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LAS VEGAS
APRIL 18-24, 2019 Volume 30 - No. 16 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
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Duterte to human rights advocates: You were being listened to by DARRYL JOHN
ESGUERRA
Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte warned human rights advocates allegedly concocting black propaganda against him and his family that they were “being listened to.” Speaking during PDP-Laban’s campaign rally in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan on Tuesday, April 16, Duterte said he would release
an “intelligence report” from another country showing human rights groups’ alleged connection with the move to vilify him. “Kayong mga human rights (groups). Kayong mga nagbablack propaganda pati ‘yung anak ko si Veronica 14 years old drug addict? May ipalabas ako, you just wait (Those of you who are engaged in black propaganda — you even said that my 14-yearold daughter Veronica is a drug
USA
DATELINE US to fly, sail, operate anywhere int’l laws allow despite China warning FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
THE United States on Friday, April 12, maintained it will continue its operations in the South China Sea (SCS) despite China’s protest about American forces stirring trouble in the waters. “The U.S. will fly, sail and operate everywhere international law allows. That’s it. Wish we had a longer statement for you, but that’s the simple truth,” said Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of the Japan-based U.S. 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces, during a post-Balikatan media interview at Camp Aguinaldo along with Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander of the military’s Southern Luzon Command and the Balikatan director for the Philippines. The statement was made after Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Wednesday noted that the presence of “nonregional forces” could stir tension in the South China Sea.
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PH doubts US list of high kidnap risk countries THE Philippines’ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) questioned the United States State Department list of countries with high kidnapping list as it included the country among the 35 countries in the travel advisory. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año doubted the accuracy of the list as he emphasized that the kidnapping cases decreased significantly in recent years. He noted that he would seek the explanation of the U.S. embassy as to how they arrived with the said list. “A list is just a list. What we have are factual data pointing to the decreasing number of kidnapping cases in the Philippines. That’s what we are banking on,” Año said in a statement as reported by The Philippine Star. “We don’t know yet how they came up with the list but with the strong stance of President Duterte against criminality in general, we see no basis for including us in this list. We will request from the U.S. embassy (for) the parameters used since even Malay-
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addict — I am going to release something. Just wait),” Duterte said. “Alam mo marami pa ring kaibigan sa ibang bayan. What you did not know is that you were being listened to habang ginagawa ninyo ‘yang kalokohan niyo. Ilabas ko yan in a few days pineperfect ko lang. It was an intelligence report, not from us, but from another country (You know, I still
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RELIGIOUS TRADITION. Catholics hold the centuries-old tradition of “pabasa” or the chanting narratives on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in Intramuros, Manila on Holy Monday, April 15. During the Holy Week, Filipino Catholics commemorate the religious season with traditional practices such as Visita Iglesia, Senakulo, and fasting, among others. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Palace: Vetoed P95.3-B in 2019 national budget ‘unconstitutional’
Appropriations Bill (GAB) into law on April 15. The total approved national budget for this year was MANILA — The P95.3 billion P3.757-trillion, but Duterte vevetoed provisions in the 2019 toed P95.3 billion of it. national budget was “unconstiPanelo, who is also Duterte’s tutional,” Malacañang said on chief legal counsel, further said Tuesday, April 16. the vetoed items were “unproPresidential Spokesperson grammed.” Salvador Panelo said in a Palace “Remember the decision of the briefing that those vetoed por- Supreme Court? The decision of tions “are the so-called insertions, the Supreme Court was that if riders. They are not part of the they are unprogrammed, then, program by the DPWH. Hence, it it violates the Constitution,” he violates the Constitution.” said. President Rodrigo Duterte “As I have said in my statePresident Rodrigo Duterte signs the 2019 General Appropriations Act at the Malacañan Palace on Monday, April 15. Witnessing signed the much-delayed General u PAGE A2 the signing is Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi by NESTOR
CORRALES Inquirer.net
Philippines stands in solidarity with France amid Notre Dame fire MANILA — The Philippines expressed symphathies to France following a fire that devastated the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Malacañang said it was deeply “saddened and bothered” by the fire that hit the centuries-old landmark. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of France as well as in solidarity with the rest of the world for this heartbreaking incident. We wish the French nation all the best as they undertake efforts to rebuild this great monument in Paris restored to its majestic sight,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tuesday. Panelo noted that the cathedral serves
as a symbol of Catholicism, having housed several historical artifacts. The cathedral has also become an icon immortalized by French novelist Victor Hugo through his novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” “Thousands of various races have at one time or another stood either by themselves or with their families or friends in front of this historic cathedral and marvel at its architectural grandeur,” Panelo said. “Their sojourn there left beautiful memories engraved in their hearts and recorded in photographs. Pain and sorrow were felt by the millions upon hearing the cata-
Duterte to journalists: You attack to get paid by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 13, claimed some journalists are being paid to produce “false reports” to serve their “clients” while he dismissed reports about the increase of his wealth while in public service. “They accept (payment) from clients to (write) political attacks. AC/DC (attack and collect, deu PAGE A2 fend and collect). You attack to
get paid. So don’t believe that they are clean,” he said during a campaign rally in Bukidnon. “You protect the rich and hide their secrets, but attack us politicians who genuinely want reform. That’s the truth. You are just being paid,” Duterte added. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) released a report saying the incomes of Duterte, his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio and son former Davao
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Bayambang makes it to Guinness Records by BOY
ABUNDA Philstar.com
Bayambang, Pangasinan’s 50.23-meter statue of St. Vincent Ferrer lands a spot in the Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest bamboo statue. Philstar.com photo
BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan has once again made history. Thunderous applause, deafening shrieks and sheer joy enveloped the history-rich town the night of April 5 after the formal announcement was made that its latest entry as the Tallest Bamboo Sculpture (Supported) of St. Vincent Ferrer or the tallest statue made of engineered bamboo successfully landed a spot in the Guinness World Records. It was adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar who brought the piece of good news to all Bayambangueños during the un-
veiling of the 50.23-meter (164 ft. 9.56 inches) tall statue at the St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park that Bayambang now holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest supported bamboo sculpture. No wonder, everyone was in a jubilant mood in the town’s celebration of its 405th founding anniversary and the marking of 400th year of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish (1619 to 2019). The occasion also coincided with the commemoration of the 600th death year (1419 to 2019) of the saint also known as the pastor of builders. The colossal statue, made of steel frame and engineered bamboo cladding, stands tall at the center of the two-hectare
emerging spiritual hub situated in Barangay Bani. According to Dangarikar, Bayambang did not attempt to beat a world record but set a unique record for “a sculpture of this scale.” He, too, shared that it was already his seventh time to set foot in the Philippines and Dangarikar said that every time he comes here, “you never fail to amaze me” because even though he had expected to see a sculpture to be big, Dangarikar did not foresee “it was that huge and beautifully built.” It was said that over 600 people meticulously worked together for more than 10 months to build the statue of gargantuan
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