brands such as Hammerhead, Max’s chicken, San Mig Coffee, Bench, Belo, Banco de Oro, etc.

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ ‘Rockcoustic Heartthrob’, Sam Milby is an established actor and multi-awarded singer who is one of the few homegrown actors to venture into Hollywood while maintaining a successful career in the Philippines. From being just another Pinoy Big Brother housemate, the Filipino-American looker has eclipsed even his own popularity with sold-out concerts and Platinum albums, top-rating TV soaps.

Born and raised in Troy, Ohio, Milby is the youngest son of Filipina Elsie Lacia who hails from Surigao Philippines and American entrepreneur, Lloyd Milby.

Commonly known as Pokwang— A comedienne, television host, and singer.

Born on August 27, 1960 as Marietta Subong. She is a well-known actress, who won the Clown in a Million contests in ABS-CBN’s comedy-gag show program. Yes, Yes Show! (2004). She is the ninth child in a family of twelve.

Darren Lyndon Gonzales

Espanto (born May 24, 2001) is a Filipino singer. Born in Calgary, Canada to Filipino parents, at 10 years old, he won the Masters Finals of the Pinoy Singing Sensation competition in Edmonton.

He made his first television appearance at the age of ten when he joined YTV’s reality television The Next Star in 2012; he became the youngest finalist in the history of the show to be included in the Top 6.

Espanto rose to prominence after joining the first season of the The Voice Kids Philippines, the youngest artist who staged a major solo concert at the age of 13. Piolo, Sam, Pokwang, and Darren— are perfect combinations to thrill you come March by Temecula, California’s only pride— Pechanga Resort & Casino.

Buy your tickets now (from $118, $98, $88 to $78) at the Pechanga Box Office, Wednesday-Sunday from noon to 8p.m. or go online at

www.Pechanga.com.

About Pechanga Resort & Casino Pechanga Resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/ casino experiences anywhere in the United States.

Voted the Number One Casino in America by readers of USA TODAY and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway. Offering more than 3,400 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHANGA or visit www.Pechanga.com.

Does Aiko Melendez support her son’s showbiz career?

Unlike her character in prime time drama series “The Story of Us,” actress Aiko Melendez is a supportive mother in real life.

Her son with actor-producer Jomari Yllana has joined showbiz as part of talent management company Star Magic.

However, the 17-year-old Yllana asked Melendez to avoid watching him during taping because it makes him uncomfortable.

“Ang usapan po namin ay hindi ako makikialam. So as much as gusto kong makialam, hindi po ako makiki-alam,” Melendez said.

“Sabi niya, ‘Mom, I wanna be an actor, but can you not watch my taping.’”

According to Melendez, she respects her son’s wish.

But she emphasized that she will always be there to guide him in making decisions.

“Naramdaman ko na he wants to have a free hand on everything, of course, with my guidance. Pero ‘yong typical na bantay sarado, hindi ko po gagawin ‘yon,” she said.

When asked about her

Aiko Melendez

relationship with her son’s father, Melendez said they continue to be in good terms.

“I involve him as much as he can. Kasi he’s busy campaigning now. Pero kapag may time talaga, I involve him lalo na kapag mayroong family day, talagang I tell him to come,” she added.

According to her, many people are even teasing them that someday they would be back together—a possibility that the 40-yearold actress does not dismiss.

“Parang lahat ng tao want us to be back together because it’s just so beautiful.

How can you see two ex’s together and then parang

wala lang nangyari,” she said. “Pressure ito, pero try natin.”

Meanwhile, apart from Yllana, many bachelors have also been linked to Melendez, who admitted that she has suitors.

“Oh yes. Not only one,” she jokingly said.

“Mayroong nandiyan who’s always texting me and asking me ‘kamusta’ But ‘yong constant date? I don’t have time lately po eh,” she said. According to Melendez, she is still trying to cope and move on with her life. Thus, she has no time to commit herself to anyone other than her children.

“I am now beginning to bounce back in all aspects.

Loving my self, loving my work more. I’m becoming a better mother. I’m learning so many new things in life,” she said. “If I’d ask God for anything, it wouldn’t be for my self. It would be for my children.” As for the greatest lesson she learned from her experience, Melendez said: “Not to trust so much.

Always leave something for yourself.” (MNS)

THE US ASIAN POST Friday - Thursday, March 25 - 31, 2016

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UTREACH Disney On Ice sets the gold standard with the Magical Ice Skating Spectacular Treasure Trove celebrating the legacy of Disney’s Classic Animated Films Skating Into Long Beach and Inland Empire from April 13th – 24th (LOS ANGELES / January 27, 2016) – Audiences will discover endless riches when an extraordinary lineup of stories from the Disney Vault come to life for the ultimate Disney animation celebration with the delightful production, Disney On Icepresents Treasure Trove – Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt.

Disney On Ice sets the gold standard with its skating spectacular spanning tales from the first full-length animated film to the 50th Disney film, playing the Southland from April 13-24 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario and Long Beach Arena.

Hit the ice with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy as they embark on a fun-filled treasure hunt for some of the most popular Disney films ever.

Get tangled up in Disney’s 50th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn. Enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney Princesses: Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Aurora, Tiana, Mulan and, of course, the one who started it all, Snow White.

Ahoy, Mateys! Set sail with

Peter Pan, the always sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook & his pirate pals! Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the ‘Circle of Life.’ TickTock! Tick-Tock! Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter as they march with the Queen of Hearts’ Army of Cards. Plus set a playdate with Woody and Buzz Lightyear because the toys are back in town! Highlighting eight Disney movies and more than 50 Disney characters featured, Feld Entertainment’s Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove – Presented by YoKids will create memories your family will treasure for a lifetime!

WHEN: Wednesday, April 13 thru Sunday, April 17 • Wednesday, April 13 7:00PM • Thursday, April 14 7:00PM • Friday, April 15 7:00PM • Saturday, April 16 11:00AM, 3:00PM & 7:00PM • Sunday, April 17 1:00PM & 5:00PM WHERE: Citizens Business Bank Arena – 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764 TICKETS: Ticket prices range from $22, $28, $45 (VIP) and $70-$75 (Front

Row)* Opening Night tickets available for only $15 each (not valid for premium seating) Tickets available for purchase online at AXS. com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or in-person at the venue Box Office. *ticket prices vary between weekday/weekend performances; tickets may be subject to service charges/ facility fees – prices subject to change WHEN: Thursday, April 21 thru Sunday, April 24 • Thursday, April 21 7:00PM • Friday, April 22 11:30AM & 7:00PM • Saturday, April 23 11:00AM, 3:00PM & 7:00PM • Sunday, April 24 11:00AM, 3:00PM & 7:00PM WHERE: Long Beach Arena – 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 TICKETS: Ticket prices range from $22, $28, $50$55 (VIP) and $75 (Front Row)* Opening Night tickets available for only $15 each (not valid for premium seating) Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the Long Beach Arena Box Office

*ticket prices vary between weekday/weekend performances; tickets may be subject to service charges/ facility fees – prices subject to change ONLINE MEDIA GUIDE: To download show information and high resolution photos, members of the media should visit www.FeldEntertainment.com/TreasureTrovePhotos can also be found at www.FeldInc.com/ hrp (username: feldmedia;

password: photos) About Feld Entertainment Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 75 countries and on six continents to date

and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Nuclear Cowboyz®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt, Disney Live! Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt and Marvel Universe LIVE! More information about Feld Entertainment is available online at www.

FeldEntertainment.com.

Earn less than $13,870? California rewards low-income tax filers SACRAMENTO--The Golden State’s poverty statistics are grim: Two in five people live just over the federal poverty level (FPL), and the state has the highest child poverty rate in the nation.

But this year, for the first time, California’s working poor will get to keep more of their earnings in their pockets thanks to the California Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). But people with low incomes – less than $13,870 a year – must be sure to file their taxes in order to get their money back. 600,000 Families Eligible Around 600,000 families in California are eligible for the state EITC. Some 12 percent are Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders, 30 percent are Latino, 12 percent are Black, and more than 15,000 individuals are Native American. The majority of those eligible are single women who are working part-time jobs.

Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last year, the state’s EITC program is expected to cost the state $380 million. California is the 25th state, plus the District of Columbia, with such a program. The tax credit is modeled on the federal EITC program, which has been around since 1975.

California Budget and Policy Center (CBPC) Communications Director Steven Bliss called the state program “an important tool for helping move the lowest earners toward economic security.”

Some of those targeted for the program, he said, “have earnings so low that they may not even file state income taxes.”

To qualify for the California’s EITC a person must earn no more than $13,870 a year. On average those who apply for the credit will receive $900 back from the state. Families with three or more children could get back more than $2,500.

“Every community has people who live in deep poverty,” said state Assembly Member Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, speaking on a panel with other state officials in Sacramento, March 9. “The state’s poorest communities will benefit from this.”

Asian-Community Gap Even though California is doing outreach around the new program, not everyone knows about it, especially in the Asian community, said Crystal Huang. She wears the hats of tax preparer and housing counselor at Asian, Inc., in San Francisco.

San Francisco resident Hou (who would only share

her last name) was one of them. The Chinese immigrant, 40, has been raising her five-year-old son alone since her husband died two years ago, leaving her with very few resources. She pulls in about $5,000 a year from her three part-time jobs and struggles to put rice on the table.

She came to Asian Inc. to get her taxes filed for free and found, to her surprise, that she could get back $1,300 from the state’s EITC program, plus another $1,500 from the federal EITC, plus an additional $250 from San Francisco’s Working Families Credit – a little over $3,000 in all.

Rick Kim, economic development services manager with Koreatown Youth and Community Center in Los Angeles, which provides free tax help for low-income people among other services, said it’s too early to know how many people will apply for the new state program.

Many of his clients, he said, work in very low-paid, highstress jobs, such as in the garment industry or supermarkets.

He noted that the CalEITC could motivate more people who fall below the federal filing threshold to file returns because they could qualify for the ben-

PHL, US jointly address economic issues in trade talks WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Philippines and the United States renewed their commitment to a partnership for mutual prosperity in the 21st century in a meeting under their Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) held on 16 March 2016 in Washington, D.C. The Philippine delegation was led by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, and composed of Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano, Intellectual Property

Office (IPO) Director General Josephine Santiago, DTI Assistant Secretary Anne Robeniol, and other officials from DTI, DA, IPO, Department of Health, Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. In their opening remarks, Undersecretary Rodolfo and Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Deputy US Trade Representative for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the strength and vitality of Philippines-US economic relations, and the importance of the TIFA meetings in

maintaining open channels of communication between the two countries on trade and investment matters.

First held in 2002, the annual TIFA meeting is a consultative mechanism established by the Philippines and the United States to periodically review the status of the bilateral economic relationship. It provides a forum to address specific issues and concerns of interest to both countries with a view to improving cooperation and enhancing opportunities for trade and investments.

Asian Inc. tax preparer Crystal Huang helping a client prepare her 2015 tax returns.

efits.

“For a family making around $10,000 or $12,000, a benefit of $500-$800 is significant,” he said.

Outreach to Immigrants CalEITC4Me.org, a coalition of community-based organizations, is conducting outreach to neighborhoods with the highest number of eligible families.

Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries is one of them. It is working with the Southeast Asian population in Fresno, many of whom are Hmong and

Laotian.

“We are making sure the community has in-language materials and helping people get free tax assistance,” said Executive Director Zachary Darrah.

He noted that not speaking English limits many immigrants’ employment and educational opportunities.

That aside, many immigrants have a “general mistrust” of government, and it takes some persuasion by organizations, such as his to convince them otherwise.

“For folks who are living in poverty, [the extra mon-

ey] is a game-changer for them,” Darrah said. “That goes a long way toward paying bills, paying for housing costs, paying for education, perhaps a mode of transportation--there are a lot of uses for those funds for families living in poverty, as many families are here in Fresno.”

San Francisco’s Hou, who speaks very little English, has decided to invest the tax credit dollars she will get back in her son’s education.

For more information, go to caleitc4me.org. (NAM reporter Anna Challet contributed to this story)

8

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PAL marks 75th year with historic LAX-Cebu flight Text and Photos by Joy Marino

On March 15, 1941, Philippine Airlines (PAL) made history when it took its inaugural flight between Manila to Baguio City with a single Beechcraft Model 18 NPC-51.

Seventy-fives years later, on Wednesday, March 15, 2016 the country’s flag carrier made history once again

with its inaugural flight between Los Angeles and Cebu.

“Today is a special day for Philippine Airlines…today is historic…today marks the 75th anniversary of Philippine Airlines. On this LAX-Cebu inaugural, on its 75th anniversary, Philippine Airlines sets another milestone: the inaugural flight of

the first and only non-stop service to Cebu,” Maricel Wall, PAL-Los Angeles’ Senior Account Manager said during the send-off ceremony that launched PAL’s maiden flight to Cebu at the Los Angeles International Airport last March 15, 2016.

PAL’s Vice-President for Sales Ryan T. Uy, who led

Ryan T. Uy - VP-Sales

Marila M. Revilla.Country Mgr-Americas, Harry D. Inoferio, Sr.Asst.VP Phil.Sales, VP Sales Ryan Uy, Dep Director Airport Opns. & Emergency Unit Jacqueline Yaft, Sales Mgr Marie Jemma Saranillo. DOTLA Director Richmond Jimenez and LAX Station Manager Rex Aldanese.

The Media Fam Tour Group with DOT Director Richmond Jimenez and Sales Manager Marie Jemma Saranillo

the ceremonial ribbon cutting, in his remarks said: ““Today is special because it coincides with PAL’s 75th anniversary.

We wanted to create another milestone that every one will remember.”PR 123 left 8:40 p.m. (local time) with PAL executives, and guests joining other Filipino-Americans on the inaugural flight. The plane landed at the Mactan International Airport in Cebu at 4:40 a.m. on Thursday, March 17.

Also on board were newspapers, magazines, social networks and Shangri-la Hotels Director of Sales Ms. Eldridge Mayor-Parry. As participants to the 5-day joint Philippine Airlines-Department of Tourism-Shangri-la Hotels Media Familiarization Tour of Cebu and Manila, the media representatives flew Business Class and were accorded all courtesies and generous accommodations by PAL’s

Director Richmond Jimenez, Country Manager-Americas Marila M. Revilla, Sr Assistant VP Phil. Sales Harry D. Inoferio, VP Sales Ryan T. Uy, Deputy Director Jacqueline Yaft, and LAX Station Manager Rex Aldanese.

Richmond Jimenez - Director DOTLA

Jacqueline Yaft- Deputy Director

Marie Jemma Saranillo - PAL-LA Area Sales Manager

Maricel Wall- PAL-LA Sr. Account Manager

inflight crew.

Because Cebu is becoming a very important hub outside of Manila, the thrice weekly flights from Los Angeles to the Queen City was aimed at meeting the growing demand from Filipino-Americans for a convenient way of traveling directly to Cebu.

Uy added that with this flight, “Cebu now reinforces its reputation as one of PAL’s important hubs outside Manila. This (the direct flight from LAX) is for our hardworking kababayans who need well-deserved vacation and family reunion,” flying directly to Cebu without experiencing the hassle of first stopping in Manila.

The new service is also aimed at boosting PAL’s presence in the United States.

Philippine Airlines’ current

US operations include flights from San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, Guam, and Los Angeles to Manila. The thrice-weekly non-stop Los Angeles-Cebu flights mark the airline’s first long haul destination for PAL from its secondary hub in Cebu. PAL currently has four international flights from Cebu, namely, Nagoya (with thrice weekly flights), Osaka (with daily flights), Tokyo’s Narita (with twice daily flights), and Seoul (with daily flights) All of these routes are served with PAL’s A321 aircraft.

PAL is not only expanding its international routes from Cebu, but is also adding more inter-domestic flight from its secondary hub. Come April 15, PAL will be opening more from Cebu, namely: Cebu-Davao, Cebu-Cagayan, Cebu-Iloilo (3x daily), Cebu-Tacloban (2x daily), Cebu-Bacolod (17 weekly flights), and the daily Cebu-Butuan flight.

“Today is just the beginning. We will have more flights of Cebu,” Uy added, and stressing that PAL’s chairman Lucio Tan’s goal is to make Philippine Airlines an airline of choice and the source of pride for Filipinos.

For its part the Philippine Department of Tourism has lent its full support to Philippine Airlines inasmuch as the new LAX-Cebu flights opens up new opportunities to fully promote Cebu as a tourist destination.

PDOT-Los Angeles Tourism Director Richmond Jimenez, in his remarks said, “Cebu is the Philippines’ gateway to dive sites, beaches, and a source of world renowned Filipino talents, culture, history and is home to the best lechon in the world.” Jimenez further congratulated all those who are taking the inaugural flight.

“You are now part of history,” he said.

For her part, Marie Jemma Saranillo, PAL-Los Angeles Area Sales Manager, conveyed her appreciation for the Filipino-American community’s continued support. She further expressed confidence that PAL will continue to exert every effort to meet the expectations of their passengers.

Also present during the ribbon cutting ceremonies held at LAX were: Marila Revilla, PAL’s Country Manager for Americas; Harry Inoferio, PAL’s SAVP-Passenger Sales; Jacqueline Yaft, PAL Deputy Director, Airport Operations and Emergency Dept., Rex Aldanese, LAX Station Manager and other guests.

Ma. Cristina Lobregat, Flight Purser

F/P Ma. Cristina Lobregat and Flight Attendant Shelvy Tinoco

DOT LA Director Richmond Jimenez (second from right) with PAL Ecxecutives

PAL-LA and Philippines PAL and DOT Executives, Director of Sales Shangri-la Hotels Ms. Eldridge Mayor-Parry and Media Fam Tour Group

PAL-LA Sales Team

Inflight Crew led by Capt Leo Puzon, First Officer Julino Atupan, Flight Purser Ma. Cristina Lobregat

THE US ASIAN POST Friday - Thursday, March 25 - 31, 2016

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MOTORING

BMW celebrates its centenary with a year of concepts, exhibitions and events The BMW group is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016 with a line-up of centenary events focusing on “The Next 100 Years.”

With an outlook fixed firmly on the future, the group has pioneering concept cars on the agenda, together with a whole series of events.

BMW kicked off the festivities by unveiled the Vision Next 100, a concept car with a sleek coupé design, an autonomous driving mode and a shape-shifting interior. In fact, the car’s seats can be shifted to let passengers sit face to face, the steering wheel and center console retract and the headrests turn sideways.

The vehicle will be displayed in Beijing May 5-15, 2016, before heading off on a world tour, with destinations including the next Paris Motor

Show.

BMW has more world premieres in store for 2016 too, with futuristic Vision concept vehicles from the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, set to be unveiled June 16 in London, and a BMW Motorrad concept car due October 11 in Los Angeles.

After touring the world, these vehicles will be displayed at the BMW Welt plant in Munich, Germany.

The site is also home to the BMW museum, which will be celebrating the centenary with a temporary exhibition from March 10, entitled “100 Masterpieces. BMW Group - 100 years of innovative strength and entrepreneurial courage.”

The exhibition features iconic vehicles like the BMW 328, BMW 507 and BMW Turbo, and looks back over

the brand’s historical development and its numerous technical decisions.

Later in the year, the “BMW - The Next 100 Years” festival will be coming to the Munich Olympic Park (Olympiapark) and the BMW museum, September 9-11, for a weekend of entertainment and experiences in the company of celebrities, brand ambassadors, musicians and DJs. The anniversary is also being celebrated with a collection of 13 centenary publications, tracing the history of the group and its various brands (BMW, MINI, RollsRoyce and BMW Motorrad) and outlining future challenges. In autumn 2016, the publications will be grouped together and released as a comprehensive limited-edition work.

The BMW Vision Next 100 concept car© BMW AG

US unveils emergency braking deal with automakers

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems help prevent crashes or diminish their severity by applying the brakes for the driver.© mtsyri / shutterstock.com

US traffic safety authorities announced Thursday a voluntary deal with automakers to make automatic emergency braking a standard feature on new cars within the next seven years.

The commitment by 20 automakers, representing more than 99 percent of the US auto market, will make the safety technology a standard feature on cars and light trucks no later than late 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said.

It will become standard on heavier trucks three years later.

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems help prevent crashes or diminish their severity by applying the brakes for the driver.

Sensors including radar, cameras and lasers warn the driver of an impending crash, and the brakes engage when the driver fails to take sufficient and timely action to prevent it.

Automakers that agreed to the commitment are Audi, BMW, FCA US, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche,

Subaru, Tesla Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo Car USA. “By proactively making emergency braking systems standard equipment on their vehicles, these 20 automakers will help prevent thousands of crashes and save lives,’ said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a statement.

“It’s a win for safety and a win for consumers.”

The head of the NHTSA, Mark Rosekind, sought to deflect criticism of the voluntary nature of the commitment, saying it would

make AEB standard on new cars three years faster than a regulatory process.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the accelerated process will prevent some 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries.

“A commitment of this magnitude is unprecedented, and it will bring more safety to more Americans sooner,” Rosekind said.

In January, a group of consumer advocates petitioned the NHTSA to seek a mandatory AEB standard rather than a corporate pledge.

Life and Leisure News for Filipino-Americans

Mag-

tayo!

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THE US ASIAN POST Friday - Thursday, March 25 - 31, 2016

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KITCHENOMICS

Easy Brunch Omelet Makes: 4 portions Toppings: mushrooms chorizo, bacon or ham cherry tomatoes spring onions herbs Omelet: 8 eggs 8 tablespoons water or milk salt, to taste pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons butter 8 slices Jarlsberg Cheese 8 slices ham Prepare toppings. Fry mushrooms and chorizo, bacon or ham; cut cherry tomatoes and spring onions.

To make omelet, crack eggs in bowl and add water, salt and pepper. Whisk eggs until they turn a pale yellow color, about 25-35 whisks.

Heat frying pan on medium heat and melt butter. When butter is bubbly, add about one quarter of the egg batter. This will make one of four omelets. When batter starts setting, move hardened parts toward the middle, enabling the rest to get direct heat as well. Use a gentle hand to avoid scrambled eggs.

When batter starts to look cooked, add FKHHVH DQG PHDW DQG Ă&#x20AC;LS RPHOHW RYHU The omelet should be slightly golden on fried side and a little runny and soft in the middle.

Finally, put omelet on plate and add garnish before serving.

I

FAMILY FEATURES

f youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be hosting friends and family to honor Easter this year, make your gathering as simple as it is scrumptious with a decadent brunch menu.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re daunted by the diversity of dishes a brunch menu demands, remember that quality ingredients â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not complex preparation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is what makes dishes truly stand out. Fresh produce and superior products instantly elevate a recipe from good to great.

These brunch staples all start as basics, but get a boost with the right combination of quality ingredients: Made-to-order omelets are always a hit because they guarantee youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re serving up exactly what your guests enjoy. Use a few winning ingredients to create an easy and quick omelet EDVH WKHQ RŕľľHU DQ DUUD\ RI WRSSLQJV LQFOXGLQJ XQH[SHFWHG Ă&#x20AC;DYRUV VXFK DV -DUOVEHUJ %UDQG &KHHVH %HVW NQRZQ IRU LWV FODVVLF ZHGJH WKLV nutty, mild cheese is also available in slices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perfect for the ooey-gooey factor everyone loves in an omelet.

A classic French quiche combines fresh DQG Ă&#x20AC;DYRUIXO LQJUHGLHQWV LV HDV\ WR PDNH DQG tastes delicious hot or cold. The quiche is simple enough to make that you can prepare several varieties, giving guests plenty of options and KDQGLO\ ÂżOOLQJ D EXŕľľHW VSUHDG 6LPSO\ SUHSDUH \RXU FUXVW DQG ÂżOOLQJ EDVH WKHQ PL[ LQ IUHVK crisp veggies that are steamed or lightly browned.

Or create a savory, meaty quiche with your favorite sausage or bacon. Add some cheese EHIRUH ÂżOOLQJ WKH FUXVW DQG VSULQNOH VRPH PRUH cheese on top before baking. )LQJHU IRRGV EXUVWLQJ ZLWK Ă&#x20AC;DYRU simply make brunch better. This recipe uses ready-rolled SXŕľľ SDVWU\ VKHHWV URVHPDU\ DQG WKH GLVWLQFWLYH WDVWH RI -DUOVEHUJ %UDQG &KHHVH IRU D PRXWKZDWHU ing dish that can be featured at a tasting station or as part of a larger meal.

Puff Pastry Swirls Makes: 4 portions 4 ready-rolled puff pastry sheets 1 cup grated Jarlsberg Cheese 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped pepper Heat oven to 400 F. 2Q OLJKWO\ Ă&#x20AC;RXUHG ZRUN VXUIDFH roll out pastry sheets into 8-by-4-inch rectangles. Mix grated cheese, rosemary DQG SHSSHU 6SUHDG PL[WXUH RYHU SXŕľľ pastry. Roll up each pastry rectangle IURP VKRUW HQG 3UHVV HGJHV ÂżUPO\ together to seal roll.

Slice each roll into 2-inch thick slices.

Place face down on baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Tip: To make swirls rise more, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t roll out pastry with rolling pin.

Find more recipes for your Easter brunch at jarlsberg.com.

Make Brunch a Breeze Skip the stress this Easter with these tips to make preparing your holiday brunch simply delicious.

1. Choose several make-ahead dishes that you can prepare well in advance, such as quiche or a breakfast bake.

2. Skip time-intensive pancakes and instead serve up a French toast casserole.

3. Prepare recipes using the highestquality, freshest ingredients for the best results.

4. Give your meal a boost with unexpected but impactful touches, such as specialty butters, homemade jams and delicious cheeses.

5. Create beautiful and tasty accents for \RXU EXŕľľHW LQ PLQXWHV ZLWK SUHWW\ ERZOV RU SODWWHUV ÂżOOHG ZLWK FRORUIXO seasonal fruit.

Cheesy Bacon Quiche Makes: 4 portions Crust: 1 cup butter

FXS Ă&#x20AC;RXU 2 tablespoons water salt Filling: 1 cup bacon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 leek 4 eggs 1/2 cup Jarlsberg Cheese, plus additional for topping, grated 3 tablespoons parsley 4 tablespoons cream Heat oven to 400 F. ,Q ODUJH ERZO PL[ EXWWHU Ă&#x20AC;RXU water and salt together. Knead

WKRURXJKO\ WR PDNH ÂżUP GRXJK Pack dough in plastic wrap and let rest in refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Press dough into full surface of pie plate and cover with aluminum foil. Prebake in oven 10 minutes, then remove aluminum foil and bake another 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in frying pan on medium heat, saute bacon. Add leek at end of cooking time.

In bowl, whisk eggs and cream together and add grated cheese, parsley, bacon and leek. Pour ÂżOOLQJ LQWR FUXVW DQG WRS ZLWK JUDWHG FKHHVH %DNH IRU PLQXWHV or until edge is golden brown and center is set.

Tip: To save time, use premade pie crust and bake according to package directions.

12

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$81-M HEIST From page 1

Still, if the thieves were to get away with their audacious heist, the money had to be moved quickly through the banking system and into the casinos.

And it did.

Authorities took four days to order a recall of the money. But by then it had van-

ished – leaving in its place a tale of death threats, bribes, shady business figures and a bank manager who could be the villain or a victim.

“I did not do anything wrong. If this is a nightmare, I want to wake up now,” the manager of RCBC bank, Maia Deguito, told ABS-

BANGLADESH From page 1

top banking bureaucrat lost their jobs following the theft and the government has been scrambling to contain the damage from the spiraling scandal.

Police said Bangladeshi investigators were planning to travel to the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as part of the transnational probe into the heist.

However, investigators say local hackers were likely involved in the theft.

“We suspect some local people are involved in the crime. The names of local development projects were used in the payment advices sent to the Federal Reserve Bank,” Alam said.

“This has raised our suspicion that there could be some local links.”

In a damning interview published on Friday, the country’s Finance Minister A.M.A Muhith told the Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo that Bangladesh Bank officials were “100 percent” involved in the scandal.

“Of course! One hundred percent they are (involved).

This cannot be possible without complicity of the locals,” the newspaper, which has the highest circulation of any in Bangladesh, quoted Muhith as saying.

Muhith said the New York bank requires hand prints and other biometric information from central bank officials to activate transac-

tions, appearing to suggest the hackers could not have carried out the attack without inside help.

DIVORCE From page 1

Not one raised a hand in the brief segment. They were not given time to explain their stance.

The overwhelmingly Catholic Philippines is the only country aside from the Vatican that bans divorce.

Strong pressure from the Catholic church has stymied previous attempts to pass a divorce law even though a survey last year showed that about 60 percent of adult Filipinos support such a measure.

A survey earlier this month showed that Poe, the adopted daughter of the country’s top movie star, has a slight lead in the run-up to the May 9 vote for the presidency. She is followed closely by Duterte, who is running on a ruthless anti-crime platform; Binay, former mayor of the country’s financial district of Makati; and Roxas, the anointed successor of outgoing President Benigno Aquino who is limited by law to one six-year term.

In another portion of the debate, the four candidates were asked who supported restoration of the death penalty. Poe and Duterte, who openly boasts about killing criminals, both raised their hands despite the Catholic church’s opposition to capital punishment.

THE US ASIAN POST CBN television this week after authorities stopped her at Manila airport from trying to leave the country.

US BASES From page 1

security and disaster relief.

Philippine and US officials meeting in Washington on Friday announced that they had agreed to the rotation of US military personnel under the Enhanced Defense Co-operation Agreement (EDCA), which went into effect in January.

One of the installations is the Antonio Bautista Air Base in the western Philippine island of Palawan, directly facing the South China Sea. Another is Basa Air Base north of Manila, home of the Philippines’ main fighter wing, which is also close to disputed waters.

BELGIUM From page 1

(implement) a policy of integration.”

Belgium has faced much criticism over its security failings, particularly in the wake of November’s Paris attacks that were largely planned in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek, considered a hotbed of Islamist radicalism.

Some criticisms have been hard to refute, such as revelations from Turkey on Wednesday that Brussels attacker Ibrahim El Bakraoui was detained and deported back to Europe last year.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Belgian authorities had failed to confirm the suspect’s jihadist links “despite our warnings”.

- ‘Solidarity not lectures’ -But the timing of Sapin’s comments, just hours after the bombings at the Brussels airport and metro station, was considered highly inappropriate.